Themes allow you to customize the look and feel of your Gmail account. To choose a theme, click a thumbnail on the Themes tab of your Settings page.

In some cases, you can also customize by location. Some themes change during the day, and we use the location information you provide to correctly time these changes with your local sunrise, sunset, and/or weather. If you select one of these themes, you’ll see a Country/Region drop-down menu appear. Select the country you want, and then enter a city in the field provided. If you don’t enter a city, or enter an invalid one, we’ll set your location to the capital city of the country you selected. When you’re done, click Save.

So what’s your theme?

G-whiz Gmail, finally with the themes

• Get more from your Gmail address
• Set Gmail as your default email client in Firefox 3
• Serenity/Firefly Easter Eggs
• As Seen on TV
• Official Gmail Blog: “M” is for…mute

Luke’s Wish List

* Pirates Cove- by: Day’s of Wonder
* Work Clothes (LL Bean.com, XXL Tall* Chino wrinkle resistant shirt, col: hunter green, plum, olive $34.50 each)
* Casual Clothes
o LL Bean.com, XXL Tall* Carefree unshrinkable T-shirt, any color, $17.50 each
o 40W Khaki cargo shorts & pants
* Bocce Set (Lawn game)
* Peanuts Comic Book Collection
* Blu-Ray Player
* Dead Like Me TV/DVD series (1,2, & 3?)
* Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
* The Mosaic of Christian Belief: Twenty Centuries of Unity & Diversity
*Reasons We Believe: 50 Lines of Evidence That Confirm the Christian Faith

Luke’s wish list

• Something else to add to my never-ending wishlist, which I’ll never read
• Word Cloud
• GodDivas » (cheap) halloween costume ideas
• Black Tie Optional
• Robert Bruce - Poet

Reasons We Believe: 50 Lines of Evidence That Confirm the Christian Faith

Aside from the long title of my post, and the book, I do want to get this book (among others) so I’ll be adding it to my wish list of books I want to get and read (but never will). So why do I want this, Dan Phillips of Team Pyro, told me to and I do what ever they say (not really) but he did give it a good review and it is the kind of book I want to read and should. So buy it for me, PLEASE.

OK, I can probably afford to get this one myself but then, maybe you should too. Check out Dan’s review, then pick up your own copy here.

Something else to add to my never-ending wishlist, which I’ll never read

• Luke’s wish list
• Kathi Burg is back
• Do you think my bra is too tight. Maybe I shoul…
• Film and Theology
• ICC Online | California Code Updates

Julia’s Wish List

* Waffle Maker
* Single Serve Coffee Maker received!
* Fleece Jacket (Large)
* Deceptively Delicious Cookbook: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food by Jessica Seinfeld
* Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron- $13.57 on Amazon
* Clueless DVD
* Juno DVD
* Walk the Line (Extended Cut) DVD
* The Prestige DVD
* Waitress (Widescreen Edition) DVD
* Scrapbook stuff (Cricut Machine)

Julia’s wish list

• Corbin’s Wish List
• Serenity/Firefly Easter Eggs
• And a firefly in every tree
• Happy Mother’s Day - early edition
• Mystery solved

Dear beloved sponsors and friends of Good News India. We have never seen anything like this. We knew that Orissa was the most resistant and hostile State in India as far as the Gospel is concerned. And we brushed off the continuous threats and harassment we faced as we went about His work. But none of our staff imagined that they would see this kind of carnage…. And it seems to be totally under the radar of the Western Media ….

Let me explain…. A militant Hindu priest and 4 of his attendants, who were zealously going around the villages of Orissa and ‘reconverting’ people back to Hinduism, were gunned down by unknown assailants in Central Orissa last weekend.

Immediately the Christians were blamed.. The cry rose up…’Kill the Christians!’ And the horror began…. In the past 4 days, we have first hand witness to hundreds of churches being blown up or burned and many, many dozens of Christian tribals have been slaughtered. For no other reason than they bear the name of Christ.

Night and day I have been in touch with our Good News India Directors spread across 14 Dream Centers in Orissa… they are right in the middle of all this chaos. In Tihidi, just after the police came to offer protection, a group of 70 blood-thirsty militants came to kill our staff and destroy the home. They were not allowed to get in, but they did a lot of damage to our Dream Center by throwing rocks and bricks and smashing our gate, etc.

They have promised to come back and ‘finish the job.’ Our kids and staff are locked inside and have stayed that way with doors and windows shut for the past 3 days. It has been a time of desperately calling on the Lord in prayer.

More police have come to offer protection. In Kalahandi, the police and some local sympathizers got to our dream center and gave our staff and kids about 3 minutes notice to vacate. No one had time to even grab a change of clothes or any personal belonging. As they fled, the blood thirsty mob came to kill everyone in the building. We would have had a mass funeral there, but for His grace. In Phulbani, the mob came looking for Christian homes and missions. The local Hindu people, our neighbors turned them away by saying that there were no Christians in this area. So they left.. We had favor. The same thing happened in Balasore.

All our dream centers are under lock down with the kids and staff huddled inside and police outside. The fanatics are circling outside waiting for a chance to kill. Others were not so fortunate. In a nearby Catholic orphanage, the mob allowed the kids to leave and locked up a Priest and a computer teacher in house and burned them to death. Many believers have been killed and hacked into pieces and left on the road…. even women and children. At another orphanage run by another organization, when this began, the Director and his wife jumped on their motorbike and simply fled, leaving all the children and staff behind. Every one of our GNI directors that I have spoken to said: ‘We stay with our kids…. we live together or die together, but we will never abandon what God has called us to do.’ More than 5000 Christian families have had their homes burned or destroyed. They have fled into the jungles and are living in great fear waiting for the authorities to bring about peace. But so far, no peace is foreseen.

This will continue for another 10 days…. supposedly the 14 day mourning period for the slain Hindu priest. Many more Christians will die and their houses destroyed. Many more churches will be smashed down. The Federal government is trying to restore order and perhaps things will calm down. We ask for your prayers. Only the Hand of God can calm this storm. None of us know the meaning of persecution. But now our kids and staff know what that means. So many of our kids coming from Hindu backgrounds are confused and totally bewildered at what is happening around them. So many of their guardians have fled into the jungles and are unable to come and get them during these trying times.

Through all this, I am more determined than ever to continue with our goal: the transformation of a community by transforming its children. Orissa will be saved… that is our heart’s cry. If we can take these thousands of throw-away children and help them to become disciples of Jesus, they will transform an entire region. It is a long term goal, but it is strategic thinking in terms of the Great Commission. What can you do? First, please uphold all this in fervent prayer. Second, pass this e-mail on to as many friends as you can. We must get the word out and increase our prayer base for this is spiritual warfare at its most basic meaning. We are literally fighting the devil in order to live for His Kingdom. The next 10 days are crucial. We pray for peace and Thank you for taking the time to read this.

More info can be found at www.efionline.org and YWAM

CHRISTIANS, MISSIONARIES in INDIA

• Voice of the Martyrs
• A Call for Prayer
• Rudolph the Anti-Gospel Reindeer
• Prayer and Fasting
• We’re adopting

*Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994.
*Olson, Roger. The Mosaic of Christian Belief: Twenty Centuries of Unity & Diversity
. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2002.
*Elwell, Walter A., ed. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company, 2001.
*Moreland, J. P. Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul
. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1997.
*Ryrie, Charles C. Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth
. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1986.

I’m looking to borrow these books

• Evangelical Books
• Luke’s wish list
• Not-so-biblical counseling
• What’s your theological worldview?
• Best Places to Get Free Books - The Ultimate Guide

* 24mos & Up Clothing (I need long sleeve tops), 24mos-2T Pajamas
* Toys/Puzzles (1-2yr)
* Toy Chest/ Storage Bin Chest
* Koala Baby Canvas Folding Bins - Sage (Babies R Us) (Have 3 & would like 3 more)
* Here Come the ABCs [CD/DVD Combo] - by They Might Be Giants****
* Here Come The 123s [CD/DVD] - by They Might Be Giants****
* Antz / Shark Tale DVD
* Ice Age DVD (both movies)
* Finding Nemo (Two-Disc Collector’s Edition) DVD
* The Chronicles of Narnia (Widescreen Edition) DVD (both movies)
* Flushed Away (Widescreen Edition) DVD
* Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: A Veggie Tales Movie (Widescreen) (any Veggie Tales DVD’s really, but we have Jonah already)

Corbin’s Wish List

• Never go to work
• Coolest towels ever
• Pirates Disappoints
• Julia’s wish list
• Baby Registries, oh my

Think Tank Rotation 360°, Two Section Convertable Photo Backpack.
While reading Digital Photography School blog, I came across a couple of items I’d like to add to our toolbelt (as it were) One is very affordable, the other - not so much.

The Think Tank Rotation 360° Backpack lets you access the gear inside of the backpack without taking if off of your back. This allows you the comfort of a backpack with the convenience and accessibility of a beltpack. The rotation360° exponentially increases your ability to access your gear as quickly as possible, with the least amount of effort to change lenses and access accessories. Then, just as easily, you can rotate the belt back back into the backpack and out of the way.

# Beltpack Can Be Used Separately: The beltpack can also be used separately without the backpack. When you arrive at your travel destination, if you do not need the backpack you can just take the beltpack. A lightweight shoulder strap is included
# “Rail” for Modulus Components: On one side of the waistbelt is a “rail” that allows other Modulus accessories, such as the Lens Changers, Trim Changer, or Lens Drop In, to be attached. As with all Modulus components, you can allow it to “rotate or lock”
# Mesh Side Pockets, Built in Side Pocket: Each side of the beltpack has mesh pockets with a bungee/ toggle closure for fast access to smaller accessories. A built in side pocket is perfect for CF card wallets, 1.4x teleconverters and more
# 70-200 2.8 Lens “Rail” on the Beltpack: There is a “rail” on the side of the beltpack that allows for Modulus components to be attached. The Lens Changer 75 can be attached and will hold a 70-200mm f/2.8 or similar lens
# Front Pocket: The front pocket is for miscellaneous items and the raincover is located inside, as well

The Digital Photography Companion

Are you ready to take photos that reflect your creative spirit, rather than just another set of snapshots? Then you want this book in your camera bag. Well-organized so you can look up topics quickly, The Digital Photography Companion gives you creative tips and technical advice for taking top-notch digital photos in a wide range of conditions, and for a variety of occasions. In other words, this book will help you make pictures that look better than everyone else’s.

Professional photographer and teacher Derrick Story, whose online tips and podcasts at The Digital Story have made him a popular photography blogger, gives you plenty of examples of how to capture great shots of people, places, landscapes, and more. He also provides a complete summary on camera features, tips for printing, sharing your images, and an overview of photo management applications.

More Camera & Photo stuff

• Baby’s got a brand new bag
• Baby Backpack
• A Bit About Bokeh
• Hot Flashes
• New Camera!

Homosexual Hermeneutics Have Deadly Implications (Part 1)

In the past homosexuality has been regarded as a sin and a moral evil. It has been held in disgust and any homosexual or even homosexual tendency was driven from the church. But whether the church is ready to confront homosexuality or not, homosexual issues are already impacting the church in ways it cannot deny. Can Christians then continue to ignore homosexuality in and outside of the church, simply because they find it to be distasteful?

Homosexual Hermeneutics (Part 2): What Is Sin?

“Sin” as a characteristic of human beings is manifested in the committing of “sins,” individual acts of rebellion against God and against expressions of his intentions for humanity…Sin is not to be identified simply with violation of the moral standards of society, though individual sins as violations of the divine intention for human interactions, are violations of human moral standards as well. Rather, sin in its basic sense is always ultimately against God Himself rather than against mankind or any human person. (Allen C. Myers, ed., Eerdman’s Bible Dictionary, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987), 951)

Homosexual Hermeneutics (Part 3): The Imago Dei (Image of God)

Following sin, the image of God had gone through a devastating disfigurement. Before the Fall humanity was encased with the sheer image and likeness of God (The two terms, “likeness” and “image” are synonymous and not two separate entities. See Hoekema, 13f.). But sin has invaded all of humanity and the net result has been the perversion of the once glorious image of God.

Ultimately for the Christian, Scripture is the final arbiter on the issue of homosexuality and sin. The homosexual agenda has recently caused theological maelstroms that have affected virtually every mainline denomination.

The question then becomes whether homosexual advocated interpretations of Scripture are within the bounds of Scriptural truth, or whether they stretch the truth to dangerous tensions. The following are the major texts in Scripture that deal with the homosexuality issue.

Homosexual Hermeneutics (Part 4): What Does the Bible Say? Genesis 19:4-11

Genesis 19:4-11 “But before they lay down, the men of the city…”

Homosexual Hermeneutics (Part 5): What Does the Bible Say? Leviticus 18:22; 20:13

Leviticus 18:22; 20:13 “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination…”

Homosexual Hermeneutics (Part 6): What Does the Bible Say? Romans 1:26-27

Romans 1:26-27 “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions…”

Homosexual Hermeneutics (Part 7): What Does the Bible Say? 1 Corinthians 6:9 & 1 Timothy 1:10

1 Corinthians 6:9 & 1 Timothy 1:10 “…Do not be deceived…” & “And immoral men and homosexuals…”

Homosexual Hermeneutics (Part 8): Dismissing Biblical Authority and Inerrancy

Interestingly, in spite of the nature of this debate (based on biblical evidence), homosexual theologians have taken the view that Scripture is ultimately not too critical in assuming the validity of homosexuality in the Christian Church.

Homosexual Hermeneutics (Part 9): The Moral-Social Controversies

Other arguments for gay acceptance come from the famed (or infamous) Kinsey Study in 1948. Kinsey concluded that at least ten percent of the American population (or approximately 25 million people) is gay. If this were true, most homosexuals would argue that something regularly practiced by so many people could not be morally wrong. But the Kinsey report was anything but objective and scientific.

Homosexual Hermeneutics (Part 10): Is Homosexuality a Sin?: A Personal Perspective, Conclusion and An Approach

I would conclude that homosexuality is a sin for two obvious reasons. First, it continues to damage an already perverted image of God by neglecting the male-female nature of the imago dei. When a man has intercourse with another man, it goes against the very “nature” (cf. Romans 1:26-27) of God’s intended plan. But not only does homosexuality do this on a functional level, but also on the ontological level. The makeup of the Trinity is relational, the perfect relationship. When God created man in His image, “He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:26-27). Man and woman together, in their relationship to each other, now reflects the perfect relationship of the Trinity. Thus, when there is an aberration to that relationship, like homosexuality or bestiality, there is no longer a reflection of that perfect relationship.

Second, biblical evidence clearly condemns homosexuality. Many scholars have attempted to exegete the passages to favor their position. But the end-result is either a misinterpretation of Scripture or a rejection of Scripture’s infallibility, or both. Circumvention of the passages through personal biases and forced presuppositions allows much room for contextual and exegetical mayhem. The burden of proof lies heavily with the homosexual advocates who are left with a Bible that unequivocally condemns homosexuality at all levels. The avenue of denying Scripture’s reliability, inerrancy, and validity would seem to be the only route to follow.

Homosexual Hermeneutics

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• Theological Terms

After talking to individuals within our church I have come to understand that there is widespread confusion as to how being faithful to Scripture, through political action, to help encourage city-wide shalom (peace), is attained. In other words I have seen a “disconnect” between how we view God, and how God informs the state, and therefore; how we think and vote in this civic process to attempt to maintain a unity between Scripture and state. Because of this disconnect, we don’t know how to enjoin God’s idea of city-wide shalom and our role in encouraging this through a vote, or whether this is even proper. As an elder of Kaleo it is my responsibility to shepherd you through this thought process and help you make an informed decision come election time. Well, election time is here, in fact it is tomorrow, and I know as a community we are woefully ill informed as to how Scripture and the state are to exist together, and how our role as Gospel practitioners has a voice in that relationship.

read the full post

Gospel and State - regarding Prop 8

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