Chick-Fil-A

Well, one of the things we enjoy when we come to Texas, is eating out at the different food joints.

Today was my Chick-Fil-A day.

Wednesday's weird and wild worship - Oprah or Religion?

Oprah or Religion? Or Both?

by Michael Krahn

Take a look at this video. It contains clips from an Oprah Winfrey show, several game shows, and numerous religious gatherings.

Aside from the video quality it’s difficult to tell which ones are from where. Andrew Peterson's song “Invisible God” plays over top of the clips. It makes for an interesting juxtaposition.

There are a lot of scenes of worship here. Lots of people worshiping, and numerous things and people being worshiped.

What do you think?

Tyler Rose Gardens

On Monday, the family went to the world famous Tyler Rose Gardens for family photos. Will post later. I showed the kids the first place I ask Regena to be my wife, yes I had to tell our children I had to ask Regena twice.

Queen Elizabeth and the KJV ~ Christmas Address

Christmas Broadcast 2010

Over four hundred years ago, King James the Sixth of Scotland inherited the throne of England at a time when the Christian Church was deeply divided. Here at Hampton Court in 1604, he convened a conference of churchmen of all shades of opinion to discuss the future of Christianity in this country. The King agreed to commission a new translation of the Bible that was acceptable to all parties. This was to become the King James or Authorized Bible, which next year will be exactly four centuries old.

Acknowledged as a masterpiece of English prose and the most vivid translation of the scriptures, the glorious language of this Bible has survived the turbulence of history and given many of us the most widely-recognised and beautiful descriptions of the birth of Jesus Christ which we celebrate today.

The King James Bible was a major cooperative endeavour that required the efforts of dozens of the day’s leading scholars. The whole enterprise was guided by an interest in reaching agreement for the wider benefit of the Christian Church, and to bring harmony to the Kingdoms of England and Scotland.

Four hundred years later, it is as important as ever to build communities and create harmony, and one of the most powerful ways of doing this is through sport and games. During this past year of abundant sporting events, I have seen for myself just how important sport is in bringing people together from all backgrounds, from all walks of life and from all age-groups.

In the parks of towns and cities, and on village greens up and down the country, countless thousands of people every week give up their time to participate in sport and exercise of all sorts, or simply encourage others to do so. These kinds of activity are common throughout the world and play a part in providing a different perspective on life.

Apart from developing physical fitness, sport and games can also teach vital social skills. None can be enjoyed without abiding by the rules, and no team can hope to succeed without cooperation between the players. This sort of positive team spirit can benefit communities, companies and enterprises of all kinds.

As the success of recent Paralympics bears witness, a love of sport also has the power to help rehabilitate. One only has to think of the injured men and women of the Armed Forces to see how an interest in games and sport can speed recovery and renew a sense of purpose, enjoyment and comradeship.

Right around the world, people gather to compete under standard rules and, in most cases, in a spirit of friendly rivalry. Competitors know that, to succeed, they must respect their opponents; very often, they like each other too.

Sportsmen and women often speak of the enormous pride they have in representing their country, a sense of belonging to a wider family. We see this vividly at the Commonwealth Games, for example, which is known to many as the Friendly Games and where I am sure you have noticed that it is always the competitors from the smallest countries who receive the loudest cheers.

People are capable of belonging to many communities, including a religious faith. King James may not have anticipated quite how important sport and games were to become in promoting harmony and common interests. But from the scriptures in the Bible which bears his name, we know that nothing is more satisfying than the feeling of belonging to a group who are dedicated to helping each other:

‘Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should to do to you, do ye even so to them’.

I wish you, and all those whom you love and care for, a very happy Christmas.

You know you are in Texas when...

... your breakfast waffle is in the shape of ...

Greetings from SeaTac Airport

I am sitting here at Seatac getting a bit to eat, and then onto a 5:55pm flight to Houston, Texas.

Andrew caught this flight from Germany, with no problem. Praise the Lord.

So the whole Jeff Hallmark clan will be together for Christmas in Tyler, Texas

On Monday the 27th we will have a big get together at Jesse and Leah's.

Looking forward to visiting with family and friends.

God Bless and Merry Christmas

Bro. Jeff Hallmark

Flying Car