Friday, January 10, 2014

Fri Jan 10th Todays News

Extreme left wingers seem to feel it is ok to drown people if one feels compassion while doing it. That would not be the position of a reasonable person. It is icing on the cake that illegal immigration also undermines systems that benefit people, such as refugee camps, foreign aid and migration. Because the extreme left have adopted that position, the moderate left have embraced it too. After all, the moderate left see themselves as being compassionate. And they dislike unfettered capitalism. It has to have fetters, like those employed monetarily to refugee seekers willing to pay to risk drowning. Because all lefties think the same, moderate leftists must embrace what extreme leftists espouse. That has not always been the case. Moderate leftists like Hawke and Keating were able to pull the extremists to back them on their compromises. They still managed to convey to extremists they would not behave sensibly. The kind of moderate left leadership provided by Hawke and Keating was surrendered by Beazley who was not capable of filling the vacuum left when Keating retired. Which is sad for boat people, who rely on people like Sarah Hanson Young to keep the drain unplugged as they circle the drain of Keating's vision of Australia. 
The conservative position espoused by Mr Abbott and of long standing public policy of conservative administrations is opposed by the radical left. And so it is also despised by moderates. And so Channel 10's morning show, after interviewing Mr Abbott, discussed the issue and no member of the four person panel spoke in favour of the conservative position. Not even Joe Hildebrand who is a vocal supporter of good government at other times. Such a jaundiced view is unwatchable and not entertaining, but irritating. Channel Ten's program was celebrating fifty episodes. It won't grow if it fails to be different to other channels. 
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Hatches
Happy birthday and many happy returns Stephanie Hurst. Born on the same day, across the years, along with
Matches
Despatches
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Bad luck Sarah, but that boat won’t float

Piers Akerman – Thursday, January 09, 2014 (6:39pm)

OUR ABC, and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, choked the pre-election airwaves with wild predictions that the Coalition’s turn-back-the-boats policy was unworkable.

Icon Arrow Continue reading 'Bad luck Sarah, but that boat won’t float'
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SEXIST, RACIST DECISION REVERSED

Tim Blair – Friday, January 10, 2014 (12:53pm)

Excellent result
An African woman who was denied permission to travel to Australia for facial reconstruction surgery by the Gillard government has had a second visa application approved.
Ayaan Mohamed, 25, suffered horrific facial injuries when she was shot as an infant during Somalia’s brutal civil war.
Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital and Rotary offered to bring Ayaan to Australia for the complicated surgery free of charge, but she was denied a medical visa last March.
Ayaan made a second visa application in October, which Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has now approved. 
More than 40,000 people petitioned the government on the woman’s behalf.
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BIGGER THAN THE MOON

Tim Blair – Friday, January 10, 2014 (11:54am)

Antarctic tourism academic Chris Turney claims
Never before has a science expedition reached out live to so many people from such a remote location. 
Roger Corbett responds
… er, “one small step for a man ...” 
(Via John R.)
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FIGHTY WHITEYS

Tim Blair – Friday, January 10, 2014 (11:47am)

This might be the lamest and palest human chain of all time:

image
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ABBOTT NOT BLAMED

Tim Blair – Friday, January 10, 2014 (11:38am)

Melbourne leftoid Jeff Sparrow blames violence in Sydney on George W. Bush
If you sought to normalise brutality, to present killing as an acceptable way for perpetrators to get what they wanted without repercussions, could you conceive of a better way than the war against Iraq? 
Fundamentalist Islam, for one. But in Sydney’s case, the violence is probably more due to drunken idiots on ice or steroids rather than any geopolitical or religious factors. Just a theory.
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HYPOTHETICAL HANSON-YOUNG

Tim Blair – Friday, January 10, 2014 (11:17am)

Piers Akerman deals with Greens senator Sarah Accidents-Happen: 
The Senator flippantly shrugged off any Greens responsibility for contributing to the deaths of about 200 people who tried to enter aboard an illegal people smuggler boat in December 2011 with the astoundingly superficial comment: “Tragedies happen, accidents happen.”
Hanson-Young is now dismayed the Australian naval personnel may be responsible for saving lives at sea.

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Speaking to “our” ABC after Indonesian authorities reported at least two illegal people smuggler boats had returned to Indonesia (there have been more), the pointless South Australian said the people-smuggler passengers ”could have drowned”. 
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Karma
John Tran If they don't believe in Karma..It's a sign from God

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Atheists have gotten very ambitious .. the separation of church and state does not mean people without faith form government, or that government interferes with faith. It means that the government makes secular decisions regarding public administration. So that people of all faiths can live together. Not so affirmative action atheists lord it over the rest. - ed
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Incredible images show Niagara Falls frozen solid as a chilly polar vortex continues to hit the USA. |http://bit.ly/1d4My58
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andmycat.com
Yeah, 'cause when someone close to me dies, I ignore everyone, lie on the couch and expect people to open some tinned food for me - ed
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All-New Today: For the past four years, Matt claims that he’s been stalked, wiretapped and hacked by a group trying to terrorize him.http://bit.ly/DrP010913 #DrPhil 
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Christopher Pyne
Today’s announcement of a review of the national curriculum is part of the Government’s “Students First” education reforms. Seewww.studentsfirst.gov.au for more details.
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www.thecollegefix.com
" When I enrolled in an advanced German for beginners class last fall at The College of New Jersey, I intended to improve my ability to speak and write in conversational German. What I did not expect to learn in German 103 was that the Affordable Care Act – a.k.a Obamacare – is the answer to our prayers..."
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David Bowles
Excited about an awesome project I'm about to embark on for Lamar University Press with the collaboration of the amazing artist Jose Mlndz. Got to wrap up the Mythological History of Mexico manuscript first, though. :cracks knuckles and neck muscles: ¡A chambiar!
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Top line good. Bottom line is lame - edJohn Tran They look ridiculous... until they point those guns at you..
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I'm too old to know the difference or care .. my ears probably wouldn't hear the pin .. But it allows them to rebadge their material .. - ed
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Michelle Malkin
Brr-urn! Meteorologist slams GMA, hysteria-pimping media for ‘polar vortex’ science fail [pics] ==> http://twitchy.com/2014/01/07/brr-urn-meteorologist-slams-gma-hysteria-pimping-media-for-polar-vortex-science-fail-pics/
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$1 cupcakes 
26 flavours available!!!

Come grab them at POFF World Square and/or Campbelltown
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catallaxyfiles.com
There is diversity amongst conservatives .. but Libertarians are pretty well defined within the conservative movement .. Bernardi is not Libertarian even if he takes on economic conservative views .. his social conservatism is apparent with his embrace of regulation as a solution to much. - ed

1) Libertarian/Classical Liberal.
2. Conservative.

3) Fascism.
Moving from centre to Left.
4) Left-liberal (inner-city leftie)
5) Social democrat
6)Communism.

Of course there are overlaps between 1) and 4) (e.g social progressiveness, freedom), 2) and 5) (e.g valuing family, God) and 3) and 6) (e.g totalitarianism, use of violence). And some people have particular views on certain topics.>

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As we're sure you're all aware, time is like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff… so with that in mind, the BBC Future team have produced this interactive infographic which shows the journeys of each of the Doctors, from First to Eleventh.

Have a play on doctorwho.tv (for the best experience, open this on a desktop computer):http://bbc.in/TimeLordTimelines
How could Tom Baker have travelled less than Pertwee? Pertwee was trapped on Earth. - ed
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www.theaustralian.com.au
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THE Abbott government has appointed strong critics of the national curriculum to review what children are taught - http://ow.ly/srcpC

OPINION: Christopher Pyne on putting critical content back into the curriculum -http://ow.ly/srcBY
Change I can believe in .. giving hope - ed
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In Israel, United Hatzalah deploys over 250 "ambucycles" which can get to patients in need much faster than ambulance vans. Each ambucycle responds to roughly 40 calls per month, of which 10 are considered life threatening. (below, ambucycle in Jerusalem, 2003)
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San Francisco 

I dedicate this image to Steven Seaweed, who has been a long listened to part of the SF community, and has always loved his city by the bay.

Taken on New Year's Eve a few hours before 2014.
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All-New! A wife says she’s convinced her husband molested their 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son -- allegations he adamantly denies. What will the polygraph results reveal?http://bit.ly/DRP010813 #DrPhil
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Wouldn't this make such a fantastic gift (think grandparents especially)? 
It looks like it could be pretty easy to make!
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Larry Pickering
YOU DON’T REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOUR TAXES GO, DO YOU?

Hope you are seated for this because it could ruin your day. “Effects of climate change could hinder a sea snail’s ability to leap away from predators on one foot”, Queensland researchers say. Did I read that right?

The study, reported in the Fjii Times, shows the Conch snail, found in sandy areas off coral reefs, finds it difficult to quickly jump out of reach of prey when exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide.

Dr Sue-Ann Watson of James Cook University’s Centre of Excellence, who is a self-confessed global warmist, says the chemical CO2 disrupts the snail's neurotransmitter receptor, causing it to have a delayed response.

“The snail either stops jumping or takes longer to jump when exposed to the levels of carbon dioxide projected for the end of this century”, the marine biologist said. (Have you fallen off your chair yet?)

"This might leave the three to four centimetre Conch snail more vulnerable to the dart of the slow-moving, predatory Cone shell.

"Snails normally move slowly and crawl around on their one big foot," Ms Watson said.

Jumping Jehoshaphat! Why weren’t we told about this?

So, the level of carbon dioxide in eighty six years’ time (projected of course by our global warming friends) might affect a sea snail!

Bloody hell, that makes the Syrian crisis look like a picnic.

But every dark cloud has a silver lining... in eighty six years’ time it seems the deprived, slow-moving Cone shell will find it much easier to get a feed. Phew, global warming isn’t all doom and gloom after all.

I phone-messaged Sue-Ann to ask if the dung beetle was getting enough tucker at her Centre of Excellence, but have yet to receive a reply.

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A Review of The Conservative Revolution. By Cory Bernardi.
Bill Muehlenberg’s CultureWatch – 8 Jan 2013

Unlike perhaps 90 per cent of the haters bashing Cory Bernardi on various websites, I actually have his new book and have actually read all 164 pages of it (and all 137 footnotes). So that might make my review slightly more reliable than a good hunk of those from the various secular left trolls.

The reason for their utter wrath and vile remarks is clear: Bernardi dares to say that which is politically incorrect. For example, he thinks it is not a good thing that our most trusted institutions of marriage and family are under attack; that killing up to 100,000 unborn babies a year is deemed acceptable; and that the Christian faith has been under so much attack – even though it actually has been a force for good in this nation. No wonder the poisonous barbs are being unleashed upon him.

The South Australian Senator makes a very simple case: the mainstream values which a majority of Australians support are well worth promoting and defending. Things like faith, family and freedom – all the things the radical left so love to disparage and trash.

Bernardi defines a conservative simply as one who seeks “to protect and defend the structures and values that have allowed our nation to achieve the traditional freedoms and prosperity that we enjoy today.” And by revolution he means the need to “restore conservative values to their rightful place as the guiding principles of our civilisation and the cornerstone of governance.”


He begins by defining some conservative principles and values. These include: the importance of order and stability; the importance of judging decisions by their long-term consequences; the realisation that human-made utopias are unworkable and dangerous; the ideal of freedom and private property; and the need to keep a check on power – especially political power.

He then focuses on some key conservative themes: faith, family, flag and free enterprise. Let me just comment on the first two. In his chapter on faith and its importance, he rightly notes what a valuable role it has played both in the foundation of this nation and in its growth and development.

And by faith he does not mean just any old generic faith, but specifically the Christian worldview which did so much for Australia in particular and the West in general. He notes that even those with no religious identity “will likely identify with values that would not exist if it weren’t for the historical role that Christianity has played in shaping” Australia.

He notes that the increased secularisation of late has been closely connected to shifting morality – indeed, to a moral freefall. He discusses the culture wars, including the battle for the sanctity of life. He notes how secular elites such as Peter Singer have pushed for not just abortion and euthanasia, but infanticide as well.

Bernardi deals with the separation of church and state myth, and examines how religious freedom is increasingly coming under attack by those committed to the secular left worldview. He also notes how counterfeit religious movements are arising, such as the radical green agenda.

And he discusses how Islam is not on a par with Christianity, but has fundamental values which are inimical both to Christianity and to freedom and democracy. While ordinary Muslims are to be welcomed, the political ideology of Islam must be rejected, if Australia is to survive as a genuinely free and open society. There certainly are moderate Muslims, but Islam is not moderate.

In his chapter on family, Bernardi marshals the social science data as to why the institutions of marriage and the heterosexual family are so overwhelmingly vital to society, to individuals, and to children. There is a wealth of documentation available here which he draws upon, showing that married people live happier, healthier and longer lives than do those in other types of relationships – or no relationships.

And he highlights the mountain of evidence showing that children do best, all things considered, when raised in a home containing their biological mother and father, especially when cemented by marriage. This really is the “gold standard” of family structure, and one which we should not be ashamed in championing.

That is why conservatives so strongly defend the traditional family unit, while the leftists are so bent on demonising and destroying it. The left has long known that to capture a culture they must first capture its families. It really is the major battleground of our day, and radical experiments like homosexual marriage only further harm society, children, and the institution of marriage itself, as he carefully documents.

Bernardi rightly states, “The current cost and the future risk to our national wellbeing are too great. We simply cannot afford to remain silent about the importance of the traditional family in shaping a positive future for our nation.”

He concludes by offering some practical and personal tasks we can get involved in as part of this conservative revolution. There are many things we can do on the personal, social and community levels to stand up for the values that have made this nation so great. Political involvement is also one of them.

Obviously Bernardi is leading by example here, having served in the Australian Parliament since 2006. He has been one of our most courageous and outspoken politicians, constantly reminding us of the war that we are in, and the values that we need to preserve and defend.

This short manifesto is well worth reading and passing on to a friend. We live in a time when far too many politicians are cowardly when it comes to standing up for Australia and for what is right. Bernardi is not such a person. He and his book both deserve tremendous support.

(Australians can get this book at Connor Court:www.connorcourt.com/catalog1/ )

http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2014/01/08/a-review-of-the-conservative-revolution-by-cory-bernardi/

  • David Daniel Ball They aren't hitting Bernardi because of his stance, but because they sense division. They don't like that there is diversity of opinion among conservatives .. it frightens them because they claim that they celebrate diversity .. and they don't.

  • Stephen Zeg Gunnell Spot on analysis. The left really are that shallow.

  • David Daniel Ball .. ok .. but .. knowing that .. why is he still as outspoken as he is? Is it because he is sincere in his beliefs? Or is it to allow the accusations as a cynical exercise to expose their beliefs? I'm guessing he is sincere.
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derkulturpolitischereporter.wordpress.com
Is this the result of spending on things like wind farms? The money has to come from somewhere and the government hits the arts? - ed===

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Madu Odiokwu Pastorvin
May your day be filled with joy and the presence of God!
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Father,I thank You for calling me out into the deep. Today I surrender every area of my life to You. I choose to trust You knowing that You will show me Your wonders and glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.(Psalm 107:23, NKJV)
In other words, God is the one who has called you to the deep waters. He is with you, and He knows there are deep things on the inside of you. When you are in those deep waters, you are not alone. God is with you, and He’s causing those deep things inside of you to come forth.

If you feel like you are out in the deep today, if you feel like you are overwhelmed, remember, you are in the right place and God is with you. You will see the Wonders of God in the deep.God bless you.
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Pastor Rick Warren
Doing small thing well is the path to getting great things done. It isn't a large leap but many small steps. See David's advice to his son Solomon in building the temple: 1 Chron. 28:20
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Allen West
Just as the Democrats abandoned Southeast Asia, they have now abandoned the Middle East. Iraq is the liberals' new killing fields. Read more:http://allenbwest.com/?p=2089
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www.americanthinker.com
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www.israelhayom.com
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KNESSET JEREMY'S LATEST POLLING - JANUARY 9, 2014

Likud Beitenu 34, Labor 17, Bayit Yehudi 14, Yesh Atid 13, Meretz 10
by Knesset Jeremy
Panels conducted a poll that was broadcast by Knesset Channel 99 on Jan 9 2014.

Knesset Jeremy Analysis: Likud Beitenu remains stable, as does Labor. Bayit Yehudi and Yesh Atid continue to battle over third and fourth place. Meretz has been dropping recently, losing supporters who are returning to Yesh Aid.

Additional Questions:

Is the Untied States a fair mediator towards Israel in the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians?

Not fair 53%, Fair 34%

Based on what you know, should Israel accept the American offer for an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians?

Don't accept 48%, Don't know 30%, Accept 22%

Do you support the African asylum seekers protest?

Do not support 74%, Support 18%

What policy should Israel take in dealing with African citizens living in Israel illegally?

Whoever is recognized as a refugee can stay, others need to go 55% Send all of them out of Israel 39% Keep them in Israel 5%

Should Israel define "price tag" actions as terrorist attacks with all of the consequences that it mean?

Yes 55%, No 38% (Within Jewish population Yes 49%, No 42%)
Current Knesset seats in [brackets]

34 [31] Likud Beitenu

17 [15] Labor

14 [12] Bayit Yehudi

13 [19] Yesh Atid

10 [06] Meretz

09 [11] Shas

07 [07] Yahadut Hatorah/UTJ

05 [06] Movement

04 [04] Hadash

04 [04] Ra’am-Ta’al

03 [03] Balad

00 [02] Kadima

64 [61] Right-Religious

56 [59] Center-Left-Arab


Knesset Plenary - Jerusalem, Israel
Photo Credit - Leslie-Ann Stoffel

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Please be aware that indoctrination of hate leads to more death of Israelis... 
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<As I understand it the Arab nation as a separate entity no longer exists. Their goal seems to be the intent to destroy each other with time out for persecution of the Christian minority and of course the Jews. Christian Arabs are despised and considered traitors in their repudiation of Islam. We Jews especially those on the Left believe that giving the Palestinians a state of their own will solve their imaginary claims of oppression and being second class citizens which couldn't be further from the truth. These people will always be needy and will always see Jews and the Jewish state as being intrusive and a stain on the Arab world. On the other hand to absorb them into Israel would be catastrophic. One need just see the results of Muslim immigration into Scandinavia and the other countries in the EU. Despite the fact that Muslim population in these countries is a minority they have managed to overpower every government. Europe Has become almost completely Islamized.>
www.jpost.com
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http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Our-World-The-long-term-cost-of-releasing-terrorists-337282


As late as last week, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was said to have completely rejected the Palestinian demand. But in response to Karaka’s statement, Netanyahu’s spokesman said only that the release of Israeli Arab terrorists would be subject to the approval of the government. In other words, Karaka was probably telling the truth.

The question is what has changed? Why happened over the past week that forced Netanyahu to cave? The obvious answer is that US Secretary of State John Kerry came to Jerusalem, again. And he forced Netanyahu’s hand, again.

Kerry is the Palestinians’ ace in the hole. He used the US’s limitless leverage on Israel to coerce Israel into agreeing to pay for the privilege of speaking to Palestinian negotiators who reject our country’s right to exist and extol as heroes the terrorist scum who murder us.>

www.jpost.com

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<“There is no connection between the positive statements Kerry is making in public and the details of the deal. He is, to put it mildly, very unfamiliar with the roots of the conflict, and as a result is incapable of bringing true solutions to the table. He can't even read maps of the region properly,” the officials added.>
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www.frontpagemag.com
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www.israelhayom.com
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sultanknish.blogspot.com
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 Dry Bones cartoon, kirschen, israel, kerry, palestine, map, jews, arabs, peace, talks, negotiations,
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3 Fears that Prevent Leaders from Being Authentic and Influencing People
You want God to use you to influence others in ministry or you probably wouldn’t be reading this. And for God to really use you, you have to be willing and able to get close to people and enjoy real relationships with them. But having mentored thousands of pastors all over the world, it’s pretty apparent that we’re dying of relational isolation.

Many of your relationship problems are not really relationship problems. They’re personal problems that spill over into relationships. Many of your relationship conflicts, including conflicts with people within the church, are really conflicts within you. They are internal battles. If you want to have great relationships and therefore be a better leader, you’ve got to start with some changes in yourself first rather than expecting everyone around you to change and fix your internal issues for you.

The Bible says in Romans 12:9, “Love from the center of who you are.  Don’t fake it.”  (MSG) Authenticity is when what you see is what you get. It’s when you don’t play a role, you don’t wear a mask. Most pastors are afraid to remove their masks. Here are three reasons why. 
   
And in case you missed Pastor Rick's article last week...
The Aim of Preaching is Life Transformation

Evaluate Your Small Group Ministry With This 10-Point Checklist

By Mark Howell
   

Want Better Worship Services? Build Better Worshipers

By Dwayne Moore
   

Free Ebook: Keeping Score - How to Know If Your Church Is Winning

By Dave Ferguson (via Exponential)
   
Follow @RickWarren on Twitter


"Let your broken heart create an open heart."

Video: When the American
Dream Disappoints

By Derwin Gray
   

Turning the Ship Around - Healthy Change In a Local Church

By Larry Barker
   

Who Invented Social Media?
God Did.

By Brandon Cox
   

Why Evangelism Is Hard...
But Necessary

By Greg Stier
   

Why Evangelism Is Hard...
But Necessary

By Greg Stier
   

7 Reasons Your Church Should Create an Annual Report

By Will Mancini
   
Copyright © 2014 Saddleback Church, All rights reserved. 
Thanks for opting into Rick Warren's Pastor's Toolbox at pastors.com. 

Our mailing address is: 
Saddleback Church
1 Saddleback Pkwy
Lake ForestCA 92630

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Michelle Malkin 7
Hi everyone! Here's the MichelleMalkin.com newsletter for January 9th. Enjoy!

From the Blog

Environmentalists in spaaaaace! Branson, DiCaprio set to blast off

Eventually DiCaprio hopes to get to the moon and set up “Lunar Base Alpha Hypocrite” where those who lead by calling for everybody else to be forced to lead by example can escape the greenhouse gases they’ve left behind for the rest of us...

Another: WaPo report contradicts NYT ‘no terrorist group connection to Benghazi attack’ story

This week the Washington Post is reporting something Michelle wrote about here in May of last year...

Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby’s teenage son missing

Caleb Jacoby, the son of Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby, has been missing since Monday...

More From the Right Side of the Web

Michelle's Top Tweets

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And ... Our Hate Tweet of the Day

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Feel better now?
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Wang Mang, emperor of the Xin Dynasty
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Events[edit]

Births[edit]

Deaths[edit]

Holidays and observances[edit]

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“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:19-21
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Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon
January 9: Morning
"I will be their God." - Jeremiah 31:33
Christian! here is all thou canst require. To make thee happy thou wantest something that shall satisfy thee; and is not this enough? If thou canst pour this promise into thy cup, wilt thou not say, with David, "My cup runneth over; I have more than heart can wish"? When this is fulfilled, "I am thy God", art thou not possessor of all things? Desire is insatiable as death, but he who filleth all in all can fill it. The capacity of our wishes who can measure? But the immeasurable wealth of God can more than overflow it. I ask thee if thou art not complete when God is thine? Dost thou want anything but God? Is not his all-sufficiency enough to satisfy thee if all else should fail? But thou wantest more than quiet satisfaction; thou desirest rapturous delight. Come, soul, here is music fit for heaven in this thy portion, for God is the Maker of Heaven. Not all the music blown from sweet instruments, or drawn from living strings, can yield such melody as this sweet promise, "I will be their God." Here is a deep sea of bliss, a shoreless ocean of delight; come, bathe thy spirit in it; swim an age, and thou shalt find no shore; dive throughout eternity, and thou shalt find no bottom. "I will be their God." If this do not make thine eyes sparkle, and thy heart beat high with bliss, then assuredly thy soul is not in a healthy state. But thou wantest more than present delights--thou cravest something concerning which thou mayest exercise hope; and what more canst thou hope for than the fulfilment of this great promise, "I will be their God"? This is the masterpiece of all the promises; its enjoyment makes a heaven below, and will make a heaven above. Dwell in the light of thy Lord, and let thy soul be always ravished with his love. Get out the marrow and fatness which this portion yields thee. Live up to thy privileges, and rejoice with unspeakable joy.
Evening
"Serve the Lord with gladness." - Psalm 100:2
Delight in divine service is a token of acceptance. Those who serve God with a sad countenance, because they do what is unpleasant to them, are not serving him at all; they bring the form of homage, but the life is absent. Our God requires no slaves to grace his throne; he is the Lord of the empire of love, and would have his servants dressed in the livery of joy. The angels of God serve him with songs, not with groans; a murmur or a sigh would be a mutiny in their ranks. That obedience which is not voluntary is disobedience, for the Lord looketh at the heart, and if he seeth that we serve him from force, and not because we love him, he will reject our offering. Service coupled with cheerfulness is heart-service, and therefore true. Take away joyful willingness from the Christian, and you have removed the test of his sincerity. If a man be driven to battle, he is no patriot; but he who marches into the fray with flashing eye and beaming face, singing, "It is sweet for one's country to die," proves himself to be sincere in his patriotism. Cheerfulness is the support of our strength; in the joy of the Lord are we strong. It acts as the remover of difficulties. It is to our service what oil is to the wheels of a railway carriage. Without oil the axle soon grows hot, and accidents occur; and if there be not a holy cheerfulness to oil our wheels, our spirits will be clogged with weariness. The man who is cheerful in his service of God, proves that obedience is his element; he can sing,

"Make me to walk in thy commands,
'Tis a delightful road."

Reader, let us put this question--do you serve the Lord with gladness? Let us show to the people of the world, who think our religion to be slavery, that it is to us a delight and a joy! Let our gladness proclaim that we serve a good Master.
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Today's reading: Genesis 23-24, Matthew 7 (NIV)

View today's reading on Bible Gateway

Today's Old Testament reading: Genesis 23-24

The Death of Sarah
Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. 2She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.
3 Then Abraham rose from beside his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites. He said, 4 "I am an alien and a stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead."

Today's New Testament reading: Matthew 7

Judging Others
1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

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