Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Reformation Day!!


It was October 31, 1517, in Wittenberg, Germany. A monk and professor walked out into the street and straight to the church, and with a hammer in one hand and a long piece of paper in another the world would be changed forever.

That monk was Martin Luther and what he nailed was his 95 Theses. Luther spent much of his time studying the Bible. The more he studied, the more he began to disagreed with the doctrine of the Catholic Church. The paper he nailed were his 95 points of disagreement.

The primary point of disagreement was the matter of salvation - how man could have his sins forgiven and be restored to a right relationship with God. At the time, the church taught that people could purchase forgiveness of sins. Luther, along with other reformers at the time, taught that God alone could grant forgiveness. Along with that teaching, the reformers also taught that religion and good deeds could not save but only through faith in God's Son, Jesus Christ.

Ever since that October day in 1517, the world has been feeling the affects of the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation not only birthed the Protestant movement, but also brought about social, political, and economic change.

Protestantism taught that work was a gift from God, and so people worked hard which led to scientific discovery, inventions, and wealth.

Politically, the movement spurred on the Eighty and Thirty Years Wars that changed the face of Europe forever.

Much of this article was adapted by an article on Reformation Day written by Jim Eliff which can be read in its entirety here.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Holiday Parties at 20 Year Low


In a recent post, I told of research of how many are uncomfortable with meeting strangers during holiday parties. Well, you might not even get the chance. According to an annual survey conducted by Battalia Winston Amrop, only 81% of businesses in the U.S. will have a holiday party of some kind. This marks the lowest percentage in the last 20 years which surpasses 83% after 9/11 and 82% during the 1991 recession. In addition, 37% of those polled say that the economy has impacted the planning of their holiday celebrations - either they have cancelled them altogether or the parties will be more modest.

Other findings of interest:
  • No bonus this year - 62% of businesses will either give the same or smaller bonuses this year.
  • Increase the chartiable giving - even though the economy is difficult, many businesses will continue to participate in charitable giving (74%)
  • Time and Place of Christmas parties - those that will give a party this year they will happen in the evening and not during work hours.
  • Gift giving - 42% of employees polled said they are still planning to give co-workers Christmas gifts this year

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Vote 2008

Friday, October 24, 2008

Mark Schultz on "Extreme Home Makeover"


This Sunday's episode of "Extreme Home Makeover" will feature one of Christian musics more popular musicians, Mark Schultz. Filmed at a children's hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mark will be performing his song "He's My Son." The show airs each Sunday at eight o'clock on ABC.

In the short eight years of his career, Mark has received a number of great reviews from Christian and non-Christian writers. 2005 proved to be a strong year for Schultz when he reach platinum status and received his first Dove Award. His song "He's My Son" was recognized by Esquire magazine and his song "Letters From War" was selected by the U.S. Army to be the centerpiece of their "Be Safe - Make it Home" campaign.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Digital TV Transition

If you are wondering about the digital television transition and what the effects will be take a look at this video.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Get Out and Vote

Francesca Battistelli, a newcomer to Christian music has a new video to encourage you to vote - your vote matters!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Morning Show Top 10


Top 10 for week of October 20
  1. Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin
  2. Yours - Steven Curtis Chapman
  3. A New Hallelujah - Michael W. Smith
  4. Hail to the King - Shannon Wexelburg
  5. I Need a Savior - Wayburn Dean
  6. Different - Mollye Rees and Jamie Slocum
  7. You Reign - Mercy Me
  8. Miracle - Aaron and Amanda Crabb
  9. I Stand Amazed - Ginger Millermon
  10. You Saved My Life - David Huff

Friday, October 17, 2008

The Fittest Presidents


Gold's Gym, the world's leading fitness authority, released their top 10 list of our nation's most fit presidents. They looked at all 43 presidents and found that their fitness routines were as diverse as their leadership styles. Here are the fittest presidents in U.S. history:
  1. John Quincy Adams - 6th President - walked three to four miles a day and swam the Potomac River on a regular basis.
  2. George W. Bush - 43rd President - an avid cyclist, is said to exercise 6 days a week.
  3. Gerald Ford - 38th President - the longest living President (93 years), a former collegiate star with the Univ. of Michigan, turned down contracts with the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears to pursue a career in law and politics.
  4. Jimmy Carter - 39th President - an avid outdoorsman enjoys fitness activities from hunting and fishing to mountain climbing and skiing.
  5. Theodore Roosevelt - 26th President - after fighting a number of childhood ailments, pushed himself to the physical limits which included boxing, horseback riding and hunting.
  6. Harry S Truman - 33rd President - installed a horseshoe pit and 2 bowling lanes plus was an avid walker and swimmer.
  7. Zachary Taylor - 12th President - known as "Old Rough and Ready" and used a military regiment to whip his body into shape (served in the ARmy for 40 years).
  8. Thomas Jefferson - 3rd President - believed, "a strong body makes the mind strong"; enjoyed horseback riding, fishing and long walks (which he believed was the best way to clear one's mind).
  9. Herbert Hoover - 31st President - had his own sport, "Hoover Ball" a combination of tennis and volleyball that used a medicine ball and an 8 foot tall net; he played every morning at 7 just before White House business began.
  10. George Washington - 1st President - enjoyed dancing and canoeing.

Cell Phone vs. The Bible


Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?
  • What if we carried it in our pockets or purses?
  • What if we flipped through it several times a day?
  • What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
  • What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
  • What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
  • What if we gave it as gifts to our kids?
  • What if we used it when we traveled?
  • What if we used it in case of an emergency?
This is something to make you go "hmmm...where's my Bible?"

Oh, one more thing, we don't have to worry about being disconnected... Jesus has already paid the bill!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Are You Still in Your Passion?

This past weekend, leaders from around the globe came to Lawrenceville, Georgia and the Catalyst Conference. One of the speakers at the event was Perry Noble, senior pastor of Newspring Church in Anderson, South Carolina. He spoke on keeping within your passion and asking yourself 4 questions to make sure you stay on your passion.

  1. How much time do I spend listening to God?
  2. Is it more important for me to be discovered or to be developed?
  3. What lies am I believing?
  4. Am I willing to take risks or just play it safe?
These questions are not meant mainly for leaders but for everyone who has a God-given passion. Ask yourself these questions on a regular basis in order to keep yourself grounded and in the center of the passion God has given to you.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Can You Do Better Than Your Boss?


There have been times when I have complained about prior bosses and the way they have performed their duties. I would think, at the time, that if I were in the same position I could do a better job. But when it really came down to it - I never wanted my boss' job.

A survey developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service who specialize in the placement of highly skilled adminstrative professionals, asked 603 workers 18 years of age and older if they had a desire to have their boss' job. Here are the results:

Would you like to have your manager's job:
No..........................................77%
Yes........................................20%
Don't know/no answer.........3%

They were also asked if they could do a better job than their boss -
No..........................................60%
Yes........................................33%
Don't know/no answer.........7%

Other findings showed that workers between the ages of 18 and 34 had their sights set on their boss' job (32%) and thought they could do a better job (43%). Another finding was that men were more likely than women to desire their boss' job and could do better at it.

According to Dave Wilmer, executive director of OfficeTeam, "Employees who observe their boss often don't envy the budgeting and personnel decisions he or she has to make, particularly in a challenging economy, and they may conclude the job isn't for them."

For full survey results go to the OfficeTeam press room

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Not Always Pleased to Meet You


I mentioned on today's show about a study conducted by PrimaLoft regarding which things or situations Americans symbolize as comfort. The holidays are times in which we get invited to to a number of parties and come across people we have never met. According to this study, 34% of Americans are uncomfortable about introducing themselves to strangers.

In this study, men are more comfortable (72%) meeting stranger than women (58%). However, in dealing with confronting a close neighbor, those numbers drop (58% of men and 69% of women). What does this say about us? Maybe that is why, as Christians, we find it hard to confront those who need to hear the Gospel.

According to Tom Mendl, marketing director for PrimaLoft, "Most people avoid confrontation in general. It makes sense not to stir up hard feelings with people who live nearby." What is the most umcomfortable situation - telling someone they have bad breath.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Morning Show Top 10


Here is the Top 10 list for the week of October 6:
  1. Chris Tomlin - Jesus Messiah
  2. Brett Rush - When I'm Alone With You
  3. Steven Curtis Chapman - Yours
  4. Bart Millard - I Stand Amazed
  5. Mollye Rees and Jamie Slocum - Different
  6. Shannon Wexelburg - Hail to the King
  7. Mercy Me - You Reign
  8. Michael W. Smith - A New Hallelujah
  9. Waybrun Dean - I Need A Savior
  10. Aaron and Amanda Crabb - Miracle

Friday, October 3, 2008

Pizza and Politics


Who spends more money on pizza - Democrats or Republicans? Are liberals more inclined to eat veggie pizzas? Do conservatives spend less on pizza but use their credit card more often? These questions may soon be answered by Domino's Pizza. The world leader in pizza delivery has launched "Pizza Tracker Poll" at their website.

Customers who order their pizzas online and follow the progress of their order using Domino's Pizza tracker, can participate in the "Pizza and Politics" poll. They will be able to identify themselves as Democrat, Republican or Undecided, and Domino's will be able to see which political party likes to "ham" it up with their pizza.

Chris McGlothin, Domino's Chief Information Officer said, "Through our technology, we can match pizza and sandwich orders with our customer's self-identification with a political party to see what kinds of trends exist, if any. This is our chance to determine if the stereotypes about political affiliations are deserved or if they're just myths."

This reminds me as a student at Toccoa Falls College, the guys dorm would compete with the other two major dorms on campus, both womens, to see who order more pizza each semester. The guys would always lose. Next time you order your pizza, try giving this system a try and see who eats more pizza and what kinds - Democrats or Republicans.

VP Debate


Did you get the chance to watch the big debate last night? I think it's pretty interesting how this year's Vice Presidential debate has been more anticipated than the Presidential debates. Sarah Palin has definitely energized not only the Republican ticket but also the race all together.

I've been watching the blogs and the tweets on the debate and I've noticed how many were taken by Palin's style and knowledge. Though some were unable to give her the credit that is due her, I for one was pleasantly surprised at her wit and straightforwardness.

Phil Cooke has some good comments on the debate. Go to his blog here to read what he had to say.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

The Jody Hice Show - Live at 3pm


The Jody Hice Show will be moving to 3pm on Toccoa Falls Radio beginning today. With this move, Toccoa Falls Radio will be airing a special live edition of Jody's program. Join me and Bryan Race as we sit down with Jody and talk about ADF's Pulpit Freedom Initiative and the response he has received since Sunday.

5 Worst Eating Habits

From Nubella's website, here are the 5 worst eating habits:
  1. Snacking in front of the television - studies have shown that eating in front of the T.V. causes us to eat more that 40% more food than we would naturally eat. The main reason is that you are paying more attention to what you are watching than what you are eating.
  2. Using food to feel better - how many times have you gone to the freezer or pantry for that comfort food at the end of a tough day. My favorite comfort food is "Cheeze-Its".
  3. Relying on external cues rather than on internal cues - a study conducted by Cornell University's Food Brand Lab found that Americans tend to use an external cue, such as a clean plate, as an indicator to quit eating rather than an internal cue, like feeling full.
  4. Favoring fast food - we live in a go-go-go culture. It's so much easier to go through a drive through and pick up dinner than it is to make a sit down dinner at home. I urge you to try to have at least one sit-at-home dinner with the family. What you will find is that your family will get closer, you'll have a few more dollars in your pocket, and you might juse feel a little better
  5. Eliminating fat from your diet - we have all fallen into this idea that ALL fat is bad. However, there are types of fat that is good for you - monounsaturated (found in nuts), polyunsaturated (found in corn oil) and omega-3 (found in fish) are all beneficial.