"The bodies of 40 men who were shot and had their hands and feet bound have been found in the capital over the past 24 hours, police said Thursday. All the victims showed signs of torture, police Lt. Thayer Mahmoud said. They were dumped in several neighborhoods in both eastern and western Baghdad, he said. The top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, , Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, on Wednesday said murders and executions are currently the main cause of civilian deaths in Baghdad. Much of the violence has been attributed to death squads, many of which are thought to be offshoots of mainly Shiite militias." -CNN.com

I was confronted this morning by a lingering question concerning this article: Who will take the gospel to the "death squads"? Just something to think about...I know I will.

"It Ain't Sausage if it Ain't Janak's"

The words I typed above appear on a sign directly below the character seen above. (If you did not notice, the guy is a big sausage link with a cowboy hat on...I love this picture). Nonetheless, my post is actually not about Janak's (pronounced who knows how), but rather something I learned on a dove-hunting trip this weekend, during which we passed this sign along with a couple other priceless gems.
I went on the trip with David Rekerdres (Bethan's brother) and Landon Carl seen below:
We had a great time. We shot flying animals, we ate them, and we had some good time just hanging out and enjoying time on the ranch.
But, the thing I learned, is that though I enjoyed myself thoroughly, I was able to see that my life with Bethan is much more enjoyable. I started thinking about all the things she does as my wife, and about the time we spend together...and I have to say that it is way better than anything else I could do anywhere with anyone else. I love her very much, and my quality of life has increased one-hundred fold since marriage.

Thank you Jesus for Bethan.

Spiritual Bankruptcy in the Prosperity Gospel

First...read this article.

Now, on with the post. It is obvious that the way we teach about money and the way we use money can effect the world, and more importantly...souls. I am greatly angered that people who do not know Jesus walk into churches and hear such garbage and again walk out of the church continuing to dangle over the pit hell; not having any clue as to what is real or truthful.

It is clear to me that the prosperity gospel is emtpy, it must be abominated, and we must not consider toying even with it's outlying teachings. Needless to say, I have been further motivated to continue learning and writing about what Jesus says about money, possessions, and comfort (I added comfort because it seems as though being comfortable is also included in what Jesus desires for his people...whom he calls to die...and suffer with him for the gospel...hmmmm).

Jude Elijah Estes

Sept. 3, 2006

3:54 p.m.

6 lbs. 3 oz., 19 in.

Congratulations Jon and Sally!!
Jesus has blessed you with a beautiful baby boy!

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 'These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.'"