Local Firework Finale

ASU Needs A New Mascot

Arkansas State University is losing its mascot. The Indian name is going way after 78 years. Starting next year with football season ASU will have a new mascot.

No one knows yet what that will be. The university wants to hire a outside firm to select a name for them. On the other hand locals feel that it's their right.

A local radio station is giving those people a chance to have their voices heard and win $1000 in the process.

If you think you have a great mascot idea go here and enter their contest. If you win, just make sure and send me my cut for helping.

ELI IS HERE!!!

ELI IS HERE!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES!

FREE Rootbeer Floats at Sonic

More news to pass on. Sonic is giving away free rootbeer floats. It all happens on June 7th from 8pm - Midnight.

Drive up, press the red button, and order your free float. There's no catch.

Can't beat that.

Coming Soon: Biblical Action Figures

The original maker of G.I. Joe is at work again. This time he is creating a Biblical Action Figure line. The new toy line will be called "Almighty Heroes."

The creator, Don Levine says, "It is my desire that these inspirational action figures and fashion dolls create excitement for kids,” explained Levine, in a statement, “and develop their interest in the characters and messages of the Bible."

You can read more at the Christian Post.

Outsourcing Drive-throughs?

I resently read an article about Wendy's. In order to cut cost and customer complaints, they are outsourcing several of their drive-throughs. You can read the entire article here.

I thought it was strange and wanted to share.

$$ Baskin Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night $$

On May 2nd, Baskin Robbins will be offering scoops for only $0.31. It is a great deal and for a good cause. See more on their site.

I hope you enjoyed this Mark's Remarks Frugal Moment.

Online Shopping Tips

I'm known for my frugal ways and get asked for advice all the time. I thought I would share a few things I've discovered about shopping online.

PriceGrabber.com
A little over a year ago we were shopping for a camera. We found a Kodak we liked at Wal-Mart. I used Pricegrabber and saved $100 over Wal-Mart's low price. We received free shipping and no taxes.

PriceGrabber is a search tool that will search the web for you and find the best prices. You can also ener your Zip Code and it will include the shipping as well. We will try Pricegrabber for everything just to make sure there's not a better deal.

Half.com & Ebay
I have been using these two sites for years. I started with Half.com in 1998 selling books. You can find good deals and shipping isn't too bad. Ebay bought Half in 2003 and I started using Ebay more. Ebay is a great way to make extra cash. You can get some deals too but you have to be careful when it comes to shipping. Some sellers charge way too much for shipping.

Online Discounts
One things I have learned over the years is that everyone is always having a sale. Before I check out at any online site, I will search for a Discount Code. You can use any search engine, but I always stick with Yahoo and Google. Just last week we saved 10% by searching for a Target Discount Code. These codes are out there for many different places. Give it try.

Buy.com
When it comes to Computers and Electronics, I like Buy.com. They always have deals on software, memory, and accessories. I recommend that you sign up for their Best Deals Alert. They will send you an email once a week with their sales. I take advantage of their great prices and rebates. I buy a lot here and resale on Ebay.

Frugal Living Journal
I recently found this site. They have been sharing great information. You should check it out for great saving and financial ideas. I have added the link to my side bar for future linking.

I hope this will save you a little cash over time. I would love to get your feedback. Let me know if these help you or other saving tips that you have.

Funny Ways to Save Money

You know me, always looking for more ways to save. How about trying some of these! I came across these here.

Funny Ways to Save Money

- Unplug your clocks at night to save on electricity.

- Carry powdered drink mix and add it to water when eating out, to save on buying drinks.

- Eat dog food. (Dry dog food tastes much better than canned)

- Tell everyone you'll be out of town for Christmas, so you can shop the after-Christmas sales for presents.

- Ask your friends to save the labels for you off any new products they buy, so you can put them on your thrift-store purchases when you are buying gifts.

- Run around the house and close the heater vents in all the rooms except your bedroom before going to sleep.

- Encourage mice in the house by leaving crumbs around - so your cat will have a free food supply.

- Learn speed-reading and read books for free while in the aisle at the book store.

- Leave everything in the same place in your house, so you can easily get around at night without turning the lights on.

- Bring back rolls of coins from Canada, to use at the laundromat and in pop machines, saving you 20% or more, depending on the exchange rate.

Flowers From San Diego's Balboa Park

California Sunset ~ Our First Night

From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3

Easter Celebration

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ~Matthew 28:1-6~

Why this scientist believes in God

Taken from CNN.com:

Editor's note: Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., is the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. His most recent book is "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief."


ROCKVILLE, Maryland (CNN) -- I am a scientist and a believer, and I find no conflict between those world views.

As the director of the Human Genome Project, I have led a consortium of scientists to read out the 3.1 billion letters of the human genome, our own DNA instruction book. As a believer, I see DNA, the information molecule of all living things, as God's language, and the elegance and complexity of our own bodies and the rest of nature as a reflection of God's plan.

I did not always embrace these perspectives. As a graduate student in physical chemistry in the 1970s, I was an atheist, finding no reason to postulate the existence of any truths outside of mathematics, physics and chemistry. But then I went to medical school, and encountered life and death issues at the bedsides of my patients. Challenged by one of those patients, who asked "What do you believe, doctor?", I began searching for answers.

I had to admit that the science I loved so much was powerless to answer questions such as "What is the meaning of life?" "Why am I here?" "Why does mathematics work, anyway?" "If the universe had a beginning, who created it?" "Why are the physical constants in the universe so finely tuned to allow the possibility of complex life forms?" "Why do humans have a moral sense?" "What happens after we die?" (Watch Francis Collins discuss how he came to believe in God )

I had always assumed that faith was based on purely emotional and irrational arguments, and was astounded to discover, initially in the writings of the Oxford scholar C.S. Lewis and subsequently from many other sources, that one could build a very strong case for the plausibility of the existence of God on purely rational grounds. My earlier atheist's assertion that "I know there is no God" emerged as the least defensible. As the British writer G.K. Chesterton famously remarked, "Atheism is the most daring of all dogmas, for it is the assertion of a universal negative."

But reason alone cannot prove the existence of God. Faith is reason plus revelation, and the revelation part requires one to think with the spirit as well as with the mind. You have to hear the music, not just read the notes on the page. Ultimately, a leap of faith is required.

For me, that leap came in my 27th year, after a search to learn more about God's character led me to the person of Jesus Christ. Here was a person with remarkably strong historical evidence of his life, who made astounding statements about loving your neighbor, and whose claims about being God's son seemed to demand a decision about whether he was deluded or the real thing. After resisting for nearly two years, I found it impossible to go on living in such a state of uncertainty, and I became a follower of Jesus.

So, some have asked, doesn't your brain explode? Can you both pursue an understanding of how life works using the tools of genetics and molecular biology, and worship a creator God? Aren't evolution and faith in God incompatible? Can a scientist believe in miracles like the resurrection?

Actually, I find no conflict here, and neither apparently do the 40 percent of working scientists who claim to be believers. Yes, evolution by descent from a common ancestor is clearly true. If there was any lingering doubt about the evidence from the fossil record, the study of DNA provides the strongest possible proof of our relatedness to all other living things.

But why couldn't this be God's plan for creation? True, this is incompatible with an ultra-literal interpretation of Genesis, but long before Darwin, there were many thoughtful interpreters like St. Augustine, who found it impossible to be exactly sure what the meaning of that amazing creation story was supposed to be. So attaching oneself to such literal interpretations in the face of compelling scientific evidence pointing to the ancient age of Earth and the relatedness of living things by evolution seems neither wise nor necessary for the believer.

I have found there is a wonderful harmony in the complementary truths of science and faith. The God of the Bible is also the God of the genome. God can be found in the cathedral or in the laboratory. By investigating God's majestic and awesome creation, science can actually be a means of worship.

We Love Gay People!

Startled? Confused? Wondering if the headline is a mistake?
Let’s put this in perspective. Fact: Homosexuality is a sin against God. Fact: So is lying, cheating, laziness, lust, and more!
While homosexuality is a terribly wicked act, so is every other sin we commit against a holy God. But why does the church tend
to point out homosexuality as the “untouchable” sin?
Perhaps it’s because up to this point in history, the church has been full of liars, cheaters, adulterers, murderers, etc. But since
homosexuality has remained “taboo” in the church, it is the only sin that liars, cheaters, adulterers, and murderers can point to
and still feel “holier than thou!” “At least I don’t do that!” If homosexuals came into the church, we would lose our moral superiority.
We might just be grouped in the same category as “wretched sinners.”
Perhaps we should reconsider Romans 3. Verse 10 says, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks
for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” That verse describes
you, me, liars, homosexuals - all sinners!
The Pharisees didn’t see things that way. They believed they were better than the average sinner. Of course, Jesus called their
bluff when he gave them permission to “cast the first stone” at the woman caught in adultery.
Speaking of stones, there are a lot of them being thrown in the name of Christ these days. Anti-gay rallies featuring signs saying
“God hates fags” are commonplace. Sadly, many churches encourage their members to participate. It sure feels good to point
out how terrible someone else is!
But what if we decided to display the love of Christ instead? It was the radical love of Jesus that compelled Him to minister to
taxpayers, prostitutes, Samaritans, and drunkards. And by the way, He helped them transform their sinful actions into God-honoring
lifestyles. Jesus knew that the only way they would change is through His unsurpassing love - the same love that saved
you and me “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8). Maybe we just don’t want these people to change. After all, that would
take away our “holier than thou” crutch.
But what if we took all our “hate” energy and poured it into ministries for homosexuals? What if we abandoned anti-gay rallies and
replaced them with “God loves you” rallies? Perhaps then the homosexual community would be able to see past our arrogance
to the powerful love of Christ and the cross.
Bottom line: Homosexuality is a terrible sin. Gay people are wicked sinners. We do not endorse the lifestyle. Nor do we support
gay marriage or gay adoption. We do, however, follow Christ’s example in loving sinners and calling them to repentance.
Of course, once they repent and place their faith in Christ for salvation, we help them resist temptation and discipline them when
they consistently rebel without remorse. That’s how we should treat every sinner in the church!

Written by:

Pastor Scott Atteberry
Wyatt Baptist Church

Mt Soledad Memorial Cross

More coming soon . . .

Is baptism necessary for salvation?

John MacArthur Answers:

No. Let's examine what the Scriptures teach on this issue:
First, it is quite clear from such passages as Acts 15 and Romans 4 that no external act is necessary for salvation. Salvation is by divine grace through faith alone (Romans 3:22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30; 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9, etc.).
If baptism were necessary for salvation, we would expect to find it stressed whenever the gospel is presented in Scripture. That is not the case, however. Peter mentioned baptism in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). However, in his sermon from Solomon's portico in the Temple (Acts 3:12-26), Peter makes no reference to baptism, but links forgiveness of sin to repentance (3:19). If baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sin, why didn't Peter say so in Acts 3?
Paul never made baptism any part of his gospel presentations. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul gives a concise summary of the gospel message he preached. There is no mention of baptism. In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul states that "Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel," thus clearly differentiating the gospel from baptism. That is difficult to understand if baptism is necessary for salvation. If baptism were part of the gospel itself, necessary for salvation, what good would it have done Paul to preach the gospel, but not baptize? No one would have been saved. Paul clearly understood baptism to be separate from the gospel, and hence in no way efficacious for salvation.
Perhaps the most convincing refutation of the view that baptism is necessary for salvation are those who were saved apart from baptism. We have no record of the apostles' being baptized, yet Jesus pronounced them clean of their sins (John 15:3--note that the Word of God, not baptism, is what cleansed them). The penitent woman (Luke 7:37-50), the paralytic man (Matthew 9:2), and the publican (Luke 18:13-14) also experienced forgiveness of sins apart from baptism.
The Bible also gives us an example of people who were saved before being baptized. In Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius and those with him were converted through Peter's message. That they were saved before being baptized is evident from their reception of the Holy Spirit (v. 44) and the gifts of the Spirit (v. 46) before their baptism. Indeed, it is the fact that they had received the Holy Spirit (and hence were saved) that led Peter to baptize them (cf. v. 47).
One of the basic principles of biblical interpretation is the analogia scriptura, the analogy of Scripture. In other words, we must compare Scripture with Scripture in order to understand its full and proper sense. And since the Bible doesn't contradict itself, any interpretation of a specific passage that contradicts the general teaching of the Bible is to be rejected. Since the general teaching of the Bible is, as we have seen, that baptism and other forms of ritual are not necessary for salvation, no individual passage could teach otherwise. Thus we must look for interpretations of those passages that will be in harmony with the general teaching of Scripture. With that in mind, let's look briefly at some passages that appear to teach that baptism is required for salvation.
In Acts 2:38, Peter appears to link forgiveness of sins to baptism. But there are at least two plausible interpretations of this verse that do not connect forgiveness of sin with baptism. It is possible to translate the Greek preposition eis "because of," or "on the basis of," instead of "for." It is used in that sense in Matthew 3:11; 12:41; and Luke 11:32. It is also possible to take the clause "and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" as parenthetical. Support for that interpretation comes from that fact that "repent" and "your" are plural, while "be baptized" is singular, thus setting it off from the rest of the sentence. If that interpretation is correct, the verse would read "Repent (and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ) for the forgiveness of your sins." Forgiveness is thus connected with repentance, not baptism, in keeping with the consistent teaching of the New Testament (cf. Luke 24:47; John 3:18; Acts 5:31; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18; Ephesians 5:26).
Mark 16:16, a verse often quoted to prove baptism is necessary for salvation, is actually a proof of the opposite. Notice that the basis for condemnation in that verse is not the failure to be baptized, but only the failure to believe. Baptism is mentioned in the first part of the verse because it was the outward symbol that always accompanied the inward belief. I might also mention that many textual scholars think it unlikely that vv. 9-20 are an authentic part of Mark's gospel. We can't discuss here all the textual evidence that has caused many New Testament scholars to reject the passage. But you can find a thorough discussion in Bruce Metzger, et al., A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, pp. 122-128, and William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Mark, pp. 682-687.
Water baptism does not seem to be what Peter has in view in 1 Peter 3:21. The English word "baptism" is simply a transliteration of the Greek word baptizo, which means "to immerse." Baptizo does not always refer to water baptism in the New Testament (cf. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; 7:4; 10:38-39; Luke 3:16; 11:38; 12:50; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 1 Corinthians 10:2; 12:13). Peter is not talking about immersion in water, as the phrase "not the removal of dirt from the flesh" indicates. He is referring to immersion in Christ's death and resurrection through "an appeal to God for a good conscience," or repentance.
I also do not believe water baptism is in view in Romans 6 or Galatians 3. I see in those passages a reference to the baptism in the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13). For a detailed exposition of those passages, I refer you to my commentaries on Galatians and Romans, or the tapes of my sermons on Galatians 3 and Romans 6.
In Acts 22:16, Paul recounts the words of Ananias to him following his experience on the Damascus road: "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name." It is best to connect the phrase "wash away your sins" with "calling on His name." If we connect it with "be baptized," the Greek participle epikalesamenos ("calling") would have no antecedent. Paul's sins were washed away not by baptism, but by calling on His name.
Baptism is certainly important, and required of every believer. However, the New Testament does not teach that baptism is necessary for salvation.

Andy Griffith Knows His Cereal

OK, So Dads Make a Difference. This is News?

I thought I'd share an good post from Al Molher's Blog

The Press-Enterprise of Riverside, California is out with a big news flash -- dads matter in the lives of their children. Sandra Stokley reports on the formation of "DADS," a group dedicated to encouraging men to be more involved in the lives of their children.
The news story is nicely done, featuring the work of Robert Garcia, a father of three who is highly involved with his kids. From the story:
Garcia faces a 90-minute daily commute from Glen Avon to his job as a quality engineer in Costa Mesa. He also drives his three children to school every morning and walks them to class.
He makes it a point to be home at least three nights during the workweek to sit down to dinner with his wife and children. Family dinners on weekends are a given.
He taps into his vacation days so he can chaperone school field trips. He recently took a vacation day so he and his wife could take birthday cupcakes to his son's classroom at Pedley Elementary School.
And even on business trips, he fields calls from his children when they need help on their math and science projects.
For men willing to face the challenges that might block a healthy relationship, the rewards are enormous, Garcia said.
Robert Garcia is clearly a dad who loves his wife and children and is dedicated to being a father --not just a "male parent." His commitment to his own family is admirable and his leadership in forming the DADS group is to be appreciated.
More:
In January, Garcia took over as president of DADS -- Dedicated, Assuring, Devoted Special -- a Jurupa-area group that promotes greater involvement by fathers in their children's lives.
Garcia and DADS members say the premise of the group is simple: fatherly involvement engenders personal fulfillment and pays big dividends for society as well.
"My research shows that if fathers get involved with their kids, they (the children) score higher on tests and stay out of trouble," he said.
Since its incorporation last June, DADS has sponsored three events that organizers hope will act as a springboard to help fathers bond with their children.
"The reality is that fathers are role models for their sons and daughters," said local businessman Tim Adams, who is one of the group's founders. "And you really see a difference in the attitude of kids whose fathers are involved in their lives."
The importance of fathers to the family dynamic has been documented in numerous studies, said W. Bradford Wilcox, a professor of sociology at the University of Virginia and author of "Soft Patriarchs, New Men: How Christianity Shapes Fathers and Husbands."
"There is a real connection between fatherless households and delinquent and criminal activity on the part of adolescent males and young men," Wilcox said in a telephone interview.
Fathers provide a template for their sons on how to handle difficult situations, conflict and frustration and how to interact with women, Wilcox said.
Daughters with involved and affectionate fathers are more apt to postpone sexual activity, Wilcox said.
Children in general benefit from seeing a father and mother treat each other with affection and respect, Wilcox said.
"It's important in different ways for both boys and girls to have a father in the house who is modeling certain types of behavior," Wilcox said.
The research is clear -- fathers play a vital role in the formation of their children. The presence or absence of fathers, and the relative quality of the dads' engagement with their children, makes a huge difference in the lives of both boys and girls. Professor Bradley Wilcox's research is very revealing. Boys need to see dad as a role model for the man they should become. Girls also need dad, and it shows. Just look at the research.
The fact that The Press-Enterprise saw this as a news story worthy of coverage is very revealing in itself. We should appreciate the story. At the same time, it is sobering to reflect on the health of a society in which such a development ranks as news. Here's the scoop -- dads matter. Somebody call a press conference.

Dave Ramsey Financial Moment

If you're married, does Dave recommend having separate checking accounts?

No!

When you get married, you become one, and money is a key area that helps bring together that oneness. When you handle your money together, you are agreeing on your hopes, dreams, goals, etc. After counseling over 10,000 families at our firm, I can assure you that more marriages have been saved over this one issue than any other. Agree on how you spend your money, and you will begin to feel a oneness in your marriage that is powerful.

Taken from Dave Ramsey Online.

Two Original Post Cereal Commercials

See the importance of eating your POST Cereal every morning...

Let's just say I'm glad we don't make these anymore. I mean, both these ingredients together every morning...