The Next Church Building Program...

This one just makes me gasp. A woman has created a miniature (but not TOO miniature) church/cathedral build 100% out of legos! A garish childish thing? No way! In some ways, I wish our church looked this good! Than again, I do prefer a church large enough to fit into when you want to worship. This one seems to be just for cats.

More Reverend Fun!

This was too good not to share, after the Supreme Court's recent contradictory rulings regarding putting up the Ten Commandments in public places.

Prayer Alert 2: Mexico Missions Trip

I can't remember a year when we had so many teens going on so many missions trips! And you know what that means! A need for more prayer warriors to cover them while they are out fighting on the front lines of evangelism. The next trip going out is to Mexico.

The Mexico team will be ministering from June 26 to July 7th. The main goal of the trip will building the relationship between our team and the people of Chick-E-la. This is the third trip to this village in the last year. God has provided Calvary and CHS an unique opportunity to build a cross-cultural relationship. Pray that this team would not suffer from the illnesses that may be present in this region. It is often difficult to sleep in the village due to noise, heat and getting used to the hammocks. May the team be rested and sleep well.

So, I recommend the same kinds of prayers as the Rome trip, with an additional special prayer for protection from illness - whether borne by bacterium (Montezuma's revenge, anyone?), lack of sleep, or spiritual means.

Prayer Alert: Rome Missions Trip

Several ex-quizzers and many youth groupers are taking part in the missions trip to Rome set for the next few weeks! Don't know about the team? Not sure what to pray for? Well, we have the info for you.

We will depart from JKF on Tuesday evening at 10:55 pm and return on July 9th at 6:oo pm. Once in Rome we will divide into three groups, and each group will be working with a different Vacation Bible School team in Rome. We will be organizing, teaching and running a 4 day VBS in each location. The teams will minister to the children of Italy and missionary kids. Many of the details will not be worked out until we arrive in Rome. Kevin and Randy will be preaching on Sunday July 2, 2005, please pray that God would provide a solid translator for these times.

So the short version is that the team needs prayer for:

1. Travelling mercies - On-time flights, smooth travel, no problems in customs, no lost luggage, friendly and honest local guides, etc.
2. Organizational help - this will be the first time these teams are working together
3. Protection - Satan always looks to attack and confuse efforts such as this, sometimes in much more overt ways than we experience in everyday life
4. Guidance of the Holy Spirit - to find the open hearts and minister to them, and to have the right words to say in every situation
5. Good interpreters who can accurately reflect in Italian the words that our teens say in English.

New Christian Music Store in Allentown, PA

ChristianDiscs.Com, one of my favorite places to buy Christian Music online, has now opened a brick and mortar store in Allentown, PA - home to one of the quiz teams in our district! It is called Re-Generation and it appears to be one part outlet and one part outreach center to the skating culture in the Allentown area. It might be a great place to stop the next time we are passing through on the way to Midwinter or Round-up, and it is certainly an interesting attempt to be a tent-making place to bring Christ to those who might not otherwise darken the doorway of anything with His name over the door.

Calvary EFC's Verse for Prayer

If you were at the service this morning, you know that our church is facing some challenges for this coming summer, including the loss of Pastor Larry and Pasor Dan to other mnistries. This morning, Pastor Dave requested that the church memorize and pray on a verse. Seems like a call of action to the quizzers of our church, who specialize in memorizing scripture!

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it.
- Isaiah 30:15

Go to it quizzers and coaches.

Second Chance: The Movie

Am I the only one who was not aware that Michael W. Smith is making a movie? Not a whole lot of info is yet up on the site, but a few nice pictures.

Jim's Introduction to Romans

The first four books of the New Testament are referred to as the Gospels or “Good News”. Each book is written as a narrative and recounts the story of Jesus Christ of Nazareth from a different writer’s perspective.

The fifth book of the New Testament is entitled The “Acts of the Apostles” or commonly referred to as simply “Acts”. The writer, Luke the doctor, also penned the Gospel bearing his name. Acts begins where the Gospels leave off, recounting Jesus’ last days on earth before his Ascension back to The Father. It then tells the story of the church’s beginning which occurred on the day of Pentecost. As Christianity expands, an important part of Acts are the descriptions of the apostles missionary journeys. One of the most prominent figures is Paul. We are first introduced to Saul, later also called Paul in Acts 13:9, in Acts 7:58, where men were stoning Steven, the church’s first recorded martyr. Chapter 8:1 coldly states “Saul was there, giving approval of his (Steven’s) death”. In Acts chapter 9, Saul is on his way to Damascus intending to arrest both men and women in order to bring them back to Jerusalem as prisoners. Here Paul meets Jesus of Nazareth in a bright light. This encounter changes his life forever. Suddenly “Saul” who previously persecuted the church, dramatically becomes “Paul” the chief representative of Christ to the world. The Lord (speaking to Ananias about Paul) in Acts 9:14 states, “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” In the following chapters of Acts, Paul’s many experiences and missionary journeys are chronicled. These include his confrontations with the Jews, his persecution, his appeal to Caesar, and his eventual journey to Rome. As the book of Acts closes, we find Paul in a rented house in the city of Rome.

The story of Paul is one of the most intriguing in the New Testament. Other New Testament books reveal more background information about who this man was. He describes himself as a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, a Hebrew of Hebrews, and claimed to be faultless in legalistic righteousness (Philippians 3:5). Paul commonly referred to himself as “an apostle”, which seemed to be a continual point of contention with the early church. This appears to have been such a point of contention that Paul in 2 Corinthians devotes almost two entire chapters to the defense his apostleship (2 Corinthians 10-11). In the eleventh chapter of 2 Corinthians, we also learn many things about what Paul suffered for Jesus. Paul recounts that five times he received from the Jews 39 lashes. Three times he was beaten with rods. One time he was stoned. Three times he was shipwrecked and once spent a night and day in the open sea. He had been constantly on the move. He had been in danger from rivers, from bandits, from his own countrymen, from the Gentiles, and from false brothers. He had been in danger in the country and in the sea. He had labored, toiled and often gone without sleep. He had known hunger and thirst and had often gone without food. He had been cold and naked. Paul ends this section by stating that in addition to all this besides everything else, daily he faced the pressure of his concern for all the churches.

In addition all the great things we can learn from Paul’s writings, there is much we can learn from his life. Paul, being a Pharisee, was probably in the highest financial, social, and religious social status of his day. Having attained this, he gave it all up for Jesus Christ and obedience to Him. Paul not only gave up everything he had attained but was willing to suffer more things than I can even imagine for Christ and His Church. There is much to be learned from the study of the book of Romans and from its author, the apostle Paul.

The sixth book of the New Testament, entitled “Romans” is a letter written by Paul (Romans 1:1) to the people of Rome (Romans 1:7). It is believed that Paul wrote this letter to the Church of Rome while in Corinth on one of his missionary journeys. The church may have been comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, but probably mostly Gentiles.

The following outline of Romans is based upon the outline in the Bible Knowledge Commentary:

1. Introduction (1:1-17)

2. God’s Righteousness Revealed in condemnation (1:18-3:20)
a. Condemnation against pagan humanity (1:1-32)
b. Condemnation against unfaithful Jews (2:1-3:8)
c. Condemnation against all humanity (3:8-20)

3. God’s Righteousness Revealed in Justification (3:21-5:21)
a. Righteousness explained (3:21-31)
b. Righteousness illustrated (4:1-25)
i. By faith not works
ii. By faith not rites
iii. By faith not the Law
iv. By faith in God’s promise
c. Righteousness enjoyed (5:1-11)
d. Righteousness contrasted (5:12-21)

4. God’s Righteousness Revealed in Sanctification (6:1-8:39)
a. Grounds of sanctification (6:1-4)
b. Attitudes for sanctification (6:5-23)
c. Conflict of sanctification (7:1-25)
d. Power for sanctification (8:1-17)
e. Goal of sanctification (8:18-27)
f. Certainty of sanctification (8:28-39)

5. God’s Righteousness Revealed in Sovereign Choice (9:1-11:36)
a. God’s sovereign choice enunciated (9:1-29)
b. God’s sovereign choice applied (9:30-10:21)
c. God’s sovereign choice fulfilled (11:1-36)

6. God’s Righteousness Revealed in Transformed Living (12:1-15:13)
a. The basic consecration (12:1-2)
b. In Christian ministry (12:3-8)

Trumbull and Derby Graduations!

Just a reminder to all that today is the day of graduation for Trumbull High School and Derby High School. We have a quizzer from Derby graduating today, and an ex-quizzer from Trumbull taking the long walk. Take a moment today to send them a congratulations e-mail, or post a note in the Chat Area!

Aslan is coming, Aslan is coming!

The one-sheet poster for the new "Lion, the Witch, and the Wardobe" movie has reached the internet! I am a huge C.S Lewis fan, and have always especially had a special place in my heart for the Narnia series. I have even been listening to the Focus on the Family radio series on CD which is also excellent.

Where will you be on December 9, 2005?

Australia May Drop Bible from Courtrooms

We discussed a few weeks back that certain African nations are considereding taking the BIble out of the court room "in order to save it." Now word comes down that Australia is considering ending the Bible-oath requirement for more practical reasons.

However, reports the Sydney Morning Herald, a government spokesperson said a religious text might still be used for those who choose an oath – rather than the non-religious affirmation – but if the relevant book were not available in court the oath could proceed without it. The changes are merely designed to bring rules for jurors into line with oaths governed by other laws, he said.

I guess I can see how this would be a realistic response to the possibility of a Bible not being handy when government business needs to take place. However... why not keep a Bible in all courtrooms? Doesn't seem like a big problem to me. After all, the Gideons will give them one for free!

It's Funny, But It Also Makes You Think

Some days, it is no fun being the one on the outside.

Bible Quiz for Bible Quizzers

Ready to start exercising the old noodle? No? Well, check out this quiz from Christianity.Com! It is a simple check to see if you really know which everyday phrases come from scripture and which ones are not. You'd be amazed to know just how much of our linguistic history is invested with Biblical allusions. (Allusion: A reference to. Not to be confused with Illusion which is a faked image or impression.)

The Power of God

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Romans 1:16 NIV

Be Careful What You Wish For

This one is funny, but I can't claim I have not had a less metaphorical version of this experience.

National Invitational Youth Bible Drill & Speakers Tournament

This last Friday was the date of the National Invitational Youth Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament in Orlando Florida for the Florida Baptist Convention. It is not exactly the same as EFCA Bible Quizzing, but instead adds to the quizzing a series of bible drills (races to find and read out a specified verse of scripture) and speaches about commitment to Christ Jesus.

The Bible Drills, designed for 7th-9th grade students, required youth to memorize the order of books in the Bible and several series of verses, which include scriptures that support Baptist doctrinal statements. Drillers were then quizzed on a passage or book and expected to locate it in their Bible within eight seconds...In the end, Kimberly Marti, a homeschooled freshman and member of First Baptist Church Lamar, Mo., won top honors during the Bible Drill portion of the competition. Leslie Taylor, also a homeschooled 9th-grader and member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Lillington, N.C., was the runner-up.

Sounds like an interesting time of competition in bible knowledge! I still prefer our method of quizzing, but something like this could be a good supplement to what we do, perhaps to remind us that the Old Testament is as worthy a source of study as the New.

Mid-Week Ha-has!

Okay, folks! Middle of the week and time for a break from the serious news. How about a little top ten list?

Top 10 Reasons God Created Eve
10. God worried that Adam would always be lost in the garden because men hate to ask for directions.
9. God knew that Adam would one day need someone to hand him the TV remote.
8. God knew that Adam would never buy a new fig leaf when his seat wore out and would therefore need Eve to get one for him.
7. God knew that Adam would never make a doctor's appointment for himself.
6. God knew that Adam would never remember which night was garbage night.
5. God knew that if the world was to be populated, men would never be able to handle childbearing.
4. As "Keeper of the Garden," Adam would never remember where he put his tools.
3. The scripture account of creation indicates Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden.
2. As the Bible says, "It is not good for man to be alone!"
1. When God finished the creation of Adam, He stepped back, scratched His head and said, "I can do better than that."

Well, it may not be Letterman material, but it makes me smile.

Scripture Memory Challenge - Summer 2005 Edition

Ready to start thinking about a summer project to learn Romans and James in advance of next Quiz Season? Why not consider the Scripture Memory Challenge - Summer 2005 Edition! Run by the coach of the Hudson Valley Quiz Team - which was with us at several quizzes last year - it is an online way to start learning next year's books and put the dog days of July and August to good use.

This is a program where we picked our favorite 50 verses from ROMANS/JAMES. Memorizing these will give you a good taste for the books, and would be a great start for the upcoming quizzing season.
The verses are divided into 5 lists. To view them, choose from the menu to the right. After memorizing each list, you will have a chance to take a quiz. If you score the mastery level of 80 points or higher, we will list your first name, last initial, and the state you represent on our Quiz Results page. You may take the quizzes at any time, and they can be retaken as many times as you would like.

This is a great tool, but be sure to handle with care. Some quizzers do wonderfully starting out early, whereas others burn out if they start too early. Know yourself, and consider carefully how best to treasure up the Word in your heart.

Prayer Warrior Alert: Botswana Missions Trip!

Okay, prayer warriors, it is time to get working. (If you are a quizzer, THIS MEANS YOU!) Several graduated quizzers are going off this week on a trip to Botswana in Africa. This is one of those "high difficulty" missions trips, so we need to be in special prayer for those who are going (Brittany, Christy, Christina, etc.) Attached below is a brief summary from one teen's support letter.

The trip is from June 11 to July 9 with a mission’s organization called Teen Mania. We will begin the trip in Garden Valley Texas, where we will spend a few days training and preparing for Botswana. Since I am eighteen, I have the opportunity to be a Missionary Advisor, which is somewhat like a camp counselor. This means that I would arrive in Texas two days early for training, and would then be the advisor of a small group of younger team members. When all of the training is complete, we will be heading over to Maun, Botswana. Botswana is located in the southern region of Africa, directly above the country of South Africa.

Once in Botswana, we will be meeting up with our host church and missionaries and setting up camp. We will have the opportunity to minister to the local churches, to the town of Maun, and hopefully give AIDS prevention presentations in the local schools. After about six days in Maun, we will pack up and head out to a more remote village in need of the Gospel. We will have the chance to conduct hut-to-hut ministry, and we are hoping to be able to show the Jesus Film. We also will have the amazing opportunity to hand out Samaritan’s Purse gift boxes to the children of the villag

Prayer items:
1. Safety!
2. God's guiding hand
3. The Holy Spirit preparing hearts in the locals
4. Protection from medical issues
5. Minimal difficulties with cultural differences and assumptions
6. Provision of money and supplies needed
7. Daily prayers from those of us back home

Translator of the Living Bible Passes On

Ken Taylor, the man who put together the paraphrase of the Bible called "The Living Bible", has passed away at age 88. We use the New International Version of the Bible for our form of quizzing, because of the careful accuracy of the translation. But the New Living Translation was an attempt to simultaneously translate and interpret scripture as a paraphrase.

...the combination of editorial mind with fatherly heart sometimes afforded splendid creative opportunities. When he and Margaret read to their children, Taylor lamented that there was no book that covered the whole Bible for youngsters. As their kids brought home Sunday school lessons, he handwrote stories to match the pictures, asking if the stories made sense.
Encouraged by favorable responses, he submitted the material, subsequently published by Moody Press as The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes, an all-time bestselling children's book. Then followed a sequel, Stories for the Children's Hour and Devotions for the Children's Hour, a condensation of Chafer's theology courses.
Noting the success of these titles, he recalled his longstanding dissatisfaction with the King James Bible; the text simply didn't make sense to his children. Perhaps he could paraphrase the entire Bible for grown-ups as he'd done for children? Most daunting, but he would try. Commuting by train to Chicago each day, he utilized his travel time for paraphrasing the scriptures into contemporary language, beginning with the New Testament.

Paraphrases should not be confused with more literal translations - they are not always careful translations. But they can be far more easy to read then the more careful translations and can be useful for Bible study, especially for those new to scripture.

New Testament-Era Date Seed Germinates

The date was a fruit of great importance to Biblical writers, but it has gone mostly extinct in Israel due to historical forces. Well, a scientist has now germinated a seed that is 2000 years old! Keep in mind that most seeds lost only a few years, and that this is essentially bringing back an extinct plant. Amazing!

The seed, nicknamed Methuselah, was taken from an excavation at Masada, the cliff fortress where, in A.D. 73, 960 Jewish zealots died by their own hand, rather than surrender to a Roman assault. The point is to find out what was so exceptional about the original date palm of Judea, much praised in the Bible and the Koran for its shade, food, beauty and medicinal qualities, but long ago destroyed by the crusaders.
"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree," says Psalm 92. "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age. They shall be fat and flourishing."
...Three date seeds were taken from Level 34 of the Masada dig. They were found in a storeroom, and are presumably from dates eaten by the defenders, Dr. Sallon says...The plant is now 11.8 inches tall and has produced seven leaves, one of which was removed for DNA testing. Radiocarbon dating in Switzerland on a snip of the seed showed it to be 1,990 years old, plus or minus 50 years. So the date seed dates from 35 B.C. to A.D. 65, just before the famed Roman siege.

How Has Technology Changed Bible Study?

I own the Bible in several electonic forms. I have it in a form that fits on my Palm Pilot. A form that works on my Mac. A form that works on a PC. A handheld version that is indepenent of all other technology. I read the bible online at Bible Gateway. I get devotionals by e-mail. And I read all kinds of bible-based blogs online. But is all of this technology really an improvement over pen and ink?

In the same way that the invention of movable type and the printing press radically increased accessibility to the text of God's Word, the latest tools enhance a person's ability to sort and categorize the text, as well as provide easy access to commentary. If the printing press increased accessibility to the text of the Bible, will technology increase accessibility to its meaning? Will the digital Bible result in greater conviction or simply greater convenience?
“In today's information age, is there any information more important than the eternal Word of God?” asks Dan Pritchett, director of marketing for Logos Bible Software. “News feeds, search engines and real-time stock quotes will all fade to ‘digital dust’ — only the Bible will stand forever. There's no higher use of your computer than Bible study.”
Among youth leaders, says Mikal Keefer, senior editor of Youth Ministry Church Resources at Group Publishing, “technology is serving Bible study both well and poorly. It's never been easier for youth leaders to get information and programming—literally thousands of web sites provide material to spice up a lesson or explain a theological concept. Unfortunately, while some sites are great, content on other sites is actually untrue."

We must remember both the virtues and perils of our age. It gives speedy access to info, but also speedy abilities to distort the Word. Take everything you read online with a grain of salt. Then again, take everything you read everywhere with a grain of salt, and life will be a lot easier.

Wycliff Against the Clock to Print Bibles in All Spoken Languages

Wycliff Bible translators has set before themselves perhaps the most ambitious goal of any missions organization in recent history - to have the bible tranlated into and printed in every spoken language in the world by 2025. They are racing to put together typefaces and full translations using new computer software and think this is doable.

Wycliffe plan to complete the mammoth task and print the Bible in every spoken language by 2025 some task when scholars estimate up to 2,700 languages are without a Bible translation.
Mr Anderson added: "We tell people that God speaks to them in their language so it would seem natural for them to have a written record of God's word in their alphabet.
"At first, we estimated it would take us 150 years, but we now believe it is achievable in 20. When you consider it took more than 1,000 years for the first English Bible to be translated, we've reduced the margin quite a bit."
Wycliffe experts have designed new programmes to accommodate rare scripts, some of which have never been printed before.

The gospel in every language spoken by Man. It would be an amazing achievement, and a realization of the great commission to bring the news of Jesus to ever tribe and nation, to the ends of the Earth.

Methinks God Has a Sense of Humor

I don't know about everyone else, but this has been a very long week for me. I figured we could all use a break and a laugh. This page has several good church-related jokes including the one below.

Two brothers are terrible trouble makers. They are always breaking things, stealing things, lying, and making all kinds of general trouble. The parents have tried everything to get the boys to change, to no avail. Finally, out of options, they ask their pastor if he can help. He says he will talk to the boys, but only one at a time. The parents drop off the youngest and go home, promising to return to get him soon. The boy sits in a chair across from the pastor's desk and they just look at each other.

Finally, the Pastor says, "Where is God?"

The boy just sits there and doesn't answer.

The pastor begins to look stern and loudly says, "Where is God?"

The little boy shifts in his seat, but still doesn't answer.

The pastor is starting to get angry at the boy's refusal to converse and practically shouts "Where is God?"

To the pastor's surprise, the little boy jumps up out of his chair and runs out of the office.

The boy leaves the church and runs all the way home, up the stairs and into his brother's room. He shuts the door and pants, "We're in BIG TROUBLE. God's missing and they think we did it!"

Hee-hee for a Tired Day

Okay, this one isn't Quiz Team related or Bible related, but it just makes me laugh. I did not take this picture, nor did I Photoshop it up. Recieved it via e-mail with no attribution. It maketh me laugh.

Bible Translated for Aboriginal Australians for the First Time

God's word has been translated into yet another language for an unreached people group in our world. Kriol is the language of the Aboriginal Austalians, and prior to this only a few books of the Bible had been translated.

Earlier editions of the Kriol had been published in the past containing selected books from the bible, some of which are still in use today. However this is the first time in which all of the New and Old Testament has been completed.
The translation was undertaken by a group of Aboriginal Christians and missionaries in the Northern Territory along with support from organisations such as Bible Society in Australia, Wycliffe's Sister Organisation and other Church agencies.
Dr Peter J Carroll, coordinator of translation and text from Bible Society Australia had stated how translations into the many aboriginal languages were complex...
"In English we use the word heart a lot and we attach to the body part a lot of emotion. We talk of a loving God, one we can love with all our heart, but in the Aboriginal language of Kunwinjku it's meaningless. Instead we say that you love God with all your insides or, if you like, your inner being."

It will not be long now until the word exists in every language on earth. (And perhaps a few from off the earth.)

Yet Another Concert: Fall Out 2005 - tobyMac, Day of Fire, etc.

Wow, it *is* CONCERT WEEK around here. Jim just pointed me to the announcement for Fall Out 2005. This one is featuring tobyMac, Skillet, Day of Fire, and Josh McDowell. (For those not in the loop, Josh McDowell is a biblical apologist and speaker to Christian teen issues. He was great several years back at Nationals.) And the best part? It is taking place in Allentown, PA - home of the Faith EFC Quiz Team!

To quote an unnamed Quiz Team Coach, "Can you say 'Road Trip'?"

Calvary 2 Softball Game Called on Account of Rain

Well, the Calvary 2 Softball team was rained out Monday. But they had a great game against Monty's River Grille on Friday, and again your intrepid paparazi got a few pictures for those unable to attend. The team continues to improve with every outing in skill and teamwork. It is only a matter of time before they make the Yankees look like... well... the Red Sox. Or maybe it is the other way around. I lost track last year.

Ther next game is Thursday, June 16. However, this one will be sans Matt and without the loyal photographer. Maybe we can find another roving reporter to provide details to their fans here at the Pad!

Oh, My! MercyMe!

I am guessing in heaven this has been declared CONCERT WEEK, because this is my third concert-related post in the last 7 days. My brother was roaming the hallowed halls of Calvary EFC tonight when he came across this interesting poster.

Hmmm... Perhaps a sign that the CSM team is not deaf to the pleas of the concert-lovers after all. Here is the info page in case you are interested.

Can the Bible Cause Infection?

British doctors are facing a media firestorm against the Gideons, after suggesting that Bibles be removed from all hospital rooms. "Why?" you ask. "Because they are anti-religious activists?!" Nope. Because they think they may have identified a case where MRSA (more commonly known as "staph infection") was passed from patient to patient by a Gideon's Bible. But fear not, despite some early scare mongering by the tabloids, there is no risk of the Gideons being thrown out.

Transmission of MRSA from a book or other inanimate object is "theoretically possible," said Dr. William Jarvis, M.D., president of the research foundation of the Washington-based Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
"Has it ever been documented? No."
A variety of objects in hospitals -- doctor's ties, stethoscopes, and doorknobs, for instance -- have been found to be tainted with MRSA, Dr. Jarvis said. "All of these inanimate objects are very, very unlikely to pose a risk to patients," he added.
"The major route of transmission of MRSA is health-care workers' hands," he said, and if doctors and nurses practise proper hygiene, even Bible-borne MRSA doesn't have a prayer.

One British hospital even has a solution that the Gideons are likely to welcome with open arms. They want to send a Bible home with every patient. Now that is a way to raise Bible literacy!

Billy Graham Crusade in NYC!

Quiz Teamers and parents will want to keep in mind the Billy Graham Crusade coming to New York City, June 24-26, 2005. It is a great chance to bring friends who may not know the Lord. Of course, some of you may be thinking that it is just an old man preaching. But you'd be wrong. In addition to the powerful speaking of the greatest evangelists of our generation, they are also featuring:

• Friday: Steven Curtis Chapman
• Saturday: Tree63, Nicole C. Mullen, and Jars of Clay
• Sunday: Mercy Me and Michael W. Smith

Not bad, eh? And remember, these shows are free.

Congratulations, CHS Graudates!

We just wanted to pause a moment and send out a hearty "Congratulations!", a couple "Atta Girl!"s, and one or two "I can't it's over!"s to three quizzers who are graduating today from CHS. You will be missed, but we all know you are going on to bigger and better things. May God be with you in your new endeavors and know that our thoughts and prayers go with you!

Oh, and remember that Quiz Team stories are a good icebreaker when trying to come up with conversation topics for that new college roommate... or that cute guy you meet at orientation.

Newsboys Coming to "The Sound"!

Thanks to "Fishy" for bringing this one to my attention in the chat area. Rock the Sound is "a non-profit organization with the purpose of promoting ALL types of Christian music concerts on or near the Long Island Sound. The goal of these concerts is to support various Christian churches, ministries, charities and artists and ultimately to help many to know and love Jesus Christ." The newest cool news is that The Newsboys are coming to Rock the Sound on November 5! Click here for more information.

Sometimes You Gotta Laugh

I know this is lame, but it makes me laugh every time I read it.

Free Quiz Randomizer

One of my goals for the summer is to put together an online quiz generator program. The idea is that we will have a quick and easy way to put together quizzes for studying or quiz meets. It turns out someone has already done something like it!!! Of course, I am hoping that my version will be a little fancier and have output good enough to print. And this version has not yet been updated for Romans and James. Still, it is a good start and a website worth keeping an eye on.

Enjoy! And remember to thank God for what he has chosen to make of the good side of the World Wide Web.