Wednesday, 22 February 2012 06:45 Written by Jim Denison

"Mardi Gras" is French for "Fat Tuesday."  The latter is the most popular search term on Google this morning.  Its name comes from the practice of feasting before the fasting of Lent begins.  Before the days of refrigeration, people would eat all the food that would otherwise spoil over the next seven weeks.  And they would eat foods they would give up for the Lenten season.

What is "Lent"?  The word is derived from the Anglo-Saxon or Teutonic word "Lencten," which means "spring."  It has been used for many centuries to signify the 40 days (excluding Sundays) preceding Easter.  Why 40 days?

Tuesday, 21 February 2012 06:45 Written by Jim Denison

This headline caught my eye today: "Plastic surgery does make you look younger, study finds."  I hope they didn't spend much money to reach such a shocking conclusion.  Continuing to state the obvious, Reuters reports that "cold-water baths may soothe aches. And anyone who has tried to parent a teenager could have written this headline: "How much sleep do teens really need?  Maybe less than you think."

The obvious isn't always so obvious.  A teacher commented about Woodrow Wilson, "He is ten years old and is just beginning to read and write.  He shows signs of improving, but you must not set your sights too high for him."  Abraham Lincoln's elementary school teacher said of him, "He is very good with his studies, but he is a daydreamer and asks foolish questions."

Monday, 20 February 2012 06:45 Written by Jim Denison

"If you ever traveled on a road with no speed bumps, you're headed for a dead end."  When Marshall Faulk was inducted into Pro Football's Hall of Fame last August, he closed his acceptance speech with these words from his late father.

Today's news is all about those who triumph over adversity.  For instance, Elizabeth Smart's weekend wedding made global news.  Why?  Each weekend, an average of 44,230 weddings take place.  But hers was anything but average.  She was kidnapped from her home at the age of 14 and held for what she later called "nine months of hell."  This past Saturday, she and Matthew Gilmour were married in Hawaii.  A family spokesman said, "Her wedding further demonstrates that it is possible to rise above challenging circumstances to lead a happy and productive life."

Friday, 17 February 2012 06:45 Written by Jim Denison

So many of you have expressed your support for Ryan and our family as we respond to our son's cancer diagnosis.  Janet and I will share updates as they seem appropriate, but Ryan wants us to continue focusing on our ministry during these challenging days.  Turning from our family to cultural issues, it seems to me that we need to think biblically this morning about Iran.

Yesterday, Iranian leaders offered to resume talks over their nuclear program as soon as possible.  At the same time, they announced their first domestically-produced fuel rod and a new generation of centrifuges.  Most experts think that Iran is months, or more likely years, away from a nuclear bomb.  But what would happen if their leaders obtained nuclear weapons?  Imagine recent events in Iraq, Libya or Syria if their dictators possessed such arms.

Thursday, 16 February 2012 06:45 Written by Jim Denison

We received Ryan's lab results this week.  As many of you know, our oldest son had cancer surgery last Thursday to remove a small tumor from his neck.  Pathology indicates that the cancer has spread slightly into the area around the tumor.  The good news is that this type of cancer is very responsive to radiation.  Next week Ryan will begin six weeks of radiation therapy in Houston.  We are very optimistic that he will make a full recovery.

Our family is deeply grateful for your intercession and support.  Now we ask you to continue praying for our son, that radiation would remove the cancer completely and that it would not recur.  We are asking God to give Ryan strength and perseverance.  And we are asking him to teach us all we are meant to learn from these hard days, as our Father redeems what he has allowed in our lives.