Gotta Vent

Jul 29
2005

http://www.bennycornett.com

Man, I can’t stand it when I am trying to watch a music video or a news video over the Internet and the video sticks but the sound keeps on going. Why can’t these things work like they are supposed to. The only time lately that I have been able to watch something over the net is late in the afternoons. I guess the web traffic has slowed down enough by then that somethings work better. The Internet has turned into a giant theme park where you have to stand in line for ever just to do something that takes 1 minute.

….wait….wait….buffering : 50/100%……play….wait…wait…buffering : 22/100%

Then no video….whats the point. If I was going to publish something as popular as a news clip or music video I would at least make sure that I have the bandwidth to do it.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Come and Help Us

Jul 29
2005

http://www.bennycornett.com

Read Acts 16:6-10

During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

-Acts 16:9 (NRSV)

AT the conclusion of the sermon, I issued an invitation to discipleship. Rosa came forward to the altar and testified to her decision to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior.

When my wife and I talked with Rosa after the service, we learned that Rosa lived 80 kilometers from our church. We thought that living so far away would make it a hardship for her to come to church. But she insisted that she would attend and was present faithfully. Each time she would bring someone with her. First, she brought her husband, then her sister and brother-in-law, and later her children and grandchildren.

When 10 people were regularly traveling 80 kilometers to worship at our church, Rosa and her family told me, “Come to our town and help us.” I traveled to her hometown to help establish a faith community. Services began in the home of one of Rosa’s relatives, and because of their faithful witness, God continues to add others to the faith.

Antonio Mario Schar (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Prayer
Thank you, God, for the example of those who challenge us to greater faithfulness. Give us zeal to serve you as they do. Amen.

Thought For The Day
How far do I go to serve God?

Prayer Focus
God’s messengers in isolated places

Bad News Bears

Jul 28
2005

http://www.bennycornett.com

Since I had such a good response from the Charlie and The Chocolate Factory post I’ll blog about another movie that we are going to see this weekend.

Bad News Bears

I’m a fan of Billy Bob Thorton and I loved the first Bad News Bears that came out in 1976 with Walter Matthau.

1976 Bad News Bears New Bad News Bears

So far the previews have done nothing but make me laugh.

What do you think?

Falsely Accused

Jul 28
2005

http://www.bennycornett.com

I love these verses, everybody could read Matthew 7:1-5 and get something out of it.

Read Matthew 7:1-5

Surely there is no one on earth so righteous as to do good without ever sinning.

-Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NRSV)

RECENTLY I was wrongly accused of a deed which caused a stranger to lash out at me in uncontrolled anger, with foul language. My impulse was to scream back at him in self-defense. Instead, I drove home full of resentment and frustration that eventually left me depressed.

I considered the possible reasons for the stranger’s actions: he might have lost his job that day or received bad news regarding his health; perhaps his marriage had ended. Then I asked myself, How many times have I falsely accused another? And when I prejudge someone or pass on malicious gossip, am I not “falsely accusing”? The Bible plainly teaches against these things, so I am just as guilty as the man who unjustly accused me.

Once I asked God’s forgiveness for my sins, I could feel compassion for my accuser. When I asked for guidance and comfort for him, I was able to feel God’s peace.

Ruth C. Hodges (California, U.S.A.)

Prayer
Thank you, God, for forgiving our sins and helping us to forgive others. Amen.

Thought For The Day
Think — and pray — before speaking.

Prayer Focus
Someone overwhelmed by anger

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

Jul 27
2005

http://www.bennycornett.com

I watched the movie, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory last week and I thought it was pretty cool. I was a little upset because I thought that it was a sequel…nope, it is a remake of the original. Oh well, it was still pretty good. My wife and kids loved it. I thought the movie had a good mix of kiddy and adult humor and the graphics were very good. Johnny Depp was an excellent Willy Wonka. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory