Chauncey Billups, back where he should be

Pistons fans continue to mourn the loss of Chauncey Billups. Don’t believe me? Visit any of the Pistons blogs in the blogosphere for more proof than you could ever want to read.

But last night, we experienced bitter-sweet reprieve, and we welcomed Chauncey back to the Palace, where one day his Red, White, and Blue number 1 will be flying from the rafters.

If you, like me, don’t have FSN+, then you missed what has been the most memorable moment of the season thus far.

But don’t worry… I’ve got you covered.

And just in case that’s not enough, you can listen to his class-act comments in the post-game press conference. And you can’t tell me you don’t miss that leadership, confidence, and class right about now.

Unfortunately, the only thing I can’t offer is Kleenex for the tears you are sure to shed while watching…

The ‘quiet crisis’ facing the nonprofit sector

If you are involved with the nonprofit sector in any way (and I know many of you are), then you have undoubtedly been affected by the money crunch in ways you would not have anticipated even one year ago.

This morning, I read an article on beliefnet that literally shocked me… and the title just about says it all.

“The Non Profit Sector: More Jobs than Finance & Auto Combined…and Sinking Fast”

According to this report 11% of the nation’s workforce are employed or volunteer full-time (think AmeriCorps, like me!) in the nonprofit sector, and that’s more than the auto industry and financial industry put together.

This “quiet crisis”  (quiet because it has flow quietly under the radar thus far) is the “triple whammy” of key factors.

The evaporation of wealth has decimated charitable donations; the state and local budget crunch is costing nonprofits their foremost paying clients; and the human need for nonprofit help is skyrocketing as nonprofit resources shrink.

Or in other words, the economy is hemorrhaging money, which has caused two things to happen. First, the need for services typically provided nonprofits has increased, i.e., people need emergency housing, clothing, and food. Second, because money is so tight, charitable donations have decreased which means nonprofits have fewer resources to offer while need is increasing. It’s a vicious cycle.

To put it in context with some startling numbers:

• Churches, many of which deliver social services to the poor and needy, were expected to raise $3 billion to $5 billion less than anticipated in the last quarter of 2008;
• United Way saw a 68 percent increase during the past year in the number of calls for basic needs such as securing food, shelter, and warm clothing, and is receiving 10,000 to 15,000 more calls every month compared to 2007;
• Chicago’s Meals on Wheels is trimming its budget by 35 percent;
• The State of Arizona reports an increase of more than 100 percent in the number of people who sought social services from 2007 to 2008, and Goodwill of Central Arizona reported nearly twice the number of visits to its centers on December 23, 2008, compared to the same day in 2007; and
• Over the last year, more than 70 percent of Michigan nonprofits have seen increasing demand for their services, while 50 percent say their financial support has dropped.

Apparently, me not finding a job in the nonprofit world is the least of the sector’s concerns…/sarcasm.

The full report is available for download. You should be glad to find out it’s not all doom and gloom however. There are also some recommendations that you might be able to apply to your own work.

If you are involved in a nonprofit in any way (read: if you work for or attend a church), then this is worth at least a quick read.

What does the Holy Spirit mean to you?

Today’s reading from my new church’s Text project (linked below) has been the source of great study over the past 100 years. Why 100 years you ask? Because 100 years marks the birth of the Pentecostal movement. I’m sure most of you know what the Pentecostal movement is, so I won’t dwell there — but for those who might not, Pentecostals believe that Holy Spirit baptism is always accompanied by speaking in other tongues, as appears in this text.

You may agree with this, or you may not. Perhaps you think that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is primarily about bringing the fruit of the Spirit to fruition in one’s life (i.e., Sanctification). Or maybe you think something supernatural should happen upon Spirit baptism, but not necessarily tongues.

Whatever the case may be, I would like to hear what you think the Spirit has done in your life and what that has meant for you.

Text » Blog Archive » Acts 10 (NLT)

President Obama: Be the Change: Mentor a Child

Mentoring is something that’s become very important to me over the past few months, and it’s great to see our new president endorsing it.

more about “President Obama: Be the Change: Mento…“, posted with vodpod

Sign the Open Source Letter to President Obama

Image via Wikipedia

Take a moment to sign the letter (linked below) that encourages our new president to adapt open source technology as part of his plan to change our country.

Sign the Open Source Letter to President Obama.

And who’s better looking? Joe Biden or Dick Cheaney?

What do you do when your theology doesn’t work?

This morning I read an article that struck way too close to home. In 1980, a book was published entitled, “We Let Our Son Die.” The book tells the story of two parents who refused to give their diabetic son his prescribed insulin. Instead, they chose to “positively confess” his healing, believing that God would miraculously restore their son to health.

But, they were wrong.

Their son, Wesley, died because he didn’t receive the medication he needed to stay alive.

Amazingly, the story does not end there.

Instead of a funeral, his parents chose to hold a “resurrection service.” But, Wesley did not come back to life.

Tragically (but justly, I think), they were eventually found guilty of manslaughter and child abuse.

Hopefully, none of us ever goes through anything like these parents went through, but undoubtedly each of us has had an experience in life that has called some aspect of our own theology into question. What was that event for you?

Faith in Faith or Faith in God?

Cadbury Eyebrows

Absolutely hilarious.

One more reason to love the Pistons!

So, if you’ve been to one of a select few Pistons games, then you’ve been graced by the presence of the Spare Tires. For those who don’t know, they are an all-male dance team that entertains the Palace crowd… but they aren’t just ordinary men. They are the sexiest men you have ever seen, guaranteed.

And now, the Spare Tires have done one more thing to win me over…

If you don’t get it, check out Beyonce’s video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mVEGfH4s5g

Follow up: I was wrong about Ted Haggard

Haggard ‘Deserves What He Got’ | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Recently, I posted about Ted Haggard and an upcoming documentary that features him. Or more accurately, features him and his family as they attempt to rebuild their lives after Haggard’s sex scandal.

In an article on Christianity Today (linked above), the prodcuer of the film, Alexandra Pelosi, gives an incredibly interesting take on the film.

When I first heard about the film, I assumed it was a ploy to make money. It turns out, I was wrong. Listen to what Pelosi has to say — and this came as a shock to me.

“He had the sex. He had a scandal. But that’s not what this is about. It’s the point of how the Bible pulled this man through his darkest hour. Why can’t we enjoy the happiness that that brings? That’s what we should be celebrating.

I’m going to watch the film again before I write my review, and I’ll edit our discussion down to a sidebar interview. And I’m going to …

Just don’t make God look bad. Let God win.”

I don’t have HBO, but I sincerely hope I can find a way to see this film… and maybe you should too.

Another Plug for Battlestar Galactica

We’re all Cylons: Battlestar Galactica’s last days – SFFMedia

If you’ve never heard me rave about the glory that is Battlestar Galactica, then either you don’t know me that well or I just don’t like you

Just kidding, of course.

If you haven’t heard me talking about it, then perhaps you watch The Office, and you’ve heard Dwight rambling on about it.

Well, Dwight is undoubtedly an interesting fellow, and I understand being skeptical of his advice. But, I like to fancy myself as a somewhat normal person — and I am writing this to tell you that you need to watch Battlestar.

It is, without question, the most gripping, probing, and compelling piece of entertainment I’ve ever viewed. Its writing is unrivaled, and the cinematography is completely unique.

Yes, it is classified as Sci-Fi…. but don’t let that scare you. The point of this show is not to be Sci-Fi; rather, it’s a drama with potent social commentary that happens to be set in a Sci-Fi universe. The people you meet in Battlestar are just that – human beings. They are accessible and understandable, and you will undoubtedly find a little bit of yourself in the show somewhere.

Anyway, enough of my fanboy rant. If you haven’t watched Battlestar, then do yourself a favor and rent it from your local video store.

You’ll thank me. I promise