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RAM Rant

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Have you noticed a recent surge in the prices of some electronic products? There’s a reason for that. RAM prices have skyrocketed because of increasing Artificial Intelligence consumption. According to ZDNet.com, “AI data centers will mop up 70% of all memory chips produced this year.” I first noticed signs of that a few weeks ago. Before the end of last year, I thought of buying a 5 TB external hard drive from Western Digital. A 4 TB drive I’ve had for over four years still worked, but figured it would be wise to get another one for backing up my computer files. External hard drives eventually quit working. Due to a temporary decrease in donations for my ministry, I’ve decided to wait. Then in March of this year, I felt it was time to purchase that extra hard drive. However, the prices on the Western Digital website were higher than before. Therefore, I opted to buy a 4 TB hard drive on sale at Best Buy. Back then, the electronics store sold that for $139 plus tax (I previously bou...
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Offending God and Man

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For the past few days, the media been filled with reports about baseball players taking a stand against gay activism. A minor league team in York, Pennsylvania planned a “Pride Night” this past Thursday. However, a few of their players refused to wear uniforms with rainbow designs on their sleeves. As a result, team officials decided to forfeit the game. Then there was the San Francisco Giants’ “Pride Night” game against the Chicago Cubs on June 12th. Most of the players wore caps with a rainbow-colored “SF” logo. One pitcher opted to wear a cap with the usual orange logo. Three others inscribed “Gen 9:12-16” next to the rainbow-colored logo. Pitcher Landen Roupp told reporters, “It's just about God’s covenant and a promise that He makes to us — His faithfulness and His mercy.” A Major League Baseball official stated that “…writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations.” Yet in 2020, MLB allowed pitch...
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A Grand Old Flag

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June 14th is a memorable day for me for three reasons. I still recall it being the birthday of a girl I had a strong crush on in my teens . It’s also the birthday of the president of the United States ( Donald Trump turns 80 today). Last but not least, it was on this day in 1777 that the Stars and Stripes was officially adopted as the American flag. Although Flag Day is not an official federal holiday like Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, it’s often listed in calendars.  Other countries have similar holidays on different days. Religious groups like the Jehovah’s Witnesses oppose saluting flags or even saying the pledge of allegiance. They view these things as acts of worship or idolatry. I disagree. One can participate in patriotic acts like standing for The Star Spangled Banner without making it an idol. Scripture talks about respecting the government as long as they don’t pressure us into doing things that violate the laws of God: “Render therefore to Caesar...
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Stay In Your Lane

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This past Wednesday, I went with a friend for a drive to Zion, Illinois. This city near the Wisconsin border was founded at the beginning of the 20th century by a preacher named John Alexander Dowie. Originally from Scotland, Dowie had a powerful ministry based in Chicago where God used him mightily in the gifts of healing. However, he wanted to establish Zion as a totally Christian-based society. Possession of tobacco, liquor, and swine's flesh were prohibited within city limits. As Dowie focused on overseeing this new city, his ministry declined, and suffered financial problems before passing away at 59. Roberts Liardon’s book “God’s Generals” details Dowie’s life as well as other preachers whose ministries didn’t end well. One of whom was William Branham. He had gifts in healing and prophecy, but desired to become a teacher. Branham wasn’t knowledgeable enough in the Word. As a result, he drifted into proclaiming unbiblical doctrines such as rejecting the existence of an eterna...
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Do You Wear Your Christianity?

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One time while I was hanging out in a park, a group of believers showed up for a picnic wearing T-shirts stating, “These are my church clothes.” I’ve noticed other Christian apparel with clever sayings such as “My boss is a Jewish carpenter.” Over the years, people have given me shirts with various Christian sayings. One of them had a drawing of an open Bible with the words, “When all else fails...read the instructions.” Another one I used to own showed a red cross and the words “This shirt is illegal in 52 countries.” It’s a reminder that many nations forbid open declaration of Christianity. Last year, a friend gave me a hoodie with lyrics from the worship song “Way Maker.” I liked the artwork, but eventually passed that hoodie on to another friend. I was in the midst of downsizing and already owned a hoodie. The one I kept has two side pockets instead of one in the middle. There are reasons why I usually shy away from wearing Christian clothing. It’s not because I’m ashamed of the...
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Rededicate 250

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On May 17, 1776 (a few weeks before the signing of the Declaration of Independence), the Second Continental Congress observed a nationwide Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer . This year, President Donald Trump declared a similar day in honor of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. I had the privilege of attending a gathering on the National Mall. My friend Jim (who hosted me) had talked of going there as well, but changed his plans. Instead, he drove me to the nearest Metro station before attending his church that Sunday morning. On the train, I met a large group of believers visiting from Vietnam and showed them my tracts. They were encouraged to see a fellow Christian sharing the gospel. One of them was a pastor who invited me to come to Vietnam. After disembarking from the train in Washington, D.C., I engaged in street witnessing and observed six individuals praying for salvation. Subsequently, I made my way toward the National Mall, assuming the event was ta...
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Make Up Your Mind

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A few days ago while waiting on the Lord, I had a vision of what looked like a two-headed puppet. The interpretation I received is that someone is out of control if he wavers when making decisions. With difficult choices, it’s best to wait and pray until discerning a clear answer. James chapter 1 says: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;  8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. The term double-minded comes from the Greek word dipsuchos , meaning “a person with two minds or souls.”  Vacillation creates problems when they affect the lives of others. During the Dallas Cowboys 1971 season, head coach Tom Landry couldn’t decide if his best quarterback was Craig M...
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