F.Y.I.

F.Y.I.

For Your Information: A couple of months ago I posted that Erin and I had purchased a Volkswagon Bug. It was meant as a joke but I obviously did a HORRIBLE job at conveying my sarcasm over the internet. So consider this a retraction. We did not purchase the Bug named PHRED. It was in our neighbors driveway and I took a picture of it. I repeat, we did not buy a VW Bug. Sorry for the confusion



Having said that, if you still don't believe me, you can believe this: We sold PHRED the Bug for a $275,000 Dodge Hennesey Viper. It's sitting in our driveway right now. ;) I'll sell it to you for $80 bagillion dollars!



Also, for fellow SPUDDOGS, be sure to make your football picks early this week. There will be three (yes I said 3) Thanksgiving Day games.



Also, you should get into the habit of making your picks early since the NFL Network looks to make Thursday night football a tradition. Hopefully your cable provider has it available to you.


—b


Tuesday, November 21st, 2006/Genesis chapters 18-21

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived." —Genesis 19:29

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
As a direct result of Abraham interceding on Lot's behalf, the Lord intervened and rescued Lot and his family certain death. Lot had no idea that his uncle Abraham had prayed for his safety. All he knew was that the Lord had rescued him. (Glory went the Lord and not Abraham.) Never think that prayer is futile!

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Minneapolis Occult Meet Up Group, Minneapolis

Bella Meets a Baby

Friday, November 17th, 2006/Genesis chapter 10-???

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
This is starting to happen more and more. I'm hitting my alarm and don't remember doing it. Maybe I'll try waking up to KTIS instead of BEEEEP, BEEEEP, BEEEEP, BEEEEP,....

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
Try something different with your alarm.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Minneapolis Gay Men's Coven, Minneapolis

21st Century Digital Boy

3D/4D Ultrasound

As I mentioned yesterday, Erin and I had a Pro-Life banquet to go to. The key speaker's main point was getting out the fact that a baby dies from abortion every 20 seconds. Every 20 seconds! His point was that we can't put our faith and hope into politics to change the laws (we shouldn't give up either) but he is working on getting the "3D/4D" ultrasound machines to each one of the 3,000 crisis pregnancy centers.

The facts say that once a mother is considering an abortion and sees a 3D/4D ultrasound, 90% of the time, the mother will decide to continue the pregnancy. How exciting would that be! We don't need to change the laws if we can change hearts! We just need to get information and present them to at-risk pregnant mothers with love and not condemnation.

On a side note, a highlight of the evening was when Erin was asked to stand since she coordinated 106 people getting a seat at the banquet. The speaker noted, and I quote, "Erin is shorter than I am and she is older than 10." (The lady MC who said this was also short.)

Well, I hope everyone has a relaxing weekend. Erin and I will be traveling to South Dakota to visit Leif, Cyri, and meet our niece Kayle! I noticed that I haven't even posted anything about Kayle on the blog. Sorry!!! She was born during the Mission Maker hiatus but I promise to post pics on Monday.

—b

Here is the staff picture from the retreat. Can you find Erin and I? ;)

Friday, November 17th, 2006/Genesis chapter 4

NOTE: Last night ran late and we didn't get to bed til 11:30 so I don't remember hitting my alarm. Anyway, I was able to read one chapter but I plan on reading the other two tonight.

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
"If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." —Genesis 4:7

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
Sin is something people can never conquer. Sin wants to separate us from God. It's waiting for one little slip up and it will have us. Having said that, we can "master" temptation through Christ. He is our refuge. When we are tempted, we need to run, not walk to Him.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Men's Mysteries Church of the Goddess, Minneapolis

Barn Yard Boogie?

Barn Yard Boogie?
Well, actually yesterday it was an all-day meeting at the "barn."

Traditionally STEM has an annual all-staff "retreat" that lasts a couple of days. But this year, we had a condensed version on Bethany's campus. As you probably know, STEM's office is located on Bethany College of Missions campus. But what you probably don't know is there is a building which looks like a barn where Bethany usually has "fun" events. Anyway, that's where we spent the entire day yesterday.

Nothing big and or exciting to report. It was everything that you would expect from an all-staff meeting. We did take a group picture and hopefully I'll get the file and post it so you can see who Erin and I work with on a daily basis.

Tonight Erin and I are going to another Pro-Life banquet put on by City Life Center. I don't think it will be as big as the first one but for every person that we were able to recruit, STEM will give us $20. And this year, we are appreciating any extra dough that we can muster.

Anyway, enjoy your Thursday and as always, if you ever have a prayer request, send it in. :)

—b

Thursday, November 16th, 2006/Genesis chapters 1-3

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate." Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, " The serpent deceived me, and I ate." —Genesis 3:11-13

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
Classic. It's always someone elses fault and not our own. We are responsible for our own sins. The blame game won't fly.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Lecta, Roseville

Numbered Fun

click image to enlarge

Random Acts of Fun

1. After a 7:30 am Saturday morning breakfast, we enjoyed a game of Disney Sorry. It was actually Anna's idea. We had played it last time she was over and had the same results. (I lost.)
2. Bella had been walked and given a bath, TV had grown boring, and Erin still wasn't awake (10:00 am), so we decided to grab my Star Wars coloring book.
3. Lunch consisted of Maccaroni and Cheese and with our belly's full, we made our way to the Mall of America. It was packed! We still don't know why. Anyway, the hour-long wait to get into the Build-A-Bear Workshop wasn't that bad. Anna was very patient and had already picked out her bear...err...poodle. She ended up naming her Sophie.
4. Three hours later we were all beat and ready to go home. So we picked up some Papa Murphy's pizza and decided to rent Curious George from our cable box. It was really good. It will definitely be a DVD that we'll own.
5. 8:00am Sunday morning we said our goodbye's to Anna and headed for the Viking/Packer game. J-Bone and Snake joined us for some tailgaiting. It was cold. I loved it. By the end we were all huddled up next the dwindling charcoal grill. (I won't go into the game for obvious reasons.) :(
6. That afternoon all 3 of us slept very soundly. I think Bella slept most of all.

—b

PS. Congratulations to the Houston Dynamo on winning the MLS cup on Sunday!



Tuesday, November 13th, 2006/Daniel chapters 7-9

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
"O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion." —Daniel 9:18

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
When we worship God, when we pray, when we read His word, it's not because we are "good Christians" and it's not for our glory, it's for Him! It's because God loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. We don't deserve Him and yet we have unlimeted access to Him.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Lady Alexcia Coven, Plymouth

Coming Soon...

Doh!

I ran out of time today to post all of the pics I want so I'll do that tomorrow. :)

—b


Monday, November 13th, 2006/Daniel chapters 5 & 6

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
"My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime." —Daniel 6:22

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
If someone were to ask you if you were innocent before God, could you say yes? More often than not, I don't think I could. Sure I know Christ died for my sins but what I'm asking is if you are "right" with God this second? More often than not, I don't think I could answer yes to that question. I sin, feel bad about it so I don't ask for forgiveness, then the next day will come and then I will ask Him for forgiveness. I need to always be in constant prayer with God. No matter if I'm having a "good day" or "bad day".

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Ketraian Study Group for Witches, Minneapolis

Pack vs. Vikes

44-44-1

That is the all-time record when the Vikings and Packers play each other. I bring this up not only because Packer/Viking games always cause tension in the Eidsmoe household, but this year, we will be at the game. As an early Christmas present to each other, we were able to get tickets back before the NFL regular season even started.

Although the football game will only cap off our weekend. Today at 4:00 we will be picking up Anna and she will be staying with us for the weekend. We don't know what we will do the entire time since their isn't any really good kids movies out now ;) but we'll have fun nevertheless. Besides, we have our secret weapon, Bella.

Enjoy your weekend and GO VIKINGS!

—b


Friday, November 10th, 2006/Ezekiel chapters 46-48

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
I did read 3 more chapters last night but left my notebook at home. I finished the last 3 chapters of Ezekiel this morning (46-48) but it was like chapters 40-42.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Italian Paganism, Minneapolis

"Home Computer" 1974

click to enlarge

Vintage 1974

I stumbled upon this picture and thought it was pretty funny. Here is what the caption says since it is a little difficult to read:

Scientists from the RAND Corporation have created this model to illustrate how a "home computer" could look like in the year 2004. However the needed technology will not be econmically feasible for the average home. Also the scientist readily admit that the computer will require not yet invented technology to actally work, but 30 years from now scientific progress is expected to solve these problems. With teletype interface and the Fortran language, the computer will be easy to use.

Wow. For those of you who were alive 30 years ago...WELCOME TO THE FUTURE! :)

—b


Thursday, November 9th, 2006/Ezekiel chapters 40-42

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
Well, I read my morning goal of 3 chapters and all three chapters talked a lot about measuring in cubits. Hmmm... So I'll read some more tonight. :)

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• I Dawn, Prior Lake

Ezekiel, Chapters 37-39

Wednesday, November 8th, 2006/Ezekiel chapters 37-39

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
"Then they will know that I am the LORD their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer." —Ezekiel 39:28

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
This is a "big picture" verse. God is in control. God was the one who exhiled Israel. God was the one who restored them. Through each phase (exhiled/restored) Israel should have know that God was in control. We too must remember that. Through the Good and bad. When things don't make sense and when all is right, remember God is in control!

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Hyperborean Proto Demas of Hellenion, Minneapolis

Election 2006

Vote the Issues

Ideally we would all vote according to the issues and not just the political party we affiliate ourselves with. I've spent about an hour searching this morning for a website that would tell me who votes how on issues but have come up empty handed. The best site that I found is MNvoter.com. Unfortunately it doesn't give me all the information I want. And it is only for Minnesota. Who knows maybe other states have better sites than Minnesota does. Anyway, get out and vote! :)

—b

Tuesday, November 7th, 2006/Ezekiel chapters 34-36

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went."
—Ezekiel 36:22

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
The fourth commandment says that we are not to take the Lord's name in vain. God's reputation is His name. It is perfect and holy. He will act to protect the reputation of His name. We must also respect His name. The casual use of "God " in our vocabulary is disrespectful to Him. In my personal opinion, it is the worst of the "swear" words.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Hrafnsgardr Kindred, Minneapolis

Does This Sound Familiar?

Ahhh...Memories.

On my customized "My Yahoo!" page, I get an odd news section and one of the headlines was "Teen points BB pistol at the wrong car".

Thu Nov 2, 11:21 PM ET

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A teenager pointed his BB pistol at the wrong car. The car stopped and the two men inside pulled out their real .40-caliber Glock handguns. They were undercover police driving an unmarked car.

They ordered Ryon Shelton, 15, of Cedar Rapids, to drop his gun, police said.

"They thought it was a real gun," police Lt. Kenneth Washburn said. "He dropped the gun and attempted to run and was apprehended."

Shelton told officers he was "just playing around" and trying to scare people during the Halloween night incident, police said.

He was cited for assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and released to relatives, police said.

___

Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/

Yep, I did this while in high school. I didn't point my cap gun at a cop car but someone did call us in and we had guns pulled on us. It's nice to see someone else who was as stupid as I was. ;)

—b


Friday, November 3rd, 2006/Ezekiel chapters 27-30

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
"Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty;
You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor
I cast you to the ground;
I put you before kings,
That they may see you."
—Ezekiel 28:17

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
Pride. We all have it. Some pride is a good thing. But when we exult ourselves, God hates it. This passage is referring to the city of Tyre and it's king. God endued up humbling Tyre by using Nebuchadnezzar to take it over and Tyre's king was killed. We need to remember to use what pride we do have for God's glory.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Gwynvyd Church of Wicca, Edina

Roadblock

Ughhh!!!
This morning I ran right into a roadblock. Not literally but spiritually.

I woke up an hour late for my daily Bible study this morning. Not a big deal but it put me in a rush nevertheless. Bella was taken out, fed and coffee was made with near-perfect use of time. Continuing in my break-neck speed, I said a very short and pathetic prayer and dove right in.

After finishing Ezekiel chapter 27...nothing. I didn't get anything outta it. Hmm...maybe it was just a bad chapter. So I continued on. Chapter 28 was completed and, yea, it was good but still nothing. I was kind of getting frustrated. What was going on?

So I put everything down and had a sincere prayer. The Lord made it obvious to me that I was having a Bible study with myself instead of Him. I was so concerned with trying to hurry up and get a few chapters read that I forgot why I spend time with my heavenly Father in the first place.

Every morning before I begin reading, I ask the Lord to reveal something to me from scripture. And every morning, numerous points and "ah ha's" jump out to me. Every morning, except for this one.

Idiot.

So many people much smarter than I have read the entire Bible and they felt the same thing I did after reading two chapters. Nothing. The difference between them and me is that I have the Holy Spirit working for me. He does the work. He shows me the "ah ha's". Without Him, the Bible is just a textbook.

So my encouragement to you is that if you are frustrated in your quiet time or having trouble starting a quiet time, ask for help. Ask the Lord for "ah ha's" to be revealed to you. He will.

—b

Ezekiel, Chapters 24-26

Wednesday, November 1st, 2006/Ezekiel chapters 24-26

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
"'Thus Ezekiel will be a sign to you; according to all that he has done you will do; when it comes, then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.'" —Ezekiel 24:24

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
The Lord used Ezekiel not only as a prophet but also as how the people of Jerusalem should act. Exekiel set a good example of how to live. Even when extreme hardship came (being exhiled and the death of his wife) Exekiel obeyed God. It's easy to obey the Lord during the easy times but imagine what kind of example we could set during the difficult ones!

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
You can purchase a copy of the CityView Report here.

BE IN PRAYER FOR:
WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• Grove of the Enchanted Unicorn, Minneapolis