http://mikeramsdell.com The personal blog of Rev. Mike Ramsdell Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:03:52 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The Travesty of the cross;  at least this is what Lee Strobel calls it is the main focus of all Christians.  Why did Jesus die on the cross?  Why do 2 billion Christians celebrate it as a symbol of God's love and people even beyond the Christian sphere often mark ... http://mikeramsdell.com/2010/03/05/253/ I am fascinated by people they call hoarders.  They often have homes full of junk, paper, trash, and even rotting food and are unwilling to get rid of it.  It becomes especially perplexing when folks come into to help, point out the problem, give them some wise counseling, and even ... http://mikeramsdell.com/2010/02/24/sin/ This Wednesday, February 17th, is Ash Wednesday, the first Day of Lent, the season that leads up to Easter.  For the next 6 weeks we will be looking at the last 24 hours of Jesus life, the few hours that led to and included the crucifixion.  What about those hours, ... http://mikeramsdell.com/2010/02/15/24-hours-that-changed-the-world/ I will be heading out on a Mission Trip to Rwanda this year, July 7th 10 17th.  We will be going with ZOE ministries, a group led by Greg Jinks, we have had a long term relationship with.  A few years ago I went to Zimbabwe with this exciting United ... http://mikeramsdell.com/2010/01/28/mission-trip-to-rwanda-africa/ Monday is a holiday celebrating the life, work, and mission of Martin Luther King Jr.  I worry sometimes that this celebration is considered a time only for African Americans.  And yet Reverend King is a most American of Heroes who simply fought for justice, equality, and the rights of those ... http://mikeramsdell.com/2010/01/17/239/            I am writing this as we all prepare for a new year, 2010.  I am hoping Navy beats Missouri though at this point the jury is still out.  We hear a great deal about new year's resolutions;  some believe in them, some don't.   But believing in positive change is ... http://mikeramsdell.com/2009/12/31/2010/ This is my family, complete with our son in law just home for Iraq, a rare occurrence when all 13 of us are together.  We are excited about their surprising us for our Sunday 35th anniversary and are equally happy they will be with us at one of our Christmas ... http://mikeramsdell.com/2009/12/22/christmas-eve-family/ This photo was taken of Rhonda and I while in Israel in February, right on the Sea of Galilee.  This Sunday, December 20th, we will have been married for 35 years.  I would like to give you a special invitation(This is a secret, please don't tell Rhonda).  After the 11:00 ... http://mikeramsdell.com/2009/12/14/35-years/ The little sad Christmas tree from A Charlie Brown Christmas is an image many of us love.  Some years ago we did this as a drama in worship.  This little tree has an amazing punch line;  after the disaster of charlie brown and his friends trying to create a Christmas ... http://mikeramsdell.com/2009/12/11/a-simple-christmas/ When we think of thanksgiving often Turkey  and dressing comes to mind, unless one is from new England when the word is stuffing, or in the Hispanic community when Tamales might take the place of turkey.  But the real root of Thanksgiving is more than what we have for dinner ... http://mikeramsdell.com/2009/11/21/215/