…just to toss in another perspective…did you know that throughout history, Islam has done this? Each time there is a location where a perceived substantial “victory” occurs, they build a memorial to commemorate and elevate the event into their history books as well as to establish power over their victims.

Below are some excerpts from Justin Quinn’s recent blog which I, for the most part agree:

As far back as the Ottoman Empire, Islamic rulers made a habit of converting Christian churches, monasteries and chapels into mosques. The Muslims reserved their most elaborate mosques, however, for the sites where the churches had been taken by force. In many cases, the mosques were the first structures to be built by Muslim invaders — even before the ruler’s residences.

The proponents of the Ground Zero mosque will tell you that the mosque belongs at the site, if for no other reason than to serve as a symbol of tolerance and diversity. They’ll tell you that Christianity is also wet with the blood of hundreds of generations and that the very essence of liberty demands that Christian or Jewish Americans who oppose the structure step aside and allow the $100 million, 15 story building to be erected.

Here’s what they won’t tell you:

The proponents of the Ground Zero mosque won’t tell you that the erection of mosques traditionally symbolizes victory over the enemies of Islam. They won’t tell you that the chants of “Allahu Akbar!” that will repeatedly ring throughout the city at every prayer time is the same chant that was captured on the voice recorders of Flight 93. They won’t tell you that shooter Nadal Hisan repeatedly shouted “Allahu Akbar!” as he shot and killed 13 people at the Fort Hood military base in Texas. They won’t tell you that “Allahu Akbar!” is traditionally shouted at prayer time, when animals are slaughtered and when the mujihadeen behead an enemy.

Tonight we learn that President Barack Obama has given his blessing to building a mosque at Ground Zero, and in fact, has virtually mandated it.

“As a citizen and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country,” Obama said. “That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable.”

No one is saying that Muslims don’t have a right to practice their religion, but let’s at least find out where the money is coming from to pay for this thing. And why must it tower over the site? If it were a simple two-story center for prayers, it might have been more palatable for the thousands of people who continue to mourn the loss of loved ones who were turned to dust in the attacks. While all these questions have yet to be fully and definitively answered, the biggest one is why does it need to be there at all? There are more than a half a dozen other mosques in the immediate area — East 55th Street, 96th Street and 3rd Avenue, West 29th Street, Allen Street, Warren Street, 116th Street, 126th Street, St. Nicholas Avenue, and that’s just Manhattan. There are dozens and dozens across the five boroughs.

The mosque at Ground Zero is being pursued to prove a simple political point — that Islamic fundamentalists can knock our buildings down, murder our citizens and then use our own laws against us so they can laugh in our faces.

I played the table tennis tournament in Hutchinson this weekend and didn’t win, (didn’t even dream of it!) but did get my first national rating number. (It’s not a “ranking”, it’s actually a “rating” used in tournaments to help place players in a well-balanced bracket. That way you don’t have the top players “duking it out” in the first round of a tourney. Instead they will meet up at a later stage, like the quarter or semi-finals.) 

I finished with a 1650 rating which I am very satisfied with for now. The top pro’s are typically 2000 or higher. (A beginner might be a 200 or 300.) Interestingly, there are some Chinese players in the 2500’s+ who can barely find any competition to hit with in the US.

I”ll let you in on a little secret… I have a goal to hit 1800+ over the next 12 months, and to play the nationals or US Open next Summer. I’m working out my plan of attack and this weekend was one of the first steps. :-)

I wanted to clarify a post I had up last week. It was actually Robert Kyosaki who quoted, “Work to learn, not to earn”. (And not Michael Gerber of the E-Myth as I stated) I have been reading so many great books lately that I mixed the two up. 

The point being that you prayerfully target the goal of what you are called to do with your career purpose in life and to not just work for a paycheck but to make each job “stop” along the way become a stepping stone toward that ultimate target. Sometimes that “step” might seem fiscally backward for a time but if it’s in line with the grand vision and purpose (and you’re accomplishing a piece needed to get there) you are moving in the right direction. Just make sure you don’t get complacent and stay parked in one of those “comfortable” stages when it’s really time to move on!

Most of you already know that I work full time for Sprint but what you may not be aware of, is the fact that I spent over 20 years in the hardwood floor industry prior to moving into technical sales. With that in mind, I need your help getting the word out about an enterprise I’ve begun.
 
I have recently started up a side business called “Accountable Hardwoods” which will offer a service/technique called “screening and recoating”. This method restores hardwood flooring to a like-new condition in just a matter of hours, it costs a fraction of sanding and refinishing, the furniture goes back in place the next day, and there’s virtually no mess. I use one of the most expensive, but environmentally friendly and durable water-based urethanes on the market. It dries in just a few hours, leaving only a faint odor behind.
 
Interestingly, most homeowners aren’t aware that if they have their floors “screened and recoated” every 5-10 years, they can forgo ever having to re-sand their floors again. (Unless of course there’s a need to change colors or there’s damage which requires replacement and sanding.)
 
I’m very excited about getting back into this field as I’ve always had a passion for working with hardwoods. Please let your friends know that there’s someone who’s “Accountable” here in town that they can turn to for their hardwood floors!
 
Thanks again,
 
Mark Fay
913-707-4275
markbfay@gmail.com

The common focus only on the intense pain and suffering of Christ’s “physical crucifixion” is only the tip of the iceberg.

You have to add in the fact that His ultimate suffering was far more about taking upon Himself the unfathomable burden of the sins of the entire world, as well as a temporary separation from his Father. Other men have endured a similar pain of physical crucifixion but no one else ever has, or will, take upon themselves the weight of the world’s sin! 

When He was in the garden sweating blood, this process was moving into full force. It reached crescendo as he cried out “…my God, why have You forsaken me?” Amazingly, all this took place so you and I can have an eternal relationship with both the Father and the Son. All we have to do is reach out, believe, and accept that offer… we just ask for it and it’s ours for the taking. It’s beyond belief!

His intervention for us is the only reason we have a hope and a future, and His love for us is the only “self-esteem builder” we will ever need. 

Toss the psychology, know that Jesus loves you, and you’ll never again need a shrink to reassure you that you’re valuable or worthwhile! According to the bible, the following statement won’t happen until the return of Christ but, if everyone understood the above comments, there would never again be another suicide, murder, or for that matter any form of sinful action toward one another, because we would all cherish each other and recognize one another’s value in Christ.

After a brief hiatus, we’re back on! Between daily 1 to 1.5 hrs of table tennis, (Sometmes 3hrs at the club in the evening!) Power Maxx class with Marc Wayne, and then doing the Insanity Workout, it was just too much. We haven’t skipped any of Shawn’s workouts, just put a few days in between them.

I think I’ve discovered that it’s the table tennis causing my calves to overload not the Insanity stuff, so i’m working to figure out the best way to offset that problem. We’re going to try again to get back to daily “Insanity” and just modify the workout a bit so we can continue to do everything else we’re doing.

Week 3- Day 6 Cardio Circuit. “I am Sparta!”

Ok maybe its more like “I am Rainbo Brite!” After this workout, I feel like she could easily take me right now. Whew! I have done this one several times, I know it well, but the reality is that every time I do it I push harder and faster so the workout seems tougher. 3 weeks are behind us!!! Yee Haw.

Week 3 - Day 5 Cardio Power

Yes it’s true. This workout is turning me into a very strong and handsome black man.

Seriously though, this one pushes me sooooo hard. I keep thinking I can do entire workout but I just can’t. It’s too dang much! I have to slow down the repetitions a little, I can’t touch the floor in the globe jumps (to protect my back from injury) and by the time I get to the last set of tricep dips, I just crumble.

It’s all good :)

Week3- Day 4 Cardio Recovery

Wow, did I need this workout today. A lot less intense than the others and I had to do it at 11:00 at night to boot! Anna joined me and we must have looked like fanatics through the windows of the sun room as people passed by. Oh well, maybe someone was inspired.

This is recovery but it is still a serious workout, you break a good sweat, and are wiped when you’re done.

Week 3- Day 3 Pure cardio plus cardio abs. Two juicy workouts of death rolled into one. I remember first reading Jennie Fay’s blog on tackling this “dynamic duo” of pain and thinking it sounded pretty terrifying…it is!

The beautiful thing is…we did it!