Not all Santas are equal

Vintage Santa in Poland. And the child is actually smiling.

Flickr Photo by Filmarik

PE Connections with Dr. Del Tarr

Dr. Del Tarr, Assemblies of God missionary, author and educator, visits with me at Assemblies of God General Council in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ditka on Aaron Rodgers

"I'm totally amazed at the professionalism in this young man. He's a great example to young people."

— Mike Ditka commenting on Aaron Rodgers on ESPN radio this morning (11/1/11). Rodgers will be on the cover of january's Pentecostal Evangel Super Bowl Outreach Edition.

Greg Mundis, New AGWM Executive Director

Greg Mundis, new AG World Missions Executive Director, was installed yesterday at this chapel service in Springfield, MO. In the video, he shares his inspiring testimony.

Treasures in Heaven

After yesterday, Matthew 6:19-20 means more to me. It reads: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (NKJV).

I ministered in Joplin, MO, yesterday where the huge F5 tornado destroyed a major part of the community a while back. At the close of the first service I prayed with a man with a smile on his face and a testimony of God's goodness on his lips. He told me he had lost both his home and his business. He had nothing left. Then he said, with a glimmer in his eye, "That's why it's so important to 'lay up treasures in heaven.'"

After that, how can I ever complain again?

Japan/Philippines 10-Peso Note With 1945 Provenance

This 10 Japan Pesos note was currency issued by Japan when they occupied the Philippines. A relative (I believe an uncle) gave this to my parents after returning home from the war. Note the handwritten description at the top of the back of the bill.

The 43rd Infantry Division was known as Winged Victory, from the name of its World War II commander, Leonard F. Wing of Vermont. It helped liberate the Philippines and it was also part of the U.S. occupation force in Japan starting in September 1945 and continuing into October before they returned home to the States.

"Ain't Got Nothing"

Do football players get good college educations?

The Chicago Bears' Devin Hester was approached by press at practice regarding a brewing scandal at his alma mater. Displaying the impact of his education on his command of the English language, Hester said, "If this is about the Miami thing, I ain't got nothing."

Voices of Glory

The terrific Voices of Glory sang in AG chapel this morning. They were a top 5 finalist on America's Got Talent. They are pictured here with their mother who was in a head-on accident and miraculously came out of a coma after 8 months. She sat behind me and kept saying, "These kids are too much." I agree. Wonderful Christian singers, 11, 15, and 19 years old.

Rick Warren gives a shout out to the Pentecostal Evangel

At General Council in Phoenix, Arizona on 8/5/11. It's the first thing he talks about on the video. (Though he was mistaken in what he said about the title.)

Timothy Geithner Has a Deal for You

I was looking for the best rate on CDs yesterday, when I came across this on U.S. Savings Bonds, series i:

"The Secretary of the Treasury ... determines the fixed rate of return. The fixed rate is established for the life of the bond. The fixed rate will always be greater than or equal to 0.00%. However, the fixed rate is not a guaranteed minimum rate."

Wow. Thanks so much Timothy Geithner! Having you on the job is so reassuring.