Beyond All Logic

I just want to take a moment to encourage you all to pray for our brothers and sisters in countries that are predominantly Muslim. The anger over the Danish caricatures of Muhammad have turned into excuses for Muslims to attack and kill Christians as well as burn down their churches. I just recently read an article and it stated that 3 Christian churches in Nigeria have been burned down and at least 15 people killed. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
It is the most blatant display of irrational behavior I can ever remember encountering.
Will someone please tell how these Danish cartoons turned into reasons to attack innocent Christians?
I'm sorry but it makes the Islamic nation look pathetic and absurd and I hope that those looking to become followers would be turned off by the nonsensical, poorly aimed reaction. If Christianity or America (not that I'm saying they are the same thing by any means) responded in the same way, then we would have blown up or killed Muslims for burning the American flag or in the Christian's case, putting the crucifix in a bottle of pee.

I can understand, from a religious perspective, getting upset and protesting the cartoons...but how does it all translate into violence and the death of innocent Christians? That is just flat out B.S. (and I'm not talking about the degree) In addition, we are not solely talking about militant groups here. This is a much broader scale of the Muslim population.
It is so poor on every level and unfortunately reveals a lot about humanity and certain Muslims particularly. I will refrain from including all Muslims because there are good people...but there are evil ones as will. (Christians have had there share of atrocities as well)

At any rate, the point here is to compel you to pray for those that are being persecuted and or attacked. Please pray.

Finery

I was tagged... This is what happens when you make friends with people. They try to suck personal information from you in any devious way they can. Shame

Four Jobs I've Had:
-Lifeguard
-Tool Shed security boy
-Construction estimator
-Wal-mart cashier

Movies I Could Watch Over and Over:
-Napoleon Dynamite
-Any of the Lord of the Rings
-Braveheart
-Cinderella Man


Books I Could Read Over and Over:
- the Bible
-anything C.S. Lewis (fiction and non-fiction)
-I'm just getting into Henry Nouwan

Four Places I've Lived:
-West Point VA
-Blacksburg VA
-Richmond VA
-Washington DC

TV Shows I Watch:
-I don't but if I did it would be Lost

Places I've Been On Vacation:
-Hershey PA/Gettysburg PA
-Disneyworld FL
-Nagshead NC
-Austria/Germany/Italy

Four Websites I Visit Daily:
-MSN.com (it stinks but I don't search hard for the news)
-rivals.com (it's how I keep up with the Hokies)
-My fellow bloggers and bloggettes
-wachovia.com (for obvious reasons)

Favorite Foods:
-anything without raw tomatoes
-anything free (well almost anything)


Four Places I'd Like To Be Right Now:
-fishing in the Dragon (really clear fresh water creek/stream)
-Australia
-India
- at home with my wife and kids (if I had them)

Four Bloggers I'm Tagging:
It ends here

Austrian Journal (In Germany)

In Germany,

After Christian picked us up and quick deliberation, we headed to a concentration camp called Dachau. It was one of the oldest camps and the only one to exist for the entire 12 yrs of camps existing. It was like reliving the Rwandan genocide memorial all over again. It didn't seem to be that bad until we came to the crematory buildings and the museum. The incinerators were particularly striking and simply left you shaking your head. It was freezing cold and it kind of helped to understand the harsh environment that the prisoners lived in.

The trip to Innsbruck was......well cold!
The heater was not working and we ended up w/ Jake and Christian sporting a blanket in the front seat. Christian would periodically scrape the inside of the windshield to remove the ice.

A few hrs later we arrived in Innsbruck & went directly to Christian's church. Jake and I were tired but we managed through it. Actually, I felt a little refreshed. We worshiped in both English & German. The guest speaker also delivered his message in English, but had a translator.

After the service, Jake and I spent time conversing w/ various folks such as Robert, a visitor from Uganda. The people were quite friendly and I sensed the same spirit of community and welcoming that I experience at Rez (my church). It was a solid time.

We took a quick old town tour on the way back and I was cold, but enjoyed the quick tour. Charming comes to mind when describing the narrow brick cobblestone streets as well as pubs and clothing shops lining them.

The day ended w/ a great dinner prepared by Greta (Christian's mother) and a serious discussion between Jake and Christian. It's occurring while I write. I'll try to Join