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If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask?

Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?

- Scott Adams

Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who swapped a glamorous football career to enlist in the U.S. Army, has been killed in action in Afghanistan, ABCNEWS has learned.

The 27-year-old former football player was killed in direct action during a firefight in eastern Afghanistan Thursday, Pentagon sources told ABCNEWS.

A former member of the Arizona Cardinals, Tillman, along with his brother Kevin, enrolled with the U.S. Army Rangers a year after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

…

Tillman, an unrestricted free agent, traded a $3.6 million, three-year contract with the Cardinals for approximately $18,000 a year in the military. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Tillman was an exceptional student with a 3.84 grade point average through college and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in marketing.

…

The former Cardinals safety shocked his teammates and fans in May 2002, when he returned from his honeymoon and signed up with the Army.

Pat Tillman turned down a $9million contract with the NFL to serve along side his brother. He gave up everything on Thursday. To the family and friends or Mr. Tillman, my thoughts are prayers are with you.

Pat - Thank you for your service, I truly appreciate the freedom that you have helped to provide to my family, my country, and the world.

News Links

ABC News - U.S. Army Ranger and Ex-NFL Player Pat Tillman Killed in Afghanistan

NFL - Former Cardinal Tillman killed in Afghanistan

WSJ - Privileged to Serve

Glenn Beck offered a great suggestion for the NFL. Pat Tillman wore the #40 jersey with the Cardinals. The NFL should honor the memory of Tillman by changing the white 40 yard line to be Red, White and Blue in every NFL stadium. You can contact the NFL at (212) 450-2000.

1) Zerubabbel — First captives return and begin to rebuild the Temple.

Ezra 1:1-11 - The King of Persia allowed some Israelites to return to build their temple and even provides material for them.

We can survive captivity. In life we will suffer. In the midst of that God is faithful. See Joshua 1:5 & Hebrews 13:5.

2) Haggai, Zachariah — Encourage rebuilding of the Temple in difficult times.

A new King comes to power in Persia and they are told to stop building. The people stop for a time.

Haggai 1:1-8

Now is the time! 2 Corinthians 6:2

The people were doing their own thing. It was time to be about The Lord’s intended work.

Zachariah

If you build this temple a greater glory will fill it up.

God wants YOU to be a temple where He resides. John 4:23 & 1 Corinthians 6:19

3) Ezra — Second group of captives finishes the Temple.

When the temple was completed, at the dedication the young rejoiced (they had never had a temple) the old cried (this temple was nothing like the original one). This same vantage point still occurs today. We need the ambition of youth and the wisdom of age.

The temple is completed. Worship is done right, sacrifices are followed. For a time.

4) Nehemiah — Third return and rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

Book of Nehemiah - Last story of the Old Testament.

Nehemiah 1:1-11

What is our response when we think of our community, our family, our culture? Those who are far from God, do we weap, do we mourn?

Nehemiah gets permission from the King to return to Jerusalem. When he arrives he is over whelmed with the devastation.

He was just a cup-bearer, he was not a mason or an architect. We are not prepared either, but God calls us to do His will, not by our ability but through a willing heart.

In 52 days the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt. Everyone is given a small part of the wall to rebuild near their home. This is the same call that we have. To make a difference around our dwelling place.

“The people had a mind to work”

The half point is where the mess is the biggest. Nehemiah reminds the people, “Who’s project is this?” reminding them that this is God’s task and that this is for the next generations to come.

The wall is complete, Nehemiah proclaims that it is time to party. The people mourn because they have nothing but debt. Nehemiah cancels all debts! The slate is cleared (Just the same as Christ does for us when we are made right with him, all debts are canceled).

The law is read and the people are consumed with a desire to keep the law.

The people get it right, God fills the Temple.

Note: It dawned on me that I need to finish posting the notes from the series. I am doing more work in regards to this series so stay tuned for more info, hopefully coming this fall. Here we go…

1) Judah taken captive.

2) Ezekiel - Explains, advises & prophecies.

God gives Ezekiel a vision to answer his question of why are they in captivity. This is the vision takes him under the temple and shows him the past leaders all bowing down to false gods. It is because they didn’t have a true heart for God that they are captive.

3) Daniel - God’s influence in Babylon.

(Daniel 1:7) The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

Daniel (and the other three) resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. (verse 8)

There is never anything negative written about Daniel in the scripture.

The book of Daniel contains a good portion of the sunday school stories we have heard.

4) Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazar, Darius/Cyrus.

Nebby has a dream that disturbs him. He calls his wise men together and wants them to tell him the dream and the interpretation. God reveals to Daniel the dream and the interpretation.

The dream and interpretation are the high light of the old testament.

Daniel 2:36-45.

500 years before Jesus shows up, Daniel proclaims the coming Kingdom of God.

Matthew 25:1-13 We MUST be found ready.

5) Esther - Preserves Jews in Persia.

Thanks to Will for the link.

Which 1990’s Subculture Do You Belong To?

[Another Quiz by Kris

@ couplandesque.net]