Jesus the Tree-hugger?

Just wanted to pass along an interesting blogpost written by Dr. Albert Mohler, the president of Southern Seminary where Adam is a student.

The post is entitled When Ecology Replaces Theology. In it Mohler discusses the recent observations of a British sociologist who "suggests that some religious institutions are 'busy reinventing themselves by promoting ecological virtues and preaching against the eco-sins of polluters.'"

Thoughts, anyone?

Are you rich?

Several months ago Adam and I visited another church in Louisville (no, we're not thinking about transferring). It was a great church and, although I had to leave early because Katie freaked out in the nursery, I was really impacted by the twenty minutes I spent in their Sunday School class on Ministries of Mercy. The pastor was teaching on 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (Paul's command to the rich). Before he began explaining the text, however, he set out to show us that, while we may be far from making Forbes' Richest list, we are incredibly wealthy. I think all middle class Americans have a vague understanding that we're well-off, but this pastor reminded us of some incredible statistics that made me aware of exactly how wealthy I actually am.

I am actually the 429,712,644th richest person in the world. That means I am richer than almost 93% of the world.

Thus, I have no excuse not to take seriously Paul's words in 1 Timothy, for I am most definitely one of those who is rich in this present world:

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

Want to know how rich you really are? http://globalrichlist.com/

Download a free song and provide clean water!

Hey everyone! Go to this website and get a free download of Matthew Smith's song "All I Owe." (Matthew Smith is an Indelible Grace guy.)

For every person who downloads the song, Matthew will make a donation to Blood:Water Mission, providing clean water for one person in Africa for one week. The more people who download the song, the more money gets donated! Spread the word!

60 Years of Marriage!

This past weekend Adam, Katie, and I travelled to Harrisville, WV to join my other 27 family members in celebrating my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. It was a blast.

The Lovebirds

All the grandchildren plus one great-grandchild!

4 generations

More photos of the weekend can be found here.

And of course, some videos.....

Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares aka "Reese's Bars"

I'm posting this recipe because I received so many requests for it after the church supper last week. I can't take any credit for it--just followed it exactly as printed in my old church's cookbook.

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (you could maybe use a little less than this)

2 sticks butter/margarine, melted

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 (12 oz) package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, butter, peanut butter, and vanilla in large bowl. Press evenly into 9x13 pan. Melt chocolate chips in microwave or on stovetop. Spread melted chocolate evenly on top of crumb mixture. Let cool in fridge (about 30 minutes). Cut into small squares (but leave them in pan). Let cool completely in fridge. Keep cold until ready to serve.

Labels!

Since I've become so popular (according to my Google Analytics reports, thanks Hannah) I decided to help out my retinue of readers by adding labels to my posts.

It was hard to make strict categories, so these labels are a little "fluid." I've added the list of labels to my sidebar, below my "Favorite Books" list.

Photos: these posts contain photos (or links to photos) of family and friends (mostly of Katie)

Videos: pretty obvious (if confused, see "Photos")

Updates: McCulloch family news

Christianity: posts that have something to say about Christianity

Scripture: posts in which a passage of Scripture is discussed

Musings: this label marks most of my posts; it's simply my day to day thoughts on various things, usually semi-serious

Provocations: these posts are a little more "fiery" than a mere musing; usually "provoked" by something I've seen or heard recently

Random: not at all weighty

Recipes: duh

Piper: As I was looking through my archives, I realized how many of my posts alluded to something by Piper...enough to deserve his own label!

Travel: Posts about our travel business (http://www.everycitytravel.com/)

Finally, if anyone can help me figure out how to make my picture on the sidebar normal again, please let me know!

KJM Fan Club Meeting

Thanks for bearing with all my recent "serious" posts. Here's your reward for bearing with me:

Also, I added two new links to my "Favorite Links" list on the sidebar--one is our photo website, the other our video website.

Lastly, here are some photos from the playgroup's trip to the zoo today. It's really more like "Pictures of Katie with the Wheelers" since she is absolutely obsessed with the "Weewees" (all of whom she calls "Miney" meaning "Maggie"). Enjoy!

Watch out, Jeremiah...

looks like an older man might be making a move on your woman.

Fun shot through the bus window.

Page and Katie were best buds today.

Katie thinks she's 4 years old these days.

Here she is trying to hang with the big girls.

And just to prove that we really did see animals at the zoo, here's a pic of the Wheeler girls up close and personal with one of the gorillas. Seriously, that's a real, live gorilla RIGHT THERE.