Apologies are in order for not upkeeping our blogs.

Here's a shameless plug. I'll be in Europe for the next few weeks. If you're curious, visit http://gyrope.blogspot.com. I'll try to write thoughtful commentary, but no promises.

I recently read a piece about the business psychology of casinos. It's fascinating how every detail and nuance of a casino is deliberate and purposed to create an immersive experience.

• No windows, natural daylight, or clocks, making you unaware of how much time (and money) you've spent gambling.


• Intentionally poor navigation, making it difficult to leave the casino.


• Constant barrage of noises (ringing slots, coins hitting metal), producing a false sense of hope.


• Loose slot machines that pay out more often in areas of high foot traffic (aisles, change booth).


• Delivered free alcohol, keeping you playing while impairing your judgment.


• Games that give a sense of control (throwing die, choosing roulette numbers) which encourages gambling.


• Sensory experiences that encourage gambling (almost all casinos are red; light never hits people's foreheads because it apparently drains a gambler's energy).


• There's plenty of places to give your money to the casino (every table, slot machine). But there's only once place to cash out—the cashier's window.

Details that are well planned and executed matter in Vegas. And I'd be willing to gamble that this holds true when it comes to welcoming new guests to our church. I'm not suggesting that we create a flippant amusement park atmosphere, manipulate, or serve alcohol in the pews (although that would be interesting).

Rather, as Pastor Ben shared our goal to become the most hospitable church around, I'm sure there's much we can do or do better to make our guests feel comfortable, embraced, and included.

The National Geographic Channel is airing a documentary that uses revolutionary 4D scans to show the development of twins inside a mother's oven. You can see fetuses reaching, touching and even fighting. If my sister and I were fraternal twins, you would see her kick my fetal crotch.

Beyond being awfully interesting, the documentary is important because it undermines the pro-abortionist view that fetuses are just lumps of cells. If you have cable, don't miss it. More info

P.S. If you're one of those odd people who dress your pet dog, that creepy lady with 10 cats, or simply enjoy science and technology, the National Geographic Channel aired an "In the Womb: Animals" piece last month. Minus the evolutionary suppositions and slant, it's extremely fascinating. Let me know if you'd like to see it.

Shortly after election, John F. Kennedy was on his way back home with Billy Graham. The president-elect stopped the car and asked Graham whether he believed in the second coming of Jesus. Graham replied that he did and shared what the Bible said about Christ's first coming, death and resurrection, and promise of a second coming. Kennedy replied "Very interesting," as he looked away. "We’ll have to talk more about that someday."

Several years later, the two met again at a National Prayer Breakfast in 1963. Graham gave a short talk, Kennedy gave his, and as customarily done, both men walked out of the hotel together to the president's car. At the curb, Kennedy turned to Graham and asked "Billy, could you ride back to the White House with me? I’d like to see you for a minute."

"Mr. President, I’ve got a fever," replied Graham. "Not only am I weak, but I don’t want to give you this thing. Couldn’t we wait and talk some other time?"

"Of course," Kennedy graciously replied.

That opportunity never came again, as President Kennedy was assassinated later that year. Graham reflected, “His hesitation at the car door, and his request, haunt me still. What was on his mind? Should I have gone with him? It was an irrecoverable moment."

Opportunity knocks. And when it does, we need to open the door. It's the mission of our church, and it can't be more self-evident—we're "The Open Door." Something to think about, especially as there will be plenty of opportunities this Sunday during our Christmas service.

Understanding how search engines work is part of my day job, so I'm pretty good at finding things on the internet. Between you and me, I've found my skill most handy in doing background checks for my friends who are going on setup dates. Stalking people is also fun, but enough about my flourishing social life.

Here's a more holy and worthy internet endeavor for you. If you want to find a Bible verse on Google, type "ESV" before the bible verse (e.g. ESV Matthew 5:22). Searching a verse by itself will often result in junk listings, but adding "ESV" will get you the verse as the top result.

Once you click onto the ESV page, you'll see a "listen" link. Click on it, and you'll hear a British audio narration of the passage or chapter. How neat is that? Simply Google ESV + whatever chapter, click listen, and enjoy.

A few days ago, a mother was arrested on suspicion of throwing her newborn girl over a 40-feet drop near a stretch of train tracks in Alhambra. The baby was wrapped in plastic grocery bags, and the umbilical cord was still attached to the newborn. Murder and child cruelty were the charges filed against her.

It's frightening that in America, the location of a baby determines whether the termination of a baby is murder and cruelty, or is legal, justified and simply a "woman's choice."

7-inches inside the birth canal, babies can be terminated.
7-inches out of the birth canal, babies are protected.

Scary thought.