Fred Dallas

Wounded by my President's Attitude! I generally stay away from posts that have obvious political overtones but I'm sorry I can no longer be silent on this one. Recently I've watched to my absolute horror the beheading of journalists, the burning alive of a Jordanian pilot (a spectacle carefully designed to shock the sensibilities of the western world). I've seen the pictures of kidnappings, murders, and abuses in mass that have broken my heart and caused me to asked 'what in the world is going on?' Mr. President, there is no way you can minimize the horror or the nature of these atrocities by deflecting the threat 'radical islam' poses by bringing up the Crusades of almost a 1000 years ago. Nor can you point to the abuses of misguided Americans who falsely used Christianity to justify their economic greed by 'importing' cheap labor. Remember that is was well-meaning Christians that spearheaded a movement to bring slavery to an end. Since you we

It's no surprise that the untimely, premature, and unexpected death of Robin Williams has captured both our hearts and minds.  After all over the years we've invited him into our homes and paid to be entertained by him.  To say that he was a comic genius is still not the accolade that we feel best describes his talent.  His creativity, his quickness, his expressions have fascinated us to the point eliciting our admiration and dumbfounded response . . . "How could anybody do that?" The tweeted reactions declare our loss and echo a hope, possibly unfounded, that he is now entertaining angels in heaven.  Robin's search for personal happiness and fulfillment led him such that he ended his life this side of heaven by asphyxiation, hanging by his belt. Heaven is a part of our Christian belief system - it has made its way into the fabric of our collective DNA and consciousness.  Unfortunately what so many apparently believe is heaven is 'our gift' to someone we

In just a few days a band of 8 will be traveling to Acajutla, El Salvador (August 28 - September 3, 2011) to partner with Living Water International (http://www.water.cc) to assist a local drilling/hygiene team in there efforts to provide a village with fresh, clean water. It must be pointed out that often times water is available in one form or another. It could be a hand-dug well close to a home. It could be a nearby stream where jug after jug can be hauled back to the home - often times by the women or children of the village. But think about it. If there is a hand-dug well and it is located next to the home you can easily believe that contaminated with all kinds of waste matter that has seeped into the water source that makes it germ infested. If there is a nearby stream more than likely it has also become a the spot for the entire village to bathe, to wash clothing, to take care of bodily needs. It also becomes a favorite gathering spot for animals. Now, use your imaginati

I read today that more than 90% of all that we hear each and every day is negative. It is designed to somehow diminish the way we perceive ourselves. It's bad enough when others are feeding us with negative talk and commentary but when we are the authors of our own demise because our own 'self-talk' contributes to the negative feelings or beliefs we have about ourselves that is sad. What God says about us is that we are worth a great deal - so much that he allowed his Son to dies on calvary's blood stained cross that we might see ourselves as more than just another person but as a Child of the Most High. Here are some things to ponder: (1) Never think or speak negatively about yourself, that puts you in disagreement with God. (2) Meditate on your God-given strengths and learn to encourage yourself, for much of the time nobody else will. (3) Don't compare yourself to anybody else. You're unique, one of a kind, an original. So don't settle for being

The Water Crisis Water . It is at the heart of a daily crisis faced by a billion of the world’s most vulnerable people—a crisis that threatens life and destroys livelihoods on a devastating scale. Unlike war and terrorism, the global water crisis does not make media headlines, despite the fact that it claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns. Unlike natural disasters, it does not rally concerted international action, despite the fact that more people die each year from drinking dirty water than from the world’s hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, and earthquakes combined. This is a silent crisis experienced by the poor, and tolerated by those with the resources, technology, and the political power to end it. Yet this is a crisis that is holding back human progress, consigning large segments of humanity to lives of poverty, vulnerability, and insecurity. At Living Water International, we are addressing this most basic of needs by helping deprived communities acquire

1994 AND FOLLOWING The picture you see here was taken in February of 1994. A group of men called to be Sports Chaplains during the Winter Olympics held in Lillehamer, Norway. In the picture you'll see a friend who has been a tremendous influence in my life because of His incredible love for the Lord and for people, David Guinn. He's the bearded one next to the giant Norwegian strong man! There are a few missionaries that were serving in Europe at the time and others that came at the invitation of David and Action Ministries International. All were present to share the Good News with folks from all over the world during those 16 glorious days. What an event! OK - not one of us are the same today, 16 years later, as we were then. We all look different - whether heavier, grayer, less hair, thicker glasses - surely the years themselves have taken their toll but each of us have grown. Each of us have had life experiences that have changed us. That's ok - that's the