"Global Warming? Not so much!"

Data released recently from NASA confirms that February 2016 was the most "unusually warm month ever measured globally". With all the hype of global warming, Feb 2016 is being touted as being the "hottest ever".  For example, the Weather Network headlined its article on the subject: "February 2016 now ranks as the hottest month ever recorded". And 2015 is declared as being the "hottest on record" several articles. 

This of being "hottest ever" or "unusually warm" is not to be confused with "warmest ever measured." It means that in comparison with what was predicted by certain climate models, it was warmer. I just thought it was worth pointing out that this it is false to claim that 2015 was the hottest year on record. 1998 was hotter than 2015 or 2016. 2015/16 saw what is likely the most powerful El Niño  since the satellite temperature records began. 

El Niño is a climate cycle in the Pacific Ocean with a global impact on weather patterns. The cycle begins when warm water in the western tropical Pacific Ocean shifts eastward along the equator toward the coast of South America. Satellite temperature readings going back to 1979 show 1998 was by far the warmest year in the satellite era, followed by 2010. It is worth noting also that results are only for the period since 1979. With a record El Nino, we should have experienced record high temperatures but this was not the case. We need to ask the question: "why is the world not as warm as we would expect?" The temperature measurements do show that we are in a period of global warming but a better headline would be: "Global Warming? Not so much!"

Jesus is great!

What was it about Jesus that caused people to believe in him and follow him? Never having met him physically, we don't know if there was anything physical about him that inspired people.  However his personality shines through the words of the Bible showing that he has an attractive personality.  In the film “the Greatest Story Ever Told” you know when Jesus is about to appear because of the stirring music.  Before he even speaks you can hear violins in the background.  Scripture is silent on this subject, but I am personally convince that violins did not actually play overtime Jesus spoke in real life. Jesus did not need it to impress people, there was something about him that drew people to him. 

Jesus taught as one having authority (Matthew 7:29) when talking about the things of God. JB Phillips translated the gospels and he said that he was personally struck by Jesus’ personality as he did so.

 A very effective method of evangelism, perhaps the most effective, is to introduce your friend to Jesus. In effect saying, “I follow Jesus, come and meet with him”.  Not using those words, but rather simply inviting them  to worship, to join you at you cell group, to be with you as you meet with Jesus.  In meeting Jesus and in seeing how much you love him, how much you life is impacted by worship and Bible study your friend will be intrigued. There was once a young salesman who was disappointed about losing a big sale and he talked his sales manager he said, “I guess it just proves that you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink!” The manager replied, “Look take my advice, your job is not to make them drink. Your job is to make them thirsty.”