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		<title>A Hitchhiker's Blog</title>
		<link>http://hitchhikersguidetoevangelism.com/</link>
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			<title>A Hitchhiker's Blog</title>
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			<title>Thursday, September 9: Wonderful Weirdoes Day</title>
			<link>http://hitchhikersguidetoevangelism.com/index.php?id=82&#38;tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=192&#38;cHash=d09d39cad0678032a0b86d123e21c08b</link>
			<description>This could be my favorite day this week. Being weird isn�t quite the stigma it used to be. For that...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[This could be my favorite day this week. Being weird isn�t quite the stigma it used to be. For that matter, being a geek isn�t either. Isn�t it interesting how stigmas come and go?
When it comes to evangelism, being weird isn�t the issue. Anyone who engages evangelism in the Christian faith is automatically suspect. On the other hand, being obnoxious is an issue. That kind of weird gives Christians and Christianity a worse reputation than we already have. Which of course is why HitchhikersGuideToEvangelism.com is all about focusing on spiritual conversations rather than zeroing in on �conversion.� When we let the Holy Spirit work the heart, conversions come � but when a wanderer on the highway to faith makes a commitment to faith after gentle spiritual conversations, they jump in with more than their head � they jump in with the heart and hands as well. ]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Daily Thot</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Wednesday, September 8: Rosh Hashanah</title>
			<link>http://hitchhikersguidetoevangelism.com/index.php?id=82&#38;tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=191&#38;cHash=db7c8d7a0eb4663f048ed715ac263149</link>
			<description>Today is a special day in the lives of our Jewish brothers and sisters. It�s Rosh Hashanah, which...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Today is a special day in the lives of our Jewish brothers and sisters. It�s Rosh Hashanah, which means it�s the Jewish New Year. And though it may seem odd to us to be celebrating a �new year� in September, in the words of some great sage �Today is the first day of the rest of your life.� In other words, today is a great day to celebrate a new day, a new year, and a new life regardless of your heritage.
 So, what does that mean for evangelism opportunities? Simply this � everyone can get a real, fresh start no matter what their past. In the current times, research indicates that there�s a guilt/shame culture hovering just beneath the surface within many younger folks. This gives us an opportunity to open spiritual conversations that begin with �New Year� and wind up chatting about �New Life.� Give it a try and see how it goe]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Daily Thot</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:50:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Tuesday, September 7: Second Look Unlimited Day</title>
			<link>http://hitchhikersguidetoevangelism.com/index.php?id=82&#38;tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=190&#38;cHash=c006862b957a62bb72a0f1bff44492cd</link>
			<description>I know, you're sure we make these days up, but they're for real...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[I know, you're sure we make these days up, but they're for real (see&nbsp;<link http://www.brownielocks.com>http://www.brownielocks.com/</link>&nbsp;to see for yourself). I've never been shy to take a second look at something that I might have missed. In fact, I'm not above doing a double-take now and again. But when I saw this special day, I couldn't help but think that there are a lot of people &quot;out there&quot; who <i>tr<i></i>i<em></em>e<i></i>d</i> church once or twice or when they were kids and who gave up on it. I understand that. There have been times when I wanted to give up on a church � the problem is, it's not the church that hangs in the balance here. It's their relationship with The Divine. I've found that when people tell me how bad their church experience was, that I can often shift the conversation to talking about Jesus ... and in particular, my personal story about me and Jesus. And when I do, sometimes they're willing to take a second look.&nbsp;
So, for today, consider who can talk with at work, home, school, the gym, or wherever about taking a second look. After all � it is National Second Look Day!]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Daily Thot</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Friday, September 3: Skyscraper Day </title>
			<link>http://hitchhikersguidetoevangelism.com/index.php?id=82&#38;tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=188&#38;cHash=36476171ee282fbaac4cb5bfad757e92</link>
			<description> On January 4, 2010 the world�s newest �tallest building� opened: the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[ On January 4, 2010 the world�s newest �tallest building� opened: the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Standing at 2,717 feet (828 metres), the Burj Khalifa is the tallest human-made structure ever . . . at least for now! Ah, how good we humans are at striving for the �-est�s� in life: the tallest, grandest, richest, prettiest, handsomest, best. You know, Jesus not only deserves our best, He needs�and some would say requires�our best. And when we�re engaging Him with all that we are and all that we have we know how ludicrous all that striving can be. Who do you know who�s striving to high, who may be scaling a skyscraper or two too many, who may be setting themselves up for a huge fall? Building and scaling architected by The Son is one thing; striving on our own or when blinded by ambition is quite another. Surely you know someone who�s ready to go to the new heights only Jesus can design. Who on your �Most Wanted List� may be ready to take flight on this Skyscraper Day? Give them a call today! ]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Daily Thot</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Thursday, September 2: VJ Day</title>
			<link>http://hitchhikersguidetoevangelism.com/index.php?id=82&#38;tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=187&#38;cHash=e0c464a3d1672063445fa95706ba413f</link>
			<description>Thursday, September 2: VJ Day Today marks the official close of World War II in 1945 when Japan...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Thursday, September 2: VJ Day Today marks the official close of World War II in 1945 when Japan formally surrendered to the US in a ceremony aboard the USS Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay. As a result, US President Harry S. Truman to declare September 2nd as �VJ� for Victory over Japan Day. Wow! What a horrendous war. What scars were birthed there, many still visible and many more trapped beneath decades of hidden mental anguish, and emotional pain. Days like today allow us to celebrate and honor those who protected and served our country. But they also can remind us of how divided we still are in an increasingly globalizing world. Really, what do those words mean today, �Victory over Japan�? What does �VJ Day� mean to you? What does it say to you about your Japanese neighbor or cousin or teacher or store clerk? What does it say about how we view people who may not be like us? What does it say about what others may think or say about us? My Nanny used to sing an old song to my young children, Victory in Jesus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbKxW0v_ilc&feature=related for a nice contemporary version). At the risk of waxing more political than evangelistic, I�m going to be thinking about Victory in Jesus today. I might even hum the tune . . . maybe near someone who�s in need of a little �victory� in their life, someone who�s not yet experienced the victorious living that comes with a deepened relationship with Jesus.  ]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Daily Thot</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Wednesday, September 1: Chicken Boy�s Birthday</title>
			<link>http://hitchhikersguidetoevangelism.com/index.php?id=82&#38;tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=186&#38;cHash=0711c7e3bacaf5763553e87925d2cb48</link>
			<description>Happy September! Are you wondering who Chicken Boy is? So was I when I learned that his birthday is...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Happy September! Are you wondering who Chicken Boy is? So was I when I learned that his birthday is today. If you know Los Angeles, California (in the USA), you may know Chicken Boy: the 22-foot fiberglass boy with a chicken�s head that is sometimes called �the Statue of Liberty of Los Angeles.� It appears Chicken Boy was hatched on September 1, 1969 and roosted on the roof of the Chicken Boy Fried Chicken Restaurant in downtown LA until 1984 when he was removed from his perch atop the defunct restaurant and moved into storage by devoted fan Amy Inouye. On October 18, 2007 Amy facilitated CB�s flight to his current nesting spot on top of Amy�s Future Studio (5558 N. Figueroa Park in �Old LA�). Fascinating what can grab our attention, isn�t it? A 22-foot chicken boy? Part of me can hardly wait until the next time I get to LA so I can see it for myself! I wonder how many of us have taken others to see Chicken Boy. I wonder how many of us have told others about Chicken Boy. . . . I wonder how many of us have told others about Jesus.
When was the last time you told someone about Jesus? More enduring than fiberglass. An even more compelling story than Chicken Boy�s. Definitely worthy of devotion. Waiting for the day when He is roosting in each and every person�s heart. Jesus. Go ahead, share Chicken Boy�s story with someone today . . . and think about how you can share Jesus� too!   ]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Daily Thot</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Tuesday, August 31: Trail Mix Day</title>
			<link>http://hitchhikersguidetoevangelism.com/index.php?id=82&#38;tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=185&#38;cHash=d72ab0e52ea205627fa67ad2dad06baf</link>
			<description> Okay, we�re really scraping the bottom of the bowl on this one, aren�t we? But yesterday I did...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Okay, we�re really scraping the bottom of the bowl on this one, aren�t we? But yesterday I did warn you that August is a bit bereft of holidays to celebrate. So we end the month with what could be a favorite for many folks: Trail Mix Day. Trail Mix is that sweet-salty, convenient to carry snack generally made of nuts, dried fruit, and whatever else someone wants to mix in (popular add-ins are M&Ms, sunflower seeds, yogurt-covered, fruit, and grains).  It�s said that the Boy Scouts like to invite hikers to bring an ingredient or two to add to the �Mix� they�ll share on the trail. I like that idea. Couldn�t that be a fun way to meet your neighbors: to go knocking on the doors of your block or apartment building/floor and invite your neighbors to enjoy Trail Mix Day with you (okay, you may have to celebrate it a little belatedly). You could tell them you�ll be back in a couple of days to collect the ingredients, or invite them to bring their ingredients on a certain day (depending on how well you know your neighbors or have been interacting with them, the collection method might be the better idea). After you collect or gather the ingredients, you can mix and divide into snack bags for everyone and either pass them out or deliver them. If someone asks you why you�re celebrating Trail Mix Day, you might tell them you have a good friend who�s walked many trails over the centuries to bring health and wholeness. Then be open to the conversations. . . . ]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Daily Thot</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Monday, August 30: Frankenstein Day</title>
			<link>http://hitchhikersguidetoevangelism.com/index.php?id=82&#38;tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=184&#38;cHash=bbfdb4297b48c77db3090134dc20951a</link>
			<description>
 On this day in 1797 Mary Wollenstone Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, was born....</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[
 On this day in 1797 Mary Wollenstone Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, was born. Whew-HOOOOOOO! You may wonder why, on Earth, we�re choosing to recognize Frankenstein Day on, of all things, an evangelism blog. But, hey, August�particularly the end of August�is a little short on holidays to celebrate and it was this or Toasted Marshmallow Day (I know, some of you wish we were going in that tasty direction � smile). 
But, really, this Day brings at least a couple of thoughts to mind, not the least of which is the significance a book can have on generations and generations and generations to come. And I can�t help but wonder how many folks are more familiar with Frankenstein than they are with the Bible. So, in that regard, this could be a good day to play a little trivia with someone to consider Bible basics and your Frankenstein facts . . . and for those of us that are well-verse in both, maybe you could get really creative and draw some parallels!?! 
The other thought that comes to mind is how we humans have a way of demonizing &nbsp;those who are very different from us and with this I wonder how many people we pass by each week who need Jesus� Tangible Touch�or whom Jesus is trying to Tangibly Touch�but we ignore them for one reason or another: fear, prejudice, fill-in-your-blank. In that case, maybe today is the day to be taking an extra look around us to see whom Jesus is seeing and wanting us to reach out to on His behalf.]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Daily Thot</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:39:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Friday, August 27: Anniversary of the Shortest War in History</title>
			<link>http://hitchhikersguidetoevangelism.com/index.php?id=82&#38;tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=183&#38;cHash=038eb94d85417e524e66fa3d0dbdd093</link>
			<description> This day in 1896 marks the beginning and the end of the Anglo-Zanzibar War. The War had been...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[ This day in 1896 marks the beginning and the end of the Anglo-Zanzibar War. The War had been brewing for a couple of days and the United Kingdom had an ultimatum out to the new, �unofficial� Sultan of Zanzibar. At 9:02 East African Time the UK army set fire to the Zanzabari palace. Some forty minutes later the palace flag was shot down, nearly 500 Zanzabari were dead or injured, and one British soldier was wounded. The war was officially over by 9:45.  Today makes me think that we tend to forget how much can happen in such little time. It also reminds me that not all wars have to drag on. Children have a way of modeling quick forgiveness for us. While moms and dads can carry the battle flag for days on behalf of our little ones; we tend to overlook the fact that our kids are getting along just fine, thank you very much. So what battle flag do you keep waving . . . or trying to attain? We ask this question from time to time. It�s an important one: that�s why I keep asking it. The long and short of it is we can�t offer the Tangible Touch of the Prince of Peace if we�re not ourselves people of peace. . . . What do you need to do to be peaceful? Peace-filled? Please, work on it again today. . . .  ]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Daily Thot</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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			<title>Wednesday, August 25: Kiss and Make-up Day</title>
			<link>http://hitchhikersguidetoevangelism.com/index.php?id=82&#38;tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=181&#38;cHash=17ea317f1f44358a10d46de7f9af9ab9</link>
			<description> Oh, yes: it�s Kiss &amp; Make-up Day! Hopefully you haven�t started this day with any hanging-on anger...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Oh, yes: it�s Kiss & Make-up Day! Hopefully you haven�t started this day with any hanging-on anger or resentment with your loved one; but if you have, today�s your day! And for those of you who don�t have a kissable loved one, you have no excuse to not take advantage of the �Make-up� part of today. . . . It�s been said that resentment is like drinking poison with the hope the other person will die. Ewwwwwww. But isn�t it true? What are you holding on to that you need to let go of? Do the words �angry,� �mad,� �attack� come to mind when you think of someone? How can the Son�s Light shine through us if we block it with our dark thoughts or cloudy messes? No . . . we can�t! It�s time to let go of whatever you�ve been carrying that�s holding you back from being the Good News for others. Come on, make-up!!! ]]></content:encoded>
			<category>Daily Thot</category>
			
			
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
			
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