Once every month or two, someone at the office I work at finds a scorpion creeping around inside the building (we're literally at the edge of the desert). Usually they're tiny, but the other day a big specimen was discovered--stretched out, nearly five inches (30 cm). I asked the finder if I could have it, to make it into a decoration. I took it home and dumped it into a bucket of water to drown it. Two hours later, I took it out, put it into a big dog food bowl we don't use any more, and I began to shape it into a cool pose while it was still flexible. Several minutes of handling later, it was ready, so I carefully took the bowl into the garage to let it dry there for a couple of days. Ten minutes later, my son Isaac wanted to see it. We went into the garage...to find it walking around! I nearly wet my pants.
I now know just a wee bit of how the apostles must have felt when seeing the risen Christ!
Anyway, it's very dead now (I put it in the water for three days), and when it dries, I'll cover it with about ten coats of clear lacquer spray paint. I'll have a decoration and a conversation piece.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Rabid Rants
I'm weary of what seems like bi-weekly local news stories in which a dog has killed or maimed a person, and invariably at the time of the report the beast "is being quarantined". Why isn't the worthless monster dead already?
I'm weary of animal charities appealing for money. With all of the human need on this planet, I'm baffled and annoyed that anyone would consider the Humane Society or the World Wildlife Fund more deserving of donations than organizations that help people.
I'm weary of folks who love animals way too much.
I'm weary of animal charities appealing for money. With all of the human need on this planet, I'm baffled and annoyed that anyone would consider the Humane Society or the World Wildlife Fund more deserving of donations than organizations that help people.
I'm weary of folks who love animals way too much.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
What caused the meltdown?
The ignorance displayed by Chris Matthews and his collection of "experts" on this weekend's show is shocking and disturbing. I'm not going to discuss their Limbaugh comments--Rush is usually right, but he's too mean-spirited and boastful for me. I'm referring to their repeated, unanimous, confident assertions that, in this economic crisis, it is oh-so-obvious that capitalism has failed us. Months ago I considered writing about the cause of the meltdown, but I thought the truth was at least out there and fairly commonly known, even if some socialists were scrambling to distort it. Judging from Matthews' misinformation, I may have been wrong. For the truth behind the housing bubble bursting, which was the first domino to fall, here is an excellent history. And here is Fox News' summary. And here is a microcosm of the government's wrong priorities.
I'm no TV pundit--I'm just a nobody in flyover country--but I know better than to automatically trust what comes across the TV. Capitalism works just fine. Government intruding where it shouldn't--liberalism--is what has failed us.
I'm no TV pundit--I'm just a nobody in flyover country--but I know better than to automatically trust what comes across the TV. Capitalism works just fine. Government intruding where it shouldn't--liberalism--is what has failed us.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Tax Cheat Tim Geithner’s History Of Incompetence
Guest blogger Ed Morrissey from HotAir.com:
Remember when the Obama administration and its allies in Congress urged the confirmation of Tim Geithner despite his tax problems? They claimed that Geithner was “uniquely qualified” to lead the nation out of an economic collapse, and that no other candidate could possibly replace Geithner. Former Australian prime minister Paul Keating must have thought the Democrats and American media had discovered a completely different Tim Geithner than the one he knew:
If anyone in the US media had thought to ask a former Australian prime minister for his assessment, they would have heard a different view. And they would not have been so surprised at Geithner’s performance since.
In a speech to a closed gathering at the Lowy Institute in Sydney on Thursday, Paul Keating gave a starkly different account of Geithner’s record in handling the Asian crisis: “Tim Geithner was the Treasury line officer who wrote the IMF [International Monetary Fund] program for Indonesia in 1997-98, which was to apply current account solutions to a capital account crisis.”
In other words, Geithner fundamentally misdiagnosed the problem. And his misdiagnosis led to a dreadfully wrong prescription.
In fact, Geithner bungled the job so badly that Asian nations still refuse to “stick their head in the IMF noose,” as Keating puts it. Despite 7% compound growth over several years afterwards, Indonesia still couldn’t get itself out of the hole Geithner dug for them. Soeharto lost power, and countries like China paid attention. Instead of working more cooperatively, China built up big reserves, creating a debt imbalance that helped make the current financial crisis much worse than it might have been.
Geithner’s performance since his confirmation hasn’t surprised Keating at all. The dithering on bank issues has left the US with few realistic options outside of nationalization on some scale. The vacillation and fumbled rollouts of economic policy have left the markets with no confidence at all in his leadership, leading to a flight from capital investment clearly shown in the stock market performance of the last few weeks. Keating understands that lack of confidence from his own experiences with Geithner, but the US has just begun to figure out Geithner’s incompetence.
That sound you hear from down under? Laughter at the gullibility of Congress and the media in buying the argument that a man who couldn’t figure out his own taxes had the only qualifications for handling American economic policy. Our mainstream media never reported on this botch-up until it was far too late to do anything about it.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
No Doubt About It
I know God is real.
By the hundreds of prophecies in the Bible that have been fulfilled.
By the power of the Bible to discern the thoughts of our hearts and to transform our lives.
By the wisdom of the Bible, which is the biggest influence upon Western Civilization and the cornerstone for the greatest nation in history.
By the truth of the Bible, which has persuaded the hardest of skeptics who have dared to examine it.
By the way God's Spirit has spoken to my heart exactly what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it, for almost thirty years.
By the miracles of healing I’ve received.
By the testimony of the eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Christ, who were willing to die for their faith (if it was a lie, why would they die?).
And by this:
Jesus claimed to be the Lord, the source of life, the only way to Heaven. Either he is or he isn’t. If he isn’t, either he knew it (he's a liar) or he didn’t (he's a lunatic).
So he has to be either Lord, liar, or lunatic.
His words inspired ten of his closest friends to lay down their lives for him. His words have been universally acclaimed as the wisest ever recorded. His words have inspired many millions--from self-righteous moralists to serial murderers--to change their ways and follow him.
Lunatic? Come on.
He accepted the arrest, the whipping, the fists, the interrogations, the crown of thorns, the crowd's scorn, and the cross without changing his story.
Liar? Get real.
Jesus is Lord.
By the hundreds of prophecies in the Bible that have been fulfilled.
By the power of the Bible to discern the thoughts of our hearts and to transform our lives.
By the wisdom of the Bible, which is the biggest influence upon Western Civilization and the cornerstone for the greatest nation in history.
By the truth of the Bible, which has persuaded the hardest of skeptics who have dared to examine it.
By the way God's Spirit has spoken to my heart exactly what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it, for almost thirty years.
By the miracles of healing I’ve received.
By the testimony of the eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Christ, who were willing to die for their faith (if it was a lie, why would they die?).
And by this:
Jesus claimed to be the Lord, the source of life, the only way to Heaven. Either he is or he isn’t. If he isn’t, either he knew it (he's a liar) or he didn’t (he's a lunatic).
So he has to be either Lord, liar, or lunatic.
His words inspired ten of his closest friends to lay down their lives for him. His words have been universally acclaimed as the wisest ever recorded. His words have inspired many millions--from self-righteous moralists to serial murderers--to change their ways and follow him.
Lunatic? Come on.
He accepted the arrest, the whipping, the fists, the interrogations, the crown of thorns, the crowd's scorn, and the cross without changing his story.
Liar? Get real.
Jesus is Lord.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Undiluted Is Best
Please don’t judge Christianity as a whole by American Christianity. While there are multitudes of wonderful Christians here, there are millions of what the Bible calls “tares” (wheat-lookalike weeds growing among the wheat). It’s easy to say you believe in Jesus here, and many mean-spirited or foul-mouthed or perverted people do say so.
For the purest Christianity, look in places where the Church is persecuted.
For the purest Christianity, look in places where the Church is persecuted.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Anniversary Answers
I'm blessed to be a member of the exclusive HotAir.com comment community (hundreds of thousands of readers, only about two hundred commenters). During the inevitable evolution debates as we mark the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, I've been concerned with the response of some creationists. For example, saying "evolution is a myth" is not rational. Micro-evolution is observable all around us, from the many dog breeds to the various beak sizes of finches that Darwin observed. Attacking the concept of natural selection is silly, too. The wolf pack will most likely catch the slowest, weakest elk in the herd, and the eagles with the sharpest eyesight will probably out-survive their compadres who need optimetric care. But it's no wonder that Darwin did not discuss the origin of species in his seminal work The Origin Of Species. Natural selection does not explain how the life itself began--selection implies that there are already species to select from. And there is no natural way that one specie can change into another (macro-evolution). (see posts from 1/17/9, 1/1/9, 11/9/8, 6/8/8, and 11/20/7)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Slumdogs
My son will be fourteen soon. He and I have been talking about what it means to be a man.
For those who say (by your words or by the way you live) that manliness is defined by sexual conquests, ability to hold alcohol, swearing, stunts, or sporting exploits, I say quit fooling yourself. Try responsibility, leadership, integrity, and confidence.
I've been reading about Slumdog Millionaire. It's the kind of film I wouldn't have taken my son to a year or two ago--violent, dark, with bad language and some sexual situations (probably mild by Hollywood standards). The "dirty" parts are by no means gratuitous; they add weight to the physically dirty lives the characters lead.
I saw Slumdog as an opportunity to teach my boy about the way most of the world lives. Americans of every age are far too insulated about the desperate conditions that plague hundreds of millions, and our media are too myopic, too uninterested in anything beyond our still-wealthy shores. This film takes us to the foreign depths of despair in a sometimes heart-breaking but ultimately exhilarating way.
I also wanted to remind my son that we rich Americans can do something to help children like Jamal and Salim. A dollar goes far in Third World economies. My favorite channels to bless poor children are here, here, and here (my wife and I are friends with the leaders of the first two, and I am the editor of the third's email reports).
My son surprised me as we left the theater this evening. He said this was an awesome movie, even "better than The Dark Knight". I agree.
Update: During the Academy Awards buzz about Slumdogs, I learned that the children in the movie were not trained actors--they were plucked from the slums of Mumbai, India. I'm so happy that their future is brighter now that they're famous. For more rags-to-riches stories, please support one of the charities I linked above!
For those who say (by your words or by the way you live) that manliness is defined by sexual conquests, ability to hold alcohol, swearing, stunts, or sporting exploits, I say quit fooling yourself. Try responsibility, leadership, integrity, and confidence.
I've been reading about Slumdog Millionaire. It's the kind of film I wouldn't have taken my son to a year or two ago--violent, dark, with bad language and some sexual situations (probably mild by Hollywood standards). The "dirty" parts are by no means gratuitous; they add weight to the physically dirty lives the characters lead.
I saw Slumdog as an opportunity to teach my boy about the way most of the world lives. Americans of every age are far too insulated about the desperate conditions that plague hundreds of millions, and our media are too myopic, too uninterested in anything beyond our still-wealthy shores. This film takes us to the foreign depths of despair in a sometimes heart-breaking but ultimately exhilarating way.
I also wanted to remind my son that we rich Americans can do something to help children like Jamal and Salim. A dollar goes far in Third World economies. My favorite channels to bless poor children are here, here, and here (my wife and I are friends with the leaders of the first two, and I am the editor of the third's email reports).
My son surprised me as we left the theater this evening. He said this was an awesome movie, even "better than The Dark Knight". I agree.
Update: During the Academy Awards buzz about Slumdogs, I learned that the children in the movie were not trained actors--they were plucked from the slums of Mumbai, India. I'm so happy that their future is brighter now that they're famous. For more rags-to-riches stories, please support one of the charities I linked above!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Enjoy Your Day Off Today
It's not difficult to find tons of dirt on the guy. Just type his name and "adulterer", or his name and "communist", or his name and "plagiarist", into a search engine. If you think these are all internet fables, rest assured that snopes is not exactly a bastion of right-wing extremism. It's especially problematic that he clung to the title Reverend throughout his public life. Palling around with communists and whores is not a lifestyle worthy of being revered. But he was an excellent speaker (even though some of his speeches had plenty of borrowed thoughts and words).
I would suggest that today be called Racial Equality Day instead, but where's the equality when the only reasons that his dirt is swept under the rug are that he's Black and martyred? Where's the equality when we have Black History Month every February, but no Asian History Month? Where's the equality when the only reasons that Barack H. Obama will rise to the pinnacle of temporal power tomorrow are that he's Black and a good speaker (who also happens to borrow thoughts and words from others' speeches)?
I would suggest that today be called Racial Equality Day instead, but where's the equality when the only reasons that his dirt is swept under the rug are that he's Black and martyred? Where's the equality when we have Black History Month every February, but no Asian History Month? Where's the equality when the only reasons that Barack H. Obama will rise to the pinnacle of temporal power tomorrow are that he's Black and a good speaker (who also happens to borrow thoughts and words from others' speeches)?
Saturday, January 17, 2009
No Sweat
A few animals have limited ability to prevent a rise in body temperature by evaporative cooling through sweat secretion. Since evolutionists insist that monkeys and men are closely related, surely they exhibit similar sweat-cooling characteristics, right? The monkey has virtually no ability to cool itself with sweat. Other animals? Cats have a slight ability; dogs greater but still slight. Horses have more ability to sweat, though their sweating is tied to exertion rather than body temperature. Only humans use sweat glands to such an extent to cool off.
Sweat glands are incredibly complex, and if they are the products of evolution, then no doubt the ability to sweat must be indicative of how closely species are related to each other. So horses are our nearest relatives, not monkeys. I'm sure he would agree. And he would tell you about it until his voice became hoarse.
Sweat glands are incredibly complex, and if they are the products of evolution, then no doubt the ability to sweat must be indicative of how closely species are related to each other. So horses are our nearest relatives, not monkeys. I'm sure he would agree. And he would tell you about it until his voice became hoarse.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Retirement? There's Too Much Work To Do
Most people retire to take it easy. Most people fill their quotas for adventure with movies, amusement parks, games, and tourism. Most people try to keep the needs of humanity from getting too close. I hope to persuade you to "retire" to a life of adventure while serving humanity.
I will be eligible to retire in about four and a half years (I'll be 53). At that time, my wife and I will take our meager savings and small pension to the Philippines. (If we were to stay here, we wouldn't be able financially to retire yet. In that Third-World economy, we'll be living well.) We'll devote our lives to the welfare of poor children. Startling fact: 50% of the population in the Philippines is age 16 or younger. With the poverty, domestic violence, neglect, and child-labor abuse in that nation of 80 million, there's a lot of need.
Don't praise us for any perceived altruism--imitate us! Ask God to show you a need in a Third-World country that you can get passionate about.
Many of you have job-related retirement benefits waiting for you in the future. Others have savings and investments prepared. Why retire here and barely get by, playing games and rocking your chair every day, when you can live well and do good in Mexico or Liberia or the Philippines?
OK, I understand that this is not for everyone. But I hope I planted a seed in at least one person who will go and change lives in a far land.
I will be eligible to retire in about four and a half years (I'll be 53). At that time, my wife and I will take our meager savings and small pension to the Philippines. (If we were to stay here, we wouldn't be able financially to retire yet. In that Third-World economy, we'll be living well.) We'll devote our lives to the welfare of poor children. Startling fact: 50% of the population in the Philippines is age 16 or younger. With the poverty, domestic violence, neglect, and child-labor abuse in that nation of 80 million, there's a lot of need.
Don't praise us for any perceived altruism--imitate us! Ask God to show you a need in a Third-World country that you can get passionate about.
Many of you have job-related retirement benefits waiting for you in the future. Others have savings and investments prepared. Why retire here and barely get by, playing games and rocking your chair every day, when you can live well and do good in Mexico or Liberia or the Philippines?
OK, I understand that this is not for everyone. But I hope I planted a seed in at least one person who will go and change lives in a far land.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Man Of Sorrows
For those who went to church at Christmas after missing every service since the previous Christmas, please allow me to reflect on the meaninglessness of Christmas without Resurrection Day, a.k.a. Easter.
Mel Gibson went to great pains in researching Biblical narratives and ancient Roman culture to accurately portray the arrest, trial, scourging, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. One cannot watch The Passion of the Christ without being awestruck at the amount of physical suffering the Lord endured, and many have come to appreciate him all the more for being willing to go through that for our sake. I do find one fault with the film, however. I wish Gibson had done more to show how much Christ suffered. Let me explain: I believe that the physical pain that Gibson portrayed in Passion was only a fraction of what Jesus endured. Besides the whipping, the beatings, the crown of thorns, the dehydration, the sleep deprivation, etc., the one who had never sinned became sin. The Bible's 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us:
God made him who had no sin to become sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
We might have difficulty comprehending the dreadful nature of this punishment because we haven't experienced anything like it. Perhaps I can illustrate it: Imagine a child born with no immune system, who has to live his entire life in a totally sanitary environment. One day someone abducts him and throws him into a huge septic tank to drown. This analogy falls short in that having a deficient immune system is a dire weakness, while being immaculately holy is an incredible strength, but it's the best I can come up with to illustrate the extremes of cleanliness and filth.
Perhaps the worst thing Jesus had to suffer was being rejected by his Father. Again, we can't fully understand this. We have never loved anyone as much as Jesus loves his Father, and we have never been so inseparable from anyone for immeasurable eons of time. One of the few personal complaints ever uttered by Jesus was regarding his anguish of soul from being abandoned by his Father. The Father had to turn his back on the Son because he had become sin for our sake. This reveals God's intense hatred of sin, which makes our Lord's intense love for sinners like us so amazing. This love explains why Jesus left the glory of Heaven to suffer what he did. Do you love him? Enough to walk with him every day, no, every moment? After all, just going to church once a year is weak.
Mel Gibson went to great pains in researching Biblical narratives and ancient Roman culture to accurately portray the arrest, trial, scourging, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. One cannot watch The Passion of the Christ without being awestruck at the amount of physical suffering the Lord endured, and many have come to appreciate him all the more for being willing to go through that for our sake. I do find one fault with the film, however. I wish Gibson had done more to show how much Christ suffered. Let me explain: I believe that the physical pain that Gibson portrayed in Passion was only a fraction of what Jesus endured. Besides the whipping, the beatings, the crown of thorns, the dehydration, the sleep deprivation, etc., the one who had never sinned became sin. The Bible's 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us:
God made him who had no sin to become sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
We might have difficulty comprehending the dreadful nature of this punishment because we haven't experienced anything like it. Perhaps I can illustrate it: Imagine a child born with no immune system, who has to live his entire life in a totally sanitary environment. One day someone abducts him and throws him into a huge septic tank to drown. This analogy falls short in that having a deficient immune system is a dire weakness, while being immaculately holy is an incredible strength, but it's the best I can come up with to illustrate the extremes of cleanliness and filth.
Perhaps the worst thing Jesus had to suffer was being rejected by his Father. Again, we can't fully understand this. We have never loved anyone as much as Jesus loves his Father, and we have never been so inseparable from anyone for immeasurable eons of time. One of the few personal complaints ever uttered by Jesus was regarding his anguish of soul from being abandoned by his Father. The Father had to turn his back on the Son because he had become sin for our sake. This reveals God's intense hatred of sin, which makes our Lord's intense love for sinners like us so amazing. This love explains why Jesus left the glory of Heaven to suffer what he did. Do you love him? Enough to walk with him every day, no, every moment? After all, just going to church once a year is weak.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
On the Origin of Species
Yes, I borrowed the title for this post from Darwin's seminal tome, but I'm going to do what Darwin didn't: pontificate on the origin of the first specie. The origin of life. The pertinent facts:
1) Whether creationist or evolutionist, we all know that at some time in history, biological life arose from non-living matter.
2) We have known from the time of Pasteur that life cannot naturally, spontaneously arise from non-living matter.
3) Therefore, life arising from non-living matter must have occurred outside of the laws of nature, or supernaturally.
Some evolutionists, most notably Richard Dawkins, try to avoid this logic by claiming that life on Earth was seeded by extraterrestrials. However, this only pushes the origin of biological life farther back. It still originated somewhere.
To those who would turn this logical progression back at me and ask about the origin of the Creator's life, I would remind you that I am discussing the origin of biological life. Since God is, by definition, above the laws of nature, one cannot use science to discuss the possibilities of whether he has an origin or is eternal. That discussion is for theologians and philosophers.
If Darwin and Pasteur were contemporaries, why did the scientific community rush to embrace Darwin's theory while seemingly ignoring Pasteur's conclusions? I think Sir Julian Huxley (nicknamed "Darwin's bulldog" because he was the leading evolutionist of his day), when asked this question, may have said it best:
"I suppose the reason that we all jumped at The Origin (of Species) was that the idea of God interfered with our sexual mores."
Now that we have dispensed with the supposedly spontaneous generation of life, we can critique the things that Darwin covered.
Because of the limited technology of his time, Darwin thought that the mechanics of biology were far simpler than they actually are. For example, he thought that cells were not much more than blobs of goo. We now know that cells can be more complex than the computer you're using now. I do not doubt that if Darwin knew what we now know about this complexity, and the irreducible nature of much of the complexity in nature, he would have never considered macro-evolution to be possible.
Additionally, Darwin wrote that he was confident that paleontology--a science still in its infancy in his day--would one day provide millions of fossils of creatures in transitional stages of evolving from one species to another. These are still missing.
Also missing is common sense from much of the scientific community today. If a blue-collar, college non-grad like me could figure this out, why can't they?
This simple article is only food for thought. Please read the linked web pages for more information.
1) Whether creationist or evolutionist, we all know that at some time in history, biological life arose from non-living matter.
2) We have known from the time of Pasteur that life cannot naturally, spontaneously arise from non-living matter.
3) Therefore, life arising from non-living matter must have occurred outside of the laws of nature, or supernaturally.
Some evolutionists, most notably Richard Dawkins, try to avoid this logic by claiming that life on Earth was seeded by extraterrestrials. However, this only pushes the origin of biological life farther back. It still originated somewhere.
To those who would turn this logical progression back at me and ask about the origin of the Creator's life, I would remind you that I am discussing the origin of biological life. Since God is, by definition, above the laws of nature, one cannot use science to discuss the possibilities of whether he has an origin or is eternal. That discussion is for theologians and philosophers.
If Darwin and Pasteur were contemporaries, why did the scientific community rush to embrace Darwin's theory while seemingly ignoring Pasteur's conclusions? I think Sir Julian Huxley (nicknamed "Darwin's bulldog" because he was the leading evolutionist of his day), when asked this question, may have said it best:
"I suppose the reason that we all jumped at The Origin (of Species) was that the idea of God interfered with our sexual mores."
Now that we have dispensed with the supposedly spontaneous generation of life, we can critique the things that Darwin covered.
Because of the limited technology of his time, Darwin thought that the mechanics of biology were far simpler than they actually are. For example, he thought that cells were not much more than blobs of goo. We now know that cells can be more complex than the computer you're using now. I do not doubt that if Darwin knew what we now know about this complexity, and the irreducible nature of much of the complexity in nature, he would have never considered macro-evolution to be possible.
Additionally, Darwin wrote that he was confident that paleontology--a science still in its infancy in his day--would one day provide millions of fossils of creatures in transitional stages of evolving from one species to another. These are still missing.
Also missing is common sense from much of the scientific community today. If a blue-collar, college non-grad like me could figure this out, why can't they?
This simple article is only food for thought. Please read the linked web pages for more information.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Learning Insights About Human Nature
I mentioned a while ago that I have had puppies to sell. This has been the fifth litter we've sold. Along with a small minority of honest, happy customers, I've experienced many, uh...shall we say, disappointments. Dozens of times, people have called and lied to me: "I'll call you right back to let you know if we'll come," or, "I'll be there in twenty minutes," and they're gone. Even more brazenly, folks have looked me in the eye and lied many times. For example, a few days ago a couple of women asked me where the nearest ATM was (it's less than a mile from my house). They said that they would go get the cash and come right back for the puppy. I never saw or heard from them again. These are all nice-sounding, and when I see them, nice-looking people. Just like you and me. And that's the saddest point.
We are not as good as we think we are. We compare ourselves with others around us, and we can always find people who act worse than us (as I did in the first paragraph). But the Bible says, "All men are liars" ("men" refers to humanity--don't quote that to your husbands, ladies), and, "All have sinned, and all fall short of the glory of God." It also says, "The wages of sin is death," and, "It is appointed for everyone to die, and after this, the judgment."
Now that you've read the bad news, here's the good: Jesus lived the sinless life that each one of us should have lived. Then he suffered the penalty of death that we all deserve. Now he offers forgiveness for our sins when we live by our faith in him.
I don't know if All Dogs Go To Heaven, but I know that I will, by the grace of God.
We are not as good as we think we are. We compare ourselves with others around us, and we can always find people who act worse than us (as I did in the first paragraph). But the Bible says, "All men are liars" ("men" refers to humanity--don't quote that to your husbands, ladies), and, "All have sinned, and all fall short of the glory of God." It also says, "The wages of sin is death," and, "It is appointed for everyone to die, and after this, the judgment."
Now that you've read the bad news, here's the good: Jesus lived the sinless life that each one of us should have lived. Then he suffered the penalty of death that we all deserve. Now he offers forgiveness for our sins when we live by our faith in him.
I don't know if All Dogs Go To Heaven, but I know that I will, by the grace of God.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Follow-Up: The W-o-r-s-t Christmas Songs
Dan Folgelberg trashes the spirit of Christmas with a perennial favorite that glorifies adultery.
The late communist and atheist John Lennon adds irony to goofiness by singing a Christmas song with inaccuracies such as Christmas starts a new year, with his wife Yoko Oh-No contributing backup screeches.
Little Drummer Boy does well in honoring the Lord Jesus Christ, but why does the kid keep saying he has nothing to give to the Lord when he has a drum? And turning it from bad to creepy is Michael Jackson's version (MJ singing about a little boy...eewww).
Feliz Navidad was fine the first time I heard it, but its endless repetition of basically one line--"Merry Christmas, I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas"--is nauseating now.
The late communist and atheist John Lennon adds irony to goofiness by singing a Christmas song with inaccuracies such as Christmas starts a new year, with his wife Yoko Oh-No contributing backup screeches.
Little Drummer Boy does well in honoring the Lord Jesus Christ, but why does the kid keep saying he has nothing to give to the Lord when he has a drum? And turning it from bad to creepy is Michael Jackson's version (MJ singing about a little boy...eewww).
Feliz Navidad was fine the first time I heard it, but its endless repetition of basically one line--"Merry Christmas, I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas"--is nauseating now.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tunes For A Merry Christmas
Here's my Christmas e-Card: Links to my favorite Christmas songs (at least my favorite ones that are on YouTube). Enjoy!
Best Male Vocalist Christmas Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTgMe5demPc
Best Female Vocalist Christmas Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j3EU5p4Xys
Best Singing-Children Christmas Song:
Best Female Vocalist Christmas Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j3EU5p4Xys
Best Singing-Children Christmas Song:
Best Instrumental Christmas Song:
Best Modern Rock Christmas Song:
Best Call-To-Social-Action Christmas Song (It's Not What You Think):
Best 90s Glam-Rock Christmas Song (sans Spandex):
Best RedNeck Christmas Song:
Best New Christmas Song (And My Current Overall Favorite):
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Call It A Hobby
Now is a good time to start the "hobby" I have in mind for you fellow conservatives. We are still sore from the pounding we took on Election Day--an election lost in part because of lopsided funding--and it's almost the start of Christmas shopping season. This hobby of mine kills two birds with one stone. While buying the gifts I'll give, I spend the money in ways that reward corporations on the Right side of issues, while carefully avoiding sending cash to companies that turn around and give it to groups that do wrong. It's not hard to memorize which ones are the worst offenders and the best of the best. These lists are based on my opinions and priorities. I encourage you to do some research and make your own lists.
Please Do Not Patronize:
Tourism in California, Massachusetts, other leftist states
Procter and Gamble (Tide, Pampers, Bounty, Folgers, Iams, Clairol, Pantene, Crest)
Toyota
Hormel foods
A T & T
PepsiCo (Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Tropicana, Quaker Oats)
American Girl dolls
Abercrombie and Fitch
Google
JPMorgan/Chase Bank
Bank of America
Morgan Stanley
Citigroup
Costco
Allstate
DuPont
eBay
Sonic
AARP
Marriot
Aetna
Campbell Soups
Please Support:
Exxon-Mobile
Home Depot
Lowe's
WellPoint
Mary Kay cosmetics
eHarmony
Chick-Filet restaurants
Jeno's frozen pizza
Overstock.com
Earthlink
Hobby Lobby
Don't feel motivated enough? Look at it this way.
Please leave comments about companies doing good! Obviously my 'bad' list is much longer.
P.S. I don't reward or punish firms based on whether they celebrate Christmas. You can't go around forcing Jews or Hindus or atheists to love a Christian holiday. What matters more to me is whether they do evil or good: did they give a huge check to a radical homosexual group (evil) or to a pro-life foundation (good)?
Please Do Not Patronize:
Tourism in California, Massachusetts, other leftist states
Procter and Gamble (Tide, Pampers, Bounty, Folgers, Iams, Clairol, Pantene, Crest)
Toyota
Hormel foods
A T & T
PepsiCo (Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Tropicana, Quaker Oats)
American Girl dolls
Abercrombie and Fitch
JPMorgan/Chase Bank
Bank of America
Morgan Stanley
Citigroup
Costco
Allstate
DuPont
eBay
Sonic
AARP
Marriot
Aetna
Campbell Soups
Please Support:
Exxon-Mobile
Home Depot
Lowe's
WellPoint
Mary Kay cosmetics
eHarmony
Chick-Filet restaurants
Jeno's frozen pizza
Overstock.com
Earthlink
Hobby Lobby
Don't feel motivated enough? Look at it this way.
Please leave comments about companies doing good! Obviously my 'bad' list is much longer.
P.S. I don't reward or punish firms based on whether they celebrate Christmas. You can't go around forcing Jews or Hindus or atheists to love a Christian holiday. What matters more to me is whether they do evil or good: did they give a huge check to a radical homosexual group (evil) or to a pro-life foundation (good)?
Sunday, November 9, 2008
It's So Obvious, Only A Mensa Couldn't Get It
My Miniature Pinscher just produced another litter.
(I had been praying for seven pups, but when two were born, I was contented. Ninety minutes later, two more popped out, and then more, until there were seven!
They'll be old enough to sell just before Christmas. Cha-ching!)
As I watch the tiny creatures squirm, sleep, and nurse, I ponder the origin of species. How could sexual reproduction have evolved as an accident of time and chance? Have you evolutionists ever wondered about the first microorganism to develop a male "member"? Why did it appear? Was the first "he" fortunate enough to find that the first "she" happened to evolve at the same time, in the same place? Who taught them how to "do it"? How did they get the desire? Who gave him the potency to pass on life to another generation?
When the soft black morsels emerged from my female Min-Pin, what kept her from eating them? (What kept the first carnivores from eating their young?) What compels her to tirelessly clean, guard, and feed them for six exhausting weeks?
What about the many examples of symbiosis in nature? For example, as the shark opens its mouth and says "ahhhh", tiny fish swim amongst the huge teeth and remove decay-causing matter. Who taught the shark not to eat its dentist?
What about flight? How did wings evolve? When they magically appeared, who taught the ancient bird how to fly?
Most of my readers are politically conservative. Those of us on the Right often advise our liberal counterparts to deeply, logically consider the long-term future effects of their theories. For example, once you make it OK to kill one weaker part of society--unborn children--there is no reason not to kill the incapacitated, the mentally retarded, those with terminal diseases, and so on. One thing leads to another. I would ask my right-wing brethren who embrace evolution to deeply, logically consider the supposed long-term past of your scientific theories--how one thing allegedly led to another.
(I had been praying for seven pups, but when two were born, I was contented. Ninety minutes later, two more popped out, and then more, until there were seven!
They'll be old enough to sell just before Christmas. Cha-ching!)
As I watch the tiny creatures squirm, sleep, and nurse, I ponder the origin of species. How could sexual reproduction have evolved as an accident of time and chance? Have you evolutionists ever wondered about the first microorganism to develop a male "member"? Why did it appear? Was the first "he" fortunate enough to find that the first "she" happened to evolve at the same time, in the same place? Who taught them how to "do it"? How did they get the desire? Who gave him the potency to pass on life to another generation?
When the soft black morsels emerged from my female Min-Pin, what kept her from eating them? (What kept the first carnivores from eating their young?) What compels her to tirelessly clean, guard, and feed them for six exhausting weeks?
What about the many examples of symbiosis in nature? For example, as the shark opens its mouth and says "ahhhh", tiny fish swim amongst the huge teeth and remove decay-causing matter. Who taught the shark not to eat its dentist?
What about flight? How did wings evolve? When they magically appeared, who taught the ancient bird how to fly?
Most of my readers are politically conservative. Those of us on the Right often advise our liberal counterparts to deeply, logically consider the long-term future effects of their theories. For example, once you make it OK to kill one weaker part of society--unborn children--there is no reason not to kill the incapacitated, the mentally retarded, those with terminal diseases, and so on. One thing leads to another. I would ask my right-wing brethren who embrace evolution to deeply, logically consider the supposed long-term past of your scientific theories--how one thing allegedly led to another.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
We're Just Biden Our Time Until The Next Gaffe
The liberal media have been brutal in their assault on that great American reformer, Sarah Palin. With an 80% approval rating, she was the most popular governor in the USA two months ago, but it's slipped to 68%, and no wonder. Besides being targeted for more investigation in the last two months than Obama has had in the two years he's been a candidate, Palin has endured relentless mocking of what she has said, as well as often being publicly perceived as saying what Tina Fey's character has said. Almost ignored are the gaffes that the other VP candidate has uttered. Most of these gaffes came within the last two months:
1) Biden on poor D.C. school performance compared to Iowa: "There's less than 1 percent of the population of Iowa that is African American. There is probably less than 4 or 5 percent that is, are minorities. What is it in Washington? So look, it goes back to what you start off with, what you're dealing with."
2) Biden, predicting crisis before June: "Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy (Obama)...we’re gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it’s not gonna be apparent initially, it’s not gonna be apparent that we’re right.”
3) Biden told Jon Stewart, "John McCain is a personal friend, a great friend, and I would be honored to run with or against John McCain, because I think the country would be better off — be well off no matter who ...," where Stewart cut him off.
4) Biden repeatedly insisted that Hillary Clinton would've probably been a better choice for Obama.
5) Biden publicly opposed the AIG bailout, not realizing his running mate was for it
6) Biden called Palin Alaska's "Lieutenant Governor".
7) Biden accidentaly introduced his running mate as "Barack America".
8) Biden, while trying to win votes in hotly contested Ohio, taunted Ohioans by announcing that Delaware's team could "kick" the Ohio State football team's, uh, posterior.
9) Biden publicly promised to ban "clean" coal after his running mate promised to invest heavily in it.
10) Biden told an endearing three-sentence summary supposedly about his own life, but it was taken nearly word-for-word from British politician Neil Kinnock.
11) Biden claimed his helicopter was "forced down" in enemy territory, but it was later learned that the flight was only postponed because of weather.
12) Biden looked at Missouri state senator Chuck Graham--seated in front of him--and demanded that he "Stand up!" without noticing that he was in a wheelchair.
13) Biden called Obama "the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean...to run for President," insulting Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson, Carol Braun, and Al Sharpton.
14) Biden offended certain immigrants in Delaware by claiming, "You cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking."
15) Biden angrily challenged a sincere questioner by insisting, "My IQ higher than yours!"
16) Biden on poor D.C. school performance compared to Iowa: "There's less than 1 percent of the population of Iowa that is African American. There is probably less than 4 or 5 percent that is, are minorities. What is it in Washington? So look, it goes back to what you start off with, what you're dealing with."
17) Biden, unaware that Hoover was President in 1929, many years before TV was invented: “When the stock market crashed, Franklin Roosevelt got on the television and didn’t just talk about the princes of greed. He said, ‘look, here’s what happened."'
18) Biden slammed an Obama ad that mocked McCain for being "computer illiterate" without mentioning that it is McCain's war injuries that inhibit him from using a keyboard. "I thought that (the ad) was terrible, by the way," Biden said. Asked why it was done, he said: "I didn't know we did it, and if I had anything to do with it, we'd have never done it."
19) Delaware, he noted, was a “slave state that fought beside the North. That’s only because we couldn’t figure out how to get to the South. There were a couple of states in the way.”
20) Biden: "...a three letter word: J-O-B-S!"
21)Just after 9/11: “Seems to me this would be a good time to send, no strings attached, a check for $200 million to Iran.”
22) Forgot address of website he's in charge of:
http://wbztv.com/video/?id=73411@wbz.dayport.com
24-28) The following quotes were taken from one speech to Wake Forest University's graduating class on 5/18/9:
--"I believe so strongly, as you may recall when I was here in October, not in you particularly but your generation, that I don’t have a single doubt in my mind we’re on the cusp not only of a new century but a new day for this country and the world."
--"There’s not a single issue on this President’s plate that will not yield a change — just merely by ignoring it, it will change."
--"Folks, we’re either going to fundamentally change the course of history, or fail the generations that come after us, because change will occur. Non-action is action, unlike most generations."
--"But today, with all the difficulties you face, you graduated into a moment where your opportunities are much greater. And your charge is not to restore anything but to make anew."
--"This has been the history of the journey of America — never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, never have the American people let their country down at rare moments, similar moments in our history. And it’s a journey we’re all going to take together." (was he channeling a disoriented Churchill?)
29) “As you do your job, know that Judge Sotomayor has your back as well. And throughout this nominating process, I know you’ll have her back,” Biden said, implying that a Supreme Court Justice would favor one group over another.
30) Biden lectured the press about a new automobile tunnel that's actually for trains.
31) Biden, named by Obama as head of the economic stimulus team, admits it's above his pay grade.
1) Biden on poor D.C. school performance compared to Iowa: "There's less than 1 percent of the population of Iowa that is African American. There is probably less than 4 or 5 percent that is, are minorities. What is it in Washington? So look, it goes back to what you start off with, what you're dealing with."
2) Biden, predicting crisis before June: "Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy (Obama)...we’re gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it’s not gonna be apparent initially, it’s not gonna be apparent that we’re right.”
3) Biden told Jon Stewart, "John McCain is a personal friend, a great friend, and I would be honored to run with or against John McCain, because I think the country would be better off — be well off no matter who ...," where Stewart cut him off.
4) Biden repeatedly insisted that Hillary Clinton would've probably been a better choice for Obama.
5) Biden publicly opposed the AIG bailout, not realizing his running mate was for it
6) Biden called Palin Alaska's "Lieutenant Governor".
7) Biden accidentaly introduced his running mate as "Barack America".
8) Biden, while trying to win votes in hotly contested Ohio, taunted Ohioans by announcing that Delaware's team could "kick" the Ohio State football team's, uh, posterior.
9) Biden publicly promised to ban "clean" coal after his running mate promised to invest heavily in it.
10) Biden told an endearing three-sentence summary supposedly about his own life, but it was taken nearly word-for-word from British politician Neil Kinnock.
11) Biden claimed his helicopter was "forced down" in enemy territory, but it was later learned that the flight was only postponed because of weather.
12) Biden looked at Missouri state senator Chuck Graham--seated in front of him--and demanded that he "Stand up!" without noticing that he was in a wheelchair.
13) Biden called Obama "the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean...to run for President," insulting Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson, Carol Braun, and Al Sharpton.
14) Biden offended certain immigrants in Delaware by claiming, "You cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking."
15) Biden angrily challenged a sincere questioner by insisting, "My IQ higher than yours!"
16) Biden on poor D.C. school performance compared to Iowa: "There's less than 1 percent of the population of Iowa that is African American. There is probably less than 4 or 5 percent that is, are minorities. What is it in Washington? So look, it goes back to what you start off with, what you're dealing with."
17) Biden, unaware that Hoover was President in 1929, many years before TV was invented: “When the stock market crashed, Franklin Roosevelt got on the television and didn’t just talk about the princes of greed. He said, ‘look, here’s what happened."'
18) Biden slammed an Obama ad that mocked McCain for being "computer illiterate" without mentioning that it is McCain's war injuries that inhibit him from using a keyboard. "I thought that (the ad) was terrible, by the way," Biden said. Asked why it was done, he said: "I didn't know we did it, and if I had anything to do with it, we'd have never done it."
19) Delaware, he noted, was a “slave state that fought beside the North. That’s only because we couldn’t figure out how to get to the South. There were a couple of states in the way.”
20) Biden: "...a three letter word: J-O-B-S!"
21)Just after 9/11: “Seems to me this would be a good time to send, no strings attached, a check for $200 million to Iran.”
22) Forgot address of website he's in charge of:
http://wbztv.com/video/?id=73411@wbz.dayport.com
24-28) The following quotes were taken from one speech to Wake Forest University's graduating class on 5/18/9:
--"I believe so strongly, as you may recall when I was here in October, not in you particularly but your generation, that I don’t have a single doubt in my mind we’re on the cusp not only of a new century but a new day for this country and the world."
--"There’s not a single issue on this President’s plate that will not yield a change — just merely by ignoring it, it will change."
--"Folks, we’re either going to fundamentally change the course of history, or fail the generations that come after us, because change will occur. Non-action is action, unlike most generations."
--"But today, with all the difficulties you face, you graduated into a moment where your opportunities are much greater. And your charge is not to restore anything but to make anew."
--"This has been the history of the journey of America — never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, never have the American people let their country down at rare moments, similar moments in our history. And it’s a journey we’re all going to take together." (was he channeling a disoriented Churchill?)
29) “As you do your job, know that Judge Sotomayor has your back as well. And throughout this nominating process, I know you’ll have her back,” Biden said, implying that a Supreme Court Justice would favor one group over another.
30) Biden lectured the press about a new automobile tunnel that's actually for trains.
31) Biden, named by Obama as head of the economic stimulus team, admits it's above his pay grade.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Another Desperate Attack on Christianity
Bill Maher just released a film designed to mock religion, especially Christianity. Since Hollywood and the liberal media love this kind of stuff, they won't remind you about Maher's history of sinister words & deeds, so I will provide a few examples. These are not listed out of spite, but to take away his credibility. No one should glean guidance on the most important issues of life from such a troubled soul.
--Right after 9/11, Maher said, "We have been the cowards lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it's not cowardly."
--To celebrate the Halloween that came right after the beloved Steve Irwin was killed by a sting ray, Maher donned a khaki shirt and shorts, and he had a fake sting ray tail attached to his chest.
--Maher was slapped with a $9 million palimony suit by an ex-girlfriend who alleges that he subjected her to physical and verbal abuse, including "degrading racial comments". The plaintiff was Nancy Johnson, a Black model and former flight attendant.
--Maher: "When you look at beliefs in such things as, do you go to heaven, is there a devil, we have more in common with Turkey and Iran and Syria than we do with European nations and Canada and nations that, yes, I would consider more enlightened than us."
--Maher: "I have two dogs — if I had two retarded children, I'd be a hero. And yet the dogs, which are pretty much the same thing. What? They're sweet. They're loving. They're kind, but they don't mentally advance at all. Dogs are like retarded children."
Many of the things Maher has said about religion are too obscene and grotesque to repeat.
For a rebuttal to the charges Maher makes against religion, see my post "Bad or Good?"
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Making Marriage "Fireproof"
Wow.
I had seen Facing The Giants about a year ago, and I was sure that Fireproof would be similarly slightly cheesy and occasionally poorly acted, since both movies were produced by the same Albany, Georgia, Baptist church. I was very wrong. It seems that they took the considerable profits from Giants and invested them into making a substantially better product this time. And Kirk Cameron excels as the fireman whose home is figuratively burning down.
Fireproof is not just tear-jerking drama, action, and suspense, along with some laugh-out-loud funny moments. It is also a valuable lesson on what makes a marriage work, without being too preachy. I highly recommend it for everyone who is married or who wants to be one day.
Don't forget to bring the Kleenex.
I had seen Facing The Giants about a year ago, and I was sure that Fireproof would be similarly slightly cheesy and occasionally poorly acted, since both movies were produced by the same Albany, Georgia, Baptist church. I was very wrong. It seems that they took the considerable profits from Giants and invested them into making a substantially better product this time. And Kirk Cameron excels as the fireman whose home is figuratively burning down.
Fireproof is not just tear-jerking drama, action, and suspense, along with some laugh-out-loud funny moments. It is also a valuable lesson on what makes a marriage work, without being too preachy. I highly recommend it for everyone who is married or who wants to be one day.
Don't forget to bring the Kleenex.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
How To Get On The Winning Team
In a previous post, I showed that people who do whatever they want are, by definition, "on the dark side", and I urged my readers to "get on the winning team". But there is so much ignorance about how to do that, and about what a Christian actually is.
Many Americans think that being born in a so-called "Christian country" makes them Christians. Others think that by attending a church that calls itself Christian is good enough, or that by occasionally talking to "the man upstairs" is sufficient. Or trying to follow the Golden Rule or the Ten Commandments.
Jesus was once approached by a wealthy religious man who wanted to know how to enter the Kingdom of God. He bragged that he had been faithful to keep all of God's commandments. Jesus told him that he was still lacking, and he gave the inquirer one very difficult assignment which he didn't even attempt to do. This story illustrates one of the purposes of God's Law--to show us our weakness. The best of us cannot keep the Ten Commandments for one month, let alone keeping the hundreds of commands in the Law for a lifetime. We are all sinners, and we cannot save ourselves from that condition. It's a huge step in the right direction to recognize that. And our sins separate us from a holy, pure, righteous, perfect God. And justice demands that our sins have to be punished.
How then can we be saved from our sins, from this separation, from this punishment? Many years ago, a young lady appeared before a court in California. The judge pronounced a hefty fine as punishment for her humbly confessed infraction of the law. Then he did something unusual for a distinguished jurist--he took off his robe, descended to the woman's side, and handed her enough money to pay the fine. He was her father.
God could have let all of humanity suffer the consequences for our deeds. But because he is so wonderfully merciful, when he saw our desperate condition, that we could not save ourselves, he did something about it. He paid the price we could not pay. God "descended" to Earth, took off his "robe" of glory, lived the perfect life we can't live, and he suffered and died in our place. His pain, our gain. Justice was accomplished, yet mercy was too.
How does one receive this mercy? By faith. Faith in God's ability and willingness to save you. Faith in his guidance and wisdom for your life. Faith in the Heavenly reward he prepares for each one who trusts him. Faith does not earn you anything; it is simply the key that opens up the riches of God's goodness.
For those of you who recognize your need and who want this mercy from God, I suggest that you pray this prayer:
Holy and merciful God, please forgive my many sins. I have not pleased you with my life. I have too often ignored you. I turn from my sin, and I ask for you to forgive me. I ask for your power to live a new life. I thank you for doing this, as you have promised that you would. I pray in the name of Jesus, amen.
This is the start of an amazing adventure! Please, please write to me (jgapinoy@yahoo.com) and tell me about your commitment. It would make me so happy to learn that you put your trust in Jesus Christ.
Many Americans think that being born in a so-called "Christian country" makes them Christians. Others think that by attending a church that calls itself Christian is good enough, or that by occasionally talking to "the man upstairs" is sufficient. Or trying to follow the Golden Rule or the Ten Commandments.
Jesus was once approached by a wealthy religious man who wanted to know how to enter the Kingdom of God. He bragged that he had been faithful to keep all of God's commandments. Jesus told him that he was still lacking, and he gave the inquirer one very difficult assignment which he didn't even attempt to do. This story illustrates one of the purposes of God's Law--to show us our weakness. The best of us cannot keep the Ten Commandments for one month, let alone keeping the hundreds of commands in the Law for a lifetime. We are all sinners, and we cannot save ourselves from that condition. It's a huge step in the right direction to recognize that. And our sins separate us from a holy, pure, righteous, perfect God. And justice demands that our sins have to be punished.
How then can we be saved from our sins, from this separation, from this punishment? Many years ago, a young lady appeared before a court in California. The judge pronounced a hefty fine as punishment for her humbly confessed infraction of the law. Then he did something unusual for a distinguished jurist--he took off his robe, descended to the woman's side, and handed her enough money to pay the fine. He was her father.
God could have let all of humanity suffer the consequences for our deeds. But because he is so wonderfully merciful, when he saw our desperate condition, that we could not save ourselves, he did something about it. He paid the price we could not pay. God "descended" to Earth, took off his "robe" of glory, lived the perfect life we can't live, and he suffered and died in our place. His pain, our gain. Justice was accomplished, yet mercy was too.
How does one receive this mercy? By faith. Faith in God's ability and willingness to save you. Faith in his guidance and wisdom for your life. Faith in the Heavenly reward he prepares for each one who trusts him. Faith does not earn you anything; it is simply the key that opens up the riches of God's goodness.
For those of you who recognize your need and who want this mercy from God, I suggest that you pray this prayer:
Holy and merciful God, please forgive my many sins. I have not pleased you with my life. I have too often ignored you. I turn from my sin, and I ask for you to forgive me. I ask for your power to live a new life. I thank you for doing this, as you have promised that you would. I pray in the name of Jesus, amen.
This is the start of an amazing adventure! Please, please write to me (jgapinoy@yahoo.com) and tell me about your commitment. It would make me so happy to learn that you put your trust in Jesus Christ.
Friday, August 29, 2008
New Title for jgapinoy: McCain Adviser
When I met Senator John McCain a dozen years ago, I insisted that he should run for President. Though he told me he wouldn't, he did, twice.
I've been saying in my role as commenter for HotAir.com since May that McCain should pick Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his VP nominee. He did.
I'm not normally given to gloating, but when Governor Palin recited one of my favorite quotes today (one that is in the signature of every email I send):
"A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for."
William Shedd, missionary to Iraq, c. 1910,
then I start to really feel an intimate connection to the campaign.
Seriously, to respond to Palin's critics:
"She's inexperienced."
Palin started a fishing business with her husband in 1989.
She was active in her kids' schools and activities, as a PTA member, then PTA local president, hockey "team mom", and basketball coach.
Palin held elected office in Wasilla, Alaska for five years before Barack Obama started his first term as an Illinios state senator; as a city council member (1992-6), then two terms as mayor (1996-2002). She served as president of the Alaska Council of Mayors.
Palin served as Ethics Commissioner on the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. She quickly gained fame as a whistle-blower and reformer.
Palin was elected Governor in 2006.
Being Vice President of the USA means being prepared for the role of President--an executive position--should the need arise. Palin has more executive experience than Barack Obama and Joe Biden combined. As Commander of the Alaska National Guard, Palin has more military experience than Obama. Since Alaska is in between two important countries, she has some international-relations experience. For example, Palin recently negotiated a pipeline deal with Canada.
"She's got a special-needs child."
This is pathetic. The child's father can do much of the parenting. Mommy being the Vice President will certainly not limit the Palins' access to whatever little Trig needs.
"Troopergate."
Palin fired the commissioner of public safety, Walt Monegan, because he refused to fire a state trooper, Mike Wooten, who happens to be the estranged husband of Palin's sister. Is Palin going after an innocent cop to avenge her sibling? Hardly. Wooten drank alcohol while in his patrol car, tased his stepson, shot a moose illegally, and threatened to kill his father-in-law. A state trooper should be fired for any one of these offenses.
I would eagerly vote for Palin as President now. She will be even more qualified after four years as VP.
I've been saying in my role as commenter for HotAir.com since May that McCain should pick Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his VP nominee. He did.
I'm not normally given to gloating, but when Governor Palin recited one of my favorite quotes today (one that is in the signature of every email I send):
"A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for."
William Shedd, missionary to Iraq, c. 1910,
then I start to really feel an intimate connection to the campaign.
Seriously, to respond to Palin's critics:
"She's inexperienced."
Palin started a fishing business with her husband in 1989.
She was active in her kids' schools and activities, as a PTA member, then PTA local president, hockey "team mom", and basketball coach.
Palin held elected office in Wasilla, Alaska for five years before Barack Obama started his first term as an Illinios state senator; as a city council member (1992-6), then two terms as mayor (1996-2002). She served as president of the Alaska Council of Mayors.
Palin served as Ethics Commissioner on the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. She quickly gained fame as a whistle-blower and reformer.
Palin was elected Governor in 2006.
Being Vice President of the USA means being prepared for the role of President--an executive position--should the need arise. Palin has more executive experience than Barack Obama and Joe Biden combined. As Commander of the Alaska National Guard, Palin has more military experience than Obama. Since Alaska is in between two important countries, she has some international-relations experience. For example, Palin recently negotiated a pipeline deal with Canada.
"She's got a special-needs child."
This is pathetic. The child's father can do much of the parenting. Mommy being the Vice President will certainly not limit the Palins' access to whatever little Trig needs.
"Troopergate."
Palin fired the commissioner of public safety, Walt Monegan, because he refused to fire a state trooper, Mike Wooten, who happens to be the estranged husband of Palin's sister. Is Palin going after an innocent cop to avenge her sibling? Hardly. Wooten drank alcohol while in his patrol car, tased his stepson, shot a moose illegally, and threatened to kill his father-in-law. A state trooper should be fired for any one of these offenses.
I would eagerly vote for Palin as President now. She will be even more qualified after four years as VP.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Open Letter to Senator Obama
Senator Obama,
You recently referred to these words of the Lord Jesus Christ as recorded by Matthew:
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Why don't you think this passage applies to unborn babies, whose human rights you have voted against every opportunity you have gotten?
Why don't you think this passage applies to your relatives in the desperately poor Kogelo, Kenya school that you promised to financially help two years ago, which still has not received one dollar from any effort of yours?
Why don't you think this passage applies to your half-brother who lives in a tiny, dirty Kenyan shack?
Senator McCain supports his family members in need. Senator McCain adopted a girl from Bangladesh. Senator McCain has a 25 year pro-life voting record.
You recently referred to these words of the Lord Jesus Christ as recorded by Matthew:
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Why don't you think this passage applies to unborn babies, whose human rights you have voted against every opportunity you have gotten?
Why don't you think this passage applies to your relatives in the desperately poor Kogelo, Kenya school that you promised to financially help two years ago, which still has not received one dollar from any effort of yours?
Why don't you think this passage applies to your half-brother who lives in a tiny, dirty Kenyan shack?
Senator McCain supports his family members in need. Senator McCain adopted a girl from Bangladesh. Senator McCain has a 25 year pro-life voting record.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The Satanists Among Us!
OK, the headline reads like a B movie title, but you'll see what I'm getting at shortly. Most of us don't normally observe anything manifestly satanic, excepting fans of certain genres of rock music. But there is a real Satan who commands hordes of real demons out there. His triumphant exclamation--which might seem like a sigh of despair--is, "Nobody believes in me anymore!" In most of North America and Europe, that is. The devil's strategy here is to convince us that everything is material: there is no spirit, no soul, no purpose for your life; you are no better than polypeptides, protozoans, and protoplasms. In much of Asia, Latin America, and Africa, folks are very aware of the supernatural, but here, science apparently has an explanation for everything.
How can Satanists be so "among us", then? The average Jane or Joe on the street is not consciously devoted to any religion. He or she might say, "I don't follow prophets or priests. I do whatever I want." Uh-oh. That's a religious creed. Anton Szandor LaVey, author of The Satanic Bible, wrote therein, "Do as thou wilt; this shall be the whole of the law." Your self-will is Satan's trophy.
Satan probably does not prowl around in red long johns or cling to a trident. He becomes whatever it takes to deceive you into thinking there's no spiritual world; hence, no God. Thankfully, those who learn the truth and humbly submit to Jesus Christ are given authority over demonic power. And one day Jesus will return to end the reign of sin and death on this world.
Get on the winning team!
How can Satanists be so "among us", then? The average Jane or Joe on the street is not consciously devoted to any religion. He or she might say, "I don't follow prophets or priests. I do whatever I want." Uh-oh. That's a religious creed. Anton Szandor LaVey, author of The Satanic Bible, wrote therein, "Do as thou wilt; this shall be the whole of the law." Your self-will is Satan's trophy.
Satan probably does not prowl around in red long johns or cling to a trident. He becomes whatever it takes to deceive you into thinking there's no spiritual world; hence, no God. Thankfully, those who learn the truth and humbly submit to Jesus Christ are given authority over demonic power. And one day Jesus will return to end the reign of sin and death on this world.
Get on the winning team!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Barack and Forth
Presidential candidates traditionally slide towards the center of the political spectrum after they secure the nominations of their parties. Senator John McCain is no exception--he has admitted to adjusting his views on a couple of issues. But Senator Barack Obama is notable not only in that he refuses to admit that he is moving to the center to make himself more electable (he was named the most liberal senator by the non-partisan National Journal); Obama's shift is astounding in the ever-increasing number of his policies that have been, shall we say, adjusted. Numbers 1 through 18 are in no particular order; these were in the original blog post. Numbers 19 to the end are in chronological order.
1) was against 1990s welfare reform, now for it
2) was for Washington, DC gun ban, now against it
3) was against death penalty for any reason, now favors it for child rapists and Osama Bin Laden
4) was against NAFTA, now for it
5) was against Cuban embargo, now for it
6) promised to accept campaign spending limits/matching funds if McCain did, now refuses to participate even though McCain does
7) was "strongly" against FISA, then voted for it
8) was against homosexual marriage, now supports it (a rare leftward move)
9) was against personally displaying patriotism via flag lapel pins, now wears one
10) was against Jerusalem being the undivided capital of Israel, now for it
11) was for chatting unconditionally with Iran's President AckMyDumbJihad, now for conditions
12) had promised never to "disown" Reverend Wright, now Wright is disowned
13) for 20 years was for family's membership in hateful so-called "Trinity Church", now against it
14) was for mental health exceptions for allowing partial-birth abortions, now against them
15) voted against laws protecting abortion survivors, now for such laws
16) claimed to be for several town hall-style debates with Senator McCain before the conventions, but his campaign later said only one, and only at a time no one would watch (Independence Day)
17) promised to never use negative ads, yet started using them against McCain before McCain went negative
18) was against President Bush's faith-based initiatives, now for them
19) had demanded that Bush boycott Olympic opening ceremonies, then he financially supported the ceremonies by buying advertising time during them
20) was for pulling troops out of Iraq per timetable, with little or no regard to conditions, now "entirely conditions-based"
21) two years ago, promised to bring assistance to impoverished African school where 10 of his relatives attend, but nothing yet
22) said in June that "my party" wouldn't take money from lobbyists, but as of late July his campaign as well as his party have accepted tens of thousands of dollars from individual registered lobbyists
23) was against all offshore drilling, now for it as long as it’s “carefully circumscribed”
24) as of 7/7, was against using oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to bring about a "decrease in gas prices", now for it
25) was for punishing Michigan and Florida delegates by not seating them at the Dem convention, now he wants them seated
26) said in June that "my party" wouldn't take money from PACs, but as of mid-August he's accepting large donations from PACs and unions
27) said before PA primary, no "bagmen"*, but will have them for general election
28) was against 527s (PACs, special-interest groups, and non-affiliated political allies) advertising in his behalf, but now he's allowing it
29) was for raising taxes on many individuals and corporations, but now that the economy is better, he says those tax increases will have to wait until the economy is much better
30) called for bipartisan commission on Wall Street oversight in April, but after McCain recently agreed, Obama rejected the idea as a political dodge ("We'll get back to ya")
31) said every candidate should reveal complete earmark history when it was him vs. Hillary, but now that earmark king Biden is his partner, secrecy is OK
32) 2/11/07: "We... have seen over 3,000 lives of the bravest young Americans wasted." 9/26/08: "No US soldier ever dies in vain."
33) In January, told the San Fran Chronicle he would "bankrupt" the coal industry, but after he won the Dem nomination he came out in favor of coal
The "flip-flops" are coming fast and furious lately, so check back here once in a while as I update the list.
*providing cash to local get-out-the-vote workers who have no accountability and who traditionally pay people to vote
1) was against 1990s welfare reform, now for it
2) was for Washington, DC gun ban, now against it
3) was against death penalty for any reason, now favors it for child rapists and Osama Bin Laden
4) was against NAFTA, now for it
5) was against Cuban embargo, now for it
6) promised to accept campaign spending limits/matching funds if McCain did, now refuses to participate even though McCain does
7) was "strongly" against FISA, then voted for it
8) was against homosexual marriage, now supports it (a rare leftward move)
9) was against personally displaying patriotism via flag lapel pins, now wears one
10) was against Jerusalem being the undivided capital of Israel, now for it
11) was for chatting unconditionally with Iran's President AckMyDumbJihad, now for conditions
12) had promised never to "disown" Reverend Wright, now Wright is disowned
13) for 20 years was for family's membership in hateful so-called "Trinity Church", now against it
14) was for mental health exceptions for allowing partial-birth abortions, now against them
15) voted against laws protecting abortion survivors, now for such laws
16) claimed to be for several town hall-style debates with Senator McCain before the conventions, but his campaign later said only one, and only at a time no one would watch (Independence Day)
17) promised to never use negative ads, yet started using them against McCain before McCain went negative
18) was against President Bush's faith-based initiatives, now for them
19) had demanded that Bush boycott Olympic opening ceremonies, then he financially supported the ceremonies by buying advertising time during them
20) was for pulling troops out of Iraq per timetable, with little or no regard to conditions, now "entirely conditions-based"
21) two years ago, promised to bring assistance to impoverished African school where 10 of his relatives attend, but nothing yet
22) said in June that "my party" wouldn't take money from lobbyists, but as of late July his campaign as well as his party have accepted tens of thousands of dollars from individual registered lobbyists
23) was against all offshore drilling, now for it as long as it’s “carefully circumscribed”
24) as of 7/7, was against using oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to bring about a "decrease in gas prices", now for it
25) was for punishing Michigan and Florida delegates by not seating them at the Dem convention, now he wants them seated
26) said in June that "my party" wouldn't take money from PACs, but as of mid-August he's accepting large donations from PACs and unions
27) said before PA primary, no "bagmen"*, but will have them for general election
28) was against 527s (PACs, special-interest groups, and non-affiliated political allies) advertising in his behalf, but now he's allowing it
29) was for raising taxes on many individuals and corporations, but now that the economy is better, he says those tax increases will have to wait until the economy is much better
30) called for bipartisan commission on Wall Street oversight in April, but after McCain recently agreed, Obama rejected the idea as a political dodge ("We'll get back to ya")
31) said every candidate should reveal complete earmark history when it was him vs. Hillary, but now that earmark king Biden is his partner, secrecy is OK
32) 2/11/07: "We... have seen over 3,000 lives of the bravest young Americans wasted." 9/26/08: "No US soldier ever dies in vain."
33) In January, told the San Fran Chronicle he would "bankrupt" the coal industry, but after he won the Dem nomination he came out in favor of coal
The "flip-flops" are coming fast and furious lately, so check back here once in a while as I update the list.
*providing cash to local get-out-the-vote workers who have no accountability and who traditionally pay people to vote
Monday, July 7, 2008
From the "Highly Recommended" department...
My wife and I went to see Wall-E yesterday. (My kids--age 16 and 13--are too old to want to see a G-rated cartoon, but my wife and I are not. Funny how that works.) We thoroughly enjoyed the film's
--awe (PIXAR's dazzling state-of-the-art animation),
--awwws (The many cute-cute scenes. Even the cockroach--who survives on 700 year old Twinkies--was lovable), and
--haws (there are several hilarious situations).
Some detractors of Wall-E have been distracted by it's alleged environmentalist agenda. Not to worry--the good, clean (I mean morally, not ecologically) fun is all that really comes across.
--awe (PIXAR's dazzling state-of-the-art animation),
--awwws (The many cute-cute scenes. Even the cockroach--who survives on 700 year old Twinkies--was lovable), and
--haws (there are several hilarious situations).
Some detractors of Wall-E have been distracted by it's alleged environmentalist agenda. Not to worry--the good, clean (I mean morally, not ecologically) fun is all that really comes across.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Why Is It Wrong To "Cuss"?
Profanity is often referred to as mature language. Yet I've heard children use these words. Are these kids more mature than their peers? Hardly. It is immature language because:
--cussers don't care if they bother people
(in this, they are on a level with people who pass gas, loudly chew gum, or burp in public),
--cussers don't have the vocabulary to express themselves properly, or they're too lazy to try,
--cussers usually don't even use profane words according to their definitions, and
--cussers often trivialize and disrespect the names and the titles of the awesome and wonderful Lord of Lords.
I don't misuse the names of your loved ones; please don't do so to the one I love more than anyone else.
--cussers don't care if they bother people
(in this, they are on a level with people who pass gas, loudly chew gum, or burp in public),
--cussers don't have the vocabulary to express themselves properly, or they're too lazy to try,
--cussers usually don't even use profane words according to their definitions, and
--cussers often trivialize and disrespect the names and the titles of the awesome and wonderful Lord of Lords.
I don't misuse the names of your loved ones; please don't do so to the one I love more than anyone else.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
The Legacy of Charles Darwin
From Darwin's The Descent of Man:
"With savages, the weak in body or mind are soon eliminated; and those that survive commonly exhibit a vigorous state of health. We civilised men, on the other hand, do our utmost to check the process of elimination; we build asylums for the imbecile, the maimed, and the sick; we institute poor-laws and our medical men exert their utmost skill to save the life of every one to the last moment. There is reason to believe that vaccination has preserved thousands, who from a weak constitution would formerly have succumbed to the small-pox. Thus the weak members of civilised societies propagate their kind. No one who has attended to the breeding of domestic animals will doubt that this must be highly injurious to the race of man. It is surprising how soon a want of care, or care wrongly directed, leads to the degeneration of a domestic race; but excepting in the case of man himself, hardly anyone is so ignorant as to allow his worst animals to breed."
Thus Darwin personally inspired Friedrich "Super-Man" Nietzsche, Adolf "Final Solution" Hitler, Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, and a generation of lesser-know racists.
"With savages, the weak in body or mind are soon eliminated; and those that survive commonly exhibit a vigorous state of health. We civilised men, on the other hand, do our utmost to check the process of elimination; we build asylums for the imbecile, the maimed, and the sick; we institute poor-laws and our medical men exert their utmost skill to save the life of every one to the last moment. There is reason to believe that vaccination has preserved thousands, who from a weak constitution would formerly have succumbed to the small-pox. Thus the weak members of civilised societies propagate their kind. No one who has attended to the breeding of domestic animals will doubt that this must be highly injurious to the race of man. It is surprising how soon a want of care, or care wrongly directed, leads to the degeneration of a domestic race; but excepting in the case of man himself, hardly anyone is so ignorant as to allow his worst animals to breed."
Thus Darwin personally inspired Friedrich "Super-Man" Nietzsche, Adolf "Final Solution" Hitler, Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, and a generation of lesser-know racists.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Plus-Update
My face is still wet with the tears I shed while watching a video--a tribute to one of singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman's three beautiful Chinese-born adopted daughters. I just found out about the tragic, accidental death of five-year-old Maria. Chapman is a tireless advocate for adoption. Why did this happen, God?
God is not offended by the question. He knows what it's like to lose someone--his own Son suffered greatly before enduring a humiliating death. And Jesus did not accept his fate blissfully. But "for the joy set before him, he endured the cross, thinking nothing of the shame". What was the joy set before him? His death paid the price we deserved to pay for our sins. He made a way for us to be forgiven. We can have fellowship with God forever. So good came from bad.
I can't imagine the suffering the Chapman family is living with now. God promises that "those who go forth in tears, bearing precious seed, will come again with joy, bringing their fruit with them". I don't know how God will make good out of bad for the Chapmans. Maybe people will be motivated to adopt because of this, rescuing precious children. Maybe some mourners will draw near to God for the first time at her funeral, finding eternal life. But one thing I do know: the Chapmans will be reunited one day...soon. And God will wipe away every tear.
Update--The Chapmans have asked that well-wishers donate to their adoption-aid charity in lieu of flowers, and more than $500,000 has been raised so far.
God is not offended by the question. He knows what it's like to lose someone--his own Son suffered greatly before enduring a humiliating death. And Jesus did not accept his fate blissfully. But "for the joy set before him, he endured the cross, thinking nothing of the shame". What was the joy set before him? His death paid the price we deserved to pay for our sins. He made a way for us to be forgiven. We can have fellowship with God forever. So good came from bad.
I can't imagine the suffering the Chapman family is living with now. God promises that "those who go forth in tears, bearing precious seed, will come again with joy, bringing their fruit with them". I don't know how God will make good out of bad for the Chapmans. Maybe people will be motivated to adopt because of this, rescuing precious children. Maybe some mourners will draw near to God for the first time at her funeral, finding eternal life. But one thing I do know: the Chapmans will be reunited one day...soon. And God will wipe away every tear.
Update--The Chapmans have asked that well-wishers donate to their adoption-aid charity in lieu of flowers, and more than $500,000 has been raised so far.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
New Attack On Christianity Through "Twistory"
History is littered with attempts to destroy Christianity. Some efforts have been motivated by hatred of God's people (such as Nero's persecutions), and some by the desire to be free from moral accountability ("I suppose the reason we leaped at The Origin Of Species was because the idea of God interfered with our sexual mores"--Sir Julian Huxley, perhaps the leading defender of Darwinism of his time). Whether by brute force, such as in Communist and Muslim nations, or by blatant misrepresentation of the facts of history (Hollywood has been doing this since Inherit The Wind turned the Scopes trial on its head), the Bible and its believers have withstood more abuse than any other world view and group.
I recently encountered another example of the "twistorical" misrepresentation I referred to. Admittedly, an internet-based movie called Zeitgeist had me startled. It's basic argument is that Christianity is entirely based on religions and cults that predate the New Testament. I'm no expert of ancient mythology, so I was unaware of the shuffling of historical "cards" that was going on in the flick. But as I nervously watched the slick presentation, I felt succor in the fact that there are many experts in ancient religions who are devout Christians, and that there must be answers to the accusations posited in the video. Sure enough, I simply entered "zeitgeist rebuttal" in a search engine, and I immediately found this. At this site, you'll find both the movie and a scholarly refutation of the attacks it hurls at God's word. I'm confident that you'll find nothing in Zeitgeist that can stand after careful examination of the facts.
Zeitgeist does more spinning than the cyclone that slammed into Myanmar recently, but because of the efforts of good historians, it shouldn't do nearly as much damage to the precious souls of men and women.
Be advised--some editions of Zeitgeist contain much caustic use of profanity.
I recently encountered another example of the "twistorical" misrepresentation I referred to. Admittedly, an internet-based movie called Zeitgeist had me startled. It's basic argument is that Christianity is entirely based on religions and cults that predate the New Testament. I'm no expert of ancient mythology, so I was unaware of the shuffling of historical "cards" that was going on in the flick. But as I nervously watched the slick presentation, I felt succor in the fact that there are many experts in ancient religions who are devout Christians, and that there must be answers to the accusations posited in the video. Sure enough, I simply entered "zeitgeist rebuttal" in a search engine, and I immediately found this. At this site, you'll find both the movie and a scholarly refutation of the attacks it hurls at God's word. I'm confident that you'll find nothing in Zeitgeist that can stand after careful examination of the facts.
Zeitgeist does more spinning than the cyclone that slammed into Myanmar recently, but because of the efforts of good historians, it shouldn't do nearly as much damage to the precious souls of men and women.
Be advised--some editions of Zeitgeist contain much caustic use of profanity.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Be Happy and Healthy
Several scientific statistical studies show that each of the following is true:
1) Generous people are happier than stingy ones.
2) Forgiveness is healthier than holding grudges.
3) Religious people are happier than the non-religious.
4) Prayer is good for your health.
5) American political conservatives are happier than liberals.
6) Evangelical married people have a higher rate of sexual satisfaction than any other major sociological group.
7) Those living separately before marriage have a much lower divorce rate than those who "shacked up" beforehand.
Most of these findings are quite paradoxical. For example, one would think that people who kept their money would be able to spend it on themselves, and that this would lead to more happiness. Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche taught that if we live selfishly, we would evolve--through the survival of the fittest-- into a race of ubbermensch, or supermen. Nietzsche tried to heed his own advice, and he went quite insane in his latter years.
The way to getting any complex thing to work is to look at the owner's manual. The Bible is the owner's manual for human life. Follow it's teachings, and you will be more able to overcome the adversities of life.
P.S. What does #5 have to do with the Bible? Though there are certainly conservatives who violate the other principles, political conservatism is much more in line with the Bible's wisdom than liberalism. I'll write more about that in the future.
1) Generous people are happier than stingy ones.
2) Forgiveness is healthier than holding grudges.
3) Religious people are happier than the non-religious.
4) Prayer is good for your health.
5) American political conservatives are happier than liberals.
6) Evangelical married people have a higher rate of sexual satisfaction than any other major sociological group.
7) Those living separately before marriage have a much lower divorce rate than those who "shacked up" beforehand.
Most of these findings are quite paradoxical. For example, one would think that people who kept their money would be able to spend it on themselves, and that this would lead to more happiness. Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche taught that if we live selfishly, we would evolve--through the survival of the fittest-- into a race of ubbermensch, or supermen. Nietzsche tried to heed his own advice, and he went quite insane in his latter years.
The way to getting any complex thing to work is to look at the owner's manual. The Bible is the owner's manual for human life. Follow it's teachings, and you will be more able to overcome the adversities of life.
P.S. What does #5 have to do with the Bible? Though there are certainly conservatives who violate the other principles, political conservatism is much more in line with the Bible's wisdom than liberalism. I'll write more about that in the future.
Monday, March 24, 2008
How Do We Know That Jesus Rose From The Dead?
It's quite logical to believe in the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth:
1) Nineteen pagan Roman historians referred to him as a contemporary teacher, as did three non-Christian Jewish historians.
2) None of them refuted the fact that he was executed for his teaching.
3) His disciples taught that they saw him rise from the dead.
4) Most of those witnesses were put to death for their teaching. Why would someone die for what they know is a lie?
5) If the Romans or the Jewish leaders had the body of a dead Jesus, they would have displayed it and stopped this "cult" from spreading "lies".
Happy Resurrection Day!
1) Nineteen pagan Roman historians referred to him as a contemporary teacher, as did three non-Christian Jewish historians.
2) None of them refuted the fact that he was executed for his teaching.
3) His disciples taught that they saw him rise from the dead.
4) Most of those witnesses were put to death for their teaching. Why would someone die for what they know is a lie?
5) If the Romans or the Jewish leaders had the body of a dead Jesus, they would have displayed it and stopped this "cult" from spreading "lies".
Happy Resurrection Day!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
"Uncle" Jeremiah, B.O., & Black Churches
Obama offered a slick speech the other day, trying to recast the hateful-pastor/mentor/"uncle" controversy in the least damaging light. But he immediately turned right around and threw his White grandmother under the bus, calling her "a typical white person" who, because of having been "bred" that way, fears people on the street. Oh, well..it's "just words"...
The problem with huddling together for twenty years with a congregation who thinks just like you is that eventually, you might not know how strange--or even offensive--your thoughts could be to the general public.
The existence of Black churches itself is, in my view, evidence of racism. No more than a very few non-Black churches are shunning Blacks. I've had many Black friends inform me that Black people are much more likely to be racist than Whites.
Admittedly, I've never been in a Black church, but every church I have been in is extremely welcoming to every visitor "of color". I hate the separation, and I think all White Christians agree with me, as do those of other racial backgrounds in non-Black churches.
Why can't we all just get along?
The problem with huddling together for twenty years with a congregation who thinks just like you is that eventually, you might not know how strange--or even offensive--your thoughts could be to the general public.
The existence of Black churches itself is, in my view, evidence of racism. No more than a very few non-Black churches are shunning Blacks. I've had many Black friends inform me that Black people are much more likely to be racist than Whites.
Admittedly, I've never been in a Black church, but every church I have been in is extremely welcoming to every visitor "of color". I hate the separation, and I think all White Christians agree with me, as do those of other racial backgrounds in non-Black churches.
Why can't we all just get along?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Spitzer Spirals Downward--Lessons for You & Me
A story line that goes back to David and Bathsheba and beyond--powerful male gambles everything on a fling in the hay. Yes, many women are attracted to men in power (even if they look like Mr. Spitzer). But it takes two to tango. "What was he thinking?"--the question that always gets asked.
An acquaintance of mine was describing a recent hunting jaunt: The guys were in an open Jeep, scouting for rabbits. They saw a pair mating in the distance. As they approached, the female broke away from the male's grasp to flee for her life, and the male was also running behind her, but not to flee. He soon tackled her and, uh, picked up where they had left off. This gave the hunters a chance to catch up, and soon both of our furry friends were in a stew.
The moral of the story is that sex drive can drive you off a cliff. It's like a drug or alcohol--you do things you otherwise wouldn't think of doing under it's influence. Most guys wouldn't think of using a prostitute, but adultery is like a plague in America's homes, destroying families everywhere.
These three short chapters in the Biblical Proverbs are a powerful antidote to this influence.
An acquaintance of mine was describing a recent hunting jaunt: The guys were in an open Jeep, scouting for rabbits. They saw a pair mating in the distance. As they approached, the female broke away from the male's grasp to flee for her life, and the male was also running behind her, but not to flee. He soon tackled her and, uh, picked up where they had left off. This gave the hunters a chance to catch up, and soon both of our furry friends were in a stew.
The moral of the story is that sex drive can drive you off a cliff. It's like a drug or alcohol--you do things you otherwise wouldn't think of doing under it's influence. Most guys wouldn't think of using a prostitute, but adultery is like a plague in America's homes, destroying families everywhere.
These three short chapters in the Biblical Proverbs are a powerful antidote to this influence.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Senator's Surprising Soft Side
I highly recommend this fascinating look at John McCain's other side. The tough, temperamental war hero/senator can demonstrate "extraordinary kindness". Why doesn't this get more attention? Well, in part, it's because he doesn't seem to want it to.
(for you first-time visitors, click on the underlined word above for the link)
J-Mac's prisoner-of-war heroism was great, but that was a long time ago. So was his ditching of his first wife. I'm more concerned with how someone lives now. McCain's temper isn't that big of a deal--Harry Truman supposedly was a hothead. And as far as I've seen, McCain keeps his anger in check while in public (unlike the spouses of the Democrat candidates for President). If McCain has as much compassion, as much capacity to forgive as the Bloomberg article illustrates, he seems that much more like presidential timber to me.
(for you first-time visitors, click on the underlined word above for the link)
J-Mac's prisoner-of-war heroism was great, but that was a long time ago. So was his ditching of his first wife. I'm more concerned with how someone lives now. McCain's temper isn't that big of a deal--Harry Truman supposedly was a hothead. And as far as I've seen, McCain keeps his anger in check while in public (unlike the spouses of the Democrat candidates for President). If McCain has as much compassion, as much capacity to forgive as the Bloomberg article illustrates, he seems that much more like presidential timber to me.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Obamessiah!
I'm sorry, but I'm not participating in the religious revival known as Obamania. According to those who study Congressional voting records (such as the American Conservative Union-- http://www.acuratings.org/ ) , Mr. Obama is a liberal extremist, even to the left of Hillary Clinton. I don't want the USA to become South Canada.
Dr. Martin Luther King taught us to ignore race when considering the qualifications of a man or woman. But if Obama was a white man with the same credentials (actually, lack of credentials), even if he was as gifted at speaking, he would be ignored instead of being the presidential front-runner.
Dr. Martin Luther King taught us to ignore race when considering the qualifications of a man or woman. But if Obama was a white man with the same credentials (actually, lack of credentials), even if he was as gifted at speaking, he would be ignored instead of being the presidential front-runner.
Monday, February 11, 2008
A Really REAL Reality Show
Let's face it--most of what passes for "reality TV" is really fake. People act differently when they're in front of a camera, and much of it seems so scripted. But there's one program that stands out in authenticity, entertainment, and edification.
When I think of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), I cringe. As a Christian, I'm embarrassed by the network's comical (Jan Crouch refuses to look like a normal grandma) and corrupt (Larry Huch, Paula White, Benny Hinn, etc.) personalities. But there is treasure among the trash. Travel the Road is an amazing adventure every week. The show's premise is simple: two young guys (Tim Scott and Will Decker) with nothing but backpacks and a video camera, traveling throughout Asia and Africa, taking the Gospel to the poor. Over the years, TTR has shown us
-- a macabre ritual involving giving dead people to vultures in Tibet,
-- a man who stole from a church in India, hysterically begging the missionaries to pray for him because his hands have been struck with a mysterious skin ailment,
-- our heroes unarmed and alone in a tent, surrounded by lions all night,
-- Tim and Will trudging through the swampy jungle of Borneo, having to stop and pull leeches out every five minutes,
-- Chinese authorities harassing the missionaries,
-- Siberian thugs threatening to kill the guys,
etc., etc. Like I said, reality and adventure!
In the Phoenix area, TTR is on Channel 21 at 9:30pm Saturdays. Check your local listings.
When I think of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), I cringe. As a Christian, I'm embarrassed by the network's comical (Jan Crouch refuses to look like a normal grandma) and corrupt (Larry Huch, Paula White, Benny Hinn, etc.) personalities. But there is treasure among the trash. Travel the Road is an amazing adventure every week. The show's premise is simple: two young guys (Tim Scott and Will Decker) with nothing but backpacks and a video camera, traveling throughout Asia and Africa, taking the Gospel to the poor. Over the years, TTR has shown us
-- a macabre ritual involving giving dead people to vultures in Tibet,
-- a man who stole from a church in India, hysterically begging the missionaries to pray for him because his hands have been struck with a mysterious skin ailment,
-- our heroes unarmed and alone in a tent, surrounded by lions all night,
-- Tim and Will trudging through the swampy jungle of Borneo, having to stop and pull leeches out every five minutes,
-- Chinese authorities harassing the missionaries,
-- Siberian thugs threatening to kill the guys,
etc., etc. Like I said, reality and adventure!
In the Phoenix area, TTR is on Channel 21 at 9:30pm Saturdays. Check your local listings.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Public Perception is Wrong about the 90s
A Clinton on the campaign trail, as well as some dismal economic news, has some folks pining for the 1990s and the alleged "Clinton economy". Look at these facts to get a better perspective:
--The economic boom of the Reagan era was still going strong into the George H. W. Bush years, but toward the end of his term we finally slid into a recession (I wonder whether breaking his "no new taxes" pledge had anything to do with that?). But the recession's recovery was already strong by the time Bill Clinton took office (Bush's last quarter showed over 4% GDP growth). So Bill inherited a good economy.
--Clinton went too radical too quickly (trying to take over the healthcare industry), and the American people spanked him by voting for the 1st Republican Congress in decades during the mid-term elections. This conservative legislature prevented Clinton from enacting any more significant economic policies except for NAFTA, which never would have made it through a Democrat Congress. NAFTA was--and is--great for our economy.
--This Republican Congress forced some conservative economic policy on President Clinton, most notably welfare reform. Bill vetoed it twice, but was subsequently pressured to sign the popular measure during an election year. Hundreds of thousands of people who had turned the welfare safety net into a hammock were forced to find jobs. They became taxpayers, and their new salaries enabled them to spend more, helping the economy.
--The 90s was the decade of the computer. Nearly every business went digital, exponentially increasing productivity and profits, enabling companies to hire and expand. Businesses weren't the only ones buying from Bill Gates--schools, universities, charities, and households around the world bought American-made computers, pumping more dollars into the economy.
--The downturn that supposedly began during W's 1st term actually had been declining since the previous summer. In fact, Bush (and others) saw it then, but when he warned us about it, he was accused of trying to "talk down" the economy. This downturn was accelerated by the fear, destruction, and insecurity brought on by the 9/11 attacks (Why did you slash the military and intelligence budgets, Mr. Clinton? Why did you refuse--twice!--when the Sudanese offered Osama to you on a silver platter?).
So we see that Clinton cannot take credit for the 90's economic good times.
The U.S.A. is, and has been for many decades, one of the most fiscally conservative countries on Earth. Conservative economic policy defined is basically lower taxes and fewer burdensome regulations on businesses. Other nations have more natural resources than we do, but we prosper more because of our Judeo-Christian morality (which is getting weaker all the time) and economic conservatism (also declining). Exit question: Why try to emulate the weaker economies of the world by voting for Democrats?
--The economic boom of the Reagan era was still going strong into the George H. W. Bush years, but toward the end of his term we finally slid into a recession (I wonder whether breaking his "no new taxes" pledge had anything to do with that?). But the recession's recovery was already strong by the time Bill Clinton took office (Bush's last quarter showed over 4% GDP growth). So Bill inherited a good economy.
--Clinton went too radical too quickly (trying to take over the healthcare industry), and the American people spanked him by voting for the 1st Republican Congress in decades during the mid-term elections. This conservative legislature prevented Clinton from enacting any more significant economic policies except for NAFTA, which never would have made it through a Democrat Congress. NAFTA was--and is--great for our economy.
--This Republican Congress forced some conservative economic policy on President Clinton, most notably welfare reform. Bill vetoed it twice, but was subsequently pressured to sign the popular measure during an election year. Hundreds of thousands of people who had turned the welfare safety net into a hammock were forced to find jobs. They became taxpayers, and their new salaries enabled them to spend more, helping the economy.
--The 90s was the decade of the computer. Nearly every business went digital, exponentially increasing productivity and profits, enabling companies to hire and expand. Businesses weren't the only ones buying from Bill Gates--schools, universities, charities, and households around the world bought American-made computers, pumping more dollars into the economy.
--The downturn that supposedly began during W's 1st term actually had been declining since the previous summer. In fact, Bush (and others) saw it then, but when he warned us about it, he was accused of trying to "talk down" the economy. This downturn was accelerated by the fear, destruction, and insecurity brought on by the 9/11 attacks (Why did you slash the military and intelligence budgets, Mr. Clinton? Why did you refuse--twice!--when the Sudanese offered Osama to you on a silver platter?).
So we see that Clinton cannot take credit for the 90's economic good times.
The U.S.A. is, and has been for many decades, one of the most fiscally conservative countries on Earth. Conservative economic policy defined is basically lower taxes and fewer burdensome regulations on businesses. Other nations have more natural resources than we do, but we prosper more because of our Judeo-Christian morality (which is getting weaker all the time) and economic conservatism (also declining). Exit question: Why try to emulate the weaker economies of the world by voting for Democrats?
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Customer Abuse Awards 2007
The purpose of this post is only to warn the unsuspecting public about dastardly business practices. Based upon my own experiences, here are my nominees for Customer Abuser of the Year 2007:
*3rd Runner-up--World Gym. They require that you give at least 30 days' notice to end your membership. When my daughter and I wanted to quit, we gave written notice more than 30 days early, and they gave us a date on which our membership would end. But they took money from my bank account for another month! When I complained, they refused to refund the cash, but after a big hassle they gave us 30-day passes which I only used three times, because I'm too busy to go--that's why I quit. That bothered us so much that my wife also quit the gym, but they also billed her for an extra month! Obviously it's an intentional way to squeeze one more month's money out of each member. I wonder how many get charged for an extra month without noticing.
*2nd Runner-up--Big O Tire. First, they had my car on the jack for more than an hour, just to install a new tire. Then, when I was finally notified that my car was ready, I stepped out of the store just in time to see their employee "peeling out" in my little Honda. When I complained via e-mail, phone call, and letter, I didn't get even as much as one apology. Lastly, the tire they installed developed a bubble after a few thousand miles and had to be replaced (by a reputable dealer).
*1st Runner-up--Arizona Federal Credit Union. As I was comparing terms of different institutions for my home refinance last September, I saw that AFCU guaranteed for their members that they would beat all other offers or give $500 cash. I didn't think they could beat the offer I had just received, so I carefully followed their instructions to qualify for the $500. I have sent a plethora of faxes, emails, and phone calls their way to prove that I qualify, yet they never even answer. Upon every inquiry, they say they'll get back to me, but never do.
*Winner, Customer Abuser of the Year: the post office. Notice I didn't say U. S. Postal Service--they don't provide sufficient service to qualify for that title. I don't merely write this as a customer, but also as an employee who regularly witnesses the customer abuse.
It's all about the money for the P. O. today. In a fanatical effort to save man-hours, they have prevented employees from providing the service that we once did. Phones ring fifteen times before they're answered. The front window regularly opens eight or ten minutes late. It's common to delay some first-class mail for weeks. They won't hire enough people to get the mail delivered by once-guaranteed 5pm, so we're out until as late as 9pm in some stations. And, because of managerial threats and pressure, we're moving so fast all of the time that we make more mistakes. Congratulations, P. O. You're 2007's big P. U.
*3rd Runner-up--World Gym. They require that you give at least 30 days' notice to end your membership. When my daughter and I wanted to quit, we gave written notice more than 30 days early, and they gave us a date on which our membership would end. But they took money from my bank account for another month! When I complained, they refused to refund the cash, but after a big hassle they gave us 30-day passes which I only used three times, because I'm too busy to go--that's why I quit. That bothered us so much that my wife also quit the gym, but they also billed her for an extra month! Obviously it's an intentional way to squeeze one more month's money out of each member. I wonder how many get charged for an extra month without noticing.
*2nd Runner-up--Big O Tire. First, they had my car on the jack for more than an hour, just to install a new tire. Then, when I was finally notified that my car was ready, I stepped out of the store just in time to see their employee "peeling out" in my little Honda. When I complained via e-mail, phone call, and letter, I didn't get even as much as one apology. Lastly, the tire they installed developed a bubble after a few thousand miles and had to be replaced (by a reputable dealer).
*1st Runner-up--Arizona Federal Credit Union. As I was comparing terms of different institutions for my home refinance last September, I saw that AFCU guaranteed for their members that they would beat all other offers or give $500 cash. I didn't think they could beat the offer I had just received, so I carefully followed their instructions to qualify for the $500. I have sent a plethora of faxes, emails, and phone calls their way to prove that I qualify, yet they never even answer. Upon every inquiry, they say they'll get back to me, but never do.
*Winner, Customer Abuser of the Year: the post office. Notice I didn't say U. S. Postal Service--they don't provide sufficient service to qualify for that title. I don't merely write this as a customer, but also as an employee who regularly witnesses the customer abuse.
It's all about the money for the P. O. today. In a fanatical effort to save man-hours, they have prevented employees from providing the service that we once did. Phones ring fifteen times before they're answered. The front window regularly opens eight or ten minutes late. It's common to delay some first-class mail for weeks. They won't hire enough people to get the mail delivered by once-guaranteed 5pm, so we're out until as late as 9pm in some stations. And, because of managerial threats and pressure, we're moving so fast all of the time that we make more mistakes. Congratulations, P. O. You're 2007's big P. U.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
A Call For An Education Revolution
The New York Times published an error of sorts this week. No, I'm not referring to their loony-left editorial positions. In the Times' "Bestseller List" of published tomes, they did not show the real biggest-selling book. This book outsells everything else, week after week, year after year, century after century. This book has shaped the English language. We quote it or allude to its passages every day. It has impacted many other languages. I think this book has influenced Western Civilization more than anything else. Yet the average school ignores this book.
I can't afford the private schools that give due attention to this banned book, so my children will only learn the dogmas that the establishment permits. And those who can shell out the bucks to send their kids to private schools have to keep paying for tax-funded public schools as well. Anyone (except the most radical of leftists) can see that it's unfair to pay for school twice. And it's not fair for those in poor neighborhoods to be stuck in underachieving schools.
Even though the U.S. spends more per capita on education than any other nation, our kids are regularly surpassed by at least a dozen other countries in science and math test scores.
The solutions: Privatize every school. Vouchers for every child. A bare minimum of government regulation--and that should be local, not federal regulation. Abolish the Department of Education, a money drain which bogs schools down with red tape and squelches innovation. Minimize the influence of the National Education Association (misnomer), which is only interested in accumulating power. The result: the poor will be able to afford good schools. And there will be as many varieties of schools as there of restaurants. If you want to send your child to a school that emphasizes history, you'll be able to find one. Need more language arts and less P.E.? It will be somewhere. And if you happen to be one of those Bible-lovers (gasp!), I'm sure there will be some schools to cater to you (and me).
I can't afford the private schools that give due attention to this banned book, so my children will only learn the dogmas that the establishment permits. And those who can shell out the bucks to send their kids to private schools have to keep paying for tax-funded public schools as well. Anyone (except the most radical of leftists) can see that it's unfair to pay for school twice. And it's not fair for those in poor neighborhoods to be stuck in underachieving schools.
Even though the U.S. spends more per capita on education than any other nation, our kids are regularly surpassed by at least a dozen other countries in science and math test scores.
The solutions: Privatize every school. Vouchers for every child. A bare minimum of government regulation--and that should be local, not federal regulation. Abolish the Department of Education, a money drain which bogs schools down with red tape and squelches innovation. Minimize the influence of the National Education Association (misnomer), which is only interested in accumulating power. The result: the poor will be able to afford good schools. And there will be as many varieties of schools as there of restaurants. If you want to send your child to a school that emphasizes history, you'll be able to find one. Need more language arts and less P.E.? It will be somewhere. And if you happen to be one of those Bible-lovers (gasp!), I'm sure there will be some schools to cater to you (and me).
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Bad or Good?
One of the more odious myths propagated today by the likes of Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins is the belief that religion does more bad than good, and that it is responsible for not much more than war and hatred. This idea first gained notoriety in the late nineteenth century, with philposophers like Fredrich Nietzsche predicting that the increasing popularity of atheism would usher in a new age in the twentieth century. It did...an new age of evil, with more war casualties, more genocide, and more politically motivated killing than the rest of history combined. Atheistic nations like the USSR and Blood-Red China murdered more than fifty million of their own people, as well as aggressively pursuing global conquest. Adolf Hitler*, who was held captive by the doctrines of Nietzsche and Charles Darwin, pulled the world into the worst war ever while murdering millions of Jews. Dictators have turned nations like N. Korea and Cuba into Bible-burning, Christian-torturing prison states. The crimes perpetrated by all of the misguided religionists since the dawn of time put together is a fraction of these godless regimes' wickedness.
Conversely, who are the first to compassionately respond to victims of natural disasters? Who give more sacrificially to the poor than any other group? Who are the most likely to give up successful careers in order to serve the underprivileged full-time? Who are the most likely to adopt one of the world's 143 million orphans? (I could go on and on) Religious people...specifically, the Christians that Hitchens, Dawkins, Stalin, Mao, and Hitler love to hate.
*Hitler made seemingly Christian statements at times, apparently to unite religious leaders behind him. But he was obviously guided in his governance and his lifestyle by Darwin and Nietzsche.
Conversely, who are the first to compassionately respond to victims of natural disasters? Who give more sacrificially to the poor than any other group? Who are the most likely to give up successful careers in order to serve the underprivileged full-time? Who are the most likely to adopt one of the world's 143 million orphans? (I could go on and on) Religious people...specifically, the Christians that Hitchens, Dawkins, Stalin, Mao, and Hitler love to hate.
*Hitler made seemingly Christian statements at times, apparently to unite religious leaders behind him. But he was obviously guided in his governance and his lifestyle by Darwin and Nietzsche.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Help!
I need to find the perfect source of daily news on the internet. I've been going to hotair.com every day for many months, but I'm growing weary of the atheism of their main writer, and the humor is often mean-spirited and occasionally profane. Is there a place out there with up-to-the-minute news, a daily variety of informative or entertaining videos, and commentary from a conservative and/or Christian perspective? If you know of such a site, please leave a comment.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Reformation Day
You won't hear much about this elsewhere with all of the Halloween hooplah going on today, but this is the 490th anniversary of the beginning of freedom of religion, as well as of the transformation of Europe and the restoration of Christianity to its foundational roots. On October 31, 1517, a humble man named Martin Luther nailed a list of 95 complaints on a church door, complaints against the twisted version of Christianity--Dark Ages' Roman Catholicism--that dominated every aspect of European life. Some passerby liked what he read in the document, and he made copies (on that recent invention called the printing press) that would be distibuted from England to Rome. This set off a revolution in theology and government that profoundly affects us today.
Most people, when hearing the name "Martin Luther," would say, "He's the Black civil rights leader who was killed in the 1960s, right?" Dr. King's German namesake did far more to change the world for the better, yet he is so underappreciated. I encourage you to learn more about this flawed but amazing man.
Most people, when hearing the name "Martin Luther," would say, "He's the Black civil rights leader who was killed in the 1960s, right?" Dr. King's German namesake did far more to change the world for the better, yet he is so underappreciated. I encourage you to learn more about this flawed but amazing man.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Presidential Punditry, Polls, and Primaries
Misconceptions are about to be shot down:
1) Focus on the Family founder James Dobson never said that Fred Thompson is not "Christian enough." He said that in his opinion, many in the religious right would not consider him "Christian enough" to vote for. This and a few other intentional mischaracterizations by the "drive-by media" of Dobson's positions have made him the whipping boy du jour for many naive conservatives and some Christians.
2) Rudy Giuliani is not the inevitable G.O.P. nominee. Now he enjoys the united support of social liberals in his party, while social conservatives are split several ways. Once weaker Republican candidates start dropping out, you'll see a uniting of social conservatives behind one man who will hopefully rocket past Rudy.
3) Conservatives can be just as irrational and mean-spirited as many liberals are. I must confess that this was a shocker to me, because my conservative friends are generally rational and rarely spiteful. I'm kinda new to the blogosphere, and I found that trying to explain points 1) and 2) to some posters on right-wing websites was an exercise in futility. I'm disillusioned. I don't know...maybe some of those hatemongers were liberals in disguise, trying to get us divided. But there seems to be too many half-baked haters in the G.O.P. Talk about Republicans acting like Democrats...
1) Focus on the Family founder James Dobson never said that Fred Thompson is not "Christian enough." He said that in his opinion, many in the religious right would not consider him "Christian enough" to vote for. This and a few other intentional mischaracterizations by the "drive-by media" of Dobson's positions have made him the whipping boy du jour for many naive conservatives and some Christians.
2) Rudy Giuliani is not the inevitable G.O.P. nominee. Now he enjoys the united support of social liberals in his party, while social conservatives are split several ways. Once weaker Republican candidates start dropping out, you'll see a uniting of social conservatives behind one man who will hopefully rocket past Rudy.
3) Conservatives can be just as irrational and mean-spirited as many liberals are. I must confess that this was a shocker to me, because my conservative friends are generally rational and rarely spiteful. I'm kinda new to the blogosphere, and I found that trying to explain points 1) and 2) to some posters on right-wing websites was an exercise in futility. I'm disillusioned. I don't know...maybe some of those hatemongers were liberals in disguise, trying to get us divided. But there seems to be too many half-baked haters in the G.O.P. Talk about Republicans acting like Democrats...
Friday, September 7, 2007
A Hero Gets A Promotion
On 9/5, I went to the two news websites I usually check to see what's going on in the world. While they both paid homage to the talented tenor/disgraceful womanizer who had just passed away, both sites neglected to mention what I consider to be the most important milestone of the day--that D. James Kennedy left this Earth after a long illness, and he is now with his Lord. Kennedy did much more good in his lifetime than not only the singer but just about anyone in the world. He personally led many hundreds of people to a relationship with Jesus Christ, he trained many thousands of people to lead countless others to the Lord, and he convinced multitudes of Christians to get involved in public policy. His radio and TV broadcasts have encouraged the faith of millions for decades. He will be badly missed.
A tribute:
http://65.240.226.104:8080/
A tribute:
http://65.240.226.104:8080/
Friday, August 31, 2007
A Tale Of Two Politicians
As I observe the unraveling of Senator Larry Craig, I am reminded of a certain President of the United States. First, the persistent rumors, then an outrageous adulterous sex scandal with accompanying illegalities, and finally, deny-deny-deny. The similarities end there. Because the aforementioned President was a Democrat, his party and much of the media rallied around him, and he is a hero to them today. Senator Craig is a Republican, so he can probably count his defenders on one hand.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Media Misnomers
As someone who calls for such radical policies as the dissolution of that useless behemoth known as the federal Department of Education, as well as legally restoring safety to the most dangerous place in the USA (the mother's womb), the media and culture would call me conservative, not radical. OK, I can live with that. But why are governments like those of Hitler, Mussolini, and Iranian President Ahmadinejad also called either conservative or right-wing? High taxes; severe limits to freedoms of speech, assembly, and the press; gun control; government intrusion into every part of life; nationalization of industries...hardly Reaganesque. Additionally, Hitler and Mussolini were pro-union. And Hitler was pro-abortion. Why are they linked with me as right-wing?
I also object to the symbolic choice of the media to label conservative Republicans "red" and liberal Democrats "blue." In the Revolutionary War, the red-coated British represented much of what liberalism stands for today, and the boys in blue paved the way for those very right-wing documents known as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. And Red China is at the left end of the spectrum.
Media misnomers are not limited to politics. Cursing or profanity are referred to as mature language. I've heard children use those words. Are those children more mature than their peers? Quite the opposite is true. It is immature language, because the users:
--don't care if they bother people
--don't have the vocabulary to express themselves properly, and
--don't even use profane words according to what their definitions are.
I also object to the symbolic choice of the media to label conservative Republicans "red" and liberal Democrats "blue." In the Revolutionary War, the red-coated British represented much of what liberalism stands for today, and the boys in blue paved the way for those very right-wing documents known as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. And Red China is at the left end of the spectrum.
Media misnomers are not limited to politics. Cursing or profanity are referred to as mature language. I've heard children use those words. Are those children more mature than their peers? Quite the opposite is true. It is immature language, because the users:
--don't care if they bother people
--don't have the vocabulary to express themselves properly, and
--don't even use profane words according to what their definitions are.
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