Metallic Pea

I Have MOVED!!

2007-09-26T11:36:00.000-05:00

Due to some of the idisyncricies of this blog that aggravate me, I have moved over to another blogging home. (Be sure to update your links to my blog.)

You can go there by clicking here.

Look At Me Being Serious!

2007-09-24T16:40:00.001-05:00

'The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the LORD’s offering to make atonement for your lives.' ~ Exodus 30:15

God’s providence is an amazing thing. Pastors Anderson and Coleman both addressed issues I had been dealing with recently in Sunday School and the worship service sermon, respectively. Jon, in our discussion on the Westminster Confession of Faith, lectured about the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s illumination to our understanding of the message(s) of Scripture while Pastor Coleman treated us to an expository treatment of predestination, with Ephesians 1:5 as the primary text.

I wrestled with both aspects of truth a great deal throughout my own long journey down the Reformed path that led me to Westminster Presbyterian Church; neither topic, though plainly stated in and/ or deduced from Scripture, are easily understood absent the work of the Holy Spirit. So, I should not be surprised (should not be) when others do not immediately embrace the doctrinal truths we see so clearly before us. Still, the remaining corruption in my flesh erupts just enough to arouse my frustration nearly every time I discuss predestination (or God’s eternal decree) with others—primarily family members for some reason or another.

Just over two weeks ago my mama and step-father came out to the friendly confines of Covenanter Ranch in Iola to visit us. Actually, to be accurate, I should admit that they came to see Gracie Mae; Ashlee and I were incidental to the trip. Near the end of the visit, we began discussing eschatology which eventually led to God’s eternal decree, providence, and predestination. I am fairly certain I performed admirably as it relates to the degree of animation I exhibited—or lack there of, really. I kept my cool (for once) and simply referred to Scripture. I admitted that I can’t understand the concepts fully; however, I explained that I believe very strongly that the Bible is the Word of God and, as it states both God’s direction of all things and man’s responsibility for his actions, it must be true.

As I mentioned above, Jon’s discussion of the WCF touched upon the work of the Holy Spirit as an integral part of understanding—and accepting—the truths of Scripture. In addition, the Confession makes it clear that some parts of scripture, no matter how long or arduously we wrestle with them, may never been clearly revealed or understood.

‘All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.’ (WCF 1.7)

Pastor Coleman’s discourse spoke directly to the arguments my mama and step-father raised regarding predestination—primarily that it doesn’t seem fair nor loving. (Rest assured, they’ll soon have their own shiny new copy of the sermon on CD as soon as it is made available to me.) Yet, for all of my protestations that God is in fact loving—especially in His act of predestination—I missed the crucial evidence in the passage I cited until Pastor Coleman pointed it out in his sermon. You need only retrace your steps backward two words from verse 5 of Ephesians 1 and the proof is right there: ‘In love…’

All of this is to say that I find the combination of the two truths discussed above quite comforting and extremely liberating. There is no need for me to get frustrated nor agitated by another’s failure (or unwillingness) to understand certain passages of Scripture or similarly ‘difficult’ doctrinal positions. God’s Word will not return to Him void nor will the effective call of the Spirit be ultimately resisted. ‘All’ I am commanded to do is share the truth.

God does all of the heavy lifting.
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Those who know me well--and those who have only met me once, really--know that I love playing practical jokes on folks. Here is an example of how you should NOT react when a joke is played on you. (Take a look at his shirt if you want to be even more embarrassed!)

Mrs. Wiggins, please put this in the 'Hyprocrisy File': 'NASA scientist James E. Hansen, who has publicly criticized the Bush administration for dragging its feet on climate change and labeled skeptics of man-made global warming as distracting "court jesters," appears in a 1971 Washington Post article that warns of an impending ice age within 50 years.'

Ron Paul 2nd in Palmetto Family Straw Poll , Columbia, SC

539 total ballots cast:

1st: 206 votes - Mike Huckabee
2nd: 179 votes - Ron Paul
3rd: 43 votes - Fred Thompson
4th: 29 votes - Sam Brownback
5th: 25 votes - Duncan Hunter
6th: 14 votes - Mitt Romney
7th: 12 votes - Daniel Gilbert
8th: 10 votes - John McCain
9th: 7 votes - Hugh Cort
10th: 5 votes - Rudy Giuliani

Beware The Sticky Revolution!!

'The income tax is bad because it has robbed you and me of the guarantee of privacy and the respect for our property that were given to us in Article IV of the Bill of Rights. This invasion is absolute and complete as far as the amount of tax that can be assessed is concerned. Please remember that under the Sixteenth Amendment, Congress can take 100% of our income anytime it wants to. As a matter of fact, right now it is imposing a tax as high as 91%. This is downright confiscation and cannot be defended on any other grounds.' ~ T. Coleman Andrews, former Commissioner of Infernal Revenue Service

'A Christian advocacy group is encouraging military families, and other concerned citizens, to write letters to the Defense Department expressing concern over the recent decision by the Pentagon that allows the sale of certain adult [sic] magazines at military exchanges.'

In reference to the article cited above, I can attest to the prevalence of pornography in the military (at least in the Army). I was exposed to more illicit and profane materials during my hitch in the Army than I ever was before or have been since. Oddly enough, the best thing that happened to protect my eyes and my spirit was being deployed during Operations Desert Shield and Storm, where the Saudi government did not allow such materials into the country. Interestingly, when we were occupying southern Iraq near the town of An-Nasiriyah, a local man named Hussein offered--unsolicited--to bring us pornography (and booze, and pills, and cigarettes) for the right price. (We declined.)

Due to the intricacies of U.S. Copyright Law, which is rivaled only by the IRS tax code, there is presently underway a tooth-and-nail fight over the rights to The Dean Martin Show. My grandmother LOVED that show; my mama said that nobody was allowed to talk during the programme at the risk of being pummeled by Nonnie. (And she would do it, too!)

As the campaign to cook up a pretense for war with Iran gathers steam, please keep in mind that you should not believe everything you read or hear.

Reason 1,094,322 that women should not be law enforcement officers.

Rather than a Just War, it seems that we have just war.

This is just too funny for words.

'Beyond its entertainment value, Baywatch has enriched and, in many cases, helped save lives. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to continue with a project which has such a significance for so many.' ~ David Hasselhoff, Actor

I'll Have the Kriegshund Burger and a Cup of Hot Fat, Please

2007-09-20T07:27:00.001-05:00

'"But now bring me a musician." And when the musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon him.' ~ II Kings 3:15

A prevalent accusation levelled against those of us in the Reformed tradition--and, more often than not, deservedly so--is that of being too cerebral or having an overemphasis on the intellectual aspects of theology and doctrine. I must admit to having a hand in perpetuating that perception and, although I could 'name names' regarding my confederates at WPC, I'll leave that up to the reader to identify those who bear the blame alongside me.

However, though I readily admit the intellectual approach to our faith can be overemphasised, I would also assert with great confidence that it does have its place. Our intellect and capacity for critical thought are gifts from God; after all, He is the author of logic.

Yet, it has been my experience that an all too prevalent approach to our supplications focuses almost exclusively upon the emotional aspects of the faith--at least as much as it concerns those prayers in which we seek guidance or wisdom in specific circumstances, such as job searches, child-bearing or rearing, dating or marriage relationships, etc. By this I mean that the answer we seek--and I am including myself in this discussion--is one of the 'Road to Damascus' variety in which we desire God to provide His answer in some unmistakably overt manner, via anything from an immediate telephone call to His voice emanating from a pillar of smoke hovering just above our house. (Oh, that life's important decisions could always be made by the casting of lots!)

To be clear, I am not denying that God can--and does--use such methods in his Providence to direct and interact with His people to accomplish His purposes. I have often heard those who have said that God 'led' them to such and such decision or they 'felt His call' to make a certain decision. I cannot recall a time in my life in which God has so recognisably dealt with me and my petitions to Him, still, I have no method or authority to discount those types of accounts described above in the lives of others and it is not my intention to here cast doubt upon them.

My point is that I think we sell ourselves short too often when we seek God's counsel as it relates to our ability to act with wisdom. He has given us a tremendous faculty for reason, deduction, and logic. In short, He has, in varying degrees depending upon the individual, given us wisdom--which He intends for us to utilise. I am not advocating that we eschew approaching the bar of Heaven and asking for intercession or guidance; what I am advocating is that we not be so fearful in using the wisdom that God has given us, coupling it with what He has revealed to us as His will in His word, and drawing conclusions or making decisions with confidence.

I have ruminated on this subject for quite some time but my thoughts on this subject re-emerged the other day during my lunchtime men's Bible study on the Book of Judges. In our discussion about God's revelation to Sampson's parents regarding their son's purpose for Israel, it was noticed that the father, Manoah, reacted with a great deal of fear and trepidation while Sampson's mother based her reaction upon her faith--and what she could deduce about the situation based upon what she knew about God. She used the faculties God had given her to assess the situation while Manoah required supernatural authentication to validate God's message. D. M. Lloyd Jones discusses the difference in their reactions thus in 'Facing the Unexpected':

'We must consider what this woman did, and the answer is a startling and surprising one--that she just thought and reasoned. How simple! And yet how we tend to fail at this point ... There is an anti-intellectual spirit with regard to religion. ... The whole emphasis has been placed upon religion as a power which can do things for us and which can make us happy. ... Seeing and observing her husband's collapse ... she doesn't cry or shout ... she thinks, she reasons, she ponders the matter, and with magnificent logic she arrives at the only conclusion that is really valid.' [Emphasis mine.]

All of this is to say that I don't think we should have so little confidence in our God-given abilities to reason and in the wisdom He grants us. Certainly, we should prayerfully seek His guidance and direction; but rather than in a burning bush or an angel from Heaven seizing our knife-clasping hand (which God can and may use at His good pleasure), His answer can often be seen in our ordinary and deliberative attempts to weigh the benefits or deficits of our situtation based upon the gifts He has already bestowed upon us in conjuction with those heavenward petitions.

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Tabula rasa? I don’t think so. I KNEW Gracie Mae had something going on up there!

I was telling some of the folks at church last week about the book on levitation that Ashlee bought me the other day. I haven't been able to put it down.

For quite some time now I have been itchin' to start a bluegrass band. And I've got the perfect name already picked out: Treble Yell! (Can you dig it?)

Speaking of bluegrass bands, one of my old high school buddies was asked to sit in on bass with some of his fellow troops in Iraq and--poof--the Taji Mountain Boys were born.

The following statement has been issued by Michael Anthony Peroutka, the Presidential candidate of the Constitution Party in 2004. He is also co-founder, with his brother Steve, of “Institute On The Constitution.” And he is co-host, with John Lofton, of “The American View” radio show.
I endorse Rep. Ron Paul for President. And I endorse him not because he is the lesser of two evils. A Christian can never endorse any kind of evil. I endorse Rep. Paul because — from a Christian/Biblical and Constitutional perspective – he is, by far, the best candidate running for President.
— Rep. Paul believes, correctly, that the Bible is the infallible, inerrant word of God and thus it is not the role of God-ordained civil government, at any level, to feed, house, clothe or educate anybody.
— Rep. Paul takes his oath to God as a Congressman seriously and believes, correctly, that the Constitution is the highest man-made law in our land, that it severely restricts what the Federal Government can legally do, and it must be obeyed. This is why, as he states on his campaign web site, he has: never voted to raise taxes; never voted for an unbalanced budget; never voted for a Federal restriction on gun ownership; never voted to raise Congressional pay; never taken a government-paid junket; and has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
In addition, Rep. Paul has voted against: the Patriot Act; regulating the Internet; and he voted against the Iraq war. He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program. He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.
— Rep. Paul, again correctly, is truly pro-life and believes that there are no circumstances under which it is OK to murder by abortion any innocent unborn babies.
(The CP is the third-largest political party in the US (366,000 members, more than the LP's 235,000), with almost all of them in California and Nevada.)

'Today, with all of the curriculum that's been developed, [homeschooling is] really quite easy. Not only is it quite easy, one of the biggest problems I have is selecting what I want to do from the wealth of resources that are available," says Shortt.

'Of course, there is a one in ten-thousand chance that, when I push this button, it will be the end of the world.' ~ Manhattan Project physicist Enrico Fermi.

Come you masters of war

You that build all the guns

You that build the death planes

You that build the big bombs

You that hide behind walls

You that hide behind desks

I just want you to know

I can see through your masks

~ Bob Dylan, Masters of War

'Ahhh. The sunshine, the flowers, the birds, the ...

... Mama, wake up!! I want to nurse NOW!!!

Bouquets, Torque Wrenches, and Mushroom Clouds

2007-09-19T07:02:00.001-05:00

'For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: ... a time for war, and a time for peace.' ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8

I should begin by stating emphatically that I am not a pacifist by any understanding of the word. Although I agree that the Lord calls us to turn the other cheek in our personal dealings and not to repay evil for evil, nowhere is it stated clearer in the Word of God that there is a time for war. The Westminster Confession speaks to this issue clearly, as well: '[S]o, for that end, [the Christian magistrate] may lawfully, now under the New Testament, wage war, upon just and necessary occasion' (WCF 23.2). Yet again, the Divines' position is in accordance with Scripture, as evidenced by the Messiah's interaction with the Roman centurion. As one can imagine, this then raises the question: What is meant by 'just and necessary occasion'?

The historical Christian understanding of the Biblical position was delineated by Augustine in The City of God. In that work, Augustine argued that absolute pacifism is not mandated in the Word of God; still, there are certain prerequisites which must be met in order to justify waging war upon another: 1) it must be defensive, declared and carried out by the proper authority, 2) waged as a last resort, 3) proportionate to the threat, and 4) discriminate between combatants and non-combatants.

It is my deeply held view that the current war in Iraq has met none of these criteria (in varying degrees). Iraq had not attacked us (in fact, Saddam was in no position to do so even had it been his intention), there was no imperative to do so, it is obvious that we used a great deal more power than necessary to meet even the purported 'threat', and there have been innumerable instances of failures to discriminate between combatants and non-combatants (admittedly, not all of them deliberate). The last has, sadly, been the most-oft broken of the parameters for Just War. Sherman's March to the Sea inaugurated the practise which was continued as a matter of course. The firebombings of Dresden and Tokyo were horrific enough even without the vaporising of thousands of women, children, and elderly in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. How would you feel if your wife or children were considered 'collateral damage'?

Why do I raise such a tinderbox issue? Is it because I hate America? Of course not! But, as a Christian, I think it is my duty to speak the truth in love when I feel we are going astray. What concerns me even more than the government's application of unjust military action is that a significant portion of the Church (apparently) unabashedly supports that action. We are called to be peacemakers; yet, what I hear increasingly echoing from the halls of our places of worship is the beating of the war drums.

At the Faith2Action 'Values Voters Debate' in South Florida Monday night, only ONE Christian candidate for President of the U.S. stood against the war as unjust--Ron Paul. When he stated his opposition and invoked the name of Jesus--as the Prince of Peace--he was soundly booed by the admittedly evangelical audience! Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas--a Baptist minister, no less--openly calls for NUKING Iran! (How exactly does one distinguish between combatants and women and children in such an action, sir?) The sponsor of the event chided Dr Paul for 'cherrypicking' the peace passages out of Scripture! The bloodlust rampant among many in the Church is horrifying to me.

Let me be clear, I know that not every Christian supports the war and I am also not accusing anyone specifically of seeking the deaths of innocent people. There are many well-meaning Christians who feel just as deeply that the war is just as I do that it is not. I am speaking in generalities merely for the sake of brevity and to form a clear and concise argument. I hope that no one feels personally insulted or attacked, that certainly is not my intention.

Again, I am not advocating that we allow ourselves to be attacked with impunity; turning the other cheek does not require that we do not protect ourselves or the weak and innocent. I would just urge Christians to search the Scriptures for guidance as to when and how we should take such serious action as making war. The Bible tells us there is a time for war. And a time for peace.
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And so it appears that wine snobs are full of cheese (as it were).

‘[The] criteria for a just war do not match what we have been doing in Iraq. Nor are they in harmony with the concept of a preemptive nuclear war against Iran. Yet the Republican presidential candidates who support the concept of preemptive nuclear war also claim to be Christians and men of faith. How can that be? Have they studied Christian just-war theory? Are they even familiar with it? Ron Paul made a very astute observation when he commented: “I have been reading from a different Bible."’” ~ Gary Benoit

Here are 25 skills every man should know. (I've only got about 12 or 13 under my belt.)

Jeffrey Tucker eulogises his father: ‘On occasion I've visited the church I grew up in. No one there today remembers my Father. But they are still singing the songs he wrote.’

'In short, Ron Paul is the only Republican whose positions on the two primary issues are different than Hillary Clinton's stance on them, and, more importantly, are more credible and more popular than Hillary Clinton's. He is the only Republican whose nomination can realistically be considered a potential impediment to what otherwise looks like a Democratic landslide.'

As Christians, we should be ever mindful of how and where we spend our money. This list, in alphabetical order, consists of companies scoring a perfect 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign's 2008 Corporate Equality Index, with policies beneficial toward homosexuals.

My youngest son came home to-day
His friends marched with him all the way
The pipes and drums beat all the time
As in his box of polished pine
Like dead meat on a butcher's tray
My youngest son came home to-day.

And this time he is home to stay...

~ Eric Bogle, My Youngest Son Came Home To-day

The Episcopal Church has fallen and it can't get up.

‘I tried to walk a fine line between acting lawfully and testifying falsely but I now recognize that I did not fully accomplish that goal.’ ~ Former President Bill Clinton

Instant Man. (Just Add Beer.)

2007-09-18T07:19:00.000-05:00

'Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.' ~ Deuteronomy 1:13

I wrote the following poem following a conversation I had with a co-worker after she remarked about my abnormally large Robert E. Lee coffee mug. I mentioned to her that family legend suggests that I am a descendant of the great general (from his brother's line I believe). Her reply, influenced no doubt by her Yankee roots in Michigan and dripping with blue-belly cynicism, came sharply: 'Everyone in the South says they are related to him.' Hence, my inspiration to compose the following missive. I should employ the following caveat: my intent was not to be snide nor prideful. I hope y'all enjoy it.

EVERYONE'S A LEE
by R. Matthew Lee

From the Texas Hill Country to the Virginia sea
Dwell scores of relations to Robert E. Lee
Singing high in proud tones, in insistent refrains
"'Tis the General's blood that runs through our veins!"
Through mother or father, most cannot recall
But certain, they are--he's the root of them all!
'Twas their aunt who first told them (or another relation)
Though few can produce the documentation
They revel and boast of the General's fame
And attach themselves fiercely to the Patriarch's name
Should any dare question Marse Robert's reputation
They bristle and spit with high indignation
"History can boast of few men of such worth!"
Speaks one of the millions of his kinsmen by birth
Another nearby replies, "It is true!
("The Old Grey Fox is my ancestor, too!")
One cannot--one should not--accuse or lay blame
To one for desiring to lay claim to the name
Good Sons of the South all seek but to shine
By boasting aloud that they come from his line
Yet if all who lay claim to his family tree
Indeed were aright, we'd all be a Lee!

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CROC ALERT!! Your shoes could be dangerous to your health!

In a related story--they now have Crocs for Docs!

‘True Christians," [Ron Paul] said, "believe that marriage is a church function. It's not a state function. I don't think you need a license to get married.’

I couldn’t agree more. That’s why Ashlee and I did not apply for nor obtain a marriage license.

A WEENIE ROAST AT THE DABNEY FAMILY REUNION.

Check out this HILARIOUS video of an interviewer who can't stop laughing at a man’s (unexpectedly) high pitched voice. (It's in a foreign language but still very funny!)

‘The message is, "Don’t Serve Alcohol to Teens. It’s unsafe. It’s illegal. It’s irresponsible." We Don't Serve Teens is a national campaign on the part of the Federal Trade Commission.

'So 18-year-olds and 19-year-olds (and even 20-year-olds) are teens, correct? According to this government campaign they are. But what about this government campaign known as Selective Service? According to the Imperial Branch of government, teens are "men." Under the "Who must register?" guidelines, everywhere it mentions those who must register, they are referred to as "men." Disabled men. Hospitalized men. Men who would be classified as Conscientious Objectors. Men, men, men, men, men. Men from 18 to 25 years of age. An 18-year-old is a teen if he drinks a beer, and he is a man if he puts on the conqueror's camouflage and learns to kill for the state.
And it's apparently not irresponsible or unsafe to yank these same teens men from their homes against their will (draft anyone?) and send them off to foreign lands to conquer, be conquered, and kill the enemies of the United Imperial States.
It's irresponsible to give those same men teens a Budweiser, however.'

‘Changing the definition of what chocolate is would be a mistake.’

'I haven't committed a crime. What I did was fail to comply with the law.' ~ David Dinkins, Former New York City Mayor, answering accusations that he failed to pay his taxes.

If men made clothing.

'I Study Nuclear Science, I Love My Classes; I've Got a Crazy Teacher Who Wears Dark Glasses...'

2007-09-14T19:33:00.000-05:00

'A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.' Proverbs 13:22

I have written and spoken ad nauseum regarding the danger of debt and living beyond our means. Besides being unwise--and making us slaves to our debtors--our economic consumption (perhaps over consumption is more accurate) can send the wrong message to the world. The problem arises when our lives reflect a sense of opulance to the world rather than modesty and biblical stewardship of the resources given us by God.
With that in mind, it is important to stress that saving--while also fiscally wise--is a biblical mandate, as well. More importantly is for what--and whom--we are saving. In our house, we have two savings accounts; we have one designated as the 'General Fund' and another that we keep for our child(ren). Those who know me know that I place a great deal of importance on the wisdom of our forefathers. They utilised the accumulated the wisdom of the ages (improving upon it as necessity and experience dictated) to their and their families' advantage. In that vein, we have decided to lay aside a portion of our earnings each month so that our daughter(s) will have a dowry and our (Lord willing) sons will have seed money to assist them as they begin their families.
While we place a great deal of emphasis on self-reliance (within reason) and self-sufficiency (see I Thess. 4:11,12), we also hold dear the biblical mandate to care for the generations that follow us. Teaching our children the wisdom of biblical financial stewardship coupled with a gift upon their wedding days will, Lord willing, bless them and serve them well all of their days.
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‘British scientists are using a giant instrument - in essence an extremely powerful torch and microscope combined - to read [the Dead Sea Scroll] parchments that are too brittle to unroll or unfold.’

Ok, pencils? Check. Notepads? Check. Plutonium? Uh-oh.

Well, what would you do if a lizard jumped on you suddenly?

'In short, Ron Paul is the only Republican whose positions on the two primary issues are different than Hillary Clinton's stance on them, and, more importantly, are more credible and more popular than Hillary Clinton's. He is the only Republican whose nomination can realistically be considered a potential impediment to what otherwise looks like a Democratic landslide.'

A home schooling expert says that churches are Missing in Action in the education of our children. (He has obviously never visited Westminster Presbyterian!.)

You'd never see a kid doing this in a home school!

“Dishonest Abe invested in land in Council Bluffs, Iowa, of all places, in 1857. To this day this piece of land is known as ‘Lincoln’s Hill.’ When he became president one of his first official acts was to call a special session of Congress to begin work on the Pacific Railway Act that would shower railroad corporations with government subsidies while they built a transcontinental railroad line. When Congress finally passed the bill in 1862 it gave the president the right to decide the eastern terminus of the line. And guess what? Dishonest Abe chose Council Bluffs, Iowa. What a coincidence, and what a good example of political insider trading.”

'All you have to do is go down to the bottom of your swimming pool and hold your breath.' ~David Miller, U.S. Department of Energy spokesman, on protecting yourself from nuclear radiation.

This video of George W. Bush bloopers is especially for Marian. (But others may feel free to look, too.)

Here is a really neat web site that keeps track of mistakes and errors in movies and tv shows. It is fun getting out your 'Gladiator' DVD and looking for the camera crewman wearing a t-shirt and jeans in the big battle scene at the beginning!

Husband of the Year giving his wife and mother-in-law a ride to work:

You're Gonna Be Free and You're Gonna LIKE IT!!!

2007-09-12T06:31:00.001-05:00

'If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.' ~ Hebrews 12:8

We had a really enjoyable and sanctifying small group meeting last evening at the Kimballs' house (along with the Ayers family). The gist of the study was regarding our tendency as sinners to justify ourselves before God by our good works or our (perceived) adherence to the Law. On the one hand, our good works cannot earn us salvation; that is a gift from God and has nothing to do our abilities (Ephesians 2:8,9). In addition, although our good works should be a response to God's grace and an demonstrative sign of our faith (see the Book of James), even they are, more often than we would like to admit, done with the improper motive, i.e., self-aggrandisement or reputation-building. Pride is an evil taskmaster.
As C. H. Spurgeon wrote, 'Had not Jesus interposed and wrought out a wealth of merit, our tears of repentance would have been so much water spilled upon the ground.'
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'Religious radicals have threatened to burn a Christian church's pastor and his family, and the church building was vandalized with a Hindu "Om" symbol, according to the Voice of the Martyrs, the worldwide ministry to persecuted Christians.'

Here is somethign for Rachel, Marian, and Hannah. Y'all should be able to get the family laundry done in no time!!

“Forget about Indiana Jones and the City of Gods or even Indiana Jones and the Destroyer of Worlds, two of the potential names registered by producers Lucasfilm Ltd. The next movie featuring the two-fisted adventurer will be called Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”

‘Democracy is not a quality that can be imposed by war. The attempt to do so has always met with failure. Democracy can spring only from within a nation itself, only from the hearts and minds of the people. It can be spread abroad by example, but never by force. The strength of a democracy lies in the satisfaction of its own people. Its influence lies in making others wish to copy our American system of government, we cannot force them to copy it by going to war …' ~ Charles Lindbergh (1941)

They say that sports are a metaphor for life. Let's hope not.

'Malaysia’s government ordered a Tamil-language daily to immediately halt publication for a month as punishment for printing an image of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette, an official with the newspaper said.'

Here is the video clip that had everybody laughing. Remember: Language is important!

I fully expected to see Kevin Ayers' name in this story. (Just kidding, Kev!)

'The result of [Mike] Huckabee's imprudent decision to take on Dr [Ron] Paul was as predictable as a clash between a ring bologna and a freshly sharpened slicer.' ~ William N. Grigg

When will the madness end?

'Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it.' ~ Dan Quayle, former U.S. Vice President

'OK, can you pull forward just a little … wait, wait, WAIT!!'

I Imagine It's a Series of Tubes...

2007-09-08T09:32:00.000-05:00

'A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.' ~ Proverbs 18:24

The WPC Men's Ministry Pseudo-Semi-Bi-Annual-Yearly Steak & Game Night was held Friday evening and was quite the good time. We had reckoned that somewhere around 30 men would attend; in fact, we had over 50 sign up, of which a bit more than 40 showed up. Praise the Lord!Building the Men's Ministry continues to progress nicely. Our aim, with God's grace, is to build relationships between the men of the church through formal activities which then foster closer, personal relationships among the men with the result of friendship, fellowship, Christian education, mentoring/ discipleship, and accountability--all to the glory of God.

The greatest challenge has been to integrate the college-age men with the Old Fogies. We had a great showing of about 15 or 20 of the former last night and we all appeared to have a great time of food (Pat Wells and Uncle Norvie CAN GRILL SOME STEAK, Y'ALL!), devotional (Jon brought yet again a great message biblical application), games, and conversation. There was a slight delay with the presentation of dessert due to my inability to distinguish between directions for a convection oven vs. conventional oven on the back of the cobbler boxes, but all's well that end's well!

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Apparently, the Secular Establishment in certain Indoctrination Camps--I mean universities--believe that the centuries old Christian practise of foot washing is a health hazard? Sometimes I just shake my head in wonderment at how stupid they think we are.

The Reverend R. L. Dabney wrote: 'When you elevate a bad man [to public office], you give to him a hundred-fold more power of example to corrupt your sons, and your neighbour's sons by his evil acts. Those acts are a hundred-fold more conspicuous and more weighty to attract notice and imitation than if you had left him in his deserved obscurity. When you delegate your money, influence or civic power to a bad man, you make his wicked official acts and influences your own; he is your chosen agent, and acts for you, and be assured a jealous God will not forget to visit the people for the guilt thus contracted.'

Still, Rev. Dabney's advice notwithstanding, half of those polled recently would support a God-denier for President of the United States.

Here is a story about shopping from home via computer--made in 1967!!

David vs. Goliath? NO! It's Ron vs. the Huckster!!

"When you have the [U2] music there, the church becomes more personal. It's music they like," said Edwin Morlu, 16, one of the church's members. "They can hear it while still being able to hear the message and spread it in a more fun and enjoyable way."

Patriotism--Origin, Greek patrios: of one's fathers.

"[Edward] Gamble says the major fallacy is that there is any such thing as an education that can be secular. 'Scripture doesn't know anything about any part of our lives being secular,' he states. 'Everything's sacred.'"

'[God] has not given you your children and the means to support them simply so that you may do with them as you please, or train them just to get ahead in the world. You have been earnestly commanded to raise them for God's service.' ~ Martin Luther

'What the [Texas Supreme] court said, 8-to-0, is I think true -- which is that really the state has no business, no competence, no authority to come in and try to tell churches and seminaries how to train pastors for the ministry," says Shackelford. "This is an area where the state has zero authority to intervene, and if they do so they violate the free exercise of religion."

Well, they have to be told something!!

Why Don't You Just Make 10 Louder?

2007-09-05T21:17:00.001-05:00

'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.' ~ Ephesians 4:29

I don't know whether to be saddened or maddened by the idea of what passes for 'poverty' to-day. A recent study indicates that folks in the United States who live below the so-called 'Poverty Line' own their own homes with air conditioning, a car, cable television, and cell phone (among other luxury items)--and the vast majority report that they never worry about from where their next meal will come. I have a difficult time acknowleging that as 'poverty.'
As Brian Franklin can attest from his mission trips to Peru and especially India, there are folks who truly fit the definition of POOR in the world--if you dare look for (or at) them. During the 1930's Charles Lindbergh travelled the world--more so out of desperation to escape the American tabloid media than out of a sense of adventure, though the latter played its part--and his descriptions of what he saw would prick even the most hardened of hearts:

Calcutta struck us with the full force of the poverty of India's masses. Human life had here sunk to levels we had never seen before. Ragged, hungry people milled back and forth on filthy streets. Cripples sat on curbstones. Scabby, thin-legged children followed us with outstretched hands. At night, we stepped around stretched-out sleeping bodies on the sidewalks close to our luxurious European-style hotel. "You never know the difference," we were told, "but sometimes one of them is dead."

THAT, my friends, is poverty--poverty in body and spirit.

I pray, Lord, that my people never know such poverty; but above all, I pray that we would continually praise Your name for the blessings you have bestowed upon us--blessings we do not deserve--and that we will find joy, contentment, and thanksgiving in all circumstances, whether in plenty or in want.
---------------------------------

Ron Paul won the Fox News Debate Poll hands down!!

Oh, they tell me that He smiles on His children there,
And His smile drives their sorrows all away;
And they tell me that no tears ever come again
In that lovely land of uncloudy day.

Oh, the land of cloudless day,
Oh, the land of an unclouded sky,
Oh, they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,
Oh they tell me of an uncloudy day.
~ Willie Nelson, Uncloudy Day

“We’re kicking a** in Iraq.” ~ Our Christian President

But these go to ELEVEN!!

I TOLD you I had a giant head as a child!!

The Ladies Against Feminism offer sage advice to the men of the Church: 'Patriarchy has been dubbed a movement, primarily by opponents within the Church. I'm not sure why they object to the idea that a wife ought to submit to her husband, since the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church. The idea is not exactly a new one and Paul, being inspired, said some pretty smart stuff. Apparently they see dangers in Paul's position. Do they think God took a break from inspiration here and Paul kept right on talking?'

For the hunters out there, here are some photos of Craig Biggio's deerstand in South Texas. (He is second baseman for the Houston Astros for those who don't recognise his name.)

I don't know how he gets any hunting done in the midst of all that luxury!

'No man is fit for the care of souls, except he is deeply imbued with scriptural piety and grace. He must have a faith firm as a rock, and humble as strong, with profound submission to the divine will, which will calm him amidst all delays and all discouragements that God will bless his own word in his own chosen time. He must have that self-abnegation which will make him willing to bear the evil repute of an unfruitful ministry, if the Lord so ordains, and unblenchingly refuse to resort to any unauthorised means to escape this cross. He must have the moral courage to withstand that demand of ill-considered zeal in his brethren, parallel to the ardor purus civium juvenium in politics. He must have the unflagging diligence and love for souls which will make him persevere in preaching the gospel publicly, and from house to house, under the delay of fruit. Nothing can give these except large measures of grace and prayer.' ~ Rev. R. L. Dabney, Spurious Religious Excitements

Will you look at that 1989 Hair?

(Still, I make no apologies for the teal bowtie!)

When Our Sons Turn 18...

2007-09-05T11:17:00.001-05:00

'Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually.' ~ Psalm 140:1,2

I am continually amazed at how much personality Gracie Mae has at such a young age. Although it is still emerging and shows similarities in varying degrees with ours, her personality is distinct and intense.

Detectable--alas, all too often--are my qualities of hammy-ness (is that a word?) and a stubborn streak bigger than Dallas. Couple that with my tendency to find trouble and she's in for a tough row to hoe. From her mother she gets her tenderness and general inability to awaken without some degree of crankiness and difficult-to-shake lethargy. And let's not forget those eyes; those are DEFINATELY from her mama. (They are the first things that attracted me to her years ago.)

That ebullient personality, replete with zany-ness (again, is that a word?), was on prominent display yesterday evening. I will sometimes, for no particular reason, pick up my guitar and play while sitting on Ashlee's cedar hope chest in our bedroom. Ashlee came in with Gracie Mae in tow and both of them sat on the bed as I played. (That may not be the best term; I was making noise, at least.) Gracie Mae will often 'dance' while I play (this usually entails holding her hands up and swaying at the hips VIOLENTLY); but when I burst into the bluegrass classic 'Rocky Top' (insert shout-out here to Pastor Coleman) she went bananas! She took to dancing like she had ants in her pants, laughing hysterically the entire time. Was it just 'Rocky Top? No--same result with 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' and 'Seven Bridges Road.' We've got a genuine hick on our hands! (And her daddy couldn't be prouder.)

We just might have to take that show on the road...

-----------------------------------------

‘There are currently 40,213 Ron Paul Meetup members while Barack Obama, the candidate with the second best Meetup organization, has [only] 5,801 members.’

All of these ‘scientific studies’ are driving me mad. Eggs good. Eggs bad. Coffee good. Coffee bad. Now they tell us that microwave popcorn can give you cancer.

‘Three dozen members of one Christian church in Iraq disappeared over the course of a week, and only one returned, according to a minister who is warning of the increase of persecution of Christians in that violence-ridden nation.’

The U.S. Constitution is an amazing document—it even protects U.S. Senators against arrest for public abominations!

'But why aren't the seekers coming? They like pop music, so we give them pop music. They like stories so we give them dramas. They like anonymity, so we let them have it. They like convenience, so we'll change their oil while they're here (this by the way is being done). The problem is that we can do none of these things as well as the world can. Why get up on a Sunday morning and drive somewhere to listen to pop music, when it’s as close as my stereo? Why settle for cheesy scripts and sets when the television does it so much better? Why spend an hour getting an oil change when the pros can do it in ten minutes?' ~ R. C. Sproul

‘If this war continues much longer, there will be people in this audience [or reading this blog] who will serve in the military, who also may be going over there (in Iraq) or to Afghanistan," McCain told the high school students.’

Hey, Laaaaaady!!

2007-09-04T12:35:00.000-05:00

'We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.' ~ John 9:31

Another Labour Day has come and gone and with it another Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. When I was young, I remember that my grandmother would watch the telethon religiously every year, watching nearly every minute of the 24-hour long programme. Those days are long gone and I haven’t watched more than a few minutes of it total in the past 20 years or so due to other priorities coupled with the fact that most of the ‘entertainers’ on the show haven’t been popular since Carter was president. Yet, I found myself watching a few minutes of it yesterday—due in no small part to the fact that we receive only one channel on our television and it happens to be the one that carries the telethon.
Those who know me well will understand when I say that show such as that sadden me and for obvious reasons. It breaks my heart to see people suffer from debilitating diseases and my pity and sorrow is only compounded when it is children who are suffering. It is difficult for me to watch the stories without a wrenching of my heart. I thank God that Gracie Mae is healthy and I pray for those kids and their parents, that God will grant them grace, comfort, hope, and stamina as they deal with the hardships of everyday life caused by muscular dystrophy.
And I am sad for another reason. It is undeniable that Jerry Lewis has done an immense amount of good for those struggling with MD. He has given countless hours of his time and raised millions upon millions of dollars over the past 42 years in the search for a cure those stricken. In addition, his compassion and genuine care for the children is obvious; even the casual observer can immediately recognise that his love for them and his zeal for a cure is no act. It is, indeed, admirable.
Yet, all of the money he has raised and the thousands of hours he has given are as filthy rags to God. Though, to the human eye, Mr Lewis has toiled unselfishly in his work for the MDA, to God, even such actions that we would laud are wicked when done in the absence of the proper motivation: to honour God through Jesus Christ. Jerry Lewis, though well intentioned, is not a Christian and, therefore, his good works are not acceptable to our holy and righteous God.
The Westminster Confession of Faith states it better than I ever could: Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands; and of good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God: and yet, their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.
To be sure, there are innumerable people in the world who give enormous amounts of time and treasure in helping others. From a Christian perspective, I can certainly understand why God would reject such things—it goes against His character—and I am very thankful to Him that His common grace to all of us allows even the wicked to do us and others worldly good. But, from a human perspective, it saddens me to know that they labour in vain. And that is perhaps the primary reason I no longer watch the Jerry Lewis Telethon. It’s just too sad.
----------------------------

"Contrary to what many Christians have been led to believe, there is no such thing as a 'neutral' education," Shortt writes. "All education is religious and conveys a worldview, and there is no more important decision that we make as parents than how we educate our children."

I have a delivery for a Mr Harry Potter. Sign here please.

And the king of Israel answered, "Tell him, 'Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’” ~ I Kings 20:11

'Dear Dave, I'm the pastor of a Midwest church. Do you think it's morally OK for someone in my position to want to become a millionaire as long as the desire isn't motivated by greed?'

'Confident of victory this fall on the Hill, Bush is now moving into Phase III in his War on Terror: First, Afghanistan, then Iraq, then Iran.'

‘Well, I’m-a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona; such a fine sight to see…’

Eee-Yow, Brute!!

2007-08-31T16:14:00.000-05:00

May his days be few; may another take his office! ~ Psalm 109:8

Last evening I taught the 10 & 11 year-olds Covenant Kids class in Mr Gustafson's stead while he was away dropping Paul off at Princeton. (As an aside, I am very impressed with Paul and wish him Godspeed in his collegiate career.) The class is somewhat small; present were Anne Michal, the Austins (Ayers and Coats), Colin Lee, and Joshua Coleman.
I cannot express enough how impressed I am with those kids. Not only were they able to recite one of the longer passages from the Westminster Shorter Catechism (What is the Second Commandment?) but they understood and, more importantly, could vocalise, the concepts behind it and the applications and implications in their lives. I was very impressed but I was also filled with a sense of hope in the future of our church body.
--------------------------

Yeah! It’s FINALLY here!!

Hello, I have a collect call from a Mr Potter. Will you accept the charges?

PRAISE THE LORD for our freed Korean Christian brothers and sisters!!

You know we're living in strange times when James Hoffa starts making sense: 'This is a conspiracy of big business. They want to erase the borders.'

‘As Christians we believe that this philosophy is false and not something we wish to encourage. Yoga is encouraging people to think that there is a way to wholeness of body and mind through human techniques - whereas the only true way to wholeness is by faith in God through Jesus Christ.’

Hey, Kiersten—at least the spiders at your house don’t do this.

Take a look at The Politically Incorrect Guide to the U.S. Constitution.

This is what happens when we don’t take the Second Commandment seriously. The result is that man reduces (if such a thing were actually possible) the Creator of the Universe to a child’s play toy. It’s very sad indeed.

‘We have asked the Justice Department to enforce the partial-birth abortion ban since the Supreme Court ruled that the law was constitutional," she explains. "But so far our requests for enforcement of that law have been met with a deafening silence by Alberto Gonzales. And so we believe if he's not willing to enforce the law of the land, he shouldn't be attorney general anyway.’

‘Julius Caesar lay dead and Brutus was talking to his co-conspirators [sic] about swords and blood when he paused and excused himself, saying "I seem to have stabbed myself."’

The world is not such a complicated place. Lew Rockwell has a Thirty-Day Plan to Fix the Country.

I know I’m near the holy ranks
Of friends and kindred dear—
I hear the waves on Jordan’s banks,
The crossing must be near.

I’ve almost reached my heav’nly home,
My spirit loudly sings;
Thy holy ones, behold, they come!
I hear the noise of wings.

Oh, come, angel band
Come and around me stand.
Oh, bear we away on your snow white wings
To my immortal home.
~ The Stanley Brothers, Angel Band

'In the next place, the distinction betwixt the doctrines of justification and sanctification turns upon the distinction betwixt pollution and guilt. Sanctification is an inward subjective change, removing the stain or filth of sin, and restoring the image of God in knowledge, righteousness and holiness. Justification is an external change, touching our relations to the law, and removes the guilt and condemnation under which we lie. Sanctification infuses habits of grace - justification cancels the necessity of punishment. Sanctification conforms us with the precept - justification delivers us form the penalty of the law. One deals with the stain - the other with the guilt of sin.' ~ Rev. James Henley Thornwell

Here's a picture of my mama when she was a year old. I think Gracie Mae bears a striking resemblance. What think thee?

Can I Give You a Reich?

2007-08-30T11:13:00.000-05:00

'In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.' ~ I Corinthians 9:14

A buddy of mine at work told me a funny story yesterday that I thought I would share in the hopes of providing some 'chuckle time.'It seems that he asked his girlfriend to go to his house and take some fish out of the freezer to thaw and then he would grill it for them to eat when he got home from work. Now, my buddy is quite the sportsman, so I can only imagine the amount of venison and fish she had to wade through in his freezer. When she called him later at work he asked her if she had taken out the fish. She replied that she had and that she hoped she had taken out the right kind. When he asked her what she meant, she replied that she was pretty sure he didn't want her to take out the 'crappy' fish. After he stopped laughing, he told her that 'crappie' (pronounced croppy) is a type of fish--not how it tastes!
--------------------------

And now, this report from the Department of Legalism: ‘Most of the 56 owners in Berkshire E are Orthodox Jews barred for religious reasons from pushing the buttons on their elevator during the Sabbath, which runs from Friday evening to Saturday evening.’

Score one for modesty! ‘”I’m tired (of) looking at behinds,” Shreveport Councilwoman Joyce Bowman said after Tuesday’s 4-3 vote to ban fanny-flaunting trousers.’

‘Western sections of the Great Wall of China are being reduced to "mounds of dirt" by sandstorms and may disappear entirely in 20 years, a report said Wednesday.’

Well, knock me over with a feather! This sure is news to me!!--‘Ole Anthony, president of the Dallas-based Trinity Foundation, believes the Whites’ situation has “something to do with this ‘prosperity gospel,’” which he says results in many televangelists being treated like superstars and, as a result, losing their focus.’

Well, with gas prices as high as they are:

This article may make a lot of people angry. So, if you read it, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

You Can't Hide Your Lion Eyes

2007-08-29T12:21:00.001-05:00

'Behold, he scatters his lightning about him and covers the roots of the sea.' ~ Job 36:30

Brian Franklin posted on his blog that he was struck by lightning yesterday! Praise the Lord he is alright and none-worse-for-the-wear. (I have often wondered why they use metal in umbrellas.) Although we understand (and have great hope in the fact) that God sovereignly controls everything, it is still somewhat rattling when something like that happens. We're glad that you're OK, Mr Franklin!! (And we're also grateful your fender-bender wasn't very serious either!)

Since he is unscathed, I don't think Brian would mind if I posted the dialogue from a scene from one of my favourite movies that relates to the topic:

Bartender: He's been struck by lightning... how many times has it been now, Reg?
Reg: S-s-s-s-s-s-s-six...
Chet: Wow! Six times?
Reg: S-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-six…sixty…sixty-six times. In-n-n-n-n-n-n-In-n-n-n-n-n-n-In-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n the head!!
~ The Great Outdoors

'Drinking sweet tea is one of the oldest and most exceptional Southern traditions. As Dolly Parton's character in Steel Magnolias puts it, it's the "house wine of the South”.’

I KNEW IT--I TOLD YOU SO!! I TOLD YOU SO!!

‘But for those who have asked, I freely confess that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, and that I seek His guidance in all that I do. I know, as you do, that our freedoms come not from man, but from God.’ ~ Ron Paul (Republican candidate for President)

Have you ever seen a liger (part lion, part tiger)?

‘It is the key that had the potential to save the Titanic.’

"It's clear what happened. CAIR pressured CBS in New York to take us off. I have always dealt with the issues of the day from a biblical worldview on my program," Keller told WND. "[The Bible] calls Islam a false religion. They took great offense. CBS caved."

‘Borders and landmarks are not merely man-made, humanistic ideas. Borders and landmarks are theological in nature and have reference to the fact that God is the sovereign owner of heaven and earth and God divides it to the nations, God divides it to the people as He wills.’ ~ Pastor John Weaver

To-day's Piece of Good Advice:

Can you be [homosexual] and Christian?

Top Ten Country Song Titles

10. How Can A Whiskey That's 6 Years Old Whup A Man That's 33?
9. Her Teeth Was Stained, But Her Heart Was Pure
8. My Every Day Silver Is Plastic
7. I Changed Her Oil, She Changed My Life
6. How Can I Miss You If You Won't Go Away?
5. I Still Miss You, Baby, But My Aim's Gettin' Better
4. If I Had Shot You When I Wanted To, I'd Be Out by Now
3. She Got the Gold Mine And I Got The Shaft
2. I'm So Miserable Without You, It's Like Having You Here
1. You're The Reason Our Kids Are So Ugly

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men Oft Go Awry

2007-08-27T17:07:00.000-05:00

'Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."' ~James 4:15

I used to work with a lady at Rother's Bookstore when I was in college at A&M (as was she) and now I work with her mama (who is a volunteer at the Bush Library). When I told her that Ashlee was pregnant a couple of years ago, her reaction was greatly tempered and not nearly as joyful as I had expected. She mentioned the sleepless nights, the worrying, etc., and generally gave the impression that we were in for a tough row to hoe. I asked her about grandchildren and she mentioned that she didn't have any; her older daughter is not married and the younger (with whom I once worked) was adamant that she and her husband desired no children.

Flash forward six months.

The lady who currently volunteers at the Library approached me one morning looking shell shocked and generally disoriented. I asked her how it was going (as would anyone, I would imagine) and, in a hushed voice, she informed me that her daughter--who had sworn off children--was pregnant. With triplets. Now, I didn't say what I was thinking, which was that God has a way humbling us when we are adamant about certain things but I did give her a hearty congratulations. I knew it was going to be tough on the parents but, as the Bible tells us, children are a blessing--and they are getting to start off with a quiver full!

Flash forward two weeks.

I asked my volunteer friend how her daughter was doing carrying those triplets. I was not prepared for the answer: She's not having triplets. She's have quadruplets!
Long story short, the mama and babies all survived the birth and they have overcome a great deal. They still have a few minor health issues to tackle but they are doing well.

You may visit their web page at www.blairquads.com if you would like to take a gander at the Fearsome Foursome.
----------------------------

'Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has announced the retirement of its long-time senior pastor, Dr. D. James Kennedy. The announcement was made at the church's Sunday morning worship service.'

'Opening a conservative, Christian law school will fill a niche in the state of Louisiana, and also the nation.'

What do you call a thousand lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? A good start. (Sorry, Chris Peterson!)

‘There's no question that there exists a measure of discrimination. People feel they have to shave before a job interview. We view ourselves as the American Civil Liberties Union for the moustache.’

With all apologies to Pastor Coleman, I believe a ‘Bless her heart’ is called for in this situation.

'The clergy are being advised to use Romans 13 to encourage parishioners to submit to the sudden and massive expansion of government control that takes place during martial law," the writer said.'

Did you know that there is actually an annual Air Guitar World Championship? I got curious and looked it up--they take it strangely seriously. What really got me laughing was a specific line in the rules: A contestant's air guitar 'can be acoustic, electric or both.' My question is: HOW DO YOU TELL?

‘Now, I ain't tryin to put down no big city
But the things they write about us is just a bore
Well, you can take a boy out of ol' Dixieland
But you'll never take ol' Dixie from a boy.’ ~ Lynyrd Skynyrd, All I Can Do Is Write About It

‘The movie September Dawn, which opened in U.S. theaters on Friday, stars Academy Award winner Jon Voight . The film gives an account of the infamous Mountain Meadows Massacre, which took place on September 11, 1857. The film depicts that on that day 120 men and women, who were part of a pioneer wagon train from Arkansas passing through Utah on the way to California, were brutally slaughtered by a group of Mormons.’

'It seems to me that the peculiar personality of God should have been distinctly and prominently announced. He is not only Spirit, but Personal Spirit, and not Personal barely, but Tri-personal—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. To describe Him as a Spirit subsisting in three Persons, and then as infinite, eternal, and unchageable in all the perfections which are proper to Spirit, is to make as near an approximation to an accurate definition as it is possible for our faculties to compass.' ~ Rev. James Henley Thornwell

‘While the National Socialist enthusiasm for evolution-inspired eugenics is too well known to be credibly disputed, the direct link between Darwin and communism is less well understood.’

The sweetest little cowgirl in Texas. Yee-haw!

Paging Mr Frizzell, Mr Lefty Frizzell

2007-08-24T12:30:00.000-05:00

'Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' ~ II Corinthians 6:2b

‘Let the people assemble at the appointed time, that all being present at the beginning they may unite with one heart in all the parts of public worship. Let none unnecessarily depart until after the blessing be pronounced.’ ~ Presbyterian Church in America Book of Church Order (49-2).

I have to admit that punctuality is very important to me. My daddy raised me with the understanding that being ten minutes early is being on time and being on time is being late. In fact, it's preferable to be 20 minutes early if at all possible. Jorja likes to joke with me about this; I'm usually at least half-an-hour early to our small group meetings.

Of course, marriage and parenthood have ways of thwarting the best of my intentions. Although not what one would describe as serially tardy, Ashlee has never been one to obsess over being early. (It is a running joke that, if her family says they are leaving at a certain time, you can add 20 minutes to it.) Still, I have had to adjust my peculiarities regarding time to meet her more in the middle and, thank the Lord, it has been a pretty easy endeavour--with the result that we are usually on time. (Which, I'm told, is surprisingly agreeable to most people in our society.)

Enter Gracie Mae.

Having a child increases the chances of tardiness exponentially; still, we have managed to maintain an acceptable amount semi-punctuality, in no small part due to my phobia I am sure. I have already begun to steel myself for Covenant Children 2, 3, 4, 5 (and 6?) and the attendant time issues that I have no doubt will accompany their arrivals.

Still, when it comes to worship, I think that we should make whatever herculean efforts that may be required to arrive at church on time--by my daddy's definition, which means early. In that vein, we do our best to leave the house 45 minutes before Sunday School is scheduled to begin. Because it is usually a 35-minute drive, such provides for a 10-minute cushion in case we should (in God's Providence) run into any unforeseen circumstances.

It just seems to me that the standard in our society is to shoot for getting somewhere right on time but, should we arrive a few minutes late, it is acceptable and they'll wait for us. But, although I have failed several times recently in that regard, I don't want that for me and my family.

With God's help, I'm going to make an increased effort to get the Lees to church on time. Early.

------------------------

"Major, why did you not run when you saw your command was thus disabled?” Stonewall Jackson replied, “I was not ordered to do so. If I had been ordered to run, I should have done so. But I was directed to hold my position, and I had no right to abandon it."

‘Michael Vick made the mistake of killing and maiming dogs, and PETA in turn organized marches and protests and generally made his life miserable. However, had Vick been financing an abortion clinic, no doubt he would be a hero in the media.’

‘Here, then, is a prominent duty, if we would save our country, that we shall carry our citizenship in the kingdom of heaven everywhere, and make it dominate over every public act. We must obey the law of God rather than the unrighteous behests of party, to “choose out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness, and place such over them to be rulers,” or God will assuredly avenge Himself for our violated allegiance to him. The Christians of this country must sternly claim that wicked or reckless men shall no longer hold the helm of state; that political orthodoxy shall no longer atone for the worst offense against citizenship, a wicked life.’ ~ Rev. R. L. Dabney

‘Freedom brings us all together. We can all agree on leaving people alone to plan and live their own lives, rather than trying to force them to obey at the point of a gun, as runaway government does.’ ~ Presidential Candidate Ron Paul of Texas

'Some folks are born with star-spangled eyes

Ooh, they'll send you down to war.

But when you ask 'em, "How much should we give?"

Ooh, they only answer, "More--more--more."'

~ Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fortunate Son

Mr Potter, your table is ready.

There's no crying in the Happy Hat!!!

A Massachusetts man handcuffed and hauled to jail after he objected to a public school teaching his kindergarten-age son about homosexuality has gone to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals seeking justice.

‘I don't want young people thinking that half-dressing is the way to go. I want them to think about their future.’

‘When we consider the possibility that God used evolutionary processes to create over millions of years, we are faced with serious consequences: the Word of God is no longer authoritative, and the character of our loving God is questioned.’

I'm a lumberjack and I'm o.k. ...

'He said the measure sought "a more fair distribution of the sunrise," which would particularly help poor children who wake up before dawn to go to school.'

Here's just a little something for the ladies!

No Mugwumps Allowed--Yet!

2007-08-23T07:11:00.000-05:00

'He named him Noah and said, "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed."' ~ Genesis 5:29

I completed a long-held goal for myself yesterday when I put the last of the fence posts/ H-braces in along the front property line on my place. I had intended to plant most of them during the milder months of the winter and spring but events conspired against me--and the unending rain was no help at all--with the result that I have found myself digging holes in the 'heatidity.' Still, it is a rewarding feeling when a small goal is met; I currently have ten posts in place with a scant 25 or 30 remaining. (At the current rate of exertion, I should weigh in at a trim 135 pounds in no time.)

First, the hole must be dug. I have 8-foot treated posts (6 inches in diameter) that I plant three feet in the groung, leaving (you guessed it!) five feet above the surface. (This is in order to gain maximum sturdiness while leaving enough space for the 4-foot wide fencing which will be hung later...much later.)

Depending upon the amount of moisture in the soil, it can take up to 45 minutes to complete the 3-foot hole; a blessing of the great rains of late has meant a digging time of 'only' about 20 to 30 minutes.

Once the hole is complete and the pole is thrown down the hole, it is necessary to ensure that it is in alignment with the others. To do this, I string up some bailing twine from one corner post to the other as a line-of-sight gauge.

Once the post is aligned properly, filling the hole commences. Some folks prefer to use concrete or pea gravel to add strength and sturdiness. However, a buddy of mine who has strung up about 2,000 miles of fence across Oklahoma and Texas clued me in to a better system. I slowly add back layers of the fill dirt and tamp it down with a 25-pound spud bar. (As you can imagine, this is where patience and stamina really come in to play.) However, once all of the dirt is pounded back in (this takes about an hour on a hot day), the post is SET and isn't going anywhere. In fact, if feels as if it is set in concrete, only without the expense--and without knowing that I'll have to dig all of it out if I need to replace or remove the post in the future!

The other trick to keep in mind is the H-brace. This is done to conserve the tension on the fence and prevent the posts from leaning over time. I used a couple of nails and hung 1" conduit on them between the posts and I'll soon add some diagonal barbed wire or brace wire (from the bottom of one post to the top of the other) and twist it until both of them are snug against the pipe.

The finished product! I know it ain't pretty--it may not even be straight--but it's mine! (Of course, the milk jug is not part of the fence; I'll remove that at some point.)

Well, I reckon that is about all for to-day. BUT DON'T CRY--I'll post some more soon!

Get Rich Slowly

2007-08-22T11:12:00.000-05:00

‘Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.’ ~ Proverbs 13:11

If you paid the monthly minimum each month on a 30-year mortgage at 5% interest (a generous rate these days), after your last payment, your $90,000 home will have cost you $173,930.40!! That is an additional $83,930.40—almost double the original asking price! Usury is an evil taskmaster.

Since I resumed blogging, many folks have inquired as to my handle, 'ninepoundhammer.' I assure you there is nothing sinister nor fad-ish about it. The story behind it is simple. The day I created my blog I was listening to some bluegrass music and when the time came to create an I.D. for myself, the song 'Nine Pound Hammer' just happened to be playing. Mystery solved.
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Nearly every morning I rise at 5:45am and, although she has nowhere to be that early, Ashlee soon--and sometimes not-so-soon--follows me from bed in order to make the morning coffee and pack my lunch. I appreciate that and just thought I would write about it.
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A few years ago I appointed myself Pope-President-Dictator of my own organisation, The Naked Emperor Society. I took the name, as one might imagine, from the Hans Christian Anderson fable, 'The Emperor’s New Clothes.' (As an aside, I discovered last night that Curtis is unfamiliar with the tale, thus I have provided the link above.) The reason behind my organisation is to call attention to the many things which are popular or held in high regard for no other reason than that many other people say they deserve to be.
Take, for example, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' by the Beatles. It is a fine album, to be sure, but it is NOT the best album of all time! What's more, I would wager a week's pay that most folks who attribute such acclaim have never once heard it in its entirety. Other declarations by the NES:
- 'Casablanca' is not the best move of all time. I won't divulge what is, but it rhymes with 'Bashunal Manfoons Takashun'. (Just kidding.)

- Hemingway's novels are pedestrian at best--I find them quite boring and poorly written.

- 'The Honeymooners'--a good show, somewhat funny, but not the best. That title belongs to 'Seinfeld.'

- New York City is not--I repeat, is NOT--the centre of the universe.

The list continues to grow and is not, obviously, exhaustive. I am open to suggestions.

This topic reminds me of something my thesis advisor, Dr Brian Linn, told me in graduate school some years ago: 'There are two kinds of people: those who read Nitsche and those who say they do.'
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‘A church whose pastor is a leader in the local pro-life efforts has earned an Internal Revenue Service demand for an audit of the organization's books by posting its biblically mandated support for life on its marquee.’

This one is especially for Charles Ackerman: The New and Improved Texas Trivia.

‘The war had ended—the most futile and ferocious of human follies. When it shall cease on earth at last, then, and not until then, will the soul of men leap to its final triumph, for the energy of the universe will flow through the fingers of the workmen, artists, authors, inventors and healers. On this issue the saving of a world awaits the word of the mothers of men.’ ~ Thomas Dixon, Jr., The Man in Grey (1921).

‘With the start of football season just weeks away, millions of Americans are purchasing tickets and T-shirts to support their favorite teams. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars have given their fans one less reason to support the team, because its foundation has given a grant to the nation's largest abortion business.’

‘When Will Then Be Now?’

‘One in four adults say they read no books at all in the past year, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released Tuesday.’

So, let me get this straight. You're telling me that boys and girls are...different?!

‘Levi’s has done some limited marketing to the gay community since the late 1990s. Still, Robert Cameron, the jeans maker’s vice president of marketing, said he’s actually struck by the fact that the apparel company didn’t make a bigger effort, like this one, sooner.’ (Editor's note: Buy Wranglers.)

HEY, WHO INVITED THE OLD MAN?

Danger! Presbyterians Ahead

2007-08-20T17:33:00.000-05:00

The Westminster men's softball scrimmage against the Best Buy Mudcats went well last night--we all had a blast. We (Westminster) got beaten pretty handily when the Mudcats came on strong somewhere around the 13th inning. (Those boys could really CRUSH the ball!) We had a substantial number of fans in the stands again--which always makes for a fun time. In addition, Uncle Norvie umpired the game, doing a fantastic job as well as encourage all of us--on both teams.
On a frustrating note, this is the third time IN A ROW I have lost a contest against Keven Lee Ayers and, as penance, must buy him lunch. Oh, well, I enjoy hanging out with the dude and he won't be my friend unless I pay. ;)
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Misperception can be a peculiar thing. Ashlee and I have often wondered in amazement at how some folks perceive me. I must admit that, much of the time (if not most), I am at fault; many folks do not understand my brand of humour and often think I am being serious while I assume they know that I am joking. In addition, I sometimes don't make my self clear while I am pontificating on one subject or another--which is not aided by the fact that folks rarely interrupt to let me know that I am not making myself clear, leading to misunderstanding. Other times, well, I don't know where they come up with some of the things they do.
This topic arose again last night at the softball game. As it turns out (to be filed in the It's a Small World category), Andrew Brunone's colleague is a lady with whom I attended high school. In fact, I was roommates with her husband in college and was a groomsman in their wedding. Bearing in mind that I was not a Christian in those days, you can imagine my trepidation when Andrew told me he had 'heard some things' from Brenda about me. (YIKES!) The strange thing, however, was that she had told him I was at one time a ... 'hard core Darwinist.' Whaaa?!! Even in my darkest of pre-conversion days, I never doubted for one minute the literal Six 24-hour Day Creation. I was never fooled into buying the 'Goo-to-You' mechanics behind Evolution, so I don't know where she came up with that. It makes me wonder what else is 'out there' about me. Brrrrrrrr. Frightening.
-----------------------------

Pretend for the moment that you are attending a sporting event in which your child is participating. Would you root for and cheer him on only if you were confident that he would win the contest? Would you withhold your support and approbation if the outcome were in doubt?Imagine again that the coming college football season is merely eleven days away (and so it is). I reckon one would be hard pressed--in our area at least--to find a body who has delayed their decision to support the Aggies until they conclude with some degree of certainty that the Boys in Maroon will prevail over their conference rivals, finishing in first place. For those fair weather fans in Aggieland there is a name: Two-Percenters. (It is not a term of endearment.)
Why, then, is it that many well-informed folks, even those with some degree of political acumen, hold as perhaps the most important criterion for supporting a presidential (or gubernatorial for that matter) candidate whether they believe that candidate can win the election? What appears to matter most is neither principle nor agenda--but electability.
The mantra for the current and exhaustively prolonged presidential campaign appears to be, 'Can he beat Hillary!©?' rather than 'Does he share my values?'
Of course, the composite candidate at the centre of my frustration and confusion is Rudy McRomney. One (Rudy Giuliani) is a serial adulterer who supports the homosexual agenda, rejects the right to bear arms, and has historically practised a very heavy-handed (some have posited oppressive) form of prosecutorial zeal in his days with the New York District Attorney's Office. Mitt Romney, who currently appears to be courting the Conservative Base, has apparently had a Road to Damascus conversion since his recent days as a liberal governor of a liberal State (Taxachusetts)--though his fidelity to the Mormon cult remains ironclad. McCain, while he has his well-deserved reputation as a war hero going for him, has proven himself no friend of Conservatives; he has, in fact, ridiculed Christian Republicans and pushed hard for the ill-fated amnesty bill for invaders--I mean, 'illegal aliens.'
All that being said, the one man who Christian Conservatives should be supporting, Congressman Ron Paul of Texas--is being forced to convert those who should instead be flocking to him. Thankfully, those who hear him speak his message of Peace and Freedom usually become enthusiastic supporters. He is pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, favours low taxation (he would abolish the IRS), and is a firm believer in States Rights and truly following--TRULY following--the U.S. Constitution.
He appears to be the last Jeffersonian on the horizon. Any of the other candidates--Democan or Republicrat--will be more of the same. As George Wallace said about the two major parties: 'There ain't a dime's worth of difference between them.'
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'The term "democracy," as I have said again and again, does not contain enough positive content to stand alone against the forces you dislike--it can easily be transformed by them. If you will not have God (and He is a jealous God), you should pay your respects to Hitler and Stalin.' ~ T. S. Eliot

'For in spite of its anguish in Vietnam, the Army has learned little of value. Yet the nation's policymakers have endorsed the service's misperceptions derived from the war while contemplating an increased U.S. role in Third World low-intensity conflicts. This represents a very dangerous mixture that in the end may see the Army again attempting to fight a conventional war against a very unconventional enemy.' ~ Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr., The Army and Vietnam (1986).

Among the glaring problems with those who argue against the 5-Points of Calvinism is their misunderstanding and misstatement of the tenents themselves. Nobody this side of Heaven (at least in the post-Apostolic age) has a complete and infallible understanding of Scripture. Nobody. However, did you know that, according to some of our Arminian friends, we Reformed Christians are DANGEROUS?!! (Insert maniacle laughter here.)

‘I saw not a single bumper sticker for any 2008 candidate other than Ron Paul.'

Pastor Danny, please call your office.

This just in: A recent poll found that kids cited family ties as the primary ingredient to making them happy. In other news, the sun is hot.

'Hitler listened to [Rommel's assessment of the war effort] with downcast eyes ... Suddenly he looked up and said that he, too, was aware that there was very little chance left of winning the war. But the West would conclude no peace with him--certainly not the people who were then at the helm. And the people who would have been prepared to negotiate with him had no power. He had never wanted war with the West. But now the West would have their war--have it to the end.' General Erwin Rommel, The Rommel Papers, ed. B. H. Liddell Hart (1953).

One word: CREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPY!!

You Mean the Bible is Reliable?!

2007-08-19T17:31:00.000-05:00

'Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.' ~ Colossians 3:20

'[T]he education of children for God is the most important business done on earth. It is the one business for which the earth exists. To it all politics, all war, all literature, all money-making, ought to be subordinated; and every parent especially ought to feel, every hour of the day, that, next to making his own calling and election sure, this is the end for which he is kept alive by God--this is his task on earth.' ~ Rev. R. L. Dabney, Parental Responsibilities

‘If we have not taught our students a Biblical approach to ethics, and given them the knowledge and skill to make wise moral decisions in every area of life, we have failed to give them a thorough Christian education.’

'Some would place Jesus on a pedestal. What He seeks is that Christ may be placed on the throne of the heart.' ~ Rev. Henry H. Sweets, 'What Is It to Be a Christian?', The Southern Presbyterian Pulpit

Mrs Warren G. Harding's (wife of the 29th U.S. President) Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
This is one of my favourite recipes. I made this numerous times as a batchelor for several reasons: it is very tasty, healthful, and (depending on the size of your family) it can last quite a while. I have modified it a bit to suit my taste but it remains largely faithful to the original recipe.
Ingredients: Chicken, potatoes, onions, peas, baby carrots (or sliced), corn, rice, salt, pepper, biscuit dough.
Cooking Instructions: The amount of each ingredient used should be suited to your taste and the number of folks you are feeding. I never measure, opting instead to 'eyeball' the ingredients until I think it looks right.
- Bake (or boil) boneless, skinless chicken breast until done. Separate into small pieces with a fork.
- Boil rice and potatoes (separately) until cooked.
- Add chicken, potatoes, rice, carrots, onions, and corn in large cassarole dish along with one cup of chicken broth.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover ingredients completely with layer of biscuit dough. Bake at 350 degrees until dough is brown on top.
- Serve with a nice, tall glass of iced tea.

A rare Biblical masterpiece makes a comeback.

'You will take possession by military force, of the printing establishments of the New York World and Journal of Commerce ... and prohibit any further publication thereof ... you are therefore commanded forthwith to arrest and imprison ... the editors, proprietors and publishers of the aforesaid newspapers.' ~ Order from Abraham Lincoln to General John Dix, 18 May 1864.

Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary has a new ‘New course offering: a BA in humanities with a concentration in homemaking. Strictly for women only.’

Well shut my mouth!—Jeremiah was right!

Once, during the war, a Winchester church saw its worship service digressing into a war rally--much to the pastor's dismay--then [Stonewall] Jackson strode in and took seat near the door. '[Pastor] Graham called on the general to lead in prayer. The request caught Jackson by surprise. A long moment of silence followed, then Jackson stood and closed his eyes. According to Graham, "he led us at once into the presence of God, and to the throne of grace." Jackson confessed the unworthiness of everyone as sinners and their absolute dependence on divine mercy. He begged God to help their afflicted [Conferacy] and to bring success to the armies defending it. Graham suddenly beheld not a stern soldier but a humble disciple. "Not a single word [in Jackson's prayer] did he utter inconsistent with the command to love your enemies. Not once did he venture to tell God what he ought to be in that great crisis." The remainder of the service passed in an air of newfound reverence.' ~ James I. Robertson, Stone Wall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend

Are you ready for some rock without the roll?:

Opulent Zebras

2007-08-18T14:45:00.000-05:00

I had a strange dream last night that I am at great pains to explain. I dreamt that Jon was sermonising one morning, approaching the crux of his discussion:

'We know that zebras are a sign of opulence and immodest wealth in our society. Now, listen to me Saints: I see a lot of Christians to-day walking around with zebras. And that is something that we ought not to be doing!'

I don't know what it means (if anything) but I looked it up in my Dream to English Dictionary and it has something to do with being weighed in the balance and found wanting. Either way, I won't be making a trip to the Ft. Worth Zoo any time soon.

Speaking of the zoo, the other day I had a flashback to my childhood (during which injuries were the status quo). Did anyone else's parents or grandparents use iodine on their wounds--and call it Monkey Blood? It sounds very macabre but we thought nothing of it when I was young. I remember the time a donkey bit me at the zoo and I kept screaming at the top of my lungs, 'Are you gonna put monkey blood on it, Nonnie?!!' I can only imagine what the other visitors must have thought. (They probably were thinking they were getting their first glimpse at practitioners of Santaria.) I know one thing for certain, though--as much as it hurt, I would rather put Monkey Blood on a wound a thousand times than get one small squirt of Bactine. (MAN, that stuff burnt!)

Ron Paul received 216 votes for a commanding first-place finish in a straw poll today sponsored by the West Alabama Republican Assembly. Mitt Romney came in [a distant] second with 14 votes [that's a 202-vote difference!].

I cannot stress enough how much I HATE to shop. I reckon it is a necessary evil; still, there is no reason to make it more of an ordeal than necessary. Ashlee has often had me accompany her while shopping. However, after the letter she recently received from the manager at Target, I think she may be rethinking:

Dear Mrs Lee:

Over the past six months, your husband has been
causing quite a commotion in our store. We can no longer tolerate this
behaviour and may be forced to ban both of you from the store.
Our complaints against Mr Lee are listed below and are
documented by our video surveillance cameras (a copy of which can be provided at
your request.)
1. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.

2. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official-sounding voice, ‘Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away!’

3. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
4. September 14: Moved a ‘CAUTION - WET FLOOR’ sign to a carpeted area.

5. September 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.

6. September 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, ‘Why can't you people just leave me alone?’

7. November 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

8. December 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the ‘Mission Impossible’ theme.

9. December 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled ‘PICK ME! PICK ME!’

10. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed the fetal position and screamed ‘OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!’

When you're really good, one name is all you need: Madonna. Cher. Prince. JOYCE!

'[T]he basic error of many non-Christian religions, systems of philosophy, and human plans for world betterment ... [is that they] all try to find a way to relieve the sufferings of humanity, without first providing a way of deliverance from sin, which is the cause of suffering. All human schemes of betterment which are not founded on redemption from sin through Christ are foredoomed to failure. Permanent relief cannot be obtained by treating symptoms only, while igonoring the cause of the trouble.' ~ Johannes G. Vos, The Westminster Larger Catechism: A Commentary

'The drunken [Yankee] devils roamed about, setting fire to every house the flames seemed likely to spare. They were fully equipped for the noble work they had on hand. Each soldier was furnished with combustibles compactly put up. They would enter houses and in the presence of helpless women and children, pour turpentine on the beds and set them on fire. Guards were rarely of any assistance--most generally they assisted in the pillaging and firing.' ~ When the World Ended, The Diary of Emma LeConte

‘If you can’t stop waste in 6 federal programs after 17 years, how exactly will you improve local schools or foreign nations?’

'If I ever get to Heaven
Which I hope I'm gonna do
And they ask me, "How did you know?"
I'll say, "I just knew."
Because I always believed in You.'
~ Arc Angels, Always Believed in You

I think I was playing one of Bach's more famous fugues in this picture. (Can you dig the red jeans?!)

'The gospels are free, but the means of delivering the gospels is really expensive.' ~ Huckster Extraordinaire Benny Hinn

'A bottle of champagne reputed to have come from Adolf Hitler's personal wine cellar fetched nearly £2,000 at auction today.'

ARE DINOSAURS MENTIONED IN ANCIENT LITERATURE?

'Interestingly, the word "dragon" is used a number of times in the Old Testament. In most instances, the word dinosaur could substitute for dragon and it would fit very nicely. Creation scientists believe that dinosaurs were called dragons before the word dinosaur was invented in the 1800s. We would not expect to find the word dinosaur in Bibles like the Authorised Version (1611), as it was translated well before the word dinosaur was ever used.'

Also, there are many very old history books in various libraries around the world that have detailed records of dragons and their encounters with people. Surprisingly (or not so surprisingly for creationists), many of these descriptions of dragons fit with how modern scientists would describe dinosaurs, even Tyrannosaurus. Unfortunately, this evidence is not considered valid by evolutionists. Why? Only because their belief is that man and dinosaurs did not live at the same time!' ~ Ken Ham, Donosaurs and the Bible?

Ashlee and her older brother, Joshua. (She's the one on the right.)

Does U-Haul Rent Horses and Buggies?

2007-08-16T21:44:00.000-05:00

'... the elder and honored man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail; for those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up.' ~ Isaiah 9:15, 16

Ron Paul takes third in the Illinois Republican Straw Poll!!

Gracie Mae is A LOT like her mama:

‘Bishop John Shelby Spong, a retired priest and long-time supporter of female and gay priests, was reportedly being snubbed by Anglicans in Sydney who have accused him of "gutting" the Christian faith in his latest book, entitled “Jesus for the Non-Religious.”’

‘Infrared video showed that California ground squirrels' tails warmed by several degrees, up to 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit), when threatened by northern Pacific rattlesnakes.’

‘Fifteen Christian families from a tiny community of only about 1,300 people are making plans to leave their homes and work behind so that their children will not be forced by the Canadian government to attend "sanctioned" schools where evolution is taught.’

‘Jones said he found the name Jesus used as an adjective with the F-word in one book. He found it ironic that schools allow such books, but not school prayer. "Guess you can only use God's name in a profane way," he said.’

‘An Estonian man who was caught driving a car even though he is blind has been at it again, police said on Monday, and this time he faces jail.’

OK--just try and guess which one is me:

All aboard the Ron Paul Juggernaut!!

‘…[W]ith one accord we turn to Almighty God, through Christ his Son, in humble petition for the forgiveness of whatever measure of corporate guilt may be ours with regard to the present international conflict, and, that our nation [sic], through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ may be so yielded to the Divine Plan, that we may be effectively used in helping to bring to the nations of the world a just and righteous peace. ~ Social Service Committee Recommendation, 1941 Southern Baptist Convention

‘Thursday was the first day of school for those who have paid NOK 12,000 in the hopes Princess Martha Louise can help teach them to contact angels.’

‘Church council member Bruno Deleau said the mural isn’t intended to be offensive.’ (Is this other than the fact that it violates the Second Commandment?)

‘Archeologists have discovered a footprint made by the sandal of a Roman soldier - one of the few such finds in the world - in a wall surrounding the Hellenistic-Roman city of Sussita, east of Lake Kinneret.’

I simply can’t understand how Rudy Giuliani continues to ride a wave of popularity among Republican/ conservative voters. He is pro-abortion, pro-homosexual rights, and anti-gun to say the least. This is not to mention that his current wife—his third—was his partner in the adulterous affair that ended his second marriage. Yet, he enjoys a great deal of support among evangelical Christians! Why is this when there is the perfect candidate in the race?!

Just in case you weren't certain:

It'll Never Bear Up In Court

2007-08-16T17:04:00.000-05:00

'They were like those who swing axes in a forest of trees.' ~ Psalm 74:5

I was telling Ashlee the other day about a funny--no, a WEIRD--story about my cousin's ex-husband. Let's call him ... Mike (that is his name, after all). Mike and my cousin were eating lunch in the park one day; soon thereafter, Mike made his way to his favourite part of the meal (easily deduced by his somewhat large girth), dessert, which happened to exist in the form of a Ding-Dong on that particularly lovely day.
As Mike dived into his pet confection--and completely undetected by him--a bird overhead, shall we say, 'tagged' him in a manner in which birds are famous. Now, Mike is a smart man--he's not very observant--but he is smart. That being said, he confused the bird's 'deposit' for the creamy filling of his Ding-Dong. (Let the reader understand.)
To make a long story short, Mike soon put two-and-two together and commenced to pitching a wall-eyed fit because--and I still don't understand to this day how he concocted such a scenario--he was convinced that eating the bird's 'dispensables' was going to give him ... spina bifida of all things.
The story of the spina bifida-inducing Ding-Dong is legend in our family. (But, then again, you may need to know Mike to think it's funny.)

What would happen when eight ordinary teens set out on a mission to meet the underground church in Vietnam?

‘If I had a thousand heads, I would rather see them cut off one by one rather than give a recantation.’ ~ Martin Luther

Tiny Muskens, the bishop of Breda, told the Dutch TV program "Network" Monday night he believes God doesn't mind what he is called, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported.

Harry Potter, please call your office.

‘And when the rash representatives in our halls of legislation and our newspapers shall have sown the wind, who will reap the whirlwind? When they have scattered the dragon’s teeth, who must meet the horrent crop which they will produce? Not they alone, but you, your sons, your friends and their sons. So that these misleaders of people, while you so weakly connive at their indiscretion may indirectly be preparing the weapon which is to pierce the bosom of your fair-haired boy, and summoning the birds of prey, which are to pick out those eyes whose joy is now the light of your happy homes. For your own sakes, for your children’s sake, arise, declare that from this day no money, no vote, no influence of yours shall go to the maintenance of any other counsels than those of moderation, righteousness and manly forbearance.’ ~ Rev. R. L. Dabney

The World Congress of Families says it's pleased the British Broadcasting Company has finally realized Europe is experiencing demographic winter and acknowledged that there's a "birth dearth" taking place on the continent.

‘I know Edith Shain was the woman I kissed because she had the biggest mouth of anybody I’ve ever kissed in my life – it went from ear to ear. I’ll never forget it.’

Raising Maidens of Virtue.

With hugs and cheers Sunday, members of Atlanta's oldest Lutheran church celebrated the pastor at the center of a battle over the treatment of gay clergy in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

'I have often thought how little I should like to have to prove organic evolution in a court of law.' ~ Errol White, A Little on Lungfishes.

Have you ever wondered which version of the Bible [the Pilgrims] brought to America on the Mayflower? There was the King James Version of 1611, but there was an earlier version – one not sanctioned by the government – the 1599 Geneva Bible, a forgotten yet priceless treasure.

Wow!! Talk about EFFECTUAL calling! (I wonder what happens if you reject their message?!)

A New Perspective on Matt

2007-08-14T21:27:00.000-05:00

'For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.' ~ Galatians 1:10

This is a complaint we deal with quite a bit at the George Bush Presidential Library. Folks just don’t understand the mechanics of the Freedom of Information Act regarding presidential libraries nor the enormous amount of man hours required to meet the request. For example, the request I am currently working on (I’m almost finished!) is 38,500 pages—and I have to review each one of them. I am closing in on 11 months on this one project. Now, imagine how long it would take you to read 38,500 pages of something you read for pleasure, something that you do not have to carefully review for protected information (which must then be input into a computer database)--something that is not a government record. How long do you think it would take you to complete that task?

Sure, I'm wearing geeky glasses in the photograph below; but the house behind me is where Arnold Schwarzenegger grew up in Tal, Austria:

'It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, in the beginning, to create or make of nothing the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.' ~ Westminster Confession of Faith (IV.1)

It would have done William Jennings Bryan good to hold fast to the truth of God's Word regarding the Creation during his cross-examination in the Scopes Monkey Trial. Bryan, described as a devout Presbyterian, fell victim to a malady that afflicts many sincere Christians to-day; in their attempts (as they see it) to reconcile scientific discovery--which is ever-changing, unlike God's Word--with the Bible, they unwittingly deal a self-inflicted (and mortal) wound to their argument. Bryan provided the opening by which Clarence Darrow rushed in and pierced his argument at its heart.
At its essence, the argument goes thus: Does God's Word mean what it says? and, should science and the Bible appear at odds with one another (true science, by definition, would reflect the truth of God's created order), to which do you assign the pre-eminent position?

Questions to consider:
1) What does Science have to say about a man walking on water?
2) Can resurrection from the dead be replicated under laboratory conditions?
3) Is it possible to empirically demonstrate how to feed 5,000 men with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish?

The Bible tells us that the above all happened. 'Science' tells us they did not--they cannot--happen. Which will we believe?

Taking the Fifth Commandment seriously requires a great deal of attention and sacrifice.

I have never been able to determine whether the story about Mike the Headless Chicken is apocryphal or not. Either way, it's enthralling--and a little bit creepy.

'My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian.' ~ Robert E. Lee

Rick Saenz on the simple life.

Jack Bull Chiles: 'The foundin' of that town was truly the beginnin' of the Yankee invasion.' Mr. Evans: 'I'm not speakin' of numbers, nor even abolitionist trouble makin'. It was the schoolhouse. Before they built their church, even, they built that schoolhouse. And they let in every tailor's son... and every farmer's daughter in that country.'
Jack Bull Chiles: 'Spellin' won't help you hold a plow any firmer. Or a gun either.'
Mr. Evans: 'No, it won't, Mr. Chiles. But my point is merely that they rounded every pup up into that schoolhouse because they fancied that everyone should think and talk the same free-thinkin' way they do with no regard to station, custom, propriety. And that is why they will win. Because they believe everyone should live and think just like them. And we shall lose because we don't care one way or another how they live. We just worry about ourselves.'
Jack Bull Chiles: 'Are you sayin', sir, that we fight for nothin'?'
Mr. Evans: 'Far from it, Mr. Chiles. You fight for everything that we ever had--as did my son. It's just that... we don't have it anymore.' ~ Ride With the Devil

'In addition to important and interesting historical work, the [Confessional Presbyterian] journal has published important articles critical of recent movements such as the Federal Vision and New Perspectives on Paul, ground breaking work on the manuscripts and documents of the Westminster Assembly, as well as substantial and illuminating material on Presbyterian polity and worship.'

'Are we going to take the hands of the federal government completely off any effort to adjust the growing of national crops, and go right straight back to the old principle that every farmer is a lord of his own farm and can do anything he wants, raise anything, any old time, in any quantity, and sell any time he wants?' ~ President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

'We hope this site sharpens and renews your mind and creates a desire to study and obey the Word of God. Soli Deo Gloria!'

So, you want to rob a liquor store but can't afford a ski mask? Do the next best thing--wrap your head in duct tape.

'Supposedly intelligent talk becomes the emotionally-based regurgitations one hears on Oprah or the rude shoutfests of AM talk radio. It’s no wonder that mainstream media look upon the intelligent, thoughtful, calm, and rational Ron Paul as a dinosaur. The argumentative logic of Aristotle has been replaced by the emotional pleas of a Britney Spears song.'

'Although not all reunions are happy ones, our reunion is going very well. Even though my mother and I have spent 34 years apart I am amazed by how comfortable I am with her, how much we are alike. There is almost a psychic connection that I can only explain as being in the magic of genes, in the mystery of our DNA.'

'During this process, I discovered a concept, if allowed to be widely used, that has the potential to change the auto insurance industry as we know it.'

Giving Birth at Mach Speed

2007-08-14T11:21:00.000-05:00

‘My people— infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up the course of your
paths.’ ~ Isaiah 3:12

‘The minister shall admonish [the dying person] also (as there shall be cause) to set his house in order, thereby to prevent inconveniences; to take care for payment of his debts, and to make restitution or satisfaction where he hath done any wrong; to be reconciled to those with whom he hath been at variance, and fully to forgive all men their trespasses against him, as he expects forgiveness at the hand of God.’ ~ Westminster Directory for the Publick Worship of God

Christians should shoot back.

I have an idea for how Pastor Coleman can keep the attention of any snoozers in the congregation:

Would you like ketchup with your idolatry?

A former home-school student from the Kansas City area has been awarded a $50,000 scholarship to Liberty University after winning a research paper contest sponsored by an apologetics ministry.

'The attackers barged into the church and abused the Christians, using filthy language and began hitting and stabbing them. They destroyed the pulpit, chairs, musical instruments, furniture, and window panes and damaged the church walls. The pastor was also severely beaten with a cricket bat and his body was swollen," the sources reported.'

'The great object is that every man be armed ... Every one who is able may have a gun. But have we not learned by experience that, necessary as it is to have arms, ... it is still far from being the case?' ~ Patrick Henry

Bob Barber: ‘Everyone knows that a Good Guy has to be a confident heterosexual.’
Rex O’Herlihan: ‘Confident heterosexual? Are you sure? I thought it was just heterosexual.’ ~ Rustler’s Rhapsody

This is a dangerous time for all we believe in. Now, above all, we must spread the truths of the Constitution, of the rule of law, of life, of peace, of freedom, of an America that will truly be a city on the hill.’

‘A Japanese biker failed to notice his leg had been severed below the knee when he hit a safety barrier, and rode on for 2 km (1.2 miles), leaving a friend to pick up the missing limb.’

Officials at the nondenominational High Point Church knew that Cecil Howard Sinclair was gay when they offered to host his service, said his sister, Kathleen Wright. But after his obituary listed his life partner as one of his survivors, she said, it was called off.

‘Having a baby's more important. Of course I'm going to speed.’

I Thess. 5: 20,21: ‘Do not despise prophecies, but test everything …’

Imagine my surprise when I was driving to work the other day and saw a SEAHORSE!!

As Polonius Might Say...

2007-08-12T17:45:00.000-05:00

‘The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.’ ~ Proverbs 22:7

Allow me to preface this by stating the obvious: I’m no genius. That being said, even I can figure out—based upon Jon’s sermon this past Sunday—that the next Word to be brought to us by Pastor Coleman this coming Sabbath should be that of the Eighth Commandment (‘Thou Shall Not Steal’).
With an eye toward preparation, I read what the Westminster Divines had to say regarding God’s proscriptions in this area. As always, what is written below are merely my opinions and/ or understanding of the issue(s). I do NOT presume to be a theologian, nor (obviously) is my view to be considered authoritative or the final word on the subject. I welcome and encourage opposing viewpoints in the spirit of 'iron sharpening iron.' (Just be nice--I can be made to cry easily.)

‘Q. 142: What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment? A: The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are theft, robbery … as likewise idleness … wasteful gaming … usury …’ ~ Westminster Larger Catechism

As both Pastors Coleman and Anderson have made clear in recent weeks, Jesus’ purpose in His Sermon on the Mount was to demonstrate our narrow understanding and application of the Ten Commandments by expounding upon their true meaning and intent. The Divines, through their God-given gifts of discernment, have provided additional insights into the Biblical application—and ramifications—of the Ten Words through the Westminster Standards. Still, some of their admonitions are surprising—even puzzling. How are we to equate ‘idleness,’ ‘wasteful gaming’ (gambling), and ‘usury’ with thievery?
At the outset, it is important to understand that theft is more than merely taking that which belongs to another without their permission. In light of the biblical worldview, it means to obtain (or even to seek) something without providing something of equal value in return--in other words, trying to get something for nothing. ‘Labour’ is almost a pejorative term in our culture to-day (which is one of the reasons I dislike using ‘Take it easy!’ as a salutation). While there is absolutely nothing wrong with efficiency, it seems we seek not so much labour saving machines as we do labour eliminating devices. Yet, labour—or ‘work’—is not only necessary, it is preferable, it is commanded, in the life of the Christian. When God created Adam in His image, he established the pattern of work for him as the norm—‘The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it (Genesis 2:15). It is important to note that this God-given duty was required of Adam before the Fall. Work is not a penalty for sin, it is the normative condition for man. God makes this explicit in the Fourth Commandment: ‘Six days you shall labor, and do all your work …’ (And, in His mercy, He has provided the Sabbath to us for rest, as well.)
Labour, then, should not be something that we avoid; rather, it should be the normal course of events in the life of a Christian. ‘For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies' (II Thess. 3:11). When we are idle—lazy—we are stealing from God inasmuch as we are neglecting to use the time He has given us in being productive and we are stealing from others when we accept handouts in lieu of working and earning what we obtain (‘For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat’--II Thess. 3:10).
There is an important caveat that needs to be made clear—I am NOT insinuating that charity is unwise or to be neglected. If someone is unable to work or to improve their lot, we are, obviously, to provide succor. As James tells us, true religion is to assist orphans and widows. It is regarding the lazy, not the downtrodden, that I speak. As Paul wrote, 'Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need' (Ephesians 4:28).
Now, it may be asked, whereby is it that gambling is considered stealing? Do not those who play the lottery or sit themselves around the gaming table do so willingly—fully knowledgeable that they may (and probably will) lose a considerable amount of their money, if not the entirety? To be sure; yet, they do so no more willingly than do those who consent to an extramarital affair. Consent, then, does not lend moral legitimacy to any action; it is to be judged according to the only standard of faith and practise—the Bible. Again, we refer to the desire to obtain something for nothing. In gambling, the winner gains his purse without providing anything of equal value in return. Risk (in the Presbyterian sense of the word), though it be equal among all participants, does not ameliorate the fact that the gains were had without due exchange. Likewise, the winnings come at the expense of others. One cannot win at games of ‘chance’ (again, in the Presbyterian sense) without the certainty of others losing. It matters not whether the others ‘can afford’ to lose that which they give up. (The fact that we are also called to be good stewards of the gifts God provides us and that the vast majority of those who play are those who can afford to lose their money the least is another argument altogether.) To win, then, means that you gain without labouring or without providing something equal in value in return.
The next issue, that of usury—charging interest on a loan—is one dear to my heart. Jesus addressed the issue in Luke 6:35—‘But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.’ Likewise, in Exodus 22:25 we are told: ‘If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.’ The charging of interest is the norm to-day, so why should we be wary of it? It is because, in light of what we read in the Larger Catechism, it is obtaining something for nothing. It is to exact a profit from another without labouring for it; without giving something of equal value in return.
That being said, John Calvin draws a distinction between usury in personal versus business exchanges. In providing capital in a business venture, Calvin insisted, a person is providing something of equal value to the businessman—he is providing the water to prime the pump of the venture which, Lord willing, will turn a profit via a successful business for the borrower. It is only right to expect a return for the lending in such a case. I struggled with the distinction posed by Calvin for some time but, after much study, thought, and prayer, I have come to agree with his view. As long as the interest is charged on money used in a business venture, and not for that of a personal nature, it does not seem to me to violate the commandment in question.
Usury, or compound interest as it is known more widely to-day, is a beast that we should all slay. Sadly, most Christians to-day strain under a mountain of debt that produces worry, anxiety, and stress in our lives. As indicated in the Proverb cited above, usury is the stick wielded to keep us slaves to our debtors. I would urge all of my brothers and sisters to get out of debt—and stay out of debt. As Paul admonished the Romans: ‘Owe no one anything, except to love each other …’

She Was Afraid to Come Out of the Locker...

2007-08-10T21:44:00.000-05:00

'Thou shalt not commit adultery.' ~ The Seventh Commandment of the Lord our God.

Jon will be bringing us God's Word regarding the Seventh Commandment this coming Sabbath. Sadly, it comes a bit too late for this fella.

Thomas Martel, 28, of Bonnie Brae is a big guy. So he has a hard time using the features on ever-shrinking user interfaces on devices like his new iPhone. At least, he did, until he had his thumbs surgically altered in a revolutionary new surgical technique known as 'whittling.'

‘Christian modesty is the inner self-government, rooted in a proper understanding of one's self before God, which outwardly displays itself in humility and purity from a genuine love for Jesus Christ, rather than in self- glorification or self-advertisement. Christian modesty then will not publicly expose itself in sinful nakedness.’ ~ Jeff Pollard, Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America.

Are you concerned about those creepy Gamma Rays? No need to worry with NukAlert!

'Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery...' ~ Galatians 5:19, 20

Some of my fraternity brothers:

Food for thought: Re-thinking bikini clad girls and bare chested boys.

‘What do you do if your dad loses consciousness in a speeding big rig and you’re only nine-years-old?’

‘It is about the right of a Christian to share his faith in public without the fear of arrest.’

In Memory of Miss Ruth

2007-08-10T15:36:00.000-05:00

‘Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.’ ~ Proverbs 31:30

I am thankful for the life of Ruth Dillard who went home to be with the Lord to-day. She loved God and used the gifts He gave her to serve Him and others. We can all learn a great deal from her example.

The Workin' Man Blues

2007-08-10T08:50:00.000-05:00

'Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.' ~ II Thessalonians 4:11,12

I was raised to take the sentiments expressed in the verse above to heart--to work hard, be self-sufficient, and take care of my own business. I would just as soon chew on broken glass than take a hand out. In fact, I find it very difficult to ask for help from others--even when I have done all within my power to improve my lot or alleviate difficult circumstances. (This fact frustrates Ashlee to no end, as you can imagine.)

That being said, I find great joy in being able to help others. Jon and I were discussing this the other day in regards to his observation that this condition of radical rugged individualism seems to be epidemic among Texans. We will bend over backwards to help others but have to be brought kicking and screaming to allow others to assist us. At the root of it all, really, is the perpetual boogey-man who torments us all: Pride.

Yet, if we consider how good we feel when we help others (though it's just a fringe benefit, with the primary reason being our love for Christ), should we deny others the same feeling? Really, by allowing others to minister to us--we, in turn, minister to them.

'Hey, hey, Workin' Man

A workin' man like me.

I ain't never been on Welfare

And that's one place I won't be

Cause I keep on workin'

As long as my two hands are fit to use.

~ Merle Haggard, Workin' Man Blues

'They say: "It costs less money to build schoolhouses than jails." But what if it turns out that the state's expenditure in schoolhouse is one of the things which necessitates the expenditure in jails?' ~ Rev. R. L. Dabney

The unit I was in during my hitch in the Army (2d Armored Cavalry Regiment) has a colourful history. In the waning days of World War II, troopers of the 2d ACR rescued the Lipizzaner Stallions from certain destruction at the hands of the Red Hoarde.

One of my favourite books about one of my heroes—William Wallace—is Jane Porter’s historical novel, The Scottish Chiefs.

Kirk Cameron has come a long way from his days as Mike Seaver on 'Growing Pains.' He now has a fantastic evangelism ministry, The Way of the Master. I don't agree with all of their theological positions but they have a great heart for sharing the Gospel and they go about it as I wish I could--fearlessly.

Since my last Blast-from-the-Past Army picture was so popular--here's another offering from January 1991:

‘The head of the family is to take care that none of the family withdraw himself from any part of family-worship: and, seeing the ordinary performance of all the parts of family-worship belongs properly to the head of the family, the minister is to stir up such as are lazy, and train up such as are weak, to a fitness to these exercises...’ ~ The Directory for Family Worship [IV], bound with the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland's edition of the Westminster Confession of Faith [1647], reprinted 1994.

This one's for Pastor Coleman: “Everywhere there is apathy. Nobody cares whether that which is preached is true or false. A sermon is a sermon whatever the subject; only, the shorter it is the better.” ~ Charles Spurgeon (From the 1888 Sword and Trowel Annual Volume Preface).

“If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.” —C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

I Know I Had It Comin'; I Know I Can't Be Free

2007-08-09T08:50:00.000-05:00

'Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' ~ Matt. 24: 34-36.

The Holy Spirit pierced my heart last night through the most unlikely manner--while I was watching 'Johnny Cash at San Quentin.' I admire Johnny Cash both for his music, which I love, and for the example of Christ's redemption displayed in his life. (As Hank Williams, Jr. sang: 'Johnny Cash don't act like he did back in '68.') But what struck me last night as I watched and listened was the obvious compassion he felt for the convicts in the audience. It was plain to see that he cared for and pitied them.

If I am honest with myself, I must admit to a large degree of callousness towards those in prison. I am more apt to see them rot for their transgressions than to feel pity. Do they (at least those who are truly guilty) deserve their lot?--certainly, for justice demands it. But, for the Christian, there should be--there must be--room for compassion. It is a beautiful mirror of the relationship we have with the Saviour-- '...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us' (Romans 5:8).

I thank God for such as Charles Colson, the Gideons, and others who minister to the incarcerated and pray that God will work on my heart to see the unlovable among us as Christ once saw me.

Job lived with dinosaurs.

Perhaps the most intriguing thing I ran across during my visit to Austria about ten years ago was a stained-glass window in the local Roman church in Graz, the Stadtpfarrkirche. There, high above the altar and to the right, stand Hitler and Mussonlini watching Christ's flagellation. Why the artist placed them there is anyone's guess (it was constructed in the 1950's); still, it is quite the tourist attraction for the little town. (I have blacked-out the image of Jesus in the photo below.)

This is for just in case you need it.

Have you prayed for your pastors to-day? ‘Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.’
~ James 3:1

The emerging link between UFO/ Alien sightings and the occult.

Are you smarter than a homeschooler? Probably not!

‘I didn't hear nobody pray, dear brother

I didn't hear nobody pray.

I heard the crash on the highway

But I didn't hear nobody pray.’
~ Roy Acuff, Wreck on the Highway

Here is a photo of the band I was in back in college:

One Nation, Under Vishnu.

'Hawaii has always been a very pivotal role in the Pacific. It is in the Pacific. It is a part of the United States that is an island that is right here.' ~ Vice President Dan Quayle (4/25/89)

Number 17--You're Order Is Ready

2007-08-08T08:08:00.000-05:00

'And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.' ~ Genisis 1:28

Some people love God's Word.

Some people despise God's Word.

The Biblical and Historical Significance of the Beard.

Christ-mas in Saudi Arabia, 1990.

I must have repeated Psalm 25:7 ('The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts and I am helped...') a hundred times to myself this past Sunday as I steeled myself to face what is perhaps my greatest fear: public speaking. In this particluar case, I, as a deacon, was called upon to offer the prayer of dedication for the tithes and offerings during the service. Ordinarily, I would prefer to have bamboo shoots shoved under my fingernails than perform in public, but with the prayers of my wife and many friends God saw me through it. In addition to prayer and an utter dependence upon the Lord to get me through, I was inspired by an account given regarding a personal hero, Stonewall Jackson:

'On one occasion [the Rev.] Dr. White called
upon [Jackson] to pray in public. He was so
much confused that Dr. White told him, some
days afterward, that he would never require
so unpleasant a task of him again. [Jackson]
replied that it was a cross to him to pray in
public, but that he had made up his mind to
bear it, and did not wish to be excused. He
persevered, and became very fluent and
easy in public prayer.'

That, too, is my prayer--that God will grant me the mercy to overcome what I know is an irrational fear, yet all too real at the same time. It is my dragon to slay. I suspect that I will grow more at ease with each ascent to the pulpit, remembering what Pastor Coleman told those of us in the church officers training class this past semester: To be an effective leader in God's Church, you cannot take counsel of your fears.

‘Like my father before me

I will work the land.

And like my brother above me

Who took a rebel stand.

He was just eighteen, young and brave

But a Yankee laid him in his grave.

I swear by the mud below my feet

You can’t raise a Caine back up when he’s in defeat.’

~ The Night They Drove Ol’ Dixie Down, The Band

I Got Tagged!

2007-08-07T15:29:00.000-05:00

Austin Ayers got me, so here are my answers:

- 4 jobs I have had: Mr. Gatti's Pizza; Security Guard at Compaq Computers; community college history teacher; archivist.
- 4 films I could watch over and over: National Lampoon's Vacation; Fletch; Good Morning, Vietnam; Braveheart
- 4 Places I have lived: My mama's womb; Corpus Christi, TX; Houston, TX; Bamberg, West Germany.
- 4 Favorite TV shows: King of Queens; Simpsons; Jericho; NCIS
- 4 Favorite Foods: Freebird's burrito; shepherd's pie; Marian Coleman's chicken salad; chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream (Bluebell only, thank you!)
- 4 Websites I visit everyday: Drudge Report; LewRockwell.com; Fox News; ESPN
- 4 Places I would love to be: Australia; Montana; Hawaii; Freebird's (see above)
- 4 Favorite Colors: Confederate Grey; black; red; blue (and Freebird's)
- 4 of my heroes: (Jesus is a given, so I'm gonna pick four in addition)--R. L. Dabney; Stonewall Jackson; Robert E. Lee; William Wallace
(Everybody I know has been tagged already.)

You Gotta Serve Somebody

2007-08-07T12:12:00.000-05:00

'No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.' ~ Matt. 6:24

‘You may be a construction worker working on a home,
You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome,
You might own guns and you might even own tanks,
You might be somebody's landlord, you might even own banks
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.’
~ Bob Dylan, You Gotta Serve Somebody (Slow Train Coming)

‘When a young mother sought [Robert E.] Lee's advice for raising her infant son, Lee replied, “Teach him he must deny himself.”’

The wisest financial advice you’ll ever receive.

Q. 142. What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are, theft, robbery, man-stealing, and receiving any thing that is stolen; fraudulent dealing, false weights and measures, removing landmarks, injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man, or in matters of trust; oppression, extortion, usury, bribery, vexatious lawsuits, unjust inclosures and depopulations; ingrossing commodities to enhance the price; unlawful callings, and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbour what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves; covetousness; inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods; distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them; envying at the prosperity of others; as likewise idleness, prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate, and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given us.
~ Westminster Larger Catechism

‘It is immediately obvious … that gambling is sinful. It involves breaking the eighth commandment: “Thou shalt not steal”. Gambling is basically an attempt to gain something at someone else’s expense without giving adequate value in return. The fact that the parties involved agree to this transaction is irrelevant and cannot justify it, any more than the fact that two men agree to fight a duel justifies one of the men killing the other. An agreement to do something wrong is itself wrong. If the one who gambles wins, he is a thief; if he loses, he is guilty of wasting that which the Lord has given to him in trust, whether money or property.’

"[H]ad the Confederates somehow won, had their victory put them in position to bring their chief opponents before some sort of tribunal, they would have found themselves justified . . . in stringing up President Lincoln and the entire Union high command for violation of the laws of war, specifically for waging war against noncombatants."
~ Lee Kennett, Marching through Georgia: A Life of William Tecumseh Sherman, p. 286

'War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.'
~ U.S. Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler

Can You Hear It? Dawn is Breaking!

2007-08-06T04:59:00.000-05:00

It's about five minutes 'til five in the a.m. and I am blogging. I would prefer to be sleeping but Gracie Mae put an end to that two hours ago. It is amazing how much torque a 24-pound child can apply to a 200-pound man! She can vie for position better than Shaquille O'Neal in the low post! The really strange thing is how well she slept with her head nestled in my armpit for 45 minutes. (I'm still not sure who got the worse end of that deal.)
Between the three of us restlessly trying to get comfortable and back to sleep, our bed looked like a litter of piglets fighting in a cotton sack.

-------------

A classic from way back in the day: 'Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer.'

--------------

After posting a Knox Memory on Hannah's blog the other day, it got me to thinking and I remembered another funny incident featuring the youngest of the Anderson clan.
Gracie Mae was only a few months old when we were invited over to Rancho del Anderson for supper. We were all in our places: Rachel and Jon were at either end of the table (to keep order, I am sure), while Ashlee and I faced across from The Girls who sat, pretty as a picture, in order by age (and heighth, as it were). Happy Jack was only speaking a few words at the time; he sat next to me. I wasn't sure how that was going to work out because, as we know, Happy Jack is as unpredictable as he is cute. (I have no HJ incidents to report.)
Knox sat in his highchair in an unassuming corner of the dining room--and he didn't really seem to mind. He remained largely silent, content to observe and listen to us, piping up only when running short of food. (Notice I wrote running 'short' of food, not running 'out' of food.)
As you can imagine, we were having a grand time filled with laughter and sharp conversation. Jon and I were discussing one of the historically great soteriological disputes of the Church--or maybe were talking about 'Smokey and the Bandit' (I can't remember)--when the low hum of the meal was shattered by an outburst of surprise, peppered by consternation, from Rachel: 'OH STINK!'
Judging by the way she bolted from her chair in his direction, it didn't take me long to deduce that she was reacting to Knox--who had quietly, unnoticed by all but his mama, thrown up all over himself. In fact, he was still fast at it when I looked over at him. (I was still a new parent and had not built up my baby puke immunity yet, so I had a tough time with it.)
I'm not sure whether it was Rachel's consternation with herself for having fed Knox something that she said she knew better than to give him or Knox's 'What's the Big Deal?' look of incredulity on his face as she wiped him up, but the rest of us got a pretty good chuckle out of the entire episode. The clincher was when Anne Michal gave her 'look'--you know the one where she raises her eyebrows, gives a wry smile, and glances over at you as if to say, 'Hey, what can you do?!'

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Southernism of the Day: 'Just cause a cat has kittens in the oven, that don't make 'em biscuits!'

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Eric Manthei asked me a few weeks ago what I looked like without a beard. Well, here you go:

Five Things and More

2007-08-04T07:51:00.000-05:00

Below is a list of five things that are better than being greeted at the door by my wife and daughter when I arrive home from work:

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

(Hey, do you want to know a secret?)

One of my favourite albums of all time is Paul Simon's Graceland. I began listening to the local oldies radio station in Houston when I was in high school, so I was familiar with Simon's body of work. (Sadly, it appears that most stations believe his catalogue consists ONLY of 'Mrs Robinson' and 'Sounds of Silence'.) However, I was completely unaware in 1986 that he had something new in the offing.
My introduction to Graceland was actually quite accidental (and I mean that in the Presbyterian sense of the word!). I noticed my nerdy geometry teacher's copy sitting on his desk as I passed by (like a bat out of Hades, I might add) on my way out of class. My interest was piqued and the rest, as they say, is history.
Suffice it to say--and I won't bore you with a long-winded exposition on why I believe it should be in everyone's collection--it is a great album. It is at times joyful and ebullient, at others contemplative and thought-provoking; yet, it is always entertaining. My suggestion? Click on the link above and order yourself a copy. (You'll thank me later.)

Those who know Ashlee are aware that she has a joyful disposition (the days following the long nights with Gracie Mae notwithstanding) and is extremely easy to get along with. You may not know, however, what a great sense of humour she has. Sure, she cuts up with folks and loves to joke around--but she saves her REALLY funny side for Gracie Mae and me. I don't even think that her immediate family really understands just how funny she can be.
That being said, she also has her 'duh moments' (as do we all). So, with her permission, I will periodically share what I like to call 'Ashlee Moments.'
Ashlee Moment #1: In the way of background, let me preface this by explaining that one of Ashlee's and my favourite movies is 'So I Married an Axe Murderer' starring Mike Myers. (Since the object of the title is a woman--obviously--it would be more accurately entitled, 'So I Married an Axe Murderess.' But I digress.) Another of Ashlee's (recent) favourites is the gameshow, 'Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?' For some reason (it could have been the fact that she was defending herself from the frantic frontal assault of Gracie Mae in the living room floor), Ashlee confused the two when asking me what was on television the other night: 'Hey,' she said, 'is "So I Married a Fifth Grader" on to-night?'

Are you Pro-Life? Fiscally conservative? Peace-loving? So is he!

Quotables

2007-08-03T12:15:00.001-05:00

Listed below are some of my favouring movie quotes from some of my favourite movies--many, or most, of which I won't watch again due to their inappropriate nature. Still, we'll always have Wally World!

~ Raising Arizona:

H. I.: ‘Edwina's insides were a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase.’

Evelle: ‘These [balloons] blow up into funny shapes and all?’
Grocer: ‘Well no... unless round is funny.’

FBI Agent: ‘Sir, we discovered you were born Nathan Huffheins.’
Nathan Arizona, Sr: ‘Yeah, I changed my name. What of it?’
FBI Agent: ‘Can you give us an indication why?’
Nathan Arizona, Sr: ‘Would you shop at a store called Unpainted Huffheins?’

~ Caddy Shack:

Sandy: ‘I want you to kill every gopher on the golf course!’
Carl Spackler: ‘Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they're gonna lock me up and throw away the key...’
Sandy: ‘Not golfers, you great fool! Gophers! The *little* *brown*, *furry* *rodents* -!’
Carl Spackler: ‘We can do that; we don't even have to have a reason. All right, let's do the same thing, but with gophers -!’

Danny Noonan: ‘I've always wanted to go to college.’
Judge Smails: ‘Well, the world needs ditch diggers, too.’

Judge Smails: ‘Danny, I'm having a party this weekend.’
[Pauses a beat]
Judge Smails: ‘How would you like to come over and mow my lawn? Hmmm? Hmmm?’

~ Fletch:

Dr. Joseph Dolan: ‘Right. Now, how long have you had these pains, Mr. Barber?’
Fletch: ‘No, that's "Babar".’
Dr. Joseph Dolan: ‘Two B's?’
Fletch: ‘One B: B-A-B-A-R.’
Dr. Joseph Dolan: ‘That's two.’
Fletch: ‘Yeah, but not right next to each other. I thought that's what you meant.’
Dr. Joseph Dolan: ‘Arnold Babar. Isn't there a children's book about an elephant named Babar?’
Fletch: ‘I don't know. I don't have any.’
Dr. Joseph Dolan: ‘No children?’
Fletch: ‘No elephant books.’

Fletch (upon arrival at Stanwyk’s mansion): ‘Wow, what a coincidence! You know, I came this close to buying this place? Then I found out Hopalong Cassidy killed himself here. Blew it for me.
Stanwyk: 'What?'
Fletch: 'Bow-and-arrow. Very weird.’

~ National Lampoon’s Vacation:

Car Salesman: ‘You mean you didn’t order the Metallic Pea?’
Clark: ‘Metallic Pea?! No! I distinctly ordered the Antarctic Blue super sports wagon--with the CB and optional rally fun pack!’

Wally World Security Guard: 'Sorry, folks--park's closed. The moose out front shoulda told ya.'

Cousin Eddie: ‘How do you like yours, Clark?’
Clark: ‘Oh, medium rare, a little pink inside.’
Cousin Eddie: ‘No, your bun. Light or dark?’
Clark: ‘Either way, it doesn't matter.’
Cousin Eddie: ‘Mmmmm! I don’t know why they call this stuff Hamburger Helper—it does just fine by itself! I like it better than Tuna Helper, myself. Don't you, Clark?’
Clark: ‘You’re the gourmet around here, Eddie.’

Ellen (after shotgun blast at Dodge City): ‘Are you happy now, Clark? She’s deaf!’
Clark: ‘Oh, what’s the difference? It was fun anyway!’

Ellen: ‘Clark, I think we're lost.’
Clark: 'We're not lost. Ellen, please, let me do the driving.'
Ellen: 'I don't think you'll find the Grand Canyon on this road.'
Clark: ‘...It’s only the biggest…hole in the world!’
Aunt Edna: ‘Clark! Watch your language!’
Clark: ‘Make that the second biggest.’

Catherine: 'This little one holding onto my skirt is Daisy-Mabel.'
Clark: 'Well, how old are you little one?'
Eddie: 'Uh, she was born without a tongue, Clark. But don't you worry about her--she can whistle like a bird and eat like a horse!'

~ Smokey and the Bandit:

[Looking at The Bandit in a hammock] Big Enos: ‘Son, you're looking at a legend.’
Little Enos: ‘I guess a legend and an out-of-work bum look a lot a like, daddy.’

Buford T. Justice: ‘Hey boy, where is Sheriff Branford at?’
Sheriff Branford: ‘I AM Sheriff Branford.’
Buford T. Justice: ‘Oh, heh-heh. Pardon me. For some reason you sounded a little...taller on the radio.’

Bandit (to Sheriff Justice): ‘Who ya chasin’? Somebody chasin’ you?’
Sheriff: ‘Nobody chasin’ me, boy. I been chasin’ a…maniac all the way from Texarkana, Texas!’
Bandit: ‘Really?! What is he, a bank robber?’
Sheriff: ‘Bank robber? Bank robbin’ is [nothing] alongside-a what this dude is doin’! Almost killed 10 law officers! Drivin’ through people’s backyards, knockin’ over mailboxes. He’s got a broad in the car, took her across the state line—that’s the Mann Act! I don’t think he’s got her permission—and that’s kidnapping! How’s that for hi-jinks?'

~ Honourable Mention--Cool Hand Luke:
Dragline: 'My boy says he can eat fifty eggs, he can eat fifty eggs.'
Loudmouth Steve: 'Yeah, but in how long?'
Luke: 'An hour.'
Society Red: 'Well, I believe I'll take part of that wager.'

All We Are Saying...

2007-08-01T20:39:00.000-05:00

'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.' ~ Matthew 5:9

I don't recall the circumstances of why the topic arose, yet last week my pastor and I were discussing the aspect of the Sermon on the Mount referenced above. I believe there is a great deal more to the Messiah's discourse than may initially meet the eye. I would submit that peace making is an entirely different course of action than mere peace keeping (which, in the modern sense, has proven quite impotent, to say the least). In fact, as He did throughout the Sermon, Christ expanded upon man's notions of right and wrong, rather than, as many to-day believe, dispelling the Law altogether and bestowing an uber-liberty unto Christians, giving them license to live as they please.

Keeping the peace, while not always easily achieved to be sure, requires little more of the peacekeeper (in varying degrees, of course) than a combination of persuasion, coercion, and/ or separation of the quarreling parties. Overt or active hostilities have usually ceased by the arrival of the peacekeeper(s); he need only to prevent a resumption of the struggle. In other words, the issue at hand is not resolved, amends are not made, and wounds are not healed. The best result usually is an uneasy and extremely fragile detente.

Peace making, on the other hand, requires a great deal more in the way of talent in order to achieve peace--skill, persistence, and (ideally) a love for all parties involved deeply rooted in the love of Christ. Only when the salve of Christ's love is applied to the hearts of the warring parties can a real--and lasting--peace manifest itself.

Keeping the peace omits resolution and is tenuous at best. Making peace where there is active, participatory enmity is a task only accomplished through and by God. Few of us relish the thought of inserting ourselves into a volatile situation, irrespective of our desire for all to live at peace. We dislike conflict and avoid it like the plague. Yet, there is a blessing promised to those who make peace. Which of us will assign such little value to a blessing as to reject or avoid it?

Of course, the perfect example of peacemaking is Christ Himself, the Prince of Peace: 'For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.' ~ Romans 5:10.

A Change in Course

2007-08-01T11:39:00.000-05:00

I had (more or less) given up posting on this space due to a combination of factors: incredulity at the prospect that anyone cares about what I may think about an issue, the inverse relation of the new duties I have accrued of late to the amount of free time available to me, and (finally) fear at the prospect that my pastor might choose to check up on what I am writing.

That being said, my pastor asked me the other day whether I had a blog and I replied in the negative (giving him an honest assessment of why). To be totally honest, I had forgotten all about this space. However, I have noticed over the past weeks that many of my church family keep in touch with one another's lives through the blogosphere. I posted on another blog to this morning and, rather than do so anonymously, I remembered by blogger i.d., etc. and decided to revisit this page.

As you can imagine, I got the itch to blog again. I make no promises regarding how often I'll do so but I hope it will be more often than not. (Oh, boy...here we go.)

Who Do We Worship?

2007-02-08T14:17:00.000-06:00

With the 2008 U.S. Presidential election rapidly approaching (we are a scant 21 months away!), the candidates of both parties find themselves simultaneously selling their political vision to the people and parrying the accusations--and illuminations--that threaten to sink their candidacies.

Take former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney who is currently absorbing the jabs at his religion, Mormonism. Conventional wisdom, in addition to numerous public opinion polls, indicates that a Mormon hasn't a snowball's chance in Hades of being elected President. The odds increase in the candidate's favour if he is a Democrat; a Republican doesn't have a prayer. Therefore, in a thinly veiled attempt to link himself to John F. Kennedy (in addition to the fact that they both hailed from Massachusetts), Romney has cast himself--and his religion--as being misunderstood and harmless. That is hardly surprising. Very few people in the world would admit to being a threat--very few, but some. He has even dusted off the senior Senator from the Beehive State, Orrin Hatch (also a Mormon), to reassure the GOP faithful that the LDS is not a cult (e]Experience and observation notwithstanding).

What alarms me more than Romney's professed religious affiliation (which appears to be nominal at best) is his actual religious affiliation. Mitt Romney, not unlike so many others to-day unfortunately, worships the government. He has readily admitted (as did Kennedy) that his primary loyalties lie in Washington, D.C. and not in Salt Lake City. To wit: 'I very clearly subscribe to Abraham Lincoln's view of America’s political religion. And that is when you take the oath of office, your responsibility is to the nation, and that is first and foremost' [emphasis mine].

Anyone who speaks well of Abraham Lincoln is extremely suspect in my book to begin with; but his reference to 'America's political religion' is absolutely horrifying. Anyone who would subordinate their religious beliefs to the political/ secular should be ashamed of themselves. To be clear, this is not to be misconstrued so as to lead anyone to believe I advocate subversion or anarchy. On the contrary, we are very clearly called to obey the government and honour the king (or president, as the case may be). However, we are not to obey laws or decrees that run contrary to the Word of God or violate His Law.

Unfortunately, it appears that Romney's views are surprisingly predominate in evangelical circles to-day. Their first loyalty is to the GOP with God a close second. Now, let's all face Washington, D.C. and pray...

Modernist Arrogance

2006-02-07T20:07:00.000-06:00

To be sure, one of the greatest errors of Catholicism is the overemphasis placed on tradition. The Catholic Church, in fact, places the Magisterium on equal footing with Scripture, giving them equal weight and authority in regards to theology and doctrine. Yet, while one of the greatest truths to (re)emerge from the Reformation was that of sola scriptura, and, without a doubt, the authority afforded tradition by the Catholic Church is certainly errant, it is important that we Protestants do not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Tradition, while not authoritative, is extremely beneficial in our understanding and employment of the revealed Word of God in Scripture.

The Church seems to exist in a vacuum of late. We hold to many doctrines and teachings that not only were not part of the apostolic faith but, rather, are recent inventions offered initially as a way to forestall or placate the progress of the humanist onslaught. The result is a Christian weltanschauung that bears little resemblance to the faith of our fathers and would be hardly recognisable to them.

When confronted, those who are of the more modernist bent, rely on the most contorted of interpretations of Scripture to buttress their arguments. Those of us who hold to the historic faith can point to those same verses in support of our claims as well. An important consideration, I submit, would be to examine how the church has historically viewed the issue at hand--how did our fathers approach the issue?

Athanasius, the Father of Orthodoxy, 'always [based] his conclusions upon Scripture, and [appealed] to the authority of tradition only in proof that he rightly [understood] and [expounded] the sacred books. The catholic faith, [said Athanasius], is that which the Lord gave, the apostles preached, and the fathers have preserved; upon this the church is founded, and he who departs from this faith can no longer be called a Christian.' (Schaff, History of the Christian Church, v. III, Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity, A.D. 311-600, p. 606, 607). That is an aspect of the faith we have ignored--are we properly divining the Word or have we missed something? How arrogant that we, who have changed the Church so much in the past 50 years, feel as if we have more understanding than those saints who came before us the previous 2,000! The Church would be hardly recognisable to them, yet we glory in our errancy.

I will in future posts be discussing several of the ways in which we have left the faith of our fathers for the pottage of modernity. Certainly, most of us have done so only because that is in fact what we have been taught. I hope to awaken those like me who, once they understand the error, will seek to recapture the historic and apostolic manner of the Christian walk.

Brokevow Mountain

2006-01-13T11:37:00.000-06:00

No one in the Church, I would put forth, has been surprised by the barrage of positive PR oozing out of Hollywood in support of its latest attempt to unfasten the moral fiber of our society--the homoerotic filth from Ang Lee known as 'Brokeback Mountain.'

Lost in the justified furor by many professing Christians is the heart of the plot of the film. Say what you will about its glorification of a perverse and aberrant lifestyle, I have heard not one voice speak to another (almost more glaring) aspect--the main characters, whilst carrying on their long sodomitic journey, are betraying their wives and families. That's right, queer or not, they are SERIAL ADULTERERS! Has that escaped the notice of most folks?

In my opinion, the pro-homo agenda is enough to keep me as far away from any theatre showing that film as possible; but the manner in which the adultery is accepted (or at best unnoticed) is alarming to me. I am afraid that, if it were a man and a woman involved (wouldn't that be refreshing in and of itself?), the movie would have slipped under the radar and evoked no controversy at all--and that is what is really sad.

The Church will, apparently, tolerate Hollyweird's incessant glorification of lust, fornication, and adultery with nary a peep. (How else do we account for the millions of dollars these films make?)

Reconciling the Impossible

2006-01-09T12:39:00.000-06:00

As my wife and I continue down the path of Reformed Theology which we first tread two years ago, we are continually confronted with the reality of human finiteness and the need to rest—to completely rest—in our faith.

When one begins to attain a better (yet never complete) understanding of Scripture, he is consistently recognising that God’s Word contains innumerous antinomies, or ideas and concepts (doctrinal positions, etc.) which appear diametrically opposed to one another. Yet, we know that God does not contradict Himself—and He cannot deceive or lie.

One such antinomy that has generated hours of discussion between my bride and me is that of God’s decretive will (which, of course, follows naturally from a candid discussion of predestination). We are told, in the Word, that God is sovereign and that everything that comes to pass has been ordained (decreed) by God beforehand. In fact, all that has existed or ever will exist does so only with the supportive will of God. His will sustains the universe. We are also told that we are responsible for our actions, which certainly includes our sin.

How can this be?

It was while we were discussing this on a drive home through the country that it hit me. It is, at least to our finite intelligence, impossible for God’s decretive will and our free agency (as distinguished from free will) to coexist. In other words, it is impossible. Yet, it is also impossible to walk on water, turn water into wine, give sight to the blind (apart from modern medical procedures), raise the dead, and be resurrected. So, why do we, the faithful, accept the latter impossibilities ascribed to an omnipotent God who can do the impossible, yet, as it pertains to seemingly contradictory concepts, find it difficult to reconcile?

Reconciliation of the antinomian aspects of doctrine and theology is quite simple, actually. If something is impossible, it cannot be done—outside of the miraculous actions of God, who is not constrained by the laws of the universe. There cannot be varying degrees of impossibility. One thing cannot be less impossible than another; to be so, means that it is nearer to being possible. However, it cannot be almost possible without still being…impossible.

Therefore, if we are able to accept the one impossible act (walking on water, resurrection of the dead, etc.), we should be willing to fully accept the other, such as the relationship of God’s decretive will and human free agency/ responsibility. Both are, in human terms, equally impossible and still, in God’s terms, perfectly enacted.

My god, Liberty Be Thy Name

2005-12-22T10:34:00.000-06:00

As I reflect upon my life I can say that I have always sensed it, though I have not always recognised nor been cognizant of it. But is has always been there--at July 4th parties, Veterans' Day ceremonies, and most certainly during Memorial Day observances. The 'it' of which I write is the god of the New American Century; the idol of the Red Staters and, unfortunately, of professing Christians as well. The 'it' is Liberty.

We are told that 'Liberty' (which is interchangeable with 'Freedom') is worth the lives of thousands of dead American soldiers in a part of the globe most government school graduates couldn't find on a map if their lives depended on it as well as the 'collateral damage' that you and I would call dead innocent civilians.

Liberty/ Freedom has become our god. We allow ourselves to be pressured into hiding our faith and ignoring--rather, disobeying--God's command to spread his Gospel yet we have absolutely no compunction at all about interjecting and inserting ourselves into another country's business--at the point of a gun--in the name of spreading Liberty.

As if it were not bad enough that folks are combining Christianity with the worship of Liberty, we are increasingly seeing the supplanting and replacing the True Faith with the same! A couple of recent articles make it very clear--we shouldn't be obeying and worshiping God, we should be worshiping and spreading Liberty because, after all, Jesus was a libertarian and wanted 'democracy' to be spread across the world, not his Word!

The world would have us believe that our faith is something not to be 'foisted' upon others. Yet, the new Religion of Liberty/ Freedom must be propagated--whether others want it or not.

Oh, well, let's just dust off Lee Greenwood and pretend that everything is going to be ok.

A Thorn By Any Other Name

2005-12-21T19:36:00.000-06:00

Call it what you will but Reginald Dwight (Elton John) DID NOT get married to-day. To be sure, he garnered inumerable headlines and a modicum of pseudo-legitimacy for his faggotry from the post-Christian government of England but, whatever that dog-and-pony-show across the Pond was--it was most certainly NOT a wedding.

Marriage is an institution created, ordained, fostered, and DEFINED by God. No matter how much reprobates and apostates may insist it is a marriage, that no more makes it so than (to borrow from C. S. Lewis) a mad man can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'Darkness' repeatedly on the walls of his cell.

Put the Dim Switch Back!

2005-12-19T14:41:00.000-06:00

I live 30 miles outside of town--and I like it that way. My wife, my soon-to-be-born daughter, and I (and the dog--and the goats) live a nice, quiet, secluded, increasingly agrarian life out in the woods. Again, we like it that way.

Another benefit of living so far outside of town in that I have plenty of time during the drives to and from work to wake up in the morning, unwind in the evening, and generally mull things over. All of this (really!) leads me to the most recent thing to get stuck in my craw.

Why did they move the bright lights/ dimmer switch from the floorboard to the steering column? Certainly, the floorboard switch provided a greater level of convenience and ease (I have grown weary of activating my windshield wipers inadvertently), but it greatest attribute was the safety it allowed for while driving.

Many times I have been driving--especially along the back country roads to and from my house--and have been forced into a dance-like sequence of switching my bright lights on and off to avoid blinding oncoming traffic so often the cab of my truck could be confused for a Western Union office. It's just not safe to force me to constantly reach for the steering column in haste to engage and disengage the brights.

I remember the good old days (high school in the late 80's) when I drove my favourite car: a red/ orange ('rorange') 1969 Ford Mustang. Now, that was a fine automobile! I loved the power under the hood, the sleek body design, and how cool I felt behind the wheel. But I would have to say with a high degree of certainty that what I miss most about that ride is the bright lights dimmer switch ... that was on the floor!

Ah, the good old days.

ELEMENTS OF A GOOD PRISON SONG

2005-12-06T10:18:00.000-06:00

There was a time in the not-so-distant past when the radio teemed with well-written songs about Life as seen from inside prison walls--when the world's horizons stretched only from one side of a 12 x 12 foot cell to other. Such songs were able to elicit strong feelings which ranged from empathy and pity to a 'Don't do the crime if you can't do the time' point of view. But alas, the days of the prison balladier seem to have passed. To be sure, cacophonous ramblings depicting life on 'defrow' are in no short supply. Yet, there is a great difference (artistically as well as objectively) between the prison songs of yore and what passes for such to-day.

Conspicuously absent from the current offerings is any sense of a recognition or admission of having violated society's mores or the rights of others. The hip-hop filth which passes as the nearest comparable product is little more than a method for ne'er-do-wells to boast of their sociopathic prowess. Coupled with the obvious lack of wordsmithery and imagery and the atrocious teeth-rattling hum which passes for melody, there is very little that even the most impartial observer can find redeeming in the modern counterpart of the classic prison song. There are several crucial elements that may be used in a myriad of combinations and permutations to form the quinticential prison song, which I will discuss below. Granted, not every good prison song contains them in full and many emphasise them in varying degrees (often starkly so). Likewise, this list is not exhaustive; I welcome suggestions and additions.

THE FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE

The most poigniant of prison songs are those in which the central character (the convict) is 'spoken' of in the first person. The song may then be absorbed subconciously by the listener as a confession or, better yet, as an admonition or warning. The listener is manipulated into a personal investment in the song by virtue of a sympathy (in many cases) felt for the wasted life and unfortunate circumstances of the singer. The detachment allowed to take hold through the use of the third person format results in a sense of reading about the event or person in the newspaper or hearing a friend recount a tale heard from a further removed source. The first person narrative allows for a certain degree of intimacy that is missing from the alternative.

THE DEGREE OF THE INFRACTION

In general, the crime committed by the central character should be of a serious nature. Few folks are interested in hearing about a man doing a stretch for failing to pay his taxes or for securities fraud. (Although 'Cool Hand' Luke's crime may be an exception.) Murder and burglary are perennial favourites of the genre, though assault and battery appear not infrequently. The lion's share of good prison songs (and I must again stress good) depict a man either on death row, en route to the gallows (in its various forms), or languishing within the bounds of a life sentence for taking the life of another. Examples include 'Mama Tried' by Merle Haggard: And I turned twenty-one one in prison doing life without parole... -- 'Folsom Prison Blues' by Johnny Cash: I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die. -- 'Green, Green Grass of Home' by Tom Jones: I awake and look around me at four grey walls that surround me ... Yes, they'll all come to see me 'neath the shade of that old oak tree as they lay me 'neath the green, green grass of home. -- 'Sing Me Back Home' by Merle Haggard: The warden led a prisoner down the hallway to his doom... -- 'I Ain't Livin' Long Like This' made famous by Waylon Jennings: I'm at the bottom of the jailhouse now...

The above examples are but a fraction of those that prove the rule. Again, the best prison songs depict a man in a hopeless situation--the only way he'll get out of prison is in a box (one way or another). In contrast, songs such as 'Double Trouble' by Lynyrd Skynyrd, while fantastic in their own right, do not possess the angst due to the nature of the crimes committed. In the instance of 'DT,' the fellow involved is doing a thirty-day stretch on the Pea Farm (county jail) for fighting. His assertion that it is 'endless time' notwithstanding, it packs none of the punch of a life sentence or impending capital punishment. The same can be said of 'Wichita Jail' by the Charlie Daniels Band. One can appreciate the burdens of the chain gang--making little 'uns outta big'uns is not a position one generally desires to find himself. However, thirty days is just, well, thirty days. It most certainly is not holding down a cot in C Block for the duration of three concurrent life sentences.

REGRET

Again, the best prison songs evoke a significant amount of sympathy in the listener (or empathy under the 'best' of circumstances). In order to accomplish this admirable task, a certain degree of regret on behalf of the convict must be expressed. (It must be emphasised that regret is not synonymous with remorse; these are often polar opposites.) Expressing an understanding that one would be much better off having made different choices is not the same as a realisation that one has committed a grievous sin against God and feels badly for having violated society's trust or harmed another person. (Feeling horrible for having committed a wrong is not the same as being sorry you got caught.)

Few songs capture this regret like 'Folsom Prison Blues.' Woven among the imagery of a life inside four grey walls and Time Stood Still is the realisation that he (the literary 'he,' as opposed to Cash himself) deserves his fate: I know I had it coming--I know I can't be free. And there you have it, the best of both worlds in twelve words: regret and remorse. Much more unattractive, however, is the man who refuses to admit his misdeeds and, instead, places the blame on the correctional facility in which he finds himself as if it were at fault--the Prisoner As Martyr, as it were. This is brilliantly displayed in Mr Cash's 'San Quentin.' (The live version sends a shudder down the spine as the actual convicts in the audience can be heard shouting in agreement.)

THE UNHEEDED WARNING

Closely related to the above is the admission that the convict did not go unwarned. The regret is emphasised in this aspect to the point of utter frustration at having ignored the advice of others who predicted the (utterly predictable) result of such a lifestyle as that led by the pre-incarcerated convict. A Life Term is an eternity to ponder 'I Told You So.' The favourite vehicle to personify the unheeded warning is, more often than not, Mama. Freudian contrivances aside--and with all apologies to Oedipus--mamas have a tremendous influence on their sons (in a much different but nonetheless valuable way than fathers). For this reason--in addition to the special respect Southern boys have for them--Mama plays a pivitol role in warning the convict to straighten up and fly right--or pay the consequences.

Merle Haggard deserves credit for the quinticential song in this regard: 'Mama Tried.' In fact, the point is made all the more by the fact that the entire song, as opposed to a verse or two, is dedicated to admitting that his mama spent his entire youth attempting to 'steer him right' to no avail. He ignored mama at his own peril, literally. The Hag tells the same story in 'The Fugitive': I raised a lot of cane back in my younger days/ while Mama used to pray my crops would fail. Now I'm a wanted fugitive with just two ways/ outrun the Law or spend my life in jail.

We see the same willful disregard for wisdom in 'Hand Me Down My Walking Cane': Oh, if I'd listened to what Momma said/ Oh, if I'd listened to what Momma said/ If I'd listened to what Momma said, I'd be home in a feather bed. Likewise, in a less emphatic and somewhat passing way, Johnny Cash pays homage to the discarded words of wisdom from Mama: When I was just a baby my mama told me, 'Son, always be a good boy and don't ever play with guns ... we know the rest of the story.

(As an aside, the Mama Warning is not unique to prison songs. The Cox Family's 'I Am Weary, Let Me Rest' featured on the soundtrack of 'O, Brother, Where Art Thou?' also recognises this most prevalent of proverbs: Through the years you always loved me and my life you tried to save. But now I must slumber sweetly in a deep and holy grave.

ART IMITATING LIFE

The best of the prison genre are those that have a grounding (at least in a small degree) in reality. There is something special about a man who has actually spent time in prison singing about the same. It lends a certain legitimacy to the song. For example, a cowboy song sung by a banker from New York hardly has the impact of one by a bullrider from West Texas. This is why Merle Haggard, David Allan Coe, Johnny Rodriguez, et al. are so successful and up to the task--I've been there, man. I know.

HUNG OUT TO DRY

For some unknown reason, it appears that the men in these songs cannot depend on their friends or loved ones in their moment of greatest need. Seemingly without exception, there is no-one available to post bond for them in order to gain their release until (we assume) they are called to stand trial. To wit:

-- 'Way Down Town' by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with Doc Watson: Way down town, foolin' around, took me to the jail. Oh, me and it's oh, my--ain't no-one to go my bail.

-- 'In the Jailhouse Now' by Soggy Bottom Boys: He got throwed in jail with nobody to go his bail...

-- 'Trudy' by the Charlie Daniels Band: Call up Trudy on the telephone; send her a letter in the mail. Tell her I'm hung up in Dallas--they won't let me out of this jail. (One assumes he wasted his one phone call and failed to alert Trudy to his predicament.)

-- 'Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms' by Buck Owens: Now, where was you last Saturday night while I was a-layin' in jail? Walking the streets with another man--and no-one to go my bail.

-- 'Double Trouble' by Lynyrd Skynyrd: Eleven times I've been busted, eleven times I've been in jail. Some of the times I been there, nobody could go my bail.

-- 'My Last Ol' Dollar' from Ethel Park Richardson's 'American Mountain Songs': Oh Darlin', won't you go my bail? Oh Darlin', won't you go my bail? Won't you go my bail, an' get me out of jail? Oh Darlin', won't you go my bail?

-- 'Willie Warfied': I wrote my father a letter,'Oh, come and go my bail.' He sent me back an answer--he had no land for sale.

-- 'Hand Me Down My Walking Cane': Oh, I got drunk and I landed in jail. Oh, I got drunk and I landed in jail. I got drunk and I landed in jail. Had nobody for to go my bail.

Perhaps worse than having no one available or willing to go one's bail is rotting away whilst no-one is even aware that you are in prison. Such is the case in 'I Wonder If They Ever Think of Me' by our favourite Balladier of the Hoosgow, Merle Haggard. However, there is a caveat: the poor man in that song is a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam, as opposed to having been incarcerated for a breach of the penal code. (Serving time for having resisted the advance of the Red Horde is a far cry from being locked up for having knocked over a liquor store.) Likewise, innocence can add to the drama, as in 'Long, Black Veil.' (Though he is actually guilty of something--adultery.)

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

-- 'When You're Hot, You're Hot' by Jerry Reed. (Don't go throwin' dice with the fellas.)

-- 'A Week in a County Jail' by Tom T. Hall. (Hot baloney sandwiches? Flip the switch, man.)

-- 'Wichita Jail' by the Charlie Daniels Band. (Hot Kansas sun, indeed. Try pouring concrete in Texas.)

-- 'Long-haired Redneck' by David Allan Coe. (Long hair, tattoos, earrings. Yeah, we get it, you're an outlaw.)

-- 'Huntsville' by Merle Haggard. (David Crosby survived a stretch there in the 1980's.)

CONCLUSION

There we have it, the primary ingredients to a good (as opposed to merely successful) prison song. The aspects discussed here are not the last word, nor do the examples given represent all available. I welcome any comments or observations and hope that the readers find it entertaining and thought-provoking if not informative. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. But if you do: write a good song about it.

The Violent Messiah

2005-10-21T08:44:00.000-05:00

I have been disappointed in several instances with what I have read in the third volume of Philip Schaff's masterful work, 'The History of the Christian Church' ('Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity: A.D. 311-600'). While I was pleasantly surprised with the revelations (pun intended) found in the first volume detailing the Apostolic Age and read through the accounts of the German and Swiss Reformations with an eagerness usually reserved for one of C. S. Lewis' apologetic masterpieces, I am troubled by not a few of the issues raised by Schaff in his Nicene-era account.
The first point of contention arises in his discussion of the manner in which Christianity--primarily once adopted by Constantine--influenced life in the Roman Empire. Specifically, he details how many of the early Christians began to question their hand in slavery and realised the obvious (according to Schaff) incongruity it held with the true religion. The early Church Fathers, we are told, began to advocate gradual emancipation and preached that to follow Christ meant to divest oneself from such an abominable institution.
I will not invest myself in a restatement of the arguments made by R. L. Dabney in his nearly perfect treatise describing the fidelity of the instiution to Scripture. He removes all doubt as to the Bible's position in 'A Defence of Virginia and the South.' Dabney's work should be the genesis for any honest effort at ascertaining the morality of the Peculiar Institution.
I reckon my disappointment is more with Schaff than with the early Christians. Unlike the fourth century Believers, Schaff had access to the Canon and, therefore, should have known better than to state the antithesis of revealed truth. Paul and Peter, men in whom we could place confidence regarding an understanding of God's economy, were quite clear regarding the slave/ master relationship and the institution of slavery itself.
Slaves are never instructed to flee and masters are never directed to free their slaves. Rather, each is admonished to conduct themselves in a Christian manner within the confines of the relationship!
Slavery is everywhere in the Bible supported as a lawful and moral institution and to suggest otherwise is errant.

Another aspect of Schaff's work that has distressed me is his assertion regarding his account of the beginning of the persecution of heretics by the early church (following its marriage to the civil government).
To wit: 'The church, indeed, steadfastly adhered to the principle that, as such, she should employ only spiritual penalties, excommunication in extreme cases; as in fact Christ and the apostles expressly spurned and prohibited all carnal weapons, and would rather suffer and die than use violence.'
Again, such an absolute statement is not supported by a clear understanding of Scripture. 'So he [Jesus] made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.'
To be certain, this should not be contstrued to diminish Schaff's work. It is not infallible (as is Scripture) after all. The errors in judgement and interpretation are magnified only because the remainder of the work is so superlative.

12 October 2005

2005-10-05T07:39:00.000-05:00

'According to Libanius it was a principle with [Julian the Apostate], that fire and sword cannot change a man's faith, and that persecution only begets hypocrites and martyrs. Finally, he doubtless perceived that the Christians were too numerous to be assailed by a general persecution without danger of a bloody civil war. Hence, he oppressed the church "gently," under show of equity and universal toleration. He persecuted not so much Christians as Christianity, by endeavouring to draw off its confessors. He thought to gain the result of persecution without incurring the personal reproach and the public danger of persecution itself.' -- Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, vol. III, 'Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity, A.D. 311 - 600.'
(Strangely familiar, is it not?)