01.18.09
Whose choice?
305,641,537 – US Population (US Census Projection as of 1/19/2009)
50,000,000 – Abortions since Roe v. Wade decision in 1973
16.36 – Percentage of population who never had a choice
01.17.09
Waxwords
Another quote from Kingdom People and the upcoming book Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals:
“If we are inclined to share our personal testimonies [when proclaiming the gospel], so be it. But let us be sure to incorporate our own personal stories within the biblical story of Jesus. Our own testimonies are worth little if they do not include the historical truth claims that form the heart of the Christian faith. If we fail to preach Christ, we are leaving The Self on the throne. We are giving testimony about ourselves, not God.”
A good and timely reminder.
01.14.09
Schoolyard Bullies
There’s little in the political news that makes me happy these days. If Barack Obama does not act to rein in the bullying tendencies of Congressional leadership, he risks losing all the good will his election has generated. Like many others who did not vote for him, I honor the office he won and wish him success. But it is hard to maintain that in the wake of actions by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. It seems to me these two servants of the people have forgotten that they serve at the pleasure of the people and are acting like a pair of schoolyard bullies.
First we get the news that Nancy Pelosi has changed the House Rules to prevent changes or amendments to bills brought before the house. In other words, Nancy is saying that what Nancy wants, Nancy gets and woe betide anyone who gets in her way.
Harry Reid, knowing full well that a majority of the American public wants domestic energy exploration, has moved to add millions of acres of potentially energy rich property to those designated as “federal wilderness”, thus ensuring that they cannot be explored. Reid and company allowed the domestic drilling ban to expire last fall in the face of public opinion calling for the US to “drill here, drill now” or as some put it, “Drill, Baby, Drill”. Knowing how unpopular such a move would be, Reid called an unusual Sunday session of the Senate to get his bill passed. Nothing like doing dirty work on the Lord’s day, Harry. Reid’s action will do much to enrich the coffers of Middle Eastern oil producers and little to ease the burden for those of us in the US.
Way to build goodwill, Pelosi and Reid!
HT: Townhall
01.08.09
Put Down the Cell Phone!
I want a sign in the back window of my Jimmy … a nice neon one that says “Put Down the Cell Phone!”
I was almost hit twice today by the same person. The first time was as I sat waiting for the turn arrow for the road to my house. I am amazed that she didn’t hit me … it was THAT close. Then a few miles later when I was slowing down to turn onto my street, she almost got me again. I made the turn at a much higher speed than I would have liked and slid over into the soft snow at the side of the street.
Fortunately, stuff like that doesn’t faze my Jimmy and he pulled us through without a hitch. But I really want that sign!
01.05.09
RNC Debate
I just finished watching the debate between the candidates for the RNC Chairmanship. Here are my initial reactions (listed in the order they were seated and spoke):
Michael Steele – very smooth. Has a good stage persona, honed by his television appearances. But I didn’t feel he was passionate about anything except getting the job, although he did well in his closing statement. He is Hannity’s choice, which probably means he is also Romney’s choice.
Katon Dawson – spoke well and has a solid record. He also has some negatives which will probably keep him from the chair.
Ken Blackwell – has been gathering a lot of support and may be unstoppable. He seemed to lack passion for the task ahead (IMO) and (again, IMO) spent too much time talking about me, me, me.
Saul Anuzis – just didn’t come across well. Part of that was early problems with his microphone, but he just doesn’t seem to have the wide range of experience necessary to take on the national chair.
Chip Saltsman – seemed like the youngster in the crowd … oh, wait, he is. He didn’t talk a lot about mechanics, but did demonstrate a passion for the battle that will be necessary to field candidates and rebrand the GOP.
Mike Duncan – in a defensive battle to keep his job in light of huge losses in the states and nationally. He didn’t help himself, IMO.
Things to look for …
I just learned about a book I am looking forward to reading. Here’s a partial quote:
“True Christianity is not merely life-changing; it is world-changing.
Emphasize only the changing of individual lives and we will fail to call political systems, philosophies, and human structures to account under Jesus’ lordship.
Emphasize only political systems, philosophies, and human structures and we will compromise in our work for worldly progress while people remain dead in their sins.”
That little snippet was enough to engage my curiosity and I am looking forward to the publication of Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals. Read more from the author at Kingdom People: Saturdays are for Holy Subversion
Just what I needed … another book on my wishlist! I’ve been seeing a lot of lists of top books of 2008 or just books read in 2008. It pleases me (flatters me?) that I read many of them. It frustrates me that there are so many I want to read and haven’t yet. So many books … so little time … such great pleasure in reading them.
01.04.09
Sunday Afternoon Trivia
We missed out on the expected big snowfall yesterday. The forecast was for 5 – 10 inches, but we only got about 3. That’s the good news. The bad news is that it started with freezing rain, which made for very slippery roads. And the further bad news is that the temperature has dropped about 20° since I left for church this morning. Winds are supposed to be picking up and they say the wind chill tonight will be in the area of -30°. But it is suppose to warm up tomorrow … to about 12°. Then it might snow again on Tuesday. 
My landlord was gone for Christmas. Of course, we got our major snow storms after he left. The plow guys have done a good job keeping my driveway clear, but didn’t do the guest parking spot and the pile in front of my front porch was getting huge. My landlord returned yesterday and today has plowed out my drive and guest parking and cleared the front porch. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this guy, especially in light of the property manager I had to deal with at the former house. 
I have a couple of projects in the works which are keeping me out of trouble, and continue to work on getting my house in order. I discovered, much to my dismay, that I need to remove everything from the closet in my study so I can put stuff in it … the stuff that actually belongs in there. Once that is done, I will have the last of the boxes out of the kitchen and living room. I will also be able to hang art, which is currently in said closet. Yay for that!
01.02.09
For these tough times
For These Tough Times – reaching toward heaven for hope and healing – Max Lucado
Max Lucado introduces us to his book with lines from Psalm 11 … “When all that is good falls apart, what can good people do?” It’s a question many of us have asked, although we tend to ask it in the negative, demanding to know “Where is God when …” or “How can a holy God allow suffering?” In times of trouble, we often cry out to God and ask “Why?” Throughout the eight chapters of this book, Max Lucado gently leads us to see that we are asking the wrong questions. Gaining a better understanding of God and who He is helps us to know with certainty that we can know and trust God.
Lucado starts with our question of “Where is God?” and helps us to see how we can change our focus. His chapters explain God’s great love, his holiness and his good gifts to us. Further, he explores the need for forgiveness and our human desire for revenge. Chapters 6 and 7 deal with communication with and from God … listening for him to speak to us and from us to him through prayer. Under duress, most of us call out to God and wonder why he isn’t answering. God desires to hear from us often and prayer is the method of communication. Lastly, Lucado deals with the issue of grief.
These are tough times indeed, and Max Lucado’s book can help find the answers for working through them.
Max Lucado is the author of many books which are available through Thomas Nelson Publishers. He is Senior Minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas.
01.01.09
In the news …
- Michael Newdow is back in the news, having filed his quadrennial lawsuit to prevent any reference to God in the inauguration of President-Elect Obama: Lawsuit seeks to take “so help me God” out of inaugural. Newdow will be remembered as the California doctor and self taught lawyer who managed to get a California court to rule against the Pledge of Allegiance due to the words “under God”, a ruling which was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court. Interestingly, the court never ruled on the merits of the case, but dismissed it and reversed the California decision because Newdow had no prudential standing to bring it.
- In what looks to be the most expensive inaugural extravaganza ever, leaders from DC, Maryland and Virginia seek help with an expected $75 million in costs.
- Obama is raising record amounts for his inauguration although not on the level of contributions to his campaign. With a little digging, you can find the list online of individuals as well as those who are bundling contributions. It makes for interesting reading. Who knew there were so many unemployed and self employed wives with $50,000 laying around they could give for this cause?
- Meanwhile, Gaza is once again the origin of missile attacks that Israel won’t take lying down
- Cuba is marking a subdued anniversary.
- The Blagojevich scandal keeps on giving
- And Moscow turns off the heat for the Ukraine
There’s more … but how much can a person take? Happy New Year and the beat goes on!