...BLOG!

Resurrected... Again

2009-06-16T04:03:00.000-04:00

So I'm going to try blogging yet again cause I can do it from my phone and too many things annoy me nowadays. We'll see what happens this time. It'll probably depend solely on the ease of use of Blackberrys to blog.

Restart

2008-07-09T16:16:00.002-04:00

So I started blogging again with a new address:

http://homelessinus.blogspot.com

Have fun.

35w

2007-08-05T00:47:00.000-04:00

Why is Stanek (Hennepin County Sheriff) always doing the press conferences? Is Rybak that incompetent? I think I voted for Stanek...

McCain

2007-07-10T22:42:00.001-04:00

Irony: the man who wanted to "take money out of politics" can't earn any money for his campaign.

2008 Presidential Race

2007-06-19T20:47:00.001-04:00

Who do you like the most for President in 2008? Why?

Republican Presidential Debate

2007-06-05T19:51:00.000-04:00

How come the only one to claim the name of Christ in the Republican debate is the Mormon? These things make me frustrated.

Heard of Buffalo vs. Pack of Lions vs. Pair of Crocodiles

2007-06-04T22:17:00.000-04:00

This was linked from someone else I know on Facebook, but it was so good I had to repost it.

Alan

2007-06-03T03:32:00.000-04:00

Someone named Alan posted this in the discussion on my previous post (I responded there too):

I randomly ended up in your blog, so I decided to read it. Honestly, it amazes me how much of a wannabe Bill O'Reily you are. You're a hopeless redneck with aspirations of having a brain, a true shame to america's name and (long lost) reputation.

The FCC should seize your computer for NC-17 stupidity, and Bush should lock you up in Guantanamo, because such uneducated thinking is (or should be)a federal crime.

For the sake of intelligent people in this planet, please stop writing and go watch NASCAR (if you're not, already).

I'm sure you will understand (actually, I wish I was),

Thank you.

So this has got me worried. Has living in Florida made me a redneck? I don't think I've been anywhere close to one. I'm getting a little nervous... Any thoughts?

Pirates of the Caribbean

2007-05-26T21:17:00.000-04:00

Well, the 3rd "Pirates" movie just came out and it has been getting great reviews, so I saw it last night with my wife and some friends. Seeing it renewed my oft-suspected idea that my like in movies is exactly the opposite of critics.

Pirates of the Caribbean is 0 for 3 in my book. Granted, I didn't watch the entire second one, but that's because I just could not, for the life of me, get into it. In all of them, the character development didn't make sense (characters betrayed each other left and right and then were friends the next moment - there was no consistency within each character - half the time I was asking who the bad and good guys were cause it changed all the time), the plot dogged all over the place like a squirrel trying to figure out how to get out of the road, and the dramatic moments didn't flow from the story line naturally or even seem like they should be there.

Sure, it has some cool graphics and sound effects. The action scenes were pretty sweet and all. But the raw aspects of film (and stories in general) were not there. The movies just weren't that good, and this third one was no different.

So if you liked the first two, I guess this one would be good. But if you haven't seen any of them, I wouldn't bother.

Found on Facebook

2007-05-07T15:05:00.000-04:00

Chipotle

2007-05-03T15:34:00.000-04:00

I'm really bummed out right now that there's no Chipotle within 300 miles or so of Pensacola. And why is my keyboard all jacked up! Ahhh! It keeps going back one letter when I type so words get all dyslexic on me. This sucks. At least I spelled "dyslexic" right the first time, but it doesn't offset my hunger for Chipotle. Crap.

In Memoriam: Jordan R. (1981-2007)

2007-04-30T12:15:00.000-04:00

It's been 24 days since the fateful "asdfasdf, part II" post on Jordan's blog and we can only assume the worst. While authorities are still searching for any sign of a new post, many have come to grips with the reality that Jordan has gone to a better place.

"He was a great friend," said Erik Tisthammer, one of his blog readers and former roommates. "TF3S has lost a vigilant ally in the War on Terror, as well as a good friend."

Another friend of his, Mike Mellema, exclaimed in a funny sounding accent through tears, "I cannots believes its! Ize missed him so mooch!" Mellema says his only way of coping right now is through video games.

Others joined in the mourning over the weekend, as President Bush gave a final eulogy. In it, he remarked:

"While no one knows for sure the fate of Jordan, we do know one thing: he hasn't posted on his blog for 24 days. Although we have hope - and, indeed, we hope for hope - I think we must accept the conclusion the free world has dreaded for years. We must move on, honoring his name, by fighting the forces of terror and injustice who seek to take that which Jordan himself has fought for for so many years: truth, justice, and the American Way."

So to my friend, Jordan, may you rest in peace.

Note: Due to this being the very first link on Google when searching Jordan's name, and since he works (and will be working) in an ivory tower, where people search each others' names on Google in order to get more information about them instead of talking to them, I have removed his last name from the entry.

Evil Bible, Good Puppy, New Airline, New Planet, Mexico City Legalizes Abortion, Captain America, and Superman's Weakness Found!

2007-04-24T20:50:00.000-04:00

This:

Evil Bible

is an interesting site. It's apparently a manifesto, of sorts, documenting why the bible is evil and contradictory, and how God himself is evil (which doesn't make sense - they seem very angry). The writer(s), however, have done very poor research into Christian theology, as is shown by the ignorance of their arguments.

Any thoughts?

-----
So we got a new puppy. Yes. That's right. We did. We ended up naming her Bree (really "Breeds" but we call her Bree), after Breed's Hill. Our other dog is named Bunker, since Bunker Hill is the site of a famous Revolutionary War battle. The thing about the hill, however, is that the battle was really fought on Breed's Hill, since there was a little confusion as to which was which (I believe an American commander was to hold Bunker Hill, but he confused the two and ended up holding Breed's). Thanks to Lindsay, my brother's girlfriend, for the suggestion, and to those on Facebook who helped up decide!

What happened is that I got sick this last weekend. As a result, we were really late for church. When we got there, we opened our doors and were talking in our car when Katie all of sudden saw this little puppy running around the parking lot. We went over and found it sitting underneath a parked car that was running (there was a guy in it - he didn't know anything about the dog). She could have very easily been run over. She gave one bark at us, then pranced right up to Katie and jumped in her arms. She was just the sweetest and cutest dog we'd ever seen!

We went to a few houses by the church and no one knew anything about her (she didn't have any identification or collar on her), so we left our number with a lady and decided to take her home to try to find the owner(s) online or by calling shelters. Besides, Bunker needed a friend and we had talked about getting another dog (although we were careful not to get our hopes up... it was hard not to fall in love with her).

The next day, Monday, Katie took her to the vet to see if she was microchipped. She wasn't, and there were no calls to any local shelters, or any mention of her online. I posted her info online, but we haven't received any contact as of yet (I initially had a picture up, but took it down and just left the info since she's so adorable and I didn't want someone just saying she was their dog - if someone wants her back, they'll find our contact info pretty easily). She was hungry and dehydrated when we found her, so if someone was looking, we would have crossed paths by now. The lady at the vet said whoever owned her probably abandoned her at the parking lot, hoping someone would take her in. I guess that became us!

After 2 weeks, we become the legal caregivers. So please pray that no one did own her or want her (they probably would have contacted us by now anyway, but we've fallen in love with her, so pray anyway). She is such a wonderful, loving, sweet, friendly dog - always wanting to jump in your arms, be held, and play. We feel so blessed by God for this unsuspected surprise! She'll be a great companion for Bunker, who is a little jealous right now, when she gets bigger (she's about 10 weeks right now). Two dogs will eventually make our lives easier. Right now, though, she pees on the floor.

There are some more pictures on Facebook.
-----

And on to some news... So I was browsing some websites (since the Navy's computer system here blocked me from doing my computer classes - I was sick, so I guess being sick means you can't study... anyway...), and ended up going to Fox News to see what's going on in the world. I was amazed at how many stories were fascinating. So here we go:

-----
A new airline is offering tickets starting at $10/person (going up to $330 for last minute flights). Their plan? They'll be advertising on the flight.

I think this is absolutely brilliant! In fact, my brothers and I had this idea years ago. I'm sure others did, too, but it just took years to implement. American airlines cannot compete effectively with foreign carriers because of their government subsidies. As such, Americans expect an artificially low price - artificial, because the airlines should be charging more. That's why you have to pay $2 for some pretzels, or a pillow...

The problems got even worse when the US government started subsidizing (but not to the point that foreign countries do, which would cost a great deal of money - just enough to keep a failing company from going out of business) US airlines in order to keep them from going out of business. While this seemed good in the short term, it ended up promoting bad business practices and poor management in the long term. Thus, we end up with airlines that have to compete, but are caught in the bureaucracy only government can provide, making them both dependent on bureaucratic resources and extremely inefficient. I think this new airline is long overdue, and I really hope they succeed. They're truly going the capitalist route - one that could have fixed US airlines years ago.

-----
A new planet was found about 20 light years away from earth that possibly could sustain life as we know it. I'd be interested to hear more about this, especially from a more scientific point of view (the article says things like the planet probably doesn't rotate so one side is always day... this is technically wrong - the planet rotates at the same rate that it rotates about its sun, just like our moon).

-----
On the issue of international spiritual warfare (as Erik pointed out), despite our Supreme Court upholding the partial-birth abortion ban, Mexico City decided to legalize 1st Trimester Abortions. I didn't know they were illegal. Mexico has many, many problems, but I give them credit for having laws against abortion. It's sad that they're also going the way of our socialist neighbors to the north, though.

-----
Captain America. Funny/weird story. This guy was a doctor, too? Read it.

-----
Kryptonite has been found.

Race

2007-04-23T21:27:00.000-04:00

Erik Tisthammer wrote this to me on Facebook. I edited it a little to make it a blog post. Sorry, Erik, I didn't post this earlier. I leave it as it is, and allow for any discussion as desired. Here it is:

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

I know we joke and talk a lot about race, but I was wondering if you would post a column on your blog just talking about what progress, or lack of progress has been made in the last forty years. The only thing that really spurred me in asking you to do this was considering I'm engaged to a 'minority', I laugh when i say that, and this article that i just read this afternoon:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18090277/from/ET/
or
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18090277/

It's kind of long but a good read. I have a lot of comments myself relating to this but it's your blog so you might as well start us off.

Or maybe I can be a guest columnist?

Oh yeah, the big reason this is happening now is b/c this weekend baseball is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier for MLB [again sorry, Erik, for not getting this out earlier].

- Erik

Spiritual Warfare

2007-04-18T21:27:00.000-04:00

Updated due to more events this week (Friday, April 20).

In the same week that a partial birth abortion ban was upheld by the US Supreme Court, there was the largest massacre in US history at Virginia Tech, a massive flood in New Jersey, a holdup and a murder-suicide at the Johnson Space Center, a Maryland mine that collapsed on some workers, and a shooting rampage in New York. The bible is clear that God judges nations, and that demonic forces work with and within them to bring about evil. Is this spiritual warfare on a national level? I wonder.

Virginia Tech School Shooting

2007-04-16T22:09:00.000-04:00

As a disclaimer, I know very, very little about this shooting. I just wanted to ask that you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE not use this for gun control propaganda. Before knowing anything, I can almost guarantee a few things:

1. The gun the student used was illegal and/or illegally purchased.
2. The gun was illegally brought on campus (i.e., Virginia Tech already has laws against bringing firearms on campus).
3. None of the students shot, and no one but police, were armed with firearms.

I don't know if any of these things are true, but I'm already quite sure I'm right. And before the Left uses this for their own politics (they probably already have, I really haven't been following it), I'll use it for mine: if the students had been armed, this would not have happened.

P.S. Feel free to keep commenting on the last few posts... I've been putting a lot up recently.

Carbon Offsets

2007-04-15T19:34:00.000-04:00

I'm going to start selling carbon offsets. For every $1 you give me, I will NOT drive an SUV 1 mile this year. So, if you give me $100 dollars, I will cut my SUV driving by 100 miles this year. Just to make it fair, since I'm already enviro-conscious, we'll start with 10,000 miles and subtract from that.

Also, I will NOT produce livestock, which creates methane gas, at a rate of 1 cow per $100. So, if you give me $1000, I will produce 10 cows fewer than I would have otherwise.

Of course, with all of this, based on the money I receive, my carbon usage will eventually go to zero. If that is the case, I will still accept money, and just apply it to the next year (i.e., If I am paid for 3 cows more than I don't produce, I will not produce 3 cows the next year).

In addition, I will accept payments for other things, such as:
- NOT building a coal power plant
- NOT holding hair spray bottles up in the air and pushing the button until all of it is gone just for fun
- NOT artificially creating carbon monoxide in my backyard for the sole purpose of increasing greenhouse gases

Contact me and we will work out some payment plan.

And as I tell everyone, I don't do this for personal gain. I'm not greedy. Greed would be paying for the resources you use, like the above cartoon told me. Greed certainly wouldn't be using your large amount of wealth in order to make yourself feel better by paying others to change their lifestyle while you don't. I do this so that you can feel good about yourself - like you're actually doing something to help the environment. You, the rich hypocritical environmentalist, can feel like you're fighting evil. And whether or not you really are (cause you're not), feelings are what matter.

So go ahead and give me you're money so you don't have to change your lifestyle. It will make both of us happier.

How's It Going?

2007-04-14T16:40:00.000-04:00

So... uh... yeah... I don't really have anything to write about - at least not anything I care to take the time for, at the moment. So, what are you feeling right now? Anything making you happy or pissing you off?

Thanks.

Jon Stewart is an Idiot

2007-04-03T20:14:00.000-04:00

This guy:
is an idiot. He used to be funny - sometimes still is - but has combined a potentially hilarious format and demeanor with politics in a way that is nothing but bitter propaganda wrapped in a sweet tortilla shell of comedy.

The problem is not primarily that he rips on conservatives and conservative ideas. His bias is quite clear. The problem is that he does it in a way that isn't funny. Here are some examples I found on a discussion board, although every episode has plenty of them:

"Hurricane Katrina is George Bush's Monica Lewinsky. One difference, and I'll say this, the only difference is this: That tens of thousands of people weren't stranded in Monica Lewinsky's vagina. That is the only difference."

"George W. Bush is going to build a new dam in Iraq..so that we can fight the water over there..instead of over here."

Not funny. His "humor" is "funny" for his audience because it is cynical mocking of conservatives, and that's the problem. As a contrast, Stephen Colbert, who is on right after him, is immensely funny, even though a lot of his humor is directed at conservatives. Humor is not Stewart's first priority; attacking conservatives and Republicans is.

Stewart also intentionally takes quotes out of contrast to make public figures look like idiots. He tries to appear to be objective by doing it to liberals too, but "mocks" them by merely making them sound funny, not moronic. Despite the unbalanced attacks, his "funny" quotes would still be fine if he did it right (in a way where it is clear they are out of context), but he doesn't. The sole purpose is mockery, and in a way that isn't even fair. This reveals a principal many on the Left live by: the truth doesn't matter, only the point that is being made.

Essentially, Jon Stewart is a propagandist, who has little concern for either accuracy or true comedy. That is why Jon Stewart is an idiot.

Rap Cat

2007-03-22T22:49:00.000-04:00

Since you all (I refuse to use the contraction form) don't live in the south, you may not have Checkers. It's a fast food restaurant that currently has an ad campaign based on Rap Cat. I believe Checkers originally came up with the idea (i.e., he is a product of their ad campaign). For some reason, this is one of the funniest and catchiest things I have ever seen. Here he is (click on it):

Giuliani, McCain, and GingrichWhy the first two can't win, and why I hope none do.

2007-03-13T15:26:00.000-04:00

As the presidential race heats up almost two years in advance, we find ourselves caught up in poles matching multiple candidates against each other to see who will win. Political analysts have made predictions, and already it seems that we have our candidates, or at least our front runners. Unfortunately, they're wrong.

The major problem with Giuliani and McCain is that they are not conservative (Romney could be included as well, but the Governor of Massachusetts is, ironically, still more conservative than these two and has a chance). Most importantly, the latter is moderately pro-life and the former is outspokenly pro-death (the opposite of pro-life). Giuliani is also pro-gun control, and McCain has a strong record of being "bipartisan," which means, of course, that he votes for liberal policies such as Campaign Finance Reform.

In fact, the only pluses that either candidate has with respect to the Republican Party is that there is a sense that they will be able to do good things with Iraq and will probably support some tax cuts. But pretty much every possible Republican candidate has a similar reputation on Iraq, except for Chuck Hagel, who himself is liberal in other respects. And who doesn't "support tax cuts"? Giuliani is also "tough on crime," which is good for a mayor, but does little for a presidential candidate save but perhaps a perception of being pro-military (which, again, almost all the Republican candidates do, and of which McCain probably has a better reputation).

The issue with these candidates is not the general election, but the Republican primaries. In fact, I think both would do quite well in a general election. As a result, I could see either of them as potential VP candidates for a strong conservative one. Which leads us to the actual conservative.

Gingrich did a good job in Congress, leading the conservative movement with strength and tact. He is respected amongst conservatives, and would certainly do well policy-wise as a President. Conservatives would be happy with his ideas, and he would be able to explain conservative principles clearly from the "bully pulpit." However, I hope he doesn't win the primaries. Despite the fact that I agree with a lot of what he says, he has had 3 wives, including at least one affair.

"But didn't Reagan have 2 wives? You'd vote for him if you could, wouldn't you?"

Yes, on both accounts. But Reagan's wife left him. Biographers have noted it wasn't his desire. Gingrich, on the other hand, by his own shortcomings, has been unfaithful and a willing participant in both divorce and adultery. I certainly believe in forgiveness, and don't think it is right, fair, or reasonable to hold every sin of a public figure against them. The fact that Bush tried drugs (he didn't admit it outright, but it was pretty strongly implied) or was an alcoholic when he was young has no bearing on my vote for him. It was done a long time ago and there was true repentance. His character as a leader, I believe, has been shown in the changes that came about in his life, and more importantly, his faithfulness to his family.

Gingrich has shown a lack of character in regards to his family. Just as the bible speaks of church leaders, if a man cannot lead, govern, and be trusted with the affairs (no pun intended) of his family, he should not lead, govern, and be trusted with the affairs of the country. Again, no one is perfect, and there is room for forgiveness. However, I believe that because of this single issue, Gingrich has gone beyond a point of acceptance.

"But you'd vote for him for Congress?"

Yes. But a Congresshuman ("Congressman" is sexist) is a representative sent to vote on our behalf. They lead, sure, but they are not figureheads. I don't see Jim Ramstad as a figurehead of the western suburbs of Minneapolis. He is my representative in Congress. I care much more about how he votes than I do about his personal life.

The President is different. He is a figurehead for the US, both here and around the world. He should be held to a higher standard in personal character. When Clinton committed adultery, it hurt this nation. Junior high kids were interviewed on Oprah about how they just had oral sex because it "wasn't sex." We want presidents who have good policies. But character is just as, if not more, important, since the role of President involves a great deal of leadership and moral courage. I believe most Americans, especially those who vote in the Republican primaries, have strong feelings about this.

For the same reason (beyond the others already mentioned), both Giuliani and McCain are bad candidates for the office. Both have had affairs and multiple wives, although McCain is probably a more easily forgivable candidate, being as a lot of it resulted from his 5+ years as a POW.

So all in all, no thanks. Of the three, Gingrich has the best chance of winning the primaries. But despite my support of a lot of his policies, I don't want him to be my President. I could see any of them as VP's, and don't think issues of extra-marital activities would hurt the presidential candidate (VP's are sort of glorified Senators... I don't think they need to be held to the same standard). It's so far out, though, that we have no idea who will win. Hopefully, some true conservative will take the lead. Right now, all is speculation.

However, I can say confidently that McCain and Giuliani will not be nominated by the Republican Party, and I hope Gingrich isn't. In the end, I'll probably end up voting for the Republican, because I'm somewhat of a pragmatist, and as my friend Jed says, "politics is about direction, not perfection." Here's hoping he's a true conservative who's got some balls when it comes to moral courage.

For more on Gingrich, here is the recent interview he had with James Dobson where he spoke of his shortcomings:
Gingrich Interview

The Story Says It All

2007-03-11T00:19:00.000-05:00

Boston woman sues for child-rearing costs after failed abortion

March 7, 2007

BOSTON --A Boston woman who gave birth after a failed abortion has filed a lawsuit against two doctors and Planned Parenthood seeking the costs of raising her child.

The complaint was filed by Jennifer Raper, 45, last week in Suffolk Superior Court and still must be screened by a special panel before it can proceed to trial.

Raper claimed in the three-page medical malpractice suit that she found out she was pregnant in March 2004 and decided to have an abortion for financial reasons.

Dr. Allison Bryant, a physician working for Planned Parenthood at the time, performed the procedure on April 9, 2004, but it "was not done properly, causing the plaintiff to remain pregnant," according to the complaint.

Raper then went to see Dr. Benjamin Eleonu at Boston Medical Center in July 2004, and he failed to detect the pregnancy even though she was 20 weeks pregnant at the time, the lawsuit alleges.

It was only when Raper went to the New England Medical Center emergency room for treatment of pelvic pain in late September that year that she found out she was pregnant, the suit said.

She gave birth to a daughter on Dec. 7, 2004.

She is seeking damages, including child-rearing costs.

Raper and her lawyer, Barry C. Reed Jr., refused comment when contacted by The Boston Globe.

A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood said the organization does not comment on pending litigation.

Neither doctor responded to requests for comment.

Raper alleges in the suit that Planned Parenthood and Bryant were negligent for failing to end her pregnancy and that Eleonu was negligent for failing to see she was still pregnant.

The state's high court ruled in 1990 that parents can sue physicians for child-rearing expenses, but limited those claims to cases in which children require extraordinary expenses because of medical problems, medical malpractice lawyer Andrew C. Meyer Jr. said.

Raper's suit has no mentions of medical problems involving her now 2-year-old daughter.

As with all medical malpractice suits in Massachusetts, Raper's complaint will have to be screened by a tribunal consisting of a Superior Court judge, a lawyer, and a doctor to determine whether it has merit to go to trial.

The Proper Use of "I" and "Me"

2007-02-26T22:28:00.000-05:00

Poor English grammar bothers me. Yeah, sure, if you know me well, you know a lot of things bother me. Well, screw you... ok, just kidding. Anyway, this one seemed like such a simple fix, yet such a common error. So I thought I should write about it.

When we were in elementary school, our teachers thought it important to correct the common mistake of using the term "me" when "I" should be used in specific reference to a person or persons and the speaker. Thus, most of us correctly say things like, "John and I are going to watch football." This was such a cultural phenomena amongst elementary-school-English-teachers, that the "learned" of our day are hard pressed to use the word "me" when it is required in these situations, as if it has become a 4 letter word itself ('meee'). Alas, the error is just as egregious.

So, I intend to give a quick rundown on the proper usage of these words. The rules are quite simple. Most of you who read this are smart already, so it's probably nothing new. You can just use the discussion thread to complain about other English errors. If you didn't know, I hope this makes it clear (you can be smart and not know, too - they obviously didn't teach it very well in elementary English - I just mean that those who read this blog have a higher chance of already knowing these rules).

Essentially, to know if you are to use "I" or "me", ask yourself what sounds right if not using the other person or persons in the sentence. For example, if the sentence at hand is:

"My wife and I live in Florida."

I would take out the reference to my wife, and say:

"I live in Florida."

Well, that is very obviously the proper usage. Thus, the first sentence is correct. Let's look at another example:

"Jordan gave my wife and I a nice wedding gift."

Removing the reference to my wife again, this becomes:

"Jordan gave I a nice wedding gift."

That is obviously incorrect. Thus, the sentence should have been:

"Jordan gave my wife and me a nice wedding gift."

For those looking for a more technical distinction between the two usages, what we are looking for is whether the phrase is the subject or the object of the verb. In the first example, for instance, "My wife and I" is the subject. Thus, the usage of "I" is correct. In the second example, the verb is "gave" and the object of that verb (or, what the verb acts upon) is "my wife and me". In this case, "me" is correct.

Anna Nicole Smith

2007-02-23T10:57:00.000-05:00

Would you rather:

a) Watch more coverage of Anna Nicole Smith developments
b) Watch more coverage of Brittney Spears
c) Eat an ounce of poop

South Park Conspiracy Episode

2007-02-11T15:38:00.000-05:00

One of the best episodes I've seen in awhile: Download here

Why Christian Bookstores Bother Me

2007-02-01T18:12:00.000-05:00

1. High prices. Christ paid a high price for your salvation, so you must pay a high price for this bible.

2. Customer service. I'm sure it changes from store to store, but why don't Christian bookstores stand out as the best for customer service? I think this is a poor reflection of the gospel. My wife dropped off my bible to get it rebound before Christmas. I just got it back and it was done poorly. However, the bookstore we've been working with doesn't seem to want to help. They debate me, in fact, telling me I should have had different assumptions. Anyway, this is one example, but customer service at Christian bookstores doesn't stand out to me.

3. They don't run like a business. Excellence in everything is a godly virtue (Col. 3:23). This goes in line with the first two complaints, but what does it say when, from an objective standpoint, I'd rather purchase my new book on theology from Barnes & Noble?

4. Compassion for the lost and/or for those in need. This is reflected in the prices, as well as the products that are sold. It's not necessarily wrong to sell $10 rubber bracelets, but why does the Salvation Army stand outside Walmart instead (I don't think it's just the traffic flow)? Perhaps this is more of an issue with the broader Christian subculture.

5. Exclusivity. Yeah, it's a Christian bookstore, I understand. But do they have to exclude other good books/media? Perhaps more of my concern is with the separation of Christians from the rest of the world (I Cor. 5:9-10, Luke 15), which again is a Christian subculture issue. Is it unchristian that I sometimes worship God with secular music? Hell no.

6. Superfluousness. Apparently, there is a need to wear 40 different God-fearing bracelets, while carrying my coffee and water in containers that remind me that God exists, and my bible in a multi-colored case that screams, "I'M A CHRISTIAN! TAKE THAT EVIL HEATHEN! I BELIEVE IN CREATION TOO!" And if you get to know me, you'll see that I mark all my bible verses with bookmarks with other bible verses on them, have paintings at home costing hundreds of dollars that also have bible verses on them, and drive home in my great-commission-car that shares the gospel with everyone I cut off.

7. Corniness. This is perhaps the worst offense in my book. Apparently, Christian culture is defined by fake plants, cliché phrases, cheesy music, and bumper stickers that let everyone know how "cool" it is to follow Christ.

Well, there are my 7 reasons - the biblical number for completion, in fact. Let me know what you think.

Thank God (part II)

2007-01-30T23:03:00.000-05:00

God blessed us with a new home! I included the link here in case you care to look at pictures or info. I thought it looked nicer in person, plus we get to get a dog. Katie was really happy about it, so that helped sell me. We have been praying for months that one, we'd get out of our lease, two, that we could get a specific dog (that still hasn't been "adopted" yet), and three, that would could find a place that pretty much fits the description that this place does. Prayer does work, even when it's just for things we want. Anyway, thank God again for blessing us so much!

Our new home! (Go to "Property" and search for MLS #317731)

Thank God

2007-01-29T17:57:00.000-05:00

No, there wasn't another Dictatorhanging (yes, one word). This time I wanted to thank God for blessing us with something we've been praying about for a couple months: that we can break our lease. Our landlord company finally capitulated and will allow us to move closer to Whiting Field (my new base, which turns out is about a 40 minute drive with no traffic, and since I'll be flying and need to be alert, and I may have really long [up to 12 hours cause they're not allowed to schedule us for more] days away from my wife, a 40 minute drive both ways kind of... sucks)! So thanks to anyone and everyone who prayed for this. But mostly, thank God that he worked this out for us.

If anyone desires to keep us in their prayers, you can first off pray that we have godly wisdom and discernment in this move. Also, pray that we find a really nice house for a reasonable rent price (we're looking ~$1000/mo) in a good neighborhood near friends, that we can find it soon, that the move will be smooth and not adversely affect my training or put undue stress on Katie, and that we can get the dog that we looked at months ago and have been praying about getting since then.

Thanks in advance for your prayers. But mostly, thank God for his glorious blessings in Christ Jesus.

It's Funny When Liberals Fight

2007-01-27T16:14:00.000-05:00

Bono a hypocrit? So says liberals.

Note: This was originally sent to me by Mike Mellema.

Preambles

2007-01-24T17:15:00.000-05:00

This was sent to me by my Father. I thought it was worth posting (I truncated the intro and some of the end, and edited a little of the format, otherwise the email verbatim is reprinted).

The Preambles of all 50 States Of The United States:

Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.

Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...

Arkansas 1874, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California 1879, Preamble . We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.

Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.

Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...

Georgia 1777, Preamble . We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii 1959, Preamble . We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance... Establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...

Louisiana 1921, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity... And imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble . We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe... In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction...

Michigan 1908, Preamble... We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble . We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness... Establish this Constitution...

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ...

Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom... Establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution .

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty

New York 1846, Preamble . We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those

North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We , the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...

Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble . Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this ...

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing

South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties .

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...

Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble . Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man...

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other .

Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution

West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility

Wyoming 1890, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties... establish this Constitution.

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong!

Please note that at no time is anyone told that they MUST worship God.

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." - William Penn

GOD BLESS AMERICA

I predict Bears vs. Colts in Super Bowl

2007-01-20T21:24:00.000-05:00

So I may eat my words, but I'm predicting/hoping the Bears and Colts will be in this year's Super Bowl (added early afternoon, Jan. 21: Not to brag... well, actually I am bragging here - I predicted the Bears and Colts in the Super Bowl during week 4 or 5 or so of the season). Here's a quick list of reasons why I like these teams versus the others:

1. The Patriots have already won a bunch and there's little excitement in another Patriot Super Bowl run.

2. The Patriots are from Massachusetts, one of the most liberal states - they even have gay marriage there. Also, New England culture sucks. They are arrogant, left wing, self-righteous prudes.

3. The Colts have a great coach in Tony Dungy. He played (and I believe coached a bit) for the Univ. of Minn., coached for the Vikings, is a committed Christian, and a great manager of the game.

4. Indianapolis is a city of nice people in a good part of the country. The culture is one of genuine, conservative, hard working Americans who actually know how to drive. I lived near there in Dayton, too.

5. Peyton Manning is a phenomenal player and has deserved a Super Bowl shot for the last couple years. It would be great to see him there.

6. The Saints are from New Orleans. New Orleans is a "wretched hive of scum and villainy," in the words of one Obi-Won Kenobi. It deserved to be flooded, and they don't deserve to go to the Super Bowl. (Otherwise, I have nothing against the Saints - actually rooted for them during last week's game... well, that was more anti-Eagles rooting, but still...).

7. The Bears are from the NFC North (as are the Vikings), and as such, get "home field advantage" in my preferences.

8. The Bears have turned around from being an awful team to a really good one in just a few years. I like watching them.

9. The Bears have a good defense that helps them win, which is a sign of a solid team. That's a point in my book.

Here's to a few good games tomorrow!

Added: I changed the title so that it's clear that I was predicting these two teams prior to the games, versus just talking about the teams that won.

Hilarious

2007-01-20T15:07:00.000-05:00

Here.

Baby is sent through X-ray machine at LAX

2007-01-15T13:22:00.000-05:00

Found this while browsing my Internets (originally linked to from here):

A woman going through security at Los Angeles International Airport put her month-old grandson into a plastic bin intended for carry-on items and slid it into an X-ray machine.

The early Saturday accident — bizarre but not unprecedented — caught airport workers by surprise, even though the security line was not busy at the time, officials said.

A screener watching the machine's monitor immediately noticed the outline of a baby and pulled the bin backward on the conveyor belt.

The infant was taken to Centinela Hospital, where doctors determined that he had not received a dangerous dose of radiation.

Officials, who declined to release the 56-year-old woman's name, said she spoke Spanish and apparently did not understand English.

She initially didn't want the baby transported to a hospital, but security officials called paramedics and insisted that the child be examined by a doctor.

The grandmother and the child were subsequently allowed to board an Alaska Airlines flight to Mexico City...

So I have a few questions:

1. What was she doing in the US and why does she know no English?
2. Does this speak to how screwed up California is?
3. How would speaking English have kept her from putting a baby through an x-ray machine?
4. Do we now need to put anti-baby indicators on x-ray machines (such as a crossed out silhouette of a baby)?
5. Why is this "bizarre but not unprecedented"?
6. Why is she flying Alaska Airlines to Mexico City?

Anti-me?

2007-01-13T20:42:00.000-05:00

This was the entire "About Me" description on the Facebook page of someone I know:

i care about a lot of things... pro-choice, reproductive rights of women and men, feminism, human rights, gender equality, environmentalism, anti-discrimination/racism, amnesty international, anti- death penalty, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender rights, atheism, healthcare, democracy, anti-homophobia, anti-hate, pacifism, publicly funded elections, autonomy, freedom of speech, separation of church and state, right to privacy....and much more..

I don't know her well - just who she is. Save but 2 or 3 things, is this the perfect anti-me description?

Selfishness Clothed in Humility

2007-01-02T18:53:00.000-05:00

If I find that, despite my selfish heart, it is a burden to ask God of things I desire - I don't mean necessities, like praying for a friend to heal from cancer, but rather things that I don't need at all - then it seems to me that it is not out of selfishness that I ask these things. I rather find these requests to be an act of worship and submission, which comes solely from faith. Thus, to not make requests of God for even little things is a form of selfishness and a rejection of faith, although it is often disguised as humility. How is it not selfish to respond to God's command to bring all our requests to him by not doing so? I see no other explanation.

Saddam ExecutionThank God for Justice!

2006-12-30T02:09:00.000-05:00

"Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
the LORD detests them both." - Prov. 17:15

The execution of Saddam Hussein earlier tonight was a beautiful thing. I don't mean beautiful in that the details of his death have some aesthetic value, but rather that justice has been served in the most appropriate way. To me, and I believe to God as well, this is beautiful.

I think as Christians we often forget that, to God, letting a guilty person off for his crimes is no different than punishing an innocent person. Both ignore justice, a foundational trait of God's character, and something he requires of us. "God is just," says Paul (II Thes. 1:6a), and we read God's commands to Israel, which say:

"Do not pervert justice or show partiality... Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you." - Deut. 16:19-20

Justice is a requirement for having order and peace in a land, and Saddam's execution helps bring that to the country of Iraq.

As I heard today of his imminent hanging, something in me was stirred. I became joyful, and somewhat elated. While I prayed for his eternal salvation, I couldn't help but feel that a divine requirement was to be fulfilled on earth - that the justice that so many have sought for so many years was finally at hand, and that goodness and righteousness were about to prevail over evil in an act that people so foolishly call inhumane and archaic.

I, for one, praise God that Saddam is dead by execution. I know God is pleased as well.

New DNC Chairman

2006-12-23T12:18:00.000-05:00

In an unprecedented move, the DNC recently announced its nomination of Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to be its new Chairman. "[Howard] Deen did a decent job, but we really need someone with conviction," said Paul Hobbs, a Democratic strategist who sat on the Chairman Search Committee this last year.

"I think I would do a wonderful job in this position," Ahmadinejad shared with the press yesterday, as he took a break between two of his country's largest anti-Jewish rallies. "The US needs a change of direction, and I believe I can help take the lead in these policy changes."

Continuing, Ahmadinejad took note of the midterm elections, in which the American people "showed their discontent" with the Bush administration. He acknowledged that in Iraq "people are happy" to be rid of Saddam Hussein, but he asked whether it would not now be "more beneficial to bring the U.S. officers and soldiers home and to spend the astronomical U.S. military expenditures in Iraq for the welfare and prosperity of the American people. As you know very well, many victims of Katrina continue to suffer, and countless Americans continue to live in poverty and homelessness."

Further concerned for Americans' welfare, Ahmadinejad is troubled that "under the pretext of the 'war on terror,' civil liberties in the United States are being increasingly curtailed."

RNC Chairman Ken Melman was unavailable for comment.

...

The above story is fictional except for the 3rd and 4th paragraphs, which are completely true and were copied verbatim from here.

The Undo Button's Undoing

2006-12-20T16:11:00.000-05:00

As Christmas - oh wait, I'm sorry, I mean, "the Holidays" - approaches, stores will be getting ready for post-Christmas returns. It happens every year; people return all those nice gifts that they don't want, but got because someone felt obligated to buy them something (and rightly so, because they'd be upset if they hadn't received something). If a store doesn't accept returns, they lose customers. Why? Well, we've accepted that the "undo" button is required in all aspects of life.

I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. I've even used the undo button as I typed this. Efficiency and productivity have demanded that we should be able to undo our work on the computer. This increases both, and everyone benefits. Capitalism has made us demand that we should be able to return items in the same manner as they were bought so that we can purchase something else. Little harm is done, and the consumer benefits. Fine.

Unfortunately, this attitude is extended to other areas of life. From class action lawsuits to anti-war protests, Americans will not stand for anything going wrong. We will not accept that sometimes life... well... sucks, and that crap (except commonly expressed with another word) happens. We demand some form of undoing of bad things, unwilling to accept the here and now, causing our incessant perfectionism to make unrealistic expectations.

I write this because I am a perfectionist. Ironically, it is how I came to this realization. It's something I battle myself, but a very powerful principle, and something to remember during this season as we buy, receive, and return our gifts. There is no undo button in life. And until Christ's return, bad stuff... well... happens.

Our Shrinkage in the Global War on Terror

2006-12-10T19:44:00.000-05:00

My friend Jed sent me this link. It's reprinted here.

Our Shrinkage in the Global War on Terror
By Doug Giles

Bill O’Reilly stated this week on “The Factor” (Tuesday, 12/5/06) that the West is failing to confront evil. Failing to confront evil? Heck, we’re scared to define it, much less take it head-on.

We won’t even draw cartoons regarding this enemy, lest we offend our killers. Wow! Murderous Muslims all over the world must be making girlie man, wussy, limp wrist jokes about the West, as they bounce their combies down whatever dirt road they’re on en route to secure a nuke (or two) with our name on it.

The failure to define what is “evil” is causing us to capitulate to the apex (or nadir, I guess) of political correctness in a “No %$@&” time of crisis. Go ahead; ask someone at the next Winter Solstice office party to define “evil.” You’ll get the typical “it’s all relative” slop, or “there is no objective standard of right or wrong”, or “all absolute truth claims are nothing more than powerplays, man.” Y’know, the same emblematic drivel your pot smoking, liberal prof taught you at the University of You-Just-Wasted-A-Ton-Of-Your-Parent’s- Cash-And-Got-Brain-Washed-In-The-Process.

The few who do have the cojones to say something is evil will be called evil themselves because judging something as wrong has become the sin of the 21st century—unless, of course, you’re a liberal; then you can judge, bring up Foley, Delay, Ted Haggard, other GOP inadequacies, evangelical inconsistencies and call a spade a shovel all you want.

Anyway, postmodernism, as Os Guinness says, has made it “worse to judge evil than to do evil.” Those who declare something to be damnable are evil themselves, at least according to grand wizards of secular progressive “thought.”

In addition to the West’s growing unwillingness to say the Islamofacist ideology is uncut crap to the third power and that their adherents need to be deleted like KFed’s website history, here are three more reasons why I think the West’s will to war has shrunk:

1. We couldn’t care less. We don’t want to be bothered with what’s going on with the war on Iraq or with other mean people. We don’t want to stay abreast about what militant Islam is up to these days. That’s complicated, depressing and just icky. No, our inquiring minds want to know the following: what’s up with Britney and her un-photogenic crotch? Is Brit gonna be OK? How come Jen and Vince broke up? Did Mischa Barton have a meltdown? What’s Nicole Ritchie’s plastic surgery secret behind her new sexy look? Why did Kidman put new hubby Keith on a short leash? Is a Nip/Tuck star really leaving the show? And what’s up with the Martha and Rachel Ray food fight?

2. We want to believe the spin coming from CAIR [The Council on American-Islamic Relations] because the truth about Muslim mayhem is too brutal. Because of our aversion to the rawness of what the West is really facing with militant Islam, we want to believe CAIR’s talking heads when they say that “everything is cool, and the radicals in the Islamic camp are few and far between.” The reality is that the danger we face is higher, deeper, wider and nearer than most of us would care to understand. Since reality bites and requires that we change, we’d just rather believe the fairy tales about our enemies from their propaganda/reality stylists. As far as I’m concerned, CAIR is to prevarication what Carrot Top is to red hair coloring, tie dyed T-Shirts, over exercising and unfunniness.

3. We think we can talk our way out of this mess. We believe we can Eddie Haskell militant Islam and bebop and scat our way out of their ill will. The only problem is that Islam is not some June Cleaver that can be manipulated by our impish charm. We are convinced that we can solve things with Iran and Syria with a little less talk and a little more conversation. Yes, the PoMo wannabe placaters of the implacable would like to sit down with Islamofascists (who will never help us, ever loathe us, and forever seek to kill us) and tell them that “You’re not evil; you simply have a hole in your soul that we would like to help you fill. We should not be fighting. Can’t we all get a long? We should talk more often . . . maybe get together play some checkers . . . and we’d love to have you over for dessert to eat a piece of strawberry pie.”

Militant Islam has got to be loving the indecision, division and erosion of the West’s will to war. They understand the ancient maxim that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. We’re increasingly becoming so divided and defeated that if we don’t watch it, as one comedian said, we could be approaching a long drawn out debate regarding which shade of white to use as our surrender flag.

I believe we can be united and that we will eventually wake up and deal with radical Islam; however, I also believe (and fear) that the cohesion, readiness and resolve we need now to truly hammer these death dealers will only come about after we get hammered once again. I’m talking 911-style or worse. And I’m thinking this will probably occur in the next one to three years. And I hope I’m wrong.

It's a Cold One

2006-12-04T18:01:00.000-05:00

Tonight they're forcasting it will be a "hard freeze" - that the temperature will be "below 26 degrees for a couple hours." It's all over the news - the top story, in fact - and they keep talking about what we need to buy to keep our pipes from freezing and keeping ourselves warm. Our apartment complex has a big sign up telling us to keep our water running overnight. Right now, it's 40 degrees, which is described as "COLD!" (at least what the TV said)....

...

I'm wearing a T-shirt as I write this...

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-23T13:40:00.000-05:00

The irony of this term is that (at the risk of sounding cliché) by giving thanks, we are happy. Probably the largest problem with being blessed so much in our country is that we tend to expect it. We expect to earn more money, to get a good job... we even expect to feel good emotions. I am certainly not exempt in this, since this mindset is hard to avoid. Thus, when we do not have these things, we become severely disappointed, and our own happiness is given up - not by external circumstances, but by the attitude of our hearts.

So I find the key to be happy is really to lower ones expectations. This is not to say we shouldn't lower our hopes or dreams; we should increase them, in fact. And the funny thing with lower expectations is that it makes one thankful, and in turn makes one happy. You can only be so thankful for something you expect. It's the unexpected things we are most thankful for.

The Pilgrims didn't expect much. A lot of them died the previous year (because of a communist-type government that they ended up changing, but that's for another time), and they only had more death to expect. But when their hard work was blessed with great abundance, they found it easy to thank God.

So perhaps the first step one may take today is to lower their expectations, and realize the very, very few things we may possibly deserve in this world. And out of that, we may thank God for all he has blessed us, especially this great country - the greatest in the modern world. Thanksgiving Day is an American holiday, which speaks a lot to who we are as a country.

Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving Day during the Civil War. He had little expectations. Half the country left because he was President, and many died as a result. But he had faith in God, and hope in this nation. It was out of this faith and hope, with little expectations, that he could make this proclamation in 1863:

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

A. Lincoln

Eight decades prior, the first national Thanksgiving Day had been celebrated by a proclamation of the President:

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

A Must Read

2006-11-11T00:05:00.000-05:00

Here

Why the Government Isn't My Mom

2006-11-10T14:34:00.000-05:00

I soloed for the second time today. I've only been in flight school for about a month and a half with about 17.5 hours of flight time before today. With such little training, I got handed the keys to the airplane and told to go ahead and fly out of the airspace of a major regional airport, do whatever I want, and come back in about an hour.

This made me realize how much the government tries to coddle American citizens, and especially how our culture tries to do that for children.

"Wear a helmet"
"Don't go too fast"
"Be gentle with him"
"Don't hurt his feelings"
"He didn't mean to do it so don't punish him"
"Raise the age for licenses"
"Raise the age for drinking/smoking"
"You can't talk on your cell phone while driving"
"He said he's sorry so give him a light sentence"
"Don't fight! Talk out your problems and share your feelings"
"It's not your fault or just bad luck. Sue the corporations/doctors/etc."
(I use the general masculine pronoun here - this applies to females too)

I felt like I've been coddled too much in my life - by my parents as a child, and now by the government. I don't think I'm unique, and I know my parents had very good intent (and all things considered, they did a really good job as parents). Regardless of parents, however, the role of government is not to protect us from all of life's problems.

The FAA is very regulated, yet it is one of the few government organizations that uses common sense and doesn't treat adults as children. You can fly even before you can drive (children become adults well before we treat them like they are). They don't coddle people. I learned that today as I tried to use a video camera while flying 600 feet over the coastline at 90 knots in a 45 degree bank. It was dangerous, fun, and legal, and I didn't need the government to protect me. They're not my parents and never will be, as much as they try.

----------

Our home can be found by drawing 2 straight lines tangent to the outside edges of the pilot window (the little one being held closed by that knob on the left), and going very slightly up and to the left from their intersection.

This was at about a 600' altitude. The picture doesn't do justice to how close that is... or at least how close it feels while trying to video tape and fly the airplane.

Random stuff, Election, Saddam, Life

2006-11-06T23:50:00.000-05:00

So there were a ton of things I wanted to write about in some sort of witty way, but I never got around to it, so I'll include everything briefly here.

1. Saddam was sentenced to death. I think this is pretty sweet, and a blessing from God. Unfortunately, Kofi Anon and others are opposing the death penalty for Saddam. I think this is really gay. He should die by public hanging.

2. The election is tomorrow. My wife and I had to vote absentee. Being in the military, we can keep our Minnesota residency without paying state income taxes, so we did. I want to keep voting in Minnesota. Anyway, we had to pay about $50 to get our ballots in on time (had to pay overnight rate, even though we dropped them off on Saturday).

3. I had to do a lot of research to find the candidates I really wanted to vote for. Star Tribune's My Vote is a really good resource to find info about all the candidates that will be on your ballot. I vote in SE Eden Prairie, so I voted as follows (in order on Star Tribune version of ballot):

Mark Kennedy

Tim Pawlenty

Jeff Johnson

Mary Kiffmeyer

Patricia Anderson

Christopher Dietzen

Jim Ramstad

David Hann

Erik Paulsen

Dee Rowe

No vote

Mike Luger

Rich Stanek

Ernest K Lehmann

Ryan Wilson

Terry Lee Carr

Phil Young

Jon Duckstad

Gary Stevens

I didn't vote for any of the uncontested races, which were mostly (if not all) judges. There was only one contested race I didn't vote in because I couldn't find enough information on the candidates.

4. I voted NO on the transportation amendment. It increases funds for public transportation 100 fold, while guaranteeing little (if any) increase to roads, which will inevitably lead to a tax increase. Here is some more info.

5. Some dude running for Soil and Water Supervisor Seat 2 has this for his "Most Important Issues":

Fighting for the environment; resisting war and military madness; fighting for an independent media; fighting the Patriot Act and government invasion of privacy and consensual and individual rights; election reform, instant runoff voting and breaking two-party duopoly; single-payer health care; nationalize banks, utilities, transportation and all energy sources.

Kind of weird, especially regarding the position he's running for, except that his complete background info to show he is capable for this job is:

Activist/organizer in independent politics, drug reform, peace and justice, freedom movements, gay, civil liberties; associate publisher of Pulse; AIDS service activist.

Ohhhhh, I get it now.

6. I just got a really cool printer/copier/faxer (but won't use fax). It's the HP Photosmart C6180. It prints photos just as good as Walmart, and pretty fast too.

7. The MN Daily printed one of the gayest things I've read in awhile, and it had nothing to do with sexual preference. You seriously have to read this. Check it out here.

First Solo!

2006-11-04T22:31:00.000-05:00

I soloed for the first time today. Below is a picture of the type of airplane I've been flying (in front of my flight school, coincidentally). I might add actual pictures of my flight later (my wife video taped it). Anyway, it was probably one of the coolest things I've done! Flying is fun.

Update: I put up some pictures, including the first one above. You can see them all here (currently need Facebook account).

Here is my first solo landing:

John Kerry is an Idiot (Part II)

2006-11-02T12:44:00.000-05:00

This is all over the internet. I just had to put it up here:

John Kerry is an Idiot

2006-10-31T12:11:00.000-05:00

Keep commenting on my previous posts. I have to speak to this, though.

John Kerry (did you know he served in Vietnam?) said this yesterday:

"You know, education, if you make the most of it - you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart - you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq." *

Wow... This really pisses me off. The military turns many people away all the time because they aren't smart enough. I guess my masters degree shows that I'm just not, you know, well educated. I'll let Kerry know when I get sent to Iraq someday (which is a good chance).

Does he not know that the majority of the military is made up of young men and women who grew up in middle class homes - many of whom get college degrees while in the military (or in commissioning programs like ROTC or the Academies)? Kerry knows the military about as good as I know the Massachusetts freeway system (cause I was in Boston once). This is just like the argument that says that the military targets minorities for recruiting, without realizing that the military is predominantly white, and it wants a better representation of the American population.

John Kerry is an idiot. I thank God he didn't become President.

*Links: 1, 2

New Name?

2006-10-29T20:11:00.000-05:00

I'm looking for a new name to replace my current blog's name of "...BLOG!", which is a mockery of the word "blog", which I think is a really gay word. It's one of those words that people shorten for no good reason.

Anyway, I guess I've gotten used to the word ("it's queer, it's here, get used to it"), so I thought it's time to stop mocking it and get a more creative name. So let me know what you think. I need ideas.

Politics is About Direction, Not Perfection

2006-10-28T11:47:00.000-04:00

*I give credit on this post to my friend, Jed Ipsen, who shared some good insight with me awhile back regarding voting decisions.*

I recently received an email from a conservative friend of mine explaining why she will be voting for Mike Hatch (DFL) for Governor of Minnesota. The reasoning is that, since Republicans have dropped the ball and played to liberal policies, conservatives should "teach them a lesson" by voting Democrat. Here is my response:

If you vote for Hatch you might as well vote against Kennedy (I can't spell the woman's name). Kennedy isn't extremely conservative either.

Strategic voting like this has never worked in history. It only makes everything worse. Remember Clinton? Yeah, he got in office because conservatives strategically voted against Bush. Do you think that helped the country? 9-11 happened partially because of our refusal to deal with international Islamic extremism (I don't blame Clinton, but had Republicans been in the White House...).

The person you vote for should represent your ideals. If you can't vote for the major candidate, vote for a minor one that supports what you believe. The message will be much better sent if you vote for a more conservative candidate.

Think about it. The Republican politicians see Minnesotans voting more liberal, so in order to get votes they all start supporting more liberal ideas. Slowly the state becomes even MORE liberal! I like what Jed Ipsen said once: politics is about direction, not perfection. Pawlenty isn't perfect by any means, but I plan to vote for him. Governor Hatch will solve nothing.

Thoughts?

Public Service Announcement

2006-10-24T20:36:00.000-04:00

My friend just sent me this link, which is what will happen if the Democrats win in November. I won't tell you who I'm voting for, but both Katie and I do have our absentee ballots...

Battle Hymn of the Republic (Julie W. Howe)

2006-10-19T15:38:00.000-04:00

This is one of my most favorite songs of all time. Think of singing it while fighting to free the slaves.

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
"As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal";
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free;
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.

Discussion

2006-10-18T16:11:00.000-04:00

The website, beliefnet, hosts a wide variety of religious information as a "resource". They also host Jim Wallis' blog (which, thankfully, uses Haloscan for its comments section). I had a discussion with them recently in regards to their policies. Kind of interesting. It's long, so you can read it here (comment on this blog entry, not the link).

Your Tax Dollars at Work

2006-10-17T14:46:00.000-04:00

So since the weather was bad today I couldn't fly, and decided to spend my government-paid-salary day on this.

Here is a picture of two of my friends, Erik and Jordan:I ran the picture through MyHeritage, which can match your face to known celebrities. The yellow block around Erik was found automatically. I had to put the black block around Jordan manually. Here are the number one comparisons for each man. I think they are quite telling.

My Friend Mike

2006-10-15T16:19:00.000-04:00

Hey Mike,

I've tried calling you a few times in the last couple weeks, but you haven't called me back. You were in my wedding, for goodness sake! Now I hear you're over in Africa, "serving God" or something like that. Well, call me back! Jerk.

Sincerely Yours,
CH

Damn Yankee (Part 2)

2006-10-12T16:12:00.000-04:00

Despite the people who live down here (read previous post), it's kind of nice that, when Minnesota is forecasting snow, this is what I get:

Damn Yankee

2006-10-09T14:03:00.000-04:00

I often say that, while I like living in Pensacola a whole lot more than I did in Ohio, I liked the people of Ohio a lot more. This has forced me to do some thinking the last few months as to why people down here in LA (Lower Alabama - if this isn't funny, look on a map and/or come experience the culture here) bother me so. I have come to determine that the underlying factor is situational awareness.

People in LA have no SA. This is most apparent when one gets in a car. From driving abreast at the same speed, to not paying attention to lights, to not changing lanes out of courtesy when one is trying to merge, to generally being confused as to what is going on around them, LA drivers are horrible. I would even say they're worse than Minnesota drivers, but that's only because Minn. drivers have to drive in winter (and they do an ok job then).

SA also affects the ability for LAns to follow simple tasks, such as food orders. The other day I was at a Hardees and made an apparently very complicated order: 1 Thickburger, 1 Lg Fry, 1 Ice Water. No special instructions, no long list, no long line in the drive through, nothing that was ambiguous or hard. The order was even repeated back and was correct on my receipt. However, upon getting home, I realized they had given me some special-order burger with twice the meat and no toppings. I love toppings. The funny thing is that I wasn't surprised that they screwed up. This is just one example of something that happens frequently in LA: probably 50-75% of the time simple orders are screwed up. I've pointed to items on menus as I read them and still received the wrong food. I've received quesadillas with half of them being just 2 tortilla shells with nothing inside. Eating out in Pensacola requires extra SA on behalf of the customer, cause your order's probably wrong.

Another common problem I encounter, which is a result of a lifetime of no SA, is people who are condescending in that they think they're smarter than me because they can't understand my question, and thus think it's a dumb question. This happens frequently at stores. I'll ask a question about something I'm looking for, and I'll get this dumb look that says, "that's a really stupid question," and then a response that had absolutely nothing to do with my question. I try explaining it in different ways with the same response. It wouldn't be so bad, except that the response given is often quite condescending. I know it isn't me, though, because I didn't have this problem in Minnesota or Ohio. Perhaps they become condescending because of my northern accent and overall northerniness.

Which makes me think that maybe all these problems are because I'm a Damn Yankee. Apparently, my grandparents had a debate as to whether this was one word or two. My grandma (from the south), said it was one, but I'm sticking with my northern grandpa and keeping it two. I just don't fit in down in LA. I'm from the north, and will always be. They say people in the south are friendly, charming, and nice. I guess there are some. But there were plenty of friendly people in Ohio too - more so, actually. They also say people in the south are dumb. They might be right. At least they don't have any SA, which makes one pragmatically dumb, if not truly dumb. Regardless, I'm a Damn Yankee, and my state fought to free the slaves. Of that I can be proud.

Beam Me Up; Secret Society of Scientists

2006-10-05T19:27:00.000-04:00

Scientists in Denmark have recently transported - yes transported, as in Star Trek - a set of atoms over a sizeable distance (just under 2 feet). Here is the CNN article:

Scientists teleport two different objects

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Beaming people in "Star Trek" fashion is still in the realms of science fiction, but physicists in Denmark have teleported information from light to matter bringing quantum communication and computing closer to reality.

Until now scientists have teleported similar objects such as light or single atoms over short distances from one spot to another in a split second.

But Professor Eugene Polzik and his team at the Niels Bohr Institute at Copenhagen University in Denmark have made a breakthrough by using both light and matter.

"It is one step further because for the first time it involves teleportation between light and matter, two different objects. One is the carrier of information and the other one is the storage medium," Polzik explained in an interview on Wednesday.

The experiment involved for the first time a macroscopic atomic object containing thousands of billions of atoms. They also teleported the information a distance of half a meter but believe it can be extended further.

"Teleportation between two single atoms had been done two years ago by two teams, but this was done at a distance of a fraction of a millimeter," Polzik, of the Danish National Research Foundation Center for Quantum Optics, explained.

"Our method allows teleportation to be taken over longer distances because it involves light as the carrier of entanglement," he added.
Quantum entanglement involves entwining two or more particles without physical contact.

Although teleportation is associated with the science-fiction series "Star Trek," no one is likely to be beamed anywhere soon.

But the achievement of Polzik's team, in collaboration with the theorist Ignacio Cirac of the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Garching, Germany, marks an advancement in the field of quantum information and computers, which could transmit and process information in a way that was impossible before.

"It is really about teleporting information from one site to another site. Quantum information is different from classical information in the sense that it cannot be measured. It has much higher information capacity and it cannot be eavesdropped on. The transmission of quantum information can be made unconditionally secure," said Polzik whose research is reported in the journal Nature.

Quantum computing requires manipulation of information contained in the quantum states, which include physical properties such as energy, motion and magnetic field, of the atoms.

"Creating entanglement is a very important step, but there are two more steps at least to perform teleportation. We have succeeded in making all three steps -- that is entanglement, quantum measurement and quantum feedback," he added.

In a related story, scientists have recently revealed a secret that has been held for 1 million years. Apparently, an organization of scientists have been recording temperatures throughout the entire globe for longer than human civilization has been thought to exist. Although the scientific community has not publicly acknowledged this secret society, their conclusions clearly indicate its existence, since the scientific method requires repeated (and repeatable) experiments, thus necessitating that mankind has been scientifically active for a thousand millennia. You can read about it here.

Proverbs 31:6

2006-10-01T22:48:00.000-04:00

What's your drink of choice and why?

Check Your Lettuce

2006-09-28T20:26:00.000-04:00

Do you ever get really excited about making some food, then start to make it only to realize you don't have everything or something you do have is bad?

Well I haven't. At least not recently. That's because my wife makes my food. I did have something happen tonight that made me upset at the world, though. I didn't curse God and die, nor did my wife suggest such a thing, but I certainly cursed the quality of produce that is sold along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

See, what happened was that she made me a BLT. I love BLT's, especially the B part. I helped her cook the B, though, because she doesn't know how to cook it very well (men know how to cook red meat better just naturally I think). Anyway, after compiling the said sandwich components into one beautiful piece of art, I took a delicious bite with glee... only to find out that the lettuce tasted like... oh... how do you say... crap! Our lettuce, bought within the last few days, was bad! This made me angry to no end. After punching a hole in the wall and killing a homeless guy, I calmed down, took the lettuce out, and enjoyed my BT. My wife was quite helpful in calming me down, and the sandwich itself wasn't too bad. I did learn a lesson, though. The whole endeavor has taught me to, as the old wise saying goes, check your lettuce before you make your BLT.

Dang It!

2006-09-23T22:37:00.000-04:00

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... Crap!

Maniacal Muslims

2006-09-19T22:18:00.000-04:00

Mahmood Ahmadinejad, the leader of Iran, spoke at the UN tonight. I've never heard such blatant lies and BS from a "respected" international leader. I couldn't find a transcript of his most recent speech, but this seems to be a common conclusion that he uses (this is from a 2005 speech to the UN):

Oh mighty Lord, I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your last repository, the promised one, that perfect and pure human being, the one that will fill this world with justice and peace. Oh Lord, include us among his companions, followers and those who serve his cause.

Hmmm... He is either refering to Christ, or someone else who sets up himself as Christ... Interesting.

------

On another note, there has been a coup in Buddhist Thailand. Here's one thing you probably haven't heard: Did you know that the leader of the coup, the head of the Army, is a Muslim? I found that interesting. Read more here.

The Perfect Wife

2006-09-17T22:42:00.000-04:00

What do you all think of this advice from decades ago? It was sent to me by a friend from college. If you click on the picture you should be able to read it. Otherwise, you can get it here.

I myself am disgusted by our society's destruction of male-female roles and tend to think that this advice has more good than bad. I think women would be amazed at the type of treatment they would receive from their husbands, children, and other men by following this. I want to know your thoughts, though, because it is very politically incorrect (it was actually posted in a humor section).

Pope on Islam

2006-09-16T01:52:00.000-04:00

UPDATE: There has been violence over this issue, now, in response to what the pope said. Michelle Malkin's blog has a good article on the story.

"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
- Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus

This is a quote the pope used in a speech in Germany regarding how Western science and philosophy has divorced itself from faith. You can read more about it here or here. He "went on to say that violent conversion to Islam was contrary to reason and thus 'contrary to God's nature.'"

This has ruffled a lot of feathers, especially in the Islamic world. Here are a few of the responses:

"I don’t think the church should point a finger at extremist activities in other religions..."

"I call on all Arab and Islamic states to recall their ambassadors from the Vatican and expel those from the Vatican until the pope says he is sorry for the wrong done to the prophet and to Islam, which preaches peace, tolerance, justice and equality..."

"The pope’s statement is highly irresponsible... The concept of jihad is not to spread Islam with the sword."

None of the responses, however, address the pope's concerns. No one responded saying, "you know what, this radical form of Islam that is being practiced ever since our inception has made people think our religion is violent. Let's seek to improve relations with others such as the pope in order to show them that we don't believe our religion to be violent."

No. That kind of response might make Islam not look violent. Rather, the response was one of putting blame on the pope for not reaching out to Muslims, as if all problems fell on his shoulders.

Oh, here are some more reasoned responses from Muslims (found here):

"At least one Muslim leader, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the chief cleric of New Delhi’s Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, urged Muslims to 'respond in a manner which forces the Pope to apologise [sic]'. He did not elaborate."

"'These Christians are all infidels. Benedict himself is an infidel and a blind man. Doesn’t he see that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places were waged by Christians?' another worshipper said."

Wow. You've really proved the pope wrong. Maybe you should go kill people over it. I mean, it was done over cartoons. Oh, and good job doing the exact same thing you criticize the pope of doing. I mean, calling Christians infidels really gets 'em right back. Oh wait, I'm being sarcastic.

Islam has a very large problem with violence, and has since its inception. It is a religion of violence because its adherents are violent. Until it is willing to acknowledge its own problems, Muslims need to stop taking the victim mentality and blaming their problems on others. Here's hoping this religion can change from the inside...

Inteligince

2006-09-14T20:35:00.000-04:00

Rosie O'Donnell, the well-known expert on Western history and culture, has made some news recently with her comments that "radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam". Well, obviously. Read about it here.

War

2006-09-12T14:47:00.000-04:00

This is a day late. I didn't initially mean that on purpose, but in retrospect now I do. This is not a remembrance of 9/11. This is a remembrance of the war we are currently in. Radical Islamists attacked the United States 5 years ago. They did not attack as a foreign army. They did not focus on military targets. They did not attack over land dispute. They did not attack because of politics. They attacked because they hate us. They attacked because they cannot live in a world where everyone isn't a Muslim. They focused and attacked unarmed civilians - daddies, mommies, sons, daughters, acquaintances, best friends, grandpa and grandma, grandchildren... They are evil. Their ideology is evil. They declared war on us. And we are now at war with them. Disagree with tactics or strategy if you like. It does not change that we are at war.

To remember what these people did, here are some pictures of what happened. Do not forget what they did. Do not give up the fight for justice. We will win if our resolve is strong. Evil will be defeated. This is evil and we have been called to fight it. That task which God has given us must not be taken lightly. We must not give up. "Never, never, never give up." - Winston Churchill

Remember this picture. This is what evil does. Evil killed this innocent person - this daddy or mommy, or perhaps just someone's best friend. Remember them. And remember what evil does.

Nostalgia

2006-09-07T18:11:00.000-04:00

Ecclesiastes 7:10:

Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.

In light of my previous post, I've been feeling very nostalgic recently. It becomes very depressing, in fact, since the focus is on what has happened - events that cannot be regained regardless of one's efforts. I found this verse in Ecclesiastes a couple years ago and found it particularly insightful. I like the version I found in my wife's bible (NLT):

Don't long for "the good old days," for you don't know whether they were any better than today.

I find it's true that we tend to forget the bad things of the past (maybe not the really bad things - but most of the "normal" bad things we do forget), and cling onto our good experiences when we aren't enjoying the present moments. This can be quite disorienting, and intellectually dishonest, to say the least. I remember a time early on in college where I was motivated beyond measure to do many things - mostly politically oriented. I loved my life at that time. The problem is that I tend to forget that, one, it came as a result of a very hard (for me, at least) breakup with my first real girlfriend, and, two, during that time my grades suffered severely. So while I felt good, my life really wasn't that great. God used that time of my life to prepare me for the next step, not to keep me where I was. When I truly analyze it, I wouldn't want to be back there, even though I have many feelings of fondness for that time.

The point is that dwelling on the past because you miss it is a futile task, and brings no benefit to anyone. Both the ESV and NASB translate the second line in the verse as,

For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

Perhaps I'm seeking happiness by remembering past experiences. But unless I'm trying to gain wisdom in this, I'm wasting my time. Remembering the past is good only so far as it affects the future.

The bible clearly states that all things will be brought into account, whether good or bad. All things of the past will be dealt with appropriately so that all may "move on", so to say. Although God is obviously concerned that we understand and know the past (case in point: the bible has a bit of history in it), he means it for both his and our good, so that we may learn and grow (Romans 15:4).

So I should probably stop reminiscing. It's not good. But I do miss things of the past. And that can be hard to get over, especially if one feels lonely and discouraged in the present.

In Search of Happiness

2006-09-02T18:31:00.000-04:00

I've been really sick over the last 2.5 weeks or so. I keep going to the doctors, they keep giving me different stuff, none of it works, and I keep suffering. Anyway, being sick means you can't do much. It also means you're in a lot of pain. I hate being sick.

I'm not asking for sympathy. I write this because I have nothing else to do and have a need to lament. I've been pondering more the meaninglessness of life the last few days. For some reason I've been really nostalgic too. It's kind of sad, to be honest. I even set my mind on eternal things, but even that seems meaningless.

It seems that the end in life is to be happy - this in regards to both earth and heaven. The more I experience life, the more the ultimatum "do what makes you happy" seems like a good rule to live by. [Added on 06 Sept] I think that's why Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that God has given us an inalienable right to pursue happiness. I don't mean hedonism, in the sense of what makes you happy now. I mean what makes you happy in general. The writer of Ecclesiastes writes:

Ecclesiastes 3:22:

So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20:

Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

Ecclesiastes 8:15:

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.

I somehow find solace in reading Ecclesiastes. Misery loves company, I guess. When we seek happiness, we have motivation for doing good. As Dennis Prager has said, the 9-11 terrorists were not happy people.

So I'm currently in a rut because I'm not happy, and I find little value in seeking it out, because even that seems meaningless. As I searched Scripture for wisdom, I also found this verse:

Ecclesiastes 7:3:

Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.

That makes sense. Laughter is often a distraction from reality. Laughter isn't true happiness; it is temporal happiness. To seek happiness is not to seek laughter. It is better for the heart to acknowledge reality than to be flung around by emotion.

Ecclesiastes 2:2:

"Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?"

Proverbs 14:13:

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.

So I shouldn't seek laughter or, rather, temporary joys. I should seek what makes me happy. The problem is that nothing really does make me happy, because everything seems meaningless. In the world's eyes I have everything: a high level of education, a stable and exciting job, an amazing wife, a loving family... I should be happy, but life still seems meaningless. That is really the crux of the whole problem. Seeking happiness only masks the reality that even that is meaningless (see Ecc. 5:20 above).

I originally titled this entry A Meaningless Life. But I thought a better title would be In Search of Happiness, since I would rather just forget about the meaninglessness of life anyway.

Mel Gibson

2006-08-30T22:12:00.000-04:00

So this may be overdue, but I wanted to comment on the whole Mel Gibson escapade. He made some pretty strong anti-Jewish ("Semitic" technically refers to Arabic people as well) comments after being pulled over drunk. As a result, a bunch of Hollywood has disowned him, he is losing business opportunities, and many have refused to forgive him in any way.

Here's my first problem with the whole thing: he was drunk. He was drunk, for goodness sake! His blood alcohol level was .12 at the police station, meaning he was a lot higher when he got in his car in the first place. Now, that's no excuse for what was said, but anyone who has been around anyone else who is drunk knows that *gasp* alcohol impairs your ability to reason. Emotions take over and things are said that aren't meant.

I think a more important issue at hand, though, is the self-righteous standard our culture has of public conduct, while simultaneously declaring "to each his own" - what's right for you is right for you. We leap at the first sign of corporate mistakes, but are afraid to say homosexuality is immoral. We condemn the tobacco industry, yet enact laws to keep pornography legal. We ridicule McDonald's for "making" us fat, yet use profanity in public without shame. We declare a celebrity dead because of a drunken rant, yet can't wait to hear the new gossip on celebrity divorces or extra-marital affairs. Our societal standards are upside down!

Now if Gibson had not apologized, my opinion would have been different. Yet, he gave a very humble and thorough apology. Those who are refusing to forgive him are bringing judgment on themselves. More importantly, though, our society is bringing judgment to itself in its distortion of true ethics, trading in the fight against true evil for the fight against fake evil.

What is this?

2006-08-26T19:29:00.000-04:00

What the heck is this? Please tell us your thoughts.

My Nation

2006-08-18T12:25:00.000-04:00

I've just created a new nation. I learned of this from Jordan, so I named my country in honor of him. He learned about this from Laura, but didn't name his country after her. That's probably because he hates women.

Keep track of my people here:
http://www.nationstates.net/jordan_raney

Nonunconditional Forgiveness

2006-08-15T11:18:00.000-04:00

Forgiveness is an important part of life. Without it, no one could ever move on from anything, nor could peace ever exist. But I find something troubling that many people - Christians and not - hold to, that being unconditional forgiveness.

The bible does not command us to forgive unconditionally. It says we are to forgive just as God forgives us. In fact, is goes so far as to say if we won't forgive, God won't forgive us. So we see a direct correlation between our acts of forgiveness and God's.

Now God is just, and punishment for sin is required. That's why Christ came to die. Christ's sacrifice pays for the sins of those who believe in him and repent. Repentance is nothing more than the mental recognition of wrongdoing, coupled with a heart decision to turn away from it. Belief in Christ serves as an attitude of repentance, because it decries our sinful nature and declares our utter depravity before God. Faith in not faith if it is not accompanied with repentance.

Thus, in the general sense, we as Christians have repented from all of our sins. To say that God will not, in the end, forgive us of every little sin we haven't said sorry for is legalistic gibberish. With the Holy Spirit in us, the bible says we can't go on sinning. Thus, no one who gets to heaven hasn't repented from all of their sins, because God will not allow it, and his Holy Spirit brings our hearts to conviction and repentance in the end for any sins we have not been repentant of. Our immediate and open confession of those sins to God protects us from further estrangement from him, which is to our benefit, even though for the believer all will be reconciled in the end because our faith serves as a catch all for repentance. Repenting now prevents the need for a harder (but required because we have faith) repentance later.

Now for us as individuals, we are not commanded to forgive everyone for everything they do regardless of the situation. In fact, to forgive when no repentance is shown is to be approving of the sin and denying its significance, thus rebelling against God’s moral code and subsequently Him. Christ forgave those who came to him in faith, but what about the pharisees? They were not forgiven, because they would not repent.

How did Christ treat the woman who was caught in adultery, who was feeling the full weight of her sin by public ridicule? He told her that her sins were forgiven, saying, “go and sin no more.” How did Christ treat the man on the cross next to him who cried out to him, acknowledging his sins? He told him, “today, you will be with me in paradise.” How did he treat the other criminal who mocked him? He was not forgiven.

We are to forgive just as in Christ God forgave us, leaving vengeance up to God. This means we must be quick to forgive when repentance in shown, and slow to forgive when a lack of repentance is clear, leaving room for God’s wrath. Our forgiveness, when wrongfully used, is not much different than taking revenge: both get in the way of God’s wrath

This is God’s grace: to unconditionally forgive when forgiveness is sought, and to bring judgment to the unrepentant. The Battle Hymn of the Republic has a line that says, “as ye deal with My contemnors, so with you My grace shall deal.” God’s grace brings forgiveness and righteousness, and so should our grace bring reconciliation and repentance.

Badgers must die

2006-08-06T18:47:00.000-04:00

I was watching Animal Planet last night as I flipped through channels, and there was a special on badgers. The show talked about how "humans persecuted badgers" over the centuries. Being as this was the dumbest thing I've heard in a long time, I would like to call for the brutal murder of all badgers. Hang them, torture them... I don't really care. Just persecute the crap out of them, then kill them. That will make me very happy. Thank you.

Boring Life Update

2006-07-27T17:12:00.000-04:00

This is a serious update on my life for those who care.

I'm in Pensacola, FL with my newly married wife (just celebrated our 1 month), Katie. We live on the east side of the city, which is about 25 minutes from NAS Pensacola and about 35 minutes from Milton, in a 2 story towhouse. The first half of my training, which involves BOLTC, IFS, and API, is at NAS Pensacola, whereas the second half of my training, called "Primary," is at Milton. So this location was great. We're about 15 minutes from Pensacola Beach, within walking distance of a beach (on one of the large water inlets), right near the nice mall, and about 3 miles from Katie's cosmetology school. Our townhouse is more like a 2 story apartment... I might get some pictures up later. It was really an answer to prayer and has been a wonderful blessing. The location is great, it's pretty big (bigger than a lot of apartments we looked at at least), and the price was perfect. Everything here is a lot more expensive than you'd think.

Katie is my housewife. I'm king of the house, by the way. That's what I call myself. Katie just calls me "the boss," but I let it slide. She does a fantastic job cooking and cleaning and everything a woman should do. She is absolutely the best at it too! It's so wonderful to come home to a clean house with food made and a beautiful woman greeting me at the door. She cleans up after we eat while I watch TV or hang up pictures or something. Our marriage is really politically incorrect, which I love. I recommend marriage. I feel like something I was missing has been filled. She starts up her school at the end of August, by the way. Unfortunately, she'll be leaving me for a week to be in a wedding in Indiana, then see our new nephew in Minnesota. Her oldest sister, Sara, just had a baby. He name is Austin William Berg. It's a good name.

Currently, I'm finishing up BOLTC, which stands for Basic Officer Leadership Training Continuum. Basically, it's a one week course on how to be an officer... cause apparently my 5 years of ROTC didn't teach me that somehow. Anyway, there's pretty much zero work, and it's not all bad, but is kind of pointless.

Last week I had to have a physical, do a physical readiness test (pushups, situps, and run), and do some swimming. Because it took them a week to do the blood work, I had to go back yesterday to finish up my physical. A lot of people are kicked out or held back as a result of the physical, but I passed! We were praying for that so ahumdelelah (Erik, you can correct my spelling).

My next phase is IFS, which I think is Introductory Flight Sylabus, but I could be wrong. Anyway, it consists of flying with a civilian instructor to the point where I can do a cross country. That will take 1-2 months, then I can start API, or Aviation Pre-Indoctrination. It's a 6 week ground school consisting of water survival training, some first hand physiology stuff (i.e., pressure chamber), and a bunch of class work.

I should hopefully be done with all of this by Thanksgiving - maybe earlier. Then I start really flying in Primary up in Milton. That's about 6 months (plus or minus a couple) and is where my performance REALLY matters. We select our airframe at the end of Primary. The selection depends mostly on availability and class rank. At that point we go to Advanced training. But since I don't know what I'll be flying, I don't know where I'll go for that. We might have to move at that point. We'll stay in Pensacola if I fly helos.

Other than that, life is good. We're involved in the Navigators ministry here. The couple that runs it has kind of become our surrogate parents. We have a weekly couples bible study as well. We've tried a few churches and there's one we kind of like, but I think we might try a couple more before we stick with one.

Feel free to stay in touch. Katie's new email address is katherinejhill@gmail.com. Our mailing address is:

3331 Summit Blvd #22
Pensacola, FL 32503

If you want to pray, pray that both Katie and I can each develop close relationships with at least one strong Christian woman and man (respectively) here.

---

So if you didn't want this post to be so boring, and somehow read this far, here are some options to do while re-reading it:

1. If you wanted it to be funny, just add "in bed" after each sentence. This generally produces humor to otherwise normal comments.

2. If you wanted it to be political, just add "liberals suck and are pussies and gay and pretty much just really stupid with really stupid ideas and smelly hair and are homosexuals" to the end of each sentence. That will make it political.

I'm back and I'm also angry at things again

2006-07-17T14:33:00.000-04:00

I just got married and it is really good. I like it, especially the "benefits."

So here are a couple things that I hate:

1. People who wear bluetooth devices in their ears when not on the phone. There are apparently a lot of these people in Florida. I guess they think it more convenient than putting the phone all the way up to the ear for every call. Anyway, you're not a cyborg and it looks really gay so please stop doing this if you do.

2. People who suck at driving. Get off the road! "Hi, I'm going slower than the speed limit, but still want to stay in the left lane because I desire to piss over everyone behind me. But in reality I don't really know that anyone is back there because I'm an idiot! ... Oh, hey here's a guy in the right lane next to me driving the exact same speed. Hi, friend! Let's stay together so that everyone who wants to pass me knows that we're buddies. Oh yeah, we're also complete morons! Maybe we'd be better people if we didn't go around all day with our bluetooth headsets in our freakin' ears."

Yes, the exasperation has returned. aaaAAAAAHHHHHHhhhhh!

Oh, and by marital "benefits," I meant things like having prepared meals and lifelong friendship... oh, and also sex.

Honeymoon

2006-06-19T20:18:00.000-04:00

This is only for those who don't know where Katie and I are going on our honeymoon...

So I haven't told her yet, but I wanted to see where everyone thinks we may be going for our honeymoon. Please tell me where and why. Here's a hint: it's NOT Jordan's hair.

Parent Your Own Kids

2006-06-10T06:11:00.000-04:00

Apparently, there was some 16 year old chick that met a guy from Jericho (yeah, the same place Joshua destroyed) on myspace and flew over there to meet him. Anyway, they got her back before she met the guy. The thing that struck me from the report was this:

Shawn Lester told The Saginaw News that her daughter has "never given me a day's trouble. ... I just don't understand with all these new laws protecting America how a 16-year-old kid could get out of the country.''

Now I understand that if someone is a minor, the government can be more restrictive of certain things (i.e., don't drink, smoke, etc.). However, this reliance on the government to parent children is absolutely ridiculous! To trust laws to save you from all your troubles is foolish. Start parenting your children and stop looking to the government to do it for you. Pretty soon, spanking will be illegal (absolutely foolish and a violation of the 1st amendment) and it will be because parents keep looking to the government to solve all their problems. An anti-spanking law, or looking to the government to protect your children from foolishness in this case, forces parents to not have to discipline their children. This makes parenting much easier, while destroying the lives of children and the vitality of society.

My Woman

2006-06-09T01:36:00.000-04:00

I think this girl is the best girl ever (on left in picture because I am a man, not a girl): Now when I say "ever," I refer to all time and space. In other words, it includes all time past and all time future. Now you could say that someone like Mary in the bible had such great character that she must must be better. However, I'm not talking about character solely (although that is a huge part). No, I'm talking all-inclusive. Thus, this chick wins out over everyone!

So, in response, please tell me why you agree that she is the best girl ever. Any disagreement will be subsequently mocked as ridiculous nonsense.

Thank God

2006-06-08T04:26:00.000-04:00

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was just killed. I spent a moment to thank God. Justice had been brought to an evil man. Many innocent lives have been saved. Alhamdulillah!

To honor this bastard, here's his dead face:

Choose Your Death

2006-06-06T00:08:00.000-04:00

Would you rather be:

A) Mauled by a bear
B) Sawed in two
C) Burned by napalm
D) Eaten by piranhas

All of the above should be assumed to cause death. Please give sufficient reason for your selection.

No One Likes Me

2006-06-02T09:41:00.000-04:00

I was thinking the other day about this verse:

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4

It wasn't that I had read it recently or anything. It came to me after I had made some effort to fit into my peer social group. I've never really felt like I belonged, but would really like to be better friends with these guys because they are my peers.

I realized, though, that my goal should not be trying to belong. It should rather be an attitude of convicted love. That is how Christ lived. He loved others, but never sacrificed his convictions, which is why he got killed. People didn't like him. He was the ultimate social reject. Even his best friends left him when his convictions really mattered.

I've seen too much of an emphasis in the Christian sphere of trying to fit into the world. I think this is wrong. Sharing the gospel is good, and being "all things to all men so that by all possible means [we] might save some" is essential. But being rejected from social groups is a good thing too. It should be rejoiced.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matt. 5:11

Memorial Day

2006-05-29T09:21:00.000-04:00

To those who gave their lives for our freedom - the ultimate sacrifice. May they never be forgotten...

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free; While God is marching on." (vs. 5, Battle Hymn of the Republic)

Scratch and Sniff

2006-05-28T01:58:00.000-04:00

If you could be a scratch and sniff sticker, what smell would you be and why?

Jordan and Erik

2006-05-23T19:06:00.000-04:00

So I thought I would write a more personal blog entry and see what everyone thinks about some of my friends. On the right, we see Jordan. Tall, handsome, sexy, and smart, Jordan graduated from the University of Minnesota with dual degrees in Physics and Computer Science. He is currently employed at MIT's Lincoln Labs near Boston, MA, and is considering attending medical school just to prove he can. He is driven by a desire to not be that guy in a bar who's in his sixties who tells everyone he could have done this or that if he wanted to but never did.

My next friend is Erik. Erik is smart and funny and has a high level of serotonin. I really don't know who I like better: Jordan or Erik. Perhaps you can help me decide. Erik tried to graduate from college but failed. Instead, he decided to serve his country by learning Arabic at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. He has a "10 year" plan for his life, which involves getting a masters degree and teaching in the Middle East. He desires to share the gospel with the Muslim world, and will probably marry his long-distance (she lives in Miami) long-term (they've been dating for like 200 years) girlfriend.

Together, the three of us make up TF3S, which stands for "Task Force Triple Seven." I can't give you the details, but basically we're a counter-terrorist organization. The 7 is because it's a holy number, and the 3 is because there are 3 of us and Jesus rose on the third day. Ok, I've told you enough! Any more and I have to shoot you.

Anyway, I'd like you all to rate Jordan and Erik in whatever categories and whatever scale you desire.

Modesty

2006-05-21T21:19:00.000-04:00

Today I went to church. I don't always go cause I'm not very disciplined, but I actually got out of bed. I like my church - good teaching, etc - except for one major issue: the way women dress.

It seems as if many Christians today desire to fit in with culture. To do this, sacrifice of values must be made. One that is a particular frustration of mine is how women dress.

I don't think women - especially Christian women - understand how the male mind works. Men are VERY visual. To use some examples that may seem strange to women:

1. Men lust over mannequins.
2. Men lust over girls of ANY age if they look sexually mature.
3. Men lust over relatives that are sexually attractive.
4. Men lust over pornography, including cartoon pornography, and can be sexually satisfied in this activity.

As an aside, men often find these thoughts and actions simultaneously disgusting, but only because culture has taught us that these are wrongful (rightfully so, I might add). Men may engage in these at different levels/frequencies/intensities (i.e., not all men look at porn), but all are tempted by them in some way.

These reactions exist because the male sexual nature is physical. Men can enjoy a sexual experience with a woman whose name they don't know to the same extent as they can with a woman they know everything about. Some may even prefer it.

This is true of EVERY male. Billy Graham is not free from these thoughts. Yes, a man can learn how to control his actions, and even his thoughts to some extent (which are controlled by actions that prevent those thoughts from occurring, such as avoiding seductively dressed women). But it becomes hard when even going to church means going to a sexual charged environment.

Men are responsible for their actions. But women become guilty of causing other believers to sin when they don't dress modestly. Unfortunately, Christian men and women (I blame both... see my previous post on Responsible Men) have failed to teach that modesty has value, especially to their children.

So to those women who read this (and I know most of you dress conservatively and I really appreciate that), I wish to inform you that your Christian brothers are struggling because some of their sisters are not careful with how they dress. You may already know this. For whatever reason, the value of modesty has been minimized, and it is to the Church's own destruction.

Shaving

2006-05-19T00:52:00.000-04:00

I've always been good with personal grooming. Shaving wasn't really a problem until the last year or so. As it turns out, I cut myself... all the time. If I don't cut myself, I get rashes or I end up not shaving close enough. Here is a typical shave for me:

Note the obvious darkened area above the upper lip. That's not from not shaving close enough, but rather from having to go over the same spot 10 or so times in order to actually shave everything.

The thing is that if I wait a couple days between shaving, I get a good shave:

Now before you tell me about different razors or creams, I've experimented a lot. I use and recommend Gillette's Sensor Excel with their Sensitive Skin shaving gel. It has worked the best for me by far.

I used to use an electric razor, but it doesn't work for me anymore. I think that's cause I'm getting older and my facial hair is finally starting to get thicker. That's good cause I'm starting to get gray hair too. However, I don't think my facial hair grows fast enough for me to have enough stubble to effectively cut everyday. Thus, I have to go over the same spot multiple times and apply pressure, otherwise nothing will be cut. However, this causes rashes.

Anyway, I would appreciate any advice.

Statement of Faith

2006-05-17T18:53:00.000-04:00

There has been some recent discussion on other blogs (Brett and Ochuck) regarding statement's of faith. This has apparently come out of some current debate in the Church about the need for such statements and, presumably, their effect on reaching the unchurched.

I'll be honest. I haven't read up much on this topic. It has struck a chord with me, though, because I went to a church that seemed to have this "ideal" of no statement of faith (they do have a "Things of Importance" section on their website). This seemed quite enjoyable at first. Everything was very community oriented. I appreciated the people.

That was fine until the pastor declared, "the bible is not the word of God." He opened it up to questions later and I asked him about that statement. He told me that Jesus was the Word of God, not the bible, and our reason for believing the bible is that "it's our story."

First off, he was wrong about the bible (here's an example of Jesus calling Scripture the word of God). I got curious about the other beliefs of the church, so I emailed him a list of questions. He responded by telling me that the church "has no official stance" on any of my questions. One of those questions was "how is one saved?" Through a series of emails, my questions were avoided and no answer was given. To be honest, the responses came across as arrogant to me. Eventually, he told me essentially that he agreed with me on salvation (the question it eventually boiled down to), but was hurt that I "accused" him of not believing that it came through faith in Christ. Since he hadn't told me he believed it did, I had no reason to believe that was his stance.

I use a specific example not to say that others are like this, but that it is vital to know what we believe as Christians, and to be able to have unifying statements based on Scripture (superfluous beliefs aside - statements of faith are foundational, not based on disputable matters). One cannot build without a foundation to stand on. Without it, discussion even amongst believers becomes futile and painful.

My question becomes, then, to those who believe that there shouldn't be a statement of faith (or something similar): on what ground should a group of believers stand? The ground of Christ, yes, but we see today with the popularity of things such as the Gospel of Judas that standing on Christ means more than just an ambiguous declaration of belief. Christ has come to mean whatever anyone wants him to mean.

Scripture tells us:

...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have... 1 Peter 3:15

And at another point it says

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:16

I think this speaks to a bigger issue of life, which is that people need definition. They need to know who they are, where they belong, and what the heck they're doing in life. Without that, people have no direction. This is not to say one should blindly follow some code they don't know about. But think of all those movies where you see the hero being trained for battle by his instructor. There are rules to follow - a code - a set of beliefs. They may not be written, but they sure are clear.

This principle can be plainly seen in the military. The Marine Corps still remains one of the least softened forces in the military. They don't have a huge problem with recruitment either. People join the Corps because they crave definition, rules, and the like. There is also, within this, a strong sense of community and belonging since everyone knows their purpose.

The same should go for the Church. Are we not part of God's Army? Sure, the Church is not be the military. It is a relationship with God, I agree. But without a set of codes - a clear goal - a set of principles - a battle cry - a foundation to stand on - a community of a singular purpose... out of what are we to act? How are we to know even what we believe is true? On faith? Yes, but faith is pointless if it isn't clear.

I have been somewhat disenfranchised from church recently not because of too many statements of faith, but with the idea that doctrine has little value, that the bible's words can mean different things, and that Christianity is a religion of feelings. I just don't believe that that is the Bride that Christ desires.

P.S. As a disclaimer, none of this was in direct response to anything on any other blog or directed towards anyone in particular. Just merely a ranting of my own thoughts...

Habits

2006-05-16T17:46:00.000-04:00

Have you ever gotten your food at a restaurant and the person giving you your food said, "enjoy your meal," to which you responded, "you too"? I have.

Responsible Men

2006-05-14T01:42:00.000-04:00

My fiancee (w/ an accent on the first 'e')

and I are reading the book "Reforming Marriage," by Douglas Wilson, for our premarrital counseling. It has turned out to be the best book I've ever read on marriage, albeit one of the only ones. It's a very short read, and I recommend it even to those for whom marriage is not a current desire (or expectation). Another book I know is good but haven't read is "Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood," written by John Piper and Wayne Grudem (free .pdf copy online).

Anyway, the first book had a comment I thought very convicting to me as a soon-to-be husband. Notably, I agree with it completely. Wilson says:

"Because of how God made the world, men are always responsible for everything that happens in the feminine world - whether they want that responsibility or not, and whether or not women want to acknowledge it... When a couple comes for marriage counseling, my operating assumption is always that the man is completely responsible for all the problems. Some may be inclined to react to this, but it is important to note that responsibility in not the same thing as guilt. If a woman has been unfaithful to her husband, of course she bears the guilt of her adultery. But at the same time, he is responsible for it.
"To illustrate, suppose a young sailor disobeys his orders and runs a ship aground in the middle of the night. The captain and navigator were both asleep and had nothing to do with his irresponsible actions. Who is finally responsible? The captain and navigator are responsible for the incident. They are career officers, and their careers are ruined. The young sailor was getting out of the Navy in six months anyway. It may strike many as being unfair, but it is indisputably the way God made the world. The sailor is guilty; the captain is responsible.
"Without this understanding of responsibility, authority becomes meaningless and tyrannical. Husbands are responsible for their wives. They are the head of their wives as Christ is the head of the church. Taking a covenant oath to become a husband involves assuming responsibility for that home. That means that men, whether through tyranny or abdication, are responsible for any problems in the home."

A little later in the book, speaking of biblical duties of wives and husbands, he says:

"Not only is he [husband] responsible before God to do his job, he is responsible before God to see that she [wife] does hers. And of course, this is not done by bossing her around. It is done through nourishing and cherishing her."

I really appreciated this concept of men being responsible for everything. I especially related to the example of responsibility in the military (he's exactly right).

Thoughts?

Welcome. Why the URL? Other...

2006-05-11T22:47:00.000-04:00

Welcome friends. I decided to create a blog. That means that I will either be commenting more on other blogs due to more time online, or I won't. Yes, I am that insightful. The answer is yes... or no! Profound. Anyway, I will also tell you why you're reading this blog. It is for one or more of the following reasons:

1. You're my friend.
2. You know me but are not my friend.
3. You hate me.
4. Someone linked you here.
5. The blog's name intrigued you.
6. I pissed you off w/ something I said on another blog.

Whatever reason brought you here, please feel free to comment as much as you would like on anything.

Regarding the URL... I'll admit, I stole the idea of the word "mercenary" from Jordan. It was so good I just had to steal. Also, I thought it quite appropriate to my view on the Christian life. Dictionary.com defines mercenary as:

1. One who serves or works merely for monetary gain; a hireling.
2. A professional soldier hired for service in a foreign army.

First, I see myself as one who "serves or works merely for monetary gain" in the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 6:19-20 speaks of storing up treasures in heaven. Although I am an imperfect being, I strive to make God's glory the center of my life, and the afterlife my focus in what I do. If my hope is in this life, this life is worthless. Thus, I strive to work solely for heavenly treasure.

Second, I have become a professional soldier in God's Army. Matt. 11:12 says that "the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." II Cor. 10:3 tells me that I am in this world, but do not wage war as it does. Although through Christ I have joined God's kingdom, I live in this world, and thus belong to a foreign army - an army from another land.

Christ, a foreigner to this world, has hired me to carry out his work. He is my Captain and Lord. I work to gain treasures in heaven. Thus, I am a mercernary for Christ.

...
Now for the "other." I'm debating on a name to keep for this blog. I'm open to ideas. Also, please tell me, if you could choose, what illegal drug you would be and why.

Discussion

2006-01-18T16:02:00.000-05:00

My Initial Comments on Sept. 23:

The Rules of Conduct includes the following: "You agree not to make negative personal remarks about other Beliefnet members, including negative remarks about their ... religion, sexual orientation..."

Could you please clarify this? I, for example, believe faith in Christ as the only way to heaven, and those who don't have this faith are going to hell. Does that mean I break the Rules of Conduct regarding religion whenever I share this? This is the core of my religion, and sharing this with others is a requirement of my religion. Am I therefore banned because of my religion? Also, I believe homosexual activity to be "detestable" (the words the bible uses). Do I, again, break the Rules of Conduct when I share this? Certainly I don't mean it to be hateful, but it is my religious conviction.

If I do break these rules, then the Rules of Conduct should be changed to allow for better dialogue. Many people feel as I do, and if we cannot share our true feelings, how can we have an honest and open discussion?

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Their Sept. 26 Response:

Thank you for your email.

I believe this page answers most of your questions in greater detail than the Rules of Conduct: http://www.beliefnet.com/boards/hate.html

You can scroll down the page to learn more about how to state your opinions about homosexuality without violating our Rules of Conduct.

Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns.

BeliefnetGrace
Community Manager
http://www.beliefnet.com

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My Sept. 29 Response:

I read that before and it was still ambiguous. Is the only restriction, then, speech that might incite violence? For instance, if I believe homosexual acts to be a perversion similar to beastiality, this constitutes an "analogy or comparison". Is this only wrong if I use it in a manner that encourages violence? Also, if I believe God will punish those who participate in this behavior, does that not constitute saying that "violence is deserved"? Is it only wrong if I indicate that humans should carry it out?

My previous questions are also not answered by this section. The Rules of Conduct say what I quoted before in Section 1. Hate speech is in Section 2. Thus, my aforementioned beliefs may not constitute hate speech, but they do violate Section 1.

I hope you can see the ambiguity of such a policy. It would help to have better clarification on your website.

Sincerely,
Chris Hill

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Their Oct. 6 Response:

Thank you for your patience.

“if I believe homosexual acts to be a perversion similar to beastiality, this constitutes an "analogy or comparison". Is this only wrong if I use it in a manner that encourages violence?”

I think that what you may not be understanding is that comparing homosexual acts with bestiality is enough to incite violence all on its own. It does not matter how you choose to phrase it. It is a comparison that dehumanizes homosexuals thereby making it possible for others to feel as if violence against them would be acceptable. So in short, no, you may not state that you feel homosexual acts are a perversion similar to bestiality.

“Also, if I believe God will punish those who participate in this behavior, does that not constitute saying that "violence is deserved"?”

From our rules regarding hate speech:

~~You may discuss whether or not the Bible or other sacred text says that something is wrong or sinful.~~

Having read a post of yours that was removed, I feel I might be able to clarify some of your questions more fully. The main problems with the post copied below are not that you state that the Bible says that homosexuality is sinful and punishable by death. The problems are 1) you used, as a comparison, someone who robs or kills and 2) you made an attempt at the bottom of your post to convert others to Christianity.

I hope I've been able to help you better understand how you may post your views about the Bible, homosexuality and sin while still honoring our Rules of Conduct.

BeliefnetGrace
Community Manager
http://www.beliefnet.com

Your post:

They should not legalize gay marraige, never once did God allow homosexuality, He strictly forbid it, in fact it was punishable with death in the Law, Leviticus 20:13 And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. They should at once turn from that course, there is freedom and free will, but just because you CHOOSE to do something does not make it RIGHT, I ask, is someone who robs, steals, or kills right? They are breaking God's laws, homosexuality is breaking God's laws. In fact Paul says, Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: Romans 1:27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due. And earlier, Romans 1:24 Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves. God is trying to save people from their sinful course, let all take heed, Christ loves ALL, but parents punish their children when they do wrong, as does God. Praise be to God that Christ died "for all men" and everyone who ever lived will have a chance to recieve everlasting life through him, "whosoever wills." With love and prayers, in Christ's name.

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My Oct. 12 Response:

I don't know who wrote that, but it wasn't me. I don't mind being quoted, but please at least quote me, not someone else.

I must say after reading it, however, that you really don't allow for open discussion of views. Your policies are quite intolerant, since they prohibit one from even quoting the bible (since the bible compares homosexuality to other sins). I do hope you noted (and I believe you did) that, although this person didn't put quotes around the verses, they were quoting the bible throughout their post.

You mention the comparison to other sins as being a reason for removal of the post. The only comparison this person made was to lawbreaking (they also compared robbing to killing, if you'll note). Your analysis shows little regard to understanding this person's point.

Regardless, your policy is flawed in that I cannot compare homosexuality to beastiality, when the two are mentioned back to back in the bible. They are certainly not the same. But I believe they are of similar moral standing. Besides, beastiality is legal in some states, and would it not also be against your policies to compare beastiality to something like murder, since that would discriminate against a sexual preference?

In addition, this person didn't try to convert anyone, but said what he/she believes is the way to salvation. If we are prohibited from sharing what we believe is the way for salvation for everyone (for instance, I believe the only way to salvation is through Christ, and this applies to everyone), then your policies restrict one of the most vital aspects of Christianity. Is this not intolerant?

Is it not more valuable to err on the side of allowing discussion versus restricting it? Freedom of speech does have its consequences (although I certainly understand restricting calls to violence).

I would request that you revist these policies that would prevent such a post as below being posted. If this is not possible, please refer me to someone who can do something about this.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Chris Hill

Pictures

2006-01-10T22:40:00.000-05:00