In the current edition of World Magazine editor Marvin Olasky gives four key themes to remember when Christians are responding to evolutionists. I think these are good points to remember.
1. There is a difference between types of evolution. That there is change within a species is obvious. To say that all dogs had a common ancestor is an example of microevolution. It is false to say evolution does not exist, because microevolution is observable. But what Darwin and Darwinists want to do is to expand the concept of microevolution to evolution beyond species. That is saying that some other kind of organism became a dog. That kind of evolution is called Macroevolution and this is what we oppose.
2. DNA is complicated. “Bill Gates has said, ‘DNA is like a computer program, but far, far more advanced than any software we’ve ever created.’” When you see a computer program, one thing you know is that some intelligent being created it. The same can be said of DNA.
3. Irreducible complexity. Here is what that means. “We know that cells have complex circuits, sliding clamps, energy-generating turbines, rotors, stators, O-rings, U-joints, and drive shafts. . . Each little engine depends on the coordinated function of many protein parts and doesn’t work unless all the parts are present. Could all those innovations arise sequentially, or would they all have to happen at once? Irreducible complexity says they all have to happen at once and it is a killer for Darwinists.
4. We need to debate with the evolutionist with compassion. They know there is no hope for them. They are going to die. We can share our hope in Jesus Christ. “Whosoever believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
If you would like to read Olasky's article it is online at http://www.worldmag.com/articles/14943. However, to access it will cost you $5.00 but you also get two issues of World Magazine. If you are not familiar with World I would highly recommend it to you. It is a biweekly magazine that looks at world events through a Christian worldview.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 02, 2009
Do You Want To Be Happy?
I think I always knew this. About 25 years ago I decided that most Television was pretty much a waste of time. Since then my viewing is limited to news and sports. (24 doesn’t count because Jack Bauer sent me a message and said, “watch!” You had better do what Jack Bauer says.)
A recent study of the activities of happy people collected data from the last 34 years on social activity and media usage. What do happy people do? Well, they read, they socialize, and they go to church.
What is surprising is what happy people do not do. In the study it was determined that out of 10 activities happy people were more active in all but three. Those three were socializing at a bar, surfing the internet, and watching TV. What the study does not tell us is if those three activities contribute to our unhappiness or if they are the refuge of unhappy people.
Robinson, John P. and Martin, Stephen, What Do Happy People Do? Social Indicators Research, Vol 89: Issue 3, 12/01/2008, p. 565
So if you want to be happy, why are you surfing the blogs? Happy people are those who are serving not surfing, interacting with other people not the remote control. God did not create us to be hermits, but to make a difference in the lives of others. Countless times in the New Testament, believers are called to participate in the lives of others. Paul tells us to “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NASB95).”
Now, turn off this computer and go visit a friend. Only if it is after 9:30 don’t come over here, we are trying to be happy and happy people get plenty of sleep.
A recent study of the activities of happy people collected data from the last 34 years on social activity and media usage. What do happy people do? Well, they read, they socialize, and they go to church.
What is surprising is what happy people do not do. In the study it was determined that out of 10 activities happy people were more active in all but three. Those three were socializing at a bar, surfing the internet, and watching TV. What the study does not tell us is if those three activities contribute to our unhappiness or if they are the refuge of unhappy people.
Robinson, John P. and Martin, Stephen, What Do Happy People Do? Social Indicators Research, Vol 89: Issue 3, 12/01/2008, p. 565
So if you want to be happy, why are you surfing the blogs? Happy people are those who are serving not surfing, interacting with other people not the remote control. God did not create us to be hermits, but to make a difference in the lives of others. Countless times in the New Testament, believers are called to participate in the lives of others. Paul tells us to “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NASB95).”
Now, turn off this computer and go visit a friend. Only if it is after 9:30 don’t come over here, we are trying to be happy and happy people get plenty of sleep.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Inauguration Of Barack Hussein Obama
OK Already! There is a news blackout at the Russell household this weekend. It is three days until the magical moment when the smartest man in America will take the reins of government from the imbecile W. and already the news channels are Barack saturated; well that and the endless reruns of the heroic pilot that saved all the people on USAir by crashing into the Hudson River instead of the World Trade Center. “We are talking now to Jonathan Doe who was in New York when the plane went down.” “Mr. Doe, What did you see?”
“Well I didn’t actually see anything but I heard all the sirens and I said to myself, ‘something big has happened in the big apple today.’”
“Mr. Doe, what color were the ambulances that were seen rushing to the scene?”
“Uh, I didn’t actually see any ambulances, but their sirens had an urgent pitch to them.”
“Thank you Mr. Doe, or can I call you Jonathan?”
Enough! Do you think we would have seen that kind of coverage if Delta Connection flight 4323 crash landed in the Great Salt Lake? I don’t think so. The biggest thing about that crash was that it happened in New York City. Yes the pilot is a genuine hero, as is the flight crew and I am thankful that all passengers lived to take another flight. But I have heard enough and seen enough pictures of the stack of seat cushions used as floatation devices stacked in a corner. One news person gave a 5 minute presentation on how the seat cushions really do float, just like every flight attendant has told us before every flight we take.
But this blog is about the new president. I am totally amazed at what is happening. It is an historic moment. We are about to have our first non-white, non-European, president. I can understand the elation of the people who are going to have a president for the first time that looks like them. It is an amazing thing. It would have been nice to have elected a Black person president who has actually accomplished something besides being black, however.
People have lost their minds over this. On National Public Radio, the radio network owned by the people, just before Christmas a soloist on Garrison Keillor’s show sang her rendition of “In Bleak Midwinter.” In case you don’t know, it is a traditional English Carol about the coming of the Christ child. But in yuletide 2008 Renee Fleming sang these words. “In the bleak midwinter, at the Christmas feast, a family leaves Chicago and travels to the East, for a public mansion in Washington, D.C., in a time of trouble and festivity. All across the nation, sea to shining sea, people watch the passage of that family.” (See National Review, Jan. 26, 2009, p.14)
So now B. Hussein Obama is not just the second coming of FDR and Abraham Lincoln, he is being compared to the first coming of Jesus Christ. I don’t know which to feel worse about. That the American people can be so taken or that BHO is set up for failure. Here we have a new president who has no accomplishments to speak of. Democrats rail at the inexperience of Sarah Palin while ignoring the fact that she has more experience than BHO.
But of course, BHO is much smarter than Sarah Palin, John McCain, and George W. Bush all put together. You know of course how that intelligence is measured. If you agree with the left you are smart. If you are conservative, you must be stupid. Former NY Gov. Mario Cuomo said yesterday on Mike Huckabee’s TV program that BHO was incredibly intelligent. How does he know that? What evidence did he give? Even if he is egghead smart, Henry Kissinger seemed to be mighty intelligent too, but who would have wanted him as president?
God puts kings and presidents in position and our responsibility is to obey them and pray for them. Those two things I will do to the best of my ability. The Bible does not say I have to watch the coronation, uh, I mean inauguration for 5 days straight.
“Well I didn’t actually see anything but I heard all the sirens and I said to myself, ‘something big has happened in the big apple today.’”
“Mr. Doe, what color were the ambulances that were seen rushing to the scene?”
“Uh, I didn’t actually see any ambulances, but their sirens had an urgent pitch to them.”
“Thank you Mr. Doe, or can I call you Jonathan?”
Enough! Do you think we would have seen that kind of coverage if Delta Connection flight 4323 crash landed in the Great Salt Lake? I don’t think so. The biggest thing about that crash was that it happened in New York City. Yes the pilot is a genuine hero, as is the flight crew and I am thankful that all passengers lived to take another flight. But I have heard enough and seen enough pictures of the stack of seat cushions used as floatation devices stacked in a corner. One news person gave a 5 minute presentation on how the seat cushions really do float, just like every flight attendant has told us before every flight we take.
But this blog is about the new president. I am totally amazed at what is happening. It is an historic moment. We are about to have our first non-white, non-European, president. I can understand the elation of the people who are going to have a president for the first time that looks like them. It is an amazing thing. It would have been nice to have elected a Black person president who has actually accomplished something besides being black, however.
People have lost their minds over this. On National Public Radio, the radio network owned by the people, just before Christmas a soloist on Garrison Keillor’s show sang her rendition of “In Bleak Midwinter.” In case you don’t know, it is a traditional English Carol about the coming of the Christ child. But in yuletide 2008 Renee Fleming sang these words. “In the bleak midwinter, at the Christmas feast, a family leaves Chicago and travels to the East, for a public mansion in Washington, D.C., in a time of trouble and festivity. All across the nation, sea to shining sea, people watch the passage of that family.” (See National Review, Jan. 26, 2009, p.14)
So now B. Hussein Obama is not just the second coming of FDR and Abraham Lincoln, he is being compared to the first coming of Jesus Christ. I don’t know which to feel worse about. That the American people can be so taken or that BHO is set up for failure. Here we have a new president who has no accomplishments to speak of. Democrats rail at the inexperience of Sarah Palin while ignoring the fact that she has more experience than BHO.
But of course, BHO is much smarter than Sarah Palin, John McCain, and George W. Bush all put together. You know of course how that intelligence is measured. If you agree with the left you are smart. If you are conservative, you must be stupid. Former NY Gov. Mario Cuomo said yesterday on Mike Huckabee’s TV program that BHO was incredibly intelligent. How does he know that? What evidence did he give? Even if he is egghead smart, Henry Kissinger seemed to be mighty intelligent too, but who would have wanted him as president?
God puts kings and presidents in position and our responsibility is to obey them and pray for them. Those two things I will do to the best of my ability. The Bible does not say I have to watch the coronation, uh, I mean inauguration for 5 days straight.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
I Am Glad To See 2008 Go—Sportswise
I don’t think it possible to have a worse sports year than 2008. It was an awful year for any team to have me as a fan.
It began in the spring when the Lobo Basketball team, once again, was only futile in any attempt to gain the NCAA tournament. It is sad anyway when you measure success just by getting into a tournament, even if you never have a chance to win. I wonder what it is like to root for a team that has a shot at the final four.
Of course the Jazz stumbled early in the playoffs but my longtime team, the Lakers made the finals, only to lose to the hated Boston Celtics. This year may be different. We must wait and see.
In Baseball, the Yankees got off to a slow start and never sped up. The last year in the House That Ruth Built was the first year in a decade that the Yankees didn’t make the playoffs. At least the Red Sox didn’t go anywhere either.
When fall came around and football started the Lobos got off to a slow start losing their first two before picking up and beating Arizona. After that, it was downhill, losing to both Utah and BYU and congratulating themselves on close games. With a final 4 win season the blow came when head football coach Rocky Long hung it up.
The Broncos, with a mediocre team beset with injury, led their division from week one, only to collapse in the final three games to spend another January at home. Then the unthinkable happened. Another coach bit the dust.
Here is hoping for a better 2009.
Oh! One more. I was home at thanksgiving when my old High School Football team went to the state championship game with an unblemished record. They lost and now hold the record for the school that has lost the state championship game more than any other school. What a record. (They did win once, back in the 1950's)
It began in the spring when the Lobo Basketball team, once again, was only futile in any attempt to gain the NCAA tournament. It is sad anyway when you measure success just by getting into a tournament, even if you never have a chance to win. I wonder what it is like to root for a team that has a shot at the final four.
Of course the Jazz stumbled early in the playoffs but my longtime team, the Lakers made the finals, only to lose to the hated Boston Celtics. This year may be different. We must wait and see.
In Baseball, the Yankees got off to a slow start and never sped up. The last year in the House That Ruth Built was the first year in a decade that the Yankees didn’t make the playoffs. At least the Red Sox didn’t go anywhere either.
When fall came around and football started the Lobos got off to a slow start losing their first two before picking up and beating Arizona. After that, it was downhill, losing to both Utah and BYU and congratulating themselves on close games. With a final 4 win season the blow came when head football coach Rocky Long hung it up.
The Broncos, with a mediocre team beset with injury, led their division from week one, only to collapse in the final three games to spend another January at home. Then the unthinkable happened. Another coach bit the dust.
Here is hoping for a better 2009.
Oh! One more. I was home at thanksgiving when my old High School Football team went to the state championship game with an unblemished record. They lost and now hold the record for the school that has lost the state championship game more than any other school. What a record. (They did win once, back in the 1950's)
Monday, December 08, 2008
And A Little Theology, Don't Drown It May be Deep
Don't Waste Your Life by John PiperMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Piper is at his best explaining why God put us here in the first place. The title is a negative way of saying, Be Sure Your Life Counts."
Even though it is a short book, don't plan on a fast read. Savor it and take time to meditate on your single passion to live for.
View all my reviews.
Fun Reading, If You Can Keep From Worrying
Extreme Measures: A Thriller by Vince FlynnMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
This one is a page turner. It is hard to put down. A third terrorist cell is on its way to the US. Can Rapp and Nash intercept them or will the senate judiciary committee chairman have her way and toss our heroes in the clink, for using extreme measures?
This may help explain the somber look on Obama's face when he exited his first briefing with the president. He needs our prayer because while the book is fiction, the issues are not.
View all my reviews.
A Little Global Warming in a Snowstorm
Red Hot Lies: How Global Warming Alarmists Use Threats, Fraud, and Deception to Keep You Misinformed by Christopher HornerMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
Christopher C. Horner gives evidence that the whole Global Warming "Crisis" is a political ploy. He documents how scientists who do not fawn over the politically correct line are shut out. This includes their being disinvited from summits, conferences, etc., because this isn't about the environment it is about government.
Oh, and money! While environmental enthusiasts point out any contribution global warming skeptics receive from any energy producer they neglect to point out that the global warming crisis is a 6 billion dollar a year industry that would disappear overnight if there were no "crisis."
While this is not a book dedicated to Global Warming statistics, it uses plenty of them while making the point that the whole "crisis" has as its goals, 1.) bigger government; "the Koyoto Protocol is the first component of an authentic global governance." (former French president Jacques Chirac) and 2.) Money as described above.
Those of you my dear readers who have been convinced by the Al Gores of this world will never believe me, so read this book. I gave it only 4 stars because some of the writing is difficult to follow mainly due to the detail he gives some of the issues.
It is definitely a must read for anyone who is truly interested in truth, not propaganda.
View all my reviews.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Dream That Lives On
I know you couch potatoes will have trouble believing this, but even after two aborted attempts to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT) the dream still appears at the strangest times. We are resigned to the fact that we won’t be hiking on the AT anymore. Short of a knee replacement I will never have the knees to do it. We waited too long to try.
The next best possibility is not practical either. While I can hike a week or maybe two at a time, we live too far from the trail to hike it a few miles at a time. So that won’t happen either. We had our shot and we were shot down. Over three different hikes, we managed just about 800 miles. We are going to have to be satisfied with that.
Knowing and submitting to the facts doesn’t keep the dream from reoccurring. Today after lunch I was going out to the deck to sit in the sun for my vitamin D fix. (Dr.’s Orders not laziness) I decided to take a cup of coffee, but I didn’t want to make a pot so I settled for a cup of instant. When I sat on the deck, in the cool air, a slight breeze causing the remaining leaves to fall, and sipped the instant, it felt like an afternoon on the trail.
The only coffee we had while hiking was instant. I almost never drink instant any other time. But when I took the first sip I was transported back to the trail. I spent the first 5 minutes of my vitamin D time daydreaming and wishing. It is crazy.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
In Memory, Tony Hillerman 1925-2008
I lost a friend this week. He died at age 83 of Pulmonary distress. He was a friend I never met, but spent many hours enjoying his storytelling. I will miss his engaging tales of life in the Four Corners area. Most of my Utah friends will say, “Tony who?” Most of my New Mexico friends will agree. Tony Hillerman was a great story teller.
Tony Hillerman was a journalist who decided that if he was going to make up stories he might as well sell them as novels. He wrote mystery novels with a twist. The twist was the primary mystery solvers were two Navajo Policemen, Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Sergeant Jim Chee. The books contained insights into the life and culture of the Navajo. One article said that an early book agent told Hillerman he should lose the Indian stuff.
Reading a Hillerman mystery was about traveling the Navajo Reservation and the area around it, Albuquerque, Farmington, Gallup. I can see in my mind’s eye Jim Chee’s trailer house down on the San Juan River in Shiprock. The reservation roads to the trading posts, the mountains, the canyons, the sheep meadows are not understandable to those whose life has been spent in the city. I have driven on many of those roads and hundreds more like them in the four corners. I could lose myself in a Hillerman book and day dream my way back to a simpler life.
Fiction is not my favorite read. But over the years there have been three authors whose books I bought on the day they were released. (Well at least on the day they showed up at Sam’s Club or Costco.) I didn’t even wait for the paperback version. Now one of them is gone. I will miss Tony Hillerman and the adventures of Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn.
Oh, the other two authors for those of you who don’t know are John Grisham and Tom Clancy.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
USA Today with Biblical Understanding
There is an Interesting article on page 9d of USA Today, Tuesday October 28, 2008. It is about the discovery of Egyptian artifacts in a copper mine in Jordan. The article is about King Solomon, the Old Testament kingdom of Edom, copper mines, and Pharaohs.
3000 years after Solomon died archaeology is discovering one of the mines that contributed to his great wealth. I am continually amazed at the discoveries in the dirt of the middle east, findings that lend credence to the Bible.
Of course this discovery proves nothing. I don’t need it to prove anything where my faith is concerned. Just the fact that competent archaeologists find in their digs the very things you would expect them to find if God’s word had any historicity.
The Bible tells us that Solomon was one of the wealthiest men in ancient history. But when offered wealth by the Lord, he instead chose wisdom. Thus we hear “The Wisdom of Solomon” referred to as a positive thing whereas we rarely hear of “The Wealth of Solomon.”
This wise man concluded his treatise about life by saying “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NASB)
3000 years after Solomon died archaeology is discovering one of the mines that contributed to his great wealth. I am continually amazed at the discoveries in the dirt of the middle east, findings that lend credence to the Bible.
Of course this discovery proves nothing. I don’t need it to prove anything where my faith is concerned. Just the fact that competent archaeologists find in their digs the very things you would expect them to find if God’s word had any historicity.
The Bible tells us that Solomon was one of the wealthiest men in ancient history. But when offered wealth by the Lord, he instead chose wisdom. Thus we hear “The Wisdom of Solomon” referred to as a positive thing whereas we rarely hear of “The Wealth of Solomon.”
This wise man concluded his treatise about life by saying “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NASB)
Monday, October 20, 2008
What's That Again?
The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History by Thomas E. Woods Jr.My review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
While I am not naive enough to accept everything in this book at face value, it does have an interesting alternative look at some of the major events in American History.
I was especially interested in the articles on the Civil War, (which the author points out wasn't a true civil war) WWI and the intentional methods of Woodrow Wilson to manipulate us into joining the war, and the chapter about the causes of the great depression.
The book is weak at the point of references. While the bibliography is a long one, the text is not footnoted.
Read it, you may just learn, or rather relearn some of your own history.
View all my reviews.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Head GO! vs Heart NO!
I first became aware that there is a difference between being a head fan and a heart fan during the Western regionals for NCAA basketball back in the 90's. The tournament was held in the "Pit," home of the UNM basketball Lobos. One of the teams to make it to the regional was the New Mexico State aggies.
On my way to the game my friends asked me, "So who will you be pulling for, the Aggies or UCLA"?
My head tells me it would be a great thing for the state of New Mexico basketball if the aggies could pull off a win against the heavily favored Bruins. "I will be pulling for NMSU", I confidently responded. But inside the pit, when the aggies ran out onto Bob King Court in their fringed warm ups, I immediately switched allegiance. I have pulled for the aggies in the newspaper, and even cheered them heartily on television, but my heart would not allow me to pull for them in the Pit. No way Jose.
I have the same problem today with BYU and Utah. While undoubtedly they are Mountain West Conference leaders, along with TCU, and it helps the conference where the BCS is concerned for the Utes and the Cougars to win outside the conference, my head says GO! but my heart says NO!
I try, I really try to pull for the Utes. And that is the truth. How awesome that the Mountain West Conference is 6-1 against the PAC 10. If I could just wake up in the morning and read the scores and see that Utah beats OSU 31-28 my head can say, “YEA” But if I watch the game as soon as I see that stupid helmet with the feather Logo or Swoop that ridiculous feathered mascot, or hear “I’m a Utah man sir” I immediately revert to what I was born to be.
Funny isn’t it? My head says "GO"!, my heart says "NO"! I have the exact opposite reaction to the Texas Longhorns. I don’t want to pull for them. My head doesn't care if they ever win a game, but when they run on the field and I see that awesome Longhorn Logo, Bivo the majestic live longhorn steer, and hear “The Eyes of Texas are upon you” my heart says “hook em horns"!
I am just being honest here. It is something I do not fully understand. I may never have a Lobo football team to be proud of. But I am a Lobo none-the-less and three teams Lobos don’t pull for, New Mexico State, BYU, and Utah. “I’m a Lobo fan sir, I’ve been one all my life.” And that, is the rest of the story.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Isaac's Storm
Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik LarsonMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
As hurricane Ike hurtled toward Galveston I was reading this book about the 1900 Hurricane that virtually destroyed the same city.
Isaac Cline was the representative of the US Weather Service stationed at Galveston. The book is about him, the weather service, and the hurricance. Weather prediction was in its infancy and Isaac was attempting to learn the science.
It is a story of Government impotency that gives perspective to Katrina.
View all my reviews.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Beethoven's Hair: An Extraordinary Historical Odyssey and a Scientific Mystery Solved by Russell MartinMy review
rating: 3 of 5 stars
In 1827 a budding musician cut a lock of hair from the body of a recently deceased Ludwig Von Beethoven.
In 1995 two Americans employed scientists to open a simple locket that contained a lock of hair, purportedly from the great musician, Beethoven.
This book deals with two questions. 1. How did this lock of hair make the journey from early 19th century Vienna to a late 20th century London auction house, and 2. what does the examination of the hair tell us about the life and death of Beethoven.
The first question is enhanced when one considers the history of 20th century Europe and the Nazi attempt to eliminate all things Jewish.
The book has a varied pace, sometimes very slow and cumbersom, at times as quick paced as a mystery. I gave it a 3 star rating (out of a possible 5) because of the slow pace and because after reading it, I now know trivia so trivial it will never even show up on trivial pursuit.
View all my reviews.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Anonymous Comments
One thing that has always bugged the daylights out of me is people who are so cowardly as to make anonymous comments. It began early in the pastorate. An envelope without a return address came in the mail. Being young and inexperienced I opened it to find a 5 page letter. The writer proceeded to complain about everything under the sun. They didn’t like me, they didn’t like the church, they were very critical of everything and they didn’t sign the letter.
It upset me terribly. For one thing, I didn’t think many of the complaints were valid but I couldn’t discuss them with the complainer. I was really bothered by the whole situation. But the thing that bothered me the most was the yellow bellied writer who spouted opinion while hiding from their own comments.
I made a life decision that I followed all my years as a pastor. If a letter came unsigned, I tore it up and threw it in the trash without reading it. If a person didn’t want me to know who they were, I didn’t want to know what they thought, good or bad.
One of the reasons for writing a blog is to open communication with people I couldn’t normally converse with. Every time I write anything concerning Mormonism I get an anonymous comment. Go ahead and look through my archive of blogs. Look at the blog about Mitt. Look at the blog about the Temple in Idaho. That is why I believe the comment on my last blog has more to do with Mitt than with my position on abortion.
Either way, if a commenter doesn’t have the gumption to identify themselves, they don’t deserve a hearing. I don’t have to read them. Beginning with this post anonymous comments are no longer allowed. A commenter will have to identify themselves. It isn’t hard to do, and it doesn’t cost anything. You will have to have a Google, AOL, or Yahoo account to comment. There are some other options, but anonymous won’t be one of them.
Don’t let that stop you. I want to hear from you. But I want to know who you are.
It upset me terribly. For one thing, I didn’t think many of the complaints were valid but I couldn’t discuss them with the complainer. I was really bothered by the whole situation. But the thing that bothered me the most was the yellow bellied writer who spouted opinion while hiding from their own comments.
I made a life decision that I followed all my years as a pastor. If a letter came unsigned, I tore it up and threw it in the trash without reading it. If a person didn’t want me to know who they were, I didn’t want to know what they thought, good or bad.
One of the reasons for writing a blog is to open communication with people I couldn’t normally converse with. Every time I write anything concerning Mormonism I get an anonymous comment. Go ahead and look through my archive of blogs. Look at the blog about Mitt. Look at the blog about the Temple in Idaho. That is why I believe the comment on my last blog has more to do with Mitt than with my position on abortion.
Either way, if a commenter doesn’t have the gumption to identify themselves, they don’t deserve a hearing. I don’t have to read them. Beginning with this post anonymous comments are no longer allowed. A commenter will have to identify themselves. It isn’t hard to do, and it doesn’t cost anything. You will have to have a Google, AOL, or Yahoo account to comment. There are some other options, but anonymous won’t be one of them.
Don’t let that stop you. I want to hear from you. But I want to know who you are.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Election thoughts
As I sit here listening to the Democratic convention my thoughts drift to my own political journey. I have trouble believing many of these speakers believe what they are saying.
I am not excited about our choices for president this year. The first time I was old enough to vote for president I was in favor of the democratic candidate. I didn’t vote because I moved in October of that year and it was obvious that George McGovern had no chance to unseat a very popular Richard Nixon. My first vote was in 1976 when I voted for Gerald Ford. Four years later I voted for Jimmy Carter against Ronald Regan. I voted for Jimmy Carter, not because I thought he was a good president, but because his presidency gave me a multitude of opportunity for spiritual conversation. His outspoken claim to be born again was a great conversation starter.
Between 1980 and 1984 it became obvious to me that there was a great divide in our country between those who called themselves pro-choice and those who called themselves pro-life. They were called respectively by their opponents, pro-abortion and anti-choice. At that time I realized that the culture war that was being fought called for a change in strategy in presidential voting. Since that time I have voted for the pro-life candidate in any election where I had that choice.
You see, I am not sure about conservative/liberal issues of economics. Reganomics sounded good, but didn’t seem to work as good as it sounded. It wasn’t until Bill Clinton became president that the government began to get control of the deficit. Now I understand the conservative arguments. I have used them many times. It took that long for the tax-cuts that Regan initiated to make the difference. It wasn’t until 1994 when Republicans took control of congress that the deficit came under control. I know those arguments, but they are opinion, they cannot be proved. I think John McCain is the most honest of the candidates ever, “I don’t completely understand how the economy works.” I am not sure any of the others do either.
It does seem that democrats are for higher taxes. But then, if we are going to do all the things for people that both Republicans and Democrats want to do, then we need taxes. The money doesn’t grow on trees. W has given Americans all the things the democrats say they need, but he doesn’t raise the money to pay for it. So we have deficit spending again. I know, it is the democratic controlled congress that passes the money bills, but it is the president that signs them.
Now that McCain has not chosen Romney for VP I will support McCain. There is one issue that I look at first, like many other Americans. I cannot vote for a President, a Senator, or a Congressman who doesn’t hold life sacred. A woman’s right to choose cannot come before a baby’s right to life.
I am not excited about our choices for president this year. The first time I was old enough to vote for president I was in favor of the democratic candidate. I didn’t vote because I moved in October of that year and it was obvious that George McGovern had no chance to unseat a very popular Richard Nixon. My first vote was in 1976 when I voted for Gerald Ford. Four years later I voted for Jimmy Carter against Ronald Regan. I voted for Jimmy Carter, not because I thought he was a good president, but because his presidency gave me a multitude of opportunity for spiritual conversation. His outspoken claim to be born again was a great conversation starter.
Between 1980 and 1984 it became obvious to me that there was a great divide in our country between those who called themselves pro-choice and those who called themselves pro-life. They were called respectively by their opponents, pro-abortion and anti-choice. At that time I realized that the culture war that was being fought called for a change in strategy in presidential voting. Since that time I have voted for the pro-life candidate in any election where I had that choice.
You see, I am not sure about conservative/liberal issues of economics. Reganomics sounded good, but didn’t seem to work as good as it sounded. It wasn’t until Bill Clinton became president that the government began to get control of the deficit. Now I understand the conservative arguments. I have used them many times. It took that long for the tax-cuts that Regan initiated to make the difference. It wasn’t until 1994 when Republicans took control of congress that the deficit came under control. I know those arguments, but they are opinion, they cannot be proved. I think John McCain is the most honest of the candidates ever, “I don’t completely understand how the economy works.” I am not sure any of the others do either.
It does seem that democrats are for higher taxes. But then, if we are going to do all the things for people that both Republicans and Democrats want to do, then we need taxes. The money doesn’t grow on trees. W has given Americans all the things the democrats say they need, but he doesn’t raise the money to pay for it. So we have deficit spending again. I know, it is the democratic controlled congress that passes the money bills, but it is the president that signs them.
Now that McCain has not chosen Romney for VP I will support McCain. There is one issue that I look at first, like many other Americans. I cannot vote for a President, a Senator, or a Congressman who doesn’t hold life sacred. A woman’s right to choose cannot come before a baby’s right to life.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God Had in Mind by Erwin Raphael McManusMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
It took me a while to work my way through this one, not because it wasn't good, but because it inspired a lot of thinking.
The chapter on Spiritual Leadership is one every Christian leader, especially Pastors, should read. The Epilogue, chapter 10, entitled Radical Minimum Standard is a chapter every believer should read.
His statement that in today's church we live with a conspiracy of mediocrity, that we are unwitting enemies of nobility and heroism, where we choose to live where apathy is normal and average is the goal, reminds me of a statement of Billy Sunday, "most christians are so sub-normal that when you see a Christian that is normal, we think he is ab-normal."
View all my reviews.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Beatle Dilemma
Last night we went back 40 years to a 1968 Beatles concert. A band of Beatle impersonators were a part of the Utah Symphony’s Deer Valley Music Festival. The festival is an open air event. Spectators sit on the grassy ski run. We took a couple of quilts, (there were six of us, including my mother who couldn’t believe I took her to a Beatles concert) and a picnic dinner to eat on the slopes while awaiting the concert’s beginning.
The first sign that this was to be an adventure came on the trip from the parking lot to the slopes. It started to rain. Off and on throughout the evening it rained, until we were pretty much all wet. But the concert went on as planned.
Here is the dilemma. I like the music. Even our symphony musician friend says the music is genius. Many of the songs have words not from my world view. “I get high with a little help from my friends.” The impersonator dressed as John Lennon sits at the piano and does a great rendition of Imagine. Pretty music with artistic lyrics that fit together in a delightful way make the song fun to listen to. But singing along is difficult because I don’t believe the message in the words.
It isn’t a dilemma just for rock and roll’ers though. Several years past I went to a Garth Brooks concert where the song everyone waited for and brought the greatest response is one Garth is noted for. It too has a fun tune and witty lyrics. I don’t go to low places where whiskey drowns and beer chases the blues away, even if I have friends there, but it is fun to sing.
Puritans among us might say we best avoid all worldly amusements. There is a progression here. You could just accept the alternate world view. Or you could sing the songs while rejecting the worldview. Perhaps we should avoid the songs with a secular worldview. Any artist who sings the songs with a secular world view should be avoided. We should not partake of the genre that has the songs with the secular world view. Even a music style should be avoided, if it is a style that is used by those espousing a secular world view. That would include using the music in church with spiritual words. Then the last step, maybe we should avoid music all together.
The dilemma then is to decide where you draw the line. I suppose most of us would agree the first and the last options were going too far. Now you have to choose where along the way you will draw your line.
Talk to me. I would like to know what you think.
Oh! The concert. Even though we were all wet from the rain, and cold from the wind that followed, I think we all, from Mom and Dad to the ten year old with us had a good time. Or then, maybe I am just seeing it all through my perspective. I had a good time, the others will have to speak for themselves.
The first sign that this was to be an adventure came on the trip from the parking lot to the slopes. It started to rain. Off and on throughout the evening it rained, until we were pretty much all wet. But the concert went on as planned.
Here is the dilemma. I like the music. Even our symphony musician friend says the music is genius. Many of the songs have words not from my world view. “I get high with a little help from my friends.” The impersonator dressed as John Lennon sits at the piano and does a great rendition of Imagine. Pretty music with artistic lyrics that fit together in a delightful way make the song fun to listen to. But singing along is difficult because I don’t believe the message in the words.
It isn’t a dilemma just for rock and roll’ers though. Several years past I went to a Garth Brooks concert where the song everyone waited for and brought the greatest response is one Garth is noted for. It too has a fun tune and witty lyrics. I don’t go to low places where whiskey drowns and beer chases the blues away, even if I have friends there, but it is fun to sing.
Puritans among us might say we best avoid all worldly amusements. There is a progression here. You could just accept the alternate world view. Or you could sing the songs while rejecting the worldview. Perhaps we should avoid the songs with a secular worldview. Any artist who sings the songs with a secular world view should be avoided. We should not partake of the genre that has the songs with the secular world view. Even a music style should be avoided, if it is a style that is used by those espousing a secular world view. That would include using the music in church with spiritual words. Then the last step, maybe we should avoid music all together.
The dilemma then is to decide where you draw the line. I suppose most of us would agree the first and the last options were going too far. Now you have to choose where along the way you will draw your line.
Talk to me. I would like to know what you think.
Oh! The concert. Even though we were all wet from the rain, and cold from the wind that followed, I think we all, from Mom and Dad to the ten year old with us had a good time. Or then, maybe I am just seeing it all through my perspective. I had a good time, the others will have to speak for themselves.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Last Lecture
The Last Lecture by Randy PauschMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
When I read a small book like this, I am usually happy to find one thing worth writing in my notes/journal/idea book. In this book I wrote down 10. Great book.
View all my reviews.
Imagine. You get the news from your doctor that you have less than 6 months to live. What would you want to say? What would you want others to know? What message would you like to leave to your kids? Grandkids?
The Last Lecture is a book by Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He was asked to give such a lecture at his college. The difference, Randy Pausch had been told by his doctor that he had less than six months to live. Pancreatic cancer.
The book is his lecture with some added chapters. It is his attempt to leave a message to his three children, the oldest is only 6. The youngest is 18 months and Randy is aware his littlest daughter will have no memories of him. So he set about to make sure his children knew who he was, how much he loved them, and how much he would have like to have lived with them.
My friend Lynn has received the same prognosis. Unlike Randy who is in his 40’s, Lynn is in his 80’s but some things never change. He is looking at how he will spend the few months he knows he has left. While visiting Lynn last week a mutual friend gave him a copy of The Last Lecture. He already had it so they agreed to allow me to read it. I am thankful they did.
It is a book worth reading even if you don’t have a set amount of time left to live.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Barbs Day
All along the trail the flowers are plentiful. Even early on the trail, before there were leaves on the trees there were flowers on the ground. Bluets are delicate little flowers, blue like their name. Trout lilies are yellow flowers with spots resembling spots on a trout. The Dwarf Iris is just that, a little Iris and they have a purple blossom. One of the earliest flowers we saw and one that was impressive because of the way they covered the ground was the Spring Beauty. Several times they looked like snow on the ground.
One of Jen's favorites was the Lady Slipper. “I have heard of them all my life but this is the first one I have ever seen” she said as we looked at the pinkish red blossom. Another favorite was the Trilliam, we saw white, yellow, pink, and blue ones. The red ones have a different name though they are the same flower.
Hiking for long distances and long time allows the mind to go anywhere. Jen chose to use much of her time and her love of flowers to pray for our family. When she saw a Bluet, she prayed for our daughter Amy. When she saw a yellow flower she prayed for our son Josh who was overseas in the war zone. His wife Krista was prayed for when there was a purple flower, and our Grandson's prayer flowers were the white ones. Our son Nathan and his wife Amy were prayed for when she saw ferns.
Between the hikes, from last year to this, Jen found out that her friend Barbara has breast cancer. The most abundant plant on the trail has been the Rhododendrun. From Georgia to Central Virginia there have been Rhododendrun everywhere. So Jen decided that Barbs prayer plant would be the rhododendrun. In addition to being abundant they were tough plants growing in a difficult environment, a perfect environment to pray for Barb.
We were always ahead of the flowering rhododendrun however. We had not seen one in bloom, until today. Not far up the trail we crested a hill and there on both sides of the trail and into the woods as far as we could see, the rhododendrun was in bloom. It was beautiful. Rhodendrun blossoms look to be about the size of a softball, but when you look at them closely you see that they are made up of a cluster of much smaller blossoms.
This is when Jen told us about rhododendrun being Barb's flower. So after a few minutes hiking in the middle of flowering rhododendrun we stopped. We decided that maybe this was a day Barb was in need of our prayer, so we prayed for her and Pete. Then we dedicated the hike on this day to Barbara Straker. It became Barb's day.
Keep on Barb, we are with you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
