Tuesday, November 25, 2008
What do you think?
I'd really like to hear y'all's ideas on this. Is medical care a right and privelege that should be available to all? If so, does that include all levels of medical care, primary care, trauma care, advanced life support, advanced therapies, rehabilitation, etc.? Or, is medical care a service that should be availabel based on the laws of economics like many other services?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The good the bad and the ugly
Ugly first: The KKK. Nightline had a report last night on the KKK in America and those people are definitely one of the uglier faces of humanity. How peculiar that humanists/materialists can look at people such as the Klan and still honestly believe that there is no such thing as evil, no such thing as sin, and that people are basically good. How peculiar that anyone could look at the clan and still believe in evolution. I mean, if after 5 billion years of evolution the most advanced species is still producing the likes of the Klan... Can you say "fairy tale"?
One point the report made is that the traditional clan was exclusively "Christian" while the new clan cooperates with atheists, neo-nazies, skinheads, etc. Let's be really clear--no true Christian, no follower of Christ, should be a Klan member. The word of God says that "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." I John 4:20-21.
It might be concievable for a genuine Christian to fall into that kind of sin for a while. But they would be living in direct disobedience to God. They would be under constant conviction from the Holy Spirit. They would be detrimental to the Kingdom of God. I think its much more likely that Klan members who claim to be Christian have never really had an experience with Jesus.
The bad: the more subtle and more common forms of racism. If people voted for a white candidate solely because he was white that would be wrong and the media would condemn it. It was every bit as wrong for people to vote for Obama just because he is black. The nation will not get past racism and heal from its devastation until we admit that prejudice by minorities against whites is as real and as wrong as it is by whites against minorities.
The good: Political talk radio. No seriously, listen to this. Last night Kris was working, so while the boys were doing homework and getting ready for bed I had to go to Wal*mart to get some things for the teacher appreciation luncheon at the school today. On the way I was listening to Hugh Hewitt interview Michael Medved. Apparently, Medved has a new book coming out today which I'm sure is interesting, but he said something really cool; at least I thought it was. He said that America is not sunk yet and he started talking about Great Awakenings and religious revivals. He said we have had them before and it is time for another one.
Don't you think that is cool? Here are some guys who have right wing, political talk radio shows on secular stations and they are talking about America needing a touch from God! I find that very encouraging. Not that it should be (or ever was) mutually exclusive for people who want God to move in America to be involved in the political process, but its great that they recognize the need our country has for God and they are broadcasting that nationwide. I just hope they understand our role in that process and they can broadcast that too (see II Chronicles 7:14).
One point the report made is that the traditional clan was exclusively "Christian" while the new clan cooperates with atheists, neo-nazies, skinheads, etc. Let's be really clear--no true Christian, no follower of Christ, should be a Klan member. The word of God says that "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." I John 4:20-21.
It might be concievable for a genuine Christian to fall into that kind of sin for a while. But they would be living in direct disobedience to God. They would be under constant conviction from the Holy Spirit. They would be detrimental to the Kingdom of God. I think its much more likely that Klan members who claim to be Christian have never really had an experience with Jesus.
The bad: the more subtle and more common forms of racism. If people voted for a white candidate solely because he was white that would be wrong and the media would condemn it. It was every bit as wrong for people to vote for Obama just because he is black. The nation will not get past racism and heal from its devastation until we admit that prejudice by minorities against whites is as real and as wrong as it is by whites against minorities.
The good: Political talk radio. No seriously, listen to this. Last night Kris was working, so while the boys were doing homework and getting ready for bed I had to go to Wal*mart to get some things for the teacher appreciation luncheon at the school today. On the way I was listening to Hugh Hewitt interview Michael Medved. Apparently, Medved has a new book coming out today which I'm sure is interesting, but he said something really cool; at least I thought it was. He said that America is not sunk yet and he started talking about Great Awakenings and religious revivals. He said we have had them before and it is time for another one.
Don't you think that is cool? Here are some guys who have right wing, political talk radio shows on secular stations and they are talking about America needing a touch from God! I find that very encouraging. Not that it should be (or ever was) mutually exclusive for people who want God to move in America to be involved in the political process, but its great that they recognize the need our country has for God and they are broadcasting that nationwide. I just hope they understand our role in that process and they can broadcast that too (see II Chronicles 7:14).
Saturday, November 15, 2008
A prediction
We're off to family Thanksgiving in Mexia. Which is great, but all the TVs are gone since we emptied the house. Not a good day from a football perspective to be sans TV.
Anyway, Tech seems to be peaking, but I want to go on record as predicting Oklahoma to beat the poooh out of them. I think OU is better overall and I don't think Tech can play at such an emotional level 3 weeks in a row.
Soooo... Boomer Sooner, Hook 'em!, and Sic 'em. (Having a chance to beat the aggies is so cool.)
Later that day... O, btw, yes I am ignorant. I thought OU and Tech played today but they don't. I still think OU will win and I did get turkey and dressing today and Baylor did beat the aggies. So, I'm ignorant but happy.
Anyway, Tech seems to be peaking, but I want to go on record as predicting Oklahoma to beat the poooh out of them. I think OU is better overall and I don't think Tech can play at such an emotional level 3 weeks in a row.
Soooo... Boomer Sooner, Hook 'em!, and Sic 'em. (Having a chance to beat the aggies is so cool.)
Later that day... O, btw, yes I am ignorant. I thought OU and Tech played today but they don't. I still think OU will win and I did get turkey and dressing today and Baylor did beat the aggies. So, I'm ignorant but happy.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
good quote
For all you youth leader types out there (ministers, SS teachers, small group leaders, etc.), here's a great quote, that is actually a great idea, that can actually become a great ministry paradigm. It is from JD Tomlin who works for Student Life in an article about the future of youth ministry.
"Youth leaders must ask, 'What will bring glory to God?' rather than 'What will bring students to our church?'"
Isn't that good? Of course the rub is in why does it have to be "rather than"? Why can't it be what will bring glory to God and bring students in? I suppose if it brings glory to God then the elect will be drawn to it. What do you think?
"Youth leaders must ask, 'What will bring glory to God?' rather than 'What will bring students to our church?'"
Isn't that good? Of course the rub is in why does it have to be "rather than"? Why can't it be what will bring glory to God and bring students in? I suppose if it brings glory to God then the elect will be drawn to it. What do you think?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
I actually read an entire book
Warning: Long Post Ahead.
In one bite I can pretty much tell whether or not I like a new casserole. That bite is obviously not the whole casserole and it may not have all the casserole ingredients in it. However, it is usually enough to know whether or not the casserole is good. Hold that thought and we'll be back to the casserole analogy in a bit.
I am a very slow reader. Therefore, I seldom tackle a whole book. I read a couple of blogs, I read articles and essays, I read the Bible a few verses or chapters at a time. But I rarely try to read a book. It is even more rare that I finish a book.
So it is that my knowledge of the emergent church movement is like taking one bite of a casserole. I've only read a minuscule bit of its literature and only interacted with a few of its proponents. That was all it took for me to gag. However, even though I don't like it I've tried not to offer criticism of the "conversation" since I don't have a big picture understanding of it. Since I do not have the desire or the time to read enough to get that kind of understanding I have tried not to say much about the movement (or whatever it is). Several weeks ago, however, I saw a review for this book:
Sorry for the terrible picture. The book is Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be), co-authored by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. DeYoung is a pastor and Kluck is a writer. The review really piqued my interest and I wanted to read the book, but I'm not in a position right now to spend any non-budgeted funds (either at home or work). Then, thankfully, about four weeks ago I got a card from Mardell's offering free copies of the book to local ministers. How cool is that? God is so good.
I managed to read the whole thing in just a couple of weeks and I enjoyed it immensely. I was impressed by the authors' humor, their research, their theology, and their style. These guys really did their homework. They literally read multiple thousands of pages of material as well as attended conferences, worship services, and did personal interviews to prepare themselves for this book.
DeYoung and Kluck alternate chapters. Along the way they explain various emergent ideas and then compare those ideas to traditional, orthodox, biblical Christianity. Often they also compare emergent culture to the larger culture. They admit that not every emergent notion is bad. In fact I think their overall treatment is quite fair.
Now that I have heard what these well informed guys have to say I feel much better about gagging on the emergent church. In fact, I can see how it would be possible, should the influence of certain emergent proponents continue to grow, for this group's belief system to become so unbiblical that it eventually fits into a category of religions like Mormonism or Jehovah's Witnesses. These groups want you to think they are included in biblical Christianity, but they do not qualify.
Therefore, this is an important book and I heartily recommend Why We're Not Emergent to most of you. If you have already aligned yourself with the emergent church (or the emerging church if you are someone who makes a distinction between those terms) then don't read this book. The logic will be lost on you and as Kluck admits, "Those who aren't inclined to the emergent/emerging thing will probably support most of what we've written, and those who call themselves emergent will find a million reasons to find fault with it. The idea that people read much of anything and have their minds changed by it is less and less realistic to me. People usually just dig in."
Then who should read this book? If you're an orthodox Christian whose heard of the emergent church and want to begin learning about it this would be a great place to start. If you are interested in theology in general you might like this book. If you know someone who has had their feelings hurt by a Christian and you have concluded that the western church is a monster that needs to be deconstructed you should read this book. If you think evangelism is more about what we do than it is the message of the gospel you should read this book. If you believe that post modernism is so widespread that it has grossly changed the way the average person thinks and functions in the real world, then you probably should read this book (and this article). If you are not sure what you believe about Jesus, then you should definitely read this book, and keep a Bible close by.
So, thumbs up to DeYoung and Kluck. If any of you would like to read the book I'll be glad to loan it to you.
In one bite I can pretty much tell whether or not I like a new casserole. That bite is obviously not the whole casserole and it may not have all the casserole ingredients in it. However, it is usually enough to know whether or not the casserole is good. Hold that thought and we'll be back to the casserole analogy in a bit.
I am a very slow reader. Therefore, I seldom tackle a whole book. I read a couple of blogs, I read articles and essays, I read the Bible a few verses or chapters at a time. But I rarely try to read a book. It is even more rare that I finish a book.
So it is that my knowledge of the emergent church movement is like taking one bite of a casserole. I've only read a minuscule bit of its literature and only interacted with a few of its proponents. That was all it took for me to gag. However, even though I don't like it I've tried not to offer criticism of the "conversation" since I don't have a big picture understanding of it. Since I do not have the desire or the time to read enough to get that kind of understanding I have tried not to say much about the movement (or whatever it is). Several weeks ago, however, I saw a review for this book:
Sorry for the terrible picture. The book is Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be), co-authored by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. DeYoung is a pastor and Kluck is a writer. The review really piqued my interest and I wanted to read the book, but I'm not in a position right now to spend any non-budgeted funds (either at home or work). Then, thankfully, about four weeks ago I got a card from Mardell's offering free copies of the book to local ministers. How cool is that? God is so good.
I managed to read the whole thing in just a couple of weeks and I enjoyed it immensely. I was impressed by the authors' humor, their research, their theology, and their style. These guys really did their homework. They literally read multiple thousands of pages of material as well as attended conferences, worship services, and did personal interviews to prepare themselves for this book.
DeYoung and Kluck alternate chapters. Along the way they explain various emergent ideas and then compare those ideas to traditional, orthodox, biblical Christianity. Often they also compare emergent culture to the larger culture. They admit that not every emergent notion is bad. In fact I think their overall treatment is quite fair.
Now that I have heard what these well informed guys have to say I feel much better about gagging on the emergent church. In fact, I can see how it would be possible, should the influence of certain emergent proponents continue to grow, for this group's belief system to become so unbiblical that it eventually fits into a category of religions like Mormonism or Jehovah's Witnesses. These groups want you to think they are included in biblical Christianity, but they do not qualify.
Therefore, this is an important book and I heartily recommend Why We're Not Emergent to most of you. If you have already aligned yourself with the emergent church (or the emerging church if you are someone who makes a distinction between those terms) then don't read this book. The logic will be lost on you and as Kluck admits, "Those who aren't inclined to the emergent/emerging thing will probably support most of what we've written, and those who call themselves emergent will find a million reasons to find fault with it. The idea that people read much of anything and have their minds changed by it is less and less realistic to me. People usually just dig in."
Then who should read this book? If you're an orthodox Christian whose heard of the emergent church and want to begin learning about it this would be a great place to start. If you are interested in theology in general you might like this book. If you know someone who has had their feelings hurt by a Christian and you have concluded that the western church is a monster that needs to be deconstructed you should read this book. If you think evangelism is more about what we do than it is the message of the gospel you should read this book. If you believe that post modernism is so widespread that it has grossly changed the way the average person thinks and functions in the real world, then you probably should read this book (and this article). If you are not sure what you believe about Jesus, then you should definitely read this book, and keep a Bible close by.
So, thumbs up to DeYoung and Kluck. If any of you would like to read the book I'll be glad to loan it to you.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
My Fellow Texans
Secession anyone? I'm thinking Dixie would go with us again, and this time we might get the heartland as well. We could make W the president of our new republic...
Okay, on to more realistic thoughts. Read what Dr. Corduan said about the election. He is taking it much better than I. He's pretty mature in Christ.
The rich and famous, the humanists, the liberals, and the president elect want you to believe that America's biggest problems are "two wars", a "planet in peril", and "the economy". O, my friends don't believe the lies. War is terrible but these wars have to be won, not abandoned. The planet is not in peril. The planet has been through a lot and it will be okay. The economy has been bad before and it will get better. Even if it gets worse first and even if it takes a long time, we are still wealthy compared to most of the people in history and in the world today.
No, those are not America's biggest problems. The problems we face are the culture of death, the erosion of the traditional family, greed, the abandonment of traditional Judeo-Christian values, and so forth. These are not post modern issues. These are post Christian issues.
I suppose one comforting thought is that whenever the church is persecuted she grows. But still, I'm not exactly excited about some possibilities of the next four years. Obama said "change is coming". I don't doubt that. I'm afraid, though, that the changes will be for the worse in the lives of those who vote red. Before its all over I have a feeling even the blue voters will realize the changes Obama wants will not be good for America.
Ok, got that off my chest. I'm sure I"ll cheer up in a bit.
Okay, on to more realistic thoughts. Read what Dr. Corduan said about the election. He is taking it much better than I. He's pretty mature in Christ.
The rich and famous, the humanists, the liberals, and the president elect want you to believe that America's biggest problems are "two wars", a "planet in peril", and "the economy". O, my friends don't believe the lies. War is terrible but these wars have to be won, not abandoned. The planet is not in peril. The planet has been through a lot and it will be okay. The economy has been bad before and it will get better. Even if it gets worse first and even if it takes a long time, we are still wealthy compared to most of the people in history and in the world today.
No, those are not America's biggest problems. The problems we face are the culture of death, the erosion of the traditional family, greed, the abandonment of traditional Judeo-Christian values, and so forth. These are not post modern issues. These are post Christian issues.
I suppose one comforting thought is that whenever the church is persecuted she grows. But still, I'm not exactly excited about some possibilities of the next four years. Obama said "change is coming". I don't doubt that. I'm afraid, though, that the changes will be for the worse in the lives of those who vote red. Before its all over I have a feeling even the blue voters will realize the changes Obama wants will not be good for America.
Ok, got that off my chest. I'm sure I"ll cheer up in a bit.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
An Historic Election
America is a special place; a place that I love. I have lived here most of my life. However, I am an American citizen by choice. I was not born here. I'm incredibly thankful to be an American and I love the USA. But we have done wrong.
We have decided that it is okay to kill babies. We have decided to call things normal and good that God considers sinful. Other sins we have called diseases. We have decided that humans are not created by God in his image but that we are accidents of the universe, no better than animals. Therefore, we have decided that it is good to teach our children to act like animals. In the same vein we have decided that it is okay to kill someone if it will relieve their suffering. God says to trust him with our suffering.
In the choices we have made as a nation we have devalued human life, we have exalted sin, and we have denied God.
The Bible says, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20.
Now, if all the polls are correct, we are about to elect a president who has no problem with killing babies. We are about to elect a president who wants to take away the wealth we have earned and give it to people with less. We are about to elect a president with ties to known terrorists and with sympathies to anti-American nations. We are about to elect a president with an obvious socialist agenda. We are about to elect a president who will not even honor our own flag. How sick is that?
So, what do we get if Obama wins? We get what we deserve!
What do we get if the polls are wrong and McCain wins? I'm not crazy about McCain as president, but compared to Obama I would have to say that a McCain win would be America getting grace, again.
We have decided that it is okay to kill babies. We have decided to call things normal and good that God considers sinful. Other sins we have called diseases. We have decided that humans are not created by God in his image but that we are accidents of the universe, no better than animals. Therefore, we have decided that it is good to teach our children to act like animals. In the same vein we have decided that it is okay to kill someone if it will relieve their suffering. God says to trust him with our suffering.
In the choices we have made as a nation we have devalued human life, we have exalted sin, and we have denied God.
The Bible says, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20.
Now, if all the polls are correct, we are about to elect a president who has no problem with killing babies. We are about to elect a president who wants to take away the wealth we have earned and give it to people with less. We are about to elect a president with ties to known terrorists and with sympathies to anti-American nations. We are about to elect a president with an obvious socialist agenda. We are about to elect a president who will not even honor our own flag. How sick is that?
So, what do we get if Obama wins? We get what we deserve!
What do we get if the polls are wrong and McCain wins? I'm not crazy about McCain as president, but compared to Obama I would have to say that a McCain win would be America getting grace, again.
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