Now I don't want to get off on a rant here...

Call of Duty

Even before I saw yesterday’s recruiting poster I have thought about joining the military. My father was in the Marines and served in Vietnam, so I have always had an interest in this branch of the service. There is a mystique there that I can not quite understand and I’m sure it has a lot to do with stories of honor, discipline and hard work narrated by my father.

HISTORY

Coming out of High School, the military was not even a fleeting thought. I was going to college and was going to get an education. The guys I knew in High School that were going into the military seemed at best to be scholastically challenged and thus the service was a good fit for them. However, not only did I not have an interest in going into the military but my father was against it as well. This was a two fold reason. First off he did not like how he was treated upon his return from Vietnam by the general public and he blamed this on the government’s mismanagement of the conflict, so he was very distrusting of our government. This was compounded by the fact that in 1995 when I graduated, our Commander in Chief was a less then honorable man when it came to the military. My father had no desire for me to serve a man who ran away to hide when his country called him duty. All this was before he perjured himself, so the level of dishonesty and dishonor were not yet fully realized.

None of that really mattered to me then, because I was prideful and couldn’t see myself submitting to the authority of a military officer. So I didn’t even see any of that as option. Recruiters would call the house for me and my father always answered the phone and spoke to them. I don’t even remember ever knowing about this at the time and I certainly never spoke to a recruiter myself. My father was very abrupt with them on the phone and his standard line was something like, “My son isn’t going to serve any military with Clinton as the Commander in Chief!” CLICK

PRESENT DAY

Now we live in a post-9/11 world and I am almost 27, so my father isn’t making decisions for me anymore. I fully support the War on Terror and understand how the liberation of Afghanistan and Iraq play vital roles in that war. Also, my heart struggles with supporting this war, but not putting that into action, more specifically not serving. In contrast to the failed argument against President Bush’s leadership; it is possible to lead and to speak wisdom into a situation without having combat experience.

Mark Levin hosted Sean Hannity’s nationally syndicated radio program earlier this week. He was jokingly fielding phone calls as Maurice the Liberal and anyone that spoke about the war, he would pose this silly question.

“Did you serve in Vietnam?”
“No I didn’t”
“THEN YOU CAN’T TALK ABOUT THE WAR”
or
“Yes I did”
“Oh okay, then you can keep talking”

This is an illustration of the illogical thinking that you must have served in order to speak to the situation. While this logic is incoherent, there is tremendous value and character molding opportunities available to those that do serve.

Just about six months ago, it looked like my fiancé was not ready to get married and we were going to post-pone or even cancel our impending nuptials scheduled for September. This was extremely disheartening and weighed heavily on me daily. The perfect escape from the life that was beating me to a pulp seemed to be joining the Marines. Now realizing that anytime escapism is a motivation, you really need to question the wisdom in that decision. At the same time, it would have offered an excellent opportunity to take my life in a new direction that I had not dreamed of or was not brave enough to take in that direction without a push. Things finally settled down for Amy & I, while some of her fears still linger they have been put into their proper perspective and we trust the Lord’s plans to prosper us and not harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). The wedding is back on schedule and now I am faced with the idea and responsibility of a family.

I’m not sure that the military is really in my future, and I have not been really led in that direction as of today. But I am prepared to fight for my country in any capacity that is necessary. If a draft was reinstituted then there is no question that I would step up and serve before my number was called up. It would be an honor to join this band of brothers, the United States Marine Corps, the few, the proud.

Recruiting Poster

If this doesn't charge your heart with patriotism and elicit a desire to join these men and defend your country, I don't know what will. Below is a letter from a retired Marine to the "insurgents" in Iraq.

via Hugh Hewitt
Excerpts below:

I see that you have captured a U. S. Marine, and that you plan to cut off his head if your demands are not met. Big mistake. Before you carry out your threat I suggest you read up on Marine Corps history.

When you raise that sword over your head I want you to remember one thing. Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun is not alone as he kneels before you. Every Marine who has ever worn the uniform is there with him, and when you strike him you are striking all of us. If you think the Marines were tough on you when they were cleaning out Fallujah a few weeks ago you haven't seen anything yet. If you want to know what it feels like to have the Wrath of God called down upon you then go ahead and do it. We are not Turkish truck drivers, or Pakistani laborers, or independent contractors hoping to find work in your country. We are the United States Marines, and we will be coming for you.

Terrorists Threaten to Behead Marine
Marine Hostage's Family Asks for Prayers

End of the Beginning

This is for a friend from Youth Group. She has a friend who is a non-believer and she is struggling to communicate to him. To give her hope I shared the fact that I once was just like her friend. I was not only a non-believer; I was a champion for agnosticism and a professing atheist. There was no doubt in my mind that I was right and her friend is the same way.

What he fails to see and what I once failed to see is the freedom that comes from submitting yourself to Christ. I thought I had freedom because I refused to acknowledge his existence and I would not be controlled by him. How little did I know, that I was consumed by my desire to be in complete control and was thus imprisoned by own self-righteousness. Christ gives us the freedom to be who we were made to be and not have to wage the war of our own path to righteousness. He comforts us with his grace and forgiveness, and blesses us with his holiness.

I reminded her that it is not us who makes the change in other people’s hearts and it is usually futile to try to change someone’s mind, but rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to work in her and her friend’s heart. It is such a comfort to know that we do not need to do this alone.

So this song made me think of her situation and reminded me that patience, understanding, compassion and passion are the tools set before us to minister to non-believers. The story does not change; it has always been the same. Christ did not die on the cross just for me, but for you too.

David Phelps – Self-Titled (2002)

End of the Beginning

I was taking a trip on a plane the other day, just wishin' that I could get out, when the man next to me saw the book in my hand and asked me what it was about. So I settled back in my seat, "A best-seller", I said, "A hist'ry and a myst'ry in one." Then I opened up the book and began to read from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

He was born of a virgin, one holy night, in the little town of Bethlehem. Angels gathered 'round Him, underneath the star, singing praises to the great I AM. He walked on the water, healed the lame, and made the blind to see again. And for the first time here on earth we learned that God could be a friend. And though He never, ever did a single thing wrong, the angry crowd chose Him. And then He walked down the road and died on the cross and that was the end . . . of the beginning.

"That's not a new book, that's a Bible," he said, "and I've heard it all before. I've tried religion, its shame and guilt, and I don't need it anymore. Its superstition made up of tales just to help the weak to survive." "Let me read it again," I said, "But listen closely, this is gonna change your life."

He was born of a virgin, one holy night, in the little town of Bethlehem. Angels gathered 'round Him, underneath the star, singing praises to the great I AM. He walked on the water, healed the lame, and made the blind to see again. And for the first time here on earth we learned that God could be a friend. And though He never, ever did a single thing wrong, the angry crowd chose Him. And then He walked down the road and died on the cross and that was the end . . . of the beginning.

"The end of the beginning," he said with a smile. "What more could there be? He's dead. You said they hung Him and put nails in His hands and a crown of thorns on His head." I said, "I'll read it again, but this time there's more and I believe that this is true. His death wasn't the end, but the beginning of life, that's completed in you. Don't you see, He did all this for you?"

He was born of a virgin, one holy night, in the little town of Bethlehem. Angels gathered 'round Him, underneath the star, singing praises to the great I AM. He walked on the water, healed the lame, and made the blind to see again. And for the first time here on earth did you know that God could be a friend? And though He never, ever did a single thing wrong, He was the one the crowd chose. And He walked and He died, but three days later, three days later, three days later . . .He rose. Three days later, He rose.

"You see, He came and He lived and He died, but that was the end of the beginning."

Love & Devotion

Matthew 26: 6-13
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

This “Radical Love” was heard at [church name removed] yesterday and impacted more than a few hearts. As I reflected on this passage with Amy we came to several conclusions of our own aided by the pastor’s sermon.

This woman that used almost a year’s worth of wages on Jesus was showing her complete love and devotion to Christ. She did not do this to gain his favor, but she was reflecting the complete devotion that Jesus has for all his people. That he is willing to freely lay down his life for us. Her sacrifice while a great one for herself is incomparable to the sacrifice that Jesus is about to make. But he still accepts it and furthermore wants us all to remember it.

The church is the bride of Christ and thus his relationship with us, is to be reflected in our relation with him. It goes a step further than that though and is also to be reflected in our relationships with one another. This is not laid bare for us anymore then by the marriage relationship between the husband and wife. If the church as a whole is the bride, and we are to be wholly devoted to Christ as he is to us, then so shall the husband and wife be wholly devoted to one another in Christ Jesus.

The last part there is what a relationship that does not have Christ at the center of it is lacking. This is not to say that God’s countless graces cannot be revealed through a relationship that is lacking Christ, but how much more clearly can his devotion be made through a marriage that is both wholly devoted to him and to one another.

Amy & I remarked to each other that we hope when we have both grown old and people look back at our lives together that they will see a life of immeasurable love and devotion to each other. I want for us to be marked by two things above all – our intense adoration of our Lord & Savior AND our passionate devotion to one another. There are no two greater things in my life than that.

Doom and Gloom

Democratic Battle Cry:
Jules Winnfield, “The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides with the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon those with great vengeance and with furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know that my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.” (fictitious Bible verse)

	"Kerry's Coalition of the Wild-eyed"

How very different from the Battle Cry of the Republic?! I'll take "a bright future" to "doom and gloom" any day.

Chivalry is not dead

I was reminded on Sunday of this very true fact. As every aspiring romantic, especially one that is about to be wed to the woman of his dreams, I try to be graciously gallant by my bride to be. Whenever possible, and I always make it possible, I will open the door (car, house, store, etc.) for Amy. The only exception to this rule would be when my hands are full because I’m carrying everything for her (as I jokingly tell her she isn’t allowed to lift anything heavier than six pounds), or when we are getting out of the car. Getting out of the car to open the door for her then just doesn’t seem pragmatically possible in a day and age where you need to cram 36 hours of work into 24.

I have often been scoffed at or heard whispers and chuckles as I go out of my way to open her car door or run around her to open the store door for her, but I have not let this deter me. On Sunday, I witnessed what I can only hope will be my same fate. As I was walking towards my car to leave church, I saw an older gentleman opening the door for his wife and closing it gently behind her.

‘Awww, what a gentleman’, I yelled.
He replied with a smile.
‘How long have you two been married?’
‘Forty years!’
‘Wow, that’s great that you still open the door for her. I only hope I continue to be that faithful to my wife in forty years.’
‘People will laugh, but don’t pay any attention to them. You just keep on doing it.’

And with that exchange I was reminded that while chivalry and manners may be a lost art form, they are most certainly not extinct. I know that I fail Amy in so many ways, but when I have the opportunity to treat her like the princess she is and my queen to be, I try to capitalize on it. How else would one treat his own flesh?

“This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh…” (Genesis 2: 23)

Introspective Introspection 2

As a writer I find myself to be rather mediocre. I generally don’t use very big words and my sentences are usually very short and concise. Writing this blog has helped me to realize the true potential for becoming a journalist I never had. The idea of writing a novel or any other sort of short story doesn’t appear to be in my deck of cards either. In the recesses of my brain, I had once thought of those being possibilities. There is a mild flair for creativity in my veins, but overall I don’t believe I could sustain a reader for more than two sentences let alone a couple hundred pages.

I have come to appreciate more and more the ability of those that have the literary gift. One of the struggles I have with writing is the lack of true interpersonal relationship. There is a disconnect between the writer and the reader that I stumble over. I enjoy talking and conversation with someone that I can look in the eyes which this medium doesn’t allow for. Working on computers, in a database or some other form of the electronic interaction that I am relegated to all day long begins to drag on me after awhile. I suppose that is why I wear so many hats at work to get away from the computer when the need arises, but also able to get away from the people when they are overwhelming.

It’s a constant struggle for balance.

Debate, discourse, heated passionate discussion are usually very enjoyable to me because I love to see someone talk about something that elicits a strong opinion. The wish-washy, moderate tends to seem weak and unable to make up their mind. At the same time, I don’t wish to engage in conversation that leads to rage or hate for myself or for someone else. Religion and politics are the two subjects that are supposed to be avoided, or so “they” say. But they are my two favorite subjects! Avoiding them is not an option for me and these subjects are easily able to induce rage.

Realizing my blog is entitled, “Now I don’t want to get off on a rant here…” and that implies that I am about to go off on a rant, I don’t like being angry. I don’t like speaking from a place of anger, but I am prone to impassioned speech. I generally speak from a place of authority, in that I believe that what I am saying is 100% correct. That is not to say that I actually have that authority, nor does it mean that I am unable to admit when I am wrong. I guess I just don’t take the middle ground very often.

I have been uncertain what I wanted to do with this blog for a couple weeks now. What is its purpose? Am I serving that purpose? I don't have the answers to that yet and have been left with little to say lately, but these disjointed thoughts. The one thing I am certain of is that I want to always speak truth with a humble heart.

WOW

I can’t believe Slate ran an article that criticized Michael Moore’s new film. Next thing you know the New York Times will be saying they don’t like Clinton’s new book?!

Unfairenheit 9/11
The lies of Michael Moore.
By Christopher Hitchens

If Michael Moore had had his way, Slobodan Milosevic would still be the big man in a starved and tyrannical Serbia. Bosnia and Kosovo would have been cleansed and annexed. If Michael Moore had been listened to, Afghanistan would still be under Taliban rule, and Kuwait would have remained part of Iraq. And Iraq itself would still be the personal property of a psychopathic crime family, bargaining covertly with the slave state of North Korea for WMD. You might hope that a retrospective awareness of this kind would induce a little modesty. To the contrary, it is employed to pump air into one of the great sagging blimps of our sorry, mediocre, celeb-rotten culture. Rock the vote, indeed.

Thankfully people like Moore are relegated to the far extreme and are not taken seriously by very many people. There is always light in the tunnel!

UPDATE (been looking for this cartoon to add and I finally found it again):

Obvious Answers

How many times will we have to ask this question?

Obvious answers to stupid questions

Report: American Hostage Executed
June 18, 2004 - 2:00 PM
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Terrorists in Saudi Arabia reportedly have carried out their threat and beheaded American hostage Paul M. Johnson Jr., the Arab satellite network Al-Arabiya said Friday.

No independent confirmation of the contractor's beheading was available. The White House declined to comment because the news had not yet been confirmed.

Report: Body of Beheaded American Found
June 18, 2004 - 3:00 PM UPDATE
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The body of the American hostage beheaded by Al Qaeda (search) terrorists was found Friday in Saudi Arabia, according to a Saudi Web site.

News of the discovery followed the posting of gruesome photographs of Paul M. Johnson Jr.'s (search) beheading along with news of his killing on an Al Qaeda Web site Friday.

The Scream
Wake up McFly
A jolt via Maphet

Infectious Optimism

Another reason to admire and respect our President

President Bush: I'm optimistic about America because I believe in the people of America.
	"Pessimism"
		News Release Ad Facts

Symphony - in the key of Christ

Stemming from my recent epiphany that God is not going to change our 24 hour days to 36 hours to suit my needs and the realization of a shift in my priorities this editorial has struck a chord with me.

Selections from "In a Different Time Signature"
An Editorial by Joel Kiekintveld

Bill sat down at our table and we talked about life. He shared about a mutual friend of ours who is now becoming a follower of Jesus; it seems she had been convicted by being around Bill.

This week I decided to quit doing too much stuff at church in order to follow Jesus better. I want to live in a different time signature. It’s strange what a trip to the jazz club can teach you.

While the writer makes some good points about looking outside the church and not getting burned out, he has missed a couple key ingredients in all this and that is balance and calling. These are ideas that everyone needs to come to terms with and not on our own. We need to take our hearts and set them before the Lord and ask him to help reveal to us how and where we should be serving his kingdom.

Just as a church needs to balance it’s ministries with the needs of the congregation and the community, so that they do not lose sight of who they are serving; so should an individual who is only part of that whole, balance how his time is spent serving the church. We should have relationships outside the church and not be an inwardly looking people or else the kingdom of God will not grow. Having “Holy huddles” and looking down on others for being different makes the life an evangelical Christian very difficult.

I lived 22 years of my life completely outside of the church and developed many friendships during that time. All but some of those relationships have faded. There is more at play here then just diverging paths and people growing apart. At a certain point in time, I removed myself from some of these relationships because I felt they were destructive and would hinder my spiritual growth. I have since tried to repair some of these relationships and rebuild them, but it has not been easy. I love having all the friends I do within the church and have never experienced the joys of being a part of the covenantal family until now. At the same time, I long to reach out to people that I once knew and had very close relationships with.

Our calling and where God is leading us plays a big role in directing our lives. In order for a church to survive, many people need to play a role in the various ministries within it. If we do not balance our needs with the needs of others, especially the needs of the church, then we are never going to be able to seek our calling. I believe that God’s calling for us will have that proper balance. We spend some time serving our church, some time serving those outside the church and some time serving ourselves. Perhaps the service to ourselves should be minimized, but it just seems to be something I selfishly need.

God has a very specific plan and purpose for his people and that plan is different for each one of us. If you are seeking the Lord’s will and he seems to be directing you to be involved in different ministries in the church, then you would be disobedient to turn away from that. He has given each of us very special gifts to bring glory to his kingdom and lift his name above all others, not for us to selfishly prosper from them. Our prosperity naturally flows out of serving God the way he calls us. That does not ensure there will not be bumps along the road, that there will not be suffering, but if we stay on the path the Lord has laid before us we cannot go wrong.

Our time signature should be one that is in tune with the Lord’s. Jesus Christ can simultaneously be the Good Shepherd and the Unblemished Lamb. So there is reason to believe his time signature is more like an orchestra with hundreds of instruments all playing at different beats and making the most beautiful redemptive music together. Having balance and calling will help us all to be an integral part of this symphony.

Coming to you live - 36 hours a day!

I have had a very difficult time in the past few months in determining what my priorities were in life. There have been about 50 different things going on at once and all have been marked urgent. If everything is a number one priority and there are only 24 hours in a day then more than a couple things are gonna fall through the cracks. I have been praying for some help with this and since it doesn’t look like God is gonna give me 36 hours in a day, I’ve had to reevaluate some things in my life.

Current obligations in no particular order
• Being a good fiancé and becoming a great husband
• Wedding plans (million different details with this)
• Fix up house (everyone room is going through a remodeling process due to the above)
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
• Youth Group
• Youth Director Search Committee
• Youth Committee
• Accountability Group
• SPECTRUM (college/careers bible study)
• Work (wearing 50 different hats here too)
• Friends
• Etc.

I suppose it is part of our culture now to do so much and be involved with so much in life. But I would rather do 2 things amazingly, then 50 ones mediocre. A lot of those things above have to do with my church and my spiritual journey. These are two things that are very important to me and I have no doubt that if they weren’t, then my time would be filled with other seemingly important tasks to occupy my time.

What I am mainly focused on right now is serving God in whatever capacity he is leading me and loving my future wife. Those are the two things that I want to do amazingly. The rest of it is just gravy.

After talking it over with Amy and praying together it would seem that the Lord is leading me to really focus on getting my MCSE right now. That completing that task will enable me to serve him in the capacity that my gifts are most suited. She has promised not to expect so much of my time with wedding plans and the house while I am doing this. Her support is of utmost importance to me and I am extremely grateful. So that is how I show my love for her, by being infinitely thankful.

As I have focused on these two things, the last week or so have gotten better. There isn’t this feeling of spinning out of control and being pulled in a million directions. Hopefully this will equip me to pass the remaining 5 exams I have to take.

So thank God for unanswered prayers for a 36 hour day and for focusing me in on the amazing joys of life again.

Pray The Vote 2

In keeping with idea of equipping voters to make educated choices this election and more specifically professing Christian voters; I have found a few interesting sites to check out.

Christian Votes
Each election year, Christians are provided with the chance to make their voices heard. When the Christian votes, he or she is allowed the opportunity to set the moral tone for the future of our local, state and national leadership. It is critical that Christians take advantage of their right to vote and fulfill their biblical obligation.

Million Votes
ChristianVotes.com has launched this national MillionVotes campaign to identify and equip ONE MILLION registered Christian voters who will pray and vote in this year’s election. A team of ONE MILLION registered Christian voters could change our nation this year!

Project Vote Smart (totally independent nonpartisan and objective entity)
Project Vote Smart, a citizen's organization, has developed a Voter's Self-Defense system to provide you with the necessary tools to self-govern effectively: abundant, accurate, unbiased and relevant information.

Worship: Authentic or Pop?

Here is one of the articles I used to generate discussion in Sunday school. It’s actually an editorial, so I think that means it’s not an article but why split hairs.

Selections from “Pop Worship” An Editorial by Jon Baker

Worship is popular— its fashionable and, relatively recently, all things “worship” have become quite trendy among Christian consumers, especially those of younger generations.

What, then, is authentic worship? It would be quite a task to nail down a definitive definition of what authentic worship is. But I don’t believe it is electric guitars or large gatherings. It is not animated lighting or praise songs with catchy hooks. It is not hymns and it is not merely lifting our hands. It is not worship DVDs or CDs; rather, worship is something that happens in one’s soul, not a product that you consume. You do not consume worship. You offer it. Can worship materials facilitate worship? Yes. Can worship become an idol in itself? Yes. It’s so important for Christians to fight the inauthentic pop notion of worship and learn to worship authentically. This comes as we allow God to take His rightful place in our lives as the true object of our affections.

Lady Maphet brought up an excellent point and said, we need to remember that worship is not a setting where we are the audience to be entertained by performers, but it is God who is the audience and we offer up our hearts and souls to him. This is what “authentic worship” really is.

You don’t need to have a full band, a light show and PowerPoint slides to draw people into the pews, especially younger people. If a church uses those things to draw people in, they are in grave danger of drawing them in for the wrong reasons. This is not to say there is no room for those modern ideas in worship, but they must be used wisely and bear in mind the ultimate goal is to offer up our hearts, minds, bodies and souls to our Lord and Savior.

I had a discussion the night before with our Youth Pastor candidate and asked him his thoughts on worship and was very pleased with his answer. His main point was that as long as worship and the message were relevant, to the congregation, including visitors, and the service was Biblically based that it would be authentic worship. Keeping with this model, you will bring people of all ages into the pew and keep them there.

The message being relevant gets to the heart of what Pastor David Wayne (Jollyblogger) laments about in his post What's a pastor to do? Being grounded in this Biblical view of the church will truly keep those that have received the name of Christ and are called out to be owned by him, in the fold of the congregation. May we all be blessed by a pastor that has the courage to be disruptive!

Weekend Update with Me?!

"Good evening. What can I tell you?"

• Friday Night – O’s game got rained out so we took the Youth Group bowling @ Hillendale. That ended up being a lot of fun and the good people at the bowling alley were very accommodating for our group of rowdy kids and gave us two hours of bowling (on 4 lanes), a piece of pizza, a drink and rental shoes for each kid for about $8 bucks. The game was gonna be $5, so the Youth Committee picked up the extra $3 for each kid. They all had a good time and it was a good change of pace.

• Saturday – I studied for an MCSE exam (3 of 7); the Youth Director Search Committee grilled our first face-to-face candidate which went very well. He was a very impressive candidate whose philosophy of ministry will fit in well with our church, and he was personally a great guy. We told very similar jokes, so that made him pretty cool in my book. We had a BBQ with the committee, pastor, families, and the candidate and his wife after our grilling. This was a lot of fun and went a little later than I think some wanted, seeing as how we needed to be at church in the morning.

• Sunday – I moderated the adult elective sunday school class on music in worship and culture, which despite our smaller numbers than usual I believe went well. Pastor Burguet’s sermon was an overview of John 10, which certainly touched my heart in several ways (reminded me that my opinions are not as important as the word of God, the best way to defend the Gospel is with the Gospel itself, Jesus Christ is a warrior who protects his flock from thieves & robbers (original Greek means something closer to terrorist), Christ knows me as personally as he knows God the Father). Gregory from Honest to Blog joined us in church, which was a blessing and we were very happy to have him there. After the service, we went to lunch for one last meal with the candidate and his wife to enjoy more fellowship. It was a great time and something I think we wished we could do every week!

"That's the news and I am outta here."

Introspective Introspection

I didn’t blog very much last week for several reasons: 

• Had very little time to

• Reagan’s death

1. Didn’t want to post politics (national week of mourning)

2. Didn’t want to enter debate of Reagan – good or bad

• Was listed as one of the “Things I intensely dislike today” by Supafine and being disliked is not high on my list of things that make me feel good about myself

• Was listed as “BW Beltway Blogger” by Jollyblogger and was honored to be listed, but was described in a way that made me feel kinda superficial.  (by no means is this Jollyblogger’s fault)

So this caused me to evaluate what I’m doing here and what I like and dislike about my blog and what I blog about.

I’m not sure I really have the answers to changing the things I dislike about it or even if I really do need to change them. But I’m recognizing some things that bother me and spending some time reflecting on that. This has been a common theme in my life the last couple weeks – reflection. There will be more to say about that another time. 

There are some things I’d like to change about the layout/design as well, but have not had the time to dig into Moveable Type to figure it out and that’s not necessarily the introspective introspection I’ve been very concerned about either. 

Number 1 Draft Pick

O's go with Townsend first

BALTIMORE -- Wade Townsend's stunning college numbers and his signability were the two major reasons why the Orioles passed on two high-profile college stars and nabbed the Rice pitcher with their first pick in Monday's First-Year Player Draft.

Wade Townsend
School:
Rice U
Position: RHP  
B/T: R/R
H: 6-4   W: 225
Born: 1983-02-22  
Class: SR
Scouting report:
LARGE FRAME. FOOTBALL TYPE BUILD. BROAD, SLOPED SHOULDERS. STRONG, THICK, MUSCULAR THROUGH CHEST, HIPS, REAR & THIGHS. LOW WAISTED. SHORT ARMS. PHYSICALLY MATURE. NO WINDUP, OVERHEAD DELIVERY W/ EFFORT. PLUS RAW ARM STRENGTH. THROWS DOWNHILL. MOST FB'S 89-93. CAN DIAL IT UP WHEN NEEDED. SPIKED CB, ML OUT PITCH, NASTY, QUICK, SHARP, DOWN BITE, DISAPPEARS THROUGH HITTING ZONE. INTIMIDATING PHYSICAL PRESENCE ON MOUND. THRIVES IN PRESSURE SITUATION.

In Memoriam

Executive Order Providing for the Closing of Government Departments and Agencies on June 11, 2004

UPDATE:

Commending Kerry
Kerry Takes Week Off Campaigning Following Reagan's Death

Against Christian Liberties Union (ACLU)

The ACLU has filed a federal lawsuit against the Tennessee General Assembly, entering the Pro-Life/Pro-Choice debate. Many are familiar with specialty license plates that support various organizations including universities and other charitable companies. One of these plates was approved by the State of Tennessee for an organization that supports choosing life over choosing abortion.

Tennessee Tag Launches Legal, Financial Woes

“But when the abortion debate came into the mix — with the Tennessee Legislature approving a Choose Life plate but rejecting a "Pro-Choice" plate — the ACLU sued to have it kept off license plates.”

The ACLU is suing over the wrong thing here. They should be suing to have the “Pro-Choice” license plate recognized, rather than the revocation of the “Choose Life” plates. However, their case seems to be centered on Tennessee only “approving one side of the message”, which is what lawmakers do when they make laws based on moral issues. I doubt very seriously that many objections would be raised if a “Pro-Polygamy” license plate were rejected, even by proponents for Gay Marriage. So I hope their case meets that same fate and the rejection is upheld.

The purpose of the “Choose Life” plates is “to create a specialty license plate with the slogan "Choose Life" whose proceeds would be used to facilitate and encourage adoption as a positive choice for women with unplanned pregnancies.” A noble cause in my estimation and founded on Biblical principles.

Thankfully this is available in Maryland!

MARYLAND
Choose Life of Maryland, Inc.
Anne Marie Johnson
1 Church View Road
Millersville, MD 21108
Phone:	(410) 987-0313
Email:	chooselifemd@aol.com

2004 Election: Does it really matter?

RELIGION

This is a question that I have been gripped with lately, becoming overwhelmed by all the political partisan rhetoric that fly’s about in the news. Who will win and how imperative it is for our country, has been an over-arching focus in this election. We have been laboring over these questions since the Presidential campaign began its primary season in 2003.

Jollyblogger reminds us of this very important passage John 15:18-19:

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

We Christians have gotten very "up in arms" in the last few decades about our nation's disrespect of Christians, but Christ promised this to all who would follow Him. It's the nature of the beast of being a Christ-follower, and we should not be alarmed, but go on loving, serving and witnessing, and entrusting ourselves to the keeper of our souls.

Peter offers up more words of comfort and offers some direction 1 Peter 3: 14-16:

"But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame."

What stands out to me about this passage, beyond the comfort of God’s faithfulness, is the idea of gently and reverently defending God’s word, His laws and His spirit that exist in my heart. They are not put there by my own accord, but by the blood of Christ and His grace, and cannot be defended by my own strength but only by the movement of the Spirit in my heart. So Christians need to stand up and give an account, of the amazing grace and glory of Jesus Christ.

Certainly one way, and a very important way, to do this is when we choose the leaders of our country. Since we must submit to our leaders and their authority (Romans 13: 1-3), how important is it that these be men and women after the Lord’s own heart? It seems rather imperative to me.

However, I am also able to take comfort in the fact that even when these leaders, these governing authorities are not seeking the Lord’s will, that His will is done and they are living lives that glorify God. Even in their defiance, they show God’s sovereignty. It is in inescapable and I trust in Him, as each coin reminds us all.

Until His return our leaders will rise and fall, they will seek the Lord’s will and they will ignore it completely. And I remember “Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you.” (Deuteronomy 3: 22) So if you value the God of the Bible, yes I think it really matters.

2004 Election: Does it really matter?

POLITICS

This is a question that I have been gripped with lately, becoming overwhelmed by all the political partisan rhetoric that fly’s about in the news. Who will win and how imperative it is for our country, has been an over-arching focus in this election. We have been laboring over these questions since the Presidential campaign began its primary season in 2003 and the Bush Bashing really stepped up the pace. Not that it hadn’t existed before, since democrats would not let go of the 2000 Election results.

There has been a systematic attack upon Bush, which fell on its face during the 2002 elections and has resurfaced and gained momentum in 2004. This is in large part thanks to the “massive, over-the-top and coordinated effort between the DNC, leftwing interest groups and the old-line major media to defeat President Bush.” Politics and President bashing have been going on long before President Bush took office; however, this is the first election since September 11th and one would hope that atmosphere would have changed some.

via The Washington Times
“Other wartime presidents facing partisan opposition — Harry S. Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon — faced fierce opposition, but not at the current level, Mr. Jones said [Charles O. Jones, presidential scholar at the Brookings Institution].
Sen. Zell Miller, Georgia Democrat, said he never has seen such "profane" political language directed at a commander in chief.”

It is unfortunate that for a segment of our population the atmosphere hasn’t changed at all.
They need to face September 12th again.
They need to wake up.
They need to remember.
They need to hear the battle cry.
They need to stop their vitriolic attacks with misstatement after misstatement and base their criticisms on facts.

Until then, they do put the country at greater risk and completely ignore Sen. Joe Lieberman, "Now, more than ever, politics must stop at the water's edge, because now, more than ever, our politics has deep consequences for security within our borders and beyond our shores,” So if you value security and this country, yes I think it really matters.

Pray The Vote

But select capable men from all the
people-men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain-and appoint
them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

—Exodus 18:21

When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect this duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted.
—Noah Webster, Founding Father

From the first prayer offered at the Continental Congress by Jacob Duché to Ben Franklin's dramatic call for prayer during the Constitutional Convention, America has a rich history of reliance on prayer that continues today.

In this election year, the need for prayer is as great as ever. The Presidential Prayer Team will launch its unique initiative, Pray the Vote, on June 21, 2004. The goal of Pray the Vote is simply to stimulate prayer for the fall elections. Believing that when Americans pray we open a door for God to work in our nation, The Presidential Prayer Team is encouraging people to get involved in a variety of ways that include:

• Making a commitment to pray for the upcoming elections
  
• Prayer Parties—invite your friends and neighbors to pray
  
• October 5th Virtual Prayer Rally, one month before the election
  
• November 1st Virtual Prayer Rally, Election Eve
  
• Downloadable resources available soon on the website

The right to vote your values is one of the most cherished privileges of citizenship.