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

Light, Glory and Thankfulness

I have been reading the "Light and the Glory" by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, which I have been really enjoying. Providentially, I have entered the chapters on the Pilgrims this week and their long journey from England to Holland to the New World to build a New Jerusalem. They were escaping religious persecution and believed it was God’s will for them to build this New Jerusalem using Christ as their cornerstone and themselves as the stones of the temple.

I believe it is important to remember this heritage and the reasons why many Americans are here today. Secularists seek to remove God from all aspects of government and society which tramples all over our history and faith that has been intertwined since this countries divine inception.

It is a worldview issue as C.S. Lewis put it, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” A secular worldview seeks to do the same thing only it is this worldview that secularists deem appropriate for government and schools. This is an obvious double standard as they seek to rely upon their favorite saying, “separation of church and state”.

No Christian wants a state sponsored church because that is exactly what the pilgrims were fleeing from to begin with. However, no Christian wants to be told that their worldview is an unacceptable one in government, school or public life altogether. It is important to remember these foundational aspects of our country, our society and our true freedoms. We are guaranteed constitutionally the freedom to practice religion, but not the freedom from it. We are guaranteed that there will never be a Church of the United States of America, but we are not guaranteed that a Christian worldview needs to be wholly separated from any form of government. It is impossible to separate man from soul, C.S. Lewis, “You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.”

I have excerpted three articles on faith, country and thanksgiving which I think adds to this important perspective on our great land. The Lord has blessed us abundantly because of the faithfulness of some and despite the hatred of others. Be thankful, be blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving: A Day to Honor the Lord By Barbara Plating

When the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth on that fateful day in November 1620, little did they know they would set a pattern in motion that would bless this land from “sea to shining sea.”

In future Thanksgivings, the Pilgrims would place five kernels of corn on their plates to remind them of that second severe winter, which tested their faith doubly. The Pilgrims focused on giving thanks as a way of life.

Thankfulness or Thanklessness: Where Virtue Begins or Ends By Rev. Mark H. Creech

Luke 24:13-33 tells the remarkable story of how Jesus appeared after His resurrection to two men on their way to Emmaus. They had hoped Jesus was the promised Messiah who would redeem Israel. But their hopes had been dashed since Jesus was crucified and even His body now appeared to be stolen. Feeling distraught, perplexed and defeated, they didn't recognize Jesus as He came alongside to walk with them down that dusty road.

As they arrived at Emmaus during eventide, they prepared to partake of a meal together. Still a stranger to them, Jesus lifted up His voice in thanksgiving as He broke bread. It was in that moment, the Bible says, "their eyes were opened" and joy filled their hearts. They realized Jesus was not dead, but risen, alive and present with them. It's profoundly significant that they recognized our Lord in the act of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving opens the way to the presence of God.

Grace, gratitude and God by Michelle Malkin

The snobs of secularism will no doubt disparage such simple-minded expressions of piety. They call us "Jesus freaks," "Bible-thumpers" and "fundies." They accuse us of being "weak" and of suffering from a "neurological disorder." They consider us such a threat that they have sought to expunge even the most innocuous references to thanking God in the public schools.
...
Once an unabashedly pious land, we have been transformed into a nation of historically clueless ingrates -- embarrassed about our heritage, afraid of offending all newcomers, and more committed to inculcating a sense of entitlement over a culture of gratitude. Abe Lincoln's Thanksgiving proclamation of 1863 rings truer than ever:

Amen.

UPDATE:

Thanksgiving Day, 2004 - A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush

All across America, we gather this week with the people we love to give thanks to God for the blessings in our lives. We are grateful for our freedom, grateful for our families and friends, and grateful for the many gifts of America. On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge that all of these things, and life itself, come from the Almighty God.

Almost four centuries ago, the Pilgrims celebrated a harvest feast to thank God after suffering through a brutal winter. President George Washington proclaimed the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, and President Lincoln revived the tradition during the Civil War, asking Americans to give thanks with "one heart and one voice." Since then, in times of war and in times of peace, Americans have gathered with family and friends and given thanks to God for our blessings.

Go team W

Baseball adopts Nationals name
The Expos were rechristened the Washington Nationals yesterday with a few glitches and a tussle — but just in time for the Christmas shopping season.
The District's Major League Baseball (MLB) team revealed its new name, logo and colors — red, white, blue and gold — at a celebratory lunchtime gathering at Union Station.
The nickname and the color scheme, first reported by The Washington Times on Nov. 5, are a nod to the city's baseball history. A team called the Nationals played in Washington during the late 1800s and again from 1901 to 1956.

Being a lifelong Baltimore Orioles fan there is absolutely no way my allegiances will be changing summer camps. Being a lifelong baseball fan there is an interest here that I did not really expect. Is it their team hats that make me think of another Washington resident?

I don’t know, but I’m not one that is afraid of change and like seeing new things happen. I’m glad that baseball doesn’t have to endure this type of change often, but it is intriguing when it occurs. Baseball is not like football which is constantly in a state of revision and fine tuning. Perhaps that’s why the American 30 second attention span is satisfied by the sport, but that doesn’t mean it’s the national pastime.

In the history of America we only have one of those and we only have one sport that has captured the minds and the hearts of so many for over 100 years. That being said, the arrival of the Washington Nationals has been a source of controversy for Baltimore Orioles owner, Angelos. He feels there will be lost revenues because I think he fails to see this storied history of baseball.

While professional sports are treated more and more like corporations, fans being the rowdiest of stake-holders and the players morality impaired commodities being traded, I feel it’s important to remember baseball has survived some pretty major world events. The Orioles will survive this rather minuscule in comparison event and baseball fans in the Baltimore/Washington area will have another team to watch.

If nothing else it takes the focus off the Yankees as America’s team. "I'm glad they finally decided to give us a name. I think it sounds patriotic, because we are going to D.C.," said infielder Jamey Carroll. "They wanted to do something right and it's pretty exciting."

Overall I think this is an exciting development in baseball and look forward to getting down to a few NL games soon. Or maybe I’ll even submit my resume?

I’m sorry you’re sorry

At first I thought this website too ridiculous to comment on, but after seeing Ambra Nykol’s response and litterally laughing out loud upon seeing her contribution; I just couldn’t pass it up.

Sorry Everybody, at this posting has 562 pages or 5,620 pictures of people who feel worthless or inferior. At least that is the only definintion of “sorry” that I could possibly rationalize to associate with this sad group of people.

I smypathize with them and feel their pain, because to some degree I would have probably had a similar feeling had the election gone the other way. But honestly, these people are bordering on the extremely disillusioned. They refuse to see democrocy as an expression of the unbelievable freedom we are able to enjoy.

They are certainly exercising their freedom of speech and I have absolutely no problem with that at all. What I fear is the depravity they continue to reveal through this expression. It is the same depravity that Sean Hannity revealed on his show the other day when he played John Kerry speaking on the floor of the Senate for the first time since the election. He berated Kerry, slinging insult after insult, and didn’t listen to a word the man was saying. This was not a showing of grace and I turned my radio off because I couldn’t stand to listen to this.

Both of these incidences display the need for us to rely upon something and someone other than ourselves. It is obvious that the “Sorry Everybody” crowd needs to reprioritize their lives. Rather than being sorry, they should be thankful that they have the freedom to make the choices they can. They take that freedom for granted and that is what they should truly be sorry for. To apologize for our democratic freedoms because they didn’t go your way, is an act of selfishness. To gloat in the face of victory is an act of gracelessness.

Bush’s Brew Support Group

I just put a pot of coffee on in my office and it got me thinking about my unhealthy relationship with this strange brew.

Last week around 5 (quitting time round here), a colleague came to my office telling me that the power went out in her office and she didn’t know why. Since we are on a university and I have no control over the breakers I couldn’t just go in the basement and flip it back on for her. This was no big deal and she would have to wait till maintenance came the next day. But it was a big deal, it was a huge deal as I found out the next morning when I tried to make coffee and found out that our coffee pot was on the same circuit as her illegal space heater which overpowered the breaker.

In a frantic rage I ran a very long extension cord from my server room to get power to our coffee pot. Then I came to find out she was cleaning the pot the night before when the breaker tripped and there was a yummy combo of vinegar & water in the reservoir. It wasn’t until 9:30 or so that we were finally able to get our fix. It was pouring down rain that day and I thought it was perfectly fair to ask her to run down to the university coffee shop to buy the office some cups with no umbrella.

For some reason I derive some sick pleasure from getting the last cup of coffee from the pot and usually feel very satisfied with myself that I was able to score two cups before it was all gone. Unfortunately, yesterday as I was pouring what I knew would be the last few drops from the pot for my second cup fix, it only filled the cup up half way. I was thoroughly dejected by this event. While I am an optimist and do see the cup half full, it nevertheless was a traumatic moment.

As penance for these acts of treason I have decided to force my liberal colleagues to switch from Folgers to Boca Java’s Bush’s Brew! I believe it only all too fair.

So I didn’t get beat up last night!

No one jumped me last night and I have to admit that ranked pretty high on my list of things to expect. Seeing as how “they” say there are two subjects to never talk about and those two subjects are very prominent on my blog AND I would venture to say my take on those two subjects is very different from most other Baltimore Bloggers (at least the ones that were at the meet-up last night). I hope that was a long enough run-on sentence.

Funny thing is that I probably used to have more in common with this group than just blogging and I’m sure I still do. I’m sure it’s more of a perception of mine than an actual truth. The truth is that I met some genuinely nice people last night and shared some interesting conversation.

I’ve been out the last two Tuesday nights to just hang out and drink beer and I am reminded of how much I enjoy that. Not that I want to go back to a lifestyle where I did that every night, but it is relaxing for me in a bar atmosphere. Plus Guinness only has 125 calories and less carbs than milk, so I have reasoned it is healthy too. As soon as I get my wife to buy into that we’ll be alright!

All in all I am glad I went last night, enjoyed the company and will most likely attend another one. Maphet will have to plan for a suburban setting. Although I did end up with rock star parking last night, approximately 4 feet away from the bar door. Can’t bet on that happening again.

Veterans Day

Go out and hug, thank and bestow honor on the brave men and women that have helped to keep this country the land of the free and the home of brave. Today is Veterans Day, and while it might not rank as a significant holiday to Google, in light of the War on Terror it is an important holiday day indeed!

Fear Factor

An interesting offer was made to Amy & me the other day on our answering machine. A gentleman from the reality show ilk called and left a message for us.

He was from Fear Factor and wanted us to appear on a newlywed’s version of the show. He was asking us to send him information about ourselves and was excited because we were from the Baltimore/Washington area. Since I don’t watch those shows, I’m guessing that is a rarity.

His sales pitch was that we would have a chance to win some money and great prizes. I haven’t watched reality TV since Puck got kicked out of the San Fran house on Real World. It’s just not my cup of tea and really can’t wait for this genre of TV to pass us by. That coupled with Amy’s desire not to throw up on national TV after having to eat something deemed disgusting, not scary. I don’t foresee us calling him back.

It was neat to be given the offer though. Now if it was American Gladiators calling?! That would have been cool! I always wanted to run the gauntlet...

Why Christians are Hated – The undeniable contempt for Scripture

Jane Smiley reminds anyone that looks towards the Bible as being truth and the word of God that following Christ breeds hatred from the world. We are defined as being ignorant and unteachable people bent on destroying the world.

Why Americans Hate Democrats—A Dialogue
The unteachable ignorance of the red states
By Jane Smiley

Here are the reasons for being defined as ignorant:
1. Fear of the Lord
2. Belief in the message of Salvation
3. Clinging to the Cross during trials & difficulties

She goes on to say, “[T]hey are borne of hubris and hatred, and will destroy their purveyors in the end.” I think she sums these points up quite nicely, but I’m not sure her pronoun is referring to the correct THEY.

Hubris - Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance
“The history of the last four years shows that red state types, above all, do not want to be told what to do—they prefer to be ignorant. As a result, they are virtually unteachable.”

Hatred - Intense animosity or hostility
“The architects of this strategy knew perfectly well that they were exploiting, among other unsavory qualities, a long American habit of virulent racism, but they did it anyway, and we see the outcome now—Cheney is the capitalist arm and Bush is the religious arm. They know no boundaries or rules. They are predatory and resentful, amoral, avaricious, and arrogant.”

There is obviously a difference in how morality and truth are defined and it is this difference that causes the cultural divide we are experiencing.

Rev. Larry Wanaselja - God Bless America - November 4, 2004

“Clearly, in this nation, there is a growing cultural divide over morality, and that's good. What would be bad is if there were no divide, no conflict. But there is and the fact that Americans are tying their vote to morality at least shows that there is a growing awareness of the downward moral spiral in our land, and people are beginning to be fed up with it. Those of us who love the Lord should be thankful for this glimmer of hope, and for a President who has increasingly made morality an increasing focus of his platform, as well as his call upon the nation he leads. What we need to continually plead before the throne of the Majesty on High is that the Lord God Almighty would continue to raise up leaders in this land who are defined by righteousness, justice and truth. This cultural divide will not be quickly healed but if we continue to ask the Lord of glory for men and women of truth, perhaps He will have mercy upon us and bless us with righteous leaders. Apart from a sweeping, genuine, lasting revival, righteous leadership, across the land, would be the next best way God could truly bless America.”

I don’t hate democrats and I don’t hate people that don’t believe in the Bible. Ultimately, those that hate Christians do not hate the people that believe in Christ, but Christ himself. Their real contempt is for God and that is most unfortunate. I don’t mind being hated, I don’t mind being called ignorant because the people that say these things are not the ultimate judge and jury of my life.

This reminds me that I am seeking to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. We all want to be liked and feel like we fit in this world. Being counter-cultural or going against the grain is not realized in how one dresses in the morning, but how one’s character defines their life. Neither Hollywood, nor any media source, nor any political party defines my character. Jesus Christ defines who I am and who I want to be.

Humanity not Hannity

I was an election judge at my local precinct on Tuesday, which was really a neat experience. My wife was there with me too, so that made it that much more fun. We had to be there no later than 6 AM and were instructed we would not be leaving until at least an hour after the polls closed at 8 PM.

You are not allowed to leave the polling place at all, so you need to bring all the food/drinks with you that you’ll need. Fortunately, my father stopped by with breakfast and our friend Tim came by with an early dinner. This was very kind of them and helped us out a lot.

It was an extremely busy day and we were told as we arrived, “Welcome to the most organized disorganized day of your life!” As anyone who went out and voted would know, there were several types of judges.

There were judges at the tables who confirmed your identity, gave you a plastic card and a paper card that you signed. This is where Amy was, so she was well rested from sitting all day! There were provisional judges who helped you vote if your identity could not be easily confirmed, you were in the wrong precinct or you had just recently registered to vote. Basically if there were any problems you went to them, because your ballot was going to be more carefully reviewed before it counted. There were chief judges, one from each party, that were there to oversee everything and deal with any big problems. Then there were machine judges that were there to help you actually vote on the machine, control the flow of traffic to the machines and make sure there was no machine tampering. This is where I was and thus standing and running all day long.

Despite being extremely tired at the end of the night, I had a lot of fun. I got to meet a lot of people and hopefully make their experience a little easier and pleasant. Since we were at our own voting precinct, I saw many of my neighbors and friends. With each person I helped, I made sure I was extremely courteous; asking them how they were and how their day was going.

What I thought was going to be the most challenging part of my day, was no problem at all. As an election judge, you are not allowed to share your party affiliation nor are you allowed to share any political opinions. Anyone who reads my blog can see that I have no shortage of political opinions. But a strange and really heart changing thing occurred to me there.

No matter your party affiliation, no matter who you voted for, you are still a person with hopes, dreams and feelings. Now it’s not that I didn’t know this before, but being confronted with these people in the context of them casting a deciding vote one way or another, I could see their humanity. This is something that tends to be glossed over on talk radio and ignored at times. The issue is what is important. The stance on the issue is what is important. The reasons and the truth behind the stance on the issue is what is important. There is not enough focus on the humanity of the people who hold those truths to be valid. Major media sources do the same thing, because they have an agenda to put forth as well. They just don’t admit they have an agenda.

The point that I am making is that I thoroughly enjoyed getting out there and meeting all sorts of people and helping them regardless of their party affiliation. I was excited to be a part of our great political process and look forward to being there again in two years. You actually get paid for being there too, but I don’t even want the money. A lady we were working with said, “Ya know it only works out to about 3 dollars an hour for doing this.” My response was that I was surprised to find out you got paid at all and looked at it as an opportunity for community service and civic duty. She thought I was crazy for saying that, but as Amy pointed out to me later, she is working for $3 dollars an hour, who’s crazier?!

All in all it was a great day, our precinct voted for Bush and I had an immense sense of calm over the election. This was before finding out our precincts results, not hearing about any news all day and just giving it all over the Lord. Our God is an awesome God indeed!

Restored by the Spirit

There was a decisive victory in the politics of this country won on November 2, 2004. It was a day where the American people among other things said that morality counts. Not criticizing President Clinton’s leadership, he will be remembered as the president that took morality out of the White House. And President Bush will be remembered as a man who restored it.

The key to this restoration is the faith that George W. Bush speaks about on such a personal level. He puts his trust in a higher power and does not rely upon his own strength to lead. It is not the man that makes himself great, but the power of the Holy Spirit reigning in his heart. In the third debate President Bush clearly showed this Spirit as he spoke about his faith. This is what carried him through the day. Indeed, being led by men who gave their lives over to God, has made this a great nation.

To many people, this victory was a great disappointment and they are fearful for what the future holds. They are worried about their civil liberties; they are worried about their personal needs being met. They are more afraid of George W. Bush then they are of the Lord God Almighty. Had the election gone the other way, I surely would be disappointed as well. But I would not be more fearful of my future than I am living a life that is pleasing to my Savior.

In many ways this election can be compared to the Civil War with our diverging thoughts on the issues of our day, and their may even be people that believe we are headed there again. The issues are different now, but the hearts of the people are not. They still strongly believe in their causes and want to fight for what they believe is right and true.

President Bush, just as President Lincoln was, is charged with uniting this country with a clear purpose and moving us forward binding us all to one future. You can be different without being divisive; you can be on the offense without being offensive. That is another part of what makes this country so great.

Finally, this is a unique government that is made up of the great men and women that live here. This is truly a government of, by & for the people. And it is this union of man and government which forces it to seek our approval not the other way around. It is true that as a Christian we do not need the government’s approval, but of course we need to submit to it. Just as this government needs to submit to God, so shall the Christian above his government.

We have the privilege of playing active roles in the direction of this country and as Christians we have the responsibility to use that privilege in godly ways. This means raising up leaders who do not think of themselves as gods, but are godly. I am proud of this country for recognizing that and re-electing President Bush, but I am even more thankful that God continued to bless this nation with a man of faith.

Here are two great men of their time and their humble words and hopes for a greater America blessed by its divine creator.

President George W. Bush says thank you (11.03.04):

America has spoken. And I am humbled by the trust and confidence of my fellow citizens. With that trust comes a duty: I will serve all Americans, so help me God. I am proud to lead such an amazing country -- and I am proud to lead it forward.

A campaign has ended, and our cause is renewed. The United States of America goes forward with confidence and faith. I can see a new day coming, and I am eager for the work ahead. God bless you all, and God bless America.

President Abraham Lincoln dedicates the cemetery at Gettysburg (11.19.1863):

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate – we cannot consecrate – we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

4 MORE YEARS!

God bless America!

4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS!

God bless America!

That's all I really want to say right now.

Get out and VOTE!

I pray the Lord will lift up a godly man today. That he will continue to bless our nation, no matter who is elected President. Do I fear what a President Elect Kerry would do to this country? Yes I do. But I fear the Lord even more, and for that I need not fear anything else. I have 100% faith in God and know that he will work all things to his good.

That is why I am confident today that he will continue to bless this nation with the great leadership we have had over the last 4 years. I recently told my wife and some friends that if Al Gore had been elected 4 years ago and if he had taken the same proactive approach to the War on Terror, I would be voting to re-elect him today. This has very little to do with the D or the R behind the candidates names. The single most important issue for me is September 12th, 2001. This is the day the War on Terror began, the day we picked ourselves up, dusted off and stepped forward.

Go vote today. Make an informed vote. Vote with not only your heart, but your mind. Use them both very carefully and please vote to re-elect President George W. Bush!