He makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and the wonders of his love …
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing … (we are now the Word made flesh … that same Word from the foundation of creation resides within His people)
And although it’s been said, many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you.
May we not see the Babe in a manger, but in His rightful place, the hearts of men.
Peace on earth, good will to all. Amen.
Just wanted to put down a note that I had the best birthday ever … well, as far as I remember, and as a year older, who knows …
But really, having a lot of people together, loving one another, fellowshipping, and the time at Eddie’s Attic, it was great.
Also awesome was the amount of emails and facebook well-wishers … I was overwhelmed. I know Becca instigated some of the email stuff, but I just wanted everyone to know that it really blessed me to get a happy birthday and a couple sentences of encouragement.
I actually think it helped to further heal me of this head crud.
Love you all,
Peace.
So I finally got to see the movie Expelled from Ben Stein.
Honestly, I was a little disappointed. For a 90 minute movie, I would’ve liked to see some more of the science behind Intelligent Design. They talked about it, but there was a lot more they could have showed instead of focusing so much on some other things.
Of course, per the title, Ben Stein does a good job exposing the discrimination and oppression in the larger scientific community against anyone who even mentions Intelligent Design or that their research could in any way support it.
Many like to act as if it is the Christian community oppressive against Evolutionary Theory (ET), but the modern situation weighs heavily in the opposite extreme. Anyone even mentioning Intelligent Design (ID) is blackballed and ostracized from the scientific community. This cuts scientists from their funding, removes then from tenured university positions and the like. It is a very facist approach by the evolution dominated scientific community.
The issue is not about whether evolution is true. Any scientist, even creationsists, will heartily agree that there are mounds of evidence that supports a change in species over time, what Darwin discovered. The issue is the belief in how life began, the origin of life, what Darwin and later evolutionists extrapolated from micro-evolutionary evidence. A hugely insane jump.
ID states that, based on an incredible amount of research, life has been designed. Of course, if something has been designed, then therefore there must be a designer.
Here is where ID is rejected as a religious and un-scientific study.
But to believe that ET can explain the origins of life takes just as much faith. In fact, every possible explanation that ET scientists come up with to explain the origin of life is more preposterous and scientifically impossible than what they roll their eyes at and mock.
So the issue is not between religion and science, as ET dominated science would have you believe. It is between two separate world-views, or religious ideas, one of them being a belief in a higher power responsible for the design and another believing that man IS the higher power.
Think of it. The idea that a single celled organism spontaneously, on its own, rises from the muck and crawled out into the atmosphere and, through billions of years of natural selection, becomes the mysteriously complex being that we are, gives glory not to God but to man and the flesh. We, in essence, created ourselves by this theory. We become the creator.
ET as an explanation for the origin of life is the creation myth for secular humanism. Humanism is the belief in man’s inherent goodness and ability to better himself to the extent of even achieving some sense of Utopia. Secular humanism says this all happens apart from any silly notions about a higher power.
ET and secular humanism are then the basis for such things like extreme socialism and communism, which have always failed, lowering the standard of living more than they ever raised it, and dangerous studies like Eugenics that justifies things like removing whole races (the Holocaust), euthanasia and abortion.
The question becomes, can someone believe in ET as an origin for life and be a Christian? Some would say yes, and if you have just a surface belief in one or the other or both, I could agree.
But as Ben Stein found, every ET scientist he spoke with did not believe in God. One scientist specifically gave a “testimony” in which he believed in God before, but his studies of ET changed his mind; and he therefore no longer believes. A second scientist explained his turning away from God through his studies in ET as liberating, a transcendent, religious experience.
Now, to be fair, some horrendous things have been done in the name of all major religions, not just secular humanism, but it is important to note that a belief in ET as an origin for life is a religious idea and has had religious consequences.
And belief in Evolution as the origin of life apart from God’s hand and design is in direct conflict with true Christian belief. Creation by God Almighty supports Christian belief.
As for the movie, I can recommend it, especially more than most of the crap you can get at Blockbuster; my disappointment is related to the fact that I didn’t feel the movie was strong enough to give a non-believer pause and make him or her re-think their worldview.
Peace.
Seriously.
Keanu Reeves is slated to star in the Day the Earth Stood Still, which looks awesome. It could suck, but that doesn’t explain the number of cool movies Keanu has happened to star in … and noting that He’s not a great actor. No one has made more money off of his innate ability to go “Whoa (along with several variations and additions on the theme)” than anyone in history.
Let’s recap some of his movies (we’ll skip over Bill and Ted): Well, he was in Parenthood, which was a great movie, but he basically played is Ted character.
Then we get parts in movies like Dangerous Liasons, Dracula, Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare?), and the Devil’s Advocate, movies that require a decent amount of acting, which Keanu sorely lacks.
Then we get the action flicks, where he does a good job, but I almost believe some of these movies settle for Keanu … or his agent is awesome … my personal theory. Matrix, Speed, Chain Reaction, Constantine.
Where his agent needs to be beaten with a wet Obama Yes We Can! t-shirt is for getting Keanu in romantic movies. The rare one I’ve seen is Walk in the Clouds. It’s a beautiful movie, well written and directed, and Keanu absolutely ruins it. He cannot carry a dramatic romance or a romantic comedy. My personal feeling, as an aside, is that John Cusack should have been in that particular movie.
We won’t get into the indie pics, like My Own Private Idaho and others. They weren’t designed to be good or entertaining.
Here at the compound, we’ve discussed that perhaps Nicholas Cage also has a great agent … or possibly the same agent.
Thoughts on other actors with great agents?
Peace.
Mixed emotions. While I don’t support his policies or philosophy, I also applaud that a man is president in a country where he could not have voted fifty years ago, not to mention he would have been enslaved another century before that.
I applaud Obama’s right as a man, regardless of his skin color, to serve as president of the United States.
There was a nice moment where a white couple was being interviewed about the win, Obama supporters. Behind them stood Jesse Jackson. He was weeping.
While Jesse Jackson has his issues, too, it must be overwhelming to have marched in places like Alabama and Mississippi in the face of such hate and oppression and to live to see a black man as president of the United States.
More thoughts to come this week. But for now I just say congratulations and pray for a righteous and wise leader, as is my duty as a Christian.
Peace.
Four years ago, I wrote an article on a friend’s website on why I voted for Bush.
Interestingly enough, while Bush has done a couple good things here and there, I feel a little more comfortable voting for McCain.
Some people don’t like telling others who they voted for. That is definitely their right to a private vote, but I obviously don’t think it is a big deal to let people know who you voted for.
My vote in ‘04 was definitely a vote against Kerry, as well. He was quite the Democrat and unfortunately indicative of the tragedy that is the Democratic party. But this time my vote is even more for one candidate, McCain.
Now, that doesn’t mean I agree with McCain on every issue. Anyone who needs a candidate who aligns with every issue should seriously run for office. That’s the only way you’ll find one.
AS for McCain, I respect his push for the surge in Iraq, and his willingness to criticize the Bush administration on the war there, but his campaign has been lacking a real plan for Iraq. I think that’s a weakness. I know what McCain says his plan is (stay the course, fight til we win, no time tables, etc), but he really needed to distance himself further from Bush, especially on this issue.
On a positive note about the war, I absolutely believe McCain will make a better commander in chief than Bush or Obama. McCain’s history in the military and a POW is a great background to have for the man who will decide where our troops will go.
Also, on a related note, McCain will see terrorism as a national security issue. The main Democratic philosophy on terrorism (began by Clinton as he severely weakened our national security on this front) is to treat terrorism as a domestic crime. This makes a huge difference. When it is a national security issue, every department MUST cooperate. Treating it as a domestic crime limits the flow of information between agencies.
I believe the best way to kick start and help our economy is to not only keep the Bush tax cuts but make them permanent or cut taxes more. The economy will improve AND the government will see more revenue to pump back into the economy as it sees fit, whether welfare programs or not. McCain is not particularly strong on tax cuts, but strong enough to make him a clear choice over any Democrat, especially one promising to majorly raise taxes on the producers in this country.
The continual push by Democrats to raise taxes to give to the poor betrays their agenda. If they were just for the governmnet getting more money so they could give it to the poor, they would cut taxes, getting more money and therefore helping more poor people. But the Democrats don’t want to just help poor people, they want to punish the rich. It is all over their rhetoric.
McCain has also said he’ll nominate judges that stick to the constitution, not make up judgments as they go or use foreign rulings to decide over what the Constitution cleary says. Legislation from the bench is dangerous, as we continually see with eminent domain cases and child porn. This is important to me.
McCain is soft on some issues I’m not sure I’m prepared to be strong on … my example would be immigration. I see both sides of the issue, and someone willing to compromise a little about it makes sense to me.
McCain is strong, though, on earmarks and other corrupt traditions in Washington. Obama makes a show about it, but he went back on his word when he used public funds. McCain has stayed true to his word on that … and has “suffered” with less money.
McCain also runs a completely volunteer run campaign. He wants to encourage citizen action. Obama is using public funds to pay people to campaign for him. I like McCain’s character on this issue.
In general, I believe McCain to be a person of character, moreso than Obama or Bush, for that matter. Cindy McCain is extremely independent and successful in business. She is deeply involved in charities. She heads them up while Michelle Obama is only on their roster. But the McCain family is personally invested, adopting a child from Mother Theresa’s ministry some years ago and getting that child the health care needed for a better life.
McCain has proven himself in being personally compassionate. I’ll take that over someone who wants to be compassionate with other people’s money any day.
McCain has also done what he could to cross the aisle and make some compromises, even pissing conservatives off from time to time in the process. He still reached out in order to get things done. I think that’s the whole point of our republican system … leaders making compromises for the public good. That’s an important background for a president to have.
One of the most important issues to me is abortion. McCain is pro-life. While I understand the discussions on economic factors and compassion for life after birth, as well, and agree with them, that NEVER justifies a nation legalizing the killing of children. Never. McCain isn’t strongly pro-life, but he has a strong record of being pro-life. Rock on.
So I voted for McCain. Sure he’s old and a little pudgy, but I looked beyond that to see someone I can respect enough to vote for. Many in this country obviously disagree. But I spoke my peace with my single ballot and am willing to ally myself with the losing side, if that becomes a reality. At least my vote might counteract some dead guy or minor in Ohio.
Peace.
For those of you who knew Harry Walker, he was the best.
He was a Master Sergeant in the Air Force, just getting ready to retire after his long service in the Armed Forces. He spent a year in Korea. He faithfully attended the Hospitality House, the ministry Becca and I headed up for a year and a half before our exit. Harry was incredibly supportive of us. I’ve never met anyone like him. He was quite the man of God.
Becca and I were invited to his “going-away” party. The party was on base at a Colonel’s house. Master Sergeant is the 2nd highest enlisted rank you can achieve in the Air Force. Next up is Chief Master Sergeant, and very few ever get to that level, even after more than twenty years in the Air Force. This should give you some indication of his level of worldly success.
At this “going-away” party, just a week or so before he left to be with his family after a separation of almost 12 months, individual after individual rose and showered Harry with encouraging words and praise as we ate an incredible meal catered and paid for by the Colonel (this isn’t necessarily common). They even made me get up and say something.
Harry got to speak last. I’ll never forget what he said. He attributed every aspect of his success, and the success of those in his care, to prayer. Harry explained how he would ask for the list of soldiers under his care every week, updated, because he prayed for them every day. He prayed for those under his care and those he was responsible to. Harry spoke of a mystical power in deliberate prayer that, honestly, convicted me as someone seen by others as a “minister.” In the midst of several people who were not Christians, Harry gave all the praise to Jesus Christ.
I honestly didn’t know how the House would continue after he left. Harry was that integral to our community. Every enlisted man wished he was their leader. Harry had this unique knack for rebuking you harshly, and you somehow thanked him for it because you knew first of all that he was correct, and second of all that he loved you. Harry told everyone exactly what he felt they needed to know, regardless of their rank or position.
Harry also just loved on people. He smiled and laughed with the best of them. He was like this big teddy bear most of the time.
The House did survive and continue to thrive, of course … probably because Harry was praying for us. I missed him, though. I miss him still.
And I will continue to miss him until eternity. I received an email from Fred Stock, the director of the House before us, that Harry Walker had a heart attack and died on May 30. You can read his obituary here.
He left behind a beautiful wife and two adopted boys (just an example of his big heart). Pray for them if you think of it. She is a true widow in need of all we can give.
Harry — and you can bet all your material goods on this one — is in a much better place, cheering us on.
Peace.
I’ll be getting a Dokken Live DVD in the mail here in the next couple days. This video says it all.
Peace.
peace.
We’ve had some interesting deaths this week. Becca and I were passing a flag at half mast the other day, and she inquired as to who it was for. My first reaction was James Brown, then I remembered Gerald Ford passed this week, too. I’m assuming it wasn’t for Saddam Hussein.
But someone else passed away this week whose importance eclipses them all. Oh, you wouldn’t have known her. Not many in the world did. She never made the major papers around the world or even the country. Except for death or marriage notices, she probably rarely made the local rags.
They knew her well in town, though. She touched countless lives on a level that popular figures never really can. She remembered your birthday even though you last talked years ago. Almost every day on her calendar had a name on it, either a family member or an old or new friend. She kept old birthday cards and recycled them. She believed it was the thought that counts. And it did.
She displayed her Christmas cards during the winter months as if she were a celebrity, beaming with pride. Even as her memory faded in her later years, she would point out picutres and notes and letters from her own children, grandchildren or great grandchildren … although she rarely remembered who they were.
She was born over ninety seven years ago, in an age before a world war had occured, a time so innocent that they never thought it would. Her parents had to sneak away to meet on a bridge at night and eloped with a half asleep Catholic priest in another state. They weren’t Catholic.
She endured an intelligent man for a father who ruined most of his career opportunities with his drinking. She went to college in an age where women who did such things were rare. She worked as a secretary. She believed her prettiest feature was her long dark hair. She met a man who was going to build her a car and then marry her, but he died in the coal mines. She rejected the man of her dreams because he went drinking one night and married a man twice her age who swept her off her feet with poetry, roses and dancing. And he didn’t drink.
His name was Fred Mooney, and he drug her around the Southeast for a while where they had a couple kids. They ultimately returned to West Virginia to work in the coal industry. She endured the Great Depression and the world at war … again. By the early fifties she had eight children, my father being the youngest of them. She marked time by who she was pregnant with or who had just been born.
They lived in a coal mining town in the mountains of West Virginia when her husband attempted to end her life by placing a bomb underneath her bed. She survived, as she always did, but the two youngest boys, my father one of them, had been in the room at the time. Fred Mooney, when hearing of this, killed himself out of despair since he assumed all three were gone.
All three survived, although she was badly injured. Her family came to support her during this horrible time. Eventually her secretarial skills helped her get a job at the local church, where she worked as the secretary for decades, raising several children on her own. She never even considered getting remarried. Who would want that package deal?
She survived the death of her eldest son, Gene, who people say my dad favors. Which probably means I do, too.
Some ten or fifteen years later she heard an old flame had lost his wife, the same old flame she had rejected because of his late night drinking, and still lived in a farm house at the edge of town. She remembered his birthday and sent him a card. He called her up and asked her out. They dated for a short while before he asked her to marry him. His name was Harry Holbert.
She said, “But I have a big family.”
He said, “I have a big house.”
She said, “But I talk a lot.”
He said, “I like to listen.”
So, since she couldn’t convince him not to get married, they got hitched and she moved into his big Norman Rockwell farm house together where I clearly remember looking up at this huge man (I was little once) and said, “What do I call you?”
He said, “Call me Grandpa. I’m your Grandpa.” And that was the only way I could ever remember him. He was as much a part of the family as anyone else, and he loved it. He loved us who needed his love more than he could probably have imagined. More than we knew, I’m sure.
I was taller than Harry when he passed away, though. Even at fourteen, I was taller than most people.
So she endured another marriage to another man and lived in a little house near his old farm. That little house was where she made me popcorn one night, since I was the only one staying there in the extra bedroom at the time, and she told me stories until three o’clock in the morning. We bonded that night. She always remembered that night fondly. As do I. She told me secrets the family never really talked about very much. I felt honored.
At my wedding she told my wife in hushed tones that I was her favorite. Not close to being true, but she could make you believe stuff like that.
She lost things as she got older. Her ability to drive, to go to her church, to visit people, to read books, to hear conversation, to remember things. She went full speed as long as she could, though.
But one of the most amazing things about this woman is that I always remember her giving things away. She would convince herself that she didn’t need something and try to give it to you. Someone must need it. She spent more than sixty or seventy years doing with less and could never break the habit. What a blessing.
She had three names in her life. The one she was born with and the two she assumed upon marriage. Rowan, Mooney, and Holbert. She had the Mooney moniker the longest, although it is fitting she kept Holbert through the end of her life. She loved him the most, I suspect. Few called her Virginia. Many called her Ginny or Mom. Her most popular name was Grandma by far. She watched as three generations followed her.
Virginia had a stroke on Christmas day and slipped the rest of the way into Heaven on New Years Day. Appropriate since she was given a new body that would never fade or break. If they make jokes in Heaven, they might have mentioned how long they had kept it for her. And she would have laughed. She loved to laugh. Many who see so much sadness and come out better generally do.
And those who are connected to her by name or have her blood running in our veins, we will honor her this Saturday. It may be a time of mourning, but thank God for a funeral where we can celebrate a full, long life. But as much as we may do this weekend, we cannot touch the reception she has recieved in Glory. She had trials beyond what most of us can comprehend and came out the other side giving and laughing and thankful for her life. That is a life of grace. God loves those the most. He honors those in ways we can’t understand, but one day we will.
So if you get to Heaven one day, and I pray you do, and you see a beautiful plump young woman with long, full dark hair sitting up at the front beside Jesus talking His ear off, you’ll know who it is. If you get there before I do, tell her I love her. But she probably already knows it.
Peace.