More thoughts to chew on...

Afternoon, y'all ::


Apparantly, someone is trying to get a message to me.  Yesterday, I had several events come together (actually, collide might be a better word!) that gave me some insight on a quote from Mother Teresa:

"I know that God won't give me more trouble than I can handle...
but sometimes I wish he wouldn't trust me so much."

So, I did a little typing, and came up with yesterday's blog posting, focusing on how God never gives you more than you can handle, and when you think he does, a few ways to find out that you have more than just your plate at the buffet line.


Pulling into church this morning, I saw on the marquee the sermon text for this morning's message.  Immediately, I could tell that we'd be hearing about Jesus and the feeding of the 5000. (For those who'd like a refresher on the story, head here to BibleGateway.com and read up.)  Aside from the Resurrection, it's one of the few (if not the only) miracle performed by Jesus that appears in all four gospels (others may appear in one or two, but rarely in all four.)


The focus on the sermon wasn't on how God takes care of us, and provides our needs, exactly.  The disciples get it wrong at the outset, just like we do from time to time.  "There's no way I can do it.  It's only me.  I'm not enough." Note the words in bold -- they focus in on me.  Head back to yesterday's blog posting, more specifically, the second tactic on how to keep your plate from getting too full:

2.  Get a second plate.
If "many hands make light work," having a "wing man" help out in carrying a drink or (if you really, really trust her) your dessert can be invaluable.  Even better, getting a helping hand in carrying a second plate full of food the two of you can share is worth the food's weight in gold.  So, if you need some help in handling what life is scooping on your plate, go to a trusted friend or advisor, and get some help!  Of course, turning to God and asking for a little help is a great start.  But don't forget those friendships and fellowships that you've been blessed to be a part of.

The right answer was hidden in that one line: Give Jesus what you have, and let Him deal with the solution.  In this parable, God's purpose wasn't to feed people with fish and bread.  He looks for opportunites to test our faith.  In this context, "test" doesn't mean to prove, but more to strengthen and temper.  From Hebrews 11:6 (Message paraphrase)

It's impossible to please God apart from faith.  And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that He exists and that He cares enough to respond to those who seek Him.

Hudson Taylor said, "Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith." We have to go beyond knowing.  If you look at any ancient map of the seas, there'd be a point where no explorer had gone yet.  There, a phrase that would often be written would be "Beyond this point there be dragons."  It's also where our knowledge and understanding ends and where our faith in God lies.  We have to go beyond knowing how much we can do by ourselves, because God never intends for us to go solo on this!  God does give us more than we can handle, but He never gives us more than the two of us (God and I) can't handle.  God doesn't ask us to do anything that He's not ready to help us out with.  In the Feeding of the 5000, Jesus asked His disciples to be HIS PARTNERS in ministry.  Today, He asks us to partner with him in doing great and (seemingly) impossible things!


If you're interested in hearing the sermon, head right here to download an audio version of the sermon.  If you'd like some notes to fill in, head here.


Take care! :: Greg

Thoughts from Mother Teresa, a car collision, and Aunt Ernie's deviled eggs...

Good morning, y'all:

"I know that God won't give me more trouble than I can handle...
but sometimes I wish he wouldn't trust me so much."

The above is a time worn quote from Mother Teresa, and about lunch time, I was thinking my plate was pretty full.  It's hot, it's humid (which means the house we live in is hot and humid, the kids were nipping at each other, Ellen and I were getting a few things done before we both headed into work for the evening, and right before I walked out the door, Ellen gave me some information that added yet a few more things to ponder and think about.

Walking into Lowe's, that Mother Teresa quote ran through my mind.  My first thought after that was: What do I do when I run out of room on my plate?  Second thought -- get a bigger plate!

Since then, what was a full day turned into an ugly day.  I had just gotten home for lunch, when I get a phone call from Ellen.  She's been involved in a three-car accident right in front of the mall.  The next couple of hours were spent getting a few pictures, getting Ellen to St. Francis to be checked out, making a few phone calls making sure that the kids and Ellen's mom would be taken care of, getting prescriptions filled at 8pm on a Friday night, and (most importantly), getting the both of us dinner.  Fazoli's always tastes this good, but the breadsticks were extra yummy.

Now that all of this has stewed around for a while, here's a little insight I've picked up over the past 24 hours.  And of course, the analogy involved uses some of the best food around -- that found at a family reunion.  Or, more precisely, the plate involved.

My family reunions typically are great fun.  Cards and Rummikub are typically played, kids spend most of the day outside running around, but when the dinner bell rings, the feast is typically pretty vast.  And an informal challenge goes out -- who can best pack and stack their plate so that there's room for everything.  From fried chicken to turkey and gravy, to mostaccioli, to chicken and dumplings, AND still have room for corn, some sweet potato casserole, green beans, sweet potato casserole, potato salad, cole slaw, sweet potato casserole (trying to send a message to Ellen...).  We won't even talk about dessert.  The simple truth is that no matter how big of a plate that you have, it's just one plate.  So, what do you do when you run out of room on your plate before you get to the sweet potato cassarole?  Let me give you a few tips from a veteran of many a reunion.

1. Get picky.
   First of all, let's use a little common sense.  Do you really want THREE chicken legs?  FOUR deviled eggs?  TWO HEAPING SCOOPS of dressing?  You can either get a lot of a little, or a little of a lot.  If you go with the former, you'll find out that you're probably going to miss out on a lot of variety in life.  In the same way, be careful what you dish up for your life.  Don't let your rabid hunger for Uncle Butch's Famous Fried Chicken get in the way of the delicious seven layer salad, or cole slaw a little bit further down the road.  In the same way, don't let things you enjoy grow to the point to where you can't do the things you need to do.
   
2. Get a second plate.
   If "many hands make light work," having a "wing man" help out in carrying a drink or (if you really, really trust her) your dessert can be invaluable.  Even better, getting a helping hand in carrying a second plate full of food the two of you can share is worth the food's weight in gold.  So, if you need some help in handling what life is scooping on your plate, go to a trusted friend or advisor, and get some help!  Of course, turning to God and asking for a little help is a great start.  But don't forget those friendships and fellowships that you've been blessed to be a part of.
   
3. Be careful on who's scooping.
   Like I've mentioned before, there's plenty of choices of really good food on the buffet table, and there's more than enough to go 'round.  And when my kids grab a plate, and start dishing up their favorites, sometimes, their choices aren't the wisest.  "No, let's not take 4 scoops of Ice Cream Delight.  How 'bout some corn instead."  "Let's save some room for some baked beans!"  "Let's get some ham or turkey first, then we'll  make our way to the cookies..."  You don't think that the Devil is over there at the dessert tray, saying "Forget about that healthy stuff, here, you can have a few extra cookies.  You're big enough for a BIG piece of pumpkin pie.  You don't need any room for that ham sandwich, or that fried chicken..."  Be careful on who's putting what on your plate.  The Devil seeks to distract and divide us.  And dangling tasty treats out in of us is the basic definition of temptation.  Be sure that the person scooping the potatoes and gravy on your plate has your best interests in mind.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm hungry for some reason.  And I think there's some leftover Fazoli's still in the fridge...

Until later :: Greg

Some thoughts on this Independence Day...

Some random thoughts from the quotation book.

I've lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing Proofs I see of this Truth — That God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that except the Lord build the House they labor in vain who build it. I firmly believe this, — and I also believe that without his concurring Aid, we shall succeed in this political Building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our Projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a Reproach and Bye word down to future Ages.

Benjamin Franklin,
Speech to the Constitutional Convention, 28 June 1787

Thought -- It is often said that "with God, all things are possible."  Is it also true, then, that without God, all things are impossible?  From Alexander Hamilton:

The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.

Alexander Hamilton,
The Farmer Refuted, 1775

This to me is critical.  No document grants me liberty or freedom; no man ordains me to be free.  The rights of man are given to us by God Himself; rights that no mortal has the authority to take away.  This fact was among the first that made America truly exceptional -- the fact that our founding documents prescribe exactly what our government can and can't do.  Our government is designed to be limited, not limitless as was typical of the kingdoms and empires of the day.  And to be truthful, I doubt that any entity would be successful in keeping these freedoms from us.

Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation — not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." That is the true genius of America — a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles.  

Barack Obama,
speaking at the Democratic National Convention, 27 July 2004

Who'd think I'd quote Obama in a posting on Liberty? But in all seriousness, it's this faith that enables anyone to do anything in this country.  Want proof?  Look at the 43 men who have served as President.  None enabled by title or birth.  How else could you get a collection such as that!

This just occurred to me -- in most of the historical quotes about the Declaration, or the Constitution, or in talking about our liberties -- there's a reference to God's existence.  That must drive some people absolutely mad...  (Good!)

And for those who need reminding -- this is what we're celebrating...

And another thing...Another song that says a lot...

Hola, y'all.

Really quickly, I've started to see a new holiday surfacing -- Festivus.  Here's what Wikipedia says about it.

My attitude. Festivus is Christmas with out the whole "Christ" part. Sooooo....it's just another December party with no real reason other than to eat, drink, wrestle, and be merry. All the party, none of the "guilt" of Christianity.

Which leads me to this song. And this video. Lyrics below. Enjoy.

"It's Called Christmas With A Capital 'C'"

by Go Fish

(Comedy by Brad Stine in italics -- I've transcribed it as best as I can  Check out http://www.bradstine.com/ for more good stuff!)

"I remember when people used to say things like 'Merry Christmas' to each other.  Everybody said 'Merry Christmas!  Hey, Merry Christmas to you, Mr. Lowenstine!'  You know why?  'Cause it wasn't about a religion. It was about something as a culture that we thought so valuable that we'd all do it together even if I disagreed with the religion behind it, because it was good for all of us instead of just me.  But what do we say now?  'Happy Holidays.'  'You see, I say 'Happy Holidays' 'cause I don't want to say Christmas because you don't believe in Christmas and I don't want to offend you...'

Well I went to the coffee shop to get myself a mocha
When the lady at the counter said “Happy Holidays”
I said, “Thanks lady. I am pretty happy
But there’s only one holiday that makes me feel that way and…”

It’s called Christmas
What more can I say?
It’s about the birth of Christ
And you can’t take that away
You can call it something else
But that’s not what it will be
It’s called Christmas with a capital C

God’s got a law and we’ve pretty much destroyed it
We’re gonna get judged, there’s no way to avoid it
Jesus came down to take the punishment for me
He did it for you too, so now maybe you can see why…

It’s called Christmas
What more can I say?
It’s about the birth of Christ
And you can’t take that away
You can call it something else
But that’s not what it will be
It’s called Christmas with a capital C

It's called Christmas...

Oh, yes, we want to say "Happy Holidays" because we don't want to leave anybody out.  Really?  How come there's a ton of holidays in February, but we never say "Happy Holidays" in February, do they?  No, they way what it is. "Happy Valentine's" -- ooh, do you believe in love?

It's called Christmas...

But nobody wants to say "Christmas"...why?  I know why, you do too, it's because it's got Christ in it.  And after 2000 years, He's still intimidating people!  You see, when a religious person says 'I am the way,'  people don't want to hear it...

It's called Christmas...

I say you've got to say "Merry Christmas" 'cause it is!  If you don't believe in it, fine.  But I've got a flash for you.  Christianity is the religious heritage of my country whether you like it or not!

It's called Christmas...

So if you're not a Christian or you don't like it, and you don't want Christmas celebrated, God bless ya, but let me tell you something, if you think you're gonna stop me from saying it because it offends you, here's a newsflash...PUT A HELMET ON!

It’s called Christmas

What more can I say?
It’s about the birth of Christ
And you can’t take that away
You can call it something else
But that’s not what it will be
It’s called Christmas with a capital C

Merry Christmas, y'all.  Happy Hanukkah.  And Happy Kwannza.  I think that covers it.

Greg

ANNO DOMINE!

Hola, y'all.

On this night of hope and salvation 
One child lies embraced in a dream
Where each man regardless of station 
On this night can now be redeemed
Where every man regardless of his nation,
Ancestral relations
On this night the past can fly away
And that dream we’ve dreamed most
That every child is held close
On this night that dream won’t be betrayed

All as one!
Raise your voices! Raise your voices!
All as one On this Christmas Day!

All rejoice
Raise your voices! Raise your voices!
All rejoice! Anno Domine!

On this night when no child’s forgotten
No dream sleeps where he cannot see
No man here is misbegotten
And this night’s dreams are still yet to be
Where every man regardless of his nation,
Ancestral relations
On this night the past can fly away
And that dream we’ve dreamed most
That every child is held close
On this night that dream won’t be betrayed

All as one!
Raise your voices! Raise your voices!
All as one On this Christmas Day!

All rejoice!
Raise your voices! Raise your voices!
All rejoice! Anno Domine!

"Anno Domine"

from the album The Lost Christmas Eve

by Trans Siberian Orchestra
Emphasis mine

A few weeks back, while listening through one of my more favorite Christmas albums, this choral piece really stood out for me.  Partially because of the way it's sung -- sounds like it's a men's choir, but sung strongly, confidently.  Not wishy-washy nor dramatic, more of an unrepentant proclamation of what has happened.  But as I kept listening, and read the lyrics, it really struck me as to the personal importance of Christmas.  Regardless of who you are, what you are, whose roots you can trace back to, or where you come from, the birth of a little baby starts the process not just of forgiveness, but redemption.  Beyond "I forgive you," to the point of "It never happened."

Your (sinful) past -- gone.
Your (redeemed) future -- assured.
Your fears of being alone -- baseless.
The presence of a constant companion -- confirmed.

Don't forget -- Christmas is only half of the story, half of the prophacy fulfilled.  The rest of the story comes on Easter morning.  But in the meantime, revel in all the presents under (and on) the tree.

Merry Christmas, y'all.

Greg.

Greg votes...

Good afternoon, y'all

Thought I'd offer some views on the bubble sheet I'll be filling in on Tuesday.  I don't think my precinct will have the touchscreen, but if they do, here's where my index finger will/would be pointing. (I know the title is lame, but it's the best I can do without sounding like Kevin Costner in "Swing Vote."

MISSOURI SENATE = Roy Blunt
Sorry, Robin Carnahan.  Both "Blunt" and "Caranhan" are well known names in Missouri politics, so no one can claim "outsider"status here.  And you've both done your share of mudslinging.  I just have no desire to see more of what I've seen over the past two years.

MISSOURI REPRESENTATIVE (8th District) = Jo Ann Emerson
Two years ago, Tommy Sowers could have REALLY made this interesting.  But, after the past two years, why reward the Democratic party with more ability to pass multi-thousand page bills at 11:30p.m. CST.  It'd only be hyperbole if they hadn't already done it TWICE...

STATE AUDITOR = Tom Schweich

CAPE COUNTY PRESIDING COMMISSIONER = Clint Tracy
I think his experience in Jefferson City as Cape Girardeau's representative will serve the county well.  Pat Wissman (D) has also voiced opposition to using the old federal courthouse as a replacement to the Common Pleas Courthouse, which would not make me want to vote for him regardless.

CAPE COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS = Janet Robert
About the only Democrat I'm voting for.  She's done the job admirably while she's been in that office.  I see no reason to chance something that's working well.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH :: over in Illinois, I'd be a supporter of Republican Mark Kirk over Democrat Alexi Giannoulias for the U.S. Senate, and Republican Bill Brady over Democrat Pat Quinn for Governor.  In a state that is MONTHS, bordering on YEARS paying it's obligations to schools, counties, and doctors, why would I want to reward the powers/party in charge with another term?  Take one good look at Alexander County, and tell me how things have improved over the last couple of years.  Can't run a sheriff's department with the squad cars (you can't buy save for some charity from another department in Florida!) that you can't afford to keep gassed up.  The city of Cairo, IL, is a whole set of depressed and forgotten about from the folks up in Chicago.

Those in Cape Girardeau will be asked (for the third time) if they support the licensing of gambling/gaming operations in the city.  A yes vote would allow the city to pursue the final gaming licence available in the state.  For what it's worth, I'd recommend a YES vote on this one.  Put simply, if Isle of Capri's operation puts 400-475 people to work in an area with unemployment bordering up against 10%, why not allow what would be SOUTHEAST MISSOURI'S 6 to 8TH LARGEST EMPLOYER?  The two hospitals, Southeast University, TG-Missouri (Perryville), Mary Lee-Gilster, and Noranda (I think) would be the only bigger employers.  Morality aside, it is legal in this state, and my libertarian side, seeing the pros outweigh the cons, says go for it.(See editorial, Sunday, Oct. 24, for a full perspective.)


Those in Jackson will also be asked to approve a 1/4 cent sales tax in order to allow the construction and manning of a new fire station to cover the east side of the town.  Jackson, you've been growing by leaps and bounds over the past two decades.  Part of being a bigger city is making sure you can effectively serve your population.  I'm surprised that Jackson is STILL a one-fire-station town.  I'd vote YES.

MO Proposition A would prevent cities and counties in Missouri, other than St. Louis and Kansas City (who already have them) from imposing an earnings tax, and would require the voters of St. Louis and Kansas City to hold separate votes every 5 years to determine if the earnings tax remains or is phased out over a 10 year period.  Once gone in those two cities, it could not return.  At first, I was very much in favor of this proposal -- it's no secret that I'm in favor of anything that makes it tougher for taxes to be increased, and easier for taxes to end.  And I see the success of Cape Girardeau's Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) taxes (now in it's FOURTH rendition) as proof of the effectiveness of sunset clauses.  But I'm a little concerned that the entire state is being asked to vote on something that most directly affects the two largest cities in Missouri.  Why aren't the citizens of those two municipalities making that decision.  Of course, if it were just a vote of those two cities, many of those who work in St. Louis city and Kansas City wouldn't have a say in things.  A little split on this one, but I'm thinking this will get a YES vote from me.

MO Proposition B would prevent large-scale dog breeding operations from neglecting dogs, establishing new baseline handling and care standards, and would put limits on the number of dogs available for breeding at each operation.  Also creates a new misdemeanor of "puppy mill cruelty."  My question is "why?"  Outside of seeing cute fluffy puppies horribly mistreated, the arguement that current law fully enforced wouldn't correct the situation hasn't been made.  It hasn't even been offered.  Plus, considering the anti-agriculture and anti-hunting stances of the Humane Society of the United States (not to be confused with the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri or your local animal shelter) and the ASPCA, the fine print worries me.  Voting NO on this one.  Try again.

MO Constitutional Amendment 1 = Require County Assessors to be elected from all counties.  Why is the state dealing with something that is best handled at the county level?  More importantly, why are people wanting to make a position that handles how much your property is valued in regards to property taxes an elected position?  Since I can't tell why this is on the ballot, voting NO.

MO Consitutional Amendment 2 = Exempt former prisoners of war with a disability that is the direct result of their service in our armed forces from property taxes on their homestead.  Granted, if anyone deserves a property tax exemption, it's those who've served in our military, especially POWs.  Only problem with this is that I can easily see a slippery-slope on this one.  What about police/firefighters/military killed in action...    Kinda SPLIT on this one.

MO Constitutional Amendment 3 = Prevent state, county, and other political entitites from imposing any new tax regarding transfer of real estate.  Property owners already pay property taxes every year.  Plus, I'm all for eliminating any additional paperwork, fees, delays and taxes when I'm buying the largest item most people own in their life.  Voting NO on this one.

Random Funny Thought On Nutrition

From the fine friendly folks at Doghouse.

On September 11

Good morning, y'all: 

My apologies for the delay in getting this out -- trouble getting to the library plus a troublesome work schedule caused a few things to be pushed off the stove.

Two great articles here.  One is from Dan McLaughlin over at Redstate.com;  "Where I Was On September 11", giving his eyewitness testamony as to the events of 9/11, and some of his thoughts.  The post was originally written just after the terrorist attacks, so it gives some of the raw, unfiltered sort of first-hand experience as to what happened, especially when you're running late, but on your way to the 54th floor of Tower 1.  The second is from Doctor Zero, "To Battle The Unimaginable."  Given all the excitement over mosques, burning Qu'rans, and First Amendment rights, he reflects a little bit on the fact that, despite it all, our flag has never been truly desecrated, and how, regardless of scope or scale, America truly is a fight against previously unimaginable forces.  Both are worth a few moments of your time.

Next year, I'll be a little bit more timely.  Or at least I'll try...

Greg

On honor

Just read a great posting from Doc Zero. If you're just coming out from under a rock from this weekend, Glenn Beck hosted a rally on Saturday, called "Restoring Honor." Proceeds went to benefit a fund for children of special forces soldiers who had fallen in the line of duty.

I've mostly seen Americans as an honorable, moral and just people. So where did we fall down as a country? Food for thought here in this post. What are YOUR thoughts?

The post is right here.. Check it out, and toss your thoughts into the hopper.

See you next time ~ Greg

Maxwell ~~ "Acting Against Discouragement"

I like reading John Maxwell.  Having seen him in several of the Maximum Impact simulcasts, I like the way he presents lessons on ethics and leadership.  His recent post, "Acting Against Discouragement," tells the story about Samuel L. Jackson, and some lessons learned.  Thought it was good, so passing it along to you.  Because, who ISN'T dealing with some sort of discouragement?  (Especially on a Monday!)

The article is right here.  Enjoy!

Greg

"Right To Do" vs. "Right To Do"

Yes, I know that within two blocks of Ground Zero:

• There are "gentlemen's clubs".
• There is a McDonalds, Burger King, a BBQ restaurant, and a Dunkin Donuts. (While I haven't seen a photo of it, there's gotta be a Starbucks somewhere around there...)
• There is an Off-Track Betting center.
• There is a Vitamin Shoppe.
• There is an Irish themed restaurant and pub.
• There are countless street vendors selling t-shirts and other, too numerous souvenirs of the city. Probably replete with cheezy apples and replicas of Lady Liberty.
• There are so many other enterprises, businesses and centers of commerce in that area that to save you from clicking elsewhere due to boredom, I'll end the list here.

And when 19 strippers, fast food cooks, baristas, pharmacists, thoroughbred horses, or irish pub goers take up box knives (or doughnuts, bottles of vitamins or cheezy souvenirs) and kill 3000 people in the single largest terrorist act on American soil, then I'll conceed that you may have a point.

19 men, who had a twisted, distorted view of Islam, killed themselves in the name of their god. The people involved in this sick, perversion of a religion have engaged us from the shadows in what has already become our longest war.

Coupled with that, the fact that throughout history, mosques have been built right on top of churches, synagogues, and other sites holy to other religions once conquered by those in the name of Islam. Conincidence could be plausible if it only happened once or twice. Not when the world's largest cathedral and orthodox patriarchial bascilica, St. Sophia, (located in Constantinople, Turkey) is replaced with the principal mosque of Istanbul. (It is now under the conservatorship of the Turkish government as a treasure of architectural history -- it is the first example of a round dome being placed atop a square building.) We can also look to Jerusalem, where one of the holiest sites in Judaism, the Temple Mount, now is the site of the Al Aqsa mosque. We can also look to Cordoba, Spain, where after that area was under Muslim control, a mosque was built immediately atop the existing churches. (It should be noted that the developer's original name for this project was "Cordoba House.") Other examples reside in the Far East, where Hindu temples have fallen to the same fate. (h/t to Polipundit.com for this post with more examples.)

Do we, as Americans, have a right to build houses of worship without government interference? Absolutely. Do these "Park 51 / Cordoba House" developers have this same right? Absolutely. But where did we lose the ability to say that while they may have the right to do a thing, that it may not be the right thing to do, and to comment and criticize accordingly? Wouldn't calling me (and all those opposed to this project) racists, Islamophobes, and all the uneducated epitaphs imaginable have a chilling effect on my right to free speech? You mean it's acceptable to argue and debate, as long as I agree with you? Just as freedom of religion is not an incremental right, neither is freedom of speech. Calling me names is just an fancy way of saying that I win in the arena of ideas.

Do they have this right?  Yes.  Is it right?  No.

Comments of all flavors are welcome. As always, be respectful, or be deleted.

Oops, almost forgot. When we talk of "property rights," are we ignoring Kelo v. New London? Or Tourkaris v. Arnold? Just wondering...

Greg

"The Destiny Of A Free Nation"

Read through this article by Doctor Zero at , and was thouroughly impressed. A great statement on what The American ideal is, and what it should not be. Beyond that, I can add little else. Take a read, and tell me where I'm wrong, or right.

Here's the article at HotAir.com. The article at Doctor Zero's site can be found right here. Or just head to www.doczero.com and check out this and other articles.

Until later,
Greg

Reflections on 3000 People and God's Sword

Over the past few weeks, I've been hearing, from various sources, references to the Book of Exodus.  (Jeremiah is also coming up, but I need to do some more reading...)  It seems logical -- with high unemployment, trying economic times, and unrelenting summer heat ("Heat index DOWN to 118 degrees"?  C'mon!), it's definitely a time of testing, trying, and purification for all those enduring the summer time doldrums also known as the "dog days of summer."  But as I was at the gym at 4 a.m. (going through some testing and purification of my own!), I caught something from one of the televangelists that seemed to stick with me, and I thought that I'd share it with you.

As I said earlier, what the Israelites went through in Exodus could definitely be considered trial, test and purification  (Wandering around the desert for 40 years definitely qualifies in my book).  But it's also a rather "bloody" book.  Moses kills the Egyptian overseeer (Exodus 2:11-15), the 7 plagues that God sends down to the Egyptians (Exodus 7:14 through 12:39), and finally, the closing of the Red Sea on the Eguptian army chasing the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 14).  But the instance used in his message was when Moses brought down the original tables holding the Ten Commandments, and found the Israelites worshiping a golden calf. (Exodus 32:15-28)

Moses turned around and came down from the mountain, carrying the two tablets of The Testimony. The tablets were written on both sides, front and back. God made the tablets and God wrote the tablets— engraved them.

When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting noisily, he said to Moses, "That's the sound of war in the camp!"

But Moses said,
Those aren't songs of victory,
And those aren't songs of defeat,
I hear songs of people throwing a party.

And that's what it was. When Moses came near to the camp and saw the calf and the people dancing, his anger flared. He threw down the tablets and smashed them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf that they had made, melted it down with fire, pulverized it to powder, then scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it.

Moses said to Aaron, "What on Earth did these people ever do to you that you involved them in this huge sin?"
Aaron said, "Master, don't be angry. You know this people and how set on evil they are. They said to me, 'Make us gods who will lead us. This Moses, the man who brought us out of Egypt, we don't know what's happened to him.'
"So I said, 'Who has gold?' And they took off their jewelry and gave it to me. I threw it in the fire and out came this calf."
Moses saw that the people were simply running wild—Aaron had let them run wild, disgracing themselves before their enemies. He took up a position at the entrance to the camp and said, "Whoever is on God's side, join me!" All the Levites stepped up.
He then told them, "God's orders, the God of Israel: 'Strap on your swords and go to work. Crisscross the camp from one end to the other: Kill brother, friend, neighbor.'"

The Levites carried out Moses' orders. Three thousand of the people were killed that day.

That's right. Under orders from God, 3000 Israelites died.  God's sword fell on those who had sinned against Him.  Even after this, God sent down a plague on the remaining refugees as a further punishment. (Exodus 32:30-35).

Flash forward a whole bunch of years -- to the first Pentecost.  Another group of 3000 saw the effects of God's sword, but from a whole different angle: (Acts 2:37-41)

Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?"


Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."

He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!"
That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.

And here's where I started to see parallels and changes.  Just as 40 days is a symbolic statement for "a sufficient period of time," I see the use of 3000 people as a good number of people.  We're not talking small groups or gatherings here, but a rather significant number of people.  In Exodus, I see the sword of God of the Old Testament -- a jealous god that tolerated no substitution, no competition, and no quarter.  Sin against Him at your own peril.  In that time, we were all sinners, falling fall short of God's expectation of us, and there was nothing we could do about it.  Even worse, there was nothing, no one that stood between us and God.  This meant that the sword was leveled at us -- or, more specifically, the 3000 that didn't stand with God in Exodus 32.

The sword that we see in Acts at that first Pentecost is the same sword.  The sword of a jealous god.  We're still sinners, and nothing that we could do to change it.  However, we had someone on our side -- Jesus Christ -- to stand in our stead to take our punishment.  And in a post-Easter world, it's Christ that not just stands in our stead for our punishment, but also stands by our side.  Here, in this post-Easter world, God's sword is no longer pointed at us as it was in Exodus, but at the Devil.  Me thinks I'll keep standing with God.

Greg

And the 4th pitcher is...Oswalt?

Good afternoon, y'all:

Heard this floating around Cardinal nation -- the possibility of adding Oswalt (Houston Astros) to the Redbird lineup.  And there's no shortage of comments.  Bernie Miklaz (St. Louis Post Dispatch) has a great analysis of the potential upside and downside of the trade online (you can find it riiiight....here.)

The first rumors I heard about the trade were that Pujols and/or Wainright would be involved in a trade to get Oswalt to St. Louis.  Doubt that seriously -- if Pujols were traded, there would be a violent riot outside Busch Staduim in no time flat.  Trading a pitcher as hot and strong as Waino is dealing right now...also something I wouldn't handle without it being a great deal (read: Cardinals sweep NLDS, NLCS and World Series).

I'd hate to run the farm system dry, but adding Oswalt to Carpenter, Wainwright, and Garcia for a starting four would be intimidating.  Adding to the fact that bullpen would be ready for the late innings would be bouns for sure.  Only question -- would/do the Cardinals have the offensive firepower to capitalize on the pitching effort.  A "0-1" loss counts the same in the standings as a "6-5" loss.

Whayddathink?

Thoughts on a Mid-Summer's Night Dream...

Some thoughts on the All-Star Game tonight: 

Bernie Miklasz (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) has some thoughts on the game tonight, worth the 5 minutes reading time.  Check it out either in print, or over at the online version of Bernie Bytes: Can the NL finally win?

Some things he left out, (unfortunately), and others demanding amplification

Will Obama pay another visit to this game, throwing the first pitch, and occupying the announcing booth for an inning like he did in St. Louis last year?  (And no, I still haven't forgiven him from ruining The Man's moment in the sun...)

Can the National League FINALLY win home field advantage in the World Series?  Last time the Senior Division took the win was back in 1996.  That was FOURTEEN years ago!  Thinking that the "Visiting" team will bring home the win tonight may actually be a dream.  Stranger things have happened!

Amen to Griffey, Jr.  Even if he doesn't play, a curtain call is well deserved.

Let's see what happens.  I'd love the road to the championship end up where it belongs -- Busch Stadium!

Play ball! -- Greg

Requiscat in pace Mr. Steinbrenner

Good afternoon, y'all:

Yesterday, I posted about the theory of playing baseball "the Cardinal Way."  Gutsy, tough play based on fundamentals, strong pitching, running out singles, all that stuff we learned playing Little League baseball or from our parents as we watched the game when we were young.  A friend of mine (originally from Nevada) remarked to me how unusual and refreshing that Cardinal fans would stand and applaud players from the other team if they used to wear the Birds on the Bat, or were great and gifted players worthy of respect.

Today is no exception.

Granted, I'm not a Yankees' fan, so I wasn't overwhelmed with sorrow, sadness and grief at hearing the news of George Steinbrenner's death earlier today at the age of 80.  (Come to think of it, I think there may be a few fans of the Bronx Bombers that may not be too upset as well, but I digress...)  But, like the men that take the field or step into the batters box, Mr. Steinbrenner deserves a moment of applause.

Since he took over control of the Yankees, they've gone from a shadow of the team that once had its uniform on the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, and countless other legends to what can be legitimately called as one of the premier teams of Major League Baseball.  Seven of the 27 flags representing World Series Championships came under his reign.  He's put together a team that, for much of the 37 years, has been a perennial contender.  Ranging from Reggie Jackson, Jim "Catfish" Hunter, to Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees have typically represented the best money can buy.  (FYI -- Steinbrenner at first saw free agency as something that could destroy baseball!)  "Lead, Follow, or Get Out Of The Way" was more than a plaque on his desk -- it represented the management style of the man appropriately nicknamed "The Boss."  Demanding the best was one thing, hiring and firing manager Billy Martin FIVE times takes it to a whole new level.  Regardless of everything else, the man led the Yankees' back to prominence, back to success, and back to "leading," instead of following or getting out of the way.

Sadly, Steinbrenner's death comes one day after Bob Sheppard, "The Voice Of Yankee Stadium," who long served as stadium PA announcer of the Yankees.  His voice and delivery is just as legendary as the players he announced coming to the plate.   His voice last graced the stadium three years ago, but the standard he set is as solid as the legacy of any other Yankee honored in Monument Row.  Sheppard was 99.

For more information -- From the websites of the Yankees', the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (good stuff there!)and MLB:

On Bob Sheppard

On George Steinbrenner

Views from St. Louis sports writers on Steinbrenner

Requiscat in pace, gentlemen.  Well done.

The "Cardinal Way"

Good morning, y'all:

Came across this article at StlToday.com (the website of the Post-Dispatch) -- thought it very appropriate given Herzog's induction into the Hall of Fame, plus the All-Star Game this week.

I've seen it in recent billboards and other promotional materials -- "Play Like A Cardinal."  And, growing up in Southeast Missouri, I've grown fond of the Cardinals, and may be a little biased.  But it seems that quite a few teams have their own way of playing the game -- call it their DNA.  In the article, Dan O'Neill talks to several Hall of Famers who wore the "Birds on the Bat" as to whether the "Cardinal Way" of playing baseball is just a marketing campaign, or if it goes a little deeper than that.

The article is here.

I think it goes much, much deeper.  More than just getting a uniform dirty with solid fundamentals, tough pitching and a gritty defense.  More than running out the singles into doubles, and making opponents earn every win.  And I think that the "Cardinal Way" is best personified in Stan Musial.  Granted, most of my reading of Redbird history starts about 1941, so I don't know much about "The Rajah" or many of the players that held court at Sportsman's Park.  But the more I read about Musial, especially in light of the LeBron James debacle, the more I sense that there's a bit more to the "Cardinal Way" than just performance on a field.  Players are held to a higher standard on and off the field.  A shortstop makes a disparaging display to fans in the stadium?  Traded off to San Diego.  (And yes, the player we got in exchange didn't do too bad at all, either!)  You don't see our players at nightclubs or trolling around at 3:30 am.  And if they (or their manager) are, there aren't too many forgiving eyes. 

Today, many athletes on professional sports teams act in manners that are far from what we can consider "role models."  The "Cardinal Way" runs opposite to that.  Which made me even happier that my kids learned how to properly cheer at a baseball game in the same way I did.

"Go Cardinals!"

"The Selective Modesty of Barack Obama"

(h/t to Roy R. for bringing this to my radar screen)

This article by Charles Krauthammer ties a few things together -- from his "number one priority for NASA" to remarks over the past year.  It does make me wonder how Obama views America -- not just our history or governement or process -- not the theory, but the belief in what America has been, is today, and can be tomorrow.  The potential of America, in my opinion, lies in the belief that we are a collection of ordinary people capable of doing extraordinary things, due in no small part to the fact that our society and government sees the individual as sovereign and equal -- a trait that is immutable and irrevocable.  Krauthammer makes some very good points here -- well worth a 5 minute read.

Greg

Thoughts for today

Today, there will be countless blog entries, numerous Facebook postings, and oh-so-many other expressions of what this holiday, and all our celebrations mean. For some, it's a time to celebrate the birth of our nation, our republic, arguably the most succesful, strongest and most powerful nation this world has ever seen. To others, today is a time to pay homage to, and remember all who have sacrificed, both military and civilian, to make this country what it is today. And to still others, a time to celebrate our freedoms and rights we are able to so freely exercise in this country. There will be postings of our Declaration of Independence, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, speeches and writings from Founding father to patriot, from Paine, Jefferson and Adams to Reagan, Hannity and Beck.

But I'd like to take a moment, and turn our thoughts towards something a little simpler, something more profound, something more basic and integral to this great, 234 year old experiment.

I celebrate an idea. I celebrate a belief.

A belief that we all are, by design, a free and sovereign people.
A belief that these rights to exist, to choose our own paths, and pursue that destiny are irrevokable and undeniable.
A beleief that, as a free and sovereign people, we alone have the right and freedom to choose who governs us, in which matter, and under which laws.
A belief that God created us all equal, but left wide open our potential, limited only by our choices.

And a belief that can be but one generation away from extinction. Reagan famously said that "if we lose freedom here, there's no where left to run- this is the last stand for freedom on Earth."

While this grand experiment in liberty is a third of the way through its third century, it is far from impossible to fail. Great nations have fallen to tyranny before. But today is a day to remind ourselves of our past, and rededicate ourselves to that simple belief that has been the cornerstone of our republic.


To me, second only to my salvation, my free-will, liberty and freedom are the most important gifts from God.

So where have all the Christians gone?

Good question. In some ways, a double whammy -- the number of Christians as a percentage of the U.S. population is dropping, and the number of Christians that affiliate themselves with a denomination (such as Lutheran, Baptist, or Methodist) or with an existing institution (a non-denominational church).

Here's the article -- http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/09/25/bruce-feiler-christians-americans-gone/

Personally, a Christian is a Christian, pure and simple. But I do find (generally) that those Christians that aren't "lone wolf" believers -- those believers that find a group of like-minded people to strengthen and nourish their faith and fellowship tend to be stronger in their faith.

And of course, I like this passage from Ecclesiastes 4 (emphasis mine)...

I turned my head and saw yet another wisp of smoke on its way to nothingness: a solitary person, completely alone—no children, no family, no friends—yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, "Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?" More smoke. A bad business.

It's better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there's no one to help, tough!

Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.

By yourself you're unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped.

Ecclesiastes 4:8-12

(The Message paraphrase)

The devil LOVES the divide and conquer strategy. One on one, he's got us outmatched and outgunned. Together, along with Christ, the game's done, and we're the one with the W. What do you think?