Out the Door

Arizona rampage comes as no surprise

Once again our nation mourns following the murderous acts of a crazed gunman. It seems to be an increasing occurrence. Some reporters have expressed “shock” over what happened in Arizona on Sunday. I can’t begin to imagine the pain and sorrow felt by the families whose loved one were gunned down. My heart and prayers go out to them. However, I’m not shocked by the tragedy. Human beings are capable of perpetrating incredible acts of evil. It happens every day in places like Sudan, Mexico, India, and every other country on Earth. Somehow, we’ve come to believe that here in America we’re more civilized and things like this shouldn’t happen. But the truth is they do and they will continue for one thing which doesn’t change anywhere or at anytime is the fallen, corrupted nature of humanity.

It is as Paul wrote to the Romans:
As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one.
No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God.
All have turned away; all have become useless.
No one does good, not a single one.” (Ps. 14:1-3; 53:1-3)
“Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with lies.” (Ps. 5:9)
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”(Ps. 140:3)
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” (Ps. 10:7)
“They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follow them.
They don’t know where to find peace.” (Is. 59:7-8)
“They have no fear of God at all.”(Ps. 36:1)
(Romans 3:10-18; NLT)

Left without grace, all would end up like those Paul describes. Imagine a place filled only with those who are like the ones depicted in Romans 3 and you can understand why Hell is so hellish. Because some reject God’s grace we get a taste of Hell here on Earth. That’s why I’m not shocked by such atrocious deeds or when people act in hurtful ways.

I never cease to be amazed however, when I witness people acting in loving and grace-filled ways. For such acts go against human nature and reveal that God is alive and active in our world. I’m in awe of couples who stay married for decades. I marvel when people give sacrificially to benefit people they will never meet. I amazed by people who forgive others that have caused them great pain. I’m astonished by acts with kindness and gentleness. None of these things happen, whether they are simple or spectacular, apart from the grace of God. And that’s what makes them truly amazing.

TV worth watching

I received the following email and thought it was worth passing along.  Please do the same.

 

We continue to make incredible progress on our media/cultural initiative.  It is really important to have your engagement and help over the coming weeks as we are at a critical stage.  There has been compelling industry research indicating that:

1.    Kids and families are being negatively impacted by the oversaturation of sex, violence and poor language in prime-time entertainment.

2.    Moms are not satisfied with the viewing options for their families.

3.    Family brand advertising is being negatively impacted in adult oriented programming.  

This research is available upon request.
 
Walmart and P&G are leading an initiative to get more mass family programming into the market that moms and kids love.  It is a very expensive and complicated venture. The first movie airs during primetime on NBC (4/16).  This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to send a definitive message to the advertising industry who will be looking closely at these results.  Various commentators and writers are already publicly saying that there isn’t a mass audience for this kind of family programming.  We respectfully disagree and there are a couple of important things you can do to help this type of programming succeed:

1.    Vote with your remote by tuning in to the movie.

2.    Thank your local Walmart manager for participating in this type of project.

 

Link to the Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG5_bHsU9-k

Something Better than a Black Friday Bargain

It seems to get crazier every year.  Some stores opened at midnight on “Black Friday,” others at 4 or 5 a.m.  Wal Mart in some locations hired off-duty police officers for crowd control.  At least this year no one was trampled to death by a mob of people anxious to get their hands on the best bargains like what happened a year ago.  Of course, all the weekend after Thanksgiving sales, will be followed up with more enticing ads trying to convince us that blowing a wad of money proves how much we love someone.

Am I the only one who finds this to be a very strange way to celebrate the birth of one born in the most humble of conditions?  Jesus taught that “life does not consist of an abundance of positions,” yet many Americans have bought into the idea that the celebration of Christmas gives them permission to buy things they would never consider purchasing the remainder of the year.

Now I’m not suggesting that anyone should adopt the idea that Christmas gifts for others should not be bought as a sign of religious piety.  I am suggesting that we need to remember whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas.

For the past couple of years here in New Sharon, and prior to that at the church I served in Sumner, I have encouraged my congregations to participate in what we call our “Christmas Miracle Offering.”   The way the “Christmas Miracle Offering” works is simple.  For every dollar you spend buying a gift for someone, you give an equal dollar amount to Jesus.  In Matthew 25, Jesus teaches that what is done for the least of his brothers and sisters; the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, is done for him.  Here in New Sharon we have seen Jesus through the eyes of SWIM (Safe Water International Ministries).  SWIM provides safe drinking water and the living water of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Nicaragua and other underdeveloped countries.  Mahaska County’s own Greg and Vickie Stout provide the leadership and the hands on work for SWIM with the help of volunteers and one other full-time person in Nicaragua.  You can learn more about their ministry at their website, www.swimforhim.net.

Would you consider spending less on yourself and your family this Christmas so that a miracle can happen for someone else?  Regardless of what your favorite charity is, you can be assured that they could use your financial assistance.  A lot of people talk about keeping Christ in Christmas, by making helping to make miracles happen you can do more than just talk about it.

Really Freaked Out by Children Singing Obama's Praise

By now most everyone has seen or heard about the New Jersey school children singing praises to President Obama.  If you haven't here's one of several that are on-line.

This video freaks me out to the point I am about lost for words.  I remember growing up and seeing pictures of school children in communist countries singing songs to their leaders.  This is the stuff of dictatorships and atheistic tyrannts.  If these children were singing about Castro, or Stalin, or Saddam Hussien, I could see that happening.  I would expect nothing less from these types of dictators.  Yet here are American school children singing, "Mr. President, we honor you.  Mr. President, you're number one." 

Now I'm all for honoring our president regardless who it is.  But when little children who have no choice are coerced into singing about how great a man the president is goes way beyond honoring the office.

What is our nation coming to when children can sing songs to the president to the tune of "Jesus Love the Little Children," and can't sing the original words to that same song because it speaks of Jesus?  President Obama should speak out and say while he's honored by the gesture, we are one nation under God and not one nation under the president.  Of course, that's not going to happen so this attack upon the freedom of thought which is central to our country's way of life will go unchallenged by anyone in a position of authority.

Don't like the rules, then change them

Ever child learns that rules are designed to make a game fair and because of that you can't change the rules just because you're bigger or stronger.  It seems this is a lesson that the Massachusetts Democrats failed to learn.

In 2004, the rules in Massachusetts were that if one of the Senator's seats became vacant before the end of a term, the governor could appoint someone to fill that position.  John Kerry abandoned his Senatorial seat in order to run for president that year.  The Democrats who controlled the state legislature changed the rules so that rather than the governor appointing a replacement, a special election had to be held.  It just so happened in 2004 Massachusetts had a Republican governor and the Democrats were afraid he would name a Republican replacement.  So being bigger and stronger, the Democrats in the legislature changed the rules.

Fast forward to 2009.  Once again a Massachusetts Senate seat is open.  SURPRISE!!  The Democrats want to change the rules again because now there's a Democratic governor.  They now want the governor to have the power to appoint someone to the Senate position.  I have little doubt they will make this change.

Isn't it great to be bigger and stronger than your opponent, so you don't have to play by the rules and you can just make them up as you go along?  Is it any wonder that there is a growing lack of respect for authority and the rule of law in our land?  When those empowered to make the rules will change the rules whenever it is to their advantage the lesson is clear, playing by the rules is less important that getting whatever you want.

China's abortion practices and the USA

Albert Mohler, the president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary recently commented on the horrific practice of gender selection via abortion which is widely practiced in communist China.  It is a well established fact because of the atheist regime'sone child per family policy that millions of unborn Chinese girls have been killed in the womb.  Chinese culture puts a great emphasis on having a male heir.  With the advent of ultrasound machines, it has made it very simple for parents to determine the sex of their unborn child and if it is a girl to abort it.

Dr. Mohler concludes by saying this:  "Here we see abortion and totalitarianism hand in hand, resulting in the deaths of millions of baby girls and the abduction of at least thousands of young boys.  When human life is devalued and abortion is state policy, the Culture of Death is institutionalized.  When the "one child policy" and an ancient and ingrained preference for boys are combined, the womb becomes a deadly place to be a girl."

It's easy to look at what the Chinese are doing and condemn this inhuman practice.  But as Jesus said, don't worry about the speck in your neighbor's eye until you get the log out of your own.  So before we start pointing too many fingers at China, we'd better take a careful look at ourselves.  In America 80 - 90 percent of all Down Syndrome babies are not allowed to live. 

It has been my experience that children with Down Syndrome are among the happiest, friendliest people I have ever known.  Certainty raising a child with a disability is challenging in ways I cannot imagine and the child will never be able to live a "normal" life.  However, my life would be poorer had I not had the opportunity to know and love a number of Down Syndrome individuals.  My grandchildren likely will never get to have the joy of knowing anyone who faces incredible challenges with optimism and love, because in America the womb has become a deadly place for a Down Syndrome child.

The irony of the pro-choice movement part 2

I took Carlos & Wayne's advice and checked out what Adam Hamilton says about the Newsweek article on his blog.  I also read the chapter on abortion which has been posted.

I have to say, I find little in the chapter that I can take issue with.  My questions about how anyone can be pro-abortion remain.  Abortion stands in such stark contrast to the image of a life-giving God.  Hamilton affirms that belief, I believe conception is a miraculous event in which we have become cocreators with God, and is to be violated only under the most extreme of situations. (page 159)

There may be extreem situation such as when the mother's life is in danger that terminating the pregnancy is justified.  But note I use the word "mother" for that is who she is.  The child she carries is not just a fetus.  I've never heard a wanted child referred to a fetus.  Nor have I ever seen a woman wearing a shirt that said, "Fetus on board."  Whether an unborn child is wanted or not does not change his/her status as a human being.

Because I based part one of this post on misinterpreted information from what I thought was a reliable source, Newsweek, I have chosen to delete it.  I don't want to perpetuate the misinformation and would refer my readers to the book itself.  Thank you to Carlos and Wayne for pointing me in the right direction.

What's "Merry Christmas" have to do with Christ?

Every December the pundits get all worked up because this retailer or that one has banned the words "Merry Christmas" from their stores.  Personally, I'm all in favor of the ban, but not for the usual claim of tolerance.  I find it very difficult to see what bowing down to the gods of consumerism and indulgence have to with Jesus Christ. 

Look around any shopping mall and you'll observe those who are the modern day Magi who carry expensive, extravagant gifts.  However, rather than laying them before the King who rightly desires them, they're laid under an inverted artificial evergreen tree.  Given to those who already have more things than they possibly know what to do with. 

There may be no greater example of this than the International Star Registry.  For a mere $54 plus S&H, this firm will put your name or the name of someone you love in a book and denote that a certain star now has your name.  According the the company's website, over 1,000,000 people have taken advantage of their service.  I find their FAQ especially amusing.

Q: Am I buying the star?

A: No. We do not own the star, so we cannot sell it to you.  This is like adopting the star. This star is associated with that special someone. It is something you can point at to know that there is something special out there for you.

Q: Will the scientific community recognize my star name?

A: No. We are a private company that provides Gift Packages. Astronomers will not recognize your name because your name is published only in our Star catalog. We periodically print a book called Your Place in the Cosmos © which lists the stars that we have named.

  Q: Can I return the product?

A: Yes. If you are not completely satisfied, you may return your product for a full refund. We want you to appreciate our products and if you are not happy, then we are not happy.

     Just how does one go about returning a star?  Our society has become so overwhelmed with things, that some turn to the absurd in order to give a gift. 

You can call be a Scrooge, but when many people spend more on a single gift than all Jesus earned in his entire lifetime, I just don't think that makes Christ merry.  What does make Christ happy is when we provide for the least of his brothers and sisters.

High School Football Team Forced to Forfeit Championship Game

West High School was forced to forfeit its championship hopes when the entire team was put on suspension for violating the school's PDA (public display of affection) rules.  After a dramatic last second win over Lincoln High, the West HS players rushed the field and were observed hugging one another, giving high-fives and slapping each other on the behind.  Principal Weary said that the players had been warned after an similar incident earlier in the season that such behavior would not be tolerated.  The ruling has caused an uproar around the community.  Principle Weary told reporters, "This is an unfortunate incident, however the school handbook is clear that physical contact among students is strictly forbidden."  It states:  “Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved.”

The above scenario is entirely fiction except for the final sentence.  That sentence comes from the Mascoutah, Illinois school handbook and has resulted in Megan Culter serving two days of detention for putting her arm around the shoulder of two friends.  Read the entire story.

This is just another example of political correctness run amok.  There's no room for common sense in a PC world.  There is plenty of room for hypocrisy however.

The Thrill of the Chaste

Mary Jacobs of UM Reporter conducted an interview with Dawn Eden about her new book, The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On.  What really struck me was what Eden had to say about why culture promotes promiscuity.

And in our consumer culture, making women lonely is what sells. You don't see a married woman with kids blowing her Christmas bonus in the shoe department at Macy's. Advertisers have a vested interest in keeping women single and lonely, because they're the ones that buy impulse purchases.

Eden points out that contrary to what the sexual/feminist revolution tried to pass off as the way to liberation and self-fulfillment, casual sexual encounters have left in their wake broken hearts and broken homes.  And as hard as it is to imagine, broken hearts and homes are good for business.  For where do people turn when they discover that the promises of the sexual/feminist revolution are lies; consumerism.  I'm amazed that I haven't heard anyone say anything like this before.  It's the old adage of detective work, "Follow the money."

Chasity, according to Eden, is the new revolutionary thing to do.  But it will be a hard sell.  It is an accepted "fact" that all normal adults will engage in sexual relationships regardless of their marital status.  Perhaps if enough individuals like Eden come to realize that the "liberated" lifestyle is really a path to loneliness and brokenheartedness this new revolution will take root and set people free.