God is Going to @#*%+$

John Piper is one of the people who teaches me much. I listen to his sermons on line, I read his books, and I go to his conferences. Recently, he apologized for using the a word sometimes used to refer to "a donkey" in a session of a conference. To read his apology and explanation, look here.

My question: What do you think? You know, pastors talk and teach and preach a lot. What language is out of bounds? When? Can you use the same terms in a pulpit as in a classroom? around a dining room table?

What is a bad word? What makes some words rude and others just edgy?

Thoughts?

ironic, but true

Bad Bad Barbara Boxer

Okay, Barbara Boxer, the Senator from the great state of California, pointed out with all the tact of Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnel, that Condi Rice has no children. Therefore, she implied that she is not qualified to advice the president on issues of war.

Really, Barbie? Senate democrats (not all democrats) generally make the meanest comments of anyone I hear of in public --I mean that too. I can't think of anyone who is consistently more insulting, less polite, than senate democrats (as a group, I'm sure there are exceptions).

However, instead of just calling Barbie names, let's examine this intellectually. What Boxer is saying is that because of being single and having no children, all the experience and education of Rice is useless. Perhaps what she also implying is that Rice is a shallow person, who would change what she recommends if she had children in the service. If so, that is, obviously insulting.

So, then, when Bill Clinton used the military, knowing he only had a civilian daugther to worry about, he was likewise disqualified?

Reality: people from military families in great majority support the war anyway (like me, and my brother is a Marine). So, odds are, if Condi had a kid in the service, there's a 70's chance she'd support the action of the president, just by chance. Add to that, she has been in on it from the beginning.

I'd rather give her some credit. I say she makes recommendations according to what she thinks is right, not personal cost. As for Boxer? I'm not so sure. Normally, people accuse other people of the things they themselves are guilty of. But, who can say. What I know for sure: Condi has class. Boxer?

post script, true to form, Boxer's office stands by her comments. So does Rosie O'donnel.

Can We Love Across Cultural War Zones?

Do you see this woman and her very cute baby? She is worried that evangelicals won't want to see her documentary because of who she is.

She doesn't claim to be an evangelical Christian. But she does seem to be sympathetic to them. Note this quote:

“I believe in the culture war,” she said. “And you know what? If I have to take a side in the culture war I’ll take their side,” meaning the Christian conservatives. “Because if you give me the choice of Paris Hilton or Jesus, I’ll take Jesus.” (NYT online)

Her name is Alexandra Pelosi. Her mother is the speaker of the house. Ironically, in her movie that tours many famous Christians across the country (not always the best of Christians, but at least famous), her main tour guide was Ted Haggard, who, subsequently was removed from his job for drugs and sexual indiscretion. What to make of that? I don' t know.

But my question is this: in our increasingly polarized culture wars, as Christians, how can we hold to strong opinions, and still express love for people who don't hold our strong opinions, or worse, hate us for them?

In our day and age, to disagree with someone is to be an enemy, unfortunately. Everyone says that they can separate people from ideas, but very few people actually do it. Christians, though, are commanded to love and not return evil for evil to anyone. Often Christians are viciously attacked by critics, and most of the time unfairly. However, very often Christians fight back with cruelty and venom all their own.

I know you might not believe this, but, at this time in my life, and really for at least the last 10 years, I have not met, nor do I know anyone that I don't like. I know this is odd, because people who know me will say that I am opinionated and vocal (at times this is a strength, at times a fault). Vocal people can be, let's say, not everyone's favorite guy. But I find it very easy to like people, no matter who they are or how they behave. For this reason, I often find myself liking people who don't believe me when I say I like them.

I think that's how this Alexandra Pelosi feels. She is not an evangelical Christian, but she likes us. I resonate with that emotion. She is not trying to tear down, but to build bridges, relationally. I think I'll see her movie.

any thoughts on this somewhat rambling post?

"Oww. I feel Tall. or Short...."

Okay, I'm not kidding here. An old man in Alabama shot another old man in Alabama twice in the stomach. The two were supposedely friends. There was an argument over how tall James Brown, who is dead, used to be.

They couldn't agree. James Brown, it is reported, wore lifts in his shoes. How tall is he? I don't know. Do you? Is it worth shooting someone over?

Why did one man really shoot his friend? As human beings, we just hate it when people tell us we're wrong, I suppose.

Thoughts?

The Race Is On

The President made his speech, outlined his plan. Is it a good one? Not to the democrats in the congress. Of course, they already said it was bad, even before he described it.


Truth: The democrats in congress see themselves as having moved public opinion away from the war. They see the president as unpopular on this issue. Therefore, it doesn't matter what he does, they have their foot on his neck and they plan on crushing him.


Truth: The democrats are not concerned about Iraqi people (although they love say, "We have killed 100,000 Iraqi civilians"), a catch phrase since the beginning. Funny, all the Iraqi people think they are better off than under Saddam, but what do they know? The million of them that he killed, the rape rooms, the poverty, the oppression ---what's the big deal? At least there were no American troops roaming around Saddam's palaces. The peons never know what's best for them. The Dems of congress are like the pigs in Animal Farm. They are arrogant and elitist.

Of course, there are enough Spineless Republicans in Congress that they don't have to worry about much of a fight. The Dems in Congress and the Spineless Republicans like to see which way the wind blows, then say what they want. They vote "against the war before they vote for it." Then after they vote for it, they do all they can to lose it, and run against it in elections.


Of course, what is missed in all this, is the brilliance of a plan to bring democracy to the Middle East ("Idiot. Everybody knows that Iraq is failed" --oh really? It seems the ones who say so are the ones who want to crush Bush. I don't believe Iraq is failed, but it can fail, if we won't get behind. Imagine what would be happening if there was unity).


The Army and Marines on the ground know the truth and are willing to tell it to all who listen. The News Media votes 85% liberal. What does that tell you? It tells you that the people telling the story hate Bush.

Very few people take the time to think for themselves in this world. The obvious hypocrisy of the Dems in congress goes un-noticed by most. Kerry said we should get rid of Saddam by force. So did Clinton. Does that matter? no. That was before Bush came along.

I just don't have the energy to act like there is sincerity among the likes of people like Pelosi, Reid, Kerry, Kennedy, et al. It's an emperor's-new-clothes situation. let the masses drink the cool-aid. not me.

Bush wants to win in Iraq. We can win in Iraq. (indeed, in large part we already have, since Saddam is gone). Whether we win is not a matter of ability. It is a matter of the will.

I owe it to the soldiers in my family (0ne of which has already spent a term in the desert) and the soldiers I know and love, to believe them over Harry-anything-Bush-does-is-wrong Reid. Also, history and common sense come into play. The Iraq Study Group's conclusion? Quit and run. Bush's Solution? Roll up our sleeves, work with the Iraqi government, and make this thing work, no matter how long it takes. The Dems in Congress and the Spineless Republicans solution? "What gets me the most votes? I stand for that"

Call me what you want, but I know charlatans when I see them.

Awful Americans (If They Are Americans)

The New York Times is posting a story today on line, from which I pulled the following headline and first lines:

Democrats Plan Symbolic Votes Against Iraq Plan
By JEFF ZELENY and CARL HULSE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 — Democratic leaders said Tuesday that they intended to hold symbolic votes in the House and Senate on President Bush’s plan to send more troops to Baghdad, forcing Republicans to take a stand on the proposal and seeking to isolate the president politically over his handling of the war.

THE DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS WHO ARE DOING THIS ARE NOT GOOD AMERICANS. WE HAVE SOLDIERS IN THE FIELD AND A NATION TRYING TO WIN A WAR AGAINST TERROR, AND A WAR TO FREE IRAQ AND CHANGE THE MIDDLE EAST, AND THESE PEOPLE ARE PROTESTING A PLAN IN ADVANCE THAT THEY HAVE NOT EVEN HEARD.

The time for good people to be silent is over. We must call this what it is: Betrayal. These people hate Bush and they let that hate get in the way of being American. Why not say, before the speech, "We plan on pulling together, and attempting to work with the president for a successful outcome to this situation." Why not? Because they don't want success in Iraq unless they can take credit for it themselves. Bush's public image is more important to the Democrats than is Iraq. And the American populace, at large, will follow the NYT, the Congress, and anyone else who tells them what to think.

That's why it is time to speak truth. This is not about Bush, this is not about Repulican or Democratic control, this is about freedom and it's cost. Democrats in Congress who are protesting the President's plan before he's even announced it: Shame on you all. You are shills.

Global Warming Over For Western PA

It was nice while it lasted. IN the 20's this morning. Oh, give me that old global warming!

The Sad Apostacy Continues

Although they certainly don't represent Rome or the Vatican, nevertheless, the archdiocese of Los Angeles is publicly proclaiming solidarity with Gay and Lesbian Catholics, and using the ancient symbol of the fish to do so.

To love the Gay and Lesbian community in the name of Christ is the right thing to do. To endorse sexual sin, including homosexual sex, is evil. The church must stand and declare that sexual holiness means sex is only allowed within the context of marriage between a man and a woman. This is the truth from God. Any who claim to be church leaders who deny this and advocate sin, are not serving God but opposing Him.

For more info: http://www.archdiocese.la/ministry/mlgc/index.php

Still Like Troy Smith

Ohio State lost. I'm happy about that. However, I still think Troy Smith deserved the Heisman trophy. I also think that Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr. are the models for all young football players. They have class, character, and, I predict, they will not hang their heads long. They will be a good example to all watching at how to lose with grace. In an error where Terrell Owens and his whining dominate the sports media, I am glad for Ohio State's super duo of Smith and Ginn. My hat's off to them, and offer congratulations on a good regular season and great college careers.