According to This Jim

Links of the Day

2011-03-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

This is a heartbreaking story. For anyone who has been a parent you have to know the pain that Ms. Granju is experiencing. Make sure and read the first post and then all of the subsequent posts. I found them all to be quite compelling.

I am always looking for good articles to read on relationships and these two caught my attention (see here and here). I have been a fan of Dennis Prager since my days listening to him on KABC Radio in Los Angeles back in the early 80s. I believe he is on the mark with his assessment about what (most) men and women want from their relationships. Read both articles and tell me what you think?

This is a great article on ways to save money. It has been my observation that people with money are generally that way because they practice good money management. Number 21 in the article is an issue for me that I am trying to work on, but with a busy life and two older daughters at home with busy lives of their own, I find myself quite often eating alone. It's no fun cooking for one.

Links of the Day

2011-03-04T08:04:00.001-08:00

This commentary on the battle over collective-bargaining rights for public sector Unions makes some very good points that may be missed because of all the rhetoric.

First, there is a major difference between private sector unions and those in the public sector.

Public employee unions are unlike private sector unions. In the private sector some of the interests of employees and employers aren't aligned. Employers want to keep costs low; but employees want to maximize their pay and benefits, thus raising costs to employers. In order to strengthen their hand, employees unite to collectively bargain over wages and benefits.

Now consider the case of public sector unions. Public sector employees want to maximize their wages and benefits, too. But unlike their private sector counterparts, they have a very big role to play in choosing the employers on the other side of the negotiating table. They do this by taking funds earned through collective bargaining and sending them right back to the people they bargain with in the form of political contributions. If that sounds like a rigged system; well, that's because it is.

Second, there is a reason that labor leaders and politicians from both parties in the past opposed collective- bargaining for public employees. They saw the inherent conflict of interest that it created.

Third, it is the system that is "rotten" not the employees. Most public servants (yours truly included) are wonderful people that do take pride in their public service. However, the system has created an us verses them mentality that has become very counterproductive. There is also a great deal at stake for those in union leadership. The union movement (especially public sector unions) have ironically become big business, as this article makes clear.

Finally, something has to give, we cannot continue on as we are. Painful decisions are going to have to be made, sacrifice is needed by all, not just public employees, but benefit recipients, politicians, corporations and even taxpayers.

Speaking of sacrifice, here is a good place to start. That $430 million could be used to get the ball rolling...

Who is surprised by this?

Even still, it’s enough for the government watchdog to warn that Medicare suffers from “pervasive internal control deficiencies.” Consequently, the GAO has dubbed Medicare a “high risk” program “because its complexity and susceptibility to improper payments, combined with its size, have led to serious management challenges.”

I am sure you can't wait for all of those "cost savings" when ObamaCare takes effect! (sarcasm alert)

This is no contest. I love this line: "Allowing individuals the chance to better their condition is a legitimate moral claim that citizens demand of government. Government’s goal should be to ensure equality of opportunity instead of equality of outcome; to work toward a society where everyone has a fair shot rather than one where government enforces equality." Amen!

Speaking of no contest...I always appreciate a good smackdown of Paul Krugman. For those who do not know, Krugman is a Nobel winning N.Y. Times Columnist/Economist. He has increasingly become shrill in his columns as it has become apparent that his beloved Keynesian model of economics is unworkable. Interestingly enough, Krugman believes that the reason the Obama stimulus didn't work is because it wasn't big enough!

Links of the Day

2011-03-03T00:17:00.000-08:00

It's all about the narrative. My liberal friends scoff at the idea of media bias...but it is there in plain sight if you just look, but alas, you can't see what you don't want to see. My friend Nick posted some Pew research poll (I think that is what it was) claiming that there is no media bias. However, as I always like to point out, the media demonstrates their bias not only in what they do say and show, but also in what they DO NOT say and show, as is the case here.

Here's a good link on the benefits of tax competition between states...make sure and watch the video.

Compare that with this article by Michael Kinsley. I am a big believer in the concept of incentives...but when government gets involved there is always the danger that a tax credit aimed at a specific industry can develop into crony capitalism and lead to corruption.

As I have grown older, I have become more and more libertarian in my political philosophy. I believe that freedom to live our lives as we see fit is our fundamental right and anytime the government seeks to infringe on that right we are all in danger. I want the government to do what it was established to do and otherwise stay out of my life! I agree with this decision, as painful as it is for that soldiers family. If one individual loses their right to say what they want to, then we are all in danger of losing that right. Let me be clear, I DESPISE the people of Westboro Baptist Church. They are legalistic, hypocrites who have no idea what it means to be Christian. They are like the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus rebuked in Matthew 23. Ironically, while they condemn individuals to hell, they themselves are on straight path to that location!

As I stated above, I have become much more libertarian in my political views. There are however, a few reasons why I have not been able to go all the way as a Libertarian. One of those issues has to do with the so called war on drugs. As a Pastor, I have seen the great damage that illegal drugs like meth and crack have had on individuals and families. It is a devastating thing to know someone that is addicted and to witness the pain that it causes. Having said that, I think that there are also some very good arguments for legalizing drugs as well. Watch the video at the link and tell me what you think?

What does this say about our country?

How's that hope and change working out for you?

Links of the Day

2011-03-02T00:24:00.000-08:00

I have been very neglectful in posting lately but I have been rather busy with my new job, school, parenting and life in general. I have several longer posts I have been working on, and hope to have them out soon…until then I thought I would start sharing some of my favorite articles from my internet reading during the day. So here are the links of the day.

With all the focus on Wisconsin and the battle over collective bargaining for government workers, here’s a good primer on government unions.

The GAO released a report on government waste. One section that caught my attention reads:

The report touches agencies and programs across the federal government, from the Transportation Security Agency to homeless programs and domestic food assistance, and what emerges is a kind of bureaucratic morass where sometimes enough is not even known about federal programs to provide an accurate evaluation.

I always thought it was odd that instead of concentrating homeless services in one agency (HUD for example), they are are spread across several agencies that do not work together or even have the same information management systems.

Here's a good article discussing the law of unintended consequences with regard to government regulation. When it comes to government regulatory legislation there is almost always unintended consequences. I believe some regulation is necessary, but over reaction to problems in the market place is not usually the right response.

For those who don't think the "rich" pay their fair share of taxes here is a interesting read.

This article made me laugh! Those Wisconsin legislators that are on the run and hiding out (fondly referred to here as "Flee Baggers") are being hunted down by some very resourceful Tea Party members in the state of Illinois.

It seems the religious right and the religious left want to claim Jesus for their side!

I always am interested in reading insightful articles on relationships. This paragraph caught my attention (mature content warning).

Far worse in the bait and switch category is women’s stated preference for nice guys and actual attraction to bad boys. Now, clearly this is not true for all women. Many, maybe even most, want a guy with the sweetness of a Jimmy Stewart and sensitivity of Ashley Wilkes. But enough of them are partial to the Charlie Sheens of this world that one popular dating guru, David DeAngleo, lists “Being Too Much of a Nice Guy” as No. 1 in his “Ten Most Dangerous Mistakes Men Make With Women.”

I do wonder sometimes if being a "nice guy" is worth it...it sure seems to be a hindrance to finding a good relationship. It has been my experience that women take your "nice guyness" as a sign of weakness and assume you are a door mat..Just Sayin...

One of the biggest lies in the media is that the Republicans are the party of the rich. When you look at how many Wall Street firms and wealthy, well connected individuals supported Obama and the Dems you will see that this is not true. They have their own share of fatcats.

Romantic Comedy Top-Ten List

2011-02-14T19:06:00.000-08:00

I spent the weekend rewatching numerous romantic comedies so that I could compile a list of my favorites. Other than giving me something to write about, I thought it also might help me get into the Valentines Day spirit. WRONG! Mostly what it did is remind my of how pathetic my love life is. Nevertheless, I pushed through the pathetic state of being to create this list of my favorite romantic comedies. As a disclaimer I want to state that this is not a list of my favorite romantic movies, but only of what some call RomComs. For example, not on the list are some of my favorites like the Notebook, Casablanca, Ghost and Dirty Dancing just to name a few. So given that proviso, here is a list of my Top-Ten favorite romantic comedies in reverse order.

#10 - Hitch

Why I love this movie? Because the good guy gets the girl! It doesn't always work this way in real life...most women seem to like the "bad-boys"...but the Kevin James character is not a bad boy...he is a very nice, down to earth guy...and he gets the girl! Plus, where else can you learn about the 90% rule?

I'm still waiting to have that last first kiss!

#9 - Sweet Home Alabama

Why I love this movie? Two words...Reese Witherspoon! Seriously though, I think it has to do with the whole idea about young love and lightening striking twice and all that!

One of the great things about having someone special in your life is knowing that you have someone to kiss anytime you want! You cannot under estimate that blessing!

#8 Return to Me

Why I love this movie? This movie has such a sweet spirit about it. David Duchovny and Minnie Driver are very understated in their chemistry together, but it some how works! Plus it has Jim Belushi and Bonnie Hunt (I love Bonnie Hunt...she is a-dor-a-ble)! The rest of the supporting cast is a hoot!

Two people being drawn together by a heart-connection (literally). Who doesn't want to have a truly heart to heart relationship?

#7 - Serendipity

Why I love this movie? The whole idea of fate bringing two people together, has always fascinated me. I have always thought I might find someone through a "meet cute" experience. Additionally, the movie has a great cast with John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Jeremy Piven, Molly Shannon and Eugene Levy.

I am enough of a romantic to believe that there is someone out there I am meant to be with!

#6 - Groundhog Day

Why I love this movie? I love the way the movie shows us how the Bill Murray character goes through the experience of reliving his day over and over again. First, he doubts, then he manipulates and then he despairs, before he finally decides to change. Maybe I am naive but I have always believed that if you are the right kind of person, you would be attractive to the right kind of person. Phil Connors starts out as a selfish person, unlovable and mean spirited, but through the process of time he becomes caring and lovable. It gives us all hope that we can become a better person. In an unintended way I think it illustrates what Paul wrote about love in 1 Corinthians 13.

#5 - Sleepless in Seattle

Why I love this movie? Again, the movie deals with themes of destiny and fate in love. But more importantly, it deals with the idea of having a "magical" relationship with someone. No relationship is perfect, but I know that I want something that sparks and sizzles but is also deep and intimate. I also love the story line dealing with the Hanks character getting back "out there" after a long time away from dating. I certainly identify with that part of the movie. The other great thing about this film is the soundtrack. In fact, many of the films on my top-ten list include some great songs. The scene where Hanks calls the woman for a date and Gene Autry's "Back in the Saddle Again" is playing in the background is hilarious.

I can't offer much when it comes to pecs and a cute butt, but I do know what tiramisu is!

#4 - The Princess Bride

Why I love this movie? TRUE LOVE! Need I say more? This movie is just so much fun. There are so many great lines and it is truly a classic.

I'm still looking for my Buttercup! As you wish!

#3 - You've Got Mail

Why I love this movie? It's all about the chemistry between Hanks and Ryan...Meg is at her most scrumptiousness in this movie! And what man doesn't want to hear his love say, "I wanted it to be you, I wanted it to be you so badly?" Again, the soundtrack is really good. I am sorry that youtube wouldn't let me embed the video so you will have to click on the link to view this clip...but trust me it is worth it. (don't forget to come back)!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPA8v06EsIY

"Don't cry...Shopgirl, don't cry!"

#2 - When Harry Met Sally

Why I love this movie? There is so much I love about this movie, but I think that for me it makes the point that in the strongest relationships, men and women must be friends first. Billy Crystal's speech at the end is wonderful..."when you realize that you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible!"

Enough said...

#1 - The Family Man

Why I love this movie? I think it has to do with the idea that decisions alter our fate in ways we don't always understand. At the very beginning of the movie the Nicolas Cage character (Jack) is at the airport getting ready to leave for Europe and a job in big finance. The Tea` Leoni character (Kate) begs him not to go and she gives this speech about "choosing us." Jack goes and ends up with a big time Wall Street job with lots of money and power. Yet because of that decision, he loses his relationship with her and lives a loveless life. But due to an act of intervention, he is given a glimpse into what his life would have been like had he stayed. In the process he learns what is really important in life and that family is much more to be desired than wealth and power. He also learns how much he really loves Kate.

"Then I'll just fill yours up to the top!"

So this is my top-ten, what's yours?

The Homeless Census

2011-01-30T23:55:00.000-08:00

On any given night, America has more than 650,000 homeless people. During the course of a year, 1.6 million Americans will experience at least one episode of homelessness. We know these statistics because every two years the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires communities across the country to set aside a 24-hour period within the last 10 days of January to count the homeless.

The biennial Homeless Census is a point-in-time count that gives our community a snapshot of homelessness in our area. On January 26th and 27th, the Homeless Collaborative set out to count the homeless in Kern County. Over 180 volunteers from 40 different agencies were dispatched throughout the County's 8200 square miles to accomplish the task. Beginning with the shelter count on Wednesday night, teams of volunteers continued the next morning looking for individuals and families who spent the previous night on the street, or in a car, or in a park, or in an abandoned building or in any other place not meant for human habitation.

So why do we go to all this effort? For a number of reasons.

It helps us to determine the extent of homelessness in our community
It helps us to gather important demographic information regarding the homeless (how many women are homeless? Children? How many homeless Veterans do we have? etc.)
It provides an opportunity for direct contact with this segment of the population
It helps us to track trends and strategically plan to target specific services and housing opportunities for the homeless
It positions us to apply for as much as $3.5 million annually in federal funding to provide new transitional and permanent supportive housing projects.

What will our homeless count tell us this time? We should find out in about 30 days. We do know through other data-collection methods, that during the course of a year more than 3,000 individuals receive services in Kern County because they are homeless. In the 2009 count, there were about 1,500 homeless individuals in Kern County, 56 percent of which, or 832 individuals, were unsheltered -- a 15 percent increase over 2007. Will we have an increase in 2011? It is hard to say, but we suspect the number may be up due to the poor economy.

No matter what our census tells us, there will always be those who were not counted but they exist on the edge of homelessness.

They are either doubled up or "couch surfing" with friends and relatives, or paying extremely high proportions of their limited resources for rent or motels just to have a roof over their head and a bed in which to sleep. Many are facing homelessness because of the effects of the foreclosure crisis and high unemployment rates in Kern County. Because of their current circumstances, these people are at imminent risk of homelessness.

I do know one thing, the agencies represented by the Kern County Homeless Collaborative do an amazing job working to address the issues involved. I am so thankful that I am able to work alongside so many wonderful caring people. I will post the results of the census as they become available.

Meanwhile, please take the time to read the articles and view the videos from the Census I have posted below.

The Bakersfield Californian article is here.

A story from channel 17 recorded during the shelter count is here.

And here's a story from channel 23 recorded during the unsheltered count.

And finally, here is an editorial from the Californian.

Saving My Life

2011-01-30T23:13:00.000-08:00

Growing up I never had an issue with my weight. In fact, I was always on the smallish-side in school. I used to HATE class pictures because I was one of the boys that would get put in the front row. In high school I wrestled at 102 lbs my freshman year, and 115 lbs as a Sophomore. In the summer between my sophomore and junior years I started working at Miner's Drive-In, and over the next few years I did gain about 25 lbs (free Miner Burgers, what can I say?). Still, my weight was normal for my age and height (I am currently 5'7"...and yes I seem to have actually shrunk an inch-and-a-half since high school!). Even when I went off to college, my weight was still where it was supposed to be. So what went wrong? When did the weight gain begin? One word: Marriage!

Now, I am NOT blaming my marriage for my weight gain, I am only saying that it is when my issues and struggles with my weight really began. Due to some very poor choices while at Bible College, of all places, (and that is a whole other blog post), I found myself newly married living in Anaheim, California working a swing shift job at Kwikset Lockset Co., trying to figure out how I was going to support my new bride and a baby on the way!

I have always tended to be an owl when it comes to my sleeping habits. So working swing-shift suited me fine, but it was also detrimental to me because I tended to eat late at night when I came home from work. Before marriage, I had been much more active and so my late night trips to Jack-in-the Box didn't seem to have such an affect on my weight. But now, domesticity kicked in and I became much more sedentary in my life. Not having a means to burn off those Jumbo Jacks really caused me problems. The weight began to accumulate.

Throughout my twenties I continued to add the pounds but it never seemed to be out of control to me, since I never went over 210 lbs...(still weigh too much though - pun intended!). In my mid-thirties, I really began to have issues as I became the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church. This meant a great deal of time sitting at a desk, and it really had an impact on my weight. The lack of exercise and the slowing of my metabolism (as is normal at that age) caused my weight to go from about 210lbs all the way up to 284lbs at my heaviest. In addition to my lack of exercise and poor diet, I became a stress relief eater. Pastoring a church is no easy task, and I would love to eat when I was stressed...it made me feel better! Here is a picture of me at about 270lbs from 2006.

Yeah, I know!!!!!

The funny thing is that I never really worried about my weight and it never really bothered me! I liked myself for the most part, and the only reason I would ever think of going on a diet is because my family worried about me. Prior to 2006 I was in decent health and my vitals were always in the normal range. However, in 2006 I started showing signs that things were not okay. My blood pressure was rising to above normal levels and my cholesterol was pushing 300. In addition, I was showing signs of being pre-diabetic. To make things worse I was having severe heart palpitations and my Doctor told me my heart was slightly enlarged. YIKES. The palpitations were so bad that I lay in bed at night wondering if I would wake up the next morning. I privately shared with a friend that I didn't know if I would be alive in a few years. It scared me! My son Andrew was just graduating from college and was planning to be married the next year, I privately worried whether I would get to see his wedding day. The heart doctor told me that the only way I could stay alive was to lose the weight. My ex-wife and doctor encouraged me to consider gastric bypass surgery but I really didn't want to have surgery. So I made the decision to lose the weight on my own, the old fashioned way!

As I look back on the timing of that decision, I realize that it was providential. Shortly after I started to lose the weight, my ex-wife informed me that she wanted a divorce. The divorce was not the catalyst for the weight loss (I had already started) but it certainly served as a motivating factor to continue. As a stress relief eater, this was a very difficult time for me. Fortunately, I was able to find other outlets as a means of relieving my stress, primarily walking. I walked every where I went. Wasco is a small town laid out in a square. There is nothing in town that isn't within three miles, so I developed several routes and walked them religiously EVERY day. If I needed something from the store, I walked. If I wanted to rent a video, I walked. I walked to church, to the post office, to pay my water bill at city hall...I walked everywhere. In an 18 month period I never missed a day walking. I tried to walk for about an hour each day (I could do three miles in about 50 minutes which is a pretty good pace). There were several times when I found myself walking well past midnight. I would go to bed without walking that day and then find I couldn't sleep. I would toss and turn and feel guilty for not walking, so in order to get some rest, I would go out and walk!

I also did a great deal of reading about the science of weight loss, trying to understand what really worked and what didn't. After a lot of research, and knowing what worked for me in the past, I decided to focus on three things. I call them the three "s"s. Since many of you have asked, I wilI share them with you.

The first "s" is for small. Throughout my weight loss I carefully watched my portion sizes. When I went out to eat, I automatically asked for a to go container and I cut my meal in half. One bonus to doing this is you get a great lunch for the next day.

The second "s" is for smart. I was very careful about not only how much I ate but also what I ate. I am a big proponent of the research behind the glycemic index. I actually cut out almost anything white (refined carbs) from my diet. That meant no sugar, flour, rice, potatoes, pastas, tortillas or bread. You know, all the good stuff! I ate a lot of protein and fat (yes there are good fats). While this made for some challenges in meal preparation I did learn to be creative. If you think about it, almost every meal has some kind of side that goes with it. Most sides are carb heavy. One advantage to limiting carbohydrates is that it helps with hunger cravings. I found that by limiting my carb intake it helped me not to feel hungry even though I was cutting my portion sizes.

The third "s" is for sweat. As I mentioned earlier, I walked everywhere. My exercise routine was nothing too fancy...I did do some cardio (mostly running) but I just basically focused on staying active.

It did not come easy nor happen quickly but over the course of 18 months I lost 115 pounds (from 284 to 169). I actually hadn't been in the 160s since college so it was a great thrill when the scale said 169. Once I reached that weight, everyone told me that was too low. I didn't like the way I looked at that weight, but still, I was excited about reaching that goal. Eventually, I settled in at a more comfortable weight. Here's a picture of me at my thinnest.

Since that time it has been an ongoing battle to maintain my weight loss (it was a lot easier to lose it than it has been to keep it off). I know that I will struggle to stay at a healthy weight for the rest of my life. Still, I am thankful for what I went through back in 2006 because it probably saved my life!

Thanks for reading, I hope this has been an encouragement to you.
Jim

Social Ministry and the Local Church Pt. 4

2011-01-30T17:45:00.000-08:00

Public and Private Partnerships

In my final post on social ministry and the church I want to talk about public private partnerships in social work, specifically faith based agencies working in partnership with the government to help provide the safety net in our Country. For my previous posts on this issue see here, here, and here.

Before the mid 1990’s there was a real hesitancy among both the Christian community and the government to work together to help the poor and needy. Most concerns were over the so called issue of church/state separation. Unfortunately, this led to too many people falling through the cracks in the system. But things began to change, first with passage of the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 and then second, with the establishment of the White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives early in the Bush Administration. Much of the literature on public/private partnerships focus on these two important events.

Charitable Choice. According to Donaldson and Carlson-Thies, welfare reform did three things. It shifted the focus of administrating welfare monies to state and local authorities. No longer would the Federal Government decide what the local welfare needs of a given area were, instead that would be up to those who were closer to the actual needs. Second, the welfare emphasis changed from writing checks to helping people become more self-supportive. Third, the government was encouraged to form partnerships with private charities and businesses. The section on private public partnerships became known as “Charitable Choice” (Donaldson & Carlson-Thies, 2003, 44-45).

Dr. Amy Sherman, one of the leading experts in the field of Charitable Choice testified before a congressional subcommittee in 2001 about the effects of this program. This is part of what she said:

Charitable Choice aims to create a level playing field between secular and religious service providers competing for public funding and was designed in part to facilitate increased government-faith collaboration without compromising the religious character of the service providers or abridging the civil liberties of clients. Based on my study of charitable choice implementation in the nine states, I concluded that charitable choice is accomplishing those aims:

First, it has made church-state collaboration plausible to public officials and religious leaders. Charitable choice has served as a "green light" to public officials who now feel more comfortable reaching out to the faith sector because "Washington has given its blessing" to such collaboration. Meanwhile, religious leaders who mistakenly believed that the principle of separation of church and state made financial collaboration improper have discovered within charitable choice a formal approval of such collaboration.

Second, interviews with faith and government representatives working collaboratively indicated that religious groups accepting government funding do not have to sell their souls, and clients' civil rights are being respected. The study uncovered almost no examples of faith-based organizations (FBOs) that felt their religious expression had been "squelched" in their collaborative relationship with government. Also, out of the thousands of service recipients engaged in programs offered by FBOs collaborating with government, interviewees reported only two complaints by clients who felt uncomfortable with the religious organization from which they received help. In both cases -- in accordance with the charitable choice guidelines -- the clients simply opted out of the faith-based program and enrolled in a similar program operated by a secular provider.

Third, Charitable Choice is stimulating new partnerships. Over half of the FBOs currently receiving government funding to underwrite new initiatives to serve the poor in the nine states I examined had no previous history of government contracting. Thus, the traditional social services network is being broadened with the inclusion of "new players." Moreover, and importantly, these new players are doing new things. That is, in their collaboration with government, churches and FBOs are offering low-income citizens services they had not previously offered. In most instances, these religious groups have shifted from merely providing commodities to the poor (e.g., used clothing or free groceries) to working with struggling individuals intensively, face-to-face, through mentoring and job training programs.

The bottom line, in terms of the news from the front lines of the implementation of charitable choice is simply this: so far, so good. (Sherman, 2001, 1)

The Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. While Charitable Choice opened the door to public / private cooperation in meeting the needs of the poor, the door did not open very wide. There was still a great deal of suspicion about religious groups on the part of government authorities and many were hesitant to actually give grants to private groups. According to Donaldson & Carlson-Thies, there was an unlevel playing field created by many agencies that required faith-based groups to jump through extra hoops. In fact, fifteen distinct barriers or obstacles were identified that prohibited many FBOs from getting federal help (Donaldson & Carlson-Thies, 2003, 66).

This is where the Faith-Based Initiative (FBI) comes in. President Bush created the FBI so that there could be a level playing field for faith-based groups. He has issued several executive orders that require the various governmental departments to support and enlist FBOs. Because of this opportunity, Donaldson and Carlson-Thies, challenge Christians to think of government as an ally and a partner in the area welfare and social services, because government cannot do it all. “While a church or a parachurch ministry may be able to provide some of the help needed, it is unlikely that any single organization can provide all the help that ought to be available" (Donaldson & Carlson-Thies, 2003, 25).

It has been my experience in the last three years working in the field of homelessness that both Charitable Choice and the Faith-Based Initiative have been major successes. In fact, we could not do what we do for the homeless in Kern County if it were not for this partnership.

Take for example, our recent Homeless Census. The census is something that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires of every jurisdiction receiving federal homeless funds. We could not have accomplished this very large undertaking without the help of private faith-based and secular organizations. For example, our headquarters this time was located at the Bakersfield Rescue Mission, a faith-based organization. Leaders and volunteers from the several other faith-based agencies and churches participated as well, including Catholic Charities, Nehemiah Ministries, the Salvation Army, and Flood Ministries to name a few.

In our local Continuum of Care (CoC), the HUD recognized network of organizations that participate in the planning and development of homeless housing and services, participation of faith-based agencies is critical. In fact, this year our Chair and Vice-chair are both from faith-based agencies. This would not have been the case a decade ago. Not only because they would not have been invited, but also because they would not have wanted to participate.

Over the last decade there is ample evidence that the government is willing to partner with churches and other faith-based organizations to help meet the needs of the poor. Through Charitable Choice and the Faith-Based Initiative, provisions have been made so that this partnership can be accomplished, and where it has been studied, this partnership has proven to be a success.

The question that remains is whether the Christian community will rise to the occasion and do their part to continue this partnership. I sincerely hope they do.

A New Sermon Series

2011-01-22T23:30:00.000-08:00

When I renewed my blog I stated that one of the reasons for blogging again was that I wanted a forum to share many of my old sermons to leave as a legacy for my family.

I have a second blog entitled The Approved Workman where many of my sermons have already been posted. I have decided to continue using that blog for all my sermons.

While reviewing that blog, I noticed that I have at least two sermon series that I previously started that I have not yet completed (Philippians and Joshua). As I have time, I will post the remaining sermons I have on those two books along with my new series I want to post on the book of James.

James has always been one of my favorite books of the Bible, especially because of its practical nature. It deals with many of the social issues that are still relevant for today. I realize many of you will not be interested in reading sermons, but I challenge you to do so and then to follow up with your own studies.

I have no claim to any special knowledge or spirituality. However, studying for these sermons was a blessing to me, I hope in turn they will be a blessing to you! I am just one sojourner on the road to understanding, I hope what I have learned will give you some light on your journey to the truth!

My introductory post can be found here.

A Letter From a Birmingham Jail

2011-01-17T14:56:00.000-08:00

In reading more on the "I Have a Dream" speech, I came across this letter from Dr. King written from the city jail in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was confined after being arrested for his part in the Birmingham protest conducted by "the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights and King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference against racial segregation by Birmingham's city government and downtown retailers."

The letter was addressed to eight white Alabama clergymen who on April 12, 1963, issued a statement in response to the protest titled "A Call For Unity". The clergymen acknowledged that social injustices existed but they argued in their statement that the battle against racial segregation should be fought solely in the courts, not in the streets.

Below is a portion of the letter. I only excerpted the parts of the letter where Dr. King specifically addresses the church, although the whole letter is well worth the time it will take to read. I hope it speaks to you as it did to me.

Let me take note of my other major disappointment. I have been so greatly disappointed with the white church and its leadership. Of course, there are some notable exceptions. I am not unmindful of the fact that each of you has taken some significant stands on this issue. I commend you, Reverend Stallings, for your Christian stand on this past Sunday, in welcoming Negroes to your worship service on a nonsegregated basis. I commend the Catholic leaders of this state for integrating Spring Hill College several years ago.

But despite these notable exceptions, I must honestly reiterate that I have been disappointed with the church. I do not say this as one of those negative critics who can always find something wrong with the church. I say this as a minister of the gospel, who loves the church; who was nurtured in its bosom; who has been sustained by its spiritual blessings and who will remain true to it as long as the cord of life shall lengthen.

When I was suddenly catapulted into the leadership of the bus protest in Montgomery, Alabama, a few years ago, I felt we would be supported by the white church. I felt that the white ministers, priests and rabbis of the South would be among our strongest allies. Instead, some have been outright opponents, refusing to understand the freedom movement and misrepresenting its leaders; all too many others have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained glass windows.

In spite of my shattered dreams, I came to Birmingham with the hope that the white religious leadership of this community would see the justice of our cause and, with deep moral concern, would serve as the channel through which our just grievances could reach the power structure. I had hoped that each of you would understand. But again I have been disappointed.

I have heard numerous southern religious leaders admonish their worshipers to comply with a desegregation decision because it is the law, but I have longed to hear white ministers declare: "Follow this decree because integration is morally right and because the Negro is your brother." In the midst of blatant injustices inflicted upon the Negro, I have watched white churchmen stand on the sideline and mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. In the midst of a mighty struggle to rid our nation of racial and economic injustice, I have heard many ministers say: "Those are social issues, with which the gospel has no real concern." And I have watched many churches commit themselves to a completely other worldly religion which makes a strange, un-Biblical distinction between body and soul, between the sacred and the secular.

I have traveled the length and breadth of Alabama, Mississippi and all the other southern states. On sweltering summer days and crisp autumn mornings I have looked at the South's beautiful churches with their lofty spires pointing heavenward. I have beheld the impressive outlines of her massive religious education buildings. Over and over I have found myself asking: "What kind of people worship here? Who is their God? Where were their voices when the lips of Governor Barnett dripped with words of interposition and nullification? Where were they when Governor Wallace gave a clarion call for defiance and hatred? Where were their voices of support when bruised and weary Negro men and women decided to rise from the dark dungeons of complacency to the bright hills of creative protest?"

Yes, these questions are still in my mind. In deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love. Yes, I love the church. How could I do otherwise? I am in the rather unique position of being the son, the grandson and the great grandson of preachers. Yes, I see the church as the body of Christ. But, oh! How we have blemished and scarred that body through social neglect and through fear of being nonconformists.

There was a time when the church was very powerful--in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators."' But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests. Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an archdefender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent--and often even vocal--sanction of things as they are.

But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.

Perhaps I have once again been too optimistic. Is organized religion too inextricably bound to the status quo to save our nation and the world? Perhaps I must turn my faith to the inner spiritual church, the church within the church, as the true ekklesia and the hope of the world. But again I am thankful to God that some noble souls from the ranks of organized religion have broken loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity and joined us as active partners in the struggle for freedom. They have left their secure congregations and walked the streets of Albany, Georgia, with us. They have gone down the highways of the South on tortuous rides for freedom. Yes, they have gone to jail with us. Some have been dismissed from their churches, have lost the support of their bishops and fellow ministers. But they have acted in the faith that right defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. Their witness has been the spiritual salt that has preserved the true meaning of the gospel in these troubled times. They have carved a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment. I hope the church as a whole will meet the challenge of this decisive hour. But even if the church does not come to the aid of justice, I have no despair about the future. I have no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are at present misunderstood. We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal of America is freedom. Abused and scorned though we may be, our destiny is tied up with America's destiny. Before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth, we were here. Before the pen of Jefferson etched the majestic words of the Declaration of Independence across the pages of history, we were here. For more than two centuries our forebears labored in this country without wages; they made cotton king; they built the homes of their masters while suffering gross injustice and shameful humiliation -and yet out of a bottomless vitality they continued to thrive and develop. If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.

Very powerful indeed!

I have often wondered how I might have responded had I been a Pastor during this time. Although today, I am a product of the post civil rights struggle and despise favoritism in any form, but especially racism and classism as it manifests itself in the church. I am not so sure I would have understood the struggle let alone supported it given my upbringing and background. I would like to think I would have, but I am not so sure.

One section that stood out to me in the letter is the part where Dr. King addresses the issue surrounding the "social gospel" and the desire of the "evangelical church" to use it as an excuse to stay out of this struggle. Dr. King wrote:

I have heard many ministers say: "Those are social issues, with which the gospel has no real concern." And I have watched many churches commit themselves to a completely other worldly religion which makes a strange, un-Biblical distinction between body and soul, between the sacred and the secular.

If you recall I have written on this subject to help explain why the evangelical church held this view. You can read that post again here.

In any event, this great letter serves to remind to us all that the church has a role to play in speaking out against injustice. Let it never be said of us that we are "more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained glass windows."

Thanks for Reading,

Talk to you soon,

Jim

God Looks at the Heart!

2011-01-17T01:54:00.000-08:00

After to listening to Dr. King's I Have a Dream speech this morning, I thought of this verse. Dr. King had a dream that men and women would be judged by the content of their character not the color of their skin...and God agrees!

"...The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b

The dialogue on the subject of race in this country is still too predictable and overheated. I believe we have made some headway on this issue, but we still have a long way to go. This is true not only of our country as a whole, but also of our churches as well. Sadly, some of the most segregated institutions remaining in our land are our churches.

There are reasons for this of course, not all relating to prejudice. Most people that worship together do so because of several factors relating to music style, heritage, culture, type of preaching and denominational preferences. Race usually plays a role in where we worship only in the sense that we like to worship in the style, heritage, culture and even language we are familiar with...and there are definitely ethnic and cultural differences in worship. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, I do think however, that we miss out when we fail to stretch ourselves with respect to our worship environment.

When I was pastoring I always wanted our church to be as multicultural as possible. We were not as successful as I wanted to be, although we did improve. In our small town, there used to be very real issues dealing not only with race, but class as well. Being an agricultural community, you had the farmers and the laborers and not many others in between. The farmers had their churches and the laborers had their own. Other than work and school events (such as sports) the two groups didn't really spend much time in mutual activities, let alone worship together.

When I moved to Wasco I counted at least 35 different churches, most of which could be classified by either their denominational/theological or cultural/ethnic distinctions. A few denominations actually had an "English" church and a "Spanish" church in town (this was true of many other surrounding communities as well). To be fair, there were real language barriers that were not so easy to overcome in order to accommodate a blended service. Still, I believe there was some racism or classism at play.

I remember a very infuriating conversation I had with some of the leaders of a denominational church in town. The very "white" congregation had dwindled down to a few families so they had decided to dissolve. The members were going to go to the denominational church in another community a few miles away. They would give the buildings back to the denomination so they could use it to start an "ethnic" ministry. I took that to mean that they would start a Spanish language congregation. Not really. They wanted to use it to start an English speaking "Hispanic" church! "Why can't the "English speaking Hispanics" attend an already established congregation in town like every other English speaking person???" was my incredulous response. I don't think it ever occurred to them that quite possibly the reason their congregation had to dissolve is that they hadn't considered reaching out to the "English speaking Hispanics" in town while their church was still in existence! Maybe then they wouldn't have had to close their doors!

Another thing that bothered me was the reverse segregation that often occurred. For example, African-Americans were expected to attend "their" church in town. On several occasions, we had an African-American family attend our congregation and express an interest in joining, but later they would tell me that while they would like to join our church, they were pressured to go the black church. I had a good relationship with the pastor of that church, but he also emphasized to me on more than one occasion that his "folks" should go there.

This was all so disappointing, especially in light of the clear teaching of Scripture.

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28

"Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly." Leviticus 19:15

"To show partiality is not good—"Proverbs 28:21

"Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right." Acts 10:34-35

"For God does not show favoritism." Romans 2:11

"My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism." James 2:1

The Greek word for "favoritism" has been variously translated as partiality, discrimination, or prejudice...it literally means "a receiving of the face" and it came to denote a biased judgement based on external circumstances such as rank, wealth or ethnicity. It involves a disregarding of the intrinsic merit of the person at whom it is directed. The noun form of the word is plural and speaks of "acts of partiality or favoritism" so it encompasses every way in which favoritism can be shown. James is saying that all acts of partiality are inconsistent with our identification and position as believers in Jesus.

I look forward to the day when our churches are less segregated, when they are less a reflection of class and race and status, and more a reflection of our unity in Christ. I look forward to the day when believers in the glorious Lord Jesus Christ, refuse to make judgements about people based on their outward appearances and external circumstances and instead look to see everyone as a human being made in the image of God.

What's a man's worth ?
Does anyone know
Is he measured by riches,
By friend or foe?
Can we tell by his virtues,
His station in life?
His accent? His color?
His peace, or his strife?
The length of his hair,
The shape of his nose,
His smile or his handshake
The cut of his clothes?
What's a man's worth?
We turn to our guide
And Christ gives his answer
"For each man I died."

I Have a Dream

2011-01-17T01:36:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: Here is some interesting background on the development of the speech.

It's Politics

2011-01-15T17:45:00.000-08:00

I created this blog back in 2005 so I could talk about things that interested me (i.e. religion, politics, sports and my family). I have always been fascinated by politics and in times past, even considered throwing my hat in the ring for local office. I first became interested in politics back in 1976 with the election of Jimmy Carter. I remember my first political debate was with a friend on the school bus. It was about who should be elected president, Carter or Ford. I also remember my Government class in High School. There I had my introduction to the concepts of left and right in politics (the whole left/right thing did not make sense to me at the time...I mean really, what is the difference between communism [left] and fascism [right]? The end result is the same). I can also remember that we were given an assignment dealing with one of the major public policy issues of the day. The handout had several policy recommendations from various political leaders. The recommendations from Ronald Reagan made the most sense to me. After that, I started becoming more interested in what the politicians were actually saying and what they believed "philosophically".

While my family mostly identified themselves as democrats, we experienced first hand the negative consequences that the economic policies of the Carter administration brought on our country. As a Contractor, my dad's business suffered greatly because of the high interest rates and the general malaise in the economy at that time. It devastated the housing market. So in 1980, I had the chance to vote in my first election. Based on what I had learned, I registered as a republican and voted for Ronald Reagan. During the 80s my own personal political beliefs solidified into what would be considered a conservative political perspective. Throw in my evangelical college education and my biblical worldview and you can see why I identified with the republican party. It was the only place I felt at home as both an economic and social conservative. While I am still a registered republican, I have always called myself a conservative first and a Republican second.

As I have grown older, I have become more and more libertarian in my perspective. I am a big believer in economic and personal freedom. I think government should be small and only do the few things that the private sector cannot do. I believe that "the government is best, which governs the least." I believe that capitalism is the best economic system, but the rampant crony capitalism we have today is very dangerous.

I believe that people should be allowed too keep most of what they earn, and the government should incentivize hard work and initiative, not punish it.

“I believe that every individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruits of his labor, so far as it in no way interferes with any other men’s rights” – Abraham Lincoln

I believe that the political class in this country is elitist (democrats and republicans) and that they think they know what's best for us. Despite our wishes, they are bound and determined to tell us how to live by regulating our lives in any way they can (i.e. health care). As Daniel Webster said,

"There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."

I believe that power IS corrupting, and while there are good men and women in government and politics and the media, the desire to control us is all too enticing (especially in Washington D.C.), and it ends up tainting most. The end effect of this corrupting influence is that they (the political class) see everything through the lens of politics. They are unable to distinguish between what is right, and what is right for their political success.

The events of this last week provide a perfect example. The way the political left and their accomplices in the mainstream media (MSM) handled the aftermath of the shootings in Arizona made me sick. The politicizing of the shooting was in and of itself shameful and toxic. In truth, the left-wing in this country was just looking for an opportunity to smear the right. The left and their willing accomplices in the MSM had the template/narrative already in place they just needed an event to get it started.

To somehow assert that the political tone in this country is toxic because of the rhetoric on the right while self-righteously denying that the left has not equally contributed to it, is ignorant at best and hypocritically dishonest at worst.

Let's play a little game of who said this...

“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun.”

Get out there and “punish our enemies”

“I don’t want to quell anger. I think people are right to be angry! I’m angry!”

“Punch back twice as hard.”

I want to know “whose ass to kick”

“…I’m itching for a fight.”

Rush Limbaugh? Nope. Sean Hannity? No again. Glenn Beck? Sorry. Sarah Palin? Not even. How about Barack Obama? Yep!

What about this? “Instead of running for governor of Florida, they ought to have him [sic] and shoot him. Put him against the wall and shoot him." That would be Democratic Congressman Paul Kanjorski talking about Florida Governor Rick Scott.

For more proof that the left is just as guilty see here, here, here, and here. There are many more examples where that came from.

Now my point is not to play a game of gotcha or to get caught up in a tit-for-tat exchange. It is only that the tone of the political rhetoric in his country is what it is...it has been this way since the founding of this nation and will continue on as long as we have a republic left in which to live and practice our freedoms of speech, religion and association.

I recently had a Facebook "dust-up" with a colleague I very much respect because she asserted that the current political environment is more toxic than it has ever been. I disagreed, since I remember all that "toxic" political rhetoric from 2000-2008, and the rhetoric from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s...and I only mention those decades because they cover the time period of my generation...f there is a difference today it is in the ubiquitous presence of the rhetoric because of the information age in which we live. However, the tone is no different than it ever has been.

My colleague thinks the rhetoric we are hearing now, is more "toxic" than it's ever been because it is the most toxic to her point of view. The stuff that was spewed about President Bush was much more "toxic," in my opinion, but that is because I didn't like what was being said during that time. It is all a matter of perspective. That's the way it goes, it's politics.

President Obama's speech given at the Memorial Service was good in many ways, although it would have been a much better speech if he acknowledged his role in the "toxic" rhetoric (see above statements). As an aside, as someone who has officiated and spoken at numerous memorial services, that service was more like a political pep rally than a memorial service. The speech had little effect as both sides went back to business as usual.

As I see it, the real danger we will face is an attempt to stifle speech in an the name of "civility." Civility is the new code word for censorship.

Here's the bottom line for me. We have people in this country who see things in vastly differing ways. We will never agree on everything. We will continue to disagree on a great many things and passionately so...that's okay...passion is not a bad thing. Let's be passionate about our politics and let's be gracious about everything else!

PS. After my dust-up with my colleague...I went by her office to make sure we were okay. I acknowledged that while we disagree politically about a great many things, I respect her and would fight to the death for her right to express her political opinion. So we are good!

Texting for Seniors

2011-01-10T22:08:00.000-08:00

Someone sent this to me and I thought I would share it with you since more and more seniors have embraced the technology of texting. This is not meant to be disrespectful to senior citizens...I myself will be eligible for AARP next year!

ATD: At The Doctor's
BFF: Best Friend Farted
BTW: Bring The Wheelchair
BYOT: Bring Your Own Teeth
CBM: Covered By Medicare
CGU: Can't get up
CUATSC: See You At The Senior Center
DWI: Driving While Incontinent
FWBB: Friend With Beta Blockers
FWIW: Forgot Where I Was
FYI: Found Your Insulin
GGPBL: Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low!
GHA: Got Heartburn Again
HGBM: Had Good Bowel Movement
IMHO: Is My Hearing-Aid On?
LMDO: Laughing My Dentures Out
LOL: Living On Lipitor
LWO: Lawrence Welk's On
OMMR: On My Massage Recliner
OMSG: Oh My! Sorry, Gas.
ROFL... CGU: Rolling On The Floor Laughing... Can't Get Up
TTYL: Talk To You Louder
WAITT: Who Am I Talking To?
WTP: Where's The Prunes?
WWNO: Walker Wheels Need Oil
GGLKI (Gotta Go, Laxative Kicking In)

Suddenly Single

2011-01-09T18:57:00.000-08:00

Life is full of surprises, or so the old saying goes. No one can predict the direction their life might take, given all the twists and turns along that path. Obviously, no one thinks at the start of a marriage that divorce is in their future. Because of that, many people are caught off guard when it happens to them, I know I was!

So how do you respond when a 20 plus year marriage comes to an end? I mean after the crying, and the questioning, and the heartbreak and such...what do you do with your time when you find yourself suddenly single? I realize that the amount of time you have will be largely dependent on your age and the age of your children, your vocation and other factors. For me, I found that I had more time on my hands than I wanted.

Because of my divorce, my career was in flux (realistically you cannot remain the Pastor of Family & Care Ministry while your own marriage has fallen apart), so in the beginning, I had no place to go from 9-5 each day.

Additionally, three of my four children were out of high school, and my youngest, while living with me was busy being an active high school student. Most of my friends were married and had their own lives. I was not yet ready to start dating and I am not a barfly. So what did I do? I spent a LOT of time by myself.

Think about it, all the things you were used to doing, like watching TV, or going to a movie or going out to dinner, you generally had a built in companion to do it with. Now it is just you. I have often joked with my friends that the loneliest words in the world are "Jim, party of one, Jim, party of one!" Yeah, I eat out too much!

I say all that, not to sound pitiful (it's probably too late for that) but to say that it is very important when you find yourself suddenly single, to find something constructive to do in order to keep your sanity. Many suddenly singles try to fill the void with an immediate relationship, but all too often you have two unhealthy people who are still hurting and who have not properly grieved the demise of their own marriages, trying to find solace in the arms of each other. That is generally not very helpful in the long run.

So what should you do? My recommendation is that you use the opportunity to deal with your stuff and become a better you! Let me suggest a few ways you can use this time to become a better you.

I think counseling can be helpful, depending on the competency of your counselor. More helpful, I believe, are support groups like DivorceCare or Divorce Recovery. The benefit of a support group is that it gives you the chance to actually have human contact with other adults. Some of the things we tend to take for granted when we are married are companionship and conversation and just plain old contact with other adults. Another benefit of a support group is that it helps give you an outlet to tell your story and even to vent with others who truly understand the pain you are going through. A third benefit is that it also helps to give you perspective. No matter how bad the circumstances may be surrounding your divorce there is always someone else who has it worse than you do. I remember sitting in my DivorceCare group the first night feeling sorry for myself. However, as I listened to others tell their stories I suddenly realized things weren’t so bad in my life after all! Mostly though, your support group will give you hope and let you know that you are going to be okay.

Finding a new hobby or learning to do something you have always wanted to do can also be helpful. I used to play the bass guitar in high school. I even played in a “garage band” with Doug Phillips, Jerry Amos and Mike Wharton. Literally, we had a garage band…we used to play in Doug Phillip’s garage. His parents were VERY understanding. I had always wanted to start playing again, so I used my time to pick up the bass guitar. I even joined the worship team at church and “play” twice a month. When you are single, you can actually get a head start on that bucket list. I have a friend who recently signed up for a hot air balloon ride…something she had on her bucket list.

A final suggestion is that you read. There are so many great resources out there for those going through a divorce. Trust me, I know. During this time I never went anywhere without a book. Often I had two or three going at the same time. I would suggest that you think comprehensibly when you choose your reading.

Read books that will help you understand what is happening to you. In the process of a divorce you will experience grief, anger, pain, disappointment, depression, frustration, loneliness, sadness, and hurt. There are lots of good books that can help you navigate those emotions.

Read books that can help you understand why your marriage failed. There are many reasons people divorce. Whether it was the result of infidelity or irreconcilable differences or abuse or just growing apart, there are almost always underlying causes that pushed the marriage toward its spiral of death. Honest introspection is very important for acceptance, forgiveness and a healthy new life.

Read books that will help you be a better marriage partner in the future. During this time, you may think you will never be married again. But realistically, most of us will remarry…and the statistics for successful second and third marriages are not encouraging. Use this time to learn about how you can do it right the next time. I don’t know about you but it seems like a terrible waste to go through all that pain and hurt and to not benefit from them in some way.

There are several books I read during that time that I have recommended to others. I hope to share them with you in future posts.

The good news is that there will come a point in time when most of this will behind you and you are ready to start dating…but that’s another post (or two or three).

Thanks for reading,

Talk to you soon,

Jim

Social Ministry and the Role of the Christian Community

2011-01-08T20:56:00.000-08:00

Beyond the local church, what role should the corporate Christian community play in meeting the needs of the poor and helpless? By corporate Christian community I am referring to the various local churches and para-church ministries working together for a common goal. Frankly, this does not happen as often as it should and some might even call the phrase "Christian community" an oxymoron! However, when it does occur, two approaches have been favored.

The first approach is the denominational approach. The Mennonites serve as a good example of this concept. They have developed several service organizations in which the Mennonite churches share in the responsibility of supporting. These organizations include the Mennonite Disaster Service and the Mennonite Central Committee. In addition, the Mennonite churches practice what is commonly called “Mutual Aid.” Mutual aid is seen by many as primarily a ministry to church members only, however, some view it as a ministry to the community in general. Swartley and Kraybill write:

Mennonite mutual aid is a reciprocal responsibility, based on biblical teaching, to provide material aid to other church members who face special economic and physical hardships. Such help involves labor, services, goods, gifts, and payments in both spontaneous and organized forms at local and churchwide levels. (Swartley & Kraybill, 1998, 13)

Winfeld J. Fretz sees mutual aid as Christian love in action. He sees mutual aid as a means to share that love by, “…using the resources God has given us for His glory and the good of ourselves and our fellowmen. It is a way of limiting selfish desires for the good of the larger group or community of which we are members”. For Fretz, this larger group or community could refer to the civic community or even the nation (Swartley & Kraybill, 1998, 16).

Other denominations like the Southern Baptist Convention or the United Methodist Church have cooperative programs like disaster relief efforts and inner city ministries, but they do not have programs designed to help the poor and needy in general. This is left to the individual local churches. This leaves many churches unable to comprehensibly meet the needs of their community on their own. For churches like the one I attend, Grace Community Church which are non-denominational, there is no national group backing their efforts.

The second approach is what is called a shared ministry approach. This approach is based on local churches working together to make a difference in their community. Pastor Robert Lewis writes:

Biblically speaking, the “reach” Jesus originally had in mind for his church began with nothing less than a city. “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8; italics added). The game plan described here for the church is clear: city, region, and world. Churches in the New Testament were named for the city they belonged to: “church of the Thessalonians” (1 Thessalonians 1:1); “church of the Laodiceans” (Colossians 4:16); “church of God in Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:2); “church in Ephesus” (Revelation 2:1); and son. Surely, this naming implied a calling with it too! When Jesus originally described his church, he pictured it in terms of storming the gates of a city (Matthew 16:18). Clearly, “city reaching” is a biblical concept. It is what the church, at ground level is to be about. (Lewis & Wilkins, 2001, 157)

Churches at “ground level” will need to come together as the church of that city (i.e. the church at Wasco), so that they can share the load and share the blessing. In fact, this has indeed ocurred in my own community where in the past, several Wasco churches worked together to respond to special needs of certain families. This ministry was called Wasco Aid. Each month several churches contributed to the Wasco Aid fund that was in turned used to help pay for car repairs, meals, gas and lodging for those stranded in town. Families or individuals from Wasco were the responsibility of the church they first contacted or attended.

A local example of a para-church organization working together with various local churches to meet the needs of the homeless is Flood Bakersfield. Their mission is to

...establish meaningful relationships with the homeless, recovery home residents, motel dwellers and those entrenched in generational poverty so as to empower them through the instruction of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome their present, disadvantaged circumstances and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Flood gives various local churches a vehicle through which their members can minister in a tangible way, primarily through Flood's Saturday Night Outreach to the homeless. Volunteers can serve by providing the music or teaching, preparing or serving a hot meal, or by acting as counselors, greeters, van drivers and chaperones. They can also help with security, food pack preparation and distribution, and children's activities.

Flood has grown exponentially over the last few years and they are much more than their Saturday Night Outreach. Currently they provide "mid-week volunteer opportunities, including Bible Studies, classes such as Parenting & Neglect, the creation of multiple kinds of food packs, medical and substance abuse intervention, job teaching, sourcing rental housing and providing links to the resource community."

Flood Bakersfield also serves as a great example of what I am going to talk about in my next post, public/private partnerships.

One concept that has come along that appears to be successful is called Christian Community Development (CCD). Specifically designed for the inner cities (but has been used in other community settings), CCD is a ministry of the church where people are encouraged to be and live among the poor and the needy. It is an incarnational ministry that has been successful in over 600 communities around the country (Gordon, n.d., 2). Gordon writes, “…nothing other than the community of God’s people is capable of affirming the dignity of the poor and enabling them to meet their own needs. It is practically impossible to do effective wholistic ministry apart from the local church” (Gordon, 9). Gordon goes on to explain:

Of course the wholistic approach is difficult because there are so many aspects to a person’s life. That is why there is no better way of helping a person than having him or her committed to a local church. A church that is committed to Christian Community Development sees not only the soul of a person as significant, but also his or her whole life on earth. It is being completely pro-life for a person, not only eternally, but also as the person lives on this earth.

Therefore, Christian Community Development sees the church must be involved in every aspect of a person’s life. It is important to network with other churches and organizations in communities. In order to accomplish the wholistic aspect of ministry, pastors and leaders must be networkers. Christian Community Development builds coalitions in communities so that they can work together to solve the problems. (Gordon, n.d., 12)

One more point I want to make. I know this will be controversial among my fundamentalist Christian brothers, but if the Church is going to have an impact as the Christian community, then there must be an effort at reconciliation and tearing down the walls that divide us. David S. Apple describes a community as “a group of people gathered together who are united in purpose, goals and vision. It is group focused on a specific task in a specific time and place” (Apple, n.d., 2). After using Acts 2:42-44 as a biblical example of community, he writes, “Community is multi-faceted. In many ways, it reflects the grace of God. It is mysterious. It is miraculous. It is inclusive. It is real. It is humble. It is self-giving. It is compassionate. It is welcoming and intimate. It is a safe place. We need community. We should not be isolated” (Apple, 2).

If the church at where you live is going to effectively respond to the needs of the poor in your town, then you must work to create an environment of community. This means working at reconciliation.

Ministry to the poor and needy must involve the whole Christian community. Churches need to work together, along with parachurch ministries to be involved in community development. Christians in each community need to recognize that they make up the church at whatever city they live in.

Love, Honor and Cherish

2011-01-07T23:53:00.000-08:00

In my previous post “A Vow is a Vow is a Vow” I talked about the reason that I believe so many marriages are in trouble and why some have already died! I expected that my rant might elicit some strong responses and it did. Some responses were expressed publicly on Facebook and many more privately via emails and texts. I was accused of “pontificating” and only picking on one side of the relationship equation. While every relationship is dependent on the efforts of two individuals, especially a marriage relationship, I focused my “rant” on the men for two reasons. First, I am speaking from my own experience as a man and a former husband. Second, I have recently witnessed far too many men either intentionally or unintentionally, fail to live up to their end of the marriage covenant and I truly believe that if men committed to love, honor and cherish their wives as they should there would be far fewer divorces in this country.

I know this will sound “old fashioned” and some may even consider it sexist, but I believe that it is the husband’s responsibility to set the tone for a loving, caring marriage. More than one of the females that commented on my post pointed this out. Yes, yes, yes, of course there needs to be a mutuality in the relationship but the man who honors and cherishes his wife, will find that she will gladly love and respect him in return.

The wedding vows focus on our promise to love honor and cherish, but what do those words really mean?

The word “love” has many definitions and meanings. I “love” football (Go Huskies!)…and I “love” to go to the beach. I “love” my children and my very close friends, but not in the same way I am supposed to “love” my wife. The word “love” used in the vows should encompass many concepts like adoration, respect, affection, devotion, care, tenderness and passion, to name a few! The way we love our spouse should be unique to them because our relationship and commitment to them is unique to them (I know that is VERY redundant but I am making a point)! When you just look at her, she should know how much you love her. How many of you guys would do something unique like this for your wife to show your love for her?

We “honor” our wives by respecting them, by treating them as our partners in life, by demonstrating our admiration for them in all that they do, and by giving deference to their opinions and concerns.

The Bible gives is insight into how to honor our wives in 1 Peter 3:7.

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. NIV

To “be considerate as you live with your wives” means to live with them in an understanding way. "Considerate" (Gk., gnosis) speaks of being “sensitive to the wife's deepest physical and emotional needs.” "Live" (Gk., sunoikeo) means "to dwell together" and speaks of living with someone in an intimate way. Men, when we are indifferent to our wives and their needs we treat them with disrespect. On the other hand, when we seek to truly know and understand them, we honor them.

The phrase "weaker partner" is simply a reference to the physical distinctions between men and women. It has nothing to do with being inferior in any way, just different. Men and women are different physically. We are also different emotionally and even in the way we think (see here and here). Guys if you don’t make an effort to understand these differences, and respond accordingly, you do so at your own peril and that of your marriage!

"Gracious gift of life" refers to all of the wonderful aspects of this life, not the one to come. One of the best gifts that life has to offer here and now is marriage. That's especially true when the husband cultivates companionship and intimacy, protection and security with his wife.

The third word in our triad is “cherish.” We cherish our wives when value them deeply, hold them dear, treasure them, appreciate them, and prize them above all else. They want to know that they are the most important person in your life. How do they know that? When you give them you!. Flowers and chocolates and jewelry are nice, but they would rather have you...your time and attention and focus. Someone put it this way.

“It is not what we give but what we share,

For the gift without the giver is bare.”

Guys, your wives will know if you cherish them, when you give them you, when you share your hearts and souls with them.

They will know you cherish them when you really see them.

Watch this clip from the Family Man all the way through and you will see what I am talking about.

Not too long ago I performed a wedding and after the ceremony I was talking to an acquaintance and his wife about their life. They have been married for quite some time and are both about my age. He was talking about everything he was doing and his plans and not once did he mention her or acknowledge her and I could see the hurt in her face. His bride, the woman he promised to love, honor and cherish was standing next to him and he did not see her! Honestly, I wanted to smack him upside the head and tell him he’s blowing it! More than once since the breakup of my own marriage, I have lovingly admonished a male friend about how he was disrespecting or neglecting his wife. I do not do so arrogantly, but with a broken heart, acknowledging my own failures in this area.

So, please take this post in the spirit that it is meant. May God help us all to be better men and husbands, for the sake of our marriages and families and communities and culture.

Thanks for reading,

Talk to you soon,

Jim

Employing the Homeless

2011-01-05T17:04:00.000-08:00

Here's an example of why I love working with the homeless service providers in Kern County. They are doing everything they can to help ensure that the homeless are able to be successful once they utilize the programs available to them.

Just a little context. Each year the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires our Continuum of Care (i.e. the Kern County Homeless Collaborative) to track the employment status when a homeless individual exits one of our programs. The national goal is 20%. That may seem low, but considering these folks have been homeless for long periods of time they often have poor employment histories, and many of them lack the proper documentation to be hired. Our service providers work hard to help them obtain, not only the proper documentation (i.e birth certificates, social security cards, driver's licences etc.) but to find employment. Due to programs like the one featured in the video, we were able to increase our employment rate from 12 to 18% in one year.

Congratulations to the Bakersfield Homeless Center for doing a great job and getting the Green Waste contract renewed!

A Word to My Male Friends or A Vow is a Vow is a Vow

2011-01-05T01:27:00.000-08:00

When you stood before family and friends and pledged to marry your lovely Bride, the minister probably asked you something like this:

“Your Name Here, do you take this woman to be your wife; to live together in the holy covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live? If so answer I do.”

You may have also been asked to say something like this:

“I, Your Name Here, take you Her Name Here, to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part.”

Now I am sure that at the moment you repeated those vows or consented to them by saying “I do” you really meant them. However, over the years the reality of those words has faded, now they are a mere memory tucked away somewhere in the deep recesses of your mind. Oh you still “live together” with her, and you still “love” her but you have slacked off on the “comfort,” “honor” and “keeping” parts…and to “cherish” her…not so much!

It’s not that you have intentionally neglected those things (although for some of you that’s true) rather, you just sort of forgot they were also a part of the deal. Trust me, I know how that goes. Life happens, and along the way you lose sight of who is supposed to be most important to you.

Just so we are clear on this, SHE is supposed to be most important to you!

· Not your job (although I know your need to make a living is important)…

· Not your extended family (although maintaining those relationships is usually a good thing)…

· Not your children (although they ARE important too)…

· Not your friends (although it is important to have good friends…”iron sharpens iron”)…

· Not your favorite team (although it’s okay to root for them once in awhile)…

· Not your hobbies (although recreation can be helpful and healthy)…

· Not your ministry or other community service activities (although helping others is often rewarding)…

Aside from your relationship with the Lord, your relationship with your bride should be your priority!

Okay, now you are thinking, “I understand that Jim, so where are you going with this?”

Well, I am not so sure that we men really understand “this”! I did, but I didn’t. Oh, I knew the vows. I read them each time I officiated a wedding ceremony. I had even repeated them to my own bride at one time. Yet somehow, I lost touch with the real meaning of them. I lived together with my bride, but I did not “live together” with my bride. I loved my bride, but I did not “love” my bride, and somewhere along the way I forgot what it meant to comfort, keep, honor, and cherish her. Ultimately, I paid dearly for that.

Men, I see now, what I didn’t see then. I see what our lack of honoring our vows does to the person who should be most important to us!

For whatever reason, whether it be some misguided machismo or some preoccupation with building a career or some fascination with a recreational pursuit or even some seemingly higher calling, we all too often forget the promise we made to love, honor and cherish.

I know I am bordering on a rant here, but it has been my experience over the last few years (and more so recently) as I have talked to female friends and divorcees, that we men have a lot to answer for when it comes to the state of our marriages and or the resulting divorces (and yes I know that it takes two people to make a relationship).

It seems to me that we men fail our vows in one of two ways. We fail to honor our wives and we fail to cherish our wives.

First, we fail to honor our wives when we become controlling, mean-spirited, and insensitive. I doubt men like this start out their marriage treating their bride that way, but somewhere in the process they just become a jerk. Their love is not really love because whatever they do for their bride (and they rarely do anything) has an ulterior motive, it is conditional. They wouldn’t know how to honor their bride if their life depended on it.

Second, we fail to cherish our wives when we become disinterested and neglectful. In this case, everything and everyone else becomes more important. Men like this are not overtly hostile, they are just not there…in body or in spirit. They are uncaring and uninterested in the most amazing thing in their life. They are too busy at work, or always on the golf course, or stuck on the couch watching sports…they have long forgotten how to adore their wife.

What’s sad to me is that I know men who are guilty of these very things right now. Their marriages are on the brink because they can’t find a way to honor and cherish their wife. Unfortunately, they will likely lose the best thing that ever happened to them because they are either unwilling or uninterested in changing their behavior. However, it is NEVER too late to start!

In the future, I hope to share some of the insights I have gained through my experience and recommend some steps that you can take to start honoring your vows once again.

Just to get you thinking in the right direction here’s something for you to think about.

Thanks for listening.

Talk to you soon,

Jim

Social Ministry and the Local Church Pt. 2

2011-01-03T23:51:00.000-08:00

In the twentieth century the evangelical church neglected the area of social ministry. Because of a desire to avoid theological liberalism and the social gospel, because of the prevalent Premillenial eschatology, and because of the growing dominance of the government in this area, the church by and large abdicated its responsibilities toward the poor and the needy.

According to Robert Lewis, Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church of Little Rock, two evangelical church models sprang up during the time of the latter half of the twentieth century. The first type of church he calls a “need-meeting church.” This church is focused on meeting the needs of its members, which in and of itself is not a bad thing. The problem is that this focus of the church can lead to an unhealthy fixation on itself. It, the church is all the matters. In this situation a toxic self-absorption can easily develop where there church exists solely to meet the needs of its own members. There is no thought of having a spiritual impact “beyond the borders of the church property”. This type of church has a social club feel to it where all the programs and activities are designed to meet its own self-serving needs (Lewis & Wilkins, 2001, 57).

The second type of church Pastor Lewis describes is the “success mentality” church. He writes:

Seeking conformity to a culture dominated by commerce, the “success” mentality is simple: the bigger, the better, size matters. Numbers count. More is what is always needed: more people, more facilities, more staff, more money. It is a mostly polite game of Christian Darwinism: the survival of the fittest, or the church with the greatest attendance. The goal is to be in the elite class known as the “biggest church in the city” or “Top10 in the denomination” or “megachurch.” Such churches often spend increasing amounts of money and energy putting on elaborate events to draw more people in. While correctly pointing out that churches, when healthy, should be dynamically growing, pride often infuses the “success” church with a twisted irony: the church might be recognized nationally, but it often remains a stranger to its very own community (Lewis & Wilkins, 2001, 58-59).

How sad it is for a church, to be so focused on itself, that it has no time to focus on the community in which it lives.

Making a change. The problem is how we think about social responsibility in the church. In most churches social responsibility is far down the list of priorities, if it is on the list at all. What we need is a major change in the way we think. We also need to see that there is no contradiction between evangelism and social responsibility. John Stott writes:

It is exceedingly strange that any followers of Jesus Christ should ever have needed to ask whether social involvement was their concern, and that controversy should have blown up over the relationships between evangelism and social responsibility. For it is evident that in his public ministry, Jesus both “went about teaching…and preaching” (Matthew 4:23; 9:35 RSV) and “went about doing good and healing” (Acts 10:38 RSV). In consequence, evangelism and social concern have been intimately related to one another throughout the history of the church. (Stott, 1999, 17)

In order for us to recognize this connection between evangelism and social responsibility we need to change the popular consciousness that exists in most evangelical churches. Robert Kysar writes:

The pervasive consciousness of most contemporary American Christians is one that generally makes it difficult for them to comprehend and respond to a call for social justice. For instance, an absence of a consciousness of social solidarity renders impotent the call for action on poverty. Because we do not have a strong sense of the interdependence of human life in our society, it is difficult for us to understand the importance of affecting significant change in the social, political, and economic condition of others. A presupposition…is that one of the reasons our ministries to social needs are weakened is that we have not examined and altered the fundamental consciousness of our society and more specifically of our congregations. (Kysar, 1991, 100-101)

Kysar goes on to suggest a number of ways in which we can transform the cultural consciousness in the American church. The first and most important feature of this transformation is a move from only a spiritual emphasis to a holistic emphasis. By this he means that we are too “captivated by the spiritual, internal life if the individual to the point that the whole life [holistic] situation of people is deemphasized” (Kysar, 1991, 103). He expands on this idea when he discusses how the church has implied that a person’s private relationship to God is all that matters and that the salvation of the soul without regard for the condition of the rest of a person is most important.

The spiritualization of the biblical message in large part has allowed Christians to hold and sustain this view. The spiritual consciousness has altered the way in which the biblical message is heard and the way the gospel is experienced so as to authenticate the spiritualism. Christian spiritualism becomes therefore an incentive to ignore the social, political, economic conditions of people and to focus exclusively on their spiritual welfare. Seldom does one hear the church overtly endorse such a view as “let them starve but save their souls.” But in more subtle ways the idolizing of the spiritual diminishes our commitment to ministry to society (Kysar, 1991, 103).

Most evangelical pastors will read Kysar’s words and assume it is a call to revert back to the theological liberalism that their forefathers fought so hard against. They will assume that it is a call to renew the social gospel. However, this does not have to be the case. A holistic approach to church ministry and evangelism can and should coexist. Kenneth C. Haugk states that “holistic caring is always evangelistic” (Haugk, 1984, 136). He defines caring evangelism as living Jesus Christ in an imperfect world. He says that what we say and what we do should never be separated and that together they constitute a “dynamic whole the Holy Spirit can use to transform the attitudes and beliefs of people, helping them to be made whole themselves” (Haugk, 137). He makes the final point that “good evangelism and good caring are inseparable; each embodies the other. Evangelism shows forth a love for people, and a love for people shows forth the good news of Jesus Christ” (Haugk, 1984, 137).

What then is the responsibility of the local church? Dr Kenneth Scott once wrote that “an excellent way to size up a religion is to look at its response toward human suffering and need” (Beals, 1978, 195). Art Beals builds on Dr. Scott’s quote by comparing the different religion’s responses toward suffering and need. The Buddhist says about suffering and need, “Forget it. These problems exist only in your mind. Pay no attention to them”. The Muslim says about suffering and need, “It is Allah’s will. Suffering is inevitable. Don’t resist it.” The Hindu says, “You deserve it. It’s what’s coming to you. You should try harder in the next reincarnation.” The Christian’s response though should be much different. The Christian says, “God loves you and I do, too. Let me do what I can to help you.” And the Christian will do this with the words of Jesus in mind, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me” (Matthew 25:40) (Beals, 195). Beals writes:

As caring Christian communities, we have a very special responsibility to serve others. Paul tells the Christians scattered throughout Galatia that they were not to become “weary in doing good,” but rather, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”. (Galatians 6:9-10) (Beals, 1978, 195)

So then, the church needs to change the way it thinks, it needs a change in its consciousness. The church needs to begin to look at its call to evangelize from a holistic or "wholistic" perspective. The church needs to see that evangelism involves caring for the whole person, soul and body.

Beyond the local church, what role should the corporate Christian community play in meeting the needs of the poor? We will look at that question next time.

Talk to you later,

Jim

Social Ministry and the Local Church

2011-01-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

I will never forget the conversation. We had just finished a week of "revival" meetings at my home church. As good Baptists, we needed to follow up the service with something to eat. Our practice was to go to J.B.'s Big Boy restaurant in downtown Yakima. It was always a treat for us young guys (and future "preacher boys") to go to the restaurant and rub elbows with the Pastor and the visiting "Evangelist." During these after service rituals we would ask questions of these men that we looked up to and held in deep respect. During one of these question and answer sessions, we asked about the ministry of the church to the poor and needy and why we didn't do more to help them in a tangible way. "That's not our responsibility" was the answer! I remember being shocked by their answer and responding with an incredulous "What?"

Yes it is true, both of these otherwise fine men insisted that it wasn't the responsibility of the local church to help meet the needs of the poor. For these men, the ministry of the church was to evangelize the lost, to get them into heaven, not to make their earthly lives any easier.

Sadly, that philosophy still exists in many churches today. How can otherwise caring and compassionate people be so blind to the needs of others, let alone the clear teaching of scripture? I would like to address those reasons over the next few weeks.

Since that restaurant conversation, I have spent many hours thinking about this subject. I have studied the scriptures and have come to the firm conviction that the church DOES have a responsibility to the less fortunate, to the poor and needy, to the hungry and homeless, to the widow and orphan. I have also studied to try to understand why the church has been reluctant to to engage in areas of social ministry. I want to share with you why I think the church has shied away from social ministry. Then in the following weeks, we will look at the theology of and scriptural support for social ministry in the church.

But first, before I start, I feel like I need to make a few clarifications. First, when I refer to the "church" I am referring to the conservative-evangelical brand. This is the type of church I grew up in and it is the type of church I attend today. I realize there are many mainline (mostly liberal) denominational churches and the Catholic church that have fully developed social ministries. It is not my intent to ignore what they do, it's just that my target audience is made up largely of my friends and family in the evangelical community. Second, while I use the term "social ministry," I prefer the term "care ministry." I think the term care ministry is a more biblical one, in that it emphasizes the Christian motive for helping the poor and needy which is God's love (Romans 5:5). Third, most of the references for this series come from my Thesis I completed for my Bachelors Degree. While I have left the references in my posts (to give credit where credit is due) I will not include a bibliography until the end of the series.

After reviewing the literature available on this subject, one thing seems to be abundantly clear, the local evangelical church has dropped the ball when it comes to the issue of helping the poor and the needy. In my reading several reasons for this became evident. We will look at three of those reasons here.

Liberalism and the Social Gospel. Up until the end of the nineteenth century evangelical (or more appropriately for the time, fundamentalist) churches were very involved in social ministry or care for the poor and needy. However, after the civil war more and more churches began to focus on the “Social Gospel”. The Social Gospel refers to the emphasis by late 19th century and early 20th century Christians on solving man’s social problems through Christian charity apart from any spiritual transformation. In his book on Revivalism and Social Reform, Timothy L. Smith identifies both the focus and the problem with the Social Gospel. He identifies the focus of the social gospel as “poverty, workingman’s rights, liquor traffic, slum housing and racial bitterness”. In focusing on changing and impacting these issues many prominent protestant leaders and churches began to become preoccupied with them, so much so that they began to minimize or even ignore the issues of salvation from personal sin and the afterlife (Smith, 1957, 148). This trend toward social salvation actually grew stronger in the first part of the twentieth century becoming a movement all of its own (Evearitt, 1994, 30). Because of the overemphasis on the social aspects of the gospel, many conservative Christian leaders and churches began to shy away from the area of social concern. While this withdrawal was unfortunate, it was understandable given the traditional evangelical focus on the importance of individual rather than social salvation.

Eschatology (eschatology is the component of systematic theology that deals with the end times). Along with the rise of liberal Christianity and its emphasis on social salvation, another factor helped to push the evangelical church away from social concern. This was the rise of premillenialism (Christ will return before He establishes His kingdom on earth) as the accepted view of eschatology among evangelicals. Standing in opposition to postmillenialism (the kingdom of God or a utopia of sorts will be established and ushered in by man’s social transformation, before Christ returns to the earth), which went hand in hand with the emphasis on the social gospel. Premillenialists believed “that all social conditions would inevitably and irresistibly grow increasingly worse until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ” and that only “the establishment of the millennial Kingdom of Christ could cure social problems” (Moberg, 1972, 31). This Premillenial perspective has caused the evangelical church to be highly suspicious of any social movement that comes along, even today. It has also led to a de-emphasis on anything that looks like or feels like the social gospel. Sadly, this includes helping the poor and the needy.

Not all Premillenialists have thrown the baby out with the bath water. Over the years there have been great evangelical (and Premillenial) preachers, leaders and theologians who have emphasized the need for a social ministry to the poor and the needy. Men like A.J. Gordon, A.C. Dixon, A.B. Simpson, C.F.H. Henry and others have championed the involvement of Premillenial evangelicalism in social action (Evearitt, 1994, 8-10). Unfortunately, many of the social ministries that should have been going on in the confines of the local church were relegated to the Para-church organizations like the Salvation Army and the Rescue Missions (Nees, 1996, 17). Because Premillenialism is still the most prominent eschatological viewpoint among today’s evangelical churches, our efforts in helping the poor and the needy have not changed as they should. I would add that the rise of emergent church movement with its emphasis on being "missional" has helped to create a renewed interest in social ministry, but because of some of their teachings on other issues, they have made themselves vulnerable to the accusation that they are propagating a form of the social gospel.

Government and prosperity. After World War II, the government began to take on an ever increasing role in caring for people. This cradle to the grave responsibility included programs such as social security, welfare, housing projects and other forms of public assistance. This was a new form of liberalism, instead of religious liberalism it was now governmental liberalism and evangelical Christians were more than happy to leave the job of caring for the poor and needy to the government. While the mainline churches “crusaded for government intervention to end poverty…the conservative, mostly fundamentalist, churches turned from the social responsibility they once advocated. They claimed that Christian social action diverted attention and resources away from the Church’s primary evangelistic responsibility” (Nees, 1996, 14-15).

Another factor in all of this was the issue of affluence. By the mid twentieth century many people were doing well financially enjoying life as they pursued the American dream. Nees writes,

Churches that once welcomed and included lower-income people in inner city missions within a generation claimed their new wealth as evidence of the blessing of God. Poverty was viewed as the consequence of laziness, if not ungodliness. Social Darwinism, the idea of inevitable progress, won the day even among those opposed to biological evolution. There seemed to no reason for anyone to be poor (Nees, 1996, 14).

Over the next few decades the church largely stayed away from social and political movements, its only reaction was to speak out against most of them. During this period of time the government took on the task of ending poverty. This was going to be accomplished through programs like the Great Society and the War on Poverty. All the while the church allowed the government to take full responsibility for caring for the poor and needy. The evangelical church was too busy winning souls, defending the faith, battling worldliness and in many cases, building ministries that were monuments to themselves and their leaders. While they were busy building Crystal Cathedrals and Timber Tabernacles in the name of “winning souls for Christ,” they neglected the social aspect of their calling, they neglected the heritage they once had for caring for the poor and needy.

To summarize then, in the twentieth century the evangelical church neglected the area of social ministry. Because of a desire to avoid theological liberalism and the social gospel, because of the prevalent Premillenial eschatology, and because of the growing dominance of the government in this area, the church abdicated its responsibilities toward the poor and the needy.

Fortunately, as we will see there is a growing awareness that we can and should do more. What is needed is a change in the way the church thinks. The church needs a change its consciousness. The church needs to begin to look at its call to evangelize from a holistic or wholistic perspective. The church needs to see that evangelism involves caring for the whole person, soul and body. More on that next time.

Talk to you soon!

Jim

New Year's Resolutions

2011-01-02T16:37:00.000-08:00

“A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other."

Resolution (Noun): [res-o-lu-tion]

The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.
A course of action determined or decided on.
A formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly such as the US Congress. (American Heritage Dictionary)

For most of my life I have been fascinated by word meanings and word origins. I love word game puzzles and etymology has always been interesting to me (etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time). I have even been known to read the dictionary from time to time. I think this goes with the territory when you are a Pastor because any good sermon preparation will involve the study of key words in the text you are expositing.

I say all that to point out that the word "resolution" has a fascinating history and has actually changed its meaning over time. The English word "resolution" comes from the Latin word resolvere which originally meant to "loosen" or "untie" or "break into parts" (like you do when you tackle a math problem). This makes sense when you think about the root word in resolution or resolvere i.e. solvere or "solve". From this root word we get other English words solution, dissolve, and absolution. You can see how all of these words have in them the same idea of unbinding or loosening or breaking-up. By adding the prefix re (with the meaning of "again") in front of the root solvere the Romans simply intensified the word. In this case it gave the word the meaning of loosening or unbinding "again and again." The word did not come to mean “firm determination” until the early 1500s and it wasn’t until the early 1600s that it was used to indicate a “decision or expression of a meeting”.

So the irony here is that the word "resolution" originally meant "to intensify the act of unbinding or loosening", while it now means the exact opposite.

I have never been a big fan of New Year's resolutions. I generally just skip the whole ritual. This year would be no different except that a friend recently asked me for a list of resolutions I was planning to make. It seems she was seriously contemplating a few for her life and wanted to know mine. Her pointed question served as a challenge to me to think about what I wanted to see happen in my life in 2011. So, in honor of the original definition of the word I have decided to think aspirationally and develop ways to break up my life into its various parts in order to make it more simpler and looser, less stressful and more enjoyable. In 2011, I will aspire:

Spiritually, to get back to the basics and focus on my "walk" with God; physically, to take care of my body by eating healthy and exercising regularly; parentally, to enjoy every moment of time I have with my children and grandchildren and to be a loving godly example to them; relationally, to be the best person I can be and to be a true servant to my friends, co-workers and neighbors; vocationally, to be as productive and as effecient as possible while gaining the appropriate purpose and satisfaction for a job well done...and to be thankful for the fact that I have a job; financially, to be a good steward of what God has blessed me with and in turn share what I have with those that have real needs; socially, to make a difference in my community and help make our world a better place; romantically, to find my soulmate and to begin a loving, passionate, mutually fulfilling relationship with her...and educationally, to complete my Masters degree!!!!

What about you? What will you aspire to in 2011?

Talk to you soon,

Jim

D-I-V-O-R-C-E

2011-01-01T03:06:00.000-08:00

I grew up listening to Country music (or Country & Western as it used to be called). I did so not by choice mind you, but it was the music my parents and grandparents listened to, whether at home or in the car, it was always on. Any time I hear a Conway Twitty or Dolly Parton song today it reminds me of the two week vacation we took my freshman year in High School. On the trip we listened to a couple of Conway and Dolly 8-tracks over and over and over and over again! Growing up I remember listening to other Country greats as well, like Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Loretta Lynn, George Jones and Tammy Wynette.

One of the songs that I remember vividly is a Tammy Wynette tune entitled D-I-V-O-R-C-E. In it, the song writer describes how the parents have to spell out words around their little boy so that he won't know that they are going to divorce.

Our little boy is four years old and quite a little man
So we spell out the words we don't want him to understand
Like T.O.Y or maybe S.U.R.P.R.I.S.E
But the words we're hiding from him now
Tear the heart right out of me.

Our D.I.V.O.R.C.E becomes final today
Me and little J.O.E will be goin' away
I love you both and it will be pure H.E double L for me
Oh, I wish that we could stop this D.I.V.O.R.C.E.

A little hokey maybe, but a powerful reminder nonetheless of the pain and trauma that comes from divorce. It has been my observation from my 17 plus years in the ministry and from my own experience, both as a child of divorce and a party to a divorce, that no one is spared from a consequences and effects of a D-I-V-O-R-C-E, no matter how much we try to prevent it.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that divorce isn't some times necessary, I am only saying that it is always to one degree or another a painful experience. This is especially true for the children, but even then, when there are no children involved all the parties in a divorce are being negatively impacted whether they realize it at the time or not.

When we talk about the break-up of a marriage we often use terms like "splitting up" or "separating" and in fact, the word "divorce" means to turn aside or separate. It speaks of the dissolution of something (in this case, a marriage). In my not so humble opinion, that definition falls far short of reality. The Bible speaks of a marriage as a merging of two beings into one. "The two shall become one flesh." I have officiated my share of weddings while serving as a Pastor and inevitably there comes a time in the ceremony where the couple performs some ritual to demonstrate the symbolic union for which they are about to enter (the lighting of the unity candle and the sand ceremony are two examples).

Consider for a moment the lighting of the unity candle. Two candles are generally lit at the beginning of the service (usually by the mothers or other family members) to represent the individual lives of the bride and groom at that moment in time. There are two distinct lights, each capable of shining on their own. However, in order for them to shine together as one, there must be the merging of these two flames. Therefore, they each take a candle and together light the center one, then they extinguish their own candles. Thus, the center candle represents the union of their two lives into one flesh. As this center light cannot be divided, their lives together should not be divided. It symbolizes the fact that from that time onward their thoughts are to be for each other rather than for their own individual selves so that everything about their lives together will be mutual and shared.

The reality of the symbolism is that these two people have committed themselves to be one. The language of Scripture is that of "cleaving" or literally being glued together. That bond that is created by the coming together physically, intimately, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually is a powerful thing that cannot be cleanly pulled apart or separated without causing real damage to both individuals. Even with precision surgery, you cannot easily separate flesh that has been glued together. When divorce occurs, it is not truly a separation, but a ripping or tearing apart of the flesh. Pieces of his flesh are still stuck to her and pieces of her flesh are still stuck to him. In addition, there are now scabs and wounds that are going to have to be treated and given time to heal. Scars will be left as reminders of the experience. Is it any wonder that God says He hates divorce?

There is however good news. In time, the "flesh" can recover, the wounds can be healed and the pain will subside! The scars do remain, but they too become hard to see with the passing of time. If you have recently experienced a divorce or are currently going through one, I would highly recommend you find a good divorce recovery group and begin the process of healing as soon as possible. Give yourself the opportunity to grieve the the death of your marriage, work on becoming you again, find a few good books to read, develop new friendships, grow your current relationships and be open to forgiveness. Most of all, let your heart be softened so that you can once again share it with someone "special." I am not going to lie, it won't be easy, but I can testify to the fact that there is life after D-I-V-O-R-C-E.

I am so thankful for God's grace, for my friends and family and my church. I can't imagine surviving such a painful experience without them. I look forward to sharing with you more about my experiences in the future. Thanks for listening.

Talk to you Soon,

Jim

Back to Blogging

2010-12-31T12:33:00.000-08:00

I originally started this blog back in 2005 as a way to express my views on small town life in Wasco and to share stories and articles that were of interest to me. This of course was BF (Before Facebook). I enjoyed blogging at the time and it was a very therapeutic experience. I eventually quit posting due to various factors in my personal and professional life. I hope to share some of those reasons and talk about my experiences on this blog in the near future.

As I look back to 2005 a lot has changed in my life since then.

In 2005, I was married and thought I would be that way for the rest of my life. In 2011, I am divorced and single. No one event has changed my life more than the break-up of my marriage and the subsequent impact that it has had on my family!

In 2005, I was in my 15th year of service as a local church Pastor. In 2011, I work for a major non-profit helping other non-profit and government agencies plan and direct housing and services to the homeless. My divorce not only impacted my family, but it also impacted my career. There is nothing more frightening than suddenly finding yourself unemployed in your mid 40s without clear direction on what you should do with the rest of your life.

In 2005, my children were 20, 17, 15, and 12. In 2011, they are 26, 23, 21 and 18. In the last six years I have experienced two high school graduations (and a third coming in May), two college graduations, a wedding and the birth of my first grandchild! Navigating these events in the midst of a separation and divorce has been a bittersweet experience.

In 2005, I weighed 284 lbs. I was clearly on my way to an early death. In 2011, I weigh....well let's just say considerably less! I am in much better health now and I work very hard to keep it that way. I have struggled with my weight for most of my adult life and it is still a daily battle for me.

In 2005, I had three years of postsecondary education from an unaccredited Bible College. In 2011, I have a BA, from an accredited University and by the end of this year will have a Masters Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB). Going back to school has been such a blessing to me and it certainly has helped to keep me busy (it is also one of the reasons why I stopped blogging - all I have done since I started back to school is write papers - uggghhh).

Since 2005 there have been many other changes in my life as well. I hope to discuss them in the coming months.

So why start blogging again? Several reasons...

I hope that through my recent experiences I can be a blessing and encouragement to others who are going through similar circumstances.
I have things I want to say and share that do not lend themselves to my other online outlet i.e. Facebook.
I need a way to express my creativity and to continue to develop my writing skills (such as they are) now that my formal education is almost complete.
I have 17 years worth of sermons and lessons that I would like to archive online so that I can leave as a legacy for my family and friends.
I am single (and it looks like I may be that way for a while!), I have a LOT of time on my hands! I need something constructive to do!

I invite you to stop by and check out the blog as you have time. I will address issues that are important to me, but I also hope that they will be interesting to you! I intend on being transparent and slightly provocative. I will not seek to offend but what I write may not be for everyone. I hope you understand!

I wanted to give nod to my friend Dale Nicol, who recently started a blog and helped to rekindle my desire for blogging again.

Talk To You Soon,

Jim

My Absence from Blogging

2007-07-17T11:42:00.000-07:00

I have been away from blogging for quite some time now and I wanted to start up again. For those who care, there have been two reasons for my absence.

The first reason has to do with my decision to go back to school and finish my degree. I started last August at Fresno Pacific University in the Organizational Leadership program and hope to be finished by this September. In addition to the regular assignments, we have also had to write a thesis, and this has been very time consuming. Instead of taking tests, we write papers at the end of each module and frankly, I have just been tired of writing.

The second reason has to do with things going on in my personal life that I cannot share right now, but hope to be able to down the road.

Posting will be light, but I do hope to contribute some material for this blog each week.

My Absence

2006-10-20T20:33:00.000-07:00

It has been three weeks since my last post. I have been busy writing the first part of my Thesis, along with two long papers for other classes. I have come up this week for a breath and I will be out of pocket again (more papers due).

Thanks for being patient with me. In the mean time enjoy the three new posts.

Jim

E-Coli Claims Its First Celebrity

2006-10-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

Can Democrats Be Trusted to Govern in Wartime?

2006-10-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

The Investor's Business Daily doesn't think so. They give 97 reasons why, here.

The Ant and the Grasshopper - 2006

2006-10-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

My liberal mom sent this to me, she thought I would like it...and she was right!

The ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER - OLD VERSION:

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks he's a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible

MODERN VERSION:

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks he's a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving. CBS, NBC, ABC & CNN show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so? Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper, and everybody cries when they sing, "It's Not Easy Being Green." Jesse Jackson stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, "We shall overcome." Jesse then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake. Ted Kennedy & John Kerry exclaim in an interview with Dan Rather that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his "fair share. Finally, the EEOC drafts the "Economic Equity and Anti-Grasshopper Act," retroactive to the beginning of the summer. The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the government. Hillary gets her old law firm to represent the grasshopper in a defamation suit against the ant, and the case is tried before a panel of federal judges that Bill appointed from a list of single-parent welfare recipients. The ant loses the case. The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it. The ant has disappeared in the snow. The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Vote Republican

He's Wagging His Finger Again - Watchout

2006-09-24T14:23:00.000-07:00

Does this seem familiar to you? When he starts wagging that finger you better start checking his facts. Check out Michelle Malkin on the topic. Allahpundit at hotair has a great round up. Here is my favorite exerpt,

5.Despite the fact that it’s central to a debate that’s been raging for weeks, Wallace’s question about whether he did enough to eliminate Bin Laden is a “conservative hit job” designed to appease Fox’s right-wing viewers, who’ll all be very, very sore when they find out Rupert Murdoch is working with Clinton on climate change. Presumably Wallace should have stuck to the script followed by Meredith “Giggles” Vieira, CNN schlockmeister Larry King, who bombarded Clinton with tough questions like “How’s your health?” and “Have you seen Gore’s movie?”, and of course Keith Olbermann, who played his part perfectly except for the lack of a blue dress.

It always amuses me when liberals get mad because of the questions they are asked when they go on Fox News. They are so use to getting fawned over and asked softball questions by the MSM that they become undone and lose their composure. Instead of answering the questions they attack Fox as being "right wing." Well guess what, at least half of the country want those questions asked, and answered. Since no one from CNN or MSNBC is going to ask those questions, somebody has to. Conservatives are much better at this than liberals because they are used to tough interviews.

Mr Pot, Meet Mr. Kettle

2006-09-22T15:39:00.000-07:00

HT realclearpolitics

How Nerdy Are You

2006-09-13T22:31:00.000-07:00

2006-09-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

A Smack Down GW Bush Style

This is the George W Bush I want to see more of, I love the finger in the chest. Matt Lauer is a joke. The day after we were reminded about what kind of enemy we are facing he is worried about waterboarding Al Queda members. It makes me ill.

Been Busy

2006-09-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

Posting has been light over the last week because we have been very busy. This was Rose Festival week in Wasco and we had a lot going on. First, my daughter was a contestant in the Rose Queen pageant. It has been a great experience for Alysse, but it has taken up a lot of our time and energy (especially my wife and daughter's). Then we had the Rose Parade along with the Arts and Crafts Fair in the park, which took up Friday evening and the entire day yesterday. In addition, my son Aaron came home from college for the weekend with four of his new friends!

In one of my first posts on this blog, I wrote about why I love the Rose Festival weekend, and you can read the original post here. This year of course was special because of Alysse's participation in the pageant. The parade was great, it really is Americana. I took pictures of the parade so that I could share them with you. I hope you enjoy them.

The Crowd gets ready for the parade.

The parade always begins with this large American Flag.

The Color Guard

You won't see this kind of float in the other Rose Parade!

More Parade Pics

2006-09-10T17:42:00.000-07:00

The Grand Marshall

Some lovely parade watchers (that is my wife in the middle and my youngest daughter next to her).

During the parade we congregate in front of our church which just happens to be right on the parade route.

Aaron's friends aren't sure what to think about small town U.S.A.!

Mr. Reding has been riding a scooter in the parade for over twenty years. It is his job to keep the parade entries moving along at the right pace.

Parade Pics Continued

2006-09-10T17:40:00.000-07:00

Last year's Rose Queen

This year's Queen

Rose Queen and some of her Court

My Rose Queen

She definitely favors her mother!

Even More Pics

2006-09-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

The Shriners are always a hit.

The Wasco High School Band

The Thomas Jefferson Junior High band

The Wasco City Council

Yes, There is More

2006-09-10T17:36:00.000-07:00

It must be an election year!

The Last of the Pics

2006-09-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

Every parade needs a pooper scooper!

Bachman Turner Overdrive

2006-09-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

In previous posts (see here, here, here and here) I discussed why Rush is my favorite band. Now I want to talk about my second favorite band, Bachman Turner Overdrive or as they are affectionately known as BTO. Whereas Rush is known more as a "progressive rock" band, BTO is a more straight up "hard rock" band, although several of their songs have a jazz flavor to them.

As I began my High School years I became fascinated with BTO largely through my neighbor and classmate Bill Fisher . Bill had an LP (remember those?) by BTO called "Four Wheel Drive" and because I had just been given an old record player and needed something to play on it, he graciously let me borrow the album.

Given that it was going to take some time for me to earn the money to buy new albums I literally played "Four Wheel Drive" day and night. Every song on the album became my favorite as I listened to each one until the words and music were etched in my memory. Even today, I can still hear the music in my mind.

In any event, this led to the purchase of my second BTO album, "Not Fragile." Arguably their best album, there is no debate that it was their most successful, reaching number 1 on the pop album charts in 1974. It also included two number one hits, "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" and the instrumental "Free Wheelin." This album also included several of their best known songs, like "Roll on Down the Highway," "Not Fragile," and "Sledgehammer." Over the next few weeks I will be posting more on my favorite BTO albums and songs, but for now I want to post a couple of BTO videos from youtube.

One thing I want to add is that you shouldn't judge the band by their looks or by the quality of these videos. Randy Bachman and especially C.F. Turner do not look like your usual rock band members, but that doesn't mean they can't produce some very good tunes. So enjoy.

2006-09-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

Bachman Turner Overdrive - Roll On Down The Highway

2006-09-03T22:52:00.000-07:00

Bachman Turner Overdrive - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet

2006-09-03T22:48:00.000-07:00

Bachman Turner Overdrive - Let It Ride

2006-09-03T22:47:00.000-07:00

Bachman Turner Overdrive - Hey You

The Plame Blame Game

2006-09-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

Since I am often harsh on the MSM for their narrow, elitist, leftist, BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome) perspective, when they get something right I feel obligated to point it out. In this case, the editorial writers at the Washington Post have displayed some intellectual honesty by laying the blame for the whole Valerie Plame affair where it belongs, at the feet of her husband Joe Wilson. In the course of acknowledging what most insiders already know, that the leak came from Richard Armitage (in the form of gossip). The post writers then say,

It follows that one of the most sensational charges leveled against the Bush White House -- that it orchestrated the leak of Ms. Plame's identity to ruin her career and thus punish Mr. Wilson -- is untrue.

Although they do not waste an opportunity to get a shot in at the Bush Administration, they conclude with this,

Nevertheless, it now appears that the person most responsible for the end of Ms. Plame's CIA career is Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson chose to go public with an explosive charge, claiming -- falsely, as it turned out -- that he had debunked reports of Iraqi uranium-shopping in Niger and that his report had circulated to
senior administration officials. He ought to have expected that both those officials and journalists such as Mr. Novak would ask why a retired ambassador would have been sent on such a mission and that the answer would point to his wife. He diverted responsibility from himself and his false charges by claiming that President Bush's closest aides had engaged in an illegal conspiracy. It's unfortunate that so many people took him seriously.

In their defense, many reporters at the Post have always been cautious about the facts of the Plame investigation (see this great summary by Tom Maguire at Just One Minute). I am not holding my breath however, for any mea culpas from the major networks or the New York Times any time soon.

For more commentary on the post editorial you can read this, this, and this.

Game Week - San Jose State

2006-08-29T17:27:00.000-07:00

Well, game week has finally arrived. This week the Washington Huskies prepare for their first game of the season, against San Jose State. It has been a tough couple of years for this Washington transplant living in Southern California. Most of the people here are either UCLA or USC fans. Since it is just up the freeway, there are some Fresno State fans here as well.

Quite a few people here root for UC Berkley, mainly because one of Wasco's own has played and started there over the last few years (by the way, his name is Aaron Merz and he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills, go Aaron). Aaron started playing for Cal, the year they broke the losing streak to UW. Mostly people here have been gracious about the condition of my Huskies, but it has been humbling to see how far this once mighty program has fallen.

I was excited when they hired Rick Neuheisel, but he was a big disappointment. He and Barbara Hedges helped take Washington from the best and most consistent program in the PAC-10 to where it is today. Our record for the last two years? 3-19, it even pains me to write that. Keith Gilbertson (the most recent coach) probably should also get some credit or rather blame for our sad state of affairs, but he was put in a no win situation.

I was not very thrilled when they hired Ty Willingham as head coach because I considered him to be a retread, and what we needed was fresh ideas and new blood. However, Ty is a quality individual and a great man of character. He has put together a good staff and there is some talent on this squad...we are going to find out very soon if this staff can get the job done, let's hope so. Here is this year's schedule and it looks pretty tough.

Sept. 2 San Jose State
Sept. 9 at Oklahoma
Sept. 16 Fresno State
Sept. 23 UCLA
Sept. 30 at Arizona
Oct. 7 at USC
Oct. 14 OREGON STATE
Oct. 21 at California
Oct. 28 ARIZONA STATE
Nov. 4 at Oregon
Nov. 11 STANFORD
Nov. 18 at Washington State

GO DAWGS!!!!!!

The 527 Media

2006-08-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

Jed Babbin has an excellent letter to Ken Mehlman of the RNC. Nothing drives conservatives like me crazier than the Bush bashing, Republican hating MSM. It is time for the Republicans to fight back and to tell the truth to the country. In his article, he quotes Washington Post editor Marie Arana who confirms what we all know to be true.

"The elephant in the newsroom is our narrowness ... If you work here, you must be one of us. You must be liberal, progressive, a Democrat. I've been in communal gatherings at the Post, watching election returns, and have been flabbergasted to see my colleagues cheer unabashedly for the Democratic candidates."

Babbin's advice, "Tell America that it's a media culture, not a conspiracy."

In one of my favorite movies "You've Got Mail," Meg Ryan's boyfriend (played by Greg Kinnear) tells her as they are breaking up that he has fallen for a Conservative T.V. Talkshow Host. Since his character is a left wing columnist, Ryan's character is shocked. Kinnear's answer is, "I just can't help myself." That is the problem with the 527 media, they just can't help themselves. The only people they are around, the only people they listen to and read are fellow liberals. They really don't know anyone who lives in "fly over country" (i.e. middle America). They live and work in an echo chamber and they are narrow in their worldview.

But what can conservatives and republicans do to counteract the 527 liberal media culture? Or, as Babbin asks, how can republicans find "the pony in this pile of macaca?" Babbin offers some interesting ideas.

· Renounce any idea of using the power of the government against the press. The New York Times should be publicly ridiculed, not prosecuted. Remember the best lesson we can learn from Rush Limbaugh: You can do much more political damage with humor than with insults.

· Produce a series of television ads going after the "527 Media." Expose who they are and show how the typical newsroom is more like a dysfunctional, liberal family than a business run by adults.

· It's time for the Vice President to give a speech taking the press to task. He should name names. If Pinch Sulzberger wants to be a political activist instead of a publisher, why not call him on it?

· Organize a group called the Swift Veteran Reporters for the Truth. Every time one of those contrived stories comes out, make sure your team, experienced reporters all, can access the facts and get them out -- fast -- on blogs, talk radio and everywhere else.

· Get Republican congressmen and senators to write letters to their local papers and local network TV affiliates. Ask how they can pretend to be fair if they have nothing but liberals in the newsroom? Why did Clinton crony George Stephanopoulos get a big show on ABC? Culture, not conspiracy.

· Establish a media hotline for disgruntled reporters to call in about the contrived stories, connivance with the Dems and the bias they face in their newsrooms. Hire a couple of old-time conservative journalists to run it, guarantee anonymity, and then publish what the whistleblowers say.

· Get your best joke writers to study everything they can about the worst of the 527 Media and let 'em rip. I can just hear Mr. Cheney tut-tutting about the New York Times' stock collapse and comparing it to the dividends of, say, Halliburton.

The article is a whole lot of fun. HT NRO Media Blog

Now That I am Praising Bill Clinton

2006-08-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

Nothing makes me more angry than the whole "Bush Lied" meme. It is dishonest and flies in the face of all the facts. Austin Bay has posted a column by Tom Nichols that makes this quite clear.

The article quotes none other than my new favorite person to praise,
Bill Clinton. Here is what Clinton had to say...

“It is obvious that there is an attempt here, based on the whole history of this operation since 1991, to protect whatever remains of [Saddam’s] capacity to produce weapons of mass destruction, the missiles to deliver them, and the feed stocks necessary to produce them. The UNSCOM inspectors believe that Iraq still
has stockpiles of chemical and biological munitions, a small force of Scud-type missiles, and the capacity to restart quickly its production program and build many, many more weapons.”

Clinton then added:

“Now, let’s imagine the future. What if [Saddam] fails to comply, and we fail to act, or we take some ambiguous third route which gives him yet more opportunities to develop this program of weapons of mass destruction and continue to press for the release of the sanctions and continue to ignore the
solemn commitments that he made? Well, he will conclude that the international community has lost its will. He will then conclude that he can go right on and do more to rebuild an arsenal of devastating destruction. And some day, some
way, I guarantee you, he’ll use the arsenal. And I think every one
of you who’s really worked on this for any length of time believes that, too. [emphasis added] If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow by the knowledge that they can act with
impunity, even in the face of a clear message from the United
Nations Security Council and clear evidence of a weapons of mass destruction program.”

That was Bill Clinton in 1998. Here he is on Larry King in 2003...

“People can quarrel with whether we should have more troops in Afghanistan or internationalize Iraq or whatever, but it is incontestable that on the day I left office, there were unaccounted for stocks of biological and chemical weapons.And then we bombed with the British for four days in 1998. We might have gotten it all; we might have gotten half of it; we might have gotten none of it. But we didn’t know. So I thought it was prudent for [President Bush] to go to the U.N. and for the U.N. to say you got to let these inspectors in, and this time if you don’t cooperate the penalty could be regime change, not just continued sanctions.”

Read the whole article, I think it is very convincing and a sharp rebuke to those who want to continue to scream, Bush lied.

Who Should We Believe - The New York Times or the Facts?

2006-08-24T00:14:00.000-07:00

Check out this post at Gateway Pundit. Once again the blogs are doing the work that the MSM won't do (I will leave it to you decide why).
HT Instapundit

My favorite for 2006 Rose Queen

2006-08-24T00:04:00.000-07:00

If you want to see who I am rooting for in this year's Wasco Rose Queen Pageant click on this link and then click on the bottom far right contestant. It is a good thing she takes after her mother.

A National Shame

2006-08-22T22:28:00.000-07:00

Stories like this just make me shake my head in shame. What has our country come to? In the name of "choice" and "reproductive rights" a worker at an abortion clinic can deliver a baby, "alive, moving and trying to breathe," cut the umbilicial cord and then stuff "the wriggling, gasping baby into a biohazard bag" and seal the bag shut. According to the article this is not the first time something like this has happened.

The Hialeah City Council on Aug. 10 stripped A Gyn of its local license. Clinic owner Siomara Senises voluntarily surrendered her operating license to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. In 2004, Senises turned in her license to operate another clinic in Miramar, Fla., after authorities discovered she had allowed unlicensed workers, including a medical student and a janitor, to perform abortions. The Hialeah incident marks the third time in two years that Florida abortionists have had to surrender their licenses for endangering women's safety, and the second time in just over one year that a born-alive baby has died in a Florida clinic.

God help us!

HT Stand to Reason

Democrats and the Fertility Gap

2006-08-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

Arthur C. Brooks has authored the feature article at Opinion Journal. In it, he explains why the liberals may have a larger political problem in the future because they are not multiplying, there is a "fertility gap" that they may not be able to overcome.

Simply put, liberals have a big baby problem: They're not having enough of them, they haven't for a long time, and their pool of potential new voters is suffering as a result. According to the 2004 General Social Survey, if you picked 100 unrelated politically liberal adults at random, you would find that they had, between them, 147 children. If you picked 100 conservatives, you would find 208 kids. That's a "fertility gap" of 41%. Given that about 80% of people with an identifiable party preference grow up to vote the same way as their parents, this gap translates into lots more little Republicans than little
Democrats to vote in future elections. Over the past 30 years this gap has not been below 20%--explaining, to a large extent, the current ineffectiveness of liberal youth voter campaigns today.

Of course not every child grows up to have the same political views as his parents (see the 60's), but more often than not they do. Brooks doesn't see this fertility gap changing anytime soon, even when "we correct for factors like age, income, education, sex, race--or even religion."

He quotes one liberal columnist who insists that the gap is a real reflection of the cultural differences between the left and the right in the country today. As the aforementioned columnist wrote,

"Maybe the scales are tipping to the neoconservative, homogenous right in our culture simply because they tend not to give much of a damn for the ramifications of wanton breeding and environmental destruction and pious sanctimony, whereas those on the left actually seem to give a whit for the health of the planet and the dire effects of overpopulation."

While I think the columnist's explanation is over the top, I do agree that there is a fundamental difference in how the left and the right look at the value of children. Call it "family values" or whatever you want, but conservatives generally think having a family i.e. lots of kids is not a bad thing.

I do think there is another factor that Brooks did not address that helps to explain the fertility gap. James Taranto at Best of the Web calls it the Roe Effect. In a nut shell the theory goes that...

"since those who favor legal abortion are much more likely to get one than those who oppose it, and since children often follow their parents' political leanings, support for legal abortions will decline over time, simply because pro-choice parents will have fewer children than they might otherwise have had. Since people frequently associate their views with political parties, those parties that oppose abortion, such as conservative parties, including the Republican Party, could gain power over time" (source wikipedia.org).

The fertility gap helps to explain why the democrats are working so hard to court favor with immigrants because that seems to be the one area where they might experience actual growth.

What Bill Clinton Has Wrought

2006-08-20T22:44:00.000-07:00

This is a first at accordingtothisjim, but I am going to say something positive about Bill Clinton. For all the issues I have with his presidency he did do some things right. One thing he did right was sign the welfare reform bill in 1996. This may be the greatest legacy of his presidency. Rich Lowry of NRO has an interesting article about the effects of that bill. Among other things Lowry writes,

Welfare caseloads have dropped 60 percent since the passage of welfare reform. Was that just the result of a strong economy? No. Caseloads didn’t decline significantly in any of the eight periods of economic expansion from the 1950s to the mid-1990s. From 1953 to 1994, the number of families on welfare dropped in only five of those years, and dropped two years in a row only once. By 2005, welfare caseloads had been declining for a stunning 11 straight years.

HT Justin Taylor

My Tax Problem is Nobody else's Business

2006-08-20T00:42:00.000-07:00

I am generally for privatizing as much of the government as possible except when it involves sensitive information. This is a perfect example. It is a very bad idea. I can see the possibility for all kinds of abuses.

Although I guard my credit religiously and I haven't had much experience with collection agencies (medical bills I thought the insurance had taken care of), I know how they can be and I am sure that people will be intimidated into paying more than they owe.

Like with the bankruptcy bill (I have never declared bankruptcy) that was passed last year, I really believe that some in Congress have no clue what it is like to live in the real world.

Mexicans in America

2006-08-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

Richard Rodriguez a CATO Institute (a Libertarian Think Tank) contributer, has written an interesting essay on Mexicans in America. For those of us who think that strong immigration reform is badly needed, it will not be an easy read. However, Rodriguez makes some very valid points.

Americans have tended to abrogate to economists the question of the costs and the benefits of illegal immigration. But, surely, beyond how much Betsy Ross is willing to pay for a head of lettuce, there is the question of morality, there is the question of Mexico. How much of Mexico are we willing to take within our borders? I believe the question might better be asked of a theologian, than an economist.

Rodriguez is a big believer in assimilation so he is not calling for a reconquista, only that we as Americans have a better understanding of Mexican immigrants and their values and how we should see them.

In response to Rodriguez, another CATO contributer, Victor Davis Hanson has written a reaction essay. He writes,

First, I share Rodriquez’s worry that migrant workers are sometimes being demonized. But aside from necessary censure against bigots, it is all the more urgent to ensure that Mexican immigrants arrive in the United States legally, and in reasonable numbers that ensure that they can assimilate and find opportunities in education and employment as quickly as possible.

Yet we too often forget that much of the unfortunate animus toward illegal aliens is most often predicated on class considerations, more than race or religion. Americans of the lower middle classes of all races—who do not have nannies or gardeners, who rarely eat out or stay at a hotel, but who do
compete for wages in construction and service industries with illegal aliens, and have their children in overcrowded inner-city or rural schools that are struggling with immigrants without English—are far more likely to demand reform than is our elite. The latter appreciates good cheap service while traveling and
dining out, or industrious day-laborers for remodeling and landscaping—and, of course, has little worry about rival illegal-alien film producers, professors, writers, lawyers, or doctors undercutting their own salaries or unions.

Pace Rodriguez, we need not ask either a theologian or an economist about how much of Mexico we are willing to take in. We already have a good guess that one out of every ten Mexican citizens currently resides in the United States, most of them under illegal auspices.

This influx is largely due to the cynical policies of American
business that wants robust Mexican youth to work cheaply at wages Americans apparently will not. When the worker’s vigor and health are exhausted, the employer expects to find a younger replacement from Mexico—with the added expectation that the government entitlement industry will provide for his former employee’s health and retirement needs.

But you can't lay all of the blame at the feet of American businesses.

Then there is the Mexican City government that counts on $15 billion in remittances to prop up a near-failed state, without much care how minimum-wage workers abroad survive after sending so much of their wages home. Illegal immigration for Mexico is a safety valve that ensures dissidents migrate rather than agitate. And Mexico also nurses ethnic chauvinism and old grievances, delighted to discover that its expatriate community grows fonder of Mexico the longer and further it is free from it. Rodriquez thinks it is “curious” that “Indians” are coming north from Mexico. Perhaps, but instead of condemning the “cold heart” of America, he should ask why they apparently find“white” or “Anglo” culture more tolerant than the “Spanish” establishment of Mexico that is apparently relieved to see its own mestizos leave.

This is a healthy discussion that I would like to see more of.

Finally, Some People in Hollywood Get It!

2006-08-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

Just when I think I can't be surprised by Hollywood, I am! Duane at Radioblogger has posted the following on his website. Notice who they are blaming for the civilian casualties....those who are really responsible for them!

15 Websites that Changed the World

2006-08-15T23:26:00.000-07:00

I have used most of these websites, although I have not heard of two of them (friendsreunited.com; easyjet.com). This is an informative read. I love wikipedia and youtube. HT evangelicaloutpost

Also see 25 Greatest PCs of all Time and 50 Coolest Websites

The 25 Most Important Questions in the History of the Universe

2006-08-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

Can a pregnant woman drive in the carpool lane? How can a person win at that ultra-important-corporate-decision-making-process, rock-paper-scissor? Was turkey a country or a bird first?

These pressing questions and 22 others have been answered for us and can be found here. HT The Corner

2006-08-10T00:25:00.000-07:00

OK GO Treadmill Dance

These guys have way too much time on their hands!

How to Become a Notre Dame Fan

2006-08-08T22:16:00.000-07:00

Click to Enlarge
Football season is just around the corner and the message board is burning at dawgman.com. Someone there named nukemdawg posted this chart. I don't know if he made it up or he copied it from someone else. I would be glad to credit it to the person who developed it if they step forward. As you will see, I am not much of a Notre Dame fan, in fact I can't ever remember rooting for them, ever in any game! I think they get special treatment and don't deserve it.

The Media's Warped Sense of Perspective

2006-08-06T16:43:00.000-07:00

This article by Jeff Jacoby is excellent. While I was very angry that Mel Gibson said what he did (not only was it wrong, but it played into the hands of those who cried anti-semitism against "The Passion of the Christ"). However, lets keep some perspective about the degree of offenses, especially given the difference in the contrition between the two men (one was very contrite, one wasn't). HT Hugh Hewitt

Lebanon

2006-08-05T20:52:00.000-07:00

In the midst of all the turmoil and strife in the Middle East we forget how beautiful that area can be. Also, it is amazing how small an area it really is. Michael J. Totten who lived in Lebanon, has posted some great photos of Southern Lebanon near the Israeli border (make sure you keep scrolling down). In addition, check out the links he provides to more photos of Beirut and other parts of Lebanon.

A Good Day To Be A Washington Husky

2006-08-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

Husky Stadium - Seattle Washington

Warren Moon got the Huskies started on their roll back in the seventies (and sadly ended in 2003). I have always been a big fan of his. Congratulations go to Warren on being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ann Coulter

2006-08-05T00:23:00.000-07:00

My mom over at leezy's slice of life blog has commented on the recent Ann Coulter interview at beliefnet.com.

Rather than go through the interview question by question and respond to Ann Coulter's comments, I am just going to link to the interview and then a discussion that followed over at the thinklings blog. The Redeemer Church referenced in that discussion is Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC.

Why does Ann Coulter elicit the kind of response she gets, like the one from my mom? I have said before that most liberals are not used to having conservatives speak the harsh realities of truth to them, as Ann Coulter does. I have to admit that I usually cringe when I hear her speak, but I secretly admire they way that she can "tell it like it is."

Unfortunately, because of her style and because she has become the issue, her effectiveness has been diminished. Anything she says is really just preaching to the choir. I think that is sad because as an intelligent and articulate woman, she has some very important things to say.

Scary

2006-08-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

What is so frightening about this clip is that this man is one of the highest ranking dems in congress. Do we really want to put him in a position of power? This is why the elections in November are so important.

Ned Lamont vs Joe Lieberman

2006-08-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

I think what is happening to Joe Lieberman in Connecticut is outrageous. Six years ago the Dems loved him enough to make him the Vice-President. Now, they are ready and willing to throw him under the bus.

I disagree with Lieberman on almost everything, but I do believe he is one of the most consistently principled Democrats in Government.

Ned Lamont's campaign should remember that those who live by the left-wing blogosphere shall die by the left-wing blogosphere.

Michael Gerson

2006-08-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting interview of one of the great speechwriters of the last several decades. Looking back on some of President Bush's best speeches you can see Gerson's influence.

1,000th Visit

2006-08-03T01:03:00.000-07:00

Sometime today we went over 1,000 on our visit count! Thanks mom for visiting so often (she gets credit for about 500 of those visits). Here's to 100,000 more.

Ole Anthony

2006-08-02T09:35:00.000-07:00

I love this kind of ministry. Frankly, more leaders in the evangelical church should be speaking out in support of his work. Some, like Benny Hinn, are false prophets. Others, like Paul Crouch and Robert Tilton are simply hucksters. Men like TD Jakes and Joel Osteen don't fit into either of those categories, but they are severely misguided.

Robert Tilton is the worst of the worst. This is such a serious subject but, if you want a good laugh, check out this and this (warning crude alert).

HT SmartChristian

Internet Gambling

2006-07-31T23:38:00.000-07:00

A Slate article on gambling by Jacob Weisberg is thought provoking. He writes,

Here in Midtown Manhattan, I have plenty of opportunities to gamble legally. At the newsstand downstairs, I can buy New York lottery tickets for dozens of different instant, daily, and jackpot games. To play the horses, I have only to pick up the phone or walk a few blocks to one of more than 60 convenient off-track betting facilities in the city. From the Port Authority terminal on Eighth Avenue, I can catch a bus to Atlantic City, where I can play blackjack, roulette, and poker. It's an even
shorter ride to Foxwoods in Connecticut, historic home of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and approximately 7,000 slot machines.

Gambling has become the national pastime, and it is becoming more pervasive. He goes on to say,

Various other forms of gambling are entirely illegal, though prevalent and unlikely to get me in trouble. It is technically against the law to participate in an office pool on the NCAA tournament. Betting on a friendly round of golf, chess, or billiards is also a crime. I break the law when I play poker with my buddies, though if I am ever arrested, I plan to point out that Justice Scalia does it, too. There is some ambiguity about whether it's illegal for individuals to play poker over the Internet, but executives of foreign-based Web sites who allow
Americans to wager may be arrested, as was David Carruthers, the chief executive of the British company BetonSports, who was taken into custody while changing planes in Dallas on his way to Costa Rica. According to his lawyer, Carruthers now faces up to 20 years in prison on federal charges. A bill before Congress, sponsored by Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, (which has over a dozen casinos, a gambling cruise ship, two dog tracks, a horse track, and a lottery), would attempt to curtail Internet gambling by creating criminal penalties for credit card and other companies that process Internet gambling transactions.

What's the difference between the legal forms of gambling and the illegal forms? Some of the legal varieties are less appealing, in part because the "vig" tends to be higher (lotteries return less than 60 percent of their take in prizes). Certain kinds of authorized gambling convey the special grimness of state-sponsored vice, which will be familiar to those who have visited riverboat casinos in desperate Mississippi and Indiana towns. But morally and in terms of their social consequence, it's hard to draw any distinction at all. All kinds of gambling, from bingo to baccarat, are benign entertainment for most people,dangerously addictive to a few, and capable of breeding unwanted side effects for society.

I disagree with his attitude toward internet gambling. I think it is a trend that will breed a great deal of hardship for families in the future. I especially hate the idea that people can charge their internet gambling to credit cards. That is a recipe for disaster.

HT Albert Mohler

Why Evangelicals Support Israel

2006-07-31T23:17:00.000-07:00

This short item helps explain why.

Christian Retailing and the Great Commission

2006-07-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

This article in the LA Times about a Christian Retailers Convention makes me wonder about what has happened to modern christianity? An excerpt:

Christian Outdoorsman was taking orders for a camouflage baseball cap with a red cross. In Booth 235, Revelation Products of St. Louis was pitching golf balls and flip-flops. Follow the Son flip-flops have patterned soles that leave the message "Follow Jesus" in the sand.Gospel Golf Balls are touted as "a great golf ball with a greater purpose." Manufactured by Top-Flite, the golf balls are printed with well-known verses from the Bible, such as John 3:16 ("For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…. "). Dave Kruse, president of Revelation, said they were meant as "conversation starters," to help men share
their faith while teeing up.An added bonus: Duffers need no longer feel bad about losing a ball in the rough. "If you're playing great, good," Kruse said. "If you're spraying the ball, well … lose a golf ball, share the gospel."

The article goes on to say:

After years of steady growth, the Christian retail market notched $4.3 billion in sales in 2004, the latest year for which figures are available. Sales of Christian books, in particular, are booming, outpacing most sectors of the publishing industry.But except for a handful of top-selling books and albums, Christian merchandise is marketed almost exclusively by believers for believers, through Christian stores, trade shows and websites.There are Christian health clubs, Christian insurance agencies and Christian tree trimmers (who advertise in Christian business directories). There are Christian alternatives for the
most unlikely mainstream products: gangsta rap, shoot-'em-up video games, sweatbands, playing cards, scrapbook supplies, children's pajamas.Even the popular American Girl doll collection — long a favorite of Christian families because it's so wholesome — has inspired an overtly Christian knockoff. A Life of Faith, like American Girl, publishes historical novels featuring spunky girl characters, then turns the heroines into $100 dolls with lavish wardrobes. In the Christian version, the dolls come clutching Bibles; their stories, sprinkled with Scripture, describe how the girls find sustenance in theirfaith."It looks like a bunch of pretty, frilly stuff, but … it will get those Biblical values deep into the girls' hearts. Our culture is a river of mud, and we don't want girls to be swept up in it," said Sandi Shelton, president of Mission City Press in Franklin, Tenn., which produces the Life of Faith line.

Unfortunately, Alan Wolfe, a non-believer understands what is going on better than most believers.

The effect of such products, according to political scientist Alan Wolfe, is to create almost a parallel universe, one that allows Christians to withdraw from the world instead of engaging it as Christ commanded."It's as if they're saying the task of bringing people to Jesus is too hard, so let's retreat into a fortress," said Wolfe, who directs the Boisi Center for Religion and American
Public Life at Boston College."Evangelism is about reaching out and converting the unsaved," Wolfe said. "This is about putting a fence around people who are already saved. It strikes me as if they're giving up.

Is it time to cleanse the temple again?

ht Justin Taylor

Quote of the Day

2006-07-27T01:35:00.000-07:00

paleoevangelical's quote of the day is pretty powerful and certainly makes you think. It is from a sermon preached by Stephen Davey, here is an excerpt:

What if homosexuality was made illegal? What if abortion was outlawed? What if sexual relations outside of marriage were unacceptable? What if prayer was back in the classroom and the Ten Commandments back in the courtroom? What then? Are people going to heaven? Has the mission of the church advanced one inch? Suppose we could turn the clock back to the good old days, wherever they were, with shared boundaries of morality, a basic respect for God, a basic underpinning of absolute truth. . . Would we breathe a sigh of relief then? Would we think that we have somehow completed our job?

Read the whole thing.

NPR - Daniel Schorr Please Don't Leave

2006-07-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

Maybe if they hired more conservative producers they might not need Daniel Schorr. And you thought people at NPR were edumacated. For my liberal mom's sake, I hope he lives to be 110, that way she can trust the news she gets. HT instapundit

Give Jihad a Chance

2006-07-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

I had to post this just to give my liberal friends a tweak.

Stuck with Feinstein and Boxer

2006-07-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

This is the kind of campaign ad we need to see more of. I loved it because of the humor and it made me want to learn more about him. Most importantly, he is not a lawyer! Unfortunately, since I live in California I won't get the chance to vote for him.....I am stuck with Di Fi and Barbara Boxer :( HT The Sixers Blog at NRO

Colleges and the SBC

2006-07-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

There is a lot to this story that I find interesting. For sixty-three years this school took money and support from the SBC, but when the SBC wanted to see a return to the baptist theology that the school was founded on, the school says, no more!

Though the school says it is about academic freedom, it is really about theological liberalism. It is an old story that has happened to other denominations as well. Princeton, Yale, Harvard were all started as training schools for preachers. Of course they have moved far awau from those roots, and are mostly embarrased by them. My how the mighty have fallen.

What Dan Brown Has Wrought

2006-07-24T22:11:00.000-07:00

All I can say to this is......oh brother!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

2006-07-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

You don't have to guess on which side of this issue I fall!

HT Tom Bevan at RCP

Disproportionate Response

2006-07-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

This pretty much says it all! Thank God for America, and thank God George Bush is in office right now or there would probably have to be another character added to the cartoon (named Clinton?). Check this out at Cox and Forkum.

Israel and Hezbollah

2006-07-14T15:14:00.000-07:00

For the most recent coverage of what's going on in the Middle East check out Pajamas Media.

Is There Hope for Allergy Sufferers?

2006-07-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

As a long time allergy sufferer and as someone who has had sinus surgery and allergy shots, I hope this is true. HT Instapundit.com

Moonbat Fasting

2006-07-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

Before you watch this hilarious video (I was ROFL), you have to read this and this and this. Michelle never pulls any punches. Ann Coulter gets all the publicity but Michelle is better at communicating the utter ridiculousness of the moonbat left!

Jesus has something to say about fasting, here is what the infinite God /man of peace had to say.

Matt 6:16-18 "And whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen fasting by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 "But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face 18 so that you may not be seen fasting by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. NAS

Language or Principles?

2006-07-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

My mom sent me this article from NPR. It is an excerpt from a book by Geoff Nunberg called Talk Right and it is subtitled:

"How Conservatives Turned Liberalism into a Tax-Raising, Latte-Drinking, Sushi-Eating, Volvo-Driving, New York Times-Reading, Body-Piercing, Hollywood-Loving, Left-Wing Freak Show."

Nunberg teaches at the University of California-Berkeley, and is a researcher at the Center for the Study of Language and Information at Stanford University.

The whole point of the book seems to be that the democrats are loosing in politics because of how they frame things linguistically. Nunberg writes,

Are the Democrats simply tone deaf? That impression was hard to escape when the party floated a new slogan in the fall of 2005 that was aimed at the 2006 midterm elections: "Together, America can do better." Or more accurately, a newly augmented slogan in 2004, John Kerry had used "America can do better," without the "together" part. According to the congressional newspaper The Hill, Democrats had chosen the slogan to address the party's "messaging problems" after testing it in focus groups along with a number of alternatives. "We know
the majority of people agree with us on the issues," one Democrat was quoted as saying, "but this effort is an acknowledgment that we need to communicate better."

This is not the first time we have seen criticism of democrats when it comes to the language of politics. The problem is, and sadly, I don't think the dems and their wordsmiths get, is that the language of the right is a language of principles. In other words, what we speak is what we believe. Nunberg comes close when he says,

It's only when you look at those patterns of usage that you discover how deep the Democrats' linguistic problems go. Over recent decades, the left has lost the battle for the language itself. When we talk about politics nowadays and by "we" I mean progressives and liberals as well as conservatives and people in the center we can't help using language that embodies the worldview of the right. (emphasis mine)

The reason the right wins the language or framing issue is because we are not afraid to speak from a point of principle, from the perspective of our worldview. We know what we think and we communicate it confidently. The dems on the other hand are still trying to figure out what they stand for and what they believe (I suspect that they know what they believe but they are unwilling to say it clearly because it would be very unpopular).

How can you frame the content of the national conversation when you can't have an honest and principled point of view. If you think I am being too harsh remember this? "I voted for the 87 billion before I voted against it." How many new slogans have the dems come out with over the last few years? When your sole goal is to win elections, rather than govern for the common good, this is what you get.

So, forget linguistic experts and bring on the leaders that can articulate a worldview that is real and honest, and then let the debate begin!

You've Got Mail

2006-07-06T19:20:00.000-07:00

While doing some work online Tuesday, my computer said, "you've got mail." Since it was my home account and I rarely use it I almost ignored the message, but I decided to check it out anyway. I was glad I did. It was a message from Classmates.com, a site I signed up for a few years ago, and rarely visited since. Because I am such a cheap skate, I wouldn't spring for the regular subscription and registered for the free part instead. Because I am on the "free plan" the only thing I can do at classmates is basically look to see who else has registered. The downside is those awful e-mail messages telling me that a certain amount of people have looked at my bio and that I really should sign up for a subscription so I can find out who!

On Tuesday however, the message was different. It said someone from my class had sent me an e-mail and that I could go to the website and read it (I didn't even know we could send e-mail to classmates through, well Classmates.com). More importantly, the e-mail said that it was from D. Phillips.

D. Phillips! That would be Doug Phillips, my best friend throughout Jr. High and High School. Needles to say, I immediately opened the e-mail and read it. What a blessing it was to hear from Doug. After High School, we both went our separate ways, he went to WSU (go Cougs) and I went to P.C.B.B.C. (don't ask. Well okay - Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College). Over the years we basically lost touch.

A few years back we e-mailed each other a couple of times but lost track again. This time, I hope we can remain in touch. I rejoice and gives thanks to the Lord that he and his family are well. It does my heart good!

Good friends don't come along often and Doug was, and I think I can still say, is a good friend.

PS. One funny story: On graduation night, our class rented out the YMCA for an all night grad party. After a fun night of dancing and games and reminiscing, a group of us decided to go to breakfast since it was now about 4:00 am. After breakfast I talked Doug into going with me to Selah to see my then girlfriend. I was just going to knock on her window and say hello. Arriving at the girlfriend's house I parked out front and walked around to the side of the house to knock on her window. Doug stayed out front and waited by the car. After knocking on the window, the girlfriend and her sister invited me to come in through the window and then to go out through the front door (it now sounds very inappropriate, but there was nothing untoward that happened). Anyway, after saying hi and goodbye I quietly walked out the front door to return to the car and what did I see? Doug was being questioned by the Selah police. Evidently, they were driving by while I was going through the window and thought a crime might be in progress. After much explaining, they determined that it was what it was and we were free to go, although my friend was none too happy with me. Still, he let it go and moved on. That's what friends do.

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

2006-07-04T15:06:00.000-07:00

Here is the answer (or I should say, here are the answers).

An Inconvenient Truth

2006-07-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

This is a great article sifting through the hype of global warming, seeking to get to the truth (inconvenient or not). The article is written by Richard S. Lindzen, the Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Atmospheric Science at MIT.

According to Al Gore, when it comes to the issue of global warming, "the debate in the scientific community is over." But is that correct? Dr. Lindzen writes,

That statement, which Mr. Gore made in an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC, ought to have been followed by an asterisk. What exactly is this debate that Mr. Gore is referring to? Is there really a scientific community that is debating all these issues and then somehow agreeing in unison? Far from such a thing being over, it has never been clear to me what this
"debate" actually is in the first place.

The media rarely help, of course. When Newsweek featured global warming in a 1988 issue, it was claimed that all scientists agreed. Periodically thereafter it was revealed that although there had been lingering doubts beforehand, now all scientists did indeed agree. Even Mr. Gore qualified his statement on ABC only a few minutes after he made it, clarifying things in an important way. When Mr. Stephanopoulos confronted Mr. Gore with the fact that the best estimates of
rising sea levels are far less dire than he suggests in his movie, Mr. Gore defended his claims by noting that scientists "don't have any models that give them a high level of confidence" one way or the other and went on to claim--in his defense--that scientists "don't know. . . . They just don't
know."

So, presumably, those scientists do not belong to the "consensus." Yet their research is forced, whether the evidence supports it or not, into Mr. Gore's preferred global-warming template--namely, shrill alarmism. To believe it requires that one ignore the truly inconvenient facts. To take the issue of rising sea levels, these include: that the Arctic was as warm or warmer in 1940;
that icebergs have been known since time immemorial; that the evidence so far suggests that the Greenland ice sheet is actually growing on average. A likely result of all this is increased pressure pushing ice off the coastal perimeter of that country, which is depicted so ominously in Mr. Gore's movie. In the absence of factual context, these images are perhaps dire or alarming.

They are less so otherwise. Alpine glaciers have been retreating since the early 19th century, and were advancing for several centuries before that. Since about 1970, many of the glaciers have stopped retreating and some are now advancing again. And, frankly, we don't know why.

He concludes his article by stating,

So what, then, is one to make of this alleged debate? I would suggest at least three points.
First, nonscientists generally do not want to bother with understanding the science. Claims of consensus relieve policy types, environmental advocates and politicians of any need to do so. Such claims also serve to intimidate the public and even scientists--especially those outside the
area of climate dynamics. Secondly, given that the question of human attribution largely cannot be resolved, its use in promoting visions of disaster constitutes nothing so much as a bait-and-switch scam. That is an inauspicious beginning to what Mr. Gore claims is not a political issue but a "moral" crusade.

Lastly, there is a clear attempt to establish truth not by scientific methods but by perpetual repetition. An earlier attempt at this was accompanied by tragedy. Perhaps Marx was right. This time around we may have farce--if we're lucky.

I encourage you to the whole thing. HT realclearpolitics

John Stossel has a great article dealing with the same subject but from a slightly different perspective. His conclusion, it is all about the money.

The scary claims about heat waves and droughts are based on computer models. But computer models are lousy at predicting climate because water vapor and cloud effects cause changes that computers fail to predict. They were unable to anticipate the massive amounts of heat energy that escaped the tropics over the past 15 years, forcing modelers back to the drawing board. In the mid-1970s, computer models told us we should prepare for global cooling.

The fundamentalist doom-mongers ignore scientists who say the effects of global warming may be benign. Harvard astrophysicist Sallie Baliunas says added carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may actually benefit the world because more CO2 helps plants grow. Warmer winters would give farmers a longer harvest season. Why don't we hear about this part of the global warming argument?

"It's the money!" says Dr. Baliunas. "Twenty-five billion dollars in government funding has been spent since 1990 to research global warming. If scientists and researchers were coming out releasing reports that global warming has little to do with man, and most to do with just how the planet works, there wouldn't be as much money to study it."

And the politicians would have one less excuse to take control of our lives.

Vacation and School

2006-06-30T01:32:00.000-07:00

I will be away from a computer for several days while at the beach and because I have several papers to write when I get back, blogging will be VERY light for the next few weeks.

Is There a Doctor in the House?

2006-06-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

It must be comforting to the parents who send their children to Davidson College to know that Professor DR. Susan Roberts knows what she's talking about.

Why AOL Gets A Bad Rep

2006-06-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

This is a classic, make sure you listen to the audio. If you have ever dealt with AOL or other large companies, you know how infuriating this can be. I do believe that AOL finally apologized. You should read the comment sections on both links, wow. If you have ever dealt with AOL about tecnical problems, be prepared to spend 15 minutes talking to a computer before you spend another 15 minutes talking to someone that you can barely understand, in India!

Here is the Better Business Bureau report on AOL.

Update: Here is a video of Vince's interview with Matt Lauer.

The New Testament and Textual Criticism

2006-06-24T23:56:00.000-07:00

Justin Taylor has an excellent post on textual criticism. For those of you have questions about the reliability of Scripture, read the whole thing. I have always found Justin's blog to be informational, I check it everyday.

Is This the Meaning of the Term Blank Slate?

2006-06-24T23:26:00.000-07:00

I love purgatorio, it is one of those unique sites that always has something interesting to look at. This name the caption contest is very funny. I especially like suggestion numbers 2, 9, 17, 20, 25, 40, 42, and 77. If you don't get some of those ask and I will try and explain! :)

A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism

2006-06-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

I suspect we will be seeing more and more press releases like this, as technology continues to lead us to the conclusion that there must be a "Grand Designer" i.e. Creator behind our existence. Having recently taken a college biology class I was once again reminded that Darwin's theory of evolution cannot explain the complexity of living things.

The Discovery Institute has some great information on the subject. HT SmartChristian

Here are three Fact Sheets (pdf) for you to consider.

Microevolution v.s. Macroevolution

The Cambrian Explosion

Survival of the Fakest

Science - Facts and Myths

2006-06-23T01:46:00.000-07:00

Is the Great Wall in China really the only man-made object that can be viewed from space?

Does Chicken Soup really help the common cold?

Will a falling cat always land on its feet?

Are yawns really contagious?

If you want to know the answers to these questions and more, click here. HT Jonah Goldberg

The UN and Homeschooling

2006-06-23T00:57:00.000-07:00

Honestly, why we still belong to the UN is beyond me. This is the sort of thing that would be happening in America if we relented and agreed to abide by their absurd Convention on Children's Rights.

From its Preamble:

Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the
community,

Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,

Sounds good right? How about this from Article 6.

1. States Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life .
2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child(emphasis mine).

Imagine that, the UN is actually pro-life! NOT!

The problem with this document is that all power and authority for raising and nurturing children rests with the "States Parties." Certainly lip service is given to the role of parents, but they are minor players when it comes to raising and rearing children, that is the role of the State!

This situation with the homeschoolers in Belgium is proof that in this document, the final authority rests with the state, not the parents. Don't get me wrong, sometimes the state has to step in when there is clear sign of abuse and or neglect, but homeschooling is neither abusive nor neglectful. (For a fuller look at the UN document check out this link).

HT KJL at The Corner

What Part of Illegal Do You Not Understand?

2006-06-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

If the Governator signs this bill it will cause problems for him in November. HT Mark Krikorian

Is This the Way to Revival?

2006-06-20T23:19:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite Ray Steven's songs. To listen to the song go here. To read the words go here. Have fun. HT Jolly Blogger

ACLU - Do As We Say, Not As We Do!

2006-06-19T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hypocrisy in the ACLU? Nah, it couldn't be.

Whose Not Making Nice?

2006-06-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

I am amazed that the entertainment left doesn't get it. Somehow they think they are owed a following no matter what they say. The Dixie Chicks are a case in point. They trash the President while in another country and then are shocked when their fans are upset about it. Michelle Malkin puts in perspective.

Christianity and the MPAA

2006-06-19T00:10:00.000-07:00

A new film coming out has been given a PG rating because of its Christian message. The movie, called "Facing the Giants" is about "a Christian high-school football coach who uses his undying faith to battle the giants of fear and failure." WorldnetDaily explains why the film may have received the PG rating.

A scene which may have drawn extra scrutiny includes a discussion between a football coach and a wealthy brat.

When the coach said the student needed to stop bad-mouthing his father and get right with God, the boy said, "You really believe in all that honoring God and following Jesus stuff? ... Well, I ain't trying to be disrespectful, but not everybody believes in that."

The coach replied: "Matt, nobody's forcing anything on you. Following Jesus Christ is the decision that you're going to have to make for yourself. You may not want to accept it, because it'll change your life. You'll never be the same."

So now you can add sharing the gospel (along with profanity, violence and brief nudity) to the list of reasons a film we will receive a PG rating.