Sunday, October 30, 2005
Word For The Week
Have you ever felt like God was picking on you? Like God was getting His jollies seeing just how much He could screw with you? Have you ever felt like cursing God and dying? Job was a man of impeccable character whose righteousness was questioned by no one. Job was blameless before God and had done nothing to deserve the pain and suffering that was inflicted upon him. Job was the man, yet everything of value to him was taken away from him. Everything that he used to glorify God was removed from him. Even his health was decimated, yet Job had done nothing to deserve all of this. Have you ever felt like you have held up your end of the bargain but God had let you down? Have you ever wished that you could subpoena God and put him under oath to make Him testify about why He's brought calamity into your life? Have you ever wanted to scream at God, "Come down here and fight like a man!"
Be careful what you ask for.
Job got his wish in our text - God answered his questions with a series of questions. Where were you when God laid the earth's foundation? Who marked off its dimensions? Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone - while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when God made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when God fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when God said, 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt'? Do you really want to go toe-to-to with Him who creates ex nihilo? You see, Job faced calamity because God was trying to prove a point - we worship God for who He is, not because of the hook-up. We serve God because He is God, not because He gives us stuff. We love God because of what he has already done for us through Christ Jesus our Lord. God recommended Job to Satan in order to prove the point that those who are truly His will serve Him no matter what.
Could God have recommend you to Satan, or does Satan recommended you to God?
Be careful what you ask for.
Job got his wish in our text - God answered his questions with a series of questions. Where were you when God laid the earth's foundation? Who marked off its dimensions? Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone - while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when God made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when God fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when God said, 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt'? Do you really want to go toe-to-to with Him who creates ex nihilo? You see, Job faced calamity because God was trying to prove a point - we worship God for who He is, not because of the hook-up. We serve God because He is God, not because He gives us stuff. We love God because of what he has already done for us through Christ Jesus our Lord. God recommended Job to Satan in order to prove the point that those who are truly His will serve Him no matter what.
Could God have recommend you to Satan, or does Satan recommended you to God?
May The LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who wants you to get with Him,
My He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who wants you to get with Him,
My He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Next!
Harriet Miers is out - she withdrew her nomination to the Supreme Court this morning - so who's next? You know that after the rabid right tastes blood in the water they will go bat-guano insane if Bush doesn't nominate a Thomas/Scalia clone. Anyone care to take a bet on who Bush will nominate? Alberto "Abu Ghraib" Gonzales would have been a possibility, but not after the Miers implosion.
He could appoint Condoleezza Rice - in fact, that seems quite plausible if she doesn't plan on running for president in 2008. It is true that Rice has no background whatsoever in Law, but Bush is in trouble, Rice sailed through the Senate confirmation hearings the first two times, and she's the true brains behind the Bush administration - for what that's worth - and actual legal qualifications don't seem to matter much to BushCo. It will be interesting to see who Bush actually nominates and how much blood is spilled over the nomination - this time the blood might not be metaphorical...
Monday, October 24, 2005
Monday Leftovers
Yesterday was a big day with my Steelers beating the Bengals - I was in Cinci for the game - so let's get to the leftovers.WILMA D-DAY
Wilma stormed the beaches of Florida this morning as a Category 3 Hurricane, and wouldn't you know it that less than 10% of the population of the Florida Keys had evacuated. This is not going to be pretty - that would be Hurricane Betty...
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Judy Miller (R-Prostitute) is getting the Jayson Blair treatment at the New York Times. Editor Bill Keller scourged Miller professionally and Maureen Dowd ripped her as only MoDo can do. I wonder if Miller's actions will reflect on White women in journalism like Jayson Blair's reflected on Black men. No, I'm serious. Stop laughing. Fine - let's do sports.
WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING OUT
It appears that the New Orleans Saints are abandoning N'Awlins. The owner says that no decision will be made until the end of the season, but haven't we heard that verbiage before? Something about no decision about going to war having been made? About exhausting every effort to avoid that unfortunate possibility? And how long has the NFL been trying to get a franchise into America's second-largest television market? Goodbye bayou, hello Hollywood.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Word For The Week
Enemy Mine
There is a saying that is truly ages-old:
"Revenge is a dessert that is best served cold."
The sweetest payback
Will come on the day that
Your enemy's down with his face on the mat.
Mount the attack
And slap the black from his crack.
But before you ask to see
What's gotten into me
You need to ask yourself,
"Who is my enemy?"
Sister
Sister
Sister
I know that some brothers have treated you bad -
May be the best man or perhaps it's your dad.
He may have left you with a child
Or he may have got buck-wild
With his fists -
Maybe his presence you miss.
But no matter how long
He's been in the wrong -
Even if he's singing the Whisper song -
I want you to begin to see
That the brothers
That that brother
Is not your true enemy.
Black man
Brother man
Son of the Motherland
I truly understand
All about the Next Man
Who always seems to have a plan
For your destruction
I know why you keep the Gloc cocked -
To make sure that the clock stops
When you squeeze off that hot shot -
But in the end that leads to corruption.
There was a time in my own life
When I thought I had a wife
But enter the Next Man -
Strife.
But take him out?
Would I dare?
Yep, I had him in cross-hairs
Yet I couldn't pull the trigger -
Why must I be the bigger nigger?
As I look in retrospect
God stepped in to protect my neck
For the Next Man got his on the next day -
He lost family courtesy of Timothy McVeigh.
I don't want you to miss
That the point is simply this:
While the Next Man was no friend to me
He still is not my true enemy.
My enemy prowls like a roaring lion
Seeking someone to devour
This very hour
He's the father of lies
And a master of disguise
And he keeps before our eyes
So many issues
That it can't be seen
That behind the scene
He exists -
It's his greatest trick.
We find enemies all around us
And this state of being confounds us
Such that we focus on our problems
And hope that we can solve them
In our own strength,
But we can't go the length
Of this sojourn on our own.
Even though it seems the same
We're playing the wrong game
You see, living without the Lord
Is like playing Checkers on a Chess Board.
Your enemy would have you to pursue
Whatever sex satisfies you
Or any prize upon which you lay your eyes
Or whatever makes you smile wide with pride -
Anything to keep you from the Lord:
"Serve me and the world is yours!"
Says the enemy.
He'll use the carrot or the stick -
Give you success or trick after trick after trick -
Whatever it takes to make you escape
The grace of God.
God wants you
He wants you to let Him love you.
Jesus died to do for you
What no man can do -
No matter his hue -
And that is to bring you to God:
Faultless
Blameless
Perfect
A twenty-carat diamond without defect.
This is what the enemy hates
This is why he tries to berate
The followers of Jesus Christ
The Way
The Truth
The Life
And in this shootout you brought a knife?
"My people perish for a lack of knowledge."
Know your true enemy.
And while he seeks to cajole you
He cannot control you
And what I'm seeking to show you
Is that God wants to know you -
Do you want to know Him?
Will you let Him in?
Will you turn away from sin?
Are you ready for new life to begin?
Or will you let your enemy win?
He is the original liar
And he wants you to join him in the lake of fire
After all, misery loves company.
So choose this day whom you will serve,
Be it the Lord God on high
Or the prince of this earth
But as for me and my house
We will serve the Lord.
For when it's all said and done
And the course of time has run
When the enemy tastes defeat
And knows that he's been beat
Then I'll mount the attack
And smack the black from his crack
As we cast him back
Into the lake of fire.
He'd love for you to join him too
But that, my friend, is up to you.
Accept Jesus and new life is yours
Reject Him and suffering now is just hors d'oeuvre
The enemy will use the brother who left you with a child
Or the one who tried to get buck wild
Or the Next Man
With a knife in his hand
And a plan
To get you into the lake of fire -
He'll use success or a quagmire.
So choose this day whom you will serve -
Do you want new life or just more hors d'oeuvre?
May The LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who wants you to get with Him,
My He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
There is a saying that is truly ages-old:
"Revenge is a dessert that is best served cold."
The sweetest payback
Will come on the day that
Your enemy's down with his face on the mat.
Mount the attack
And slap the black from his crack.
But before you ask to see
What's gotten into me
You need to ask yourself,
"Who is my enemy?"
Sister
Sister
Sister
I know that some brothers have treated you bad -
May be the best man or perhaps it's your dad.
He may have left you with a child
Or he may have got buck-wild
With his fists -
Maybe his presence you miss.
But no matter how long
He's been in the wrong -
Even if he's singing the Whisper song -
I want you to begin to see
That the brothers
That that brother
Is not your true enemy.
Black man
Brother man
Son of the Motherland
I truly understand
All about the Next Man
Who always seems to have a plan
For your destruction
I know why you keep the Gloc cocked -
To make sure that the clock stops
When you squeeze off that hot shot -
But in the end that leads to corruption.
There was a time in my own life
When I thought I had a wife
But enter the Next Man -
Strife.
But take him out?
Would I dare?
Yep, I had him in cross-hairs
Yet I couldn't pull the trigger -
Why must I be the bigger nigger?
As I look in retrospect
God stepped in to protect my neck
For the Next Man got his on the next day -
He lost family courtesy of Timothy McVeigh.
I don't want you to miss
That the point is simply this:
While the Next Man was no friend to me
He still is not my true enemy.
My enemy prowls like a roaring lion
Seeking someone to devour
This very hour
He's the father of lies
And a master of disguise
And he keeps before our eyes
So many issues
That it can't be seen
That behind the scene
He exists -
It's his greatest trick.
We find enemies all around us
And this state of being confounds us
Such that we focus on our problems
And hope that we can solve them
In our own strength,
But we can't go the length
Of this sojourn on our own.
Even though it seems the same
We're playing the wrong game
You see, living without the Lord
Is like playing Checkers on a Chess Board.
Your enemy would have you to pursue
Whatever sex satisfies you
Or any prize upon which you lay your eyes
Or whatever makes you smile wide with pride -
Anything to keep you from the Lord:
"Serve me and the world is yours!"
Says the enemy.
He'll use the carrot or the stick -
Give you success or trick after trick after trick -
Whatever it takes to make you escape
The grace of God.
God wants you
He wants you to let Him love you.
Jesus died to do for you
What no man can do -
No matter his hue -
And that is to bring you to God:
Faultless
Blameless
Perfect
A twenty-carat diamond without defect.
This is what the enemy hates
This is why he tries to berate
The followers of Jesus Christ
The Way
The Truth
The Life
And in this shootout you brought a knife?
"My people perish for a lack of knowledge."
Know your true enemy.
And while he seeks to cajole you
He cannot control you
And what I'm seeking to show you
Is that God wants to know you -
Do you want to know Him?
Will you let Him in?
Will you turn away from sin?
Are you ready for new life to begin?
Or will you let your enemy win?
He is the original liar
And he wants you to join him in the lake of fire
After all, misery loves company.
So choose this day whom you will serve,
Be it the Lord God on high
Or the prince of this earth
But as for me and my house
We will serve the Lord.
For when it's all said and done
And the course of time has run
When the enemy tastes defeat
And knows that he's been beat
Then I'll mount the attack
And smack the black from his crack
As we cast him back
Into the lake of fire.
He'd love for you to join him too
But that, my friend, is up to you.
Accept Jesus and new life is yours
Reject Him and suffering now is just hors d'oeuvre
The enemy will use the brother who left you with a child
Or the one who tried to get buck wild
Or the Next Man
With a knife in his hand
And a plan
To get you into the lake of fire -
He'll use success or a quagmire.
So choose this day whom you will serve -
Do you want new life or just more hors d'oeuvre?
May The LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who wants you to get with Him,
My He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Hump Day Issues
ENTER THE DOT MATRIXIf there was any doubt as to whether or not Big Brother was watching you, it seems that anything printed with a color laser printer has a code embedded in it that identifies the printer's serial code and the date/time of printing. The Secret Service says that it is to combat counterfitting. Right.
HEARTLESS VEEP
Apparently, rumors are flying that Cheney will be asked to resign over the Plame-CIA leak debacle. Anyone who actually believes this needs to contact me regarding some ocean-front property that I have to sell in Colorado. The only way that Cheney prematurely leaves office is via cardiac arrest, although that could be the cover story that they use to accomplish the same objective. BushCo would never admit or even suggest that they or anyone associated with them is in the wrong, so Cheney resigning under pressure could never happen - at least not in that fashion. Doctors' orders would be another matter altogether, so let's see what happens with Dr. Evil's ticker.
MODERN STONE AGE HURRICANE
Hurricane Wilma is now a Category 5 Hurricane with sustained winds of 175 mph and evil intentions for Florida. If you're in the Sunshine State, find your way to Georgia now instead of getting stuck on I-75 when 10 million of your neighbors get the idea to head north sometime Friday or Saturday...
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Word For The Week
“Where was God when the terrorists were flying planes into buildings?” I heard that question asked frequently after September 11th and it always puzzled me. How is it that a secular society - one that has rejected God on all fronts and is busy purging any reference to God from all things public - expects this same God to protect it from all hurt, harm and danger? Maybe I just missed it, but I don’t remember the United States of America confessing Jesus as Lord in its Declaration of Independence. I don’t remember America declaring its belief that God raised Him from the dead in its Constitution. I don’t remember America ever receiving Jesus or believing on His name, yet America, somehow, believes that it has been given the right to be called the Children of God. I’m proud to be an American, but the United States of America is not the chosen race, the royal priesthood, a holy nation, or a people for God’s own possession. Americans, who vehemently believes in the separation of church and state, are not the chosen people. America does not minister the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world – America evangelizes the world on the sanctity of open markets, and when it is convenient, on the value of democracy. America does not believe in a society of the Christ, by the Christ, and for the Christ – America is of the people, by the people, and for the people - as if man is the measure of all things. America has become its own god – nothing can usurp America’s sovereignty without feeling America’s wrath. America does what is right in its own eyes, yet in its time of despair, America actually dares to question the God who is there.
It is one thing to petition God, to let our requests be known to God. God implores us to do that and promises that his peace, that transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. It is quite another thing to question the nature and character of God, and that is what Job did in the book bearing his name. Job, a righteous man by the biblical account, questioned God’s justice. Job understandably felt like he’d been punished for sins that he’d not committed, but he questioned the nature and character of God, and that is where he crossed the line. Job questioned God’s goodness. An undesirable turn of events having befallen Job, Job pinned evil squarely upon God – as if he had that authority. Job, as they used to say, got too big for his britches, so God confronted him in our text.
We can ask God for understanding – James says“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” We can let our requests be made known to God, but we must not let our discouragement shake our faith as it did with Job. When trials and problems arise, we must adhere to the Word of God as did Job when he confessed, “I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.” God would say to Job as Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” We must always honor the difference between the creature and the Creator – He is God, we are not. Because He is God and we are not, we can rest in the assurance that He sustains reality, and that since we are His children that all things will ultimately work together for our good – we are in Christ and in the end Christ wins. Heaven will open, and He who is called Faithful and True will ride forth on a white horse, followed by the armies of heaven on white horses. He will strike down the nations – all of the nations, including ours – and rule them with an iron rod. He has a name that is above every name – He is the King of kings, Lord of lords, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Job found out directly about the Father of my King, as Rev. S.M. Lockridge put it:
It is one thing to petition God, to let our requests be known to God. God implores us to do that and promises that his peace, that transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. It is quite another thing to question the nature and character of God, and that is what Job did in the book bearing his name. Job, a righteous man by the biblical account, questioned God’s justice. Job understandably felt like he’d been punished for sins that he’d not committed, but he questioned the nature and character of God, and that is where he crossed the line. Job questioned God’s goodness. An undesirable turn of events having befallen Job, Job pinned evil squarely upon God – as if he had that authority. Job, as they used to say, got too big for his britches, so God confronted him in our text.
We can ask God for understanding – James says“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” We can let our requests be made known to God, but we must not let our discouragement shake our faith as it did with Job. When trials and problems arise, we must adhere to the Word of God as did Job when he confessed, “I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.” God would say to Job as Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” We must always honor the difference between the creature and the Creator – He is God, we are not. Because He is God and we are not, we can rest in the assurance that He sustains reality, and that since we are His children that all things will ultimately work together for our good – we are in Christ and in the end Christ wins. Heaven will open, and He who is called Faithful and True will ride forth on a white horse, followed by the armies of heaven on white horses. He will strike down the nations – all of the nations, including ours – and rule them with an iron rod. He has a name that is above every name – He is the King of kings, Lord of lords, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Job found out directly about the Father of my King, as Rev. S.M. Lockridge put it:
My King was born King; the Bible says He's the seven-way King.
He's the King of the Jews- that is a racial King.
He's the King of Israel - that's a national king.
He's the King of righteousness,
He's the King of the ages,
He's the King of heaven,
He's the King of glory,
He's the King of kings and
He is the Lord of lords.
Now, that's my King.
Well, I wonder if you know Him -
Do you know Him?
Don't try to mislead me - do you know my King?
David said, "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork."
My King is the only one, whom there is no means of measure can define His limitless love.
No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supplies.
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.
He's enduringly strong, He's entirely sincere, He's eternally steadfast, He's immortally graceful, imperially powerful, He's impartially merciful.
That's my King.
He's God's Son,
He's the sinner's Saviour.
He's the centrepiece of civilisation,
He stands alone in Himself.
He's awesome, unique, unparalleled -
He's unprecedented.
He's the miracle of the age.
He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.
He is the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathises and He saves.
He foreguards and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent, and He beautifies the meek.
Do you know Him?
Well, my King is the King of knowledge.
He's the wellspring of wisdom, He's the doorway of deliverance.
He's the pathway of peace,
He's the roadway of righteousness,
He's the highway of holiness,
He's the gateway of glory.
He's the Master of the mighty,
He's the Captain of the conquerors,
He's the Head of the heroes and He's the Leader of the legislators!
He's the Overseer of the overcomers,
He's the Governor of the governors.
He's the Prince of princes,
He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords.
That's my King.
His office is manifold and His promise is sure.
His light is matchless,
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting and His love never changes.
His Word is enough, His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous,
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Well, I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable!
He's incomprehensible, invincible, irresistible.
I'm trying to tell you the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him,
let alone a man explain Him!
You can't get Him out of your mind.
You can't get Him off of your hands.
You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him!
Well, Pharisees couldn't stand Him but they found out they couldn't stop Him.
Pilot couldn't find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree and Herod couldn't kill Him.
Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him.
That's my King!
He always has been and He always will be.
I'm talking about, He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor.
There was nobody before Him and there will be no one after Him.
You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign.
That's my King!
Do you know Him?
He's the King of the Jews- that is a racial King.
He's the King of Israel - that's a national king.
He's the King of righteousness,
He's the King of the ages,
He's the King of heaven,
He's the King of glory,
He's the King of kings and
He is the Lord of lords.
Now, that's my King.
Well, I wonder if you know Him -
Do you know Him?
Don't try to mislead me - do you know my King?
David said, "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork."
My King is the only one, whom there is no means of measure can define His limitless love.
No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supplies.
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.
He's enduringly strong, He's entirely sincere, He's eternally steadfast, He's immortally graceful, imperially powerful, He's impartially merciful.
That's my King.
He's God's Son,
He's the sinner's Saviour.
He's the centrepiece of civilisation,
He stands alone in Himself.
He's awesome, unique, unparalleled -
He's unprecedented.
He's the miracle of the age.
He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.
He is the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathises and He saves.
He foreguards and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent, and He beautifies the meek.
Do you know Him?
Well, my King is the King of knowledge.
He's the wellspring of wisdom, He's the doorway of deliverance.
He's the pathway of peace,
He's the roadway of righteousness,
He's the highway of holiness,
He's the gateway of glory.
He's the Master of the mighty,
He's the Captain of the conquerors,
He's the Head of the heroes and He's the Leader of the legislators!
He's the Overseer of the overcomers,
He's the Governor of the governors.
He's the Prince of princes,
He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords.
That's my King.
His office is manifold and His promise is sure.
His light is matchless,
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting and His love never changes.
His Word is enough, His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous,
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Well, I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable!
He's incomprehensible, invincible, irresistible.
I'm trying to tell you the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him,
let alone a man explain Him!
You can't get Him out of your mind.
You can't get Him off of your hands.
You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him!
Well, Pharisees couldn't stand Him but they found out they couldn't stop Him.
Pilot couldn't find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree and Herod couldn't kill Him.
Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him.
That's my King!
He always has been and He always will be.
I'm talking about, He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor.
There was nobody before Him and there will be no one after Him.
You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign.
That's my King!
Do you know Him?
May The LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who wants you to truly know Him,
My He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who wants you to truly know Him,
My He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Culture of Life Part 2
With respect to abortion, we as a society have lost our focus on the issue. We've become too bogged down in a "woman's right to choose" and the issue of women's bodies. Abortion is viewed exclusively as a woman's issue when it's not- it's a human issue. Babies come in both sexes.Abortion being a human issue, we need the concerted efforts of both women and men to protect life. Does that mean writing your Congressman? Holding a rally or march? No.
Let's be real here: if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, would that stop abortions from happening? Of course not. In my humble opinion if you're really concerned with the lives of unborn babies you're severely wasting your time trying to get Roe v. Wade overturned.
The fact is we need the men in our society to step up and accept responsibility. If you're not ready to have a child with the woman you lay down with, don't lay with her. If she's not ready to have a child with you, don't lay down with her. If the condom breaks, step up and be a man about it. If you don't have a "just in case" plan, you really don't need to be gettin' busy.
I feel like in our society we focus so much on what a woman is supposed to do, especially with regard to pre-marital sex, abortion, etc., that we just give a pass to the men.
See, it takes a sperm to fertalize the egg. So somewhere along the line a male (not necessarily a man) was involved. Where is he now?
I'm not talking about rape, incest, etc. Those situations are stark and unfortunate reminders of the imperfection of this world. And the role of men in such situations is a discussion for another blog post (trust, I do have opinions on that topic as well).
If the men in our society step up to plate and be men, I guarantee the abortion rate will go down. Will be it zero? No, that's just not reality.
But as men we can play a great role in making sure that the only abortions that transpire are those which are dire, unique, outstanding situations.
Why Minister Farrakhan is Still Relevant
While some people may suggest that Minister Farrakhan has lost his relevancy, I say that he is as relevant today as he has ever been.In the days leading up to the Millions More Movement I've been listening to Minister Farrakhan speak about the state of the world today. I've seen him on C-SPAN, listened to him on NPR, and even watched an excerpt on FoxNews.
Minister Farrakhan is speaking the feelings of so many Black people across this nation, but not in a monolithic sense.
He speaks of self-responsibility and shedding reliance on government out of love, not out of contempt.
He speaks of the travesty of the conditions of the poorho live in the wealthiest nation on the planet.
He speaks of a foreign policy that is based on common sense and universal justice, not ideology and politricks.
While so many so-called leaders and playing the Liberal vs. Conservative game, Minister Farrakhan is speaking truth to power.
That is why Minister Farrakhan is still relevant in 2005.
Sports Section
Some would argue that the NBA's policy of preventing players from entering the league until they turn 19 is patently racist. Others would say that it is a Stockton-esque assist to college recruiting. Me, I don't know, but I do know that Michelle Wie - age 15 - is being greeted as a conquering hero during her professional debut. Is there something different abut Wie that makes it OK for her to turn pro and receive millions of dollars in earnings and endorsements that does not apply to young basketball players? She's 6'0" at the age of 15 so she has phenomenal physical talent, and she has the discipline and concentration to make puts, so she's qualified to play on the tour. Shouldn't that apply to NBA players like it applies to MLB players and NHL players? And let's not even get into the NFL. Yes, it's a contact sport, but so is hockey and yet hockey players can join their league at age 18. Then too, the NHL doesn't have a free farm system that generates millions of dollars from free labor - paying a $10,000 scholarship for labor that would fetch $7,000,000 in the open market is indeed free labor.Racism? You be the judge.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Culture of Life Part 1
The phrase "Culture of Life" has been used in a political context to advance the ideology of those who believe that abortion should be illegal in the United States.Many of the same folks who use this catchy term also support the death penalty.
I don't understand how someone can support illegalization of abortion on the grounds that life should be protected, but then at same time advocate for killing people.
In a perfect world the discussion over the legality of abortion would be moot, because no one would be having them.
But we don't live in a perfect world, and we have to deal with what we have.
A Culture of Life is a Culture of life- period. We should not be a society that accepts abortion nor should we be a society which accepts a penalty of death through human action.
to be continued...
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Digusting and Disgraceful
Brooklyn High School Is Accused Anew of Forcing Students Out - New York TimesThis is so utterly disgusting. How can you force kids out of school? To improve test scores and rankings?
And I know personally someone whom this kind of thing has happened to- I just didn't realize it was this wide spread.
Look, politicians have been b.s.ing on public schools for far too long. The time has past due to put up or shut up.
Maybe this is just a New York City thing...but maybe not.
This is what your tax dollars are going to- the abandoning of America's children.
Disgusting.
Agenda Time
It's really ironic that President Bush is facing the most virulent opposition to his Supreme Court nomination from the folks that are supposed to be down with him.From what I understand, many on the "right" side of the political spectrum are concerned that Ms. Harriet Miers is not conservative enough, especially with respect to social issues (read: abortion).
What I don't understand is why some Democrats (read: Harry Reid) have seemed to already have the stamp of approval for Ms. Miers.
Perhaps it's a political tactic to spur on the in-fighting with the GOP faithful. Who knows?
One thing is for sure: the Democrats need to use this opportunity to deliver a clear and concise agenda to the American people. The same old stuff isn't working and hasn't been working for quite some time now. Wake up and smell the electoral defeat.
It's not just about winning; it's about our future and our children's future.
What's on the agenda?
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Millions More
The Millions More Movement is this weekend.Will YOU be there?
Check out the webcast by Minister Louis Farrakhan
Monday, October 10, 2005
Columbus Day
Today is October 10, 2005 which means it's Columbus Day.On October 12, 1492 land was sighted aboard the Pinta, one of Columbus' ships, and thus began full-scale European exploration of the "New World."
So every second Monday in October Columbus Day is observed. Federal holiday, no work or school for some people.
But what are we celebrating?
Ever since I've been old enough to have a sense of history I've kind of felt like Columbus Day is a cruel joke; a spit in the face to those who endured the widespread brutality, destruction, and death that followed Christopher Columbus' journey to the Caribbean. How you gonna honor murder, rape, and pillaging? Cuz you do know that Columbus did that when he arrived, right?
I mean, how must it feel to be of Arawak, Taino, Carib descent and know that the man who nearly decimated your entire people is a celebrated hero?
For that matter, anyone of Native American Indian descent lives with the legacy of Columbus.
In any case, I hope you have the day off today and you spend it being a blessing to others.
Happy Indigenous People's Day!
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Word For The Week
One thing that I find humorous within the Body of Christ is people's tendency to rile against sins with which they are not familiar while minimizing the sins that confront them day-in and day-out. People kill me harping on the sin of homosexuality while ignoring or minimizing the sin of covetousness. One of those made the Ten Commandments while the other did not, so you might think that coveting should be a bit more important on the "Thou Shall Not" list, but that would require people to look at the wood in our own eyes. Both of those are sins and need to be equally opposed - the GLBT community and Madison Avenue ought to receive an equal response, but Advertising firms give equally to the DNC and GOP, ergo hypocritical silence from the Religious Right.
Jesus spoke of this kind of hypocrisy when He told the parable about the Pharisee and the Publican. The Pharisee was a self-righteous hypocrite who went to church regularly and bragged to God that he was better than everyone else - especially better than that sinner over there. Too many of us have a "That sinner over there" mentality - we know that we have our own issues, but surely we're better than that sinner over there. There's always a "that sinner over there" that we can point to as a point of reference for our own self-righteousness, but that does not justify us before an all-righteous God. We can always look for that sinner over there whenever we want to feel righteous in and of ourselves, but if we ever get a look at the God who created the heavens and the earth we will confess like Isaiah, "Woe is me, for I am ruined!"
The Bible teaches that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All. There is no one righteous; no, not one. And if we know that the wages of sin is death and the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord then why aren't we trying to be more effective witnesses for Jesus Christ? We seem to be more interested in justifying ourselves in our own eyes, declaring that we're better than that sinner over there. And we wonder why people aren't trying to hear us when we try to witness about the goodness of Jesus - could it be that to them we sound like a clanging cymbal? We go to speak about how Jesus will deliver them from a life of sin and all they hear is CLANG! We try to speak to them about Mary's baby and all that is heard is CLANG! We try to tell them that we want to help them yet all that can be heard for miles and miles is CLANG! Our mouths are moving but all that is being heard is CLANG CLANG! CLANG CLANG! We know that whomever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, but how then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a credible witness?
If you ask people to do a word association with the word "Christian" you will probably be surprised as to how few Americans name the name of Jesus Christ. You will hear the word "Coalition" associated with "Christian" or "hypocrite" or "Republican" or "Klansman" in some parts. Rarely is the name of Jesus Christ associated with the term "Christian" - what has happened to our witness? Is there any wonder why people are rejecting Christianity? If my sole understanding of Christianity was that which is propagated by the Religious Right then there's no way on God's green earth that I'd be in any way associated with those people - I'm better than those sinners over there...
You see, self-righteousness cuts both ways - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The truth of the matter is that it isn't about the Religious Right or the Religious Left, it's about Jesus Christ, and when you give your life to Him and submit to His Lordship you will hear the tripe of the the Religious Right and Left for what it is - CLANG CLANG! CLANG CLANG!
Jesus spoke of this kind of hypocrisy when He told the parable about the Pharisee and the Publican. The Pharisee was a self-righteous hypocrite who went to church regularly and bragged to God that he was better than everyone else - especially better than that sinner over there. Too many of us have a "That sinner over there" mentality - we know that we have our own issues, but surely we're better than that sinner over there. There's always a "that sinner over there" that we can point to as a point of reference for our own self-righteousness, but that does not justify us before an all-righteous God. We can always look for that sinner over there whenever we want to feel righteous in and of ourselves, but if we ever get a look at the God who created the heavens and the earth we will confess like Isaiah, "Woe is me, for I am ruined!"
The Bible teaches that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All. There is no one righteous; no, not one. And if we know that the wages of sin is death and the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord then why aren't we trying to be more effective witnesses for Jesus Christ? We seem to be more interested in justifying ourselves in our own eyes, declaring that we're better than that sinner over there. And we wonder why people aren't trying to hear us when we try to witness about the goodness of Jesus - could it be that to them we sound like a clanging cymbal? We go to speak about how Jesus will deliver them from a life of sin and all they hear is CLANG! We try to speak to them about Mary's baby and all that is heard is CLANG! We try to tell them that we want to help them yet all that can be heard for miles and miles is CLANG! Our mouths are moving but all that is being heard is CLANG CLANG! CLANG CLANG! We know that whomever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, but how then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a credible witness?
If you ask people to do a word association with the word "Christian" you will probably be surprised as to how few Americans name the name of Jesus Christ. You will hear the word "Coalition" associated with "Christian" or "hypocrite" or "Republican" or "Klansman" in some parts. Rarely is the name of Jesus Christ associated with the term "Christian" - what has happened to our witness? Is there any wonder why people are rejecting Christianity? If my sole understanding of Christianity was that which is propagated by the Religious Right then there's no way on God's green earth that I'd be in any way associated with those people - I'm better than those sinners over there...
You see, self-righteousness cuts both ways - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The truth of the matter is that it isn't about the Religious Right or the Religious Left, it's about Jesus Christ, and when you give your life to Him and submit to His Lordship you will hear the tripe of the the Religious Right and Left for what it is - CLANG CLANG! CLANG CLANG!
May The LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who offers Himself to you,
My He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who offers Himself to you,
My He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Support Our People
Liberia will be holding elections in a matter of days.These elections will form a new government from the interim government that was in place after President Charles Taylor went into exile in 2003.
The turmoil in Liberia stems from the nation's establishment by freed American slaves. Thus, we as Africans in America have a unique connection to Liberia.
Remember our people struggling for democracy around the world!
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Hide The Salami
Yesterday, Howard Dean went on Tweety's show Hardball and flat-out represented. Naturally, as surely as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, some clown at WaPo had to chime in about Dean Popping Off. The point that twisted the commentator's panties into a wad was Dean's comment about Bush playing "hide the salami." Now, of all of the things that have been said over the last week or so - from the efficacy of aborting every Black baby to the efficiency with which the Iraq war is being run - how is it that Howard Dean (D-Spine) is popping off by confusing "Hide the Ball" with "Hide the Salami?" Dean simply stated that Bush needs to be forthcoming with all relevant information about Miers' positions.
As for hiding the salami, I always thought that Bush was playing with the Secretary of State, but I suppose three's company too...
As for hiding the salami, I always thought that Bush was playing with the Secretary of State, but I suppose three's company too...
Monday, October 03, 2005
Monday Leftovers
There's only one thing that is going to be in the news today, so let's just get it out of the way Frist first:
BUSH NOMINATES YET ANOTHER INEXPERIENCED CRONY TO A HIGH POSITION
In this case, the highest court in the land. One might think that it would be a good idea for someone to have served as a judge at some point in her career before she is appointed to the court that rules on all other judges' decisions. One might think that, but then you'd probably think that the director of FEMA ought to have had some kind of experience in managing disasters. How Rude. The truth of the matter is that we knew that this crap was coming down the pike as of November 3, 2004 - thank you Mr. Electibility, next time we Elect Ability...
NINTH WARD DEEP-SIXED
In other news, they're actually talking aloud about letting the 9th Ward of New Orleans revert into swampland - it looks like they're not going to rebuild it. I wouldn't be surprised to see them build condos - high-rise, of course - but they just might let it revert to swampland. What about the people who used to live there? What makes you think that this administration gives a levee about the poor and disenfranchised?
KABLOOEY HAPPENS
William Raspberry writes an excellent WaPo OpEd about the travails of Delay, Frist, & Bush. Nothing to add, really, just click it and read it.
SPORTS SECTION
I was one of many who was disappointed to see Roy Jones, Jr. lose to Antonio Tarver without putting up much of a fight. His words after the fight cleared things up a bit - Roy didn't want people's last memory of him to be him on the business-end of a Smokey quip, "You just got knocked the f*** out!" He said that his heart wasn't really in it and it showed - the Roy Jones of old would have taken Tarver out on several occasions, but twice-knocked-out Roy Jones couldn't pull the trigger. He had a great run and his name will be mentioned along side Ali and Sugar Ray (the 1st one) as one of the all-time great pugilists, unlike the Democratic Party...
BUSH NOMINATES YET ANOTHER INEXPERIENCED CRONY TO A HIGH POSITION
In this case, the highest court in the land. One might think that it would be a good idea for someone to have served as a judge at some point in her career before she is appointed to the court that rules on all other judges' decisions. One might think that, but then you'd probably think that the director of FEMA ought to have had some kind of experience in managing disasters. How Rude. The truth of the matter is that we knew that this crap was coming down the pike as of November 3, 2004 - thank you Mr. Electibility, next time we Elect Ability...
NINTH WARD DEEP-SIXED
In other news, they're actually talking aloud about letting the 9th Ward of New Orleans revert into swampland - it looks like they're not going to rebuild it. I wouldn't be surprised to see them build condos - high-rise, of course - but they just might let it revert to swampland. What about the people who used to live there? What makes you think that this administration gives a levee about the poor and disenfranchised?
KABLOOEY HAPPENS
William Raspberry writes an excellent WaPo OpEd about the travails of Delay, Frist, & Bush. Nothing to add, really, just click it and read it.
SPORTS SECTION
I was one of many who was disappointed to see Roy Jones, Jr. lose to Antonio Tarver without putting up much of a fight. His words after the fight cleared things up a bit - Roy didn't want people's last memory of him to be him on the business-end of a Smokey quip, "You just got knocked the f*** out!" He said that his heart wasn't really in it and it showed - the Roy Jones of old would have taken Tarver out on several occasions, but twice-knocked-out Roy Jones couldn't pull the trigger. He had a great run and his name will be mentioned along side Ali and Sugar Ray (the 1st one) as one of the all-time great pugilists, unlike the Democratic Party...
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Word For The Week
I have a sharp tongue and a wicked sense of humor - I can go from zero-to-gutter in about a half second. It is a fairly simple matter for me to skewer someone in such a manner that they don't know that I have cut them to the quick until long after I have walked away from the scene of the crime and they find their psyche hemorrhaging. I have some evil tendencies, and oftentimes when I would do right I find that what I actually end up doing is worlds apart from what I should do. Have you ever found yourself to be dead wrong?
Paul notes in our text today that he found a principle at work within himself, specifically that while he joyfully assented to the will of God, while he truly wanted to do all that God commands, what he found himself doing was too often at odds with God's commands. Can you feel Paul on that? I know with certainty that I love the LORD and I want to do His will. I know that He is the Creator of all that is and that He is due all of the honor and glory that I can give Him. I know that this is His creation and that I am to submit to His will - I get that, I understand that, I'm down with that. I just have a problem actually doing it, and so did Paul. This is why Paul exclaimed, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?"
Paul had a problem with actually submitting to the will of God, but in America today many people - if not most people - have a problem with the very concept of submission. There is no more profane word in American society today than the word "submission" - unless you're talking about a term paper. No one should have to submit to another according to American groupthink - children shouldn't have to submit to their parents, wives shouldn't have to submit to their husbands, men shouldn't have to submit to Jesus Christ. Submission is a profane concept to the American mind, yet it is central to the mind of Christ. Part of our problem as Americans is that we confuse submission with domination. Jesus does not dominate us - He does not make us do anything - but He offers us the opportunity to come into fellowship with God through submission to Him. What most Americans don't seem to get is the fact that man is in bondage to sin, that sin has its way with us, ravaging us again and again and again. Many Americans like it rough and enjoy it that way, preferring to be a slave to sin and having sin run rampant through their members. Me, I call that rape, and I have no intention of being raped by sin. Nonetheless, when I would do right, I often find myself bound and gagged by sin. Oh wretched man that I am! Who will free me from the body of this death?
But One has come to free me from this bondage to sin. He has come that I might have life and have it abundantly, that you might have it as well. Jesus came and sacrificed his life that we may be free from the penalty of sin. When we accept His atoning sacrifice the Holy Spirit progressively regenerates us to free us from the power of sin. And when this life is over and we bask in the glory of the Father, we will be free from the presence of sin. So we much press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We must press on to overcome the wiles of the world as He has overcome the world. We must press on to do that which is right, forsaking the bondage of sin that is behind us. It's not easy, but we have to press on to make our flesh conform to the will of God.
Paul notes in our text today that he found a principle at work within himself, specifically that while he joyfully assented to the will of God, while he truly wanted to do all that God commands, what he found himself doing was too often at odds with God's commands. Can you feel Paul on that? I know with certainty that I love the LORD and I want to do His will. I know that He is the Creator of all that is and that He is due all of the honor and glory that I can give Him. I know that this is His creation and that I am to submit to His will - I get that, I understand that, I'm down with that. I just have a problem actually doing it, and so did Paul. This is why Paul exclaimed, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?"
Paul had a problem with actually submitting to the will of God, but in America today many people - if not most people - have a problem with the very concept of submission. There is no more profane word in American society today than the word "submission" - unless you're talking about a term paper. No one should have to submit to another according to American groupthink - children shouldn't have to submit to their parents, wives shouldn't have to submit to their husbands, men shouldn't have to submit to Jesus Christ. Submission is a profane concept to the American mind, yet it is central to the mind of Christ. Part of our problem as Americans is that we confuse submission with domination. Jesus does not dominate us - He does not make us do anything - but He offers us the opportunity to come into fellowship with God through submission to Him. What most Americans don't seem to get is the fact that man is in bondage to sin, that sin has its way with us, ravaging us again and again and again. Many Americans like it rough and enjoy it that way, preferring to be a slave to sin and having sin run rampant through their members. Me, I call that rape, and I have no intention of being raped by sin. Nonetheless, when I would do right, I often find myself bound and gagged by sin. Oh wretched man that I am! Who will free me from the body of this death?
But One has come to free me from this bondage to sin. He has come that I might have life and have it abundantly, that you might have it as well. Jesus came and sacrificed his life that we may be free from the penalty of sin. When we accept His atoning sacrifice the Holy Spirit progressively regenerates us to free us from the power of sin. And when this life is over and we bask in the glory of the Father, we will be free from the presence of sin. So we much press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We must press on to overcome the wiles of the world as He has overcome the world. We must press on to do that which is right, forsaking the bondage of sin that is behind us. It's not easy, but we have to press on to make our flesh conform to the will of God.
May The LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who encourages you to press on toward the goal,
My He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who encourages you to press on toward the goal,
My He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
