I stumbled upon this article by my favorite economist (Walter Williams) via the Wallbuilders site. Generally I do not comment on the environment or endtimes, but I am about to because of this article. In the article are a whole pile of predictions by concerned environmentalists that never happened. Let's look at a quote.
Here are my questions: In 1970, when environmentalists were making predictions of manmade global cooling and the threat of an ice age and millions of Americans starving to death, what kind of government policy should we have undertaken to prevent such a calamity? When Ehrlich predicted that England would not exist in the year 2000, what steps should the British Parliament have taken in 1970 to prevent such a dire outcome? In 1939, when the U.S. Department of the Interior warned that we only had oil supplies for another 13 years, what actions should President Roosevelt have taken? Finally, what makes us think that environmental alarmism is any more correct now that they have switched their tune to manmade global warming?
Now I have a few comments:
1. The only predictor of the future I trust is God through His Word. He hasn't been wrong yet.
2. The only "doomsday" prediction that I take seriously is summarized in 2 Peter 3:10. "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." If you don't know the LORD, please seek His face. A good place to start is the Gospel of Luke.
3. I am all for good stewardship. By that I mean this: Take care of the resources God has placed under your control. That includes (in my order of importance) your children, your time, your money, and this planet. Raise your children to be spiritual champions. (A great book on this is Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna.) Spend your time building relationships, building the Kingdom, and growing in the LORD. Spend your money wisely by helping others and spreading the Gospel. When you have made a good start on these things, turn your attention to being a good steward of the natural resources God has given you control over.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
GRR, Canada.
Our neighbors to the north are becoming less parent friendly all the time. The latest two things are anti-spanking legislation and a judge that overturns groundings. Really, what is the world coming to? I recommend you all go visit http://www.parentalrights.org/, and be on the front lines against this sort of thing happening in the USA.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Those Counter-Cultural Homeschoolers
This article was sent through my homeschool group. I thought that it was good enough to share. Here are my favorite paragraphs.
Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler.
Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar’s be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.
Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to day care and day school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The rationalizations begin. "A family just can't make it on one income." (Our parents did.) "It just costs so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy brand-name clothing, pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend half the cost of a house on the daughter’s wedding, it does.) And so, the decision is made. We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children, as well as the formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to strangers. We compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a van to carry them to Little League, a 2,800-square-foot house, an ATV, a zero-turn Cub Cadet, and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And most significantly, we claim “our right” to pursue a career for our own "self-fulfillment."
Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten its seed corn. We lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the hope of something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are tired from working extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our 401k’s. Credit cards are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban. Now the kid is raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as his price for doing his school work … and there goes that modest young woman in the home-made dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled children in tow. Wouldn’t you just love to wipe that serene look right off her smug face?
Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler.
Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar’s be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.
Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to day care and day school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The rationalizations begin. "A family just can't make it on one income." (Our parents did.) "It just costs so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy brand-name clothing, pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend half the cost of a house on the daughter’s wedding, it does.) And so, the decision is made. We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children, as well as the formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to strangers. We compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a van to carry them to Little League, a 2,800-square-foot house, an ATV, a zero-turn Cub Cadet, and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And most significantly, we claim “our right” to pursue a career for our own "self-fulfillment."
Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten its seed corn. We lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the hope of something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are tired from working extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our 401k’s. Credit cards are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban. Now the kid is raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as his price for doing his school work … and there goes that modest young woman in the home-made dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled children in tow. Wouldn’t you just love to wipe that serene look right off her smug face?
Jane Roe Commercial
Norma (Jane Roe of Roe vs. Wade) has been a pro-life advocate for years. Her story is one of God's redemptive grace. This is a new commercial that she has done with Virtue Media.
Rising Star Embraces Abstinence
I found this article from LifSiteNews encouraging. It talks about a young star, Selena Gomez, who has embraced abstinence until marriage. Here are a couple of paragraphs from it.
In donning the purity ring, Gomez joins an increasing number of youth-stars who are reacting against the pervasive promiscuity of the entertainment industry and embracing pre-marital chastity. Others who have made public their intentions to remain chaste until marriage include Jordin Sparks, the American Idol winner, and the members of the pop group, the Jonas brothers.
However, in an interview on the issue with momlogic.com, Gomez denied that she was simply jumping on the bandwagon. "I've had my ring ever since I was 12 years old," she said. "But for me it's not something I want to go around saying 'Hey, look what I have.' It's a promise that I made to myself and to God. I think sometimes people misinterpret that and think it's just a trend and everyone's getting one."
In donning the purity ring, Gomez joins an increasing number of youth-stars who are reacting against the pervasive promiscuity of the entertainment industry and embracing pre-marital chastity. Others who have made public their intentions to remain chaste until marriage include Jordin Sparks, the American Idol winner, and the members of the pop group, the Jonas brothers.
However, in an interview on the issue with momlogic.com, Gomez denied that she was simply jumping on the bandwagon. "I've had my ring ever since I was 12 years old," she said. "But for me it's not something I want to go around saying 'Hey, look what I have.' It's a promise that I made to myself and to God. I think sometimes people misinterpret that and think it's just a trend and everyone's getting one."
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Church Idea
I would really love to see a church like this. Does anyone know of one?
Free
Not in contract with the civil government in any way
Not a 501c3 nor incorporated
This would allow the church to have a tax-exempt status and still have a political voice on such issues as abortion, gay marriage, evolution taught in public schools, etc.
Excellence in Christ
Each person will be expected to strive for excellence in Christ, to seek the Master, to grow spiritually throughout the week, etc.
There are no lay Christians. Each is responsible to God to be the best priest, minister, etc. that he/she can.
As such, there is no paid preacher, pastor, worship leader, etc. If anyone is paid, it would be the elders so that they can be available to shepherd the flock on a full-time basis.
Fellowship Oriented
Meetings will be fellowship oriented. Fellowship is developing friendships based on a common ideal. Each person will come prepared with a lesson learned from their personal study, a song that is especially meaningful to him/her, a song meant to encourage others in a particular matter, a prayer request or praise, a confession of sin, etc. While not all have to participate, all should be prepared to participate. Communion will be shared in small groups with people free to say what Jesus means to them or how he has helped them this week.
Other interest-based outreach-oriented meetings will take place throughout the week.
A pot-luck meal or snacks would be part of the fellowship as well.
Some activities could be done in cooperation with other congregations as extended family fellowship opportunities.
Evangelistic
All Christians will be encouraged to participate in a personal Bible study whether in their home or somewhere else once a week.
The church will be involved in the community through service projects, political projects, and community events. At these events, we will make evident that we are the church and we are doing these things for the sake of Christ.
50% or more of offerings and tithes will be utilized to reach the lost, especially the unreached peoples of the world.
Free
Not in contract with the civil government in any way
Not a 501c3 nor incorporated
This would allow the church to have a tax-exempt status and still have a political voice on such issues as abortion, gay marriage, evolution taught in public schools, etc.
Excellence in Christ
Each person will be expected to strive for excellence in Christ, to seek the Master, to grow spiritually throughout the week, etc.
There are no lay Christians. Each is responsible to God to be the best priest, minister, etc. that he/she can.
As such, there is no paid preacher, pastor, worship leader, etc. If anyone is paid, it would be the elders so that they can be available to shepherd the flock on a full-time basis.
Fellowship Oriented
Meetings will be fellowship oriented. Fellowship is developing friendships based on a common ideal. Each person will come prepared with a lesson learned from their personal study, a song that is especially meaningful to him/her, a song meant to encourage others in a particular matter, a prayer request or praise, a confession of sin, etc. While not all have to participate, all should be prepared to participate. Communion will be shared in small groups with people free to say what Jesus means to them or how he has helped them this week.
Other interest-based outreach-oriented meetings will take place throughout the week.
A pot-luck meal or snacks would be part of the fellowship as well.
Some activities could be done in cooperation with other congregations as extended family fellowship opportunities.
Evangelistic
All Christians will be encouraged to participate in a personal Bible study whether in their home or somewhere else once a week.
The church will be involved in the community through service projects, political projects, and community events. At these events, we will make evident that we are the church and we are doing these things for the sake of Christ.
50% or more of offerings and tithes will be utilized to reach the lost, especially the unreached peoples of the world.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
California Gay Marriage
This story was e-mailed to me by the Family Research Coucil. I found it both heartening and disheartening. I am discouraged that California and their judges cause so much trouble for the country. I am encouraged that there are still people there willing to take a stand.
When the clock chimes 5:01 p.m. (PST), the California ruling that threatens to undo thousands of years of natural marriage will officially take effect, triggering five months of social chaos that could wreak havoc on every state in America. Homosexual couples hoping to make history will race down the aisle as early as tonight in at least two counties where clerks of court offices have agreed to stay open late and "marry" homosexuals. Kern and Butte Counties won't be among them--not even tomorrow, when the homosexual wedding march will begin across California in earnest. Thanks to the courage of County Clerks Ann Barnett and Candace Grubbs, the local offices will stop performing wedding ceremonies altogether. To comply with the law, Kern and Butte Counties will still issue marriage licenses, but they refuse to subject their staff to the Supreme Court's blatant disregard for traditional morality and individual religious rights. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Ann Barnett says that the decision to stand up to the liberal establishment has not been an easy one for her or her family. Kern's County Clerk has been a target of hate mail, received so many threats at home that she's disconnected her telephone, and been labeled a "religious terrorist" by hostile critics. While same-sex crusaders trumpet tolerance for their behavior, where is their tolerance for Barnett's beliefs? You won't find it. Even the Kern County Supervisor, Don Maben, is insensitive to her rights as a government employee. "...[S]he made a unilateral decision and just shut everyone off." Sound familiar? It should, since that's exactly what the California Supreme Court did by disenfranchising more than four million voters who defined marriage as the union of a man and woman in 2000. In the end it is not about tolerance at all, it about forced acceptance. We applaud the brave men and women in California who are risking their jobs and safety to rebuff this coordinated attack on marriage. The Republican leadership and presidential candidates could stand to learn a thing or two from these local statesmen. We urge them to take this opportunity to weigh in publicly on the importance of marriage and pledge their support for the marriage protection amendment this fall. Meanwhile, FRC will continue to bring its educational message to the state, where our ads in Sacramento and Orange County are reminding voters what the California court has now done to injure families and undermine the well being of children.
When the clock chimes 5:01 p.m. (PST), the California ruling that threatens to undo thousands of years of natural marriage will officially take effect, triggering five months of social chaos that could wreak havoc on every state in America. Homosexual couples hoping to make history will race down the aisle as early as tonight in at least two counties where clerks of court offices have agreed to stay open late and "marry" homosexuals. Kern and Butte Counties won't be among them--not even tomorrow, when the homosexual wedding march will begin across California in earnest. Thanks to the courage of County Clerks Ann Barnett and Candace Grubbs, the local offices will stop performing wedding ceremonies altogether. To comply with the law, Kern and Butte Counties will still issue marriage licenses, but they refuse to subject their staff to the Supreme Court's blatant disregard for traditional morality and individual religious rights. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Ann Barnett says that the decision to stand up to the liberal establishment has not been an easy one for her or her family. Kern's County Clerk has been a target of hate mail, received so many threats at home that she's disconnected her telephone, and been labeled a "religious terrorist" by hostile critics. While same-sex crusaders trumpet tolerance for their behavior, where is their tolerance for Barnett's beliefs? You won't find it. Even the Kern County Supervisor, Don Maben, is insensitive to her rights as a government employee. "...[S]he made a unilateral decision and just shut everyone off." Sound familiar? It should, since that's exactly what the California Supreme Court did by disenfranchising more than four million voters who defined marriage as the union of a man and woman in 2000. In the end it is not about tolerance at all, it about forced acceptance. We applaud the brave men and women in California who are risking their jobs and safety to rebuff this coordinated attack on marriage. The Republican leadership and presidential candidates could stand to learn a thing or two from these local statesmen. We urge them to take this opportunity to weigh in publicly on the importance of marriage and pledge their support for the marriage protection amendment this fall. Meanwhile, FRC will continue to bring its educational message to the state, where our ads in Sacramento and Orange County are reminding voters what the California court has now done to injure families and undermine the well being of children.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Gas Men
I love hearing these kinds of stories. This story is from Yahoo News. Since it is so short, I am posting the whole thing. God bless the Gas Men.
PLAINVILLE, Conn. - They don't climb tall buildings in a single bound, but the mysterious "Gas Men" are super heroes to some fed-up motorists. The unknown duo were dressed in sunglasses, baseball caps, khakis and matching green golf shirts when they gave Gayle Kilburn a $100 bill on Thursday as she filled up her car at a Citgo in Plainville.
They also handed her a card that read "Re-Fueling Our Community" and was signed "The Gas Men."
Kilburn says she was stunned by the gesture and at first thought it was a stunt with Monopoly money. She later realized it was real cash and used it to fill her tank.
She said the Gas Men also helped five or six other customers.
PLAINVILLE, Conn. - They don't climb tall buildings in a single bound, but the mysterious "Gas Men" are super heroes to some fed-up motorists. The unknown duo were dressed in sunglasses, baseball caps, khakis and matching green golf shirts when they gave Gayle Kilburn a $100 bill on Thursday as she filled up her car at a Citgo in Plainville.
They also handed her a card that read "Re-Fueling Our Community" and was signed "The Gas Men."
Kilburn says she was stunned by the gesture and at first thought it was a stunt with Monopoly money. She later realized it was real cash and used it to fill her tank.
She said the Gas Men also helped five or six other customers.
Cohabitation
CitizenLink has an article about cohabitation. The most intriguing quote was this:
"Americans have downplayed qualities that are vital for a healthy marriage culture — commitment and faithfulness," said Jenny Tyree, associate marriage analyst at Focus on the Family Action. "The de-emphasis on these qualities has profoundly and negatively influenced this and successive generations.
This is a great example of how the downward spiral of this country is directly linked to fewer and fewer people being governed by the Holy Spirit. Spiritual decay in the individuals always leads to spiritual decay in a country.
So, I encourage us all to seek the LORD. O God, help us to be transformed by the renewing work of the Spirit. Increase our boldness for the Kingdom.
"Americans have downplayed qualities that are vital for a healthy marriage culture — commitment and faithfulness," said Jenny Tyree, associate marriage analyst at Focus on the Family Action. "The de-emphasis on these qualities has profoundly and negatively influenced this and successive generations.
This is a great example of how the downward spiral of this country is directly linked to fewer and fewer people being governed by the Holy Spirit. Spiritual decay in the individuals always leads to spiritual decay in a country.
So, I encourage us all to seek the LORD. O God, help us to be transformed by the renewing work of the Spirit. Increase our boldness for the Kingdom.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day, everyone! My own father has passed away, but I am blessed with a step-dad and a father-in-law that seek the LORD.
And I must say that I chose well for my kids, too. They have a dad that loves them and me, seeks the LORD, and encourages us to be all that we can be in Him.
And I must say that I chose well for my kids, too. They have a dad that loves them and me, seeks the LORD, and encourages us to be all that we can be in Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)