MikeB: Great book list. I’ve read two of them and you will enjoy them all I am sure. Let me know your thoughts on RACE. A life changing book for me. I preached on Judas today and I was surprised at how I took a different perspective on him as a result of re-examing the doctrine of perseverance. Between Race and Ryle you are armed Bro.

I have swapped some e-mails with Mark at Kainos Press. Good site and a good guy. Read his replies to letter writers. So far, the majority of my mail is good mail, not really interesting stuff to read.

Wanted to say a word about the Al Gore retreat this past weekend. I think the Democrats know that Gore cannot win unless the country falls apart. A few corporate embarassments and some economic bumps after 9/11 aren’t going to throw out GWB. (Read this typical mongrel journalism from the UK to get an idea of how this will sound. Drudge says they are in OZ and I agree.) No, if the Democrats want to make a run for it, they need to run Leiberman. A cranky Al Gore will lose by 10 percent. In my opinion, the loss of black votes alone will keep things out of Gore’s hands, and Gore running around saying the country is going to hell, the war is Vietnam II and “We wuz robbed” will go over like a lead balloon. I really think they have a problem here, and they know it because they keep talking about the political points the GOP is getting out of the war. Complain on people but reality is reality. America has changed.

The GOP stump speech now has the war, a moderately impressive list of legislative accomplishments (which will increase post ‘02 election because of GOP gains), the Flag flap, restored confidence in the morality of the Presidency, a moral, balanced middle east policy and a sane approach to the future. The Dems have to run on this: Times are bad, but you still deserve a handout. Blame the corporations that your portfolio is shrinking and the GOP that you don’t have more $$ in your pocket. Terry Macauliffe is the worst thing that could have happened to the Dems. If they can’t get beyond Clinton-Gore they are in trouble. Leiberman-Edwards in ‘04, and Bush-Guliani drops ‘em dead.

Good link. While in Cleveland, I picked up two books on this very subject: “Slouching Towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline” by Robert H. Bork and “The Death of Common Sense: How Law is Suffocating America” by Philip K. Howard. (The author notes say Howard, the son of a Presbyterian minister, grew up in a small town in eastern Kentucky. Hey, he’s one of us). I’ll probably be quoting these books quite often over the next few months, so bear with me. (Or should I say beer with me :-)

Also, on your recommendation, Michael, I purchased “The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance & Assurance” by Schreiner and Caneday. Man, have I got a lot of reading to do.

We really need a picture like that on the front page of the Manchester paper.

Yeah, yeah, I know it couldn’t happen. But, hey, it’s my fantasy Presidency.

Eric, dude, you must have bigger ones than that guy in the picture from the Denver newspaper :-)

A more Biblical approach to what is really meant by anti-Christ. And a dead on indictment of the so called liberal tolerance of our culture.

Hmmm. Could the President do that by executive order?

I am on my way to Owensboro Ky for the next 2.5 days. That will include, I hope, at least one pass through the Moonlight Barbecue Inn. Oooooo Maaannn. Now, if I could just hit a WWE event (front row) where Triple H Pedigrees Al Gore and I get tipsy on IBC and have to be driven home by my wife who actually flies me to a resort in Mexico for a two month escapade THEN it would be a perfect day. But it will be a start.

Rigney dropped in for OBI homecoming, and actually complained- with his wife in the room- that female students aren’t coming on to him. DENY IT RIGNEY!!!! I DARE YOU!!

Yeah, it is Entwistle’s signature bass riff, but the line “hope I die before I get old” seems kinda . . . well . . . creepy. I don’t know.

If I were President for three hours, I would prohibit legislators from attaching pork barrel riders on legitimate legislation. If legislators want to pass some pork barrel project (how about $4,214,000 for shrimp agriculture research in ARIZONA or $194,000 to increase the production efficiency of tropical ornamental fish) they should have to vote on it straight up. Legislators shouldn’t be allowed to attach this crap to legitimate legislation like a budget bill.

BTW great list.

I’ve added the Operation World Link on the sidebar. You can go there to pray for and learn the nations of the world. If you aren’t familiar with OW, it an amazing project that every Christian should use and support. The book/CD is essential to understanding what God is doing in the world today. I use it all the time to keep a focus on the nations in my prayers and preaching.

And yeah, they should play it, though it won’t ever be the same. Just so people can remember those bass lines.

I visited with a Brazilian family yesterday at OBI homecoming, the Ximenes mom and two boys. One is at WKU and the other at Union. All played soccer for us and they were excited to say the least.

Yes, I was too much of an activist. Seduced by power. Just too much free time on my hands. Actually there was more, but most of that involved helicopter rides and food.

Michael: It takes seven to eight hours to make the trip to Cleveland, depending on traffic and the number of stops you make. I haven’t been to Begg’s church, but my brother has on several occasions. He said he really enjoys it but with several thousand members, he feels like he would be lost in the crowd if he became a member.

After you leave OBI, you have a promising career as a politician. First, you didn’t exactly answer the question I asked�should The Who play “My Generation?” Second, I asked for ONE thing you would change in government if President for three hours and you submit a list of TEN. Oh well. I Guess it’s that darned old Democrat coming out in ya :-)

Did someone say BHT road trip to Brazil?

It’s good to be back.

Welcome back mate. I thought you’d run off to Brazil to celebrate the World Cup. After reading the 9th Circuits tgrack record, I knew this was going no where. Cleveland is the home of one of my favorite preachers: Alistair Begg. Would love to go up and hear him sometime. How long a drive was it? (Also would love to see a game at Jacob’s Field.)

WIth three hours as President I would: 1) Order the proper authorities to get rid of Arafat by using a Palistinian agent to whack him. 2) Fire Norm Minneta 3) Order Regean on to Rushmore 4) Order copies of everything about UFOs to be delivered to me personally. 4) Exempt myself and all my friends from the income tax 5) Hire our financial officer here at OBI, Jerry Pierce, to run the government. If he doesn’t say OK, NO checks. 6) Appoint someone to draw up a plan to be disengaged from Saudi Arabian oil in five years. 7) Order nasty audits on Hillary, Bill and Al 8) Get Steve and Ron H a job. Steve with CIA. Ron as my special liason to Jesse Jackson. 9) Send Bart to find Bin Ladin. 10) Cut myself a fat retirement.

The WHo should finish this tour as a tribute to Ox, then hang it up.

�Ello, mates. I just returned from a week long vacation in my hometown, Cleveland, Ohio. I never realized how much there is to read here after one week. I must admit, though, that I am somewhat surprised there weren’t more posts concerning the Ninth Circuit’s ruling that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional.

Anyhow, since I can’t possibly respond to everything, I’ll just throw out some random reactions and you guys can figure out to whom they apply. Ready?

Do what?

Really.

I’d never try that.

That’s not a shadow.

Uh, ha, ha. . . . you said missionary :-)

Now for some news from Cleveland. Some guy was arrested on charges of domestic violence. When he was brought before the judge and told he was being charged with a felony, he went nuts, broke loose from the police, ran across the room, and, with his hands still handcuffed behind his back, rammed his head into a wall. He impacted with such force that he made a hole in the wall (reinforced plaster, nonetheless) and loosened light fixtures on the ceiling. Unfortunately, the impact also left him a quadriplegic. Now he is suing the city, alleging the police knew he was mentally unstable because of prior arrests, yet they failed to adequately protect him from . . . well . . . himself.

Speaking of diversity . . . My sister-in-law works for the third largest bank in the world. The Cleveland office has a “diversity club.” One of the members is a man who makes no attempt to conceal his homosexuality. That, in and of itself, does not bother me. What does bother me, however, is the fact that the company is flying this man to Orlando and paying for his hotel so that he can represent the diversity club at a gay-pride seminar. I told my sister-in-law she should ask the company to fly her to St. Louis as a representative of the diversity club at a Joyce Meyers conference. (She’s a big fan of Joyce, but don’t hold that against her). If they refuse to pay her expenses, I think she should sue the crap out of the company. What say ye?

In light of John Entwistle’s early demise, should The Who play “My Generation” during the upcoming tour? (I can’t believe they’re actually going to do the tour).

Finally, George W. wasn’t President for about three hours yesterday. If you could be President for three hours and change one thing about our government, what would you change?

I am really influenced in my own thinking by the fact that I grew up on this steady diet of SBC missions. Nationals simply were not in the picture. At all. Now that I have had a chance to work with international students, including vibrant Christians from Africa, India and Asia, I see the problem. The World Christian Encyclopedia confirms it. Christianity in the 3rd world is dark skinned, pentecostal, poor and structured very differently than American churches. So many of our definitions of things like pastor, preparation, church, worship, etc have little appreciation for what indigenous means. I’ve learned through my association with GFA that a lot things we just assumed in the SBC are not true in Asia. Americans, frankly, may not like what they see in the next wave of Christianity, or they may like it. I mean, there are different results. South Korea and Africa are very different, and that comes from a lot of factors. On tentmakers, I am in contact with several and the movement is, from my point of view, doing really well as the only way westerners can get into a lot of places. One of my close high school buddies and family are in a closed Arab country as a businessman. He has actually worked for a large parachurch for over 20 years, but this is what he wants to do. Pray for him and his family please, because if they are caught it will be a bad deal.

Japan is a special case. Why has a country that absorbs everything American been so resistant to Christianity? One of my thoughts- coming from working with Asian students- is that their absorption of our culture never came from a sense that we were superior. They always believed they were (and are) superior, and therefore the Japanese religious worldview would never give an inch to Christianity, even while they sang country music and dressed in Levis. What is strange is that the Chinese are the most superior minded culture on the planet and they have been very open to Christianity. Of course, SHinto and Confucianism are quite different. One of my most vivid memories here at OBI was a Christian Thai family coming to visit their son. The parents had become Christians during their university days and were now ministering in Thailand. We had a lot of Thai students and we invited all of them to eat lunch with the visiting family. They refused to speak to them or sit at the table with them. For teenagers to treat adults like that was unreal, but that is the contempt they held these people in for being Christians.

RonH: Thanks for reading and commenting. A bit of a response.

I think at some point a personal connection will develop, but I don’t think it should be the primary goal or the major missions effort. Let’s say my church adopts a people group. Sending a team to the area is a natural part of the unfolding process, but I think good leadership can put a lot of energy into the connection between church and what is already happening before the personal connection is made. The “tourist” type mission trips are mostly a colossal waste. I know from our work here at OBI (where we get a LOT of volunteers) and my work in inner city missions, that a lot of tourist “missionaries” are a burden not a blessing. But a team that knows what is happening and is a vital, informed link between a mission point and a church is a blessing to both.

I do think that the matter of finally admitting that we have to hand the leadership and the resources over to the nationals is a big and important step in finishing the task. To me, there is a spiritual principle here (the body of Christ) that Americans really have trouble with. I have to take my hands off quite a few things in my ministry and trust others and it is very hard. Certainly harder in missions settings. Letting the native movements develop their own schools, accountability structures, methodology, etc in their own cultural context- its just crucial. You may recall an issue of ModRef I linked to a couple of times where a lot of third world church leaders told the Willow Creek gang to STAY AWAY. They sensed that the American values at work could destroy them. I see that in, for instance, seminary training. The training I received would kill someone on the field in Asia. Too much information. It is part of what is wrong with us- a bad balance of doing/knowing. So I would probably err on that one in handing a lot of resources and responsibilities out of the country. We are, in many ways, like the public schools in their reluctance to admit that all their expertise is part of the problem, and alternative schools are necessary to break the cycle. Doing it “our way” has to give way to doing it the way the Holy Spirit is leading.

As for money to organizations, I think personal connection and conviction is vital. You have to trust that 100% is going where it should and that the organization is honest and focused. So some churches may be sending money to organizations, some to churches, some to missionaries, some to nationals. That is a missions committee’s work- to find the right connections and be accountable. But I do believe American churches need to transfer a LOT of resources into the unreached world, as well as into mercy minsitries and church planting here. I like to go into a church and see a “wall of missions” projects that says a lot of funds and resources are going out and the people can see they are impacting the world. Our financial resources can result in thousands of evangelists and church planters on the field, and that has to be a priority pursued sacrificially. Thanks again for reading. (Others may comment of course.)

RonH: Would you give me your thoughts about my new article?

As was said of me in the long ago by a previous poster- Some can dish it out but can’t take it. (Iran was a real hell hole under the shah compared to now, and Daniel Ortega was St. Francis with a mustache.) I really meant that the guy is the best debater up there. Look at how many posts have his name as the last post on any given day. He bites and won’t let go. Gotta respect the tenacity. Like I said, needs a Scottish Ale to calm him down.

I am writing my new article about “World Christianity.” It is homecoming here at OBI and in two hours I will eat the best Bar B Que around these parts.

We saw Minority Report. Liked it, though it was kind of a mess the last 30 minutes.

Michael S: I failed to thank you yesterday for one of the funniest posts I have ever read. Of course, I’m a big fan of sarcasm, so…

Movie Recommendation of the Week: Since nothing good is on, the wife and I took a quick spin by the local Hollywood Video store, with the firm intention of picking up some quality movies. Well… we almost succeeded – I’m not a big fan of “Tomb Raider”. In fact, I can only think of 2 things I like about that movie…

Anywho… my movie recommendation this week is for ya’ll to expose yerselves to something a little more classic. Wife and I picked up “Duck Soup”, the Marx Bros. classic (we didn’t stop laughing all the way through the movie), and the 1957 “12 Angry Men”, which just rocks. So go out and rent a classic for the kids.

Jonah wisely talks about how America is different from Canada, and the fact that there really is an American culture, despite the left’s attempts to say there is no such thing.

I keep inviting that good brother to come up here. I want him to taste a Bart brewed Scottish ale. ;)

Frank Luntz, GOP pollster, just reported a poll that says if a draft were instituted this year, 37% of college students would evade, and 20% would refuse to fight overseas. Only 25% of American college students think our values are better than those of other countries. The legacy of the Left. Quoting Dr. King, and not realizing that in any other country Dr. King would have been murdered by the government.

I think many Christians on the left are woefully underinformed about Marxism. Redistribution of wealth, the evils of captialism, conspiracy theories it’s all Marxism, but todays leftist clones don’t have a clue. They think Daniel Ortega was another Ghandi.

I can’t figure out what Oddball’s beef is, either. I have a feeling he’s cozy towards liberation theology.

Our local dinosaur (oops, I mean Marxist) quoted Dr. King in his interview with the local newspaper: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it leans toward justice”. Very typical, since Marxism is envy masquerading as justice. I wrote a long message back to our newspaper’s web forum, quoting Dr. King at length, from his autobiography, about his extreme differences with Marxism.

If only Karl hadn’t written those pesky words about killing people with property and money, it would be a lot easier to make a gospel out of Marxism. But, because of those pesky words, about the best thing a conscientious Marxist can do today is hang out a lot with the labor unions. Now THERE’s an effective way to show your true moral colors.

ScottW: I’ve experienced an Epiphany. I now hate America. The President is a criminal. I will tell my children the truth- our government is a thugocracy run by corporate dictators. We will take down our flags and pray that God will destroy this nation in revenge for all the evil we have done. I feel so liberated.

If you read his last post, then you have learned that Dr. King is now on his side. If I have time, I will post some Dr. King quotes that he will overlook. Dr. King was a patriot and would have had nothing good to say about someone who called the President a butcher. This is so typical of Oddball. He uses an emotionally flammable term, then moves a mountain to defend it rather than say it was a bit excessive. I admire you for staying in there with him, but he has the high moral ground because he is more offended than you are.

Micahel: The child is victimized by the pledge. You should see those scars. Or, is that just all of the other kids beating the crap out of him for having such stupid parents?

I disagree with a lot of this. More later- right now I am hungry.

Here’s an excerpt from a post by Rob over at DB. It’s part of alonger post on his views about restricting voting rights a la Madison:

From a biblical perspective, all men are certainly not created equal, nor are they endowed by their [deistic] creator with certain “inalienable rights.” All one has to do is go back and read Locke and it is fairly obvious where he was getting his views. [Locke was the son of a Puritan preacher. He rejected his father’s Calvinism…Whoops! There’s the dreaded “C” word again!] It was the Enlightenment that inspired Jefferson…not the Reformation.

I personally think that voting rights should be more restrictive. I think the founders were correct to limit it to land owners or those who were well-educated � the real “shareholders” in the society. Also, in those times, husbands would vote as the head of the home…quite understandable. Of course, all of this is utterly unthinkable today. I would be in favor of restricting voting rights to those people who could show some basic competence, however.

I really think, as part of our “apologetics”, we ought to be challenging Americans to really think through the foundations of our government. The postmodern mindset leaves no room for either Jefferson or the Bible. Instead of propping up the pledge of alliegence, I would argue that Christians should compel the courts to go even further: to ackowledge that there is absolutely no basis for “rights” anymore. If the living and the true God � The God Who Is There � is dead, and all we have is religious sentiment or experience, how can we possibly do anything but laugh at Jefferson’s naive and misleading statements? Why not expose it for what it is—“the emperor has no clothes” and all…

Note I said we should argue the point. No one will accept the challenge…they can’t. People can’t live that way. The point is to disturb them…

As Schaeffer would say, we need to push the unbeliever to embrace the real consequences of his worldview � to “take the roof off the house” so that he is exposed to the fill weight of “his universe” pressing in on him. It is terrifying � as many of the art films of the 50s and 60s show. It is only then that he will turn and say, “what must I do to be saved?” We can then offer him shelter in the Gospel.

Yeah, I’ve got a bat, and I’m taking it over there.

I’m not certain what that spinning feeling is… it’s either from the ale, or from trying to debate at Dialogue Box with someone who honestly believes that everything about the US is evil. Anyone got a bat?

Gregory, I believe that “frog” is not the correct PC term for the Frenchies. They prefer to be called “courage-challenged” or as I like to say “Cheese-eatin’ surrender monkeys!” Why are the streets of Paris lined with trees? So the Germans can march in the shade.

I’m off to Arkansas for the weekend so I can spend time with my Mamaw who recently had a stroke. See ya’ll Monday.

Mid summer break arrives. Tomorrow is OBI Homecoming, but I don’t have to do much more than run sound and eat. (THe food is awesome.) Looks like a rainy weekend, but we can have some nice weather too. I will be out Mon-Wed but I will have laptop access if I want to use it. Third quarter begins a week from Monday.

This flag flap continues to make me wonder when our legal minds shifted into the mindset that we are obligated by “diversity” into putting together a country without reference to God? Here is my silly observation: the generic use of the idea of God is not a specific religion. You cannot exile an idea from the discussion of public life. You have to discuss all kinds of ideas, both good and bad, to have a civic public square. One nation under God means that- if you happen to believe in God- this nation ain’t over him but vice versa. The idea- expressed in the ruling- that one nation under God is the same as one nation under Vishnu or one nation under Jesus, is absolutely ridiculous. A generic discussion of God is not an establishment of religion. In fact, I cannot understand why CHRISTIANS are always endowing this generic term with meanings both Christian and pagan, like saying that saying the pledge is allegience to Jefferson’s Deist God. Isn’t it possible for a person to use the word God without infecting everyone who uses his work with an explicit belief in his own worldview? I don’t care if Jefferson was a Satanist, the Declaration is talking about a generic, monotheistic God.

The worst part is the atheist parent saying his child is victimized by the pledge. What a great parent. Define your whole life by being an obnoxious victim who resorts to the tyranny of the minority. Make sure Jesse Jackson bares his butt so this guy can kiss it.The great race to be oppressed, offended and victimized. The empowerment of victimization has the potential to ruin our civic life and our private lives. Look at what it has done to the families of many of the 9/11 victims. I can’t stand to listen to them anymore. Just heard one trashing Mike Bloomberg. “We need him to listen to the hearts of the victim’s families.” Please have some dignity people.

My friend Shawn pointed out that the most interesting thing about “the” picture is that you can see the man’s testicle and his, um, er, “other word for cat.”

My mother-in-law bought me a parenting book this week called Raising Confident Girls. Now, I do not mind reading books, but here is the opening of the first paragraph:

Everything seems to be going right for girls. Their confidence, exam results and career opportunities are rising. Released from the prison of domestic life, they have a freedom that was unheard of fifty years ago.

Excuse me? Prison? Domestic life is neutral. There are burdens that come from staying home and taking care of children, but there are also blessings. I get to spend a couple of hours with my children each day, and I wish I had more time. But, the assumption that women were once imprisoned, and they are now set free, is a large part of the reason feminism has the smell of rotting rubish.

This bass player takes a moment of silence for a great one. (Raising his Diet IBC) Here’s to you, Ox.

Here’s the link, Michael.

Michael: Note, I did not suggest it was a good movie, just one of the best of the Christian Apoco-dramas to come out.

Bart: Congress defiantly emphasized that portion in their opening yesterday, and a caller on WLAC remarked that “all men are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights,” so those who are athiests must have no rights. Interesting statement, but God exists (or does not—being fair to any athiests in here. LOL) regardless of our belief. If it were otherwise, God would appear and disappear just like our weak faith.

Scott: But, I like that lady with the giant hair (that is TBN, isn’t it?). I watch TBN every time I am captured by the FBI for parole violations. As I am not on parole … well, I think you see my point. Actually, not quite true. I was channel surfing the other day and came apon a children’s show on either TBN, CBN, etc. It was praise and worship music videos with children singing, er lip syncing … and, very badly, I might add. It was quite funny, so I watched for awhile.

Steve S: No, Amy’s not laid off due to the shuttle fix. Her group has plenty of rats to kill, regardless of whether an EVA gets postponed or not. Besides, you know that feds don’t get “laid off”. They just sit and suck up our tax money, right ;-)

Actually, she is leaving the office for 3 weeks to care for Angus while I am offshore. We have been doing this tag-team routine since he was born in January. She exhausted her sick leave and vacation in February, and has been on unpaid leave since then. Angus starts day school at JSC in August (a terrific place.. imagine a non-profit, limited-enrollment day care run by a bunch of type-A rocket scientists). Her management has been very progressive in how they treat maternity leave, and have jumped through lots of hoops in order to give the moms there much more leeway than standard federal practices usually allow. Her increment schedule has worked out very providentially as well; she worked a big flight when she was 8 months pregnant, and it just so happens that her next flight doesn’t ramp up until fall. Perfect timing for us to do our Mr. Mom/Mrs. Mom routine.

Being offshore for 3 weeks at a time has its disadvantages—but one of the rare advantages, which makes a lot of my friends jealous, is that I can spend oodles of time with Angus while I’m home for my 3 week breaks. Come August, I will probably keep him home a lot rather than send him to daycare, although we still have to pay the full rate. Otherwise I will really miss the little stinker.

Mir was a huge lesson to the Americans. Essentially it began to pound into our heads the concept that “the Russians are in this for the money”. The people in the trenches—like Amy—are learning firsthand how to do amazing things on a shoestring. These same people will be the upper management someday- and they will have A LOT more appreciation for grubby Russian-style ingenuity than the current managers, who are still steeped in non-efficient bureacracy.

The new administrator (the Irish guy, can’t remember his name) has a pretty good vision. Politics being what they are, there are no guarantees, but if George Abbey (the JSC director, who got re-shuffled to Washington after the Irish guy took over) ever ends up as director, some good things may happen. He’s one of the ones who learned from the Russians. The rank-and-file at JSC were terrified of him, but the confidence which he inspired was nothing short of amazing.