Dim Bulb Society

I think there are some members of the Dim Bulb Society in these stories:

Woman Puts Baby Through Airport X-Ray

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A woman mistakenly put her 1-month-old grandson through an X-ray machine at Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said.

And then there is this one:

Woman Tells Cop She Bought 'Bad Crack'

HAWTHORNE, Fla. (AP) - A North Carolina woman was arrested after complaining to a police officer that the crack cocaine she had just purchased wasn't very good, authorities said.

Eloise D. Reaves, 50, approached the Putnam County sheriff's deputy at a convenience store Friday, telling him that another man had sold her "bad crack" that contained wax and cocaine.

And from the too much on my mind department:

Oops! I Thought You Had the Baby Honey

MIDLAND, Texas (AP) - A 3-month-old baby was left unattended in a shopping cart for about an hour Sunday when her parents accidentally left her behind, police said. Shoppers noticed the abandoned baby at a Toys "R" Us store, Midland police Sgt. Alfredo Grimaldo said.

"It was a misunderstanding among family members," Grimaldo said in Monday editions of the Midland Reporter-Telegram. "One man took the kids home and left the ladies to shop. But when he took the kids, he didn't take the baby from the cart."

Precious Life

I saw the lady who started the organization (ProLife Across America) behind these ads on EWTN last night. What an awesome ministry.

See more info here.

65 years after the Pearl Harbor attack

What a difference 65 years can make. After Pearl Harbor, we united to defeat two enemies, Japan and Germany. After 9/11, we want to give up and run away.

God bless America.

On the Right Path

Congressional Republicans Pick Pro-Life Stalwarts as Party Leaders

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
November 17, 2006

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com)
-- The Republican caucus in the House of Representatives picked pro-life lawmakers to head their party as they assume the minority position in Congress. They re-elected two of their current pro-life leaders by having John Boehner of Ohio serve as Minority Leader and Roy Blunt of Missouri as Minority Whip.

Looks like the Republicans are on the right path. Whether or not they ever regain control of the Congress, at least they are doing the right thing.

The strong pro-life records contrast with the pro-abortion and pro-embryonic stem cell research positions of the Democratic leaders.

Members of the Democratic caucus in the House sealed their plan to promote abortion and embryonic stem cell research in the next session of Congress as they picked staunch abortion advocates to lead their party. That means pro-abortion lawmakers will set the agenda of the House for the next two years. Democrats unanimously named pro-abortion California Rep. Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House.

Pelosi is a staunch abortion advocate. In the last Congressional session alone, Pelosi compiled a 0 percent pro-life voting record on 10 votes NRLC recorded.

Some say that there is no difference between the parties. I think this shows there is a major difference.

Al (The Ice Man) Gore

Al Gore rains on his party

Andrew Bolt
November 17, 2006 12:00am

AL GORE flies in to warn about global warming and -- he's done it again! -- Victoria gets snow in November.Call it the Gore Effect -- the uncanny ability of the world's most famous global warming alarmist to cool any place he tours. You see, this has happened to the former US vice-president and narrator of An Inconvenient Truth rather a lot.

It was first noticed in Boston in 2004, when Gore was due to give a big speech in Boston on the imminent danger of the world frying.

Bingo! The city had its coldest temperatures in almost 50 years. Same story with his speech that year in New York -- delivered in near-record low temperatures.

Sounds like Al should do a global tour. But then, what would he have to complain about.

Strike One (and the game hasn't started yet)

House Democrats Name Hoyer to No. 2 Post

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats picked Rep. Steny Hoyer to be House majority leader on Thursday, spurning Rep. Nancy Pelosi's handpicked choice moments after unanimously backing her election as speaker when Congress convenes in January.

Oh well, you can't win them all. I guess some of the Democrats took Pelosi seriously when she said she wanted the cleanest congress ever, by voting down someone tainted by the Abscam scandal (Murtha). Even though she didn't mean a word of it. How do I know that? Her lips were moving (old joke).

I wonder if this is a sign of what is to come from Pelosi's reign of terror.

Election results

Khamenei calls elections a victory for Iran

By Jon Hemming

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday called U.S. President George W. Bush's defeat in congressional elections a victory for Iran.

Ain't that just great.

Veteran's Day 2006

A great big THANK YOU to all those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

THANK YOU to those who continue to serve us today.

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad (and especially those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan). Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Train Wreck

I witnessed a train wreck last night. The Democrats demolished the Republicans in the 2006 elections.

Lord have mercy.

The looney left is now in charge of the Congress.

Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy.

Tag is out

Tagged out

BY SUSAN LaHOUD SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Monday, October 16, 2006 11:29 PM CDT

Tag is now out during recess at Willett Elementary School in Attleboro.

So is touch football and any other unsupervised "chasing" games that are deemed to pose the risk of injury as well as liability to the school.

Back in the day (60's), when I was in high school, dodgeball was outlawed because it was too rough. In fact, because it was so rough, we called it battleball instead of dodgeball. In order to get around the ban on dodgeball (aka battleball), the gym teachers simply changed the name to leisureball. It continued to be a rough game and was one of our favorite games to play in gym class.

Now, because of fearful parents and administrators, Tag is being outlawed in some schrools. I have an idea. Simply change the name to "You're It" and let the kids have some fun.

Silver Linings

They say there is a silver lining behind every cloud. The recent news shows that this may be true.

Cloud: A man takes over an Amish school and murders several young girls.

Silver Lining: The word "forgiveness" is being spoken on the nightly news and is being modeled before our eyes by the Amish. Yes, those backward folks who don't even know what an Ipod is or use Instant Messaging, are showing all of us what it means to turn the other cheek.

Cloud: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mark Foley (R-FL), resigns after his despicable behavior is brought to the light of day.

Silver Lining: Even the liberal Democrats are saying that certain behavior is beyond the pale. Some are even using language that would be considered gay bashing if used by someone with an "R" behind their name. If only they would use the same energy against their own. Does the name Kennedy or Frank or Reynolds ring any bells. Maybe the Boy Scouts aren't so wrong in wanting to keep homosexual men away from young boys.

A good read

Here is an excellent article about the current state of affairs in the U.S.

Churchill didn’t have an ‘exit strategy’ by Rev. Raymond De Souza

What I have learned

What I have learned since 9/11/2001:

1. There are people out there who want to kill us. They want us dead for no other reason than that we are citizens of the United States of America. They are even willing to murder women and children, the innocent, and members of their own religion.

2. There are people in this country who do not believe #1 is a serious problem. They think it is best to appease the evil doers.

3. There are people in this country who think that we are the real evil doers, and George Bush is the most evil of all. He is to blame for everything: hurricanes and the damage they cause, high gas prices (of course nothing is said when prices go down), terrorist attacks, global warming, etc. I am surprised that he hasn't been blamed for the death of the crocodile man. Where was Bush when that happened, anyway?

4. There are a lot of sick people out there.

Lord have mercy!!!

First Day of (Government) School

Today is the first day of school for the kids in my area. My commute to work was delayed because of the school bus stops. At several stops, I noticed a group of parents saying goodbye with cameras flashing and tears in their eyes.

A photo to mark in time this great event. The day you turn your kids over to someone else to raise. The day you lose that close bond with your child and they return a stranger. The last day your family will ever be the same.

Let us pray for the children and their families:

O God, our heavenly Father, who lovest mankind, and art most merciful and compassionate, have mercy upon thy servants (Name those whom you wish to remember) for whom I humbly pray thee, and commend to thy gracious care and protection. Be thou, O God, their guide and guardian in all their endeavors, lead them in the path of thy truth, and draw them nearer to thee, that they may lead a godly and righteous life in thy love and fear; doing thy will in all things. Give them grace that they may be temperate, industrious, dilligent, devout and charitable. Defend them against the assaults of the enemy, and grant them wisdom and strength to resist all temptation and corruption of this life; and direct them in the way of salvation, through the merits of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the intercessions of his Holy Mother and thy blessed Saints. Amen.

Liberals in black robes

Todays Supreme Court decision reminds me of this Q & A:

Q: What is the most dangerous creature on the earth?

A: A liberal in black robes.

This decision will certainly strengthen the resolve of our enemies and will make the war on terror that much more difficult and dangerous.

What make me say that liberals in black robes are so dangerous? Just ask one of the millions of babies who were killed over the last 30 years via abortions because of the decision of liberals in black robes. Oh I forgot, you can't ask them. They are dead.

I can see clearly now

The 2006 General Convention (GC2006) of The Episcopal Church (TEC, formerly known as ECUSA) is now over. The GC2006 can be summarized in one word, clarity.

The leaders of TEC have certainly brought clarity. It is clear that they want to continue down the liberal, revisionist, relativist path.

Frankly, I am a little surprised by this. I hoped for repentance, changing direction back to the historic church. I thought there would be alot of fudge. Trying to play off both sides and standing for nothing. Instead, they are clearly moving down the path of destruction. My response to this is: "SSSee Ya, wouldn't want to be Ya".

Mother Who?

Jefferts Schori preaches of Mother Jesus

Presiding Bishop Elect preaches about Mother Jesus

“Our mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation and we are his
children. We are going to have to give up fear.”

This can't be correct, can it? Mother Jesus. Perhaps she had a slip of the tongue and meant to say, brother Jesus. Perhaps the microphone wasn't working and the transcriptionist heard mother, but she really said brother. Perhaps the sun will explode today and we will survive it.


If this is the face of The Episcopal Church, Lord have mercy.

So much for Christian Unity

Episcopal Church elects first woman Presiding Bishop

[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church, 30 years after it
allowed women to become priests and bishops, has elected a woman as its Presiding Bishop.

The Episcopal Church to the rest of the Anglican Communion and other Christians all over the world: "Screw you, you bunch of sexist homophob bigots. We will do what we want, no matter if 2000+ years of Christian tradition is to the contrary."

So much for Christian unity. It appears that the left wing wants to poke her fingers in the eyes of everyone else.

Lord have mercy!

My Pride and Joy

I have not been able to post very often of late, but I wanted to post a picture of my pride and joy.

The ECUSA is having their General Convention this week, so I hope to be able to post my thoughts on what is happening. My prayer is that God opens the windows of heaven and pours down a tremendous blessing. I also pray that God opens the eyes of the blind to see His will and desire for the Church.

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Looney Liberal Logic

Here is another example of LLL (Looney Liberal Logic).

Coaches face suspension for wins of 50-plus points

HARTFORD, Conn. -- High school football coaches in Connecticut will have to be good sports this fall -- or risk a suspension.

The football committee of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, which governs high school sports, is adopting a "score management" policy that will suspend coaches whose teams win by more than 50 points.

We wouldn't want the losing team to feel bad, now would we.

Hey folks, IT'S FOOTBALL!! You know, a sport, There is a winning and a losing team. May the best team win, and all.

"OK son. If you find yourself about to cross the goal line, be sure to fall down first. We don't want to hurt their feeeelings."

This is nuts.

Immigration Doom and Gloom

Senate Immigration Bill Would Allow 100 Million New Legal Immigrants over the Next Twenty Years
by Robert Rector
WebMemo #1076

May 15, 2006

If enacted, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act (CIRA, S.2611) would be the most dramatic change in immigration law in 80 years, allowing an estimated 103 million persons to legally immigrate to the U.S. over the next 20 years—fully one-third of the current population of the United States.

I am not a doom and gloomer, but this is scarey. I think I better sign up for Spanish lessons.

Theme song of the Democratic Party

Whatever It Is, I'm Against It (Groucho's version)

I don't know what they have to say,
it makes no difference anyway,
whatever it is, I'm against it!,
no matter what it is or who commenced it,
I'm against it.

Your proposition may be good,
but let's have one thing understood,
whatever it is, I'm against it!,
and even when you've changed it or condensed it,
I'm against it.

I'm opposed to it,
on general principles I'm opposed to it!

(Chorus)
He's opposed to it!
in fact, in word, in deed,
he's opposed to it!

For months before my son was born,
I used to yell from night till morn,
whatever it is, I'm against it!,
and I've kept yelling since I commenced it,
I'm against it!

Speaks for itself. President Bush could say the sky is blue and the Dems would say, I'm against it.

H/T Laura Ingraham

What a joke

Democrats link insurance bill to more abortions

By Amy Fagan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
May 11, 2006

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday said the Republican health bill before the chamber would eliminate state health care guarantees, thereby jeopardizing women's access to contraception and perhaps resulting in more abortions.

I didn't realize that Hillary was anti-abortion. I bet this is news to her pro-abortion supporters. Of course they know she is just kidding.

Much ado about nothing

USA Today Headline : NSA has massive database of Americans' phone calls

The libs are going nuts over this news. Personally, I am grateful that the NSA is looking for the bad guys. Since I have nothing to fear if some government official knows that I call my mother, this database is OK by me. Hopefully, the NSA will ignore the loons and continue to protect us.

Heaven forbid, Not Nancy

This could be the face of the next Speaker of the House.

Oh God, please NO!!

Take that...

Jobs Data Send Dow to New 6-Year High

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks rallied sharply Friday as moderating job growth reinforced Wall Street's hopes that the Federal Reserve may soon end its series of interest rate hikes. The Dow Jones industrial average climbed more than 110 points to a fresh six-year high.

Take that all you doom and gloomers.

Happy May Day, comrades

I haven't been able to post much lately, but I wanted to be sure to post something today, May (Commie) Day, 2006. I didn't want anyone to think that I was participating in today's strike or even giving passive support.

I have heard a lot about justice for those who are in the U.S. illegally. Well, what about justice for those who are following the rules and waiting in line to enter the U.S.? What about justice for those in the medical or educational fields, who must deal with overcrowding due to illegals? What about justice for those whose property values have decreased because of the shacks built next door? There is a lot of injustice to go around.

The joke is that the discussion about illegal immigration and the open borders began as a result of 9/11. We need to secure the borders so that terrorists cannot enter this country and do us more harm. We seem to be taking our eyes off the ball with all the talk of what to do with the illegals who are already here. First things first. Secure the borders, so that our enemy cannot get in here and kill us all.

As the Lone Ranger used to say, "Adios, Amigos".

Death Roe Survivor

Are you a Death Roe Survivor?

On January 22, 1973, The United States Supreme Court legalized abortion on demand. The decision is called Roe vs. Wade. We call it Death Roe. About one fourth of our generation has already been wiped out, and the executions continue at the rate of over 3000 a day. If you were born after that date, you are one of the unchosen. You are a Death Roe Survivor.

Indeed, He is Risen!

It is now official for 2006. Christians in both the East and the West have celebrated Easter or Pascha and can now say together:

Christ is Risen!
Indeed, He is Risen!

Allelujah, Allelujah!

Sign Up

Lay Episcopalians for the Anglican Communion
TRUTH + CLARITY + COURAGE


LEAC News Release
PRELATES WHO INSTALLED GAY BISHOP FACE PETITION TO INDICT UNDER CHURCH LAW

WASHINGTON, DC (04/12/06) . Episcopal laymen launched a national petition drive today to bring to church trial 35 bishops involved in the installation of a practicing homosexual bishop in New Hampshire, including the new bishop. Its purpose is to determine, in formal trials, the standing of church law, doctrine and practice, the sponsor said.


NATIONAL PETITION REQUESTING PRESENTMENT

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, AFFIRMING OUR VALID MEMBERSHIP IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE UNITED STATES, DO PETITION AND REQUEST:
THAT BISHOPS WITH JURISDICTION UNDERTAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO INITIATE PROCEEDINGS FOR PRESENTMENT OF BISHOP V. GENE ROBINSON AND ALL BISHOPS WHO CONSECRATED OR ASSISTED OR OTHERWISE PARTICIPATED IN OFFICIAL CONSECRATION OF BISHOP, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO PROSPECTIVE CHARGES OF VIOLATION OF ORDINATION AND CONSECRATION VOWS AS THEY PERTAIN TO CHURCH DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE AND RELATED OFFENSES.

Go here to sign the petition.

"This is for you Jesus"

Baddeley Wins Verizon Heritage for First PGA Tour Title

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) - Aaron Baddeley began the day in the most perfect place he could imagine, on Harbour Town's lighthouse closing hole speaking about his Christian faith.

He called on that faith hours later Sunday on the same hole, repeating part of a New Testament verse as he stood over the winning 6-foot par putt in the final round of the Verizon Heritage.

"I said, 'This is for you Jesus,' and knocked it in," Baddeley said.

While watching this on TV, I was taken back by the commentators references to Aaron's faith. I know of other pro golfers who are Christians, but the CBS crew just could not mention it enough about Aaron. Perhaps it was the timing of the event, finishing on Easter day. I don't know. Every year there is a PGA event on Easter weekend. My guess is that other Christian's have won those events in the past. So, why the special attention now?

I do know that I have a new golfer to route for. Go Baddeley!!

Collect of the Day: Pascha

O God, who made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord's resurrection: Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in security and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day: Holy Saturday

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so may we await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day: Good Friday

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Just Shut Up Award

The Just Shut Up Award this week goes to Tom Cruise, who because of his religious beliefs, is demanding that his girl friend give birth to their child without any noise. Where else can a man tell a woman to "just shut up" and get away with it alive?

Collect of the Day: Maundy Thursday

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day: Holy Wednesday

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day: Holy Tuesday

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day: Holy Monday

Almighty God, whose dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In Memorial

Theresa Schiavo died one year ago today. May she rest in peace. (See the March 2005 archives)

Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon her.

It would be real ...

These are the folks who want to be in charge of our national security. I bet Osama is hiding under his rock, just shaking in his boots.

Heaven help us.

WACKO Alert

This week, there was lots of crazy talk in the media.

1. Charlie Sheen comes out with his conspiracy theory comments about what happened on 9/11.

"Call me insane," said Sheen, "but did it sort of look like those buildings came down in a controlled demolition?"

"It seems to me like 19 amateurs with box cutters taking over four commercial airliners and hitting 75% of their targets: that feels like a conspiracy theory,"

These statements are proof positive that drug and alcohol abuse causes brain damage.

2. Hillary tells us WWJD (What Would Jesus Do), sort of.

"It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scriptures,"
..."This bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself."

3. Christian peace activists are rescued in Iraq. But, do not show the basic value of thanksgiving. Instead, they blame the good guys.

"We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by multinational forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping and so much pain and suffering in Iraq today," said Doug Pritchard, co-director of the Christian Peacemaker Teams. "The occupation must end."

Makes you want to wrap some duct tape around your head, before it explodes.

Interesting read

"Why We Need Hell" is an interesting article by Frederica Mathewes-Green.

Highlights:

This idea, that both heaven and hell are experiences of the same divine presence, is startlingly different from contemporary assumptions. But even more so is the next idea: hell is not a punishment. We assume God’s justice means settling the score; that each sin must have its payment, either in Christ’s blood or human writhing in hell. We can even sort of like the idea. Surely God will torture murderers and rapists and bad guys, and anyone who ever did us a wrong turn. Justice, we think, means finally getting even.

But as St. Isaac points out, God isn’t "just" in that calculating sense. "How can you call God just," he says, when you consider the parable of the workers paid for a full day when they worked only an hour? Or the parable of the Prodigal Son, restored fully to his father on the basis of mere repentance? St Isaac concludes, "Do not call God just, for his justice is not evident in the things concerning you."

God is not looking for repayment, but repentance. What heals a broken relationship is sincere love and contrition. What’s wrong with us isn’t a rap sheet of bad deeds, but a damaged heart, a soul-sickness, that plunges us into fearful self-protection, alienation from God and others. Paradoxically, this leads to death: "whoever would save his life will lose it" (Matthew 16:25).

This sickness elicits not God’s fury but his indomitable love, much like the urgent, grieving love a parent has for a wandering child. (Jesus’ parable was about the Prodigal Son, not the Indignant Accountant.) "It is not that God grows angry with us," said the 3rd century Desert Father, St. Antony the Great, "but it is our own sins that prevent God from shining within us."

Read the whole thing, here.

Zugzwang

We went to the National Zoo this weekend and saw the Panda Bears. They reminded me of my brother in law. He is not lazy, he is just low energy.

Hey Dr. Rawn, zugzwang this.

Thanks guys and the lovely Sue, we had a great time. Safe trip home.

Hillary for President. NOT!!!!

Puting on the Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rains fall soft upon your fields
May God hold you in the palm of His hand

May you be in heaven half an hour
Before the Devil knows you're dead

Daily Lectionary Reading for 03/16/2006

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (English Standard Version)

12"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. 13"Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"--and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two will become one flesh." 17But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Isn't this what Lent is all about? Taking control of our bodies, for we are not our own. Obviously, controling our bodies is an everyday task, not just during Lent.

"...for you were bought with a price." What price? Answer - the blood of God. Pretty amazing. God purchased us by paying with His own blood. With that in mind, how can we do other than glorify Him in our bodies.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages!!

Thoughts on the Ports Deal

Recently, many on the left and the right have basically said that Arabs are not to be trusted. What other reason could there be for their opposition to the UAE port deal?

What amazes me is that some of these same people are the first ones to complain about using racial profiling in airport security. So, profiling is not good enough for airports but can be used for sea ports. Hummm?

I will keep that in mind the next time I am forced to take off my belt and shoes in the airport while the guy behind me from the religion of peace, walks on with his box cutter in his pocket.

Daily Lectionary reading for 02/08/06

Mark 1:29-45

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once.
31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

Old joke: How do we know that Jesus did not really love Peter? Answer: He healed Peter's mother-in-law.

Griswold meets Castro - Part 2

My previous post, "Griswold meets Castro" was right on. The Episcopal News Service published a sermon Griswold gave in Cuba.

Cuba: Presiding Bishop's sermon affirms reconciliation

It is Frank's usual "can't we just get along" sermon. Of course, he blames the U.S. government for the poverty in Cuba.

"...Also, I have been saddened to see the suffering caused by the policies of my country’s government."

"The ministry of reconciliation strikes a particular chord for me in Cuba as I witness the devastating effects of the Blockade. My country’s policies have driven wedges though your country, wedges that are profoundly at odds with the Scriptural call to unity among all people in Christ. The U.S. embargo has helped fuel inhumane poverty among your people, brought large parts of your magnificent cities and infrastructure to ruins, and cut off Cuban families from the support – financial and otherwise – of their loved ones in the United States. "

"For my country to repent, we must acknowledge that we bear a great deal of the responsibility for the suffering and pain endured by your country over the last forty years."

Hey Frank, the suffering in Cuba was not caused by the U.S. It was caused by Castro and his policies. Castro is the one who needs to repent.

Abortion Ban

S.D. Governor Signs Abortion Ban Into Law

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation Monday banning nearly all abortions in South Dakota, setting up a court fight aimed at challenging the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

My Dear Bill

Hillary Clinton 'unaware' of Bill's Dubai ties


By Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Updated: 3:12 a.m. ET March 4, 2006

Hillary Clinton, a leading opponent of DP World's takeover of some US port operations, was this week forced to admit that she did not know her husband had advised Dubai leaders on how to handle the growing dispute.

I'm still not sure where I come down on the UAE port issue. But, to hear that the Clinton's are taking both sides of the issue doesn't make me feel any better.

Griswold meets with Castro

Overheard in the hallway: Griswold to Castro, "Thanks for the cigars. Oh, can I come here after I retire. Since I have destroyed the ECUSA, I need a place to stay. I knew you'd understand since you did a hurt dance on Cuba yourself."

Seriously, do you think Frank even mentioned Jesus to Fidel? Or do you think he told Fidel that a larger percent of the national budget should go to help the poor in Cuba? I'll bet they shared with each other about the evil Bush administration over a good cigar though.

Ash Wednesday 2006

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Luke 18:9-14 (NRSV)

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, "God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income." 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.'

St David's Day

Happy St David's (Dewi) Day.

Almighty God, who called your servant David to be a faithful and wise steward of your mysteries for the people of Wales: Mercifully grant that, following his purity of life and zeal for the gospel of Christ, we may with him receive the crown of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.

Common Sense

Common Sense and the U.S. Constitution win again. Thank you SCOTUS.

Supreme Court Backs Abortion Protesters

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court dealt a setback Tuesday to abortion clinics in a two-decade-old legal fight over anti-abortion protests, ruling that federal extortion and racketeering laws cannot be used to ban demonstrations.

To your health

I was going to give up chocolate for lent, then I read this:

Chocolate Linked to Lower Blood Pressure

CHICAGO (AP) - Leave it to the Dutch to help demonstrate the health benefits of chocolate. A study of older men in The Netherlands, known for its luscious chocolate, indicated those who ate the equivalent of one-third of a chocolate bar every day had lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of death.

Now what do I do?

Daily Lectionary reading for 02/23/06

1 John 5:13-21 (NRSV)

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. 16 If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one-to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not mortal. 18 We know that those who are born of God do not sin, but the one who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them. 19 We know that we are God's children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.


Notice how many times the writer uses the word "know". To make it easier, I have highlighted the words in red.

The question is, do we really know these things?

Daily reading for 02/22/06

1 John 5:1-12 (NRSV)

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. 5 Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. 7 There are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. 9 If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. 10 Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

The writer is not very tolerant. Who is he to say that if I do not believe in Jesus, then I do not have eternal life?

All sarcasm aside, this is orthodox Christianity. Jesus and eternal life are linked. If you do not believe this, then you do not hold to the faith given to us by the Apostles.

Thanks be to God.

Good News for a Change

Justices to Weigh Late-Term Abortion Ban

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will consider the constitutionality of banning a type of late-term abortion, teeing up a contentious issue for a newly-constituted court already in a state of flux over privacy rights.

The Bush administration has pressed the high court to reinstate the federal law, passed in 2003 but never put in effect because it was struck down by judges in California, Nebraska and New York.

This is good news. Hopefully, with the new members of the court in place, they will uphold the late-term abortion ban. Any obstacle to this barbaric procedure is a good thing.

Thanks be to God.

My prayers are with him

Robinson acknowledges alcoholism, enters rehab
By Anne Saunders, Associated Press Writer February 14, 2006

CONCORD, N.H. --The Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson, says he is being treated for alcoholism, surprising many of his diocesan friends and colleagues.


I believe 1,000 % that he should not have become a Bishop. But, I pray for him in this time of physical, emotional, and spiritual struggle.

For the Victims of Addiction
Blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love.
Amen

Get me one

I'll have to get me one of these.

Daily Lectionary reading for 2/10/06

John 8:33-47 (NRSV)

33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. 38 I declare what I have seen in the Father's presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father." 39 They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing what Abraham did, 40 but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are indeed doing what your father does." They said to him, "We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. 44 You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God."

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.


I love this story. Jesus speaks to the Pharisees straight up. He pulls no punches. They are: "slaves to sin", "of their father the devil", "not from God".

What of those people today who do not believe the words of Jesus? I will not say, but one has to wonder if the same descriptions apply.

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

The Time Has Come

The time has come for us to realize that we are in a war. However, it is not a war against terrorism. The War Against Terrorism is a 'politically correct' term. In reality, we are in a war against Islamic fanatics who want to destroy Western ways (e.g. cartoons which make fun of a subject in order to make a point). These fanatics are willing to use any means possible: rioting, kidnapping, beheading, flying planes into buildings, bombing innocent women and children, and other acts of terrorism. Terrorism is their way to wage this war.

Our enemy does not have the world view which says "can't we just get along". They do not want to 'get along'. They want us dead. The sooner we realize this fact, the better off we will be.

Looney Left Exposed

Method in Their Madness by Michael Novak

Prescription for Tolerance
Is Moral Judgment a Mental Disorder?
By Allan Dobras

These two articles expose the looney left's tactics to destroy our society as we know it and love it. Who says there is not a culture war?

Recommendation

In the 1970's, I had the great fortune of being introduced to the Bible teaching ministry of Malcolm Smith through his audio cassettes. Several times over the years I have had the privilege of seeing him in person. This past weekend, he was speaking in a church 25 miles from my home, so my wife and I went to see him. What a blessing!!

If you are not familiar with his teachings, visit his website at www.malcolmsmith.org and order some tapes or download some files. You will not be sorry.

The Religion of Peace?

So this is the religion of peace.

Moan and groan

Former Senator and Episcopal Priest John Danforth is bemoaning and longing for the good old days when his own Republican Party was in the minority and could not win elections. "If if wasn't for the darned Christian right, we could be insignificant again."

Fr. John should just join with the other "Country Club Republicans" and keep it to themselves.

What gets me is the ones who preach tolerance for others are the ones who are the most intolerant of the Christian right. I quess it is hard to see with the log in our own eye.

Hear ye, hear ye

(AP Photo/Miraflores Press, Francisco Batista) Cindy Sheehan and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez

This could be a future announcement. "Ladies and Gentlemen (echo), Your new Senator from the state of California."

Doesn't this make you proud?

Only in California, the left coast.

Get it right

If you are going to quote old Ben, please get it right. Ben actually said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" (emphasis mine). It is amazing how deleting a few words can make such a big difference.

The left love to use this misquote of Ben. How come they don't use other quotes from him, such as,

"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one. If it satisfies one want, it doubles and trebles that want another way. That was a true proverb of the wise man, rely upon it "Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure, and trouble therewith".

Or

"Man will ultimately be governed by God or by tyrants." (H/T QuoteDB)

Hmmm.

Daily reading for 1/24/2006

John 5:1-18 (NRSV)

1 After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. 3 In these lay many invalids-blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" 7 The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." 8 Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." 9 At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, "It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat." 11 But he answered them, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Take up your mat and walk.' " 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take it up and walk'?" 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had disappeared in the crowd that was there. 14 Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you." 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 Therefore the Jews started persecuting Jesus, because he was doing such things on the sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father is still working, and I also am working." 18 For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God.


Jesus heals on the Sabbath. Many use this story as a proof text that Jesus brought new ways for us to follow. We don't have to live under the old rules any longer. Then they take the next jump in logic to state that Jesus is open to any changes we come up with today.

What they fail to recognize is this statement in verse 14, "Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you." This statement is similar to the one Jesus gives to the woman caught in adultery. He tells her to go sin no more.

Go sin no more. That is quite a challenge for anyone. I quess it would be possible to sin no more if we redefine what is sin. If my sin of choice is say, lieing, and we come to the enlightened postition that lieing in no longer a sin, then it would be easy for me to sin no more.

Hall of Shame

Here are the new inductees to the Hall of Shame. They were chosen because they have no shame.

Hillary Clinton for her "plantation" remarks. "You know what I'm talkin' about".

Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans, for his "Chocolate City" remarks. I thought Hershey, PA was the chocolate city.

Ted Kennedy for his smear tactics and guilt by association during the Alito hearings.

Ted Kennedy again for finally realizing that he belonged to an all boys club that excluded women. "Judge not, lest ye be judged".

The U.S. Supreme Court for going along with the culture of death.

The members of the religion of peace (Islamic fascists) who murdered more innocents and kidnapped others.

Osama bin Laden who wants a truce after spending the last few years hiding under a rock.

The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church for approving membership in the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) a pro-abortion group. This one really makes me ill.

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.

Culture of Death

Supreme Court Upholds Oregon Suicide Law

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court upheld Oregon's one-of-a-kind physician-assisted suicide law Tuesday, rejecting a Bush administration attempt to punish doctors who help terminally ill patients die.

Justices, on a 6-3 vote, said that a federal drug law does not override the 1997 Oregon law used to end the lives of more than 200 seriously ill people. New Chief Justice John Roberts backed the Bush administration, dissenting for the first time.


This is another example of the current culture of death. States rights is used when we want to allow death. But when a state wants to restrict abortion, the courts overrule saying federal law trumps states rights.

Lord have mercy.

How low can you go?

The Senate Judicial Committee hearings with Judge Alito are in a word, embarrassing. If I were a Democrat, I would be totally embarrassed by the way the Senate Democrats are behaving. Since I am not a Democrat, I almost feel embarrassed for them. NOT.

When will the people of Massachusetts come to their senses and vote that Kennedy fellow out of office? Wake up and smell the coffee folks.