What’s in a name?

Often parents try to choose their childrens’ names by looking at the meanings of those names. For example, my name is Richard, which means "powerful ruler." Of course, my parents weren’t trying to make any particular statement with that name choice other than the fact that my father is also named Richard. And my name didn’t really predict my eventual outcome—at least not so far.

But some names do. Really. And not even necessarily given names. Last names... family names, sometimes tell the whole story as well.

For example, what do you think you could glean about a person whose last name is Stoner? If you haven’t figured anything out yet, let me help you with an excerpt from the most recent news snippet about this guy:

In 2007, Stoner was ordered into a pre-trial intervention program after a December 2006 arrest on charges of possession and manufacture of marijuana.

Yeah... that kind of Stoner. Oh—and why does every bizarre thing that happens in the United States happen in Pinellas County, Florida?

Read about this perfectly named dude here: [Man Named Stoner Arrested on Drug Charges]

Got gas?

Gassing Up with Obama from RightChange on Vimeo.

America on the decline

T

his year’s Superbowl was a great game—even though I was cheering for the team that lost. And if the game were only the game and not the spectacle that the Superbowl has become, it would have been tremendously enjoyable.

But... unfortunately, the traditionally outstanding commercials were far below par—with one commercial really angering me by including a curse word for no reason as it aired during prime time (7:00 pm) on a family event (check it out below when the kids aren’t in the room). The half-time show featured horrible music with horrible singing accompanied by bizarre and disgusting dancing, pathetically awful costumes, stupid political shout-outs, and incompetent sound reinforcement. And it was all kicked off in keeping with the overall theme of mediocrity by the worst rendition of the National Anthem ever—even worse than Rosanne Barr’s terrible performance. And Rosanne is a comedian who was trying to be funny at the time. Christine Aguilera is a professional singer who should be able to sing our nation’s anthem with respect and should be able to come close to getting the words right.

Hint: Nowhere in our National Anthem does it say that “our plane was still there.”

Christine Aguilera’s terrible performance

Lipton Tea’s curse word commercial

Worst-ever halftime show

 

Cloning a woolly mammoth?

CNN Blogs is reporting that scientists [are] trying to clone, resurrect extinct mammoth. As a dyed-in-the-wool science fiction fan, I love this sort of thing. And I really hope it works—and works out better than the cloning of extinct animals did in Jurassic Park.

As a so-called “young earther,” I don’t believe the animal they’re trying to clone truly went extinct 12,000 years ago. I believe the earth is a few thousands years less old than that. But I still wish them the best on this endeavor. No matter how many years ago they died off, have a real woolly mammoth at the zoo would be really cool.

Thank you, God, for our nation

O

say can you see?

I remember singing this verse of the Star Spangled Banner when I was younger. It’s something we need to bring back into the public consciousness.

Election results

T

he Election is over. Now it’s time for the wrap-up. How do the results of this Election impact us?

During coverage of the 2008 U.S. presidential election, I watched a TV news interview with a woman who extravagantly proclaimed, “Obama is going to pay my mortgage!” And if that had been the case, that certainly would have been a cause for excitement—although I was sure at that time that if she were to not pay her mortgage someone else (other than the president) would have to or else she would find herself looking for a new place to live.

But I am now prepared to make some bold statements of my own. Because of the Election, No one will be able to attack us. They may as well give up—in fact, they won’t be able to attack us or even say anything against us. I will also go so far as to say that as a result of the Election we will be the recipients of everything! I’m not done yet. I will also say, with full assurance of the truth of this statement, that as a result of the Election, we will be loved forever!

How can I make such bold statements? Here’s how:

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? (Romans 8:31–33)

Oh...you thought I was talking about the recent U.S. election? I agree that the U.S. election was important. But I’m talking about a much more important election here. The results of the national election will not save us. And the results of the national election will not destroy us. Again, these are bold statements, but here's the proof:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord
(Romans 8:35–39).

Now that’s a bold statement worth holding onto!

The results of the national election are important. And it is very important for those of us who are American citizens to be involved in the political process. But we must remember that our national politics are not a savior and we should not look to them as a savior.

The much more important election than the one in which we elect our representatives is the one in which God elects to save his people. That election actually saves us. That election actually makes us children of the almighty God. That election makes us conquerors. And we didn’t even have to campaign for that election. We didn’t have to spend money on advertising or on robo-calls. We didn’t even have to answer any questions.

We were elected to salvation because God had a personal relationship with us—he knew us intimately. And then, in spite of our frailties, our lack of competence, and our sinfulness, he elected us to become members of his family—the very brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified (Romans 8:29-30).

So the election, based on his intimate knowledge of us (“those whom he foreknew”) is just the beginning of what he is doing for us. As a result of his election, he called us to salvation, and he justified us (so that we could have a relationship with the righteous God even though we are vile sinners), and he glorifies us (which won’t actually happen until we enter his presence in heaven). So the whole thing is a done deal. He chose us and set our destiny to become Christ’s siblings. Then he effects every step of the way what must be done to result in our arrival in heaven at the great family reunion in the sky.

Galatians 3:24-26

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

So celebrate or mourn yesterday’s national election. That is good. But as you do this, throw a loud and boisterous party that God has elected you to salvation. Nothing could ever be as important. And nothing should be as worthy of celebration.

---

Are you not sure that you are one of the people who won election? Find out how you may be reconciled with God. If you have been reconciled with God according to the information set out here, you are one of those who were elected. Praise God!

 

Time to vote - get out there!

Be prepared to do your part!

Ecclesiastes 10:2
A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.

 

Interesting commentary from Israel

W

hat do our allies think as they watch current events develop in the United States? We hear often about the disrespectful comments of those who hate America, but we don’t often hear from those who actually appreciate us.

In A Prayer for 5771 (Jerusalem Post), writer Caroline Glick gives us a glimpse into the mind of our truest allies—the nation of Israel. Ms. Glick also offers an interesting perspective on Glenn Beck’s recent “Restoring Honor” rally in Washington, D.C. She observes that Beck’s rally was an effort to lay claim to “the American Creed,” and an attempt to bring it back to the forefront of the American psyche. Here’s a quote from the article:

That creed is so ingrained that it has served as the subtext of every major political and civic speech by every American political and civic leader since the 18th century.

The American creed has two main components.

First, its core belief is that America is an exceptional country and that the American people are an exceptional nation. Second, it asserts that as Abraham Lincoln first said outright, America is the last, best hope for mankind.

The reason Beck’s rally was a watershed event is that in the Age of Obama, millions of Americans for the first time feel the need to reclaim what they believe is their birthright as Americans.

Because what distinguishes Obama from his predecessors is that he is the first American president who clearly rejects the American creed.

Read the full article here.

 

Empathy is a virtue

O

ur nation has become increasingly polarized. At times it seems to be too large a divide to repair the rift. But as a word-nerd, I have taken a look at the whole situation from the perspective of an editor. And as a lifelong Washingtonian, I have consider it all from the perspective of a consultant. And I believe combining those two perspectives has helped me to gain an insight into how we might be able to bridge the current political gap—we need to develop empathy.

And often empathy is simply a matter of understanding our perceived opponent in context. Or, more accurately, of seeing the world as the other person sees it. This allows us to better understand that person’s point of view. That understanding will encourage empathy in us. And maybe, as the wise sage Rodney King once encouraged, we will be able to learn how to “all just get along,”

The following observations and suggestions are proferred to that end. Can’t we all just get along?

Problem 1: The 10 Commandments

The real reason that we can’t have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is simply a matter of understanding the unique difficulties of the people who work in courthouses—lawyers, judges, and politicians. Carefully consider what the Ten Commandments encourages and then think about how that might seem to people in those professions.

The Ten Commandments include Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not commit adultery, and Thou shalt not lie.

We may not post the Ten Commandments in a courthouse full of lawyers, judges and politicians because it creates a hostile work environment.

See. That wasn’t too difficult, was it? Let’s try some more.

Problem 2: The Constitution

The allied forces that helped to liberate Iraq from Saddam Hussein have made much bluster about helping Iraq set up a constitutional democracy and helping them draft a constitution.

Why don’t we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for more than 200 years, and we’re not using it anymore.

Problem 2 solved.

Problem 3: Cows and illegal immigration

This one requires a little bit more thought. But consider this: During the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow born in Canada almost three years earlier right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington. And they traced her claves to their stalls.

But our government is unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country.

Maybe we should just give each of them a cow.

See how much help a small degree of empathy provides?

 

Please!

Change
it
back!

 

The horror of it all...

I’ve heard stories that tug on the heartstrings before—stories of pain, stories of loss, stories of abandonment—but never in my life have I heard a story as heart-wrenchingly awful as this. Pull out your tissue box. You’re going to need it.

Imagine having to use dial-up because you can’t afford broadband! The horror of it all!

 

Letter from a Floridian

I received this in an email from a coworker and thought I should share it with you. Enjoy.

My neighbor is a "lefty" of sorts (Obama bumper stickers, gung-ho Socialized medicine, "guns should be banned", etc.). So this past spring I put this sign up in my yard after one of his anti-gun rants at a neighborhood Cocktail party. The sign wasn't up more than an hour before he called the police and wanted them to make me take down the sign. Fortunately, the officer politely informed him that it was not their job to take such action without a court order and that he had to file a complaint "downtown" first, which would be reviewed by the city attorney to see if it violated any city, county, or state ordinances, which if there was a violation a court order would be sent to the offending party (me) to "remove the sign in seven days."

After several weeks he was informed that the sign was legal (by a quarter of an inch) and there was nothing the city could do, which obviously made him madder.

I tried to smooth things over by inviting him to go shooting with me and my friends at the hunt club but that seemed to make him even more angry.

I am at a loss how to reconcile our long relationship (notice I did not say friendship). Any suggestions would be welcome.

Anyway, that's life in our neck of the woods, how about yours?

Click photo to enlarge

 

Baruch Ha Shem – and save your nation

O

ne of my favorite passages of scripture is the Shema—the command God gave to the people of Israel when he delivered the law to them. The Shema is:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:4–9

Most of us have heard that command, but I don’t think we have taken it to heart. The promises God delivered along with the Shema are an integral part of it. In the following verses, Moses follows up the command with, “when the Lord your God brings you into the land ... then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. It is the Lord your God you shall fear.”

We are so prone to forgetting about God when things go right. Prosperity, good health, business success; these things make us feel invulnerable and we begin to forget about God. So God gave the Shema to his people. These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. He’s telling them, “this is so important that I want you to talk about it all day long—every day. I want you to wear my commands as jewelry. I want you to decorate your house with this.” By doing this, God’s people would be less likely to forget about God and what he had done for them.

Knowing that we are prone to bypass requirements, in verse 20 Moses says, “When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ then you shall say to your son, ‘...The Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous ... before our eyes.... And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always.’”

God’s commandments are for our good. And when we forget to teach our children why his commandments were given, we are at least to be prepared to answer our children when they ask.

As I read in Deuteronomy this morning I was struck with the high tension levels in our nation at this time. And I fully understand the frustrations that are contributing to the vocal anger against our nation’s leaders. And I don’t condemn those who are speaking up in anger. Each person must get involved in our nation’s political process in the way they see fit.

But it seems that God’s people may need a different view of political action than the general public. Perhaps if we had done as God told his people; if we had proclaimed what God has done for us in the past; if we had spoken of these things when we rose out of bed, and when we walked down the street, and when we sat in our house, and when we went to bed.... Perhaps our nation would not be in the fix it is in now. Perhaps we should look at the current pain in our nation’s situation and think of it as a son asking his father, “What is the meaning of the rules God has commanded?”

Perhaps our political action should look exactly like evangelism.

 

Change is made at the ballot box

“Obamacare”s has been passed and the bill now heads to the president’s desk to await signing to make it the law of the land.

Out-of-touch Congress Sounds Our Clarion Call to Take a Stand

 

I want this $50

A proposal to put Ronald Reagan’s likeness on the $50 bill is making its way through Congress right now. I think this is a great way to get folks to save money. I know I’d want a few of these in my wallet at all times—just to remind me what a great place this country can be.

 

Get your shirts here

I saw this shirt online and just had to share it with everyone. Stilton Jarlsberg (HopeNChange Cartoons.com), the designer of this shirt, says:

In the increasingly arcane debate over healthcare reform, a new issue has arisen which is terrifying House Democrats. Specifi-cally, they're afraid that they can't trust Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, or Senate Democrats.

There's been a lot of talk about "reconciliation" lately - a process which would supposedly consist of the House Democrats voting to pass the original Senate Healthcare bill (which includes the "Louisiana Purchase," the "Cornhusker Kickback," and special goodies for Floridians), after which the bill would enter "reconciliation" and be changed into something more palatable to the House. But the Republicans can attack and delay the bill if it goes to reconciliation.

Which is why a growing number of people think the real strategy is to trick House Democrats into passing the Senate bill by promising reconciliation...but then having the president immediately sign the original, corruption-filled bill into law. The House Democrats would be betrayed, and many would lose their seats. But Obamacare would immediately become the law of the land.

Frankly, the House Democrats think they're being set up for a donkey punch by the leaders of their own party. Because, in the words of Whitehouse spokesman Robert Gibbs, to make Obamacare into law the president will do "whatever it takes"...

Harass a conservative for your president

The Obama administration, ever searching for new ways to ignore the things they should be focusing on, has launched a web site to help the liberal Kool-Aid drinkers flood the conservative talk show phone lines. The web site’s introduction proclaims: The fate of health reform has been a focus of debate in living rooms and offices, on TV and online -- and on talk radio. And since millions of folks turn to talk radio as a trusted source of news and opinions, we need to make sure OFA supporters are calling in with a pro-reform message.

The web site includes talking points and tips on how to push health care reform on these shows. It even recommends that callers tell a personal story about their own issues with health care. I’m sure this will produce great classic stories such as “She had to wear her dead sister’s dentures” and “The greedy doctor cut off my foot instead of treating my diabetes.”

Sites recommended for bombardment by liberal callers:

• Thru the Bible
• Insight for Living
• Mission Network News
• The Albert Mohler Program
• Focus on the Family

Isn’t it great to know that the Obama administration wants their liberal minions to bug Focus on the Family, Insight for Living, and Through the Bible? Good to know they’re filling their time targeting the proper enemies.

I’d recommend that we all make use of another feature on this web site—the form for reporting how your call went. It’s your turn now. Go to Organizing for America and use the form to let them know that you think they’re pathetic. Then encourage all your friends to do the same.

 

Render unto Caesar?

Perhaps these drug smugglers used their choice of concealment technique based on the fact that Jesus told us to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.”

New Ground Zero photos released

More than eight years after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers, new photos have been released under the Freedom of Information Act. Click on the photo below to see more of them.

 

To be or not Tebow

The news coverage of the Focus on the Family/Tim Tebow Super Bowl advertisement has been appalling—even from the more conservative FoxNews Network. The pro-abortion people interviewed for the story have been allowed to level inappropriate ad hominem attacks against Focus On the Family. They have called Focus anti-choice (in spite of the fact that the commercial is celebrating one woman’s choice), un-American, and unpatriotic—all because Focus On the Family is celebrating the choice that allowed Tim Tebow to become a great football player and the 2007 Heisman trophy winner.

If the “pro-choice” crowd is allowed to define pro-lifers with these derogatory terms, should the pro-life people be able to define them as pro-murder, anti-family, and selfish liars?

Full-sized cartoon.

So, here’s the ad that is causing all the problem and all the anger from the “pro-choice” crowd. Can anybody tell me what is so controversial and offensive about this ad?