Reepicheep

Reflecting on the Apparent Life of Tiger Woods

2009-12-09T08:37:00.012-06:00

I have had a variety of "talks" with my oldest son about sex (albeit, through the consideration of whitetail deer breeding practices as part of hunting strategy) this past 6 months. My hunting escapades caused him to ask some questions thus allowing him to put two and two together. In the summer months I took him with me to prepare some tree stands on one of the properties I hunt. While we were working he asked me some questions about whitetail hunting strategy. I explained the difference between placing a stand you plan to hunt in the early season when the bucks are in bachelor groups and during "the rut" (whitetail mating season) when they are out on their own aggressively cruising for receptive does. To make a long, uncomfortable story short, he has figured out that whitetail bucks don't chase does just because they want to wrestle or play. I have a book on whitetail biology he has paged through, he basically understands the mating/birthing process of whitetail deer. I know the clock is ticking for him to ask me more pointed questions about human sexuality, so I am praying that Jesus comes back first.

Anyways, recently when we were hunting together he asked me why deer don't stay in family groups. He can see that bucks chase and breed as many different does as they can for what amounts to a 6-week period every Fall. Otherwise the bucks pay no attention to does. Furthermore, bucks could care less about fawns. They have nothing to do with guarding or nurturing does or fawns. Bucks and does essentially live apart except for the 6-week mating season when a whitetail buck almost kills himself trying to breed every receptive doe he can find. This is how God wired deer to survive. They are animals. That's what they do. There is no restraint, just unbridled testosterone that is willing to die to mate.

Basically, this is how Tiger Woods seems to be acting. Obviously I don't know if he has actually had affairs with the eleven women currently being linked to him, but quite frankly, if even half that number is true, it's staggering. In the realm of sexuality, Tiger has been acting like an animal and it's saddening and disappointing to learn.

Now, before I come off as better than Tiger, let me be clear- by all indications (and I don't just mean his behavior) Tiger is not a Christian. Human sexuality is a total broken mess apart from the redemption that only God can give through Christ. Even after a person trusts Christ and is made a new creation, he or she will battle with the brokenness of their sexuality at some level and in some way. Sexual brokenness is worse for some, but every person is messed up sexually, such is a burdensome vestige of the Fall. The truth is, I don't know what I would do if I had the looks, power, money, and connections that Tiger has. I might well do the very same thing he has done, I am making NO statement of judgment in this post except to say that Tiger has been acting like an animal...and so could all of us apart from the redeeming and sustaining grace of God through Christ.

When I see a case like Tiger Woods I am at first disgusted, then sad for his wife, children, mother, etc. Then I get upset at the example he is for millions of people, no matter how much the pundits want to tell us "he is not a role model". Then, upon further reflection I am set back by how weak we are. How weak I am. I just know it is only the grace of God that keeps me from all manner of habitual, addictive, life-destroying sins. I battle gluttony. I battle lust. I battle anger. If I struggle like I do, how does a person void of the Holy Spirit live? Frankly, Tiger didn't battle, he is doing what comes sinfully natural- he is following his fleshly passions. Honestly, the fall of Tiger Woods (and he is falling, make no mistake) is a tragic thing to watch because he represents, at some level, the potential all of us sinners have.

What's the answer? How should we react to the Tiger Woods fall? As Christians, the answer is once again the same- the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The same gospel- the payment for my sins by Jesus on the Cross and the giving of His righteousness to me so I can be an adopted son and new creation-is what has restored a level of control and perspective over my sinful (animal-like) passions. I don't begrudge Tiger Woods or think of him as somehow lesser than me. He just hasn't been freed from the slavery to his fleshly lusts. Even this side of redemption I struggle with fleshly lust, don't we all? For the person without the Holy Spirit though, eventually the seeds of the flesh sown will reap an awful, corrupt, and rotten fruit.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

I make no promise that I would not do what Tiger Woods has apparently done or something worse. I am so very grateful to God for the gospel's transforming power in my life, but I'm not kidding myself about the powerful pull of sin either. The same gospel of grace that has brought me new life also works to preserve and guard me from sin's slavish strangle hold. I always need this grace, every minute. It is in such grace that I stand. But make no mistake, it is by grace that I do not fall, not by anything I have done or am doing.

My prayer is for Tiger Woods to come to Christ before His sinful passions destroy him completely and eternally.

Electric Mayhem rocks

2009-12-08T19:38:00.003-06:00

You can keep the CGI and Pixar quality animation now used in various children's movies today, I still say the Jim Henson Muppets rule.

I just watched the Muppet Movie with my boys. Electric Mayhem (circa 1979)rocks!!!

God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (Part 2)

2009-12-07T16:37:00.007-06:00

The application of God Rest you Merry Gentlemen’s message comes mainly in the form of contemplation that will hopefully compell us to live lives of gratitude for what God has done for us in Christ!

The first verse sets the tone for the hymn-

God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day, To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray! O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy!

The first line is: “GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN” This is often thought of as “God rest you, merry gentlemen”- it makes a big difference where you put the comma! The encouragement of the hymn is that God would give you rest in merriment- “May God rest you merry”. The hymn bids us merry rest- happy rest. It’s not bidding rest to merry gentlemen! So, the hymn bidding God to give us rest- a joyful rest at that! Hey, that’s Christmassy, isn’t it? Joyful rest? Sure, joyous rest is what Christmas is truly about. Please note, however, the hymn is totally honest about what is required for us to experience rest.

Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day, To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray!

Whoa! Satan? What happened to the silver bells, jingle bells, Santa coming to town and the Chestnuts roasting? Why so serious? What about: Have yourself a merry little Christmas? You know- Let your heart be light from now on, our troubles will be out of sight?

Well, very bluntly, our troubles cannot be “out of sight” unless Christ comes in human flesh to rescue us from Satan’s power! to fully appreciate Christmas, we have to see Satan’s role in the redemptive drama!

Notice the hymn’s honest acknowledgement of our dire straits and Satan’s personal involvement in our situation:

To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray!

Apart from Christ, our situation is way beyond dire- it’s sure eternal death. Notice the third verse of the hymn as well-

To free all those who trust in him from Satan’s pow’r and might.

Under Satan’s power? We were gone astray? You bet. According to scripture have all gone astray, that is, we have all sinned- every one of us!

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Furthermore, Sin has a terrible price:

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is what was meant when God told Adam-

Genesis 2:17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

We must be saved from the penalty due for our sins. We can have no merriment, no comfort, no true Joy, apart from our sins be forgiven. This shed an important light on the opening of Matthew as Joseph is told of Jesus’ purpose in coming-

Matthew 1:20-23 …"Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

So, by all means, let us have our parties, let us roast chestnuts (although microwaving with a little water works just as well), exchange gifts, wear a Santa hat (if you must), drink a little eggnog (with a touch of rum), and make merry, but let us not do so without seriously contemplating the gravity of this fact- Our freedom from Sin and it’s penalty cost a great price! Jesus had to come to free us! The chorus of the hymn celebrates this reality:

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy!

Embarrassing Hoax of this Century (or more)

2009-12-08T08:54:00.009-06:00

Despite clear and notable dissension in the global "Scientific Community" (a designation I always have trouble granting, given the deeply religious nature of most modern science) concerning the legitimacy of Global Warming, President Obama and the EPA want us to make monumental, massively expensive changes in how we use energy, etc.

Am I the only one who has a sense that Global Warming will be the embarrassing marker capturing the essence of this humanistic, arrogant, age in which we live?

Looking back at the pre-Galileo days when people thought earth was the center of the universe I admit to snickering about their naivete. The Global Warming hoax is far worse. In the pre-Galileo days there was limited perspective and ability to assess the true nature of Earth and it's position in space, etc. In time evidence emerged that painted an accurate picture. The notion of Global Warming has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese with a waning consensus among world scientists, yet, politicians and various idealogs drive the concept forward.

In the core of my being I think the promotion of the Global Warming ruse is the product of two motives. One is genuine (albeit, genuinely mistaken), stemming from a thoroughly committed humanism that boasts a very high view of man (his ability to impact the Earth and his superior intellectual capabilities) rooted deeply in evolutionary philosophy. This perspective causes a distorted view of the "evidence" and even tends to find stuff where it doesn't exist. When I'm out deer hunting I can't tell you how many times I think I see a deer somewhere, only to find out it's a log or a clump of leaves hanging off a tree. I expect to see deer, I want to see deer, so I see them where they don't exist. I think this describes what so many of the Global Warming crowd are doing with scant evidence. The other motive that drives some concerning Global Warming is older than the discipline of science itself- the almighty dollar. Certain segments of industry and business stand to become marvellously wealthy if President Obama and other world leaders are able to ram various sorts of climate legislation through. It has the potential to effect virtually every segment of commerce- energy production, food production, travel, etc. Al Gore won't be the only one to get rich off this scam. I often look back at John Tetzel, the heretic who peddled indulgences just before the Protestant Reformation. I don't think Tetzel had any care in promoting the Roman Church or in building St. Peter's through selling pieces of paper that granted the payer (or his long dead relative) absolution and freedom from Purgatory. I think Tetzel saw a way to make money and went for it. The legitimacy of indulgences wasn't even on his radar. There's a huge segment of people and business that are probably smart enough to see the joke Global Warming is, but are salivating and plotting how to make the most money from it.

What a strange era we are living in.

Greg Gutfield read my mind (or post)- Read his thoughts here.

A little more on the Manhattan Declaration (and Marinara)

2009-12-05T14:34:00.022-06:00

I have taken some heat from various people for signing the Manhattan Declaration. I have read and appreciate all the various critiques of the MD. Some can be found here:

MacArthur's critique

Begg's critique

Batzig's critique

Horton's critique

There are others. Having read the MD several times along with these various critiques, I still remain at peace having signed it. I know some accuse signers of poor judgment and possibly hurting the cause of the gospel. I can only say that I would rather God strike me dead than hurt the cause of the gospel. My teaching is on wide display both here and in every recorded sermon, so I am confident no credible argument could be given that would prove I am weak on the gospel (by God's grace only). I have a faithful group of elders who would lay the proverbial smack on me if I strayed in such a way, for which I am grateful. I am sorry if some are disappointed with my judgment on this, I am certainly open to correction as I consider the matter going forward. To be clear and to save you from posting a frenzy of corrective comments- I don't need repeats of the arguments so thoughtfully displayed in the linked critiques, but rather I am letting you know I will keep thinking and praying about this issue.

When I signed the MD I saw terms like "christian" and "gospel" and even "church" in a very general light. I thought it was obvious that each of the three groups (Evangelicals/Roman Catholics/and Eastern Orthodox professors) have different technical definitions and understandings of these terms. Indeed, I would argue I have a different definition of the order of salvation (Reformed) than most of Evangelicalism (Arminian), if not a different understanding of the gospel all together (I don't understand how Arminians can think they "choose" God, isn't that a work? I don't believe works can save, etc., hence, do we have a different understanding of the gospel?). So, the definition of "gospel" in this document, being secondary (in my opinion) to the purpose of the Declaration, wasn't an area I stopped to parse. I still don't think the document is a theological statement no matter how much the various critics say it necessarily is. I don't see the document as a joint statement of agreement on these descriptive terms, but rather a call to conviction concerning the addressed issues. I understand many disagree, I am simply stating my rationale.

Further explaining my very general interpretation of the aforementioned terms, the fact that Roman Catholic signers had no problem with protestants/evangelicals being lumped under the "church" umbrella made me think we are using these terms in a very general, loose way. The Roman Catholics I know understand we (Evangelicals) have different technical definitions of the terms. They are no more agreeing with our understanding of the gospel in signing than we are with them. It happens to be a term that both entities use. If this is too close for comfort for some, and I know it is, I totally respect the choice to not sign. I applaud such conviction. For me as an individual signer, I understood (and still understand) the terms to be general and not technical and the cruxt of the document to be a call to moral conviction not doctrinal unity.

Suppose I called Italians to stand in unity by signing a public declaration addressed to all people calling for the use of only marinara sauce on pasta (instead of, say, alfredo sauce), what would you say is the purpose a such a declaration? Now, keep in mind, as a Sicilian I don't really think Northern Italians should have much say in this as they have not been faithful guardians of marinara. From the other direction many Northern Italians think we Sicilians are the dregs of Italy bearing no sense of wider European culture. Some Sicilians would balk at the notion of my having an Irish mother!!!(I love you mom!). But as it relates to the rest of the nations of the world, "Italian" is a label that people at large basically understand as a group of people that fall in to a certain geographic boundary. If a person looks closely at the "Italian" designation they will find some significant differences between those who call themselves Italian, but that's not the point of the declaration. The purpose of the declaration is to help stop the crime of putting a white sauce on pasta when God meant for tomato sauce to be applied. We'll save the "who's really Italian?" discussion for another time.

I see the MD in much the same way. The world basically sees the three groups who joined to sign this document as "christian" in a general way, inside "Nicene" boundaries we might say. The technical definition of christian isn't the point, it's the call to conviction about three important areas. The "Who's really Christian?" discussion is worthy and will not stop until Jesus returns, but that's not the point of the Declaration. I know some say the cause of the gospel may be hurt by this document because it blurs the necessary doctrinal lines between the three groups represented. I just don't see it that way. I can't see reading this document and saying "Oh look, the Roman Catholics, Evangelicals, and Eastern Orthodox have finally come to an agreement on the gospel and what it means to be Christian". Some are concerned such confusion might happen as a result of the MD, at this point I am not.

In addition to the above critiques, several of the signers offered explanations. Kevin DeYoung's response resonated sharply with me. He captures much of my sentiment concerning signing the document very well. You can read it here.

Here's a meaningful statement in DeYoung's post-

So where do I stand on The Manhattan Declaration? Well, I wish I would have listened to my initial hesitation about signing these sorts of documents. The Declaration does not need my signature to make it significant and I don’t need people to misunderstand what my support means. But having signed it (only as one of the crowd), I still agree with the Declaration and feel no pang of conscience for supporting it. If it comes out that the Declaration was meant to minimize the deepest divisions between Evangelicals and Catholics, then I will regret my support. But as it stands, I agree with Mohler’s reasons for signing the document and share his understanding of what signing does and does not mean.

Before you post any comments, let me try to reiterate my main point. This debate, at least among many of us in the conservative reformed world, is not a debate about whether there are essential core-gospel differences between Catholics and Orthodox on one side (who don’t agree either!) and Evangelicals on the other. So please let’s be careful before we blast each other for selling out the gospel. The debate is about whether The Manhattan Declaration implies that there are no essential core-gospel differences among us. After reading the criticisms that have come out I understand how the Declaration could be seen as minimizing our differences. I have great respect for those who read the document in that way. But I still think the Declaration can be read as a statement that simply says “We all as individuals stand in the tradition of Nicene Christianity and we speak together on these three crucial issues of our day.”

So, my dear Reepicheep readers-the critiques are clear enough, there is no need to hammer this post with comments that repeat their notable arguments. In this light, I'll resist responding to the comments that may come, don't be offended, it's a matter of available time. Frankly, save the "you're selling out the gospel" comments, I'm not posting those. I just ask the reader to appreciate a different angle on why someone like myself might sign such a declaration, whether you agree or not.

Finally, no matter what you make of signing the document, I commend the three different statements concerning the issues of Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty to your consideration. I think they offer us a great tool to succinctly argue a biblical case for each of these critical issues.

Greatest Santa ever

2009-12-04T16:36:00.000-06:00

Santa?

2009-12-03T14:47:00.005-06:00

A church member friend asked me my take on "Santa Claus" today. Here's what I told him-

"Personally, for us, we have told the boys from day 1 that Santa is a legend that is roughly related to the St. Nicholas of the 5th Century. We have never minced though, he's a fake. I just don't see the upside of letting them believe something that isn't true and not setting them straight. I mean, they watch a make believe movie, we tell them it's make believe. No biggie. They talk about Santa and we either re-enforce the ruse or we don't say anything to correct? I don't know, for me it isn't worth it. He's a big fat fake. My boys have actually taken heat from other church/school kids for saying the fat guy's a fake. I don't get it. Bah HUMBUG!!!"

Besides, did you notice who has the same letters in his name as Santa? Think about it. Ha ha!!

God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (Part 1)

2009-12-03T14:21:00.005-06:00

Good hymns, those marked by sound theology and a fitting match of text and music, have endured because they are timeless and because they are based on scriptural truth. In my view God Rest You (Ye) Merry, Gentlemen fits the description of a good hymn. I’ll begin the consideration of God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen by noting a verse that fuels the sentiment of this hymn-

Matthew 1:21-22 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

This is a wonderful hymn that gets the focus of Advent right by accenting how we may experience true comfort and joy instead of just the superficial, temporal, sensations that come from eggnog and cookie exchanges. The message of God Rest You Merry, Gentleman has nothing to do with Santa Claus, Silver Bells, White Christmases, or Chestnuts roasting. The message of this hymn is the message of Scripture.-In light of sin’s hold on us, Christ is the only source of true comfort and joy.

Little is known about the origin of this hymn. Some argue that references to the hymn- not the hymn itself- appear in 1800, others say the same about 1820. Charles Dickens, in his original script for “A Christmas Carol” in 1842, uses one line from this hymn when a group of carolers try to sing to Ebenezer Scrooge. Of course, nasty old Scrooge slams the door on them so they cannot even finish the first stanza. It is clear, however, by 1843 the hymn was in decent circulation in England. A.H. Bullen wrote in 1885 that it was the “most popular of Christmas Carols.”
I find it amazing that such a great hymn, clearly not written more than 200 years ago, has no clear author. I like what one hymnologist says about this:

“Like the oldest and best worship liturgies, this song is no one’s personal property, time and usage having wiped away nearly all distracting fingerprints of authorship and ‘originality’. Instead, it belongs to all of us…”

Here are the words of “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen”:

God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day, To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray!

From God our heav’nly Father, a blessed angel came; And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same: How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.

“Fear not, then,” said the angel, “let nothing you afright; this day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright, to free all those who trust in him from Satan’s pow’r and might.”

The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding, in tempest, storm, and wind: And went to Bethlehem straight way, the Son of God to find.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy!

The application of this hymn’s message comes mainly in the form of contemplating the truth of God’s Word that will hopefully affect the way we live- lives of gratitude for what God has done for us in Christ!

I will consider the particular lines of the hymn in the next installment…

Sweet Tevez Goal

2009-12-02T18:10:00.001-06:00

Here's a wonder goal by Carlos Tevez scored yesterday.

AJ's 2009 Rifle Buck

2009-12-02T13:47:00.005-06:00

I'm primarily a bow hunter and have been going at it hard since September, but especially late October through November. I have had many deer under my various set ups but am holding out for a 4.5 year old or better deer. I did have an old deer like that under me in early November, stupidly I looked at points more than age and passed. I regret that now, he was a good one. I have also slung an arrow at a 4.5 year old 8-pt and missed. Otherwise I have passed on no less than 15 3.5 year old bucks I would have been glad to shoot in years past. After killing two fat does, I need no more meat in the freezer, so I have been holding out for a mature deer.

With a stick and string they have to get close, real close. That's hard. That's why I do it.

Well, today was the Kansas rifle opener so I took my oldest son AJ (10) out just like last year when he killed his first deer. This year went much the same. Just 10 minutes after legal shooting light in 21 mph, cold winds, we saw this 1.5 year old 6pt slinking across his shooting lane. POW...AJ let him have it. It was awesome. The best part was waiting an hour or so to see if anything else would show. During that time we chatted it up in a way a father and son will never forget. Great times. When I gutted the deer (the second one he's seen be gutted), we talked of God's design and how amazing He is as Creator. Here's some phone video footage of AJ checking out his deer for the first time.

It's tough to kill a mature deer with a bow after the rifle season opens- buck or doe. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, I guess. I'll get out a few mornings to see if a good buck gets in rifle range.

Tis the season for schmaltzy, mushy, holiday movies, programs, and songs…

2009-12-01T15:45:00.010-06:00

I love advent, but I can barely stomach the "Holiday Season" as pop culture understands and celebrates it. I don't like to shop (except when I need new camo or other hunting paraphernalia), but I really can't stand listening to the Christmas/Holiday songs that are piped in shopping centers and stores. The commercialism of it all sickens me. Just today I heard some of the worst songs ever-

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Let your heart be light

From now on,

our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Make the Yule-tide gay,

From now on,

our troubles will be miles away.

Silver Bells

Christmas makes you feel emotional

It may bring parties or thoughts devotional

Whatever happens or what may be,

Here is what Christmas time means to me.

City sidewalk, busy sidewalks

dressed in holiday style.

In the air there's

a feeling of Christmas.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;

Soon the bells will start,

And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing

Right within your heart.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Just like the ones I used to know

Where the treetops glisten

and children listen

To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

With every Christmas card I write

May your days be merry and bright

And may all your Christmases be white.

Total Gag!!!

These songs and many, many others, exemplify a cheesey sentimentalism that has been attached to what has generically been labeled “The Holidays”. Even the root meaning of “Holiday”, which is literally “Holy Day”, has been obscured by our desire for warm, fuzzy, almost escapist emotions and mushy, sappy, feelings.

So, for this Advent season, to rescue us from the blitz of schmaltziness, I am going to periodically review some of the great Advent hymns of the faith with a goal to helping us gain a true understanding of the significance of Christ's incarnation.

The first installation will be coming soon...

I REST MY CASE

2009-11-29T16:48:00.002-06:00

The last few days have been hard for me. People I love have ripped me apart over my clarification of the right pronunciation of "pecan".

I have been called names. I have been labeled "uneducated". I have been scornfully called a "Yankee".

Well, here and now, I will prove my case.

Paula Deen is a Food Network cook. She is from ALA-STINKIN-BAMA. She's as southern as southern gets. Please-for those of you who wish to know the truth and be set free-listen to her authoritative pronunciation of "pecan".

Now, I am not looking for public apologies (though it would be nice). You can quietly watch, be convicted of your vicious attacks on me, and marvel at my linguistic prowess.

Finally, at last, this issue is settled. I rest my case.

"We are not worthy"

2009-11-29T10:17:00.001-06:00

Talk about an awesome save from Sabres' goalie Ryan Miller last night! Somebody call the cops, Brind'amour just got robbed!

Hardest hockey shot ever

2009-11-28T16:18:00.001-06:00

This is hilarious. After being unable to score on the goalie, one player steals a curling rock (from the lame Canadian game of "curling") and rips a shot at the net minder...

Yes, I know it's fake. It's still cool.

PeCAN pie clarification

2009-11-27T07:35:00.005-06:00

One of my favorite desserts for the holiday is Pecan Pie. For some reason many people struggle pronouncing the name correctly, usually saying "can" as "con". Of course, this is the wrong way to say it, so I am endeavoring to help those who are ignorant.

Very simply, how do you pronounce the name of the figure below?

That's right, it's TouCAN Sam, not TouCON Sam.

Therefore, it's PeCAN pie. Hopefully this settles the matter.

Thankful

2009-11-26T14:38:00.002-06:00

I'm thankful for Christ, my wife, my sons, my parents, my church, and my truck...in that order and among other things, of course.

My "pirate" sons are very cool.

Mohler on signing the Manhattan Declaration

2009-11-25T16:43:00.002-06:00

Al Mohler offers some reasoning for his choice to be an original signer of the Manhattan Declaration. You can read his whole post here.

Here's a solid statement from his post:

I signed The Manhattan Declaration because I lead a theological seminary and college, serve as a teaching pastor in a church, and am engaged in Christian leadership in the public square. Thus I see the threats to Christian liberties that now stare us in the face. The freedom not to perform a same-sex marriage is one thing, but what about the freedom to hire employees according to our Christian convictions? What about the right of Christian ministries to conduct their work according to Christian beliefs? What about the freedom to preach and teach against the grain of the nation's laws (for example, after the legalization of same-sex marriage)? When do hate crimes laws slide into definitions of "hate speech?" The threats to our religious liberties are immediate and urgent.

I signed The Manhattan Declaration because it is a limited statement of Christian conviction on these three crucial issues, and not a wide-ranging theological document that subverts confessional integrity. I cannot and do not sign documents such as Evangelicals and Catholics Together that attempt to establish common ground on vast theological terrain. I could not sign a statement that purports, for example, to bridge the divide between Roman Catholics and evangelicals on the doctrine of justification. The Manhattan Declaration is not a manifesto for united action. It is a statement of urgent concern and common conscience on these three issues -- the sanctity of human life, the integrity of marriage, and the defense of religious liberty.

Woman Dunking

2009-11-24T21:51:00.004-06:00

As I have said before, there might be something more boring than woman's basketball...I just don't know what (save the soccer comments all you haters!). OK, woman's softball, volleyball, golf, and yes, even soccer, are close contestants.

Still though, it's cool when a woman dunks. Here's a clip of Brittney Griner of the Baylor Bears throwing down. Apparently she's only the 7th woman to dunk in college basketball history.

Common fiscal sense

2009-11-24T15:15:00.005-06:00

I'm not a huge fan of Joseph Lieberman by any means, however he shows common fiscal sense when considering the reality of a "public option" health insurance situation-

"Once the government creates an insurance company or plan, the government or the taxpayers are liable for any deficit that government plan runs, really without limit...With our debt heading over $21 trillion within the next 10 years...we've got to start saying no to some things like this."

HT: Tobey

The Manhattan Declaration

2009-11-21T10:36:00.006-06:00

I am pleased to see this come to fruition...

Read the Manhattan Declaration here.

The times are indeed desperate. We are on a precipice from which now we must turn, or it will be too late and there will not be the ability to stop a complete fall.

I am pleased to see the active role PCA elder and WORLD magazine editor Joel Belz played in the production of this document (and many other Reformed leaders signed).

Credit where it is due

2009-11-22T14:24:00.003-06:00

I have long been critical of the Roman Catholic Church's general lack of disciplinary action against members who actively support (and in fact, promote) abortion.

Here's a current situation where the local Bishop has done what he should do- Patrick Kennedy (son of Teddy Kennedy and a House Rep. from Rhode Island) has been denied communion by Bishop Tom Tobin. Tobin has instructed the other priests in the diocese to deny Kennedy communion.

Kennedy, like his various politician family members, is a staunch advocate and promoter of abortion. The Roman Catholic Church rightly understands abortion to be murder. I pray Roman Church leaders would make Tobin's actions a more widespread practice.

Read about Kennedy being denied communion here.

The Healthcare Legislation to be debated

2009-11-20T21:04:00.003-06:00

I have been scouring the Internet to read as much as I can on the various versions of the health care bill about to be debated. It's hard to decipher.

Other than necessarily leading to rationing of care, ridiculously expanding entitlements, potentially using my money to fund abortions, effectively making all Americans dependent on government-approved insurance plans and adding to our already monstrous, crippling national debt- it looks great!

If this bill or something like it passes, it will make Medicare and Social Security look like efficient, well-oiled machines. Are we seeing the single biggest legislative debacle in American History?

The K.U.-Mangino Situation

2009-11-19T20:33:00.002-06:00

Those of us in Kansas have watched Mark Mangino turn a laughable K.U. football program in to one of the better ones in the nation. This year the team has hit a rough patch for sure.

Now some players and parents are complaining about Mangino's tactics. Indeed, it appears the coach has made some inappropriate comments and poked his finger in to the chest of some of his players...but....come on!!! Are we witnessing the biggest generation of wimps ever?

Parents should let their sons grow up.

The players should learn how to become men.

ESPN.com - Mangino defends his tactics, program: "Mangino defends his tactics, program
ESPN.com news services

Kansas coach Mark Mangino defended himself and the Jayhawks football program on Thursday, speaking on Sports Radio 610 in Kansas City.

Mangino, who is faced with allegations of verbal abuse and inappropriate physical contact against players, pointed to the team's success on the field and high graduation rates.

'We are sending kids out into the world prepared,' Mangino told the radio station. 'But I can't do the work of some parents, what they should have done before [the players] got to me. Some of these guys are bitter, they are bitter and [the allegations] are about that.

'There are some things that happen for 18 years of their lives that I can't change in four years of college. Can't do it. Can't change their behaviors, can't change their attitudes.'

Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins has launched an investigation into Mangino allegedly grabbing, yelling at and putting his finger in the chest of a player who had been laughing during a walkthrough or practice prior to the Colorado game on Oct. 17, two people briefed on the situation told ESPN's Joe Schad on Tuesday night. The Kansas City Star identified the player as senior linebacker Arist Wright.

Since then, several former Kansas players come forward with allegations of verbal abuse.
'There are people who want to embarrass the program for their 15 minutes of fame,' Mangino told the radio station.

Mangino's team started the season 5-0 but has since lost five straight heading into a game at No. 3 Texas on Saturday"

A Christmas Carol 2009- a movie worth seeing and contemplating

2009-11-13T22:41:00.015-06:00

I just took my boys to see the latest rendition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I admit being skeptical about Jim "Ace Ventura" Carrey providing the character and voice for Scrooge.

The movie was done so well! Carrey was terrific. It was very true to the book and Disney spared us of their modernizing shenanigans.

I love this classic by Charles Dickens. I quibble with it's lack of Christocentricity and a potentially misleading premise about what makes a person right with God -by good deeds (works). Dickens was a waffling Anglican, it's difficult to pinpoint his theology. A Christmas Carol considered theologically or doctrinally is deficient. A Christmas Carol as a lesson in the danger of idolizing money, the importance of compassion, generosity, and benevolence it is excellent. Further, A Christmas Carol provides a vivid wake up call about the brevity of life.

To be clear, a person cannot be right with God by showing kindness to people or simply being "good". We can only be made right with God by faith in Christ (and His finished work on the Cross in our stead). When we are brought in to union with Christ by faith, we are new creatures and good works will certainly follow, but the order of this transformation is important to note. In the character of Ebenezer Scrooge one might be left to think God will judge us by how many good deeds we do then determine if we get in to heaven or are doomed to wander in a tortrous eternity like Jacob Marley. If that's how it works, we're all scrooged (pardon the play on words!). None of us have done more good deeds than bad, none of us. Only the righteousness of Christ, which is ours by faith, meets the requirements of our Holy God. I'll even say it's unrealistic to think someone as vile, selfish, and heartless as Scrooge could experience such an apparently lifelong turn around without the regneration of the Holy Spirit that comes with a vital relationship to Christ. (read Titus 3:5-7 and Galatians 1-2 for clarity on this important point)

A Christmas Carol is valuable and classic, but don't miss it's deficiencies.

Go see it. It's worth it. It provided excellent fodder for discussion between my boys and I.

Warning: it is an intense movie dealing bluntly and graphically with the coldness and finality of death. I probably shouldn't have taken my 7 year old son Jordan, the images were pretty vivid and scary to him.

KC Wizards 2009 Highlights

2009-11-12T23:03:00.003-06:00

I'm a KC Wizards season ticket holder, I love going to the games. This season was somewhat disappointing as the Wizards missed the playoffs for the first time in the last three seasons.

MLS is improving quality every year and is currently structured for genuine parity between the clubs (with the exception of L.A. who the league seems bent on making a powerhouse). I'm not sure the Wizards have the right personnel to improve too much next year and being a year and a half away from a soccer specific stadium means no major additions coming soon. Peter Vermes took over the coaching duties mid season and will have an entire pre-season to get the team ready so who knows what will happen. They were only about 3 wins out of a playoff spot.

Nevertheless, here's a nice compilation of the season highlights for 2009.