I would like to propose a "Hold Your Breath For One Minute Per Day" day. Think of the reduction of Co2 emissions this would bring. According to the USDA, the average person takes 18 breaths per minute. This means we produce approx 900 grams (or .03285 tonnes) of carbon dioxide per day. Times this by the estimated 6.5 billion people world wide, and you can begin to see the environmental benefits of less breathing.

Global Co2 output from breathing is about 25 billion tonnes per year. If the entire populace of planet earth were to simply take a "breathing break" for one minute a day (perhaps using that time instead to plant a small shrub) we could reduce our carbon footprint by 1% annually. And the best part is, it would cost nothing. No economic woes, no start-up cost, no 25 year plans of implementation. 

If the world is serious about going green, we should all turn blue, for atleast a minute a day.

The ABC Family channel proudly promotes itself as "a new kind of family", one only a lurid eyed liberal could value. Mixing reruns of little watched sitcoms and "new" programing, they promote an agenda that runs counter to what most consider family or values. A quick peek at their latest engineered slice of Americana, "The Secret Life Of An American Teenager", reveals their not-so-hidden agenda.

Secret Life is just your typical story of an average 15 year old high school student who becomes pregnant and wrestles with the age old dilemma, "should I tell my folks, or should I tell my doctor?". Her friends, stereotyped Christian two-faced hypocrites, battle their own "urges", concerned more with their own lusts than with anything Godly. Throw in two seperate subplots of fathers who abuse and/or abandon their children, and you have Hollywood's picture of today's family.

Will the innocent pregnant teenager (who shares no responsibility for her choice to have pre-marital sex) continue to date unsuspecting boys? How far will her mother go upon "accidentally" learning of her teenage daughter's "condition"; will she overtly or subtlely affirm her choices? Will the "Christians" have sex with each other and/or everyone else? Will the doctors and the psychiatrists step in to save the day?

Find the answers to these and other important questions, only on ABC Family.

I've never faced a greater challenge in my life than being a parent. And I've never experienced anything more rewarding. When I first became a dad, I thought every moment was a "teaching" moment. It was, but I was the pupil. Our kids show us glimpses of who we once were; or better yet, who we'd like to be. You see, parenthood isn't about the changes you make in your children's lives, it's about the changes you allow God to make in you.

I see parenthood in two aspects: a foundation and an expansion.

The system of values we give our kids teaches them right from wrong. But beware, if our own lives contradict what we say we believe, our children will see through this. Kids recognize hypocrisy easier than adults do. Values are taught by example and faith is THE core value we should instill in our children. There is no greater foundation to build upon than the belief that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. What we honestly believe about eternal life must be shared with our kids, and shared often.

The more difficult aspect (for me) is letting go. It starts early: from the day they're born, to the first day of school or to the first trip to a relatives (w/out us); really any extended separation. We naturally want to protect our kids, it's instinctive. But as hard as it is, we must begin to let go. One day the boy will become the man, but our influences will always remain. And as our kids lives expand, we will feel new, unexpected joys.

The other day my youngest daughter asked me what I wanted for Father's Day? I thought for a moment, and with a gleam in my eye I said, "you've already given it to me". She didn't understand what I meant. One day she will.


"He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge." Proverbs 14:26
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6









 

Recent discussion concerning the ill advised ruling by The California Supreme Court to allow "gay" marriage, at The Irish Rican  http://irishrican.blogspot.com/ (post: California, Rino's and The Demise of Democracy), got me wondering if this is the heralded "slippery slope" of anything goes marriage. Apparently the Courts decision is based on a loose interpretation of substantive due process laws. Substantive due process is the Courts (or any Courts) attempt to guarantee freedoms that do not appear in the plain text of the Constitution.

If the new interpretation of marriage is now seen as an individual having a "protected privacy interest in establishing a legally recognized family with his or her person of choice"; who's to say that the "person of choice" can't be a sibling? Or a child? Or multiple "persons of choice"?

This ruling in California  is just another hole in the dike that will soon turn into a flood of "choice" unions. And the result could well be the damnnation of America.

There is a conflict that rages within all Christians. The Apostle Paul knew of this battle, in fact, he wrote about it in Romans chapter 7. In the 15th verse he said, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Notice he says "I do", not "I did"; and this from perhaps the greatest Christian of all time!

Did you know, as a Christian,  you have two natures instead of one? We are all born with the natural desire to exalt ourselves ( Believers call this our old nature). But once we become "born again" we are given a new nature, the Indwelling nature of Christ. These two natures war against one another; there will be no cease fires, no treaties, no honorable withdraws. One will win and one will lose. 

The Bible speaks of the desires of the flesh, this is our old nature. It also talks of our new nature, the Spirit. Working from the Revised Standard Version, Gal 5:17 says, "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would". If you substitute "old nature" for flesh and "new nature' for Spirit in this verse you can see clearly how these two natures battle.

Before salvation the old nature directed our lives (thoughts, impulses, desires, ect). When we choose to live by the new nature we are controlled by the Spirit (the Indwelling Christ controls our lives through the Holy Spirit). The products of the new nature are as follows: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy , peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" Gal 5:22-23. Your own choice dictates which nature will be in control of your life.

This doesn't mean we become perfect and never sin...if only. We stumble, He lifts us up (Psalm 27:23-24). Victory, however, is achieved in the end. For the victor-life, for the loser-death; there is no in between, no middle ground. If you believe in (follow) the Savior you will succeed in the end, He guarantees it. "...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:6

Remember that you belong to your choice. When Jesus Christ is your new nature he brings the full presence of God's Holy Spirit to live within you. So choose Christ and after awhile the decision becomes easier, more natural; it becomes in effect, second nature.

Inspiration is a two way street. Awhile back, Doc Steech, http://drsteech.townhall.com/, posted a trivia quiz which found its idea in a rather silly post (there are and will be many) by yours truly called "Take The Gilligans Island Trivia Quiz". Now the man can't seem to stop. So, not to be outdone I bring you..."The Somewhat, But Not Totally, Obscure Movie Quote Quiz". 

It should be noted that said quotes are from movies that I have a personal affinity for. Looking for the movie title, the characters name and the actor or actress who played the role.  So get started and ask yourself this question, "Do I feel lucky, well DO ya punk?"

Scoring
30-21Obviously you prefer movies that are character based, screw the story line.
20-15 Had cable TV for awhile have ya?
14-9 When interest in drive-in movies ended, so did yours.
8-0 Hello Governor Dean.

1) "But it's cold outside Paulie."

2) "You see, in this world there are two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."

3) "The pool game is over when Fats says it's over...I came after him and I'm gonna get him. I'm going with him all the way."

4) "Look, Dave, I can see you're really upset about this."

5) "Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?"

6) "Back home we got a taxidermy man and he gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him."

7) "I'll never let go. I'll never let go Jack."

8) "I believe everything and I believe nothing. I suspect everyone and I suspect no one."

9) "Roger, roger. What's your vector Victor?"

10) "Now the problem is, how to divide five Afghans from three mules and have two Englishmen left over."

Steve Martin once said, "Some people have a way with words, and others..oh..not have way I guess". Which brings us to George W. Bush. And, rather than try to defend or define the Bush II presidency (sure I could point out how well off we are "economicanally" or the success Bush has had "Hispanically"), I'll let our chief "strategerist" make the case for his legacy in his own words.

Bush on security:
"We ended the rule of one of history's worst tyrants, and in so doing, we not only freed the American people, we made our own people more secure."  Crawford, TX May 3, 2003
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our people, and neither do we."  Washington, D.C.; August 5, 2004
"It's in our country's interest to find those who would do harm to us and get them out of harm's way."  Washington, D.C.; April 28, 2005

Bush on health care:
"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."  Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Sept 6, 2004

Bush on compassion:
"One of the hardest parts of my job is to console the family members who have lost their lives."  White House; April 13, 2003
"It's a time of sorrow and sadness when we lose a loss of life." Washington, D.C.; Dec 21, 2004
"I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family."  Nashua, New Hampshire; Jan 27, 2000

Bush on destiny:
"There's no question that the minute I got elected, the storm clouds on the horizon were getting nearly directly overhead."  Washington, D.C.; May 11, 2001

Bush on the economy:
"It's going to require numerous IRA agents."  On Al Gore's tax plan; N. Carolina; Oct 10, 2000

Bush on education:
"We expect the states to show us whether or not we're achieving simple objectives..like literacy, literacy in math, the ability to read and write."  Washington D.C.; April 28, 2005
"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"  Florence, S. Carolina; Jan 11, 2000

Bush on free speech:
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over an over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."  Greece, NY; May 24, 2005

Bush on the 2nd Amendment:
"I think we ought to raise the age at which juveniles can have a gun."  St. Louis, Missouri;ct 18, 2000

Bush on freedom:
"Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will be allies against these hateful few who have no conscience, who kill at the whim of a hat."  Washington, D.C.; Sept 17, 2004

Bush on energy:
"Natural gas is hemispheric. I like to call it hemispheric in nature because it is a product that we can find in our neighbors."  Austin, TX; Dec 20, 2000

Bush on trust:
"Well, I think if you say you're going to do something and don't do it, that's trustworthiness."  CNN online chat; August 30, 2000

Bush on leadership:
"They have miscalculated me as a leader."  Westminster, calf; Sept 13, 2000

Bush on foreign policy:
"I will have a foreign-handed foreign policy."  Redwood, Calf; Sept 27, 2000

Bush on greenhouse gas emissions:
"We're spending money on clean coal technology. Do you realize we've got 250 million years of coal?"  Washington, D.C.; June 8, 2005
"We have enough coal to last 250 years, yet coal also prevents an environmental challenge."  Washington, D.C.; April 20, 2005

And finally, Bush on Bush:
"I think- tide turning- see, as I remember-I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of- it's easy to see a tide turn-did I say those words?"  Washington D.C.; June 14, 2006

Given the alternatives: think Al "lock-box" Gore or John "flip-flop" Kerry; we have been fortunate to have the leadership we've had. And good or bad, there will never be another president quite like George Walker Bush. So lets not be too "revengeful" when looking back at these last seven years.

"And that's all I have to say about that."  Forrest Gump

I love Christmas. Just enough time following Thanksgiving to not feel too guilty when you load up on food. The presents, the lights and the smell of a tree (in the house no less). Time spent w/ family and friends, time off from work, and basically a time to enjoy the season.

Of course there's the "real" reason for Christmas, the birth of our Savior. And as a Christian (albeit only recently) an opportunity to celebrate His glory. But this post isn't about that.

I guess I first noticed it a couple of years ago. A subtle change. I remember when my kids brought home their school calender and "Christmas Holiday" became "Winter Break". Or when the department store signage changed. You know what I mean, "Merry Christmas" became "Happy Holidays". Then the "inclusion" of the other "holidays" that fall this time of year.

But I noticed teachers were still giving and getting "Christmas" presents. They wouldn't call them that, but there was a look of recognition between students and their instructors that said, "this ain't about winter". And the major retail outlets were suffering a decline in their expected rates of growth in December. People wanted Christmas.

I've always been a "Merry Christmas" sayer. But the words "Merry Christmas" disappeared.  I still see it in their eyes when I plunk my merchandize on the counter at Walmart, or when I drive up to the drive thru window (I'm big on fastfood drive thru, assuming it was invented specifically for me...seriously).  But now when I speak the words, usually as a final farewell and thank you for the cd, kid toy or various burger, the response I get is quite different. Oh they want to say it, you can see it in their eyes, almost a fugitive-like  look. But the closest they dare come is, "thank you, you too".

They took it from us (they being the powers that be). They convinced, shamed and bullied us into submission. They convinced us it wasn't "inclusive", it wasn't polite, wasn't proper.

"Thank you..you too", that's almost brave. Almost. Where has our revolutionary spirit gone? Did we give in to the British, have we succumbed to the power of the dark side? I'm pretty sure Washington or Skywalker wouldn't have returned, "thanks, you too".  They took a stand, and so we should. So say the words "Merry Christmas" every chance you get..say Merry Christmas..and join the rebellion. 

Givhan deview namy spots no Hallnowt. moc, thaw I notcedi saw herte ewer neno noed enlyrite ni gramanas. Forereeth, tel em eb eth frist. Hilew ruet stamers fo eth gramana dowul poducer vecler sword ro chatcy saphers, I ma ton. Oyu ese I ma bumd.

Steadin, I ma nogig ot conut eth numreb fo Botalups how eard "Thorn Ricaname Noinu" toin sith spot. Herte ear namy.

Moes fo eth rome sorieus globregs yam inkth isth spot si slyli. Ot hetm I yas, sips fof.

Does the first chapter of the Gospel of John refute the theory of evolution ? Did God answer the critics of Intelligent Design thousands of years ago?  Is there a clear message encoded w/in the Scripture? Will I continue to write whole paragraphs made up of nothing but questions? 

Maybe.

Most Christians (and many non-Christians) know the first few verses of John Chapter 1. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." The Greek translation of "word" is logos. The Strong's Concordance defines logos as something said (incl. the thought), also reasoning and motive.

The next verses are, "Through Him all things are made. In Him was life and that life was the light of men." While much of the Book of John contrasts the difference between "light" and "darkness" as regards to righteousness vs sin; might there also be another meaning found here. Christ was "the Way, the Truth and the Life" but also the "Light" that shines in the darkness. Remember, prior to the "light", darkness was over the earth, life did not exist.

In Genesis Chapter 1 verse 3 God calls forth the Light. This was on the first "day" of creation, before anything else. Note: on the fourth "day" of creation He made the two great lights (one to rule the day, one to rule the night). The Psalmist speaks of the Light, "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light , we see light." Without light there can be no life. Was the Psalmist speaking of salvation, or was he speaking of creation? Again w/ the questions.

More on creation in John, "He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him". We do however acknowledge evolutionary theory, in fact we accept it as the "answer" for the origins of life. Yet, there is no proof that one thing can become another thing. E coli has "evolved" many times, but it's still E coli.

And finally, the Apostle, in the thirteenth verse speaks of creation again, "...children born not of natural decent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." It is generally accepted (among Christians) that he talks of being "born again" in spirit in this verse, as He does. But, is it possible that the words "not of natural decent" have further meaning? I believe that this is God's answer to the theory of naturalism. 

That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.





 

Some questions, when asked, broaden our conception of who and what we are. They take us in directions we would never have dreamed possible, producing both growth and a unique sense of self-awareness. The following quiz does none of these things...

1. What was the Skipper's nickname for Gilligan?
     a) Little Matey               c) Little Buddy
     b) Best Buddy               d) Shanghia Jack
2. Which castaway was left-handed?
     a) Mr. Howell                c) Gilligan 
     b) The Profesor             d) Ralph the Wonder Llama
3)  How many seasons did the series last?
     a) 3                               c) 4
     b) 6                               d) 77
4.  In how many episodes did Gilligan fly?
     a) 1                               c) 2
     b) 4                               d) all
5.  What was Mr. Howell's nickname for Mrs. Howell?
     a) Lovey                        c) Sweety
     b) Darling                      d) Beaatch
6.  What song writer/singer wrote a parody of The Ballad of Gilligan's Island?
     a) Bennie Goodman       c) "Weird" Al Yankovic
     c) George Burns            d) Roger Clinton
7.  What "guest" actor played the jungle boy?
     a) Ron Howard              c) Harrison Ford
     b) Kurt Russell               d) Bert Bacherack
8)  Gilligans name was...
     a) his first name              c) his middle name
     b) his last name              d) his alias
9)  How many hours was the "tour" supposed to be?
     a) 6                                c) 4
     b) 3                                d) 30 minutes
10. Most men would choose...
     a) Ginger                        c) Mrs. Howell
     b) Mary Ann                   d) Gilligan in drag

Scoring
9-10        You know, there are other channels besides Nick@Nite
7-9          Hello Profesor
4-6          In Mr. Howell's words..."Yale Man"
3 or less  Welcome to our country

The Basics
The most common use for the term"global warming" is the observed temperature increase in the worlds atmosphere and oceans. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) uses it for human caused change and "climate variability" for non man-made influences.

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the lower atmosphere and reflect it back to the earth. They are the basis for the term "greenhouse effect". Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas, followed by carbine dioxide (from the combustion of fossil fuels), agriculture (farming and land clearing) and solar variation (sun spots and solar flares). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminastration (NOAA)  state that greenhouse gases have increased from pre-industrialized levels of 280 parts per milloin to 370ppm.

Based on NOAA data average temperatures have increased about 0.6 C since the late 19th century. However, the warming has not been globally uniform. Some areas (including the S/E U.S.) have cooled over the last century. Temperatures worldwide were some of the highest ever recorded (since 1880) last year, but were about normal in the U.S. (49th highest in recorded history). Many scientist believe this was due to a waning El Nino and a gradually warming planet. 

The Set-Up
The IPCC's temperature chart, kown as "the hockey stick", because of its sharp upswing in temps in the later 1900's, is the basis for the Kyoto Protocol and a Noble Peace Prize winning, former Vice-Presidents Academy Award winning movie. Think "lock box". {note: The National Academy of Sciences have affirmed the existence of a Medievel Warm Period from 900 AD to 1300 AD and a Little Ice Age from 1500 AD to about 1850 AD}

The Sting
The Kyoto Protocol mandates emmision reductions for counties that sign on. Only the U.S. and Australia have not (change in Aussie leadership will narrow non-signees to one). Strangly tho, three large countries are exempt from reductions in emmisions: China, India and North Korea. Go figure.

Even now U.S. states (California) as well as national politicians push for mandatory greening of our energy sources. Nuclear power, clean air coal burning plants and other more enviromentally friendly means of power production have been taken "off the table". Instead the push has been for solar/wind (small output)and unproven hydrogen power sources that seem to defy common sense. It's as if there were other, darker reasons (pun intended).

Other Views
The 2004 Copenhagen Consensus led by Danish statistician and self described left-wing enviromentalist Bjorn Lomborg (auther of "The Skeptical Enviromentalist") lists the world greatest threats as follows: combating disease, stopping malaria, securing clean water and building infrastructure to help lift developing nations out of poverty; last on their list...global warming.

Other discrepancies exist in predicting future weather patterns such as unreliable past temperature reading (some due to Urban Heat Island Effect where temps are read in cities), outdated weather measuring equipment and human error in past recordings. See Nigel Lawsons excellent peice on the politics of global warming at http://icecap.us/images/uploads/mckaylecturelawsononclimatecatastrophism.pdf

Finally, perhaps the clearest perspective on our current obsession w/ global warming can be summed up by Richard P. Lindzen (Prof. of Atmospheric Science @ MIT)..."Future generatios will wonder in bemused amazment that the early 21st century developed world went into hysterical panic over a globally averaged temperature increase of a few tenths of a degree and on the basis of gross exaggerations of highly uncertain computer projections combined into implausible chains of inference, proceeded to contemplate a roll back of the industrial age."

 

 

I can still remember my first time...as if it were today. Excited, nervous and alittle unsure; I just hoped that I was doing it right.  Starting off slow (would I have to be creative?) doubts crept in. My hands began to shake...was I ready for this or should I have waited? I realized at once that there was no turning back. Tentative at first, I soon began to relax. I was enjoyn this! It didn't last long...they say the first time never does. But I knew, just knew, that this wouldn't be the last time I blogged.

Somebody pass me a smoke.