Comments on Tony Campolo's "craker jack" ideas

"Mixing Christianity and politics is like mixing ice cream and manure--it's not the manure that's gonna get messed up!" - Tony Campolo


"Politics", per se, is simply the general term used by our culture, albeit usually with negative conotations, to describe the entire system whereby our government is "renewed" through the democratic process, having been set in place approximately 230 years ago. I think that Mr. Campolo sets up a false dichotomy by pitting Christianity against "politics". It is as if he is saying that as far as government is concerned, Christians should have a "hands off" approach. If his position is that Christians should not be involved in the governing process of any given people, he is espousing a non-biblical view of the world. Government is necessary because of the presence of evil in this world and exists to restrain evil and promote good. To the extent that any government carries out this mandate it exists as a true and biblical government, regardless of whether or not it is totalitarian, democratic, aristocratic, monarchic, etc. To imply that Christians should not be involved in government is to relegate the promotion of good and restraint of evil to those who have no consistent grounds to do either! Who better to hold the post of "chief governor" or president than a real Christian? If given the opportunity to do good, why would we avoid it? For example, I am a fire fighter. I can promote to Captain and be in "government" over other men, weilding influence/power over them for good and for the restraint of evil, or, if I am unregenerate, the opposite. Would it be correct, or even good, for me to reason thusly: "I am a Christian. Christians should not be involved in government. Therefore, I will not promote to Captain. I will not place myself in a position to exert a positive influence upon others for their good." This logic would be unbiblical and is the logic of countless Christians who have abdicated their role and influence in our country, choosing instead to allow men of evil character to govern our country.
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One Of The Most Absurd Things I Have Ever Read

Yes, the world has lost its mind. Specifically, Governor Arnold S. (spell checker is a hopeless cause) of California recently revealed his marvelous plan to solve the budget crisis in California. Click on the link to read the announcement of his plan, then read the sub-headline and prepare to stand in abject incredulity.

http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_9263337?IADID=Search-www.dailynews.com-www.dailynews.com




I included the link so you can see with your own eyes that I did not make this up!!!



In case the link dies, here is the headline:

Arnold Opens Door To Tax Hike......His budget would borrow from lottery to cut deficit.



Awesome...just awesome.

A Grim Reality

I highly doubt that anyone my age even cares about the truth that is shared in the following video. However, if you care to know about the future economic outlook of America, feel free to watch it.

One Of The Best Bands I Have Ever Heard

Their name is THRESHOLD. They rock!

The New Testament In A Week

I have just finished reading a chapter from the book, "The Legacy Of Sovereign Joy", by John Piper. It was on the life of Martin Luther. It was convicting because he says that he "read the Bible cover to cover twice per year". This continued for a period of ten years according to his friend, Melancthon. I am in serious need of reading the Bible in this way. My Scripture intake is minimal at best. Therefore, I hereby resolve that I will read the entire New Testament this week and will do all in my weak power to understand it, by the help of the Holy Spirit.

The Best Cartoon Ever Made

In case you are completely ignorant, I have provided the following to educate you regarding the best cartoon ever made. Enjoy!

Why I Think The Economy Is In Trouble Of Historic Proportion Or Why You Should Think About Buying A Little Gold And Silver

Our economy is obviously in trouble. Here are the four reasons why I think our economy is in trouble of historic proportions:

1) We live in a country that is addicted to consumption. We, as a people, no longer save our money to invest and hope for a return. Instead we spend every dime we earn and then spend more in the form of credit cards and home equity loans. In 2005, the Personal Savings Rate dropped into negative territory for the first time in U.S. History. We are not taking personal responsibility for the current state of our economy by moderating our consumption, fostering contentment with our possessions, and fighting against the greed that is so often present in a capitalistic society

2) The global unrest that currently exists is of historic proportion and the U.S.A. seems be fostering this through its apparent need to "extend the empire". You probably have heard that "war is good for the economy". I believe that our current administration will move to invade Iran before the next election. My opinion is based on the fact that the U.S. Senate passed legislation in September of 2007 labeling an arm of the Iranian military as a "terrorist organization". This, in effect, gives President Bush de facto authority to declare war on Iran. Given the fact that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has declared that Israel should "be wiped from the face of the earth", hinting at his hatred for Israel, it is probably a decent bet that we will invade Iran soon. This may help or hinder our economy.

3) The Federal Reserve continues its Ponzi scheme by printing paper money that has no inherent value save what the Fed declares it to be. This is also unprecedented in our country, albeit occurring for the last 100 years. I believe it is only a matter of time before the whole house of paper dollars collapses, much like the peso did in 1982 when Mexico defaulted on all its debt. The U.S.A. continues to borrow $1.43 Billion dollars (that's 1,430 million) A DAY to prop up its economy. This has been going on since September of 2006! How can we sustain this? Or national debt is now $9,204,986,412,717.18!!! Ha, ha, ha, ha! $0.18 cents!!! Ha!!! They actually record it to the 18th cent....

4) In a word, Gold. Gold has been artifically depressed in value by the central banks of the world. Gold peaked in value in 1980 at a rate of 850$ oz. That was January 21, 1980. For 20 years gold was around 300$ oz. Then in 2003, only 5 years ago, it began to move. It has progressed upward for the last 5 years to its current price of $930 oz! This breaks the record set in 1980. But wait! Does it really? What about the inflationary rate for the last 23 years? The price of gold in 1980, $850 oz, adjusted for inflation, is between $2,115 and $2,200! Still a deal, if you ask me. But you didn't! What I infer from this rise in Gold is a subtle yet growing lack of "faith" in the dollar/economy/Fed/etc.


UPDATE! 01/31/08

5) Panic had been evident at the FED. Never before has it lowered the rate by 125 basis points in one week. This is historic in precedent. Obviously the FED thinks something is wrong with the economy!

A Story I Wrote In 3rd Grade

Here are the meanderings of a 9 year old mind...This is verbatim from a handwritten (in faltering cursive) story I recently found in my memory book. I have left all typos intact to preserve literary faithfulness.

One day I foud out that the front tire of my bike was gone. And yet, it was still standing up. I walked up to it. I tried to touch it. There was nothing there. That puzzled me. I went in the house for a drink of juice and started pouring. 

Nothesing came out. I looked inside it. There was a martian in it. The next moments were black. Then I was in a spaceship looking down at my house Then I was back by my bike. The martian was there. He said "Zotz sorry for stealing round thing. Me no mean any harm to round thing." Thats O.K. I said, Then I shook hands with Him. Then he dissappeared. And I went on my way in the World.

The end

A Crumbling Fortress Is Our Works

Here is a little parody I wrote based on Martin Luther's wonderful hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God".

(To the tune of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"; with special thanks to Pastor Matt Troupe who preached on "legalism" this morning...)

A crumbling fortress is our works

A bulwark ever failing

Though labors, works, and laws we keep

Our system still is ailing

The heart of darkness grim

Will take us to the brim

Of legal righteousness

Then crush us under foot

We smile and efforts greater seek

Though we in works of pie'ty trust

Our super systems' still a bust

We will hold over all our friends

A standard without loving ends

A hammer we will yield

Hypocrisy's our shield

Our banner is our law

A double standard true

We're good because we pay our dues

(Key change...)

So give it all you've really got

And hope that you will make it too

We've tithed our mint and strained our gnat

We love our bread and camel stew

If legalism's sought

A hearty dose we've got

Come bathe in standards strict

Your conscience is a wreck

Just work your fingers to the bone

Weird Al (Sing to "Amen")

How Little I Know About Parenting

1) Remember that your kids are kids. They are not going to speak Latin and know what a “trivium” is when they are young. They will, however, know what candy is and exactly where it is located, want to touch everything, discover the joy of the water hose, love to cuddle, love to laugh, learn to “give kissies”, know exactly where “Finding Nemo” is located in the DVD rack and want to watch it for the 620th time, want to drink your beer, scream when the garbage truck pulls up, read the same book at least 25 times a day, eat the Playdough, become terrified when you vacuum the flooor, smear refried beans all over their head and in their eyes, laugh when they pee on your sofa as you are changing their diaper, laugh again when you try to stop them, cry when they have to stop having fun, cry when they have to get out of the bathtub, cry when they smash their chin and bite through their lip, and love to go into Lowe’s and look at all of the ceiling fans spinning around. I had many ideas about being a parent before I became one. It seems like all my “wisdom” has gone out the window since then. I remember one thing that Pastor Crawford said in a sermon that I heard second-hand from my wife. It went something like this: “Your kids are kids. That’s what they are. When they eat mud and play with the toys, they are doing what they were created to do. They are glorifying God when they scream and run and play. Let them be kids.” Anyway, that brief comment sank into my heart and life and changed me. You never know what God will use to help you become a better parent.

2) Know your theology and your Bible. This will help you act like God towards your children. I think of my parenting in terms of justice and mercy, much like God does towards us. If my son disobeys, I do not carry out “full justice” on him every time. If God disciplined us every time we disobeyed/sinned, we would be woeful, miserable creatures. Instead, God is very merciful to us in the hopes that His kindness would lead us to repentance. There are times when the temptation to disobey is too much for him so I move him out of the area of temptation, like God does with us. Sometimes he must be disciplined, in order that he might learn obedience. Though he is disciplined, he never ceases to be my son. I try to reinforce this idea by kissing him and hugging him and loving on him after he has been disciplined. Also, I make disciplining times as quick as possible with a rapid restoration following the event. I try to avoid long, drawn-out crysessions but remind my son that “It’s over, it’s over...” God forgives us quickly when we repent under His chastisement and His heart is towards us the moment we repent. I try to lavish good things on my son. You could call this “spoiling him”. I see God giving us all good things, even His own son, for our good and pleasure. We should be good to our children, not stingy. Our children should know us to have large hearts, to be bent towards giving them what they ask for. Do you see God, our Father, in this way? Delight in your children, have fun with them, let them give you joy. Act towards your children the way God acts towards His children. You can’t go wrong.

The Lord Is On My Side...

How many times have you thought this in the last year? I just read Psalms 118 and was struck with this simple fact: God is for me, not against me. I must confess that I have rarely thought about this reality choosing instead to struggle through all of my troubles without the comfort of this amazing truth. The Psalmist even says that he was pushed so hard that he was almost falling but God was on His side. What a wonderful Savior!

Stronger Than Steel

Just finished "Stronger Than Steel" by R.C. Sproul, a book about the life of a man named Wayne Alderson. Alderson was a steel mill manager who realized that the philosophies that were in place for the management of "labor" were dehumanizing and were, consequently, causing a drop in production. He sought to institute what he called "The Value of the Person" in his steel mill and saw a subsequent increase in the morale and productivity of his employees. Just what we need in our lives: respect for each other. How much has our culture forgotten this? How often do we regard our "neighbor" with indifference? I must admit that I do this often and am very ashamed of it. May God help us to view each other as "image bearers", those who bear the immago dei, the image of God in our personhood.

My Son Has Changed My Life

Sure, every father has experienced this but there is no real substiute for first hand experience. My son, Owen, was born 5 months ago and continues to amaze me how he exhibits the personality traits of my wife and I, albeit in seed form. God has been so merciful to me to give me the gift of a son; a certain blessing that has truly come from the Lord Jesus Christ, risen and exalted in heaven, ruling and reigning on the throne appointed to Him by God Almighty. I know that all I have in this life has come as a result of the work of Jesus Christ, without whom I would be a lost sinner, destined to meet the Judge of the Universe on the Final Day. Wonderful, merciful Savior! Thank you for my son. Thank you God for Your Son, given up to ransom me from my sin debt! Amen.

My Second Favorite Book

Just finished reading what I will from this point on refer to as my second favorite book. It is entitled "Call of Duty, The Sterling Nobility of Robert E. Lee". It was was written by J. Steven Wilkins, a Presbyterian pastor back east. The first half of the book is a history of Robert E. Lee's life. The second half is charater traits that this man exhibited. If I was the Fire Chief of Los Angeles City Fire, I would make this book mandatory reading for all Captains at least, and hopefully for every new recruit who came on the job. If you would like to read it, I will buy it for you. No questions asked. Within the pages is an incredible example of godly Christian manhood and how it was exhibited in the life of one of the greatest Americans who ever lived. You will be challenged and inspired to live as a Christian in every arena of your life. It also has some really good parts in it for the ladies.

Atheist Factories

Just finished a 4 hour standby at Jefferson High School for a school riot involving hundreds of students. There were at least 40 armed police officers in riot gear who set up a perimeter in front of the school as they systematically emptied the classrooms and escorted the students outside. I was part of the medical command team on standby in the event that there was a "flare up", as the officers called it, of hostilities between the students. It was very saddening to me as a future father to consider the hundreds of students in their teens that filed past me. They all looked completely lost. As if they had no idea what they are supposed to be doing with their lives. At least 30% of the students appeared to still be agitated to the degree that they were ready to fight again and the tension in the area was palpable. I thought it strikingly ironic that during the mass exodus of students from the campus the ROTC color guard came out to lower the American and Californian flags. This occurred at about 2:00 pm and was accompanied by the usual flag folding ceremony which was guarded by the LAPD riot police. It was almost as if the school was surrendering; it had enough and was giving up. The Nation of Islam had its 5 representatives there in all of their fine threads denouncing LAPD, acting as if they were appalled at the way these students were behaving, and trying to turn the whole event into a political action theater. These students are to be pitied, having grown up in a lawless culture that gives licence to more and more lawlessness. Many of the families in the area where I work do not have any father present, and if they do, he is not functioning as the servant/leader/head of the family. As a consequence there is no context for the children to learn their social responsibilities, respect for authority, and the integral way in which they are becoming the fabric our society is woven into. The kids are farmed out to day care and then government schools which have no authority to discipline them when they break the rules. Our public schools have become atheist factories since a knowledge of the One True Living God and His Law is not taught at all. There is no ultimate real accountability for personal actions taught in school. Instead the "be all you can be" mentality reigns supreme in the public school system. God is not mocked. I witnessed it today. When a school system ignores the Truth, the God of the Truth responds by leaving them to their foolishness and abandoning them to their attempts to live life without real abiding principles. As Christians we should both preach on our feet against the foolishness of this age and then weep on our knees as we see the judgement that is sure to follow a wholesale ignorance of God and His ways. May God have mercy on our teens. May He bring revival to their lost souls. May the peddlers of destruction and the lovers of atheism be confounded and brought to their senses. And may Jesus Christ be praised, even at Jefferson High School in South Central Los Angeles.

Women and the Fire Department

I work for the Los Angeles City Fire Department on a paramedic rescue ambulance. Quite often I work with an overtime guy when my regular partner is off duty. It is a sad thing to report but for all of the fire departments' talk of high moral character, many of the men that I work with have a very low view of women. There have been many times when we have passed a woman on the street and my partner will make a comment about a part of her body. In the past I would simply not say anything but I have begun to become more bold about this matter. I have realized that if I don't say anything, the issue will come up again and again throughout the course of the day. I have even thought about writing down an actual dialogue that I could simply read verbatim as soon as this came up. Something like this:

"Yes, as a matter of fact there are alot of attractive women in this world. I am well aware of this fact. But there is something I must tell you. I am a follower of Jesus, a Christian. I used to live in a manner that was both degrading to myself and degrading to women, giving myself to sexual immorality in numerous ways. It was a very dishonorable way to live. However, by the mercy of God, I have left that way of life. Now I strive to live a pure life both in body and thought. This means that I do not use my body for sexual immorality and I strive not to even look at women in a lustful fashion, since the Bible says that to look and lust for a woman is to commit the very act of adultery in your heart. God is greatly concerned about the state of our hearts and knows all our thoughts. Although I lived for many years in the outright violation of Gods law, I now desire to obey it. This change is not one that I have caused. It is rather what God has done in my life. Believe me, I did not do this. It is God at work in my life to cause me to leave my old way of life and to follow a new way, the way of obedience to His law contained in the Ten Commandments. So that is why I don't look and also why I will not look. I hope that this makes sense. It is not my desire to cut off our conversation for the rest of the day since this can be a somewhat awkward topic in our day. I would be happy to talk more about this if you would like. Otherwise we can finish the day talking about other things."

God's grace and fatherhood

Since I am about to have a son, I have been thinking much about the reality of raising a son. This, of course, begins to raise all manner of doubts regarding my ability to do so correctly; in a manner that pleases God. How can I possibly be successful at that which I have never done? And what about all of my own failings/sins? Am I worthy of my sons' emulation? Will my son be a success or will he become a fool in this life? I believe that it is natural to face all of these realities and it is even better to be sobered by them. I certainly have begun to experience this in my employment as I have noticed that I am becoming more diligent and beginning to make progress in the promotion to captain process. But what of all my doubts? Well, blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God. He who rules this world in every way and, in His providence, governs my life and provides for all my needs. How? I happened to borrow a biography of Robert E. Lee's life from Frank Sanchez. It was written by Steve Wilkins, a Presbyterian pastor back east. In the chapter entitled "Birth and Lineage" there is the account of Lee's father and his failed business ventures. It seems that he was somewhat of a speculator with his money and took unnecessary risks with his capital. This left him in deep debt and soiled his good name as he spent some time in debtors prison. After his being humbled greatly from ignoring wisdom, he earnestly desired that his sons not follow in his footsteps. God granted his request. Both of his sons were successful in their lives. Do you see what I see? Do you really see it? God is merciful! God is gracious! In spite of a not always being wise father, God used him to raise up a great leader who ultimately led the Southern army's in the Civil War. I hope you see what I am trying to say. God is good and gracious towards sinners who turn to Him in humility and seek His face. And they can only do this because of the gracious provision for their sins in the death of Jesus, the Messiah. Be encouraged! Be greatly encouraged!!! And as you father your sons, remember the grace of God...never forget the grace of God. Amen.

...as the Lord commanded...

I have been reading the book of Numbers in the Old Testament. I have done this before and have wondered at times just how the information in this book applies to my life. Anyway, as I was reading today, I became aware of a pattern that is clearly evident, at least in the first 5 chapters. At the end of each of these chapters is the phrase "...as the Lord commanded." I have been reminded from this of the necessity of doing things God's way when His Word tells us what we should be doing. Here learn the importance of obedience because of who the One is who is issuing the commands.

Good Combinations

A lesson in applied Aesthetics: things that go good with other things. Hidden here is one of the elemental characteristics of Beauty: the parts all contribute to the makeup of the whole. Anyway, I like Port and cigars, Amaretto and cigars, Sambuca and cigars, cold weather, fire, and cigars, almonds and Cheezits, my wifes eyes and hair...How about you?

The "Sore Thumb" Theory

Just finished talking to the JW's. (Watchtower Followers) I was reminded that their are many lost people in this world who do not believe the truth. A couple of things that I remembered to do: Use the King James Version in dealing with them since they recognize this as authoritative; be endearing, that is, remember that they are lost and believe heresy and, therefore, need a Savior; remind them of the "witness" of history, namely that in Webster dictionary the heresy they embrace regarding the nature of Jesus has already been defined and identified as error in the 14th century. This heresy was called Arianism, after Arius who wrongly taught that Jesus was different in substance with God and that His glory and power were not equal with God. I like to use the "sore thumb" theroy with the JW's. It goes like this: There are many religions in this world. Every one of them has some different idea about the nature of Jesus. Some say a good man, some say a good example, and others say "a" god. But..............Christians, that is, historic and orthodox Christians have always contended that Jesus was God (Jehovah) and that He was the same in substance, equal in power and glory with God. We stick out like a sore thumb on this point. Kind of like if you smashed your thumb and it is painful and pulsating and you are trying not to yell...