Friday, March 13, 2009

Hither and thither — 3/13/09

Let's see now, what have we here? Ah, yes:
  • Did you know how thoroughly the Obamas disrespected the British PM and his wife? Thanks to the MSM Wing of the Obama administration, most Americans don't. Ah, Obama; befriending our enemies, and estranging our allies.
  • I am sure that many readers (at least the XY ones) enjoy good martial-arts movies. My brother Thabiti points us to Things I have learned from watching kung fu movies. I share it with you, just in time for your Friday-night watching!
  • By the way, we just enjoyed Forbidden Kingdom as a Burger Night movie. It's one of those PC-13's that could easily have been plain old PG, but for a few bad words. It always really torques me when moviemakers do that.
  • The accused murderer of Pastor Winters in Illinois reportedly has Lyme disease, which some suggest could explain his behavior. However, medical experts on Lyme disease (A) question whether he actually had it, and (B) say there is no evidence that it can cause violence or psychosis.
  • Further, the accused murderer reportedly had "an arsenal" (a few guns; typical MSM exaggeration) in his bedroom and various notes indicating he planned to die that day. Also, he had two more clips of ammunition on his person, highlighting the crucial heroism of the folks who took him down. None of this sounds unplanned, or impulsive.
  • At last, a noble web site has entered the ongoing battle against apostrophe abuse! As my children will attest, it's an abuse on which the English Department of Logos Christian Academy pours hot, molten death. (Thanks to reader Gil Sebenste for the lead.)
  • Watch ordering socialist pizza, chuckle, shake your head grimly... and share my surprise at who produced it.
  • Well, sad but not surprising. "Advocate" unwed (and unrepentant?) mother Bristol Palin has broken it off with the man of whom she thought enough to give herself to and conceive a child with him. I have other thoughts, but am capping them. Maybe two more words: poor kid. A number of readers mentioned this to me, and now there are numerous sources: the AP gives a bit more of Levi's "side."
  • To my mind, it does underscore what I observed earlier: how foolish it was of Sarah Palin to allow her daughter to take this international spotlight. She has done harm to ideas in which she supposedly believes. It speaks very poorly of her judgment. I don't see another way of looking at it.
  • Remember the burbling, barking idiot who threw his shoes at President Bush? Lucky to be alive at all — and I'm still wondering whether Secret Service agents lost their jobs over that second shoe — he was sentenced to three years. From the quotations, his good fortune at still being able to draw breath didn't bring any greater wisdom to him, nor to his idiotic family members.
  • Well, I think it's official: Michael Steele is not ready for prime-time, which means he's not the man for the job.
  • Those wacky Roman Catholics. So, I guess it goes like this: do an abortion arguably to save the life of an 80-pound nine-year-old rape victim, and no wafer for you! That goes for you, mom; and you, medical staff. But if you're the rapist? Here's your wafer! Think I'm making it up? How could I? (Thanks to reader Laura Kelleher for the lead.)
  • Note what Adrian Warnock posts without comment, and with comments disabled. Hunh. And people say Charismatics don't police themselves or show revulsion for false doctrine? Or that Charismaticism is the loose door that lets in all sorts of false teaching and unholy practice? Where does that come from! (Note Warnock's earlier openness to the insanity that went on in Florida; contrast it with this.)
  • Why multiple elders is a good idea, OTBE; or, What happens when you don't have anyone to say "Dude, no, seriously, that's a really bad idea."
  • Hold the pickles, hold the... wait a minute, that's a —

  • And then there's...



45 comments:

Kay said...

So much to comment on!

Well, yes, Obama's frosty reception of Brown was all over our news. I thought it very odd, considering they really are socialist brother-in-arms, policy-wise. Didn't lose much sleep over it though, I'd be hard-pushed to be terribly cosy with Mr Brown myself...

I'm looking forward to the time when I can hear the name 'Palin' again, and just think of the Parrot Sketch, tbh.

The catholic abortion excommunication is just all shades of crazy. Although it's a telling illustration of the secular viewpoint that the only people considered deserving of death in the scenario were the unborn babies. Child rapist gets the wafer from the religious and the 'rehabilitation' mentality from the secular.

And wo-ho-ho, that Todd Bentley guy! It's ok, you know, he was 'convinced his mawwiage was over'. It's not adultery to legally bind yourself to your mistress if you're absolutely sure you can't be bothered with your first marriage, is it?

CR said...

Michael Steele was definitely not my choice for RNC chairman. Ken Blackwell was. He is solidly conservative and articulate (and also Christian I believe). I mean, at least I had a somewhat of an excuse for why I voted for McCain in the primaries - we had no good choices.

There was a good choice for the RNC to vote for and that was Blackwell. The Republican party has become pretty anemic. Pretty sad.

Anonymous said...

Oh darn, Libbie beat me to the 'first comment' position. Oh well,


1. My friend and I were cracking up when we listened to the socialist pizza thing. One question though, I didn't see who produced it, who was it?

2. "Here Mr. President, on behalf of all Brittania, I present you with Excaliber, our most sacred sword."

"Mr. Prime Minister, on behalf of The USA, i give you my letter opener. Feel honored that you were given such a letter opener from the first Black president."

3. I liked Forbidden Kingdom as well.

4. The Catholic thing is not surprising. i heard of one case where a priest who was gay was forbidden to take communion, but his associate who molested alter boys wasn't.....

5. Great posts Dan!
God bless!

Trinian said...

"I take full responsibility for my part for the ending of the marriage"

What are the chances that that "full responsibility" includes the necessary consequences for a pastor involved in adultery?

The Squirrel said...

the Parrot Sketch - Libbie's pining for the fjords!

You know, Dan, expecting a mature decision out of Bristol Palin is "not realistic at all"... I agree, poor Tripp. And I recall asking someone to tell Levi to be a man...

RE: Steele. I no longer self-identify as a republican & haven't paid RNC dues since the '04 election. Everytime they ask me for money, I find myself laughing uncontrollable for days.

So, Todd Bentley wants a comeback? The sad thing is, he'll probably get one. I mean Peter Popoff and Jim Baker are still on TBN... And TBN is still on... Oh... Um...

The case in Brazil is sad all the way around. I'm not a theonomist, but I would love to see the Biblical penalty for rape become the normal reaction.

Joshua, I could have had the first post, but I decided to actually follow the links and read the articles :-)

The Squirrel

Anonymous said...

Squirrel,
*sing-song voice*
I read the articles and I got the third comment, NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH!

lol, just kidding.

I registered as a Republican, just to vote in the primaries. I consider myself conservative, as Republican could mean anything from a die hard Alan Keyes, to a wishy washy Rudy Guliani.

The Squirrel said...

It's 9:30 in the morning... Why do I want a cheeseburger?

The Squirrel

LeeC said...

I've always found it interesting how Rick Joyner can ascribe all of those flashy miracles to the Holy Spirit, but his version seems incapable of repairing his marriage.

You see one of my biggest issues with most charismatics is that THEY are the ones that seem to deny the work of the Holy Spirit.

I'm sorry, but if I get well from having the Flu IT'S GODS DOING! if I can live with my wife in an understanding way, and minister to her THAT'S THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKING IN ME! If I was once a dead man in my sins an enemy of my Creator and now I am alive and a member of His family THAT IS A MIRACLE!


And you want SIGNS AND WONDERS??????? Look around.

threegirldad said...

What are the chances that that "full responsibility" includes the necessary consequences for a pastor involved in adultery?

Mr. Slim, meet Mr. None.

I grew up in and around this world, and let me tell you, there is nothing that many of these folks won't justify, shrug off, explain away, disregard -- n-o-t-h-i-n-g!

Herding Grasshoppers said...

Oh, so much to read...

um, Squirrel, those 'cheeseburgers' are cupcakes. But at 8:50am, neither is quite appealing.

And, Dan, "the Debt Star"... I love it! But my HoH 10 year old beat you to the punch.

Loved the "Socialist Pizza", but - the ACLU? - where are they going with that? You'd think they'd be all over that kind of thing!

Ahhhhh, not enough time... busy morning.

Aaron said...

I saw that movie on a plane a long time ago. I wonder if my wife would like it. She often complains that I see too many movies on the plane before they come out on video.

Aaron said...

BTW, some radio talk show hosts have said they belive the Obama administration dislikes the UK generally. Aparently, the British kept importing slaves after such importation was against the law here in the U.S.

The Squirrel said...

Aaron,

The Brits abolished the slave trade in 1807, and slavery in 1833, while we didn't get around to it until 1863, but I doubt his knowledge of history is any less slanted than his knowledge of ecconomics or constitutional law. It's going to be a long 4 years.

The Squirrel

The Squirrel said...

Sorry, left out that US didn't end slave trade until 1808, a year after England.

The Squirrel

Rachael Starke said...

The part I loved about the gift-giving idiocy was finding out that PM Brown is totally blind in one eye and rapidly losing sight in the other

Prez. Obama's been taking a lesson from his V.P. in how to show respect to people with disabilities.

And re: the cupcakes - boy, am I so glad my eldest daughter didn't see those before she skipped out the door this morning with box-recipe cupcakes with Duncan Hines frosting for her birthday.

SolaMommy said...

LeeC:I've always found it interesting how Rick Joyner can ascribe all of those flashy miracles to the Holy Spirit, but his version seems incapable of repairing his marriage.

You see one of my biggest issues with most charismatics is that THEY are the ones that seem to deny the work of the Holy Spirit.


WHOA. That is so true! I may be able to use that thought on my quasi-Pentecostal father-in-law.

That Todd Bentley article ticked me off. He sounds totally unrepentant, like a kid who musters up a lame, insincere "Sorry" to his sister after pushing her down the stairs.

The pizza thing was creepy. Really creepy. Just think what reaction we'd get if it showed our religious information in there too..."Oh, we don't deliver to Homophobes." Nice.

The apostrophe thing made me cringe!

Oh yes, and I feel famous, now :-)

Stefan Ewing said...

"You see one of my biggest issues with most charismatics is that THEY are the ones that seem to deny the work of the Holy Spirit."

Uncanny. You're really onto something, LeeC. In saying that we need "signs and wonders" to believe that the Holy Spirit is at work is a denial of the work the Holy Spirit does every hour of every day in the life of every believer (despite our own best efforts to resist it sometimes!).

Stefan Ewing said...

Uncanny.

I just had to say it again. Wow.

~Mark said...

Y'know, there are quite a few movies which I'd LOVE to sit down and share with a group of friends but can't because of the inclusion of completely unnecessary cursing. X-Men for example.

Matrix 2 and 3 for further example. (Matrix 2 also has that ridiculously gratuitous religious orgy scene.)

trogdor said...

I had briefly heard a radio host, possibly Limbaugh, joking about the Obama gifts one day, saying how it seemed they sent someone to Wal-Mart or a gas station like when you forgot to get a Christmas present for grandma. I didn't see any news headlines about it, of course, and never saw the details until now. Just... wow. I mean, wow. "Pitiful" doesn't even begin to describe it. Maybe The Obama was too busy writing that surrender letter to Russia (who will most definitely help us with Iran, sure, sure they will), and just didn't have the time to think about how to show even a tiny hint of respect for our closest ally.

But hey, he's improving our standing in the world! The many nations that hate us or are just plain jealous - man, they love the direction he's taking us.

My favorite apostrophe abuse: a few years ago Six Flags bought an amusement park I used to live near, and as part of the $tens-of-millions makeover, they changed all the signage. A friend and I went soon after it reopened, and noticed the big disclaimer on the first ride: Six Flags and it's employees are not responsible for blah blah blah. Next ride, same thing. Same thing on every single ride. We actually went to customer service and complained, and oddly enough, they didn't see a problem. Now, if you're going to spend that kind of money, shouldn't you pay someone to actually proofread? Preferably someone who actually speaks English? I would have been happy to do it for only ten grand or so. A small price to pay to not look like total morons. Sadly, I doubt many others noticed.

I don't understand how the Palin chick and her boy could have just broken up. I learned from comments a few weeks ago that they were married - don't they need a divorce? Oh yeah, that's right, they never actually got married, to their shame.

The most surprising thing about the socialist pizza thing is the name. I can totally see the ACLU objecting to that sort of government database (that's pretty consistent), I just would've expected them to name it "fascist pizza" or "PATRIOT Act pizza" or something. It is extremely rare that I agree with them, and it's almost always when they object to governmental information gathering. Even a broken clock...

I know of small groups where guys have been placed under discipline (sometimes banned from the group) because they've left their wives, and are welcome only as long as they're trying to reconcile. Not to be in ministry, mind you, but just to attend. I can't imagine having standards so low that someone can be completely unrepentant about adultery and divorce, and still be considered for restoration to public ministry. Are they really that desperate for the granny-kickin' show to resume?

Aaron said...

Squirrel:

Yes, America banned importation of slaves in 1807, effective 1808. Before that, however, many states had already prohibited importation of states. Even after 1807, the British ships continued to obtain slaves from West Africa and bring them to various colonies and into America itself (America had little to no enforcement). BRitish slaves ships were still built and outfitted in the UK or complicit colony ports.

To be fair though, it was some commentator that mentioned this as the reason Obama's administration was giving a less than cordial treatment of the UK. It is just as likely that (1)Obama's staff (as demonstrated by the Russian incident) is inept (2) doesn't care about the UK because it is only concerned with countries that don't like us.

Aaron said...

"I know of small groups where guys have been placed under discipline (sometimes banned from the group) because they've left their wives, and are welcome only as long as they're trying to reconcile."

I doubt that such disciplinary measures would even be necessary in my Church. I doubt such a person would be comfortable enough to attend at all much less stick around to be disciplined.

Aaron said...

trogdor:

I can't believe you actually complained about the mispelling of the possessive form of "its."

The Squirrel said...

Aaron-

It is... likely that Obama's staff.. is inept (and) doesn't care about the UK because it is only concerned with countries that don't like us.

I guess that it didn't come across very well that I was agreeing with you, and was, unfortunatly, not shocked by the Obama Llama's dismal knowledge of / respect for history or our country's allies.

The Squirrel

Four Pointer said...

Whats the big deal about apostrophe's? Their has to be something thats more important? Truly, the apostrophe has worn out it's welcome. This, isnt something to big too ignore.

hee hee hee

PS--The ACLU is getting uptight about "privacy"? When our medical records will be available for all to see once "universal health care" gets rammed through the Politburo, er, Democratic-led Congress?

trogdor said...

Aaron, two things:

1) The unrepentant sinners at your church must be a whole lot more courteous and/or sensitive than the ones I've encountered. As an example, one friend's wife was in the midst of an adulterous affair. She had moved in with the guy, and brought him to church one week, and actually complained to the elders that her husband was there and it made her uncomfortable. It's amazing how brazen people can be about their sin.

2) I most definitely did, although it was less of a complaint, and more of a "Just so you know, you guys look like complete morons. Might wanna change that."

threegirldad said...

My favorite example of apostrophe abuse occurred during last year's campaign. A candidate running for local office bought space on a huge billboard alongside a major bypass. The text read, in part:

"We can't afford 4 more years of the same policy's!!!"

Which office was he running for, you ask? Board of Education.

DJP said...

Oh my.

Yeah, that's why parents should leave education to the professionals.

< /s >

lemonfemale said...

I confess I am pretty ignorant on all things Catholic but I do know that even advocacy of abortion has been grounds for excommunication. So. I do not know enough to judge the sincerity of the doctor's stated belief the abortion was done to save the little girl's life. For the rapist though, I recall Jesus comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to be like a little child. Isn't raping the Kingdom of Heaven vile enough? Did he not "offend against these little ones who believe in Me" about whom it were better to hang a millstone around his neck and drown him? And he not only violated the innocence of this little girl, HE ABUSED A HANDICAPPED CHILD! Absent repentence on his part, I can imagine him entering a church and all the icons hiding their faces.

LeeC said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LeeC said...

Trogdor worte:
"The unrepentant sinners at your church must be a whole lot more courteous and/or sensitive than the ones I've encountered. As an example, one friend's wife was in the midst of an adulterous affair. She had moved in with the guy, and brought him to church one week, and actually complained to the elders that her husband was there and it made her uncomfortable. It's amazing how brazen people can be about their sin."

Um wow. I assume your church doesn't practice church discipline? Honestly, go to calvarybiblechurch.org and do a search on "Church Discipline" and check it out brother.

We sadly have at least one person mentioned by the elders from the pulpit a year (Which means there are many more that repent before that stage)and we have about 50% of them repent and seek reconcilliation. It's the ultimate way to show love, it's hard, but it is comanded.

Herding Grasshoppers said...

@ trogdor the burninator,

I just wanted to pay my respects to someone who cares enough about grammar to do what you did. ;-)

threegirldad,

I do hope you're considering homeschooling. Just a thought.

W. Ian Hall said...

Re Those wacky Roman Catholics - sometimes you just couldn't make it up.

BTW loved the Debt Star. Let's hope a young Luke Skywalker will emerge in four years time to deal with Darth Vader/ Barack Obama

Anonymous said...

"BTW loved the Debt Star. Let's hope a young Luke Skywalker will emerge in four years time to deal with Darth Vader/ Barack Obama"

Ian, no such luck....Mark Hamill VOTED for Obama!!!!

I feel so....betrayed.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cvxPvvjp1U

"that boy was our last hope...."

Aaron said...

trogdor:

I think part of it has to do with my church being so small. You know everyone so its hard to do something like that. Moreover, I don't know what type of counseling sessions the Pastor is involved with. So it's possible there is sin that Pastor/elders are dealing with that I don't know about.


LeeC:

We sadly have at least one person mentioned by the elders from the pulpit a year...

I'm stunned that you have this many members that need discipline in this manner.

Dan:

You just have the wrong attitude about education. Professional education isn't about your child's' ability to read, write, or do basic math. It's about making sure your child has the proper foundation contemporary world citizenship. Only the State has qualified personnel to instill, er.. teach your kids the proper foundations of multiculturalism, sexual education, and evolutionary processes. Just keep up your poor attitude and I'll just have to send you to a reeducation camp.


< /s >

Julie:

Only homeschooling? Private Christian schools are totally out of the question?

trogdor said...

Aaron and LeeC:

This was a church with less than 100 people, and it was very thorough in practicing discipline. She was already under discipline at the time. The issue isn't anything like laxity or being too big to notice; it's the amazing capacity for self-justification and blame-shifting.

Given the fairly recent "fornicator blames the church" case in Florida that got a bit of attention, and the 50% at Lee's church who don't respond with repentance, you guys obviously know that properly instituting disciplinary measures does not necessarily mean they will comply and repent. I'm sort of surprised you haven't encountered someone so unrepentant and defiant yet - I've already known of two where the person doesn't just ignore discipline or go away, they openly defy it (including one former "pastor").

Herding Grasshoppers said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Herding Grasshoppers said...

Oops. Let me try that again...

Aaron,

Sorry. Private school isn't feasible for us, so I tend err on the side of not assuming that everyone can afford it.

No 'diss' intended to good Christian schools :0)

Aaron said...

trogdor:

That is quite amazing. There are a couple things I notice. First, there are many, many churches to go to in my area. At least 7 on the 5 mile route to/from church. So if you want to live a sinful lifestyle, it would be easier to go to a large church that has a more seeker friendly atmosphere. I think it would be unlikely that they would seek out, attend, and then go through the membership process at my small Bible church. Second, I'm not entirely sure such a person would make it through our membership process.

But, you never know.

LeeC said...

Aaron,

"I'm stunned that you have this many members that need discipline in this manner."

I'm not sure quite how to interpret this. Are you saying that everyone all their "beloved sins"? Jonathan Edwards would be astounded. :)

We have approximately 900 active members. We taker an active role in one anothers lives and I take great comfort that if I should go astray there are many here who love me enough to confront me biblically for my restoration.

As for membership processes, don't be so sure. I quite assure you, and Phil could probably attest to the thoroughness of our pastorate. Words and short term actions are easy, and even many who are sincere can fall. I am no greater than King David.

Trogdor,

My apologies for the assumption. I have no idea how your church does it, but here when a member confronts another lovingly about thier sin issue if that person rebuffs the rebuke they then bring another brother or sister to confirm that they have acted properly. If the brother in sin still refuses to repent they take it to the elders who then plead with them to repent. If they are still hard of heart the elders announce thier sin from the pulpit (using discernment on what to say of course) telling us to not treat them as a brother, but as one of the lost to be evangelized. And then that each of the members of the congregation is bound to call, write, email ect to the person begging them to repent.

I cannot fathom someone doing as you said under those circumstances, but then again, a hard heart can be very blind...

I'll mention the scenario to one of our elders today if I get the chance and see what they say.

God bless y'all!

Aaron said...

LeeC:

900 active members is huge! My point wasn't a comparison or a criticism of anybody else's church. Rather, it was meant as an explanation of why I've never personally seen it at my church. There will be an obvious difference between a church with 50members than 900 members. When I don't show up for church, everyone knows it and says something to me (and they send a bulletin to my home). That doesn't make one better than the other, it just means that you can't expect to see the same events happening in both.

Mike Riccardi said...

"As a Christian and a Catholic, I deeply regret that a bishop of the Catholic Church has such a conservative attitude..."

Dude... how many things are wrong with that sentence?!

Seriously, don't think about it for more than about 75 seconds or your eyeballs will pop our of your head and your brain will turn to mush.

LeeC said...

I hear ya Aaron. I came from a chruch of about 80. I like this church, I believe we pretty much shatter the 80/20 stereotype about service, and we DO notice when someone is sic and can't make it. But I'm equally glad that we don't have room for any expansion so if we get much bigger we need to do a church plant. :)

Re-reading my last post I see it could come off as snarky or defensive. I hope not though. I didn't mean it to.

LeeC said...

"sic and can't make it" lol!
I need to be a more careful typist.

Aaron said...

yeah, I hear it if I don't show up for a service project.