I'm Quoted in the Chicago Tribune
From Chicago Tribune | `A day of clouds and whirlwinds':
Sandstorms, dust storms, whirlwinds: All suggest more than a hint of an angry deity's wrath, of the earth itself being turned against its disobedient inhabitants. Little wonder, then, that some observers in the Arab world hailed last week's sandstorm as evidence of God's displeasure with the invaders.
No matter what one's political or religious perspective, however, a sandstorm must evoke awe at the wind's magnificent sculpting power, its relentless sweep and scoop and spin and push, turning day into night and night into chaos.
"It obliterates everything, creating darkness," says Michael Dubruiel, a Christian writer based in Ft. Wayne, Ind. "Sandstorms certainly make one think of a simpler faith where nothing happens without God willing it or allowing it. The `whirlwind' idea is standard not only in the Islamic faith, but in the Judeo-Christian tradition as well."
Monday, April 7, 2003
An Evangelical Preacher Asks "Where is our Humility?"
From Covenant News:
This spirit of faith and humility has seen us through the best and worst of times. True Christians are neither pompous in victory nor broken in defeat. We recognize that God is our hope and we rest in His sovereign will. We are also determined to follow His direction, and to resist those who try to supplant His authority. Anything less is pseudo-spirituality.
How is it, then, that in the face of a national crisis, it seems that the overwhelming majority of professing Christians today display not humility but overt arrogance? Instead of crying out for national repentance, we seem intoxicated with our own power and prosperity. Instead of recommitting ourselves to following God's laws, we seem determined to follow the Pied Pipers of self-glorification.
Christians in America seem almost fanatical about removing the speck from the eye of other nations while ignoring the beam in our own eye. Our petitions to God take the form of demands. We act as if God is our servant instead of the other way around. How long will God tolerate this insolence?
That God has blessed our country with superior wealth and power is no assurance that it will always be this way. We must never presume on God's patience or protection. What took two hundred years to build could be destroyed in two hundred days! With God, it is a small thing to build up or to pluck down. We are protected at His pleasure, not ours.
The national sins that plagued America before September 11, 2001, yet plague America today. There is no change in the overall direction of the country.
In fact, the pace of the race toward "big governmentism" (once known as socialism, fascism or communism) has quickened significantly. We are in more danger of losing our freedoms and liberties now than we were before those terrorist attacks. Furthermore, the principal threats are not from forces without, but from forces within, and Christians seem either oblivious or actually supportive of them.
Contrary to popular opinion, our leaders are taking us further away from constitutional government. The risks associated with many of our country's actions are huge. Despite the propaganda, America is vulnerable! We are vulnerable to the judgment of a righteous, omnipotent God!
Instead of beating our chests in pride and arrogance and exalting our own power and glory, we should be humbling ourselves before God and seeking His will. Our greatest threat is not al-Qaida, Iraq or Saddam Hussein. Our greatest threat is the judgment of God, and we have no army capable of victory against Him!
From Covenant News:
This spirit of faith and humility has seen us through the best and worst of times. True Christians are neither pompous in victory nor broken in defeat. We recognize that God is our hope and we rest in His sovereign will. We are also determined to follow His direction, and to resist those who try to supplant His authority. Anything less is pseudo-spirituality.
How is it, then, that in the face of a national crisis, it seems that the overwhelming majority of professing Christians today display not humility but overt arrogance? Instead of crying out for national repentance, we seem intoxicated with our own power and prosperity. Instead of recommitting ourselves to following God's laws, we seem determined to follow the Pied Pipers of self-glorification.
Christians in America seem almost fanatical about removing the speck from the eye of other nations while ignoring the beam in our own eye. Our petitions to God take the form of demands. We act as if God is our servant instead of the other way around. How long will God tolerate this insolence?
That God has blessed our country with superior wealth and power is no assurance that it will always be this way. We must never presume on God's patience or protection. What took two hundred years to build could be destroyed in two hundred days! With God, it is a small thing to build up or to pluck down. We are protected at His pleasure, not ours.
The national sins that plagued America before September 11, 2001, yet plague America today. There is no change in the overall direction of the country.
In fact, the pace of the race toward "big governmentism" (once known as socialism, fascism or communism) has quickened significantly. We are in more danger of losing our freedoms and liberties now than we were before those terrorist attacks. Furthermore, the principal threats are not from forces without, but from forces within, and Christians seem either oblivious or actually supportive of them.
Contrary to popular opinion, our leaders are taking us further away from constitutional government. The risks associated with many of our country's actions are huge. Despite the propaganda, America is vulnerable! We are vulnerable to the judgment of a righteous, omnipotent God!
Instead of beating our chests in pride and arrogance and exalting our own power and glory, we should be humbling ourselves before God and seeking His will. Our greatest threat is not al-Qaida, Iraq or Saddam Hussein. Our greatest threat is the judgment of God, and we have no army capable of victory against Him!
Sunday, April 6, 2003
NBC's David Bloom Dies in Iraq
Evidently from a pulmonary embolism. Sad, sad news.
From MSNBC:
Bloom had been co-anchor of the weekend editions of “Today” since March 2000. In his nearly 20-year career, Bloom covered many top stories for NBC News, most recently reporting from Israel on the escalating violence in the Middle East and from the U.S. on home front security and the recovery efforts at Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
In his most recent assignment — traveling with the 2nd Battalion, 315 Mechanized Unit of U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in its push toward Baghdad — Bloom scored what many believe to be a first: broadcasting live reports as the American armored column he was traveling with fought its way north through the Iraqi desert.
Evidently from a pulmonary embolism. Sad, sad news.
From MSNBC:
Bloom had been co-anchor of the weekend editions of “Today” since March 2000. In his nearly 20-year career, Bloom covered many top stories for NBC News, most recently reporting from Israel on the escalating violence in the Middle East and from the U.S. on home front security and the recovery efforts at Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
In his most recent assignment — traveling with the 2nd Battalion, 315 Mechanized Unit of U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in its push toward Baghdad — Bloom scored what many believe to be a first: broadcasting live reports as the American armored column he was traveling with fought its way north through the Iraqi desert.
What I like About Living Here
We did not change our clocks this morning. We never do and now until October we are in Central Time in my mind the best time.
What I Don't Like About Living Here
After a week with several days in the high 70's tonight the forecast calls for 2-4 inches of snow. It is also cold enough out this morning that the water in the birdbath is frozen.
We did not change our clocks this morning. We never do and now until October we are in Central Time in my mind the best time.
What I Don't Like About Living Here
After a week with several days in the high 70's tonight the forecast calls for 2-4 inches of snow. It is also cold enough out this morning that the water in the birdbath is frozen.
Saturday, April 5, 2003
Why I Don't Like Chinese Food!
I must provide the caption to the photo that comes from Yahoo.news:
A kitchen worker hits a water rat on the head to stun it before it is killed for a meal in a restaurent in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.
After Three Days in the High 70's...Snow Here This Morning
Nothing major, just some flurries mixed with sleet but a reminder that summer is a long way off yet.
I must provide the caption to the photo that comes from Yahoo.news:
A kitchen worker hits a water rat on the head to stun it before it is killed for a meal in a restaurent in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.
After Three Days in the High 70's...Snow Here This Morning
Nothing major, just some flurries mixed with sleet but a reminder that summer is a long way off yet.
Friday, April 4, 2003
Happy Birthday to Joseph!
Two years ago today I sat next to Amy as she gave birth to a wonderful little man who continues to delight and fascinate everyday!
Two years ago today I sat next to Amy as she gave birth to a wonderful little man who continues to delight and fascinate everyday!
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