Archive for the ‘Obama’ Category
Evangelicals: Now is Not the Time to Spike the Football
I was as happy as you were that the Supreme Court upheld the closely held corporation, Hobby Lobby’s, right to not provide coverage for the 4 abortifacients in the Affordable Care Act. While in no way do I pretend to understand the field of law, the argumentation that closely held corporations appear, function, and act more like individuals than they do corporations made common sense to me – and hence, applying the Constitutional right to dissent to the mandatory coverage of the 4 abortifacients in Affordable Care Act seemed appropriate.
All of that said, now is not the time to spike the football. Evangelicals cannot rely on the Supreme Court, Congress, the Senate, nor the Executive branches to make America a “Christian nation” once again. I am pretty confident that I love America as much as you do, but the reality is that we are a post-Christian nation that is growing increasingly undiscerning. The people/culture(s) of America lack the worldview needed to understand the logical consequences of the breakdown of gender, marriage, and the family (the most fundamental unit of society). The people/culture(s) of America have created a Swiss cheese patchwork quilt from a variety of different worldviews to piecemeal together sets of ideas that justify their behaviors, lifestyles, sin patterns, and addictions.
In other words, we cannot rely on the federal government to be a positive agent of cultural change in America. Cultural change happens at a wide variety of levels but politicians and bureaucrats are chameleons which change their skin color based on the popular opinion – this is why politics is more of a reflection of the culture(s) rather than the driver of the culture(s). Evangelicals have a Herculean task ahead of them to engage the drifting, aimless, and anesthetized conglomeration of sub-cultures that comprise this thing we call the United States of America.
Culture flows out of people’s wants and desires. People’s wants and desires flow out of their hearts. If you want cultural change then you have to see changed hearts. If you want changed hearts then you must see the Holy Spirit remove the heart of stone and replace it with the heart of flesh. If you want the Spirit to move then you must pray for Him to move and you must be faithful to share the Gospel winsomely, clearly, and boldly. I am not saying don’t vote, or don’t engage politically; however, we cannot lobby or legislate people into the Kingdom of God.
Best Links of the Week
Thorough article analyzing “Why the Arabic World Turned Away from Science” (HT: Nancy Pearcey)
50 pictures of some pretty crazy church architectures (HT: HG)
Christian-ese that should be put to rest
Scathing anecdotal piece of UCC minister complaining about all the conversations with people who are “spiritual but not religious”
Thank you for sharing, spiritual but not religious sunset person. You are now comfortably in the norm for self-centered American culture, right smack in the bland majority of people who find ancient religions dull but find themselves uniquely fascinating.
Sad but true comic: “The Evolution of Intellectual Freedom” (HT: BL)
I always look forward to 9Marks eJournals, this one entitled, “How Much Should You Pay Your Pastors?” was particularly good.
NYTimes article, “One Size Fits Nobody” on the crazy world of (women’s) clothing sizes
Thrice new single, “Promises”
ps. Sorry it has been forever since posting… for the handful of you that find these posts interesting
Best Links of the Week
Russell Moore has an interesting piece on the parallels between what Romance Novels do for women and what Pornography does for men.
Here is a nice rebuttal of Harold Camping and the whole world ending on 5/21/2011. Also a man spent his life savings putting up those billboards everywhere. This highlights the need for doing theology in community. Doing theology on islands doesn’t turn out well. Also, the ministry has an estimated worth of $72 million, although this may be a bit misleading as the lionshare of this is in FCC licenses.
Reportedly on 60 Minutes this evening, George Hincapie weighs in on Lance Armstrong and the use of PEDs. This is interesting because unlike Floyd Landis and Tyler Hamilton, Hincapie actually has credibility and is probably the cyclist closest to Armstrong. Would be pretty sad if true.
Ray Lewis says one unintended consequence of the NFL Lockout will be a rise in crime. I think I am actually inclined to agree with Lewis and am wondering if he read Freakonomics recently.
N.T. Wright weighs in on Stephen Hawking’s comments about heaven
Tim Challies annual, “Where & Why We Buy Books”
Medvedev warns of new Cold War over missile defense shield
Egyptian Saif al-Adel now acting leader of al Qaeda
Iran reportedly building rocket bases in Venezuala
Dark Tower trilogy of movies and two tv series may be nixed. For those who don’t know this is some of Stephen King’s best work and was a very seminal body of work for the television show LOST.
San Francisco man reportedly “cured” of AIDS
Several Hedge Fund managers buying up massive amounts of farmland
Some Wikileaks documents of Gitmo files shed light on enhanced interrogation techniques and unintentionally bolster their effectiveness
Shallow Small Groups:
Really well produced and themed time lapse:
Best Links of the Week
Love, Forgiveness and Basketball – some backstory on Chris Paul and his relationship with his grandfather
How Taxpayers Subsidize March Madness – pretty fascinating article
Dissension growing between Putin and Medvedev as Medvedev wants to stay on as President in Russia. This is a more important story than meets the eye. Most Americans think Russia is irrelevant but they really ought to pay attention to what is going on there. In my estimation, Russia is making a major comeback and is completely flying underneath the radar in the shadow of India, China, and the usual Mid East drama.
Kevin DeYoung has a nice piece on, Money and Possessions in Proverbs
21 Disturbing Statistics Regarding Student Loans
Seth Godin on the difference between hard work and long work – definitely a helpful distinction
WSJ Article, 1 in 7 americans on food stamps
Feds suing more anti-abortion activists
Osama Bin Laden articles:
Gave rabbits to 12 year old neighbor (kinda creepy and reminds me a bit of Benjamin Linus)
Some breakdown of the compound and some more here
Probably the best write-up of the raid I’ve seen yet is from NPR
Bin Laden compound gets bad reviews on Google Places
Part Two of the Keynes vs. Hayek Rap Videos:
Purdue’s record setting Rude Goldberg machine:
Best Links of the Week
38% of Americans fail the U.S. Citizenship test
Strange circumstances surrounding Obama administration policy on action in Libya
Some interesting analysis of cash-only doctors practices
Pastor Accused of Denying Communion to Churchgoers who Didn’t Give Tax Refunds
Scott Walker explains in WSJ Why I’m Fighting in Wisconsin
Chad Ochocinco trying out for Kansas City’s MLS soccer club
There Aren’t Enough Millionaires… (to cover our fiscal/deficit woes)
Hedge Funds had large plays against Japanese economy before earthquake/tsunami
Alan Greenspan says Obama Administration is “Too Active” in Economy.
Possible use of Large Hadron Collider as a time machine?
Obama Budget Underestimates Deficits by $2 Trillion
Kevin DeYoung has a thorough review of Rob Bell’s “Love Wins”
Devastating article examining the essay grading industry
Kindle to be free by the 4th Quarter of 2011?
Journalist grills Rob Bell:
Best Links of the Week
George W. Bush has a few refreshingly rare words for a former president in a recent interview:
I don’t want to go out and campaign for candidates. I don’t want to be viewed as a perpetual money-raiser. I don’t want to be on these talk shows giving my opinion, second-guessing the current president. I think it’s bad for the country, frankly, to have a former president criticize his successor. It’s tough enough to be president as it is without a former president undermining the current president. Plus, I don’t want to do that.
Huge insult during Chinese delegation visit and huge blunder by Obama administration – “A State Insult with Chinese Charateristics.” This further highlights
Indian government has a $35 tablet computer.
“Why You Should Always Run Up the Score” – First Things
GOP entertaining privatizing Medicare.
The most sued companies in America. Surprise, all the usual subprime suspects lead the list…
China keeps ramping up the dollar rhetoric.
FCIC Report – Financial Crisis was Avoidable – I am not sure whether this is the case or not. It is a rather complex question of whether it was avoidable or not. It leaves me with the question, does human irrationality not necessitate the existence of irrational bubbles?
Over 99% vote for secession in Southern Sudan
Drug smugglers attempt to catapult drugs over U.S./Mexico border. Nothing like profit driving innovation… I wonder if they came up with their pot trebuchet idea while smoking pot.
Tons of British Anglicans fleeing the Anglican church in favor of Roman Catholicism
Baseball player walks away from $12 million salary because he says he ‘doesn’t deserve it.’
Rafi Eitan recounts the story of their capture of Nazi Holocaust chief architect Adolf Eichmann.
Truly excellent interview with Francis Ford Coppola:
There is something we know that’s connected with beauty and truth. There is something ancient. We know that art is about beauty, and therefore it has to be about truth.
UN spends $288,700 per “green job”
Consumer confidence crashing in the UK
11% of all homes are vacant in U.S. – this amounts to 18 million homes
Florida Judge rules that Obamacare is unconstitutional. In the same vein, “Tawdry Details of Obamacare”
“Greatest Putt-Putt Shot Ever”
Smooth Criminal on Cello
Best Links of the Week
“The Supreme Courts Back Alley Runs Through Philadelphia.” A story on how Roe v. Wade makes regulating abortion clinics exceedingly difficult and opens the doors for the horrific squalor and infanticide of the clinic in Philadelphia.
Summary of a really interesting survey of evangelicals in the UK.
Billy Graham regrets not steering clear of politics and regrets not spending more time with family.
Mark Sanchez picks his nose and wipes it on his backup QB, video here. (HT: Aaron)
Consumer Watchdog and privacy group is raising concerns over close ties between Google, the NSA, and the present federal government.
Christian Astronomy Professor successfully sues the University of Kentucky for religious discrimination against him.
Iran has cleared a major hurdle in the uranium enrichment process.
Solid WSJ report on their murdered reporter Daniel Pearl.
U.S. Taxpayers have footed the $160 million legal bill for the executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Unbelievable and unconscionable.
Government Unions are trying to court the TSA to join their ranks.
Chuck DeGroat continues his series on dealing with difficult people with an excellent piece on dealing with the borderline (passive-aggressive).
“Bernanke’s Rally Runs into Headwinds”
A fairly thorough dossier on the American mafia.
Check your Munis as a bunch of states are quietly looking at bankruptcy.
Donald Trump has some harsh words on the pomp and show put on for the Chinese president.
Two Italian scientists (with suspect pasts) claim they have successfully found cold fusion. No offense to my Italian friends, but this is very doubtful.
Double dip in the housing market.
UPDATE: The appalling story of the Philadelphia abortion doctor who was charged with eight counts of murder, who had squalid conditions and random baby parts in jars… women are coming forward saying that he left them sterile. Also in this vein, Al Mohler had a good piece on the President’s comments on the Roe v. Wade anniversary speech.
“People are Awesome”:
Best Links of the Week
Makoto Fujimura has an excellent open letter to the churches in North America concerning Art and Christianity.
Interesting piece on how Google avoids the USA’s 35% corporate tax employing a “double irish” and “double sandwhich” strategy.
“Top Ten Mistakes Made by n00b Car Buyers” – I might add a #11 to this list that says buying a new car instead of a quality used one.
John Muether has a provocative piece on social media over at the Ligonier Blog. I think he is a bit out of touch at points but makes some excellent points as well. A worthwhile read.
One of my seminary professors (Chuck Hill) pieces in the Huffington Post of all places – “The Conspiracy Theory of the Gospels.” Also, Chuck has an important book coming out entitled, “Who Chose the Gospels.”
FED pumping $600,000,000,000.00 into the system for some “quantitative easing.”
Oxford, Rice, and Open University release a bunch of free ebooks on iTunesU.
Details on the new “Touchdown Jesus“… this is the Cincinnati, OH version and not the Notre Dame version.
Excellent Piece from 60 Minutes on how Wall Street and employers have used and abused 401ks to the detriment of the working man:
This commercial makes some good critiques of the smartphone age… not sure how it really connects to the actual smartphone it is promoting… but the critique is sound… Really?
Best Links of the Week
“Advice for Theological Students” and “More Advice for Theological Students and Pastors” are both absolutely fantastic gems gleaned from Kevin DeYoung.
“Developers Trying To Treat Houses Like Copyright; Want A Cut Of Every Future Resale” and even worse than this, the financial firm pushing this garbage is in the process of securitizing these hidden ‘resale contract covenants.’ No offense, but it is greedy morons like these guys who got us into the whole sub-prime mess. I am all for free-market economics, but I really hope the free-market (particularly the hedge funds) decides to vote ‘no’ with their feet.
“A List of Important Sermons and Articles Worth Reading” (HT: JT) – this is an excellent excellent list. There are a good number of these that I have not read. I am particularly excited about those that I have not read that have multiple commendations.
Nancy Pearcey dissects the affect of secularism on America and its’ disability to provide a cogent response to radical Islam.
Here is also a really good interview with Nancy Pearcey on her new book “Saving Leonardo.” Coincidentally she also weighs in on James Daveson Hunter’s new book (see next link)
James K. A. Smith’s review of James Daveson Hunter’s “To Change the World”
Excellent article in The Atlantic from Jeffrey Goldberg analyzing the likelihood and aftermath of an Israeli preemptive strike against the Iranian nuclear program.
Typewriter robot art… very Philip K. Dick-esque
Self-assembling biological photovolatics
Canadian PhD student creates human powered aircraft with large flapping wings. One of the craziest things I’ve ever seen.
Pacman with 111 human pixels:
Best Links of the Week
Typhoon Class Russian Submarine
Much greater activity by Russian submarines in the North Atlantic. By the way, The Hunt for Red October, is one of my favorite books and movie.
Famous man-caves. My favorite is Frank Lloyd-Wright’s man-cave.
Russia-Asia/Pacific pipeline begins development. This is probably the most important and substantial piece of news this week or month but it will not even make a blip on the radar of any major news outlet. This pipeline will substantially change the path of Russian oil from the Europe to Asia. Russia is very very well positioned for the future. This move is smart, strategic, and sound. It ensures that neither Indo-China nor the EU will give Russia any major political problems, while it also ensures a steady cash flow to their already commodity rich economy. Water, food (mainly corn), oil, lending, and parity make the world go round. If that sentence makes no sense to you, then you don’t grasp globalization yet. Politics and economics are two sides of the same coin whose fiat is power. In my opinion, Vladimir Putin and the Russian technocratic government are wicked brilliant. If the United States wants to be relevant in the 22nd Century we need to return to sound fiscal policy and streamlined government.
Russell Moore brings needed clarity to Glenn Beck’s rally in Washington D.C.
GMail now introduces priority inbox: “Incoming email gets separated into sections: important and unread, starred, and everything else. Don’t like these? Customize them.” This is super helpful as I have been already doing something like this with a system of marking unread and color coded stars (superstars GMail plugin). It will be rolled out throughout this week and has yet to been offered in my account yet, but I cannot wait.
Carl Trueman has a great piece on pastors actually knowing the people in their church.
“Why ∏A = gUG + min(k-g, (1-g)(1-r)) equals low airline fares”
A really really thorough post on how to completely extricate your online footprint… complete with ungoogling, social networking deletion, down to much more minor minutiae.
Stormpulse is a really nice weather and hurricane website I discovered this week.
Ridiculous between the legs tennis shot by Roger Federer:
Modern Pensées 