Monthly Archives: August 2008

Why I like McCain’s pick

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I’m gonna be positive.  I’d rather not wade into the muck of leftist hypocrisy (I’ll leave that to Jeff G at Protein Wisdom — warning, not a good link if you want to avoid rough language, Jeff’s a bit um, colorful)

There are a lot of cruel things being said of the Governor, (most of the horrid ones are rehashed by partisans posting on twitter using the ‘Little Know Facts’ meme ) and sometimes you get a whisp of something substantial, somethings like experience (which is something she lacks in about the same proportion as Mr. Obama), or quality of eductaion (University of Idaho isn’t an Ivy league school).

But what intrigues me, the more I read and know about Sarah Palin is what she’s done with the little bit of time she’s had in office.  She is an anti-corruption warlord on par with Xena.  She went against the former Republican governor of Alaska in the primary, then after beating her Democratic challenger in the general election, sold the tax-payer paid for luxury jet on eBay, and flies commericial*, even favoring coach.  She also pretty much ended the pork-barrel funding of Ted Steven’s ‘bridge to nowhere’, and realigned any funds to other needed infrastructure in her state.

That fact is one that effects my vote, let states make funding decisions, stop earmarks at the federal level that only invite corruption and cronyism as people send money to home districts to keep getting elected.  I would rather pay more state taxes than to have federal taxes go to pork barrel projects. Because even though the capital of Texas is Austin, a hot bed of liberals, they know better what Texas needs than anyone in Washington (even though I’m sure KBH and Conyrn are fiscally responsible).

The one thing I do like about McCain is his refusal to send home pork money to his state, and I’d absolutely love it if he sent a bundle of veto’s back to congress telling them to trim the fat.  I don’t see Obama paying close attention to that, since his political philosophy is more of a centralized economy that a free-market, states-rights type of economy.

This isn’t a single issue election, but it seems that the GOP seems poised to start charging down the path to ‘change’ with the unorthodox pick of Ms. Palin as VP candidate.  Much more leaning that direction than picking a 35 year veteran from Deleware (which by the way has the same number of electoral votes as Alaska).

So as you read the scary stories of the gun-packing, moose-hunting, basketball-shooting, salmon-fishing, child-bearing, miss congeniality, consider the source, research it a bit, and listen to what McCain and Palin say they’ll do, and reflect on what they’ve already done.

Peace.

*There is even a blog post out there that has this story and debunks the horrible ‘Sarah Palin’s son is really her daughter’s baby’ rumor, where in writing the post the author parenthetically comments on her being pregnant.  One of the wonderful thing about internet diaries is they record these details, which are easily overlooked by nefarious smear machines.

Daily Walk 365 – Day 7

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In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility… — Titus 2:7 (NKJV)

One thing I can say, a week into this exercise.  It’s been easier to hold my temper, be patient, and show other fruits of the Spirit.  Its been easier to resist the nagging temptations.  This pastoral advice for a young Titus is a good reminder for old folks like me as well, it doesn’t make living harder… it makes it alive.

Good discussion this morning in Sunday School, we discussed passages in Hebrews 12.  Loads of encouragement between people, and good discussions about being Christian each day, in the workplace, at home, not just on Sunday.

By no means am I trying to say that I’m perfect, or always choose to be incorruptible.  But that is what I, increasingly, want to try to achieve.

Palin / Quayle comparisons

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They seem to be rife throughout the internets…

Some little remembered facts about Quayle… (from Wikipedia)

  • Bush was trailing by as much as 15 points to Dukakis before the Republican Convention in 88.
  • Senator John McCain, said of Quayle “I can’t believe a guy that handsome wouldn’t have some impact.”
  • Sure enough, post convention the Bush/Quayle got a bump, and never trailed.
  • Despite the well remembered gaffe in the VP debate (“You are no Jack Kennedy”), Quayle wasn’t remembered for being compared to Lloyd Bentsen in the experience question.
  • The Bush/Quayle ticket went on to win the November election with a 53–46 margin by sweeping 40 states and capturing 426 electoral votes.

So, be careful with the Quayle comparisons… Remember Bush/Quayle won.  It was Bush Sr. that killed his re-election chances with the ‘No New Taxes’ flub.

Daily Walk 365 – Day 6

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This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. — Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)

And this from Phillip Yancey:

Some of us seem so anxious about avoiding hell that we forget to celebrate our journey toward heaven.

I love that song.  Especially the SKA version I heard about 8 years ago.  The racous music and rough singing was at contrast to the lyrics, but that was what made it unique.  As is each day we live in the Lord, each uniquely made for us to enjoy, and be glad for.

Daily Walk 365 – Day 5

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Your old life is dead.  Your new life, which is your real life — even though invisible to spectators — is with Christ in God.  He is your life. — Colossians 3:3 (MSG)

I always enjoy Eugene Petersen’s (author of The Message paraphrase) take on the scriptures.  He speaks my language.  For reference here is the traditional verse:

for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. —Col 3:3 (NET)

If we’ve died to self, then we must live for Christ.  To spectators, it may look as though nothing has changed in this new life of ours.  Overtime, our obedience to Christ, through His discipline and training, will begin to change us into something new.  And when we look back, and perhaps others — spectators — do too, the change will be drastic.  Though in the now, the change is slow almost to the point it isn’t observable.  The focus, as Paul points out in other places too, isn’t on what has happened, but will happen.  Letting go, straining forward — racing.

Have a good race.

Talking back to the headlines

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The following were headlines in Inside Yahoo! today, and my inner voice responses:

  • Obama seeks a personal touch within a huge stadium – most people would shun him as a pervert.
  • Officials my evacuate New Orleans as Gustav nears – what did Gustav ever do to them?
  • Georgia: S. Ossetia ethnic cleansing nearly done – Phew, at least something are still on track.
  • Economy rebounds in 2Q – Yet another quarter without a recession, I feel a little cheated.
  • Bill and Hillary, at least, leave the stage – Didn’t we get rid of them 8 years ago?
  • Hollywood stars talk politics at Dem convention – A spelling word got missed by the editor its spelled D-U-M-B.
  • Microsoft’s newest browser may block ads – May fry your hard drive and send your grandma all your pr0n too.

Daily Walk 365 – Day 4

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)

Lists are good things.  We try to make list for our days, little bits of routine to make our lives work.  Hints to remind ourselves, and sometimes our children, to do each day to make our lives easier.  Here Paul gives an ‘everyday’ list, the type of thing you put at the top of your Outlook calendar, when you check the ‘All Day Event’ box.  Then at the top of each day you’ll see:

  • Rejoice
  • Pray
  • Give Thanks

Can it get any easier?  How come it seems so hard?

Me and my mommed ride

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Some public confessions first from my lunch hour foray in tho the wilds of Richardson (namely Cambell and Central in front of Atlanta Bread Company)

To the eldergy gentleman riding the nice harley:

I hope you don’t take my angry gestures personally, I wasn’t that bothered by the fact that you were backing out of a full-sized parking space in to the wrong lane, then used that lane to turn into exit lane, which was impeding my driving past the front of the restaurant.  I wasn’t angrily gesturing at you, rather at…

To the nice young man driving the beemer behind me:

I’m sorry that my lack of a turn signal confused you into thinking that I was turning right, rather than proceeding through.  It certainly would have confused me too, especially since you couldn’t have known the actions of the above mentioned biker in slowing down traffic in four directions.  I’m happy to have helped you in your quarterly inspection of you personal traffic control device (aka irritating small car horn), it does indeed work.  I’m unsure why you repeated the inspection procedure so many times in such a short duration.  Perhaps you’ve had better luck with you device actually clearing traffic in front of your much more important car.  I hope you weren’t late by the 10 extra seconds it took for the biker to clear the lane so I could drive through.

Now on to my regularly scheduled post

Multimedia message This is my ride.  I changed from my sporty 99 Mercury Sable for car pooling reasons, since my morning commute now includes 4 junior passengers that are dropped off along my circuitous route to work.  Its throughly mommed, and I’m certainly man enough to drive this hunk of car.  So when I roll up to you in this ride, don’t be shocked.

Daily Walk 365 – Day 3

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Are ya bored yet? 😉

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. — James 1:5 (HCSB)

How many times have I tried to find wisdom without asking God. This self-help book, this seminar, this special on TV, this episode of Oprah (well not many times that last one) Truth be told on the wisdom front, I too often trust my intuition rather than specifically asking God — to my shame.

Last night SS commentary talked about discipline (Hebrews 13ish IIRC) and how God disciplines those he loves. The commentary compared how we discipline (often poorly, selfishly, and pridefully) to God’s discipline (which is awesome, unselfish and beneficial to us). Our reaction to discipline is much like our kids, we don’t like it, but when we’ve learned our lesson we’re cherish their loving correction.

I think its like that with asking for wisdom (and this verse isn’t asking for wealth, prosperity, good feelings, which given the ongoing trials, discipline growth put to rest any ‘name it — claim it’ notions). In being a good disciplinarian, God wants us to ask Him for wisdom. But he won’t nag us, complain or belittle us if we act like a teenager and seek that elsewhere. He’ll wait for us to fall, fail and flounder then graciously help us up, dust us off, and remind us that He’s always here to help.

Do we disappoint him when we fail?

Seeking wisdom elsewhere is a childish thing (also called teenage rebellion), as we mature we should put away childish things, and seek the source of wisdom, and heed it.

Peace.

Daily Routine

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Multimedia messageThe return of school brings with it the return of routine.  Summer is filled with chaotic non-routineness that makes it difficult at times.  School is the chance to start again with a new routine.  The first day is a given, everyone’s nervous and its almost a relief to get out of bed, its what happens on day 2+ which makes what happens each morning a routine.  By the end of the first week, we’ll be settled into whatever we’re going to do each morning.

So now is the time to change the patterns.

Pattern 1:  Morning — enjoy it, don’t miss it:  What do I mean?  Confession:  I usually crawl out of bed in just enough time to wake all the kids, and scramble out in time to get them to school before the bell rings.  Now is the time, to make each morning different.  Enjoy the conversations, give the kids time to wake up and get moving without a rush, break the fast together, and start the day right.  Today was a great start.  Thank you honey.

Pattern 2: Devotional — get straight: The top picture is my morning allotment of reading material. I usually do it over coffee when I get to the office.  In the spirit of confession, I haven’t done that at all, and it effects my endurance at the end of the day. While it might seem overkill all stacked up together, its isn’t more than a couple of pages in each book, easily done.  When I’m straight with God, I’m straight with myself, and it makes me a better person, husband, employee and friend.  I shouldn’t let this slip.

Pattern 3: Return to home — This is a routine that needs to be well thought out.  And it hasn’t ever been, its been more ad hoc than regular in past years.  This year, my two daughters are middle schoolers, and in a bit of a no-mans land when its time for school to get out.  Walking home is a challenging distance, and two major roads cause me and Angie to worry.  However, Liberty Rec Center is a shorter distance, and on my way home.  Yesterday the girls waited there for me to pick them up, and — they enjoyed it!  Sooo.. an opportunity presents itself.  A routine of picking them up at the Rec Center will scream at me to start doing that whole exercise thing I’ve been promising to get around to, and I hope to incorporate that into a routine as well.

Like I mentioned previously, this is day two, we’ll see how it shakes out by the end of week two, but for now, I see a lot of promise in our changes.