Someone sent me their quote of the week and it got my political mind in gear. It was a quote of the late Malcolm Ford.
“ It's so much easier to suggest solutions when you don't know too much about the problem.”
Malcolm Forbes (1919 - 1990)
How well that fits in the political arena. So often we hear trite, silly or outright false opinions from people who should do a little homework before they speak..
Most issues are broad and cut both for and against our opinions. We should at least have done a modicum of research before we utter words about a particular issue. It makes me remember the scripture that says “a fool is wise in his own sight”. Words without significant thought are usually foolish at best.
Neither political party is absent from this statement. Even our current legislators are guilty of speaking of that which they know little.
Seems to me that words should be measured as to their accuracy. Words should mirror body language. Words should convey a position well. Words should not create tension or combativeness.
Your opponent will more likely respect you if your words are accurate and articulated well with respect. Your opponent may be brought over to your view if you communicate well and articulate your positions with accuracy and understanding of the subject.
Yes it is easier to suggest solutions to problems we don’t understand. However we have lost respect to those who do. I consider that a poor trade off. Don’t you?
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
A Prayer By Mike Huckabee
Dear Lord, we are a nation in trouble and we won't blame political parties or politicians for our growing desperate economic and moral condition. We acknowledge that we, your people, are to be salt and light, and have failed to be your presence before our friends, family, and nation. We ask for your forgiveness of our selfishness and sin, and ask that you will speak to our leaders and intervene in the direction of our nation. We pray that we will show mercy and compassion to the poor, the unemployed, those who fight illness, and those who are discouraged. We ask that you will bring mercy and compassion to our country, which has become impoverished in spirit. Bless our nation and its leaders. Give wisdom to our President, the members of our Congress, our nation's Governors and legislatures, our mayors, and others whose decisions impact all of our lives. We thank you for your goodness and grace to our country. We accept your will for our future.
Amen!
Dear Lord, we are a nation in trouble and we won't blame political parties or politicians for our growing desperate economic and moral condition. We acknowledge that we, your people, are to be salt and light, and have failed to be your presence before our friends, family, and nation. We ask for your forgiveness of our selfishness and sin, and ask that you will speak to our leaders and intervene in the direction of our nation. We pray that we will show mercy and compassion to the poor, the unemployed, those who fight illness, and those who are discouraged. We ask that you will bring mercy and compassion to our country, which has become impoverished in spirit. Bless our nation and its leaders. Give wisdom to our President, the members of our Congress, our nation's Governors and legislatures, our mayors, and others whose decisions impact all of our lives. We thank you for your goodness and grace to our country. We accept your will for our future.
Amen!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Gerald Chester Posted this description of the history of Halloween. Thanks Gerald! I have posted it in its entirety.
Halloween According to Wikipedia, the word “Halloween” is a contraction of “all hallows’ evening”. “All hallows’” is derived from an old English phrase that meant “mass-day of all saints”. The origin of the Halloween is also tied to the fall harvest and pagan festivals of the dead. So there appears to be a confluence of themes associated with Halloween.
Today Halloween is largely a pagan celebration. There is little connection to Christ except for the fact that on October 31, 1517 the Reformation was born. So I like to think about today as Reformation Day.
The Reformation was a benchmark event in Christian history that marked a return to sound doctrine. The church in the 16th Century had become very dualistic and money-driven. The clergy used the laity for their own agenda.
Martin Luther was a Roman Catholic priest who began to read and study Scripture. What he discovered, among other things, was the truth of justification by faith through Christ as the sole means for salvation.
The church was not teaching this doctrine, but rather using fear and manipulation to control the laity. The laity bought the right to be saved by money and loyal service to the clergy.
Martin Luther responded to this doctrinal corruption by writing a protest and posting it for public discussion on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany on this date in 1517.
What followed was a return to holistic biblical truth regarding the true nature of salvation, the authority of Scripture, the priesthood of all believers, dignity and value of work, and the calling of all believers. This is worthy of celebration.
Attached is an article that touches on some of these themes.
Happy Reformation Day!
Today Halloween is largely a pagan celebration. There is little connection to Christ except for the fact that on October 31, 1517 the Reformation was born. So I like to think about today as Reformation Day.
The Reformation was a benchmark event in Christian history that marked a return to sound doctrine. The church in the 16th Century had become very dualistic and money-driven. The clergy used the laity for their own agenda.
Martin Luther was a Roman Catholic priest who began to read and study Scripture. What he discovered, among other things, was the truth of justification by faith through Christ as the sole means for salvation.
The church was not teaching this doctrine, but rather using fear and manipulation to control the laity. The laity bought the right to be saved by money and loyal service to the clergy.
Martin Luther responded to this doctrinal corruption by writing a protest and posting it for public discussion on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany on this date in 1517.
What followed was a return to holistic biblical truth regarding the true nature of salvation, the authority of Scripture, the priesthood of all believers, dignity and value of work, and the calling of all believers. This is worthy of celebration.
Attached is an article that touches on some of these themes.
Happy Reformation Day!
 | Martin Luther's View of Faith & Work | Institute for Faith, Work & Economics Blog
What was Martin Luther's view of faith & work? Luther initially rediscovered the biblical doctrine o...
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Monday, March 12, 2012
Left, Right, Middle = Fallible!
Systems are fallible because those of us who administer them are fallible. We screw up systems that could work.
It may be true some systems may be better than others.
The problem throughout history remains the same. As humans we are selfish and look out for ourselves. The left looks out for the left. The same is true for the right. People are people. Most think they are right and others are wrong. What if most were wrong? We are busy making villan's of others and seeing ourselves as the sole supply of truth. Maybe we are unable to see the forest for the trees.
We take comfort in others of our own mind. The know little if anything about the other side but our friends stroke our egos and eagerly take our side.
Oh yes, I too have an opinion. Mankind is flawed. He is screwed up. He is sick inside. Jesus the Christ came not to foster the rise of capitalism nor to defend the constitution or any other institution. (things I love I might add) He came to save sinners like me . Do Christians always do the right things? Certainly not. Often they find themselves part of the problem.
I love the expressions by Phillip Yancy when he announces in his book What's So Amazing about Grace. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more. Then Yancy turns the statement around. He says, " There is nothing you can do to get God to love you less". That's just amazing!
We talk about unconditional love but God wrote the book on it. We make attempts at it but GOD has done it in his Son. So left or right, it all comes to naught. But God is eternally faithful to his promises.
His promises are a free gift to those who thankfully and graciously receive them.
The problem throughout history remains the same. As humans we are selfish and look out for ourselves. The left looks out for the left. The same is true for the right. People are people. Most think they are right and others are wrong. What if most were wrong? We are busy making villan's of others and seeing ourselves as the sole supply of truth. Maybe we are unable to see the forest for the trees.
We take comfort in others of our own mind. The know little if anything about the other side but our friends stroke our egos and eagerly take our side.
Oh yes, I too have an opinion. Mankind is flawed. He is screwed up. He is sick inside. Jesus the Christ came not to foster the rise of capitalism nor to defend the constitution or any other institution. (things I love I might add) He came to save sinners like me . Do Christians always do the right things? Certainly not. Often they find themselves part of the problem.
I love the expressions by Phillip Yancy when he announces in his book What's So Amazing about Grace. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more. Then Yancy turns the statement around. He says, " There is nothing you can do to get God to love you less". That's just amazing!
We talk about unconditional love but God wrote the book on it. We make attempts at it but GOD has done it in his Son. So left or right, it all comes to naught. But God is eternally faithful to his promises.
His promises are a free gift to those who thankfully and graciously receive them.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Joe Paterno - A Story of Man and the Value of a Reputation
The Story of Joe Paterno and his fall at Penn State should be a warning for all of us.
How easy it is for us to defend institutions and their reputations at all costs. It could be a school, a business, a Church and even and idea.
Moral Failure, in a moment, is able to change how people will remember us. They will remember clearly how we built them up or how we let them down. Our Legacy will be remembered. "How" we are remembered is the question. We need to be diligent not to fall into the kind of trap that Joe fell into.
Are you holding on to something at all costs? Who might you hurt in the process? Food for thought, don't you think?
Tommy Tomlinson of the Charlotte Observer inspired this post and tells the Paterno story with great insight and wisdom. See his post here!
How easy it is for us to defend institutions and their reputations at all costs. It could be a school, a business, a Church and even and idea.
Moral Failure, in a moment, is able to change how people will remember us. They will remember clearly how we built them up or how we let them down. Our Legacy will be remembered. "How" we are remembered is the question. We need to be diligent not to fall into the kind of trap that Joe fell into.
Are you holding on to something at all costs? Who might you hurt in the process? Food for thought, don't you think?
Tommy Tomlinson of the Charlotte Observer inspired this post and tells the Paterno story with great insight and wisdom. See his post here!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Pain in the World
Lack of Food & Money, Sickness are clearly seen around our globe. The enormity of painful situations lead may to Grief, Hopelessness and Frustration, even Desperation.
Some reach to man to solve the problems via technology and/or political and social reform.
The cause of pain and inequity in the world are pinned on many scapegoats. Some say greed, political power struggles or an economic system have created our problems.
Many suggestions might help our world in some degree but our condition is unlikely to change as a result of man's resources.
Every man is short sighted and flawed. That includes you and me. The result is inadequacy in all solutions we manufacture.
This inadequacy of man, this imperfection is called sin in my book. Since sin is universal in this world as we know it will always be flawed.
Today in many parts of the world including the United States Christianity is considered as bigoted, even negative.
There are reasons for this. The message of Christianity is often lost in the behavior of Christians. Many foolish things have been done in the name of Christ.
Secondly there is an amazing lack of honest scholarship in the rhetoric of intellectuals in the world.
However the message of the Gospel is a message of Grace. The message first simply says that sin is the source of pain in this world. While Pain and inequity will stay in this world, desperation and helplessness need not.
The good news, Faith in Christ is the antidote to sin. The God Man Jesus Christ, died and rose again that may could know God by Faith trusting God as Savior. The result is Hope and Expectancy. We won't see perfection is this life but a better life later awaits us. We can however, experience His peace now that surpasses understanding.
That's a good start! We can expand of this later.
Some reach to man to solve the problems via technology and/or political and social reform.
The cause of pain and inequity in the world are pinned on many scapegoats. Some say greed, political power struggles or an economic system have created our problems.
Many suggestions might help our world in some degree but our condition is unlikely to change as a result of man's resources.
Every man is short sighted and flawed. That includes you and me. The result is inadequacy in all solutions we manufacture.
This inadequacy of man, this imperfection is called sin in my book. Since sin is universal in this world as we know it will always be flawed.
Today in many parts of the world including the United States Christianity is considered as bigoted, even negative.
There are reasons for this. The message of Christianity is often lost in the behavior of Christians. Many foolish things have been done in the name of Christ.
Secondly there is an amazing lack of honest scholarship in the rhetoric of intellectuals in the world.
However the message of the Gospel is a message of Grace. The message first simply says that sin is the source of pain in this world. While Pain and inequity will stay in this world, desperation and helplessness need not.
The good news, Faith in Christ is the antidote to sin. The God Man Jesus Christ, died and rose again that may could know God by Faith trusting God as Savior. The result is Hope and Expectancy. We won't see perfection is this life but a better life later awaits us. We can however, experience His peace now that surpasses understanding.
That's a good start! We can expand of this later.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Courage - A Commodity In Short Supply
Someone posted this quote on Twitter recently.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. The quote was not attributed to anyone.
In today's charged political and religious climate this quote comes at a most appropriate time. Opponents used to discuss issues on which they differed with each other. In this day and age it is more likely for opponents to make their views known among those of like mind via social networking and other media. The rhetoric is often personal, seldom well thought out and increasingly hostile.
Valid viewpoints often go unheard nor considered by opponents. Countries and people become charged with animosity, even hatred.
Courage to speak involves preparation and due diligence. Courage also takes compassion and wisdom. It is in tune with it audience. Courage knows when withhold comment. Courage creates a climate of respect by knowing how and when to speak and take appropriate action.
Having courage does not assure that we will not have enemies but it assists us in not making "needless" opponents.
Having courage is far more likely to bring people together than push them apart.
It takes a wise person to have true courage.
So who am I and who are you? Are we part of the problem or part of the solution? Does our life represent true courage do we retreat to anger, a unprepared mind and name calling.
True courage takes time, work and wisdom. True courage is often first led by example than spoken with insight and strength.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. The quote was not attributed to anyone.
In today's charged political and religious climate this quote comes at a most appropriate time. Opponents used to discuss issues on which they differed with each other. In this day and age it is more likely for opponents to make their views known among those of like mind via social networking and other media. The rhetoric is often personal, seldom well thought out and increasingly hostile.
Valid viewpoints often go unheard nor considered by opponents. Countries and people become charged with animosity, even hatred.
Courage to speak involves preparation and due diligence. Courage also takes compassion and wisdom. It is in tune with it audience. Courage knows when withhold comment. Courage creates a climate of respect by knowing how and when to speak and take appropriate action.
Having courage does not assure that we will not have enemies but it assists us in not making "needless" opponents.
Having courage is far more likely to bring people together than push them apart.
It takes a wise person to have true courage.
So who am I and who are you? Are we part of the problem or part of the solution? Does our life represent true courage do we retreat to anger, a unprepared mind and name calling.
True courage takes time, work and wisdom. True courage is often first led by example than spoken with insight and strength.
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