Jonathan Edwards Quotes

A few sayings from that great American theologian, philosopher of British American Puritanism, and stimulator of the religious revivial "Great Awakening", who lived from 1703 to 1758.

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“Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life.”

“Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.”

“The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.”

“I assert that nothing ever comes to pass without a cause.”

“The best, most beautiful, and most perfect way that we have of expressing a sweet concord of mind to each other is by music.”

“Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.”

Commander in Chief: No Experience Needed

According to this article:

Though the next president will probably command soldiers in two separate wars, few of those hoping to win the job can say they've ever seen combat or even taken abuse from a drill sergeant.

Of the 18 announced Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, only Republicans John McCain and Duncan Hunter have served on the front lines. Three others served in noncombat roles and another two served in the reserves.

Sigh.

WWW: Swedish Prison Porn

In the first edition of Weird World Wednesday (WWW), I submit to you this excerpt from Sweden:

The Supreme Administrative Court in Stockholm last week ruled that the Swedish Prison and Probation Service had no right to deny a rape convict access to his porn magazines.

Prison officials had argued that reading porn would interfere with the man's rehabilitation program. They also said the magazines posed a security problem for staff and other inmates because they could increase the risk of the man relapsing into criminal behavior.

But the court, whose ruling cannot be appealed, said the prison service failed to prove that the magazines could "jeopardize the security of the institution."

Just another sad example of how humanism influences society and legal institutions.

Vince Lombardi Quote

Kudos to NoVA Dad (Matt) who got this one:

"The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price.
-Vince Lombardi-"

First Self Righteous Church Revival

Hat tip to Danny Kaye for this funny one.

Vulnerability

An excerpt from interesting article titled Clark Kent:

While we often are very willing to exhibit ‘vulnerability’ in our personal relationships we consider it off-limits in our professional lives. Some equate vulnerability to weakness and are threatened by it. Yet we have all been inspired by people who openly acknowledge how they’ve worked through professional—and personal—issues that were emotionally challenging.

Being vulnerable really means finding the courage to be sincere, open and honest. It also means being receptive to the input from others. A balance of truthfulness and sensitivity creates a safe environment in which everyone can learn and grow.

I thought it interesting that I read this after I posted about intimate communion. I wonder, is vulnerability all about letting people in on your secret identity?

Vail Village

Vacationing in Vail has been really relaxing. No driving around - everything you need is in the village. The elevation is 8,250 feet and the weather here is almost as beautiful as the scenery.

Guess you caught me on vacation with my laptop.

The Benefits of Aging

There are a few things that age can bring to us. One of them is a sense of who we are and a deep sense of contentment with that person we have become. According to this quiz I am 81% Real. It says about me:

There's hardly a person on this earth more real than you are. You have no problem showing people who you are, flaws and all. For you, there couldn't be any other way. Because it's way too stressful to live an inauthentic life. You're very comfortable with yourself. And because of this, you're able to live an exciting, interesting, and challenging life.

My wife certified my quiz answers so I feel some level of confidence about my answers. I think that my score would have been much different ten years ago. I have grown up a lot these past ten years and really like the person that I have become - most of the time :)

Centrists Focus on Solutions

High-profile centrists urge solutions, compromise
By Martha T. Moore, USA TODAY

Some excerpts from this article:

On a day when he urged Congress to get beyond party politics, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg matched his rhetoric with action, announcing he has left the Republican Party and registered as an independent.
...
Bloomberg and another centrist political star, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, urged politicians to focus on pragmatic solutions, not partisanship, at "Ceasefire! Bridging the Divide," a conference sponsored by the University of Southern California.

On issues including Social Security, health care, education and immigration, "the federal government isn't out front — it's cowering in the back of the room," Bloomberg said.
...
Schwarzenegger said he learned to value compromise "the hard way" in 2005 when he tried to push through initiatives to, among other things, increase his power over the budget, and lost badly. "I did it the wrong way," he said. "Dividing people just doesn't work."

That last statement speaks volumes to me. But I am a Centrist who thinks that life is in the middle.

Conflicting Army Recommendations

According to this USA Today article U.S. commanders in Iraq are rejecting a recommendation by Army mental health experts that troops receive a one-month break for every three months in a combat zone, despite unprecedented levels of continuous fighting and worsening risks of mental stress.

This article says that the Army is considering whether it will have to extend the combat tours of troops in Iraq if President Bush opts to maintain the recent buildup of forces through spring 2008.

With the prospects of many more years in Iraq I suggest that our policies should honor our troops by truly caring for their mental health.

Soldier's Guide to Iraq

From this article:

Arabs, by American standards, are reluctant to accept responsibility... if responsibility is accepted and something goes wrong, the Arab is dishonored.

An Arab sees friendships with anyone outside the family as meaning, "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

Scared into the Kingdom?

Signs like this one really get me to thinking about the messages that we religious people send out. Does anyone think that we can be scared into the kingdom? If so, for how long? Can fear keep you there?

Freedom Writers | ★★★★★★★★★★

This movie is the true story of Long Beach California teacher Erin Gruwell and her integrated high school English class. I sadly have to admit that I really didn't want to watch this movie - thought that it might be a downer. Ann and I watched the video on Saturday. I can only say that this movie is pure inspiration. It shows how one person of substance can make a difference.

I was particularly impressed in a heart-wrenching way as the story began to unfold and I began to see the heartbreak of inner city teens. My callous heart began to cry for them and cheer for them all at once. I love the way that Erin Gruwell helped these teens get beyond themselves and see their plight in the light of historical sufferers like Ann Frank. I highly recommend seeing this one with your kids when they are mature enough to handle the dramatic intensity. On a scale of 10 I give this movie ★★★★★★★★★★

Iraqi Vote

This morning on the Today Show political analyst Dick Morris predicted that Hillary Clinton would get the Democratic presidential nomination and ultimately win it all. Got me to wondering if the republicans can win if they don't change their positions on the Iraq War. I guess, in a sense, the real Iraqi vote will take place in voting booths across America this November.