Do you think that CBS News could maybe have picked a more favorable picture of John McCain for their homepage? The picture, along with the headline, “McCain denies Misstatement on Iraq Surge” communicate that he is a crazy old man. I mean–honestly–they have tons of pictures of the guy, and they pick THIS one?
Click to enlarge if you can’t read it.
Huh?
I recently purchased one of the “new” slim aluminum Apple wired keyboards. It was $49.00, which is a pretty reasonable price for such a good keyboard, let alone for any Apple product. Why wired you ask? Well, let me give you three brief reasons why I didn’t get the wireless:
Now, that I am done with the negatives, let me begin with the positives.
This keyboard has my full approval–5 out of 5 stars. This keyboard is wonderful. Not only is it extremely aesthetically pleasing (a necessary prequisite to becoming an Apple product), but it is a joy to type on. I would wager big money that the slim keys increase your typing speed (BIG money), as well as the enjoyment of the overall computing experience, with a crisp, soothing sound as you type away. It is so nice, I want to just keep typing–even now because it is extremely satisfying…but I must stop…now…I will stop now. Ahhhhhh. That was refreshing.
*Picture NOT taken by me.
I have been listening to a John Piper sermon series on Romans 7 entitled, “Who Is This Divided Man?” recently. It is a six-part series all on the same passage! (Which means it’s INTENSE) It also is a passage which Piper is particularly passionate about (well, actually–he’s passionate about every passage he preaches on, but with this one he has an added passion I would say).
Anyway, these messages have been particularly helpful and encouraging in the fight against sin. They are all centered on these verses from Romans 7 where Paul is in agony over his sinful nature:
For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
I should note that these sermons are pretty long and mind-engaging–often academic in some respects, but the end result is truth about indwelling sin and the fight against it that STICKS WITH YOU and will encourage you. (I know it sticks with you because I heard part of this series LAST YEAR through the 30 minute radio programs, and was motivated to go back and listen to the whole series now). Like he says, “If you rake, you will find leaves. If you dig, you will find diamonds.” So, if you happen to be doing any redundant, absent-minded type of activity in the near future, stick the old iPod earphones in and listen through these. They are excellent.
I would especially recommend Part 2. If you were only going to listen to one, listen to that one. If preachers put together a highlight tape in the way that a basketball player might put together a highlight tape, then this might be one of John Piper’s. He has some sentences and phrases in there that are just gems. Or, as some might say, “Epic-making.” (That was an inside joke, although I think humor can be extracted from that with no previous inside knowledge). (Some of the things he says are extremely funny too for people who enjoy studying and critiquing JP’s passionate outbursts of truth :).
*Above picture: Piper sitting down with the one and only Bob Allen to record a DG Radio episode. What is Bob Allen using that low-life Dell?
I’m not one who is for harsh and unfair attacks on political leaders through the stringing together of what a person may have said (often out of context) about a particular subject. With that said, I just watched a short video put together by the McCain campaign regarding Barack Obama’s positions on the Iraq War that is NOT one of these unfair attacks. This is very direct and concrete proof of what Obama has actually said in light of the recent controversy about whether or not he is actually changing (”flip-flopping”) on his position on the war.
After watching this movie, I am further convinced in my feelings that Barack Obama is first and foremost a politician (with negative connotations)–willing to say anything to fit what the political climate demands. I don’t want someone in the White House who is so easily swayed, and won’t admit that he has been wrong in his assessments before.
This is just one more reason why I support John McCain to be the next president.
From The God Who Is There by Francis Schaeffer:
Some forms of homosexuality today are of a similar nature, in that they are not just homosexuality but a philosophic expression. One must have understanding for the real homophile’s problem. But much modern homosexuality is an expression of the current denial of antithesis. It has led in this case to an obliteration of the distinction between man and woman. So the male and the female as complementary partners are finished. This is a form of homosexuality which is a part of the movement below the line of despair. But this is not an isolated problem; it is a part of the world-spirit of the generation which surrounds us. It is imperative that Christians realise the conclusions which are being drawn as a result of the death of absolutes.
Glenn Beck, host of the Glenn Beck Show on CNN Headline News is doing a live broadcast tonight (in high definition as well) to over 350 theatres nationwide. It is an interesting idea, and the show is basically a comedy-heavy political show (see official description below)–very entertaining no doubt.
Locally, there are a number of theatres participating in this, including AMC Cantera 30. I would go, but tickets are 20 bucks, and I’m not sure that it’s worth it.
Here is what this thing is being advertised as:
If you’ve been watching this campaign season and wishing that someone would tell it like it really is…your dream has come true. Glenn Beck has taken to the road with his live summer stage show–it’s the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about the people and the politics running the country–from City Councils to Presidential candidates, Glenn got an opinion and he ain’t bashful about sharing it.
For two hours, Glenn comments on the state of our union through his unique brand of stories and stand up. You may have heard and seen him on radio and TV, but until you’ve seen his on stage, you’re yet to experience the real Glenn Beck. And if you’ve ever wondered what an honest stump speech would sound like, just wait until you hear “Candidate Beck” cut through the crap and right to the chase. It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you think, and it’ll help you understand why Glenn (and anybody else who chooses truth over political correctness) is totally…Unelectable.
This is pretty good…I tend to do these things a lot.
Sometimes it is very, very discouraging to see people you know completely lost: ignorant of the truth of the Gospel and living in a way that is so God-ignoring, it makes you lose hope for the person. Their attitudes, language, desires, and actions are so anti-God it is uphauling…and saddening.
I want to scream and plead with them what Isaiah 55 is saying (not the exact words necessarily):
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
In other words–come to Jesus! Don’t waste your time and life on things which do not satisfy!
It really causes me to be discouraged. But to stay in that discouraged state would be to discount the power of God to open their eyes to to the goodness and reality of God in the face of Jesus Christ!
So what can you do? You can pray for God to do just that–with a John Piper-earnestness: “God, open their eyes; let them see!“
