A great point of view from Chuck Colson. I never really understood pragmatism until I recently listened to a lecture by R.C. Sproul (you can get it on a podcast through iTunes). Pragmatism doesn't look long term so decisions are made without any forethought to the long term consequences. When decisions are made to correct a current crisis without looking long term, we often end up with another crisis shortly down the road.
The bailouts, the presidential appointments, and the turning a blind eye on many unethical practices in Congress are partly the result of pragmatism. I encourage everyone to look more closely at this philosophy, see if you buy into it or not, and if you do, step away from it and really analyze whether this is a helpful worldview.
Giving Them a Pass - Prison Fellowship
Thursday, January 29, 2009
What Point
At what point does government get too big?
Is there a point where big government means less individual freedoms?
What are your thoughts on this?
Is there a point where big government means less individual freedoms?
What are your thoughts on this?
Comments
If you would like to leave a comment on my blog and you do not belong to blogspot, please leave your name. Otherwise, I won't post your comment. Also, please don't refer to bad language, even with symbols. I don't think it is necessary and it typically leads me to tune out what is being said. It just sounds angry and I want to have respectful dialogue. Thank you.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thoughts from the Bible
First off, I want to copy a prayer I found in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.
"O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.
To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen."
From Psalm 1
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."
Praise God that we are given grace through Jesus Christ. We can never be blameless before God based on our own merit. With Christ, we can now stand blameless before God. We need to continue to grow in our relationship with him. We do this by learning about what he said through his word and by praying. These are not always easy things to do. I know, because I struggle daily with this. However, if we can remove the immediate and look at the big picture, we can press forward knowing that there is something greater beyond our wildest imaginations. We are so used to instant gratification that we fail to see that life is not in what is giving us pleasure right now, but what the big picture holds for us both now and in the future.
"O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.
To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen."
From Psalm 1
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."
Praise God that we are given grace through Jesus Christ. We can never be blameless before God based on our own merit. With Christ, we can now stand blameless before God. We need to continue to grow in our relationship with him. We do this by learning about what he said through his word and by praying. These are not always easy things to do. I know, because I struggle daily with this. However, if we can remove the immediate and look at the big picture, we can press forward knowing that there is something greater beyond our wildest imaginations. We are so used to instant gratification that we fail to see that life is not in what is giving us pleasure right now, but what the big picture holds for us both now and in the future.
A 40-Year Wish List - WSJ.com
A commentary on the upcoming stimulus plan. It already passed the house. We shall see if it makes it through the Senate tomorrow. If you disagree with this bill, please contact your senator. For Colorado, our senators are Mark Udall (202-224-5941 or Senator_Mark_Udall@markudall.senate.gov) and Michael Bennett (202-225-5852 or www.bennet.senate.gov).
A 40-Year Wish List - WSJ.com
A 40-Year Wish List - WSJ.com
Food for Thought
Pascal wrote what he thought God might say to us. I think it is something interesting for each of us to ponder and reflect on how this mirrors our own lives and our relationship with God.
"It is I who have made you and I alone can teach you what you are. But you are no longer in the state I made you. I created you holy, innocent, perfect, I filled you with light and understanding, I showed you my glory and my wondrous works, your eye then beheld the majesty of God, You were not then in darkness that now blinds your sight, nor subject to death and the miseries that afflict you.
But you could not bear such great glory without falling into presumption. You wanted to make yourself your own center and do without my help. You withdrew from my rule, setting yourself up as my equal in your desire to find happiness in yourself and I abandoned you to yourself." Emphasis mine.
"It is I who have made you and I alone can teach you what you are. But you are no longer in the state I made you. I created you holy, innocent, perfect, I filled you with light and understanding, I showed you my glory and my wondrous works, your eye then beheld the majesty of God, You were not then in darkness that now blinds your sight, nor subject to death and the miseries that afflict you.
But you could not bear such great glory without falling into presumption. You wanted to make yourself your own center and do without my help. You withdrew from my rule, setting yourself up as my equal in your desire to find happiness in yourself and I abandoned you to yourself." Emphasis mine.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Ideas
I don't want my blog to solely about politics, although I think this is a very important topic. If anyone has some interesting ideas to throw out there, I am willing to look at them and give my thoughts on particular things. I'm not good about blogging on the general happenings of life. Mostly, this is due to my life being fairly sedate and unexciting. Inside my head is the most exciting thing about me, but sometimes I need a suggestion to bring those thoughts out. Cheers. :)
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