Safe Haven

Psalm 73 is a great one. It speaks of how we notice the wicked, the selfish, the arrogant, getting ahead, while we have chosen a harder road of following God. And it doesn't really seem worth it. God says it will be worth it when He comes again and makes a new heavens and new earth, but be honest. Can you imagine that? Can you wrap your mind around such a far-off promise? Sometimes, we've got to grab onto smaller things first. Like Him getting us through this day.

I went to a concert last night. A really cool Norwegian guy opened up. Then Liz Phair. Then Jason Mraz. You've got to listen to this guy; he was amazing. There were no throwaway songs. It was a great show. He's got this great jazz-pop sound that I like. Wonderful voice.

Yes, Captain Hall, I am aware of Lidle's post-All Star break performance. But this year, I don't think it will happen. I'm Cory's biggest fan in Missouri at least, and he's just not getting it done. I traded him in my fantasy league. (Lidle and Manny Ramirez for Andruw Jones and Pedro Martinez) I'm still going to root for him.

Let me clarify some thoughts on marriage, and the words I used. Marriage is seen in Genesis 2, and God shares a bit of His design for it there, as well as other places. When I say "Christian" I'm applying it retroactively, shortening Judeo-Christian. It belongs to God's people. When other people (non-Christians) do it, they are participating in something spiritual, and in a particular way, whether they know it or not. Why do people get married in churches? Why does every guy qualified to marry someone say, "We are garthered here today in the sight of God..." Many people aren't religious in any sort of way, yet they often desire these things. If the United States of America wants to give other unions the same kind of monetary benefits, legal status, etc. as marriages, it may do so. It is true that Christianity has preferential treatment within our law. Christians and others heavily influenced by the gospel founded our nation. We shouldn't apologize fo...

And another thing: Bush knows he'd better not mess with the Kingdom of God, which is infinitely more powerful than the United States. The church isn't going anywhere.

Tomorrow doesn't mean tomorrow, I guess. Sorry. Let's get real for a minute. President Bush has indicated his support for current law defending marriage as that between a man and a woman, and seems to be supporting a Constitutional Amendment to that effect. I happen to think it's quite necessary. Marriage belongs to the Christian church. It is a testament to the power and influence of Christianity that everyone else gets married, and calls it that. But I can think of no way that the rights of people can be enhanced by calling every kind of union a marriage. A lot of folks aren't even satisfied with granting legal standing to civil unions. The only result of changing the definition of a marriage (and that is what it is, make no mistake) is to undermine the right of free association of Christians. Basically, this is a free speech right of citizens to believe whatever they wish, and to hang out with those who believe similarly. Even if the end result of that belief, if put...

More tomorrow. The Lord bless you on His day, as you meet him in worship Sunday!

I heard the St. Louis Cardinals were interested in Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Cory Lidle. The Jays asked for J.D. Drew in return. If Lidle's ERA wasn't 5.00, I'd do it. I also think Drew is worth a Greg Maddux or Russ Ortiz. Let me digress: If Maddux wants to sign with the Cardinals prior to next season, they'd find the money. Fernando Vina, peace. Stephenson, pack your bags. Tino would take a pay cut. But I love Tino Martinez, so they'd have to keep him. Greg Maddux is the man.

And another thing: I hope they don't find any WMD in Iraq. I want to hear Bush say, "Oops! I really thought he had them!" That roughly translates to, "I needed some selfish reason to do it, since simple humanity isn't a good reason for some of my political foes." Ha Ha.

Right now, my beautiful internet radio station is playing "You Were Mine" by the Dixie Chicks. You're saying, "Why are you listening to those commies?" Don't lie. Because I adore the Dixie Chicks. Yes, I'm an arch-conservative who doesn't give a rat's appendix about Natalie Maines' opinion of Bush. If I got rid of all the music I owned made by liberals, all I'd listen to is audio transcripts of Neal Boortz. Geez. Anyway, I was flipping through the channels last night, and this Joe Scarborough guy was on. Ed Asner was blathering about McCarthyism and unpopular opinion. That guy wouldn't know censorship if it smacked him in the head. I think folks have been extraordinarily patient with all those anti-Bush predictions that turned out wrong. It's not antiwar, the war had nothing to do with it. Yeah, the media classified what Natalie Maines said as antiwar. She said she was ashamed our President was from Texas. Does that have anything ...

Journey is playing on my internet radio station. I love Journey, and I love the idea of all my favorite songs for free. There are some I don't like, but it listens to me, so if I really hate a song, I can tell it never to play again. My favorite song right now is "Bus Driver" by Caedmon's Call. I find Christian music annoying, but those guys are great.

Lance Armstong took the kiddies to the woodshed yesterday at the Tour de France by winning the fifteenth stage. He leads overall by 1:17. No one cares, you say. Perhaps. But I care, for three reasons: 1. I watch all sports; 2. I enjoy watching Americans being the best at everything; 3. I enjoy watching the French be humbled by an arrogant Texan (again).

June 11, Wow! I really stink at this! Finished Frank Herbert's Dune. I also read "The Lord's Supper" by Robert Letham. It's nonfiction theology, in case you didn't pick up on it. It's a great overview of all the different views on the Supper, the strengths and weaknesses, and the like. He puts forth the Reformed view of a spiritual presence of Christ in the sacrament, but not a physical one. The Westminster Confession mentions what they saw as idolatries and errors resulting from transubstantiation. (The bread and wine physically becomes the body and blood of Christ) A more moderate position is the Lutheran, consubstantiation, yet Christ is still physically present. To their credit, the men at Westminster were much less harsh toward the Lutheran position. The questions that a Christian has to ask himself is, "Are the problems of a physical presence valid?" Also, does the Bible require a physical presence? Or, if one tends toward the Supper as si...

All 3 of you who long for me to post more than once a week are blessed, for I will be more faithful from this day forward. In addition, I've no plans tomorrow, so BLOGGING ALL DAY!

I'm reading Dune, by Frank Herbert. It's easily one of the best stories ever told, in my view. I love the Fremen. Their image in the story as passionate warriors reminds me of Christians. That is what we are. Herbert uses religion as the backdrop in his tale. The themes and mindset of the faithful in Dune will be a comfortable chair for Christians reading the story. Still, the "messiah" is far from perfect, and you may reject the idea that religion is simply a tool for political ends. It's a wonderful story.

Happy Birthday to my sister Alyse! She's 14. She's also in California, the lucky little troll.

Blast! Not enough runs for the Braves last night. Maddux was average, giving up three runs in 7 innings. Cory Lidle gave up 6 runs in six innings, and got a win for Toronto against Pittsburgh. That's sick, if you ask me.

In response to an e-mail from a friend about gay rights, I wrote this: Actually, I could give a rip about what the government does in the area of civil unions. Go for it. The state and its affairs are different from God's Kingdom and laws. I have several conditions, however: 1. Do not call it a "marriage." 2. Should I be a minister of the Gospel, the state shall not compel me to join two people of the same sex. (Unless the Republic is collapsing, this won't happen) 3. Find some way to insulate the healthcare system and the taxpayers from the higher cost of care. As for what you said, God's Word speaks for itself, so I need not waste time blathering about the subject. But I think your feelings on this will lead you into more opportunities to share the Gospel, and that cannot be bad. You will have a comfort level that many Christians don't have. Too many Christians find homosexuality to be the worst sin in the world, and folks can sense this. I worke...

As you may have noticed from this blather-riffic content lately, I believe we're living in some crucial times. But all moments and all times are crucial. As the Scripture says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." May it be that we can show His glory in peace.

I have great hope for this Middle East peace process, and its developments. If indeed great people can indeed have an impact, if they can change the course of history, then I place a great deal of hope and trust in the President of the United States. In these moments, he has great opportunity to use his great power (and will) for the benefit of all. Peace through strength, he says. Well, Mr. President, the strength you need now is not from bombs or cruise missiles, but the strength of character, and of resolve. As others in the blogosphere have noted, the US is the prime mover. Short of the Israelis and Palestinians, no other party will act so decisively one way or another, as will the United States, and its leader.