Elizabeth Noelle

Baby Elizabeth Noelle was born this morning at 10:48 am. She weighs 6 lbs. 8 oz. and is 19.25 inches long. Also, unlike our first two babies (who were quite bald) Elizabeth has long dark hair. In fact, she currently has longer hair than Garfield III--who is 16 months old!Mother and baby are doing very well and will probably be coming home on Sunday.

The labor was long and hard, but Stephanie did awesome--she's a real champ. The birth was all natural and Steph should bounce back quickly. Baby Elizabeth is very healthy and alert; she began nursing right away and she seems quite content. The Lord blessed us with a fantastic nurse, and Steph's doctor, who also delivered G III, was a blessing and a comfort to all of us. Thank you all for your prayers. I'll have some pictures up tomorrow.

Come On In

Now is this righteous?

Mexican drug runner Aldrete-Davila is shot by two border agents as he is illegally crossing into the U.S. with a van full of marijuana. Aldrete-Davila then files a law-suit suing the U.S. government (funded by you and me) for $5 million for violating his civil rights. Our government then proceeds to pay for his medical treatment at an El Paso hospital and grant him full immunity. The two border patrol agents who shot him have been sentenced to 12 and 11 year prison terms, respectively. The Bush administration has refused to respond to senior Republican Congressmen, who have in turn publicly called Bush "a disgrace."

There is, of course, more to the story--click here, here, here, here and here--but we should probably go ahead and let the international community know: "Our southern border is now undefended and open for a free flow of illegals, drug runners and terrorists." What border patrol agent wants to go to prison for stopping these people?

Honoring a Brother

Being self-employed, I usually forget about MLK day until someone reminds me that "there is no trash pick-up or mail tomorrow." Nobody pays me to take the day off, so it comes in under the radar. However, I was reminded via an e-mail transcript of large portions of King's "I Have A Dream" speech and his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" of the power of his speeches and how they are so unlike those of modern politicians and activists simply because they are saturated with Scriptural references and reminders that it is Christ who is Lord--even of our present situation.

I think this is good to bring up since I come across a fair number of evangelical Christians who strongly disparage M.L .King for his character lapses (including marital infidelity, plagiarism on his doctoral dissertation, and association with Communist groups). Even so, I submit that there is still much to celebrate (even as we recognize there are some things to be deplored) and much to hear of what he said as being at least (if not more thoroughly) Christian than many of our revered founding fathers, who were often closer to nineteenth-century Unitarianism than Christ and His Word. Now the founders were great men and worthy of honor but to be consistent (with just two examples), we should acknowledge that although George Washington and Thomas Jefferson demonstrated a profound faith, it was also profoundly Heterodox (in Jefferson's case) and possibly so in Washington's. Of primary concern with Washington is that he seems never to have taken communion and would typically leave a worship service before it was served. [Mark Noll, A History of Christianity In The United States and Canada [p.134-145].

"The founders were a noble group. Many of their actions were clearly compatible with traditional Christian values. Others, such as the continuation of racial chattel slavery in a 'free' [u]nited States, were not." [Noll, Ibid, p.136] For all his failings, King did recognize and stand firm on God's reality in Christ that in Him there is neither Jew nor Greek, barbarian nor Sythian, slave nor free, but in Christ all are one.

Rethinking Sodom's Epithet

What's wrong with the Church in America? Well, a good place to start is with the pastors. Chuck Balwin has a great article entitled prostitutes in the Pulpit. A brief excerpt from the article "... [I]t needs to be pointed out that sexual sin is not the primary problem in most churches today. There is another pandemic that is quickly destroying the modern church in America. Furthermore, this scourge is infinitely greater in destructive power than any of the sexual sins that the modern Pharisees seem to be consumed with.

"The cancer that is eating the heart and soul out of the American church is the willingness of pastors and ministers to be bought, intimidated, or influenced by the purveyors of wealth and power. Too many pulpits have become little more than spiritual brothels where men are paid to provide pleasure for the rich and powerful. In the words of the Apostle Paul, they are "teachers, having itching ears."

"Throughout America, pastors cater their sermons and writings to wealthy businessmen, politicians, celebrities, or other people of influence. Turn on the average "gospel" radio or television program. What do you hear? Prosperity theology. Entertainment evangelism. Positive Mental Attitude speeches."~Chuck Baldwin

It is almost always overlooked that the sins for which Sodom and Gomorah were overthrown for were not primarily sexual perversions and homosexuality; rather, the primary reason that the Lord destroyed these places was because they oppressed the poor and subverted justice. That's what the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Amos plainly tell us.

Which brings us to pastor Rick Warren of the Purpose Driven fame. "Bought by the purveyors of wealth and power" seems to perfectly fit the bill. This happens to be highlighted in recent days as Pastor Warren seems to have problems with some basic issues--like telling the truth (even in the face of contradictory, recorded evidence).

I would like to submit that, according to Biblical evidence, those who subvert justice, oppress the poor and who tolerate a culture of corruption are just as much (if not even more truly) "Sodomites" than those who are principally engaged in homosexual sin. So who are the Sodomites: Pastors across the land who cozy up to the powerful who subvert justice and who condone a culture of corruption or Christians like Ted Haggard (recently booted from his mega-church pulpit for engaging in homosexual activity)? I know what Isaiah would say.

All The Abortion Lies Fit To Print

Michelle Malkin documents the bold shamelessness of the NYT (once again). But, really, does anyone really expect truth anymore from the major media in regard to culture war issues? Though they don't read the Koran they subscribe to many of the same priniciples--in this case, "It's fine to lie about your enemies in order to defeat them. They're unbelievers, they don't deserve the truth."

Malkin writes..."The sensational piece alleged that women there [in El Salvado] had been thrown in prison for 30-year terms for having had abortions. Hitt described his visit to one of them, inmate Carmen Climaco. "She is now 26 years old, four years into her 30-year sentence" for aborting an 18-week-old fetus.

Cruel. Horrible. Outrageous. And utterly, demonstrably, false. Climaco had actually been convicted of murder for strangling her newborn baby. " Read the full article.

Darwinian Infighting

When you are in a war, in this case a culture war, it can be good to take a little break, just kick back and watch as your enemies divide and conquer themselves for you. Phillip Johnson has been working toward this end with the Darwinian Evolutionists for years (The Wedge of Truth; Objections Sustained: subversive Essays on Evolution, Law and Culture; Defeating Darwinism). Wm. Dembski has also been a major player in the fight from the ID (Intelligent Design) perspective. He published an e-mail exchange, given to him by Prof. Ruse, on his blog between skeptic and Evolutionist Prof. Michael Ruse and atheist (and maniacal anti-Christian) Prof. Daniel Dennett--two big boys in the Evolution camp. Ah, the infighting and implosion of bad science (a.k.a. Darwinian evolution)--it's just good to see.

Some friends of mine have started a new business "Geneva Bible Pages." Check them out. They also have a constest running to win a free, framed page from an original Geneva Bible. This was the first printing of the Bible to assign chapter and verse numbers as well as the first "study Bible," having copious notes in the margins. It was the first to be printed in a portable and affordable edition. Good stuff--give them a visit.

Educational Outlaws

After the Third Reich assumed control in Germany, one of Hilter's first acts was to make home education against the law, thus was created the Ministry of Education--giving total control to the state for all school and education matters. Indoctrination into socialist/fascist ideology will tolerate no competition. Besides, we all know that Christians are trouble makers. It's tough to get all those people into the oven if the conscience of too many people in your populace is held captive to Christ. But get everyone on the evolutionary bandwagon from the time they're small and it suddenly seems real important that we get rid of those who are holding back the evolution of the master race. Luckily, the NEA in the US doesn't subtly support a pro evolutionary/socialist/homosexual agenda. (That is, I'm not sure if they could actually be more outspoken in favor of these issues.)

Regardless, it is the unfortunate fact that Christian families in Germany today are being jailed for daring to educate their children at home. Hitler's law is still in effect in Germany; it is still illegal to have children educated apart from governmental control. There is, however, something we can do--the Home School Legal Defense Assoc. is helping to bring pressure on the German government to release parents who have been jailed for homeschooling. Find out more in this article from World Net Daily.

Song of Loch Mackee

This apparently ancient Scots Haka song was unearthed by my son's Grandfather. It is posted here for your enjoyment.


The Song of Loch Mackee


The wind blows from the nor’ today; men hanker fa’ a row.
The boats are sittin’ in the loch, I’m standin’ on the bow:

Ranfurly shield sits high atop yon craigh in full display
the men are hankerin’ for a fight, a bracing fight today.
Our shield must be defended, and our Highlands kept secure
against th’ Dane and English – and all other such manure!

All eyes are on the ocean, where th’ fearless leader comes
a Haka dancer two feet high, he dances to tha’ drums –
his name Third Field of Spears it’s said, will make a Daneman shudder;
it brings good pride in Scots’ brave hearts, unlike most any other.

“Third Field of Spears, he comes today” th’ hopeful Scotsmen chant,
“raising his bottle high in the air!” they sing (oh yes, they rant!)
in kilts (wi’ spears and cudgels raised) they wait for Gar-field Three;
they squint horizonward with hope, across grand Loch Mackee.

And then th’ distance shows a mark, a dot against th’ sun –
their hero Haka dancer comes (the exploits he has done!)
His inching arms, his Haka-stomp is feared from sea to sea;
no English is left standing after facing Gar-Field Three!

Ranfurly shield will stand today, tomorrow, and all year –
for Gar-Field Three comes home at last: oh Dane-man run in fear!

(Anonymous, ca. 745 A.D.)

1st Birthday

My son turns 1 on Friday! Here is a collage of photos from his party at Grandma Sam and Papa Del's this past Saturday...

Knock-knock

I was reading to my daughter this evening and she decided between books that she would get me to laugh by telling me a joke. Remember, she's 3.75 years old. It went as follows...

E: Knock-knock.

Me: Who's there?

E: Sneezer.

Me: Sneezer, who?

E: Banana what!?

Me: lol.

Raging Liberal

Do Republicans even know what the word "Liberal" means? I don't think so. I have come to the conclusion, to the outrage of both my neo-con and liberal friends, that President G.W. Bush is the most liberal president since FDR.

Here is a small sampling of articles that make that very point:

G.W. Bush's Liberal Legacy

The following is a page full of links (from both conservative and liberal web pages) documenting in great detail the incredibly liberal policies of a very liberal president: Chuck Baldwin Live

Some interesting family history:

"The Bush family presents a record of war profiteers who use public office to gain wealth and advantage. Along the way, Bush family business cronies receive political access and legitimacy.
One of the most venal characters is Prescott Bush, the president's grandfather.

In 1942, Congress seized the assets of Prescott Bush and charged him with trading with the enemy. Bush and his father-in-law, George Herbert Walker, were managing directors of the Union Banking Corp. of New York City. Allied with Brown Brothers Harriman, the largest private investment bank in the world, Bush and Walker were front men for Nazi industrialist Fritz Thyssen." ~Douglas Yates

Bush Is A Liberal

Bush's Liberal Foreign Policy

Now, I know some of you are thinking, "But Bush took us to war! He can't be a liberal."

Yeah, liberals don't do that (W. Wilson, WWI; FDR, WWII; JFK, Vietnam). I hate to simplify it too much but here is what Liberals do (not what they say they do, just what they do): spend your tax dollars like crazy, oppressively tax a people and send them to some bloody war. Apparently it's now what self-professed neo-conservatives do as well.

Colber(t) report

This is an absolute riot! It is really a must see video; by far the best interview with an elected official that I have seen. Hat tip to PCIII for the link.