Ain't Complicated

Representing the USA

Interesting news story, for what it says about running scared:

U.S. soldier riddles Koran with bullets in Iraq

An American soldier has been disciplined and ordered from Iraq, the U.S. military said on Sunday, for using a copy of the Koran for target practice at a shooting range near Baghdad.

[…]

CNN said when Major-General Jeffery Hammond, the commander of U.S. troops in Baghdad, and other officers arrived to deliver the apology to local leaders in Radwaniya they were met by hundreds of protesting Sunni Arab tribesmen.

“I am a man of honor, I am a man of character. You have my word this will never happen again,” Hammond told the crowd.

“In the most humble manner, I look into your eyes today and I say, please forgive me and my soldiers,” CNN reported on its website.

It said Colonel Ted Martin, a brigade commander, held up a new copy of the Koran which he kissed and touched to his forehead as he handed it to the tribal elders.

“I hope that you’ll accept this humble gift,” Martin said.

And for what it says about representing one’s country.

Which of the above three men accurately represented the United States?

(Oh, Mr. Hammond — Do you realize your statement above could seem to suggest that you authorized the incident for which you are issuing a No-Repeat guarantee?)

But far more importantly to me, am I an accurate representation of the Kingdom of Heaven?

When I as a Christian take the name of Christ, am I portraying an accurate representation of my King?

I think this story is tragic for what it says about the US…and for the ill it portends for this country.

But I think that’s far less tragic than Mark Roth (and you?) being a poor representative of and ambassador for Jesus Christ.

What’s the Point?

Today I finished reading Joel C. Rosenberg’s latest “Christian” novel, Dead Heat.

It’s interesting.

Especially since the author seems well-connected and in-the-know. And at times he could seem remotely semi-prophetic (in a forth-telling sort of way).

But what’s the point and purpose of the novel?

And why would Christians kill or order the deaths of others?

And why did Mr. Rosenberg include an extremely brief — part of a sentence, as I recall — mention of passionate physical intimacy between two of the main characters?

Most importantly to me, perhaps, is something far more personal — Why did I read the book?

Oh my.

Church Working

After a little over 25 years of service, our bishop (my Dad) is set to retire.

Our congregation has launched the process of selecting and ordaining our new bishop from among our three other ordained leaders.

Last night we gave our votes and the “field” was narrowed to two “candidates” — our youngest minister and our deacon.

Tomorrow night is the scheduled ordination, with the selection being done by lot.

If you look at the photos in my previous post, you will see a picture of our deacon and one of the minister holding his son Sylvan. In fact, you can also see a picture of the minister from the back as he watches the ball game through the backstop.

Pray for us, if you will. We have done our part in choosing a man for a good work. Now God will do the rest of His part.

May God bless and strengthen and encourage and direct all four of our ordained leaders today.

Amen.

Church Playing

Which is far better than playing church.

Here are some results of the shooting I did at our church picnic last Saturday evening. (I was going to post them the next day for the benefit of our members flung far away.)

Two of the youth sponsors
who along with their wives
helped the youth
put this event together.
Thanks!

If I were the type,
I’d thank the cow as well.

Watchers and talkers and players
I see two former students-of-mine and three former missionaries

Read it all

To Me. From Citi.

In my email this morning was a note from the CEO at Citi (or someone taking on such an identity).

I want you to be among the first to know about the bold steps we are taking at Citi….

Wow! Am I being honored or something?!

My commitment – and the commitment of everyone at Citi- is to work tirelessly around the world and around the clock to deliver outstanding value and service as we continue to earn your trust and that of every customer we serve.

You want to earn (back) my trust?

Good! I’ll make it easy for you by spelling out two steps you can take:

Reverse the last interest rate spike you imposed on me.
Restore the money you’ve charged me extra as a result of that spike.

Then you would be following the Discover Card model.

Except they did it on their own.

I didn’t have to ask for it.

Imagine that!

…Striving to successfully meet the needs of clients like you in more than 100 countries. As always, we look forward to continuing to serve you….

Good deal.

I’ve told you two of my easy-for-you-to-meet needs.

Let’s see how well you do.

🙄

The At-60 Miracle

I just read this article over at RealClearPolitics:

Before sending Lewis and Clark west, Thomas Jefferson dispatched Meriwether Lewis to Philadelphia to see Dr. Benjamin Rush. The eminent doctor prepared a series of scientific questions for the expedition to answer. Among them, writes Stephen Ambrose: “What Affinity between their (the Indians’) religious Ceremonies & those of the Jews?” Jefferson and Lewis, like many of their day and ours, were fascinated by the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, and thought they might be out there on the Great Plains.

They weren’t. They aren’t anywhere. Their disappearance into the mists of history since their exile from Israel in 722 B.C. is no mystery. It is the norm, the rule for every ancient people defeated, destroyed, scattered and exiled.

With one exception, a miraculous story of redemption and return, after not a century or two, but 2,000 years. Remarkably, that miracle occurred in our time. This week marks its 60th anniversary: the return and restoration of the remaining two tribes of Israel — Judah and Benjamin, later known as the Jews — to their ancient homeland.

Read the whole thing!

It Doesn’t Take an Einstein

For what?

Oh, I don’t know. It just seemed like a good title to use for this news bit:

Belief in God “childish” — Jews not chosen people

“The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.

“No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this,” he wrote in the letter written on January 3, 1954 to the philosopher Eric Gutkind, cited by The Guardian newspaper.

[…]

“For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions,” he said.

“And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people.”

And he added: “As far as my experience goes, they are no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise I cannot see anything ‘chosen’ about them.”

Previously the great scientist’s comments on religion — such as “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind” — have been the subject of much debate, used notably to back up arguments in favour of faith.

Oh, what does he know?!!

I expect he might know more now than he did then.

For sure he knows that he was wrong regarding God and His Word.