Caffeinated Thoughts

Moved again

2008-06-11T20:49:00.001-06:00

Just moved again - was at http://shanevanderhart.wordpress.com, and moved to my own domain name - http://www.caffeinatedthoughts.com.

I have moved...

2007-11-09T22:20:00.000-06:00

Caffeinated Thoughts has moved, and is no longer called Caffeinated Thoughts. I moved my entire blog over to http://shanevanderhart.wordpress.com. Check it out, and if you already have me on your blogroll please update it. If not, please go ahead and add it!

Those of you who subscribe - nothing has changed I just changed up where the original feed is coming from, so hopefully there won't be any hassles with that.

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Technorati Tags: Caffeinated Thoughts , Blog Location Change

The Gospel in Six Minutes

2007-11-09T01:01:00.000-06:00

John Piper reminds us that we never outgrow the Gospel. You can watch the video here, or watch below.

HT: In Through The Front Door

Pragmatism or Principle?

2007-11-08T23:17:00.001-06:00

The recent endorsement of Rudy Giuliani by Pat Robertson has me fired up. There was nothing in his endorsement that led me to believe that he was basing his decision on a Christian worldview. Rather it seemed that fiscal conservatism and the war on terror seemed to be his main reasons for the endorsement.

And Giuliani's "bold vision". What bold vision? What has Guiliani said or done that would make him better in the war on terror than any of the other GOP candidates (with the exception of Ron Paul)? It seems that Robertson cares more about advancing the GOP than his principles.

Jim Wallis of Sojourners wrote a blistering critique of this endorsement. I don't agree on much with Wallis, but this I do:

Remember Robertson's merciless attacks on President Bill Clinton's lapses of sexual morality with Monica Lewinsky? Or his comments about how the 9/11 attacks were the result of America's tolerance for homosexuals and abortion?

Now Robertson is for Rudy, a thrice married adulterous husband, who is estranged from his own children and is both pro-choice and pro-gay rights. According to Pat Robertson's twisted moral logic, forgiving the social conservative shortcomings of Republicans is a Christian virtue, so long as the same virtue is never applied to Democrats. But Pat thinks Rudy can beat Hillary, and Pat really cares about winning for the Republicans.....

Pat Robertson clearly has taken another position. His endorsement of Rudy Giuliani will seem to many to be unprincipled hypocrisy (emphasis mine).

Where I would part ways with Wallis is that I don't see any Democrats that would be worthy of my vote. I'm not sure that a caucus or primary vote or endorsement for Giuliani is a pragmatic one anyway... I'm not convinced that he will win the GOP nomination. I believe that I as a believer in being salt in the political process (Matthew 5:13) need to vote for the very best candidate. It needs to be a principled vote. It should be a vote that is reflective of values I hold near and dear. Especially in the nomination process. The thought of a Giuliani-Clinton race is troubling for me. I don't want to vote against a certain candidate, I want to vote for in support of one. That is why Mike Huckabee has my support. I believe he is the candidate that best represents my values. By the way, I do not believe that a vote for Huckabee is not pragmatic. Some believe he can win in Iowa giving him further momentum.

Principles before pragmatism and principles should come even before party (yes I would vote for a pro-life, pro-family values Democrat before a pro-choice Republican).

Update - listen to Michelle Malkin and Laura Ingraham discuss this endorsement.

Update #2 - I just read this blog post by Jonathan Garthwaite. Huckabee's statement contained within is a thoughtful warning about what power can do.

Technorati Tags: Rudy Giuliani , Pat Robertson , Mike Huckabee , Jim Wallis , Presidential Race '08

Parent Internet Workshop

2007-11-07T11:19:00.000-06:00

I blogged about this last week. I thought I would embed the workshop here. You can also watch it directly on his Ustream Channel.

Technorati Tags: Tim Schmoyer , Teenagers and the Internet , Internet Safety , Parenting Helps

A Christian Response to Waterboarding

2007-11-07T00:48:00.000-06:00

Joe Carter is right on waterboarding. Waterboarding is torture and should never be condoned by Christians. We need to advocate that people who are created in the image of God be treated with dignity. I encourage you to check out his well written post on the subject.

Technorati Tags: Joe Carter , Evangelical Outpost , Waterboarding , Torture

Randy Alcorn Endorses Huckabee

2007-11-07T00:18:00.000-06:00

You can read about it here. I didn't even know he had a blog. I've enjoyed a few of his books, so I'm now a happy subscriber of his blog as well.

HT: Between Two Worlds

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee , Randy Alcorn , Presidential Race '08

The Evangelical Crackup

2007-11-06T22:15:00.001-06:00

My mom on Sunday handed me an article she was given and wondered what I thought. The article written by David Kirkpatrick entitled "The Evangelical Crackup" was in last week's New York Times. It has been blogged on quite a bit, but I didn't get a chance to read it until yesterday. After reading the article it seems to me to be an attempt at an obituary of the Religious Right and wishful thinking on the part of the liberal mainstream media (MSM).

Here is the gist of the this article:

“There was a time when evangelical churches were becoming largely and almost exclusively the Republican Party at prayer,” said Marvin Olasky, the editor of the evangelical magazine World and an informal adviser to George W. Bush when he was governor. “To some extent — we have to see how much — the Republicans have blown it. That opportunity to lock up that constituency has vanished. The ball now really is in the Democrats’ court.”

You don't really see evangelicals lining up to join the Democratic party. Yes, polling shows that some evangelicals are leaving the GOP, but they are not necessarily going to the Democratic party. You are seeing a broadening of evangelical social concern which I believe is a good think, and a realization that we should not be beholden to one political party.

Joe Carter of the Evangelical Outpost wrote a great post on why what is going on in evangelical circles is often misunderstood by MSM.

The article itself is mostly a rehash of the dominant media perspective on evangelicals and politics, though it is noteworthy for Kirkpatrick's style of "journalism by name-dropping." The 7900 word article manages to cram in the names of 23 evangelicals leaders: Terry Fox, Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Paul Weyrich, D. James Kennedy, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Marvin Olasky, David Welsh, Ralph Reed, Frank Page, Rick Scarborough, David Wells, Scott McKnight, Jim Wallis, Tony Perkins, Gene Carlson, Todd Carter, Joe Wright, Paul Hill, Harry Jackson, and Donald Wildmon.

But while Kirkpatrick focuses on the cult of personality, the true crux of the conservative Christian political movement is based on a culture of principles. Rather than focusing on a "Who's Who" of Christian leaders, an adequate understanding of the "evangelical Right" requires the recognition and prioritization of six core principles.

These principles of Christian political engagement were outlined in the National Association of Evangelicals' paper - "For the Health of the Nation, An Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility".

We work to protect religious freedom and liberty of conscience.
We work to nurture family life and protect children.
We work to protect the sanctity of human life and to safeguard its nature.
We seek justice and compassion for the poor and vulnerable.
We work to protect human rights.
We seek peace and work to restrain violence.
We labor to protect God's creation.

Carter goes on to say that there is a broad consensus among evangelicals, but there is a broad range of viewpoints on how each relates to specific issues because we do not have a developed political theology and tend to borrow from non-religious political philosophies (liberal, conservative, etc.) or glean from other traditions like Catholic social thought.

He explains...

This is why evangelicals can agree on how the sanctity of life affects our position on abortion while disagreeing on how it relates to the death penalty. Likewise, we agree on the principle of seeking peace and restraining violence but differ on how this affects our view of the Iraq War. What Kirkpatrick is noticing is not a "crackup" among evangelicals but the continual re-prioritization of principles and disagreements over how they correlate with specific issues. At the level of the level of the church and community this is an ongoing, never-completed process.

Carter notes that the emphasis of the different priorities will fluctuate with different leaders and groups. So when one leader places an emphasis on seeking justice and compassion for the poor and vulnerable that doesn't mean there is a disagreement with the other principles. MSM erroneously places too much attention on different personalities with the evangelical community, when this is just a natural fluctuation in the prioritization of principles and issues.

Kirkpatrick's piece does point out a problem however he writes...

Conservative Christian leaders in Washington acknowledge a “leftward drift” among evangelicals, said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and the movement’s chief advocate in Washington. He told me he believed that Hybels and many of his admirers had, in effect, fallen away from orthodox evangelical theology. Perkins compared the phenomenon to the century-old division in American Protestantism between the liberal mainline and the orthodox evangelical churches. “It is almost like another split coming within the evangelicals,” he said.

I'm not exactly sure what "orthodox evangelical theology" Perkins is referring to? You have to be pro-Iraq war in order to be orthodox for example? We should not confuse the GOP platform with evangelical theology, which I'm afraid some have done and that is a problem.

Anyway I wouldn't play a funeral dirge just yet.

Technorati Tags: New York Times , Evangelicals , Politics , Christianity and Culture

Ravi Zacharias - Good & Evil in the World

2007-11-05T10:52:00.001-06:00

This short video is an interview that Ravi Zacharias had with the late D. James Kennedy. It addresses a question that Dr. Zacharias received, "if there is a God, how can He allow evil in the world?"

Technorati Tags: Ravi Zacharias , Apologetics , Good & Evil , Existence of God

DM Register: Church Rules Drive Away Longtime Parishioner

2007-11-04T22:29:00.001-06:00

Something tells me there is more to this story than what John Carlson is reporting. I don't understand why the Register felt this was worthy of being front page news. From what I read in the article it sounds like this person hasn't been a part of Trinity Lutheran Church in Conroy, IA (LCMS) for a very long time. I've always wondered why people who are no longer active in a church still want their names on the membership roles.

I'm sure it could have been handled better though. I do applaud the church for not defending itself and not talking to the press in what they say is an internal matter, in other words, "Carlson it is none of your business!"

What do you think?

Technorati Tags: John Carlson , Trinity Lutheran Church of Conroy , Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , Church Discipline

Troops

2007-11-03T00:24:00.000-06:00

I seem to have a Star Wars thing going. I'm at a hotel room with three high school guys and my intern for R.Y.E. (Regional Youth Event). One of the students, Robert, showed me this video on YouTube. It is a Star Wars version of "Cops" hilarious.

Technorati Tags: Star Wars , Cops , Funny Videos

Friday is for Funny Videos: Darth Vader in Love

2007-11-02T16:01:00.000-06:00

A crazy video from the Peter Serafinowicz Show. Enjoy!

HT: Josh Griffin

Technorati Tags: Star Wars , Darth Vader , Funny Videos

New Podcast Episode

2007-11-02T15:33:00.001-06:00

You can check it out here.

Also I'd like to encourage you to subscribe! Here are some different ways you can subscribe:

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Technorati Tags: Caffeinated Thoughts Podcast , Podcast Subscriptions

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Random Late Night Thoughts

2007-11-02T01:04:00.001-06:00

Check out my second YouTube Video... Palm TX, receding hairlines, etc.

Technorati Tags: YouTube , Palm TX , receding hairlines , gray hair

Church vs. Para-Church

2007-11-02T00:25:00.000-06:00

Jonathan McKee wrote an excellent article at thesource4ym.com (link below). Having been both a youth pastor in three local churches and now working for a para-church ministry this article resonates with me. What do you think. One thing that really jumped out at me was a quote by Chap Clark who is a professor of youth & family ministries at Fuller Theological Seminary, author of the book Hurt: Inside the World of Teenagers, and long-time veteran of Young Life.

"'Young Life is an expression of the Body of Christ reaching out to the world, and so they are an extension of the Church."

Para-Church ministries are part of the local church. There shouldn't be any competition, and our kingdom building gets in the way of the true Kingdom. What do you think?

Article: When "Us vs. Them" Trumps Kingdom Mentality, the Church/Para-church Fight Brought to the Table.

(HT: Gerrard Fess)

Technorati Tags: Church , Para-Church , Young Life , Chap Clark , Jonathan McKee , Youth Ministry

Hunter Shot By His Dog

2007-11-01T10:28:00.000-06:00

I kid you not. Read about it here. Bad Dog! BAAAAAAAAAAD Dog!

Source: Des Moines Register

Technorati Tags: Hunting , Gun Safety , Dogs

New Desks = Better Education

2007-11-01T10:16:00.001-06:00

At least according to teachers and parents in Des Moines who are upset that schools that are constructed or renovated won't automatically get a furniture allowance between $100,000 - $150,000 the Des Moines Register reports.

They have to use leftover furniture that is in good condition in the district's warehouse first and then purchase items as needed.

Why are people upset? I applaud the Des Moines Public Schools for practicing good fiscal responsibility (at least in this area). The furniture should not have any affect on how well a child learns. Used is fine provided it is decent shape.

Jaynette Rittman, the principal at Garton Elementary School that was recently renovated said,

"It gives everything a fresh look. ... New furniture just enhances the appearance of school buildings, and in turn that supports learning in the classroom because people are excited to be there."

Give me a break! I grew up in Bondurant, IA and when I went to Farrar Elementary (where 4th - 6th graders attended in my time) and then Bondurant-Farrar Jr./Sr. High School. I attended classes in buildings dating back to 1925 and 1917 respectfully (those buildings are no longer in use today). Our furniture wasn't new - the desks I used were probably 10-15 years old. If anything diminished my education at that time it was the fact I was lazy and a procrastinator. I don't think new desks would have helped.

The schools need to stop making excuses and just teach (get back to the basics) and families need to be involved in the education of their kids to make sure they are indeed learning.

Taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the bill for new furniture to help make "people excited to be there." Not when there is a stockpile of perfectly good used furniture.

Technorati Tags: Des Moines Public Schools , Bondurant-Farrar Community Schools , Fiscal Responsibility , Education

Teens & the Internet

2007-10-30T22:56:00.001-06:00

Tim Schmoyer is presenting a live streaming workshop for parents to learn about teenagers and the online world on November 6th at 7:00pm (CST).

You can watch his promo video for it here or below.

What parents (and youthworkers) will learn:

Overview

Teen usage of the Internet
Misconceptions
Sexual victimization
Cyber bullying
How home life affects Internet life
Statistics

Introduction to social networking sites

What is a social networking site?
MySpace demo
Facebook demo
Deviant Art demo

Introduction to media sites

How broadband has changed the Internet
YouTube demo
Flickr demo

Introduction to Instant Messenger

What is Instant Messenger?
AIM demo
MSN demo
Yahoo! demo
Trillian demo

Introduction to blogs

What is a blog?
Facebook/MySpace
Live Journal demo
Xanga demo
Blogger/Wordpress demo

Introduction to MMORPGs

What is an MMORPG?
Why are they so addicting?
What is the spiritual influence?
What’s good about them? What’s bad about them?
How much time is too much?
World of Warcraft demo

Potential upcoming social sites

Twitter demo
Virb demo
Ustream.tv demo

What happened to email?

Why kids don’t use email to communicate with each other.
How kids communicate now and why: PM, SMS, IM

Tips for the home: What should we do with this info?

Strategic computer placement
Communicate with your teen
Learn from your kids
Search Google
Learn from their history
Your relationship makes all the difference
Shoulder surfing
A better solution than monitoring software
Join your kids!

General Q&A for Tim and a panel of students

You can access the live workshop here. Check it out and tell others! Also, if you can't watch it live it will be recorded and be in the archive that can be accessed from the live streaming site on ustream.tv.

Technorati Tags: ustream.tv , Tim Schmoyer , Parenting Helps , Teenagers and the Internet , Youth Culture

Letter From Hell

2007-10-30T22:44:00.001-06:00

This is a drama written by Greg Stier of Dare 2 Share Ministries in Colorado. What do you think? I think it is pretty powerful. I have said before that it is the believer's job to be faithful in evangelism, but it is God's job to be fruitful. We can not ignore that God has given followers of Christ a responsibility to be an ambassador for Christ.

Technorati Tags: Dare 2 Share , Greg Stier , Evangelism , Heaven and Hell

Last Ditch Effort

2007-10-30T16:30:00.001-06:00

Trinity University (TX) beats Millsap College (NCAA Div. III) with a incredible last ditch play. I don't know if this play is a result of brilliant offensive talent or lousy defense, but it is pretty remarkable. I think the announcer gets a little dramatic, but this is cool nonetheless.

HT: Gerrard Fess

Technorati Tags: College Football , NCAA Div. III , ESPN , Trinity University , Millsap College

Reason...

2007-10-30T08:17:00.001-06:00

#599 why my children are home schooled.

Source: Fox News

Technorati Tags: Public Schools , Juvenile Deliquents , Delaware

Yepsen on Huckabee

2007-10-30T08:10:00.001-06:00

David Yepsen of the Des Moines Register has written a positive piece on Mike Huckabee. Check it out.

Yepsen: Positive, Reagan-like spirit spurs Huckabee's rise - Des Moines Register

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee , Presidential Race '08

Witnessing as a Discipline

2007-10-29T10:45:00.001-06:00

J.P. Moreland, the Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University says that it is over at The Scriptorium Daily.

Technorati Tags: Evangelism , J.P. Moreland , Spritual Disciplines

Willow - "We got it wrong."

2007-10-29T09:45:00.001-06:00

Willow Creek Community Church did an extensive survey of their congregation and 30 other congregations (about 20,000 people interviewed) to see how they (or the church they were surveying) are doing in helping people move toward greater intimacy with Jesus Christ. They found much of what they were doing wasn't helping.

You can watch a video with Willow's Executive Pastor, Greg Hawkins, here. I appreciate the transparency that he shows in this video.

You can go to the "Reveal" website to learn more as they desire to study more congregations. They want to completely look at how they "do church" with a clean slate with findings that are backed with research and in ways that are rooted in Scripture.

HT: Monday Morning Insight

Technorati Tags: Willow Creek Community Church , Reveal , Spiritual Growth , Greg Hawkins

Video: Aggressively Inarticulate Generation

2007-10-28T23:27:00.001-06:00

A video of Slam poet Taylor Mali on our "aggressively inarticulate generation. Made me laugh out loud and then think.

HT: Evangelical Outpost

Technorati Tags: Slam Poetry , Taylor Mali

Don't Drink, Don't Smoke, and Don't Chew

2007-10-28T21:59:00.001-06:00

My first YouTube video... scary! I don't think this will be a regular thing, but who knows. Anyway, some random thoughts about those who judge others solely on behavior and have a "holier than thou" attitude.

Technorati Tags: Christian Life , legalism , bad behavior , miniature daschunds

Why?

2007-10-27T20:32:00.001-06:00

I don't know why anyone would want to do this. I'm afraid of heights so this is craziness to me!

sick way of flying - Watch more free videos

Technorati Tags: Base Jumping , Extreme Sports

Emergent Poster #1 - Truth

2007-10-27T14:52:00.001-06:00

This goes with my post on Doug Pagitt. I don't disagree with everything that the Emergent Church does, which I believe needs to be distinguished from the Emergent Village. These posters I think address the Emergent Village (EV) not the Emerging Church (EC).

HT: Pyro\Maniacs

Technorati Tags: Emergent Village , Emerging Church , Truth , Pyro\Maniacs

Pagitt Confused

2007-10-27T14:34:00.001-06:00

Doug Pagitt, pastor of Solomon's Porch, and a leader (or whatever he calls himself) for the Emergent Village was interviewed on the Way of the Master Radio by Todd Friel.

I was embarrassed for Doug Pagitt when he was asked to explain the afterlife or as he likes to call it, "the forevermore." I am not sure why he acted as though he didn't know what Todd Friel was talking about when Friel asked, "does a good Buddhist go to heaven?"

This a great example of trying to pin down jello. He acted as though Friel was loopy by demonstrating a sound systematic theological position on heaven and hell.

Pagitt didn't know what he was talking about, and is quite frankly, a heretic. That's my take why don't you listen and let me know what you think.

You can listen here - click on the podcast icon and download it. The link that says "listen now" doesn't seem to be working. I'm including it though incase it is fixed.

Technorati Tags: Doug Pagitt , Todd Friel , Emergent Village , Solomon's Porch , Theology , Heaven and Hell

No Reincarnation Without Permission

2007-10-27T13:02:00.001-06:00

Well China didn't feel like it had adequate control over its citizens so the State Administration for Religious Affairs announced Order #5 which covers:

“the management measures for the reincarnation of living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism.” This “important move to institutionalize management on reincarnation” basically prohibits Buddhist monks from returning from the dead without government permission: no one outside China can influence the reincarnation process; only monasteries in China can apply for permission."

You have to love a government that wants to have control of you after you die as well.

Source: NY Times

Technorati Tags: China , Religious Intolerance , Humor

Subscribe to Caffeinated Thoughts

2007-10-27T10:12:00.001-06:00

I'd like to encourage you if you are a regular reader of this blog (or even if you come occasionally) to subscribe to my blog's RSS feed.

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Also, I'd like to encourage you to add me to your Technorati Favorites.

Also I'd like to encourage you to add me to your blogroll on your own blog if you have one. If I don't have a link for yours in mine already, let me know and I'll add it.

Technorati Tags: RSS Subscriptions , Technorati

Huckabee Pulls Ahead of Romney!

2007-10-26T21:47:00.001-06:00

My friend, Matt shared about Mike Huckabee moving ahead of Mitt Romney in the latest Rasmussen Poll. Sweet!

HT: MATTR OF FACT: Take One Minute

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee , Mitt Romney , Presidential Race '08

Night of the Living Democrats

2007-10-25T21:49:00.001-06:00

Hey check out this Jib Jam video starring yours truly and my lovely wife Cheryl.

Technorati Tags: Jib Jab , Democrats , Republicans , Political Humor

Newsweek's Alter - A Case for Huckabee

2007-10-23T18:44:00.001-06:00

Newsweek's Jonathan Alter makes a case for Mike Huckabee as the GOP nominee saying he is the GOP's best bet in beating the Democrats.

Huckabee comes across more hopeful than Giuliani, more believable than Romney, more intelligent than Thompson and fresher than McCain. He would hold the base and capture moderates drawn to his down-home style. His greatest asset is that he alone among the Republicans "speaks American." He connects to his audience with stories and metaphors and a geniality that can't be faked.

Interesting.

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, Presidential Race '08

Huckabee and the Christian Right

2007-10-22T17:09:00.001-06:00

Check out this article on Mike Huckabee from Time.

Coming off a heady week of endorsements from heavyweights in the Christian Right world, including Bob Jones III and Don Wilton, former president of the South Carolina Southern Baptist Convention, Mitt Romney technically won the straw poll with 1,585 of the total 5,576 votes cast. But it was former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee who lit up the crowd with a fiery sermon as the last candidate to address the gathering. He took second place, just 30 votes behind Romney. When organizers broke the votes down into those cast online and those of summit attendees, the results revealed a true thrashing. In the tally of those present at the summit, Huckabee swamped his opponents, capturing 50% of the vote. By contrast, Romney was the choice of only 10% of on-site values voters.

Mike Huckabee clearly has momentum. Over at the Campaign Spot on National Review shares that Mitt Romney's "win" is merely perception.

A strategist for a campaign that is neither Romney's nor Huckabee's: "How did Mike Huckabee's media team let headlines get out that said, 'Romney Wins FRC Straw Poll'? (A good collection of those headlines can be found here.) This guy won almost all of the votes that were available on the floor. He's the much more compelling story coming out of the straw poll. His team ought to be trying to get the 'Huckabee's the real winner' story out there.

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Values Voters, Christian Right, Presidential Race '08

The Secret Weapon

2007-10-22T13:17:00.001-06:00

I subscribe to Mary Katherine Ham's Ham Nation videos on YouTube (she is the Managing Editor of TownHall.com). This one made me laugh out loud.

Technorati Tags: Mary Katherine Ham, HamNation, TownHall.com, Hillary Clinton
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Dynamite!

2007-10-21T16:19:00.000-06:00

We have been studying Ephesians in our ABFs (Adult Bible Fellowships) at Valley Church. The passage we studied from Ephesians 1 today is:

...having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, according to the working of and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all," (Ephesians 1:18-23, ESV).

We land smack dab in a middle of a prayer of thanksgiving as Paul was remembering the Church at Ephesus, and his prayer for them as he intercedes on their behalf. He prayed that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened - that their knowledge wouldn't be just a head knowledge, but heart knowledge as well. That they would have intimacy with the Father. That they would realize the hope that they have in Christ, that they would understand God's power for those who are in Christ. We who are in Christ need to realize this as well.

Power. In Acts 1:8 Jesus said to His disciples that, "... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Greek word for power in Acts 1:8 is dunamis. It is where we get our word dynamite. It is explosive, mighty, and awesome. Dunamis is used again in Ephesians 1:19. The power working in the lives of Christians is great! Why?

Because it is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at the right hand of the Father, (Ephesians 1:20). In our flesh we can't live the Christian life. It is impossible. We can't be the witnesses that Christ calls us to be in Acts 1:8. With this God's great power within us we can. Jesus confirms this when He said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing, (John 15:4-5, ESV).

So when we face trials, temptation, & anxiety, we need to have our hearts enlightened and realize that we have God's power to overcome that temptation, to pull through that trial, and the ability to give that anxiety over to God (which He promises to give us peace in Philippians 4:6-7!). Also remember that we serve a Risen Lord who has dominion over all things! Does that give comfort? Does this bring peace? It needs to be more than head knowledge, but heart knowledge that is believed and acted upon.

This is a great reminder for me to place my faith in Christ and His power and not my own strength or ability when facing temptation, trails or different things in life that tend to cause anxiety for me. The power of God is bigger than all of that.

Dynamite!

Technorati Tags: Ephesians, Power of God, Bible, Practical Theology

Common Sense is Gone

2007-10-19T14:07:00.001-06:00

Yesterday a Portland, ME school committee voted 7-2 in favor of allowing the city-run medical clinic in King Middle School to give middle school students birth control pills without parental consent. When I was in school, my parents had to give permission for the school nurse to give me Tylenol for a headache. This is ridiculous!

Girls' as young as 11 will be able to receive birth control pills. Parents have to give consent for students to go to the clinic (which if I were them I wouldn't), but when they do they can get birth control pills (as well as condoms and other birth control items) without the parents' knowledge. The school has no place in this discussion. This is a family matter. Schools need to educate... period! By that I mean - reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.

This is simply outrageous!

(Source: Fox News)

Technorati Tags: Middle School Contraceptives

Finally... a new podcast episode.

2007-10-16T14:16:00.001-06:00

You can check out my latest podcast episode that I uploaded today - over a month in waiting! Included some music by Christian Hip Hop artist, FLAME, the Log Cabin Republican's recent anti (or is it pro?) Mitt Romney commercial, my endorsement of Mike Huckabee on the podcast, and some thoughts on Christian citizenship as it relates to politics and government. All that in under 14 minutes.

You can subscribe to my podcast here.

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, FLAME, Christian citizenship

Specks and Logs

2007-10-15T13:22:00.001-06:00

After preaching at a church recently I had an older woman come up to me to thank me for my sermon. She was visiting from out-of-town and this was the second Sunday she had heard me preach. She started to complain about the permissiveness of adolescent culture, the increasing pregnancy rates that she was seeing where she lived, as well as the language that some kids use today.

She told me all of this after sharing that she helps with the post-anesthesia room at the Planned Parenthood clinic where she lives (she is a retired nurse). So a person who works in an abortion clinic and for an organization that hands out condoms to whomever will take them was complaining about the permissive culture we live in today. Helloooooooooo - Planned Parenthood and organizations like it are a big part of the problem! Incredible!

Made me think of Matthew 7:2-4

"For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye?" (English Standard Version)

I regret not being able to talk further with this woman, but she was walking out the door and I also had someplace else I needed to be. I also was having a hard time not keeping my jaw from dropping. Needless to say I'm thankful that she wasn't a member of the church I was at.

Technorati Tags: Abortion, "Safe Sex", hypocrisy

Care to Share Community Day - 11/10/07

2007-10-11T13:12:00.001-06:00

Help support Serve Our Youth Network by purchasing a Community Day coupon booklet which can be used at Younker's, Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, or Herberger's on Saturday, November 10, 2007.

The booklets cost $5 (which goes directly to SOY) - checks can be made to Serve Our Youth Network. By purchasing a booklet you can take advantage of:

$10 coupon to save $10 on a single regular or sale price merchandise item of $10 or more throughout the store. They are doubly paying you back for your $5 donation! (Some exclusions apply; see coupon for more information.)
Eight coupons to save on a large selection of merchandise throughout the store (20% off).
Community Day Bonus Buys - Save on a Bella Cucina triple buffet server ($49.97) and their entire stock of Clarks shoes ($30 off) while supplies last.
Save on brands that rarely go on sale - Liz Claiborne, Calvin Klein Jeans, Jones New York Sport, Waterford Crystal, Swarovski, All-Clad, Demdaco, Tommy Hilfiger, Fossil and more.

You can get a booklet from me by contacting me at shanev@serveouryouth.org or (515) 321-5077.

Technorati Tags: Serve Our Youth Network, Fundraiser, Community Day, Younkers
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Do You Need a Haircut?

2007-10-11T12:17:00.001-06:00

Hey I want to give props to my sister, Stephanie Bartels. As some of you may know she cuts & colors hair for a living. She has changed locations and I wanted to make you aware.

Go see her new location:

Shear Gallery Salon
5051 E. University Ave.
Studio 107
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(next to 5 & Diner)
(515) 240-3370

Caffeinated Thoughts Special - print this post off and bring it in for $5 off a haircut or $10 off color. Let her know that her awesome brother sent you (and yes I have her permission to do this)!

Technorati Tags: Stephanie Bartels, Haircuts, Shear Gallery Salon

Huckabee Rising in the Polls

2007-10-05T12:42:00.001-06:00

Some good news for the Governor Huckabee. He continues to have positive momentum.

New insider Advantage polls show Mike Huckabee rising:

Iowa

Romney – 24%

Giuliani – 16%

Huckabee – 13%

Thompson – 13%

McCain – 10%

(http://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/insider_advantage/iowa_gop_oct.html)

South Carolina

Thompson – 21%

Giuliani – 16%

Romney – 16%

McCain – 16%

Huckabee – 11%

(http://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/insider_advantage/sc_gop_oct.html)

New Hampshire

Romney – 28%

Giuliani – 20%

McCain – 17%

Huckabee – 8%

Thompson – 8%

(http://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/insider_advantage/nh_gop_oct.html)

Michigan

Giuliani – 19%

Romney – 16%

McCain – 15%

Thompson – 14%

Huckabee – 6%

(http://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/insider_advantage/mi_gop_oct.html)

Florida

Giuliani – 29%

Thompson – 19%

Romney – 16%

McCain – 10%

Huckabee – 6%

(http://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/insider_advantage/fl_gop_oct.html)

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, Presidential Race '08

How Not To Evangelize

2007-10-05T00:06:00.001-06:00

Check out this video clip from the movie "Saved" with Mandy Moore. (HT: Dan Kimball for the video)

Obviously exaggerated, but sometimes I wonder how many times we do more harm than good at our attempts at evangelism. I remember when I was a freshman at Hoover High School, my twin brother and I just moved from Bondurant and we were befriended by a Christian student. He lived close to us and we would go to his house. We worked on an English project together, and I remember thinking he was somewhat odd. His sister would walk around the house singing hymns (not that singing hymns is a bad thing, but as an unchurched kid I thought it was strange). I also never saw his mom when she wasn't wearing a dress. Every time we got together though he kept asking me to go to church. I wasn't rude to him, but I just wasn't interested. He finally stopped asking me to come over. I guess he moved on.

I remember when I was a junior and I was walking up to Vets' Auditorium in Des Moines for the IHSAA State Wrestling Tournament (unfortunately as a spectator, not a participant). This street preacher was outside, and he looked straight at me and screamed at me, YOU ARE GOING TO HELLLLLLLLLLLLLL!" He was right. I was. I didn't know Jesus, but instead of responding in faith and repentance I told him, "You go (do likewise)!" He probably smugly thought, "see look at that sinner."

The Apostle Peter gives us some great guidance on how we should go about sharing our faith with those who do not yet know Jesus.

"But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame," (1 Peter 3:14-16, ESV emphasis mine).

Sometimes we give answers to questions they aren't even asking. Perhaps we don't demonstrate that we have hope, some Christians I know seem to be very dour people. Do we treat those who don't yet know Christ with gentleness and respect? Or are we condescending? Do we have a clear conscience, and is our walk speaking as loudly as our talk? These are questions that we have to address in order to be effective evangelists. The Gospel is enough of a stumbling block for people, let's not trip people up further with our stuff.

Technorati Tags: Evangelism

I'm Not Exactly Sure What To Say...

2007-10-04T20:32:00.001-06:00

...about this. I guess this church thinks it is evil to take an anti-depressant. I wonder if Jesus is somebody's Ritalin as well? Not by looking at some of the junior high boys I've worked with in my past. Just a word of advice for my readers who attend church - if any of you sees your church secretary or pastor put something this lame on your church's sign - for the love of Pete - stop them!

(HT: Crummy Church Signs)

Technorati Tags: Outrageous Church Signs, Humor

Huckabee 101

2007-09-29T20:39:00.001-06:00

My friend Eric embedded this video on our team blog. I liked it - it sums up Mike Huckabee pretty well, and has a lot of great clips. I thought I would share it here too.

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, Presidential Race '08

Jesus is NOT an Easy Button

2007-09-29T00:57:00.001-06:00

Does this t-shirt bother anybody else? Jesus is not an easy button! This mentality feeds into the notion that Jesus is some bubble gum dispenser. We already live in a culture that wants instant gratification, and things like that feed into it. Anyway, I'd love to read your thoughts.

Technorati Tags: Consumerism, Christian Clothing
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In the Essentials.... Unity

2007-09-28T11:07:00.001-06:00

I attended Valley Church's Vision Night (congregational annual meeting) last night. I've been to almost all of the vision nights since becoming a member there. I've taken part in other congregational meetings before, but none have had the spirit that I see at Valley.

I walked in and found some friends from my ABF, one of whom is now one of our elders, sitting at one of the tables. We begin the meeting with a concert of prayer. I love it. I have wondered why more churches don't do this. I've been part of annual meetings that end up tense and we have a bunch of arguing over things that really don't matter (like certain line items in the budget or different programs). I've dreaded meetings like that because I was usually the one, as the youth pastor, who had to address program changes or defend line items in my budget. It is draining, and saps the joy right out of ministry.

Pastor Quintin Stieff, our senior pastor, then shared the vision of the year and went through the church's vision, mission, strategy and core values as a reminder to people why we do what we do. Then the members got to vote on two items this year - the affirmation of elders, deacons and deaconess nominees, and the overall budget (the elder chairman said that the President doesn't get a line item veto so neither do we).

Though Valley Church is part of the Evangelical Free Church of America, which has as one of its distinctives that each congregation governs its own affairs, it doesn't not practice congregationalism "run amok" that I have seen in other churches. We let our pastors and our elders lead. Sure we give input (they do elders' forums before each vision night for people to come with questions & concern), and do have a say in certain matters (leadership nominees, budget, land purchase, pastoral calling, etc.), but in the day to day we trust our leadership.

Do we have differing opinions? Absolutely. Do I like every decision that is made? No, not always. Pastor Quintin reminded us of a saying that is prominent in the Free Church.

In the essentials - unity.
In the non-essentials - liberty.
In everything - charity.

The thing that we have to remember, usually when there are problems in a church this has been forgotten, is that we are not the head of the church. The pastor(s) are not the head of the church. The elders are not the head of the church. Nor the deacons or trustees. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, (Colossians 1:18). He is our Lord and Leader from whom we should be prayerfully seeking direction from not only in our churches, but our families and our lives as well.

I do want to make it clear that Valley Church is not a perfect church. We have weaknesses just like every other church. We have our ugly moments as well. All in all we strive for unity, and the key to do that is not to turn your personal preference or conviction into an essential. Almost every time I have seen conflict in a church this is what happens. People raise their preferences to the level of essentials where they do not belong. Think about the kingdom witness the body of Christ would make if we consistently followed the Apostle Paul's exhortation to...

"...walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all," (Ephesians 4:1b-6, ESV).

Technorati Tags: Unity, The Church, Valley Church, Evangelical Free Church of America

Huckabee Video Conference

2007-09-25T17:00:00.001-06:00

Mike Huckabee held a live webcast conference where he entertained questions from mainstream media, bloggers, and ordinary citizens who joined in. I thought I would post the video from that here.

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, Presidential Race '08

Have I said before that I...

2007-09-21T13:57:00.001-06:00

hate frivolous lawsuits?

Technorati Tags: frivolous lawsuits, Iowa News

Yes I Have a Brain

2007-09-21T13:19:00.001-06:00

I blogged earlier about the headaches I have had, and my experience getting an MRI. Well, my doctor called last night and the MRI shows I do in fact have a brain (shocking I know), and more importantly that nothing serious is going on. She said they could see some "old spots" where I have had concussions before (not surprising since I wrestled and played football), but nothing she is concerned about. So praise God for that. So far I've had three mornings without waking up to that sharp stabbing pain I had before. The predisone prescription has had some delightful side effects with irritability and insomnia, so I'll looking forward to coming off of that.

So the official diagnosis is cluster headaches, and my doctor is giving me some new medication samples to try out if it comes back. If this turns into a chronic thing we'll discuss other treatment options, and I'll look into other alternative stuff like chiropractors, nutritional supplements and medicinal marijuana (oops did I just let that slip out... my bad! Just kidding!).

Thank you for all of you who have been praying, I really appreciate it!

Technorati Tags: cluster headaches, MRI, medicine

Video: The History of Youth Ministry

2007-09-21T10:54:00.001-06:00

Fridays are for funny videos, and I found an enlightening documentary in that treasure trove called YouTube on the true history of youth ministry. Enjoy.

Technorati Tags: Youth Ministry, Funny Videos

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JP Moreland: What Did Jesus Believe About Scripture?

2007-09-20T16:11:00.001-06:00

Scriptorium Daily is a regular blog read for me, and I just finished reading a great post by J.P. Moreland, who is a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, on "What Did Jesus Believe About Scripture?" Take some time and check it out.

Technorati Tags: JP Moreland, Biblical Inerrancy, Apologetics, Teachings of Jesus

Susan Estrich: LIttle Girls in a Sick Society

2007-09-20T09:30:00.001-06:00

I don't agree with Susan Estrich on much, but I found my self shaking my head in agreement with this op-ed piece on the Fox News website.

We need to protect our daughters' innocence. I have mentioned on this blog before my daughters Kelvey and Lily dance. When we first started Kelvey dancing in Valparaiso, IN the dance studio we were with had the older girls were costumes for their recital that had me thinking as their dad, "over my cold dead body will Kelvey were that!"

I see girls, Kelvey's age (she just turned 11 this month) being "sexualized" it makes me incredibly sad. Where is the outrage? What the heck (I'm thinking a stronger word right now) are the parent(s) thinking? Our kids need us to be outraged about this. They need us to protect them. Flaunting your body is not a mark of maturity, but quite the contrary! Anyway, this article got me fired up this morning. I hope it fires you up as well.

Source: (FOXNews.com)

Technorati Tags: Youth Culture, Youth Ministry, Parenting, Immodesty

Star Wars As Never Seen Before

2007-09-19T08:56:00.000-06:00

These are the Starz Bunnies, they do 30 second parodies of movies. I had a link to one e-mailed to me today for "The Grudge". It was funny, but not appropriate to put on my blog. This is one they did for Star Wars.

Huckabee Wins the Values Voters' Debate Straw Poll

2007-09-18T16:25:00.001-06:00

Check out the Huckabee blog on this story. The comments section includes some links to other news articles. He received 63% of the vote that was taken at the Values Voters Debate. I'm disappointed that Romney, McCain, Guiliani and Thompson chose not to show up, but I think it is only going to hurt them in the long run. I can understand that they felt there really was no upside to this since they would have been on the hot seat numerous times.

You can read David Brody's take on it here on his blog the Brody File. You can check out the story on Fox News here. You can check out a video on CBS here.

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, Values Voters Debate

Oh My Aching Head!

2007-09-18T14:51:00.001-06:00

I've had this headache since last Monday. I've had this pain before, but not for this length of time. I've had a sharp stabbing pain in the back of my head - toward the top right side. It is intermittant pain, but it time does shorten between the sensation as it intensifies. Anyway, I decided - ok - Cheryl decided it was time to go see a doctor about it as it went on for a day. So a week ago on Tuesday I went to Mercy East in Pleasant Hill. I saw a physician's assistant there. My pain didn't quite fit any criteria she had in her head.

"Have you had any trauma to your head?" she asked.

"My wife promised that she wasn't battering me while I was asleep," I answered. She laughed nervously, and then wrote something down - I'm not sure what though.

She thought that it was most likely a cluster headache, but an abnormal presentation of one (like what isn't abnormal with me?). They gave me a tordal shot, and I went on my merry way. It gave me relief through Wednesday night and then it returned with a vengence. Darn.

I scheduled a follow-up appointment with my personal physician, Dr. Kristi Blomberg, out of Mercy West in Clive (she is awesome by the way, and attends Valley Church as well) on Monday. She said, "well the fact you haven't dropped dead in the last week is a good thing, but we'll make an MRI appointment for you to rule anything serious out, but it probably is just a cluster headache." She also have me predisone prescription that will hopefully end the headache since at that time it was going for seven days.

Today I woke up with real intense pain, I should have taken some ibuprofen last night before bed, but I didn't. I haven't been in the best mood today. Fortunately taking my prescription for the first time and some ibuprofen I started to feel better. I went to my MRI appointment. During registration I was asked several questions.

"Do you have a living will? "

"Ummm no, but I guess I should," I said. She went on to tell me how she heard that it was especially important when you you have you have kids.

"Do you have kids?"

"Yes," I replied. She said that one of her relatives had one done and suddenly she had twins. Note to self - living wills makes one more fertile.

"What is your preferred race?" (I kid you not, she asked me this. I can't make this stuff up.)

"Well I kind of like mixed, because I always wanted a darker complexion so I'm not lily white and blind people when I go to the beach. I am also rhythm challenged, but since God made me special I'll settle for being Caucasian."

Blushing and laughing, she said, "I meant preferred language, I assume that is English?"

"Actually, pig latin."

"Really?" She asked.

"otnay eallyray."

I think she was so eager to finish with this interview she missed some paperwork - the "MRI history." The radiology tech went through that with me. As she went through history form she asked me if I have had any metallic implants.

"Well there was that time I was abducted by aliens, but I don't think they used metal."

She didn't look amused - the person doing the registration probably warned her about me. She asked me if I was claustrophobic.

"I guess we'll find out."

I do the test. They pull me out to inject me with something that will "highlight the brain tissue" which sounds healthy, and I was done in 15 minutes. Dr. Blomberg will probably call me up and say, "Shane you have a brain." Which would be a surprise to me as well.

Technorati Tags: cluster headaches, MRIs, Personal Health

I've been Simpsonized

2007-09-17T22:00:00.001-06:00

I don't know... any resemblance? You can go here to simpsonize one of your pictures.

Technorati Tags: Simpsons, Burger King

God is getting sued.

2007-09-17T21:52:00.001-06:00

This isn't the most ridiculous thing I've read, but it is pretty darn close.

Nebraska Democratic State Senator Ernie Chambers has decided to go straight to the top in an effort to stop natural disasters from befalling the world.

Chambers filed a lawsuit against God in Douglas County Court Friday afternoon, KPTM Fox 42 reported.

His constituents must be so proud. His lawsuit is a political stunt to make a statement against a possible law that would restrict the filing of frivolous lawsuit. Why is this a bad thing? I hate it when I see frivolous lawsuits in the courts. It is a waste of taxpayer money.

Technorati Tags: frivolous lawsuits, political stunts

Iowa State 15, Iowa 13

2007-09-15T14:45:00.001-06:00

In the first half I give Iowa's offense an F. I give Iowa's defense a B - they have gone three games without allowing a touchdown yet, the only reason I give them a B rather than an A is due to the huge play they allowed Iowa State to complete that set up the winning field goal. They are what kept Iowa in the game. I have to credit Iowa State's defense they dominated Iowa in the first half. I guess this makes UNI "state champs' unless they lose to Drake next Saturday.

The last play ended with a 60 yard kickoff return - that was pretty exciting. Well, congratulations Iowa State on your first win.

Technorati Tags: College Football, Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones

Shane Likes to...

2007-09-15T14:17:00.001-06:00

The idea is to google (or in my case I Good Search - using Serve Our Youth Network as the charity) your name and "likes to" and see what comes up.

Good Search says I like to:

play golf in my spare time, but love horses much more.
write and play NHL 2004.
ride my bike around the house like a maniac.
walk in the countryside and visit relatives.
skateboard and can often be found at a skate park.
say he does everything Rick doesn't do.
keep it simple.
listen to techno, use his computer to be creative, and to draw.
spice things up.
do somersaults anywhere.

(HT: Ryan Tow)

Technorati Tags: Just for fun

Never Forget

2007-09-13T23:10:00.001-06:00

I didn't have the chance to post anything to mark the anniversary of 9/11, but I watched this video that my friend posted on the other blog I have teamed up with him and another to do. I wanted to post it here too. I'll never forget that day. I was teaching the high school guys' Bible class at South Haven Christian School near Valparaiso, IN. We left that class for an impromptu prayer meeting in the chapel. So many questions that day, and still.

Technorati Tags: 9/11

You Know You Are Too Busy When...

2007-09-13T22:38:00.003-06:00

... you screen a personal phone call made to you by a major presidential candidate. I was supposed to be at a pastors meeting that John McCain was hosting to talk about how churches can support the troops and be involved in the war on terror. I know a couple of people who work for his campaign here in Iowa, and they said they would like to have me there even though they know I'm supporting Huckabee.

Anyway, he was running late to a meeting with veterans before he was to meet with the pastors yesterday. He was an hour behind schedule and he had to cancel. No big deal, and I would imagine it isn't unusual for candidates to have to cancel meetings.

Today I'm sitting in a youthworkers' meeting eating lunch and I get a phone call. Noticing it was a Washington, DC number which isn't completely unusual but not common I just let it go to voicemail. I check it after the meeting and I realized I just screened a personal phone call from Senator McCain. Nice. You can listen below or here.

I already respected him before (though I don't agree with all of his positions), but I am impressed with and respect the fact that he took the time to make a phone call to apologize for missing the meeting. I don't think I'll screen phone calls from Washington, DC anymore.

Technorati Tags: John McCain, Presidential Race '08

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I'm now officially a parent of a teenager.

2007-09-13T21:20:00.001-06:00

It is so hard to believe my oldest, Kelvey, is 11 and in 6th grade! She got a guinea pig for her birthday named Almond from Cheryl's parents (they have been staying with us this week). Our previous one died this summer, so she was super excited about that. During a youthworkers meeting today we were asked what did we think we'd be doing in 5 years. My reply was going with Kelvey to get her driver's license.

I'm getting old. Happy Birthday Kelvey! I love you!

Technorati Tags: Life, Children

Gotta love football

2007-09-08T22:22:00.001-06:00

What a beautiful day for it! I love fall, and this season has been interesting so far! Watching a great game between South Florida and Auburn right now. I don't think Cheryl is as excited about it as I am.

Morgan and I went to the Drake game tonight. Drake played Waldorf College and they mauled them. The final score was 45-14, but it would have been a lot worse if Drake didn't pull their starters in the 2nd quarter. It was 24-0 after the 1st quarter. They ended up playing four different quarterbacks. Mo and I had a great time.

My Hawkeyes' defense was spectacular today beating Syracuse 35-0, and they were not as good running the ball tonight. Jake Christensen had a great night passing 23 for 32, 278 yards, and four touchdowns. Good start going into the Iowa State game next week who lost to Northern Iowa 24-13. UNI's offense dominated Iowa State's defense. I thought that UNI would beat them this year.

I'm loving it!

Oh, on a different note - this post is a milestone - my 400th post!

Technorati Tags: College Football, Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones, Northern Iowa Panthers, Drake Bulldogs

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

2007-09-07T23:55:00.001-06:00

Dr. D. James Kennedy, founder of Coral Ridge Ministries and author of Evangelism Explosion, a warrior for Christ is now at home. Heaven's gain is truly our loss. Dr. Kennedy has done much in his life to further Christ's kingdom and equip His Church to do the work of an evangelist. Thank you God for giving us such a humble, faithful servant.

If you have a chance, take some time to visit the Dr. James Kennedy Memorial.

Technorati Tags: D. James Kennedy

Recent Radio Interview

2007-09-07T21:16:00.001-06:00

I wanted to share a link where you can listen to an interview I did on Praise 940 AM in Des Moines that aired on 8/21/07. I included it in my podcast this week. You can listen to the interview here.

Technorati Tags: Shane Vander Hart, Caffeinated Thoughts Podcast, Praise 940 AM, Maxine Seileman

Friday is For Funny Videos: The Star Wars Church

2007-09-07T00:28:00.001-06:00

This video is from a church called the Mariners Church. It made me laugh out loud.

(HT: Jon Duey)

Technorati Tags: Star Wars, Funny Videos, Mariners Church
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Ministry Sacrifices

2007-09-06T16:35:00.001-06:00

Like my dignity for starters. Oh, the things I do for ministry! This was at First Baptist Church in Pella where I help with the student ministries on an interim basis. They kicked off their Kidztown program last night, and I "volunteered" to be a part of a balloon stuff game. There were two teams who tried to stuff as many balloons in the long johns as possible. The kids got 27 balloons in mine, but alas my team lost. The other team was able to get 29 balloons in. I'm just thankful they were not water balloons! You can check out the videos that I embedded too.

Technorati Tags: youth ministry, life

DM Register: Polk Ruling Correct: Law Unconstitutional

2007-09-03T17:31:00.000-06:00

Well, it is no surprise that the Des Moines Register came down on the side of Judge Hanson.

If Supreme Court justices are looking for a way to preserve the status quo, Polk County District Judge Robert B. Hanson's decision will make the high court's work difficult. Hanson's 63-page ruling, released Thursday, is carefully crafted and argued, with a thorough analysis of federal and state constitutional law. He concludes that the law violates the equal-protection and due-process provisions of the Iowa and U.S. constitutions.

All laws must be applied to every person in the same way, and no person may be deprived of fundamental rights without due process of law. The courts apply a strict legal test in assessing whether state laws that implicate fundamental rights meet those constitutional standards, and Iowa's same-sex marriage ban fails the test.

First I would argue that the ruling was not carefully crafted and argued, but rather biased and knee-jerk. Reading through the judge's opinion you can clearly see that he had his mind made up before even hearing arguments. Also at the crux of his ruling is a reference to a judicial ruling against a Virginia law that had outlawed inter-racial marriage. No one would argue against the unconstitutionality of that law. It violates the civil rights of inter-racial couples who would like to marry. That law being struck down does not degrade the institution of marriage. A ruling that allows same gender couples to marry does. Race is not fundamental to marriage, sex is. This is simply not a relevant comparison.

Which brings me to my second point... the declaration that homosexuals are being denied their constitutional rights is false. They have the right anywhere in the United States to marry, just not somebody of the same sex. Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason offers an illustration of this in an article written for Townhall.com called "Same Sex Marriage - Challenges & Responses" on 2/11/07.

Let me illustrate. Smith and Jones both qualify to vote in America where they are citizens. Neither is allowed to vote in France. Jones, however, has no interest in U.S. politics; he’s partial to European concerns. Would Jones have a case if he complained, “Smith gets to vote [in California], but I don‚t get to vote [in France]. That‚s unequal protection under the law. He has a right I don’t have.” No, both have the same rights and the same restrictions. There is no legal inequality, only an inequality of desire, but that is not the state’s concern.

The marriage licensing law applies to each citizen in the same way; everyone is treated exactly alike. Homosexuals want the right to do something no one, straight or gay, has the right to do: wed someone of the same sex. Denying them that right is not a violation of the equal protection clause.

The second complaint that is often heard is that homosexual couples do not have the same legal protections as married couples do. This is a more substantial complain which Koukl also addresses:

It’s true that homosexual couples do not have the same legal benefits as married heterosexuals regarding taxation, family leave, health care, hospital visitation, inheritance, etc. However, no other non-marital relationships between individuals – non-gay brothers, a pair of spinsters, college roommates, fraternity brothers – share those benefits, either. Why should they?

If homosexual couples face “unequal protection” in this area, so does every other pair of unmarried citizens who have deep, loving commitments to each other. Why should gays get preferential treatment just because they are sexually involved?

The government gives special benefits to marriages and not to others for good reason. It’s not because they involve long-term, loving, committed relationships. Many others qualify there. It’s because they involve children. Inheritance rights flow naturally to progeny. Tax relief for families eases the financial burden children make on paychecks. Insurance policies reflect the unique relationship between a wage earner and his or her dependents (if Mom stays home to care for kids, she ˆ and they ˆ are still covered).

These circumstances, inherent to families, simply are not intrinsic to other relationships, as a rule, including homosexual ones. There is no obligation for government to give every human coupling the same entitlements simply to “stabilize” the relationship. The unique benefits of marriage fit its unique purpose. Marriage is not meant to be a shortcut to group insurance rates or tax relief. It’s meant to build families.

The Register's opinion is also reflective of their bias. Let's remember that they are not an authority on constitutional law as they position themselves to be. This is a flawed ruling, and one I hope is overturned by the Iowa Supreme Court.

Technorati Tags: Apologetics, Same Sex Marriage, Constitutional Law

Ah yes, football season is here.

2007-09-01T22:36:00.001-06:00

I love it! My alma mater, Hoover High School won its first game since 2004 by beating Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson 26-20 (OT), yeah we weren't that good when I was there either, but we didn't go winless. Go Hoover, I hope the rest of the season goes well for the Huskies.

Then Iowa won its first game this year beating Northern Illinois 16-3 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The defense looked good, and I was happy with the offensive line's performance. The rushing game was on with Albert Young rushing for 144 yards and Damian Sims ran for 110. I don't remember the last time when Iow,a had two running backs with over 100 yards in one game. Quarterback Jake Christiansen only completing 12 passes out of 29 for 128 yards is bothersome. He did through for one touchdown, and didn't throw any interceptions. So at the very least played a pretty clean game.

Obviously the shocker of the day is Appalachian State upsetting #5 Michigan at Michigan 34-32. Something to keep in mind that while Appalachian State was formerly Division I-AA (now called championship subdivision rather than bowl - what is that all about?), they are the defending two-time NCAA Division I-AA champions. They didn't come into Michigan expecting to lose. The fact that were ahead 28-14 going into the fourth quarter shows you that they belonged there. They committed three turnovers to Michigan's two - I'm surprised they still pulled it out with that stat.

Iowa State losing to Kent State 23-14 at home? Not a good start for the new head football coach, Gene Chizik, but I don't think anybody is expecting miracles. Bret Meyer threw two interceptions, now there is a surprise.

Then Drake upset Illinois State (who was ranked #7 in Division I-AA) 27-24. Great start for the year - I hope that continues. By the way for those of you who may not be aware - Drake is classified I-AAA which means they can not give out scholarships. So it is huge to beat a time who can, let alone a team that is ranked.

Northern Iowa beat Minnesota State - Mankato 41-14. So with the exception of Iowa State it was a pretty good weekend for the major Iowa universities. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

Technorati Tags: College Football

Iowa Needs a Marriage Amendment

2007-08-31T00:04:00.000-06:00

The Des Moines Register reports today that Iowa's DOMA law was struck down by a Polk County judge.

A Polk County judge on Thursday struck down Iowa's law banning gay marriage.

The ruling by Judge Robert Hanson concluded that the state's prohibition on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and he ordered the Polk County recorder to issue marriage licenses to six gay couples.

"This is kind of the American Dream," said plaintiff Jen BarbouRoske, of Iowa City. "I'm still feeling kind of shaky. It's pure elation, I just cannot believe it."

Camilla Taylor, an attorney with Lambda Legal, a New York-based gay rights organization, said the ruling requires "full equality for all Iowans including gay and lesbian Iowans and their families."

I've blogged about "gay marriage" a few times before you can check out some past posts here, here, and here. If you live in Iowa you need to be in touch with your State Senator and Representative.

The Iowa House Republican Leader, Christopher Rants, issued a statement in response:

“Judge Hanson’s shocking action today has reversed the will of the people of Iowa, the will of the Legislature,” said Rants. “Democrats, in trying to appease special interest groups, allowed this to happen with their opposition to a marriage amendment. If Gov. Culver and Legislative Democrats proceed with a special session regarding the date of the Iowa caucus, Democrats need to step up and put this issue to rest by introducing a marriage amendment to Iowa’s Constitution.”

Rants added that House Republicans would support a Constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage in the state of Iowa. “The over-stepping and stunning action taken by this court today proves that work on a Constitutional marriage amendment must begin immediately.”

(HT: Eric)

Technorati Tags: Gay Marriage Debate, Judicial Activism

The Last Few Days... Go God!

2007-08-29T22:09:00.001-06:00

I blogged about the last few days I've had in my ministry at Serve Our Youth Network. I also participated in a lock-in with the youth at First Baptist Church in Pella. The evening consisted of bowling (don't ask what my score was), sardines in a dark church building, baking cookies, pizza, playing mafia, and little sleep. So to say the least my weekend was exhausting, but good.

Technorati Tags: Serve Our Youth Network, First Baptist Church of Pella

Teaming Up For a New Blog

2007-08-29T21:17:00.001-06:00

Hey, I've been asked to be a part of a new blog called From Their Own Mouths... This new blog will analyze politicians absurd or insightful statements and stands. My plan is to have fewer political posts here - the exception to that will be some Huckabee posts and politics as it relates to a Biblical worldview. Anyway... you can read my first post here.

Technorati Tags: Political Blogs

The Freethinkers' Guide to Debating Christians on the Internet

2007-08-27T11:51:00.001-06:00

I just read this today. It was hilarious. It was spot on when I have seen how some of these debates go on discussion boards or in chat rooms.

(HT: Bill Kesatie on The Christian Cadre Blog)

Technorati Tags: Apologetics, Debate Techniques

Huckabee on FNS

2007-08-27T10:30:00.001-06:00

Governor Huckabee was on Fox News Sunday yesterday. You can read the transcript here.

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, Presidential Race '08

Common Misconceptions About Youth Ministry

2007-08-23T09:01:00.001-06:00

I just finished re-reading an article that I had read a few years ago written by Mark Oestreicher of Youth Specialties called "What I Wish I Knew When I Started Youth Ministry, Part 1: My Stupid Misconceptions". Well they are not just his misconceptions. I know all of us who have been in youth ministry have held some or all of these misconceptions at one time or another (and perhaps even still). I have seen volunteers who have struggled with these misconceptions, as well as, parents, church board members and pastors. Read the article for a detailed explanation, but I wanted to list them here.

My role as a youth worker is to be a buddy to the students.
My role is to identify and confront all the sin in students' lives.
I can fix any student.
I've got to be cool, speak the lingo, play guitar, and throw around youth culture references.
Parents are the enemy; parents are the problem (obviously parents don't hold this one).
Advisory teams and boards are useless and slow you down.
I've got better ideas than other youth workers.
The best curriculum is the stuff I write.
Young adults make the best youth workers.
I'm in competition with other churches.
The goal is to be big.
Youth ministry is the most important ministry in the church.
Safety issues are for other people and other churches.
If you ignore problems, they'll go away.
A lot can be accomplished in the first year.
Eventually I'll have youth ministry totally figured out.

Are there any of these you take exception with? Are there others you would add? Leave a comment and let me know.

Technorati Tags: Youth Ministry, Youth Specialties, Mark Oestreicher, Misconceptions of Youth Workers

Rain

2007-08-22T23:09:00.003-06:00

I'm tired of the rain. It seems like Iowa has entered into monsoon season. Cheryl had me go out and get her some dinner after she got home from work tonight. Pulling into the Burger King drive through I got soaked just putting my window half way to order. The sacrifices I go through for my wifey!

So in a time when we seem to be having a bunch of severe weather, flash flood watches & flood warnings I'm reminded of scripture.

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against the house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it," (Matthew 7:24-27, ESV).

When Jesus said this the region was known for torrential rains that would bring floods since the region is extremely dry and doesn't get a lot of rain so the ground would have a hard time absorbing the rain. The storms were one of the few things that would reveal the quality of the homes that were built at that time. Some would withstand the torrents, others would be found wanting.

One thing was certain. Storms come. It wasn't a matter of if, but rather when. Ultimately there is an eschatological storm coming:

"Precisely because they have misled my people saying, 'Peace,' where there is no peace, and because when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash, say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! There will be a deluge of rain, and you, O great hailstones, will fall, and a stormy wind break out. And when the wind falls, will it not be said to you, 'Where is the coating with which you smeared it?' Therefore thus says the Lord God: I will make a stormy wind break out in my wrath, and there shall be a deluge of rain in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to make a full end," (Ezekiel 13:10-13, ESV).

We will all have to stand before God one day and give an account of what we did with his Son Jesus. Did we reject Him or did we stand before God justified not based on our own righteousness but Christ's having received Him as Lord and Savior?

There are other storms that we face as well. Life brings a lot of challenges - financial, relational, physical and the like. It isn't a matter of if, but when. The wisdom in this passage says that if you put Jesus words into practice you are wise. You are building your life to withstand anything that comes your way. So faith in Christ and obedience to His word will not make life easier, but will give you the wisdom and perspective to come through those challenges and make wise decisions.

The contrast that with the foolish people who hear Jesus' words and does not put them into practice. This is pretending to have faith, merely an intellectual commitment or trying out Jesus here and there in life when it suits them. It is like the person who talks about having faith, but having no fruit.

All of our "houses" look secure in good weather. It is when the storms in life when it will be revealed if we are wise or foolish. Build your life on Christ and His word, not your own will and you will be able to withstand the coming storms.

Technorati Tags: Matthew 7:24-27, Following Christ

Look Beyond the Superficial

2007-08-22T19:50:00.001-06:00

My friend, Eric, wrote an excellent post on John 3:17 on Sunday. I encourage you to check it out.

Evangelicals Anonymous: Judge Not

Technorati Tags: The Church, Messy Christianity, Mercy, Grace

Weighing in on Michael Vick

2007-08-21T23:16:00.001-06:00

Quite frankly I'm sick of this story. Perhaps now that Vick has pleaded guilty this story will die a quick death, but I doubt it. I have some issues with this plea arrangement. I'll probably take some flack for this, but oh well. I like dogs I really do (my mini-dachshund, Mac is our furry kid) . I think dogfighting is a deplorable practice and the killing of the losing dogs is cruel, but I'm surprised at the huge fine that Vick has to pay and the year in prison after a plea arrangement. If he were found guilty by a jury of his peers what would the sentence be then?

My struggle is should their really be prison time for killing dogs? Probably, but it seems out of whack to me when I hear of child rapists getting off with less time that what Vick is getting. I've seen those who have been found guilty of vehicular homicide get less time than this. Human life is far more valuable than a dog's. Dog's are not created in the image of God, we are. I'm not saying there shouldn't be consequences - their should, but we need to see some balance brought back to our justice system.

Technorati Tags: Michael Vick, NFL, Atlanta Falcons, Dog Fighting

Driving Through Storms is Fun

2007-08-20T23:37:00.001-06:00

I've had a knack for driving through storms the last couple of days. Yesterday I was traveling back from Eldora where we celebrated my aunt's 50th birthday. Cheryl was sick on Sunday so she didn't go with us so it was just me with the kids. Right after we left Eldora we ran into a storm, and it was raining so hard I was only able to go about 40mph. There was also a lot of standing water on the road. Outside of Hubbard (the next road south if you travel on Hwy. 65) there must have been an accident because we saw a police car pulled off the side of the road with his lights on. We then had an ambulance and fire truck pass us soon after. I didn't see a car on the other side of the road though, but there was a lot of water coming up on the road at that point though. My son, Morgan, kept on saying, "we are going to die, we are going to die" as he had a smile on his face. My 7-year-old Lily was crying.

I got to Hubbard, and had to stop to get gas at the Casey's. I wanted to pay at the pump, but wouldn't you know it it didn't work! After pumping gas and running inside to try to keep, unsuccessfully, from being entirely soaked I learned that a tornado had touched in between Hubbard and Radcliffe and was heading toward Hubbard. So we got out of there quick, and this time Lily was bawling and saying, "I want Mommy!" Finally 10 miles down the road it stopped raining. Got to love the drama!

Then tonight coming back from Pella I drove through a nasty storm. A lot of lightning. Fortunately it wasn't nearly as bad as last night, and I didn't have my little drama queen with me.

Friday is for Funny Videos

2007-08-17T19:00:00.001-06:00

The Monty Python Cheese Shop skit. Happy Friday!

Technorati Tags: Monty Python

Casting Crowns & Tree 63 Concert

2007-08-17T18:30:00.001-06:00

Cheryl and I attended the Casting Crowns & Tree 63 concert at the Iowa State Fair last night. It was awesome, and an awesome prime rib steak sandwich beforehand. I had to pass on the fried twinkies though.

Below I am embedding one of my favorite songs by Casting Crowns.

Tree 63 was awesome too. This is a pretty good video by them.

Technorati Tags: Casting Crowns, Tree 63, Iowa State Fair

Abolishing the IRS - The FairTax

2007-08-15T21:19:00.001-06:00

I am just learning about the FairTax plan, and the more I read the more I like the idea. It seems to make the most sense, and it would completely simplify and overhaul our federal tax code. Americans for Fair Taxation explains what this plan would do. I am going share their thumbnail sketch from their website here since they can explain it better than I could.

The FairTax proposal is a comprehensive plan to replace federal income and payroll taxes, including personal, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security/Medicare, self-employment, and corporate taxes. The FairTax proposal integrates such features as a progressive national retail sales tax, dollar-for-dollar revenue replacement, and a rebate to ensure that no American pays such federal taxes up to the poverty level. Included in the FairTax Plan is the repeal of the 16th Amendment to the Constitution. The FairTax allows Americans to keep 100 percent of their paychecks (minus any state income taxes), ends corporate taxes and compliance costs hidden in the retail cost of goods and services, and fully funds the federal government while fulfilling the promise of Social Security and Medicare.

Americans take home their whole paychecks.
Not only do more Americans have jobs, but they also take home 100 percent of their paychecks (except where state income taxes apply). No federal income taxes or payroll taxes are withheld from paychecks, pensions, or Social Security checks.

The prebate makes the FairTax progressive.
To ensure no American pays tax on necessities, the FairTax Plan provides a prepaid, monthly rebate (prebate) for every registered household to cover the consumption tax spent on necessities up to the federal poverty level. This, along with several other features, is how the FairTax completely untaxes the poor, lowers the tax burden on most, while making the overall rate progressive. However, the FairTax is progressive based on lifestyle/spending choices, rather than simply punishing those taxpayers who are successful. Do you see how much freer life is with the FairTax instead of the income tax?

No tax on used goods.
The amount you pay to fund the government is totally visible. With the FairTax you are only taxed once on any good or service. If you choose to buy used goods − used car, used home, used appliances − you do not pay the FairTax. If, as a business owner or farmer, you buy something for strictly business purposes (not for personal consumption), you pay no consumption tax. The FairTax is charged just as state sales taxes are today. When you decide what to buy and how much to spend, you see exactly how much you are contributing to the government with each purchase.

Retail prices no longer hide corporate taxes or their compliance costs, which drive up costs for those who can least afford to pay.
Did you know that income taxes and the cost of complying with them currently make up 20 percent or more of all retail prices? It’s true. According to Dr. Dale Jorgenson of Harvard University, hidden income taxes are passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices for everything you buy. If competition does not allow prices to rise, corporations lower labor costs, again hurting those who can least afford to lose their jobs. Finally, if prices are as high as competition allows and labor costs are as low as practical, profits/dividends to shareholders are driven down, thereby hurting retirement savings for moms-and-pops and pension funds invested in Corporate America. With the FairTax, the sham of corporate taxation ends, competition drives prices down, more people in America have jobs, and retirement/pension funds see improved performance.

The income tax exports our jobs, rather than our products. The FairTax brings jobs home.
Most importantly, the FairTax does not burden U.S. exports the way the current income tax system does. The FairTax removes the cost of corporate taxes and compliance costs from the cost of U.S. exports, putting U.S. exports on a level playing field with foreign competitors. Lower prices sharply increase demand for U.S. exports, thereby increasing job creation in U.S. manufacturing sectors. At home, imports are subject to the same FairTax rate as domestically produced goods. Not only does the FairTax put U.S. products sold here on the same tax footing as foreign imports, but the dramatic lowering of compliance costs in comparison to other countries’ value-added taxes also gives U.S. products a definitive pricing advantage which foreign tax systems cannot match.

The FairTax strategy is revenue neutrality: Neither raise nor lower taxes so consumer costs remain stable.
The FairTax pays for all current government operations, including Social Security and Medicare. Government revenues are more stable and predictable than with the federal income tax because consumption is a more constant revenue base than is income.

If you were in a 23-percent income tax bracket, the federal government would take $23 out of your paycheck for every $100 you made. With the FairTax, if the federal government gets $23 out of every $100 spent in America, the same total revenue is delivered to the federal government. This is revenue neutrality. So, instead of paycheck-earning Americans paying 7.65 percent of their paychecks in Social Security/Medicare payroll taxes, plus an average of 18 percent of their paychecks in federal income tax, for a total of about 25.65 percent, consumers in America pay only $23 out of every $100. Or about 30 percent at the cash register when they elect to spend on new goods or services for their own personal consumption. And this tax is collected only on spending above the federal poverty level, providing important progressivity.

Tax criminals don’t make criminals out of honest taxpayers.
Today, the IRS will admit to 16 percent noncompliance with the code. FairTax.org will be generous and simply take the position that this is likely a conservative estimate of the underground economy. However, this does not take into account the criminal/drug/porn economy, which equally conservative estimates put at one trillion dollars of untaxed activity. The FairTax does tax this -- criminals love to flash that cash at retail -- while continuing to provide the federal penalties so effective in bringing such miscreants to justice. The substantial decrease in points of compliance -- from every wage earner, investor, and retiree, down to only retailers -- also allows enforcement to concentrate on following the money to criminal activity, rather than making potential criminals out of every taxpayer struggling to decipher the current code.

What is the FairTax Plan?
The FairTax Plan is a comprehensive proposal that replaces all federal income and payroll based taxes with an integrated approach including a progressive national retail sales tax, a prebate to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level, dollar-for-dollar federal revenue replacement, and, through companion legislation, the repeal of the 16th Amendment. This nonpartisan legislation (HR 25/S 1025) abolishes all federal personal and corporate income taxes, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, and self-employment taxes and replaces them with one simple, visible, federal retail sales tax administered primarily by existing state sales tax authorities. The IRS is disbanded and defunded. The FairTax taxes us only on what we choose to spend on new goods or services, not on what we earn. The FairTax is a fair, efficient, transparent, and intelligent solution to the frustration and inequity of our current tax system.

If you want to find out where the Presidential candidates stand on this issue go here. If you want to find out where your Congressman or Senator stands go here. You can get more in-depth information about the Fair Tax plan here. For more information on how to get involved go here. I'm embedding an informational video below.

Technorati Tags: FairTax, Income Tax, Consumption Tax

Now Going on 15

2007-08-14T13:48:00.001-06:00

Cheryl and I mark our 14th anniversary today. I can not believe how fast time has gone. We get to celebrate today with her working and I have the privilege of mowing my lawn before it becomes a rain forest. Fun, fun. We are going to go to a concert later this week so that'll be fun (Casting Crowns & Tree63 at the Iowa State Fair).

Anyway, I thought I would mention this. It saddens me to think of how many marriages do not make it to this milestone though.

Technorati Tags: Personal, wedding anniversary

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Runners Do Your Civic Duty

2007-08-13T09:44:00.001-06:00

My brother who does a lot of running saw this ad in Runner's World. I wanted to share it with you because it made me laugh out loud.

Technorati Tags: Humerous, Runners, Marketing

Iowa Straw Poll

2007-08-11T20:59:00.001-06:00

I went up to Ames with Eric Goranson today. It was a complete circus with all of the special interest groups and media. The Ron Paul group was rather energetic (I'm being diplomatic).

We visited the Fair Tax rally in the morning which sounds like a very awesome idea. I encourage you to go to their website and learn more. It has a lot of grassroots support building. In a nutshell it is about replacing the federal income tax and FICA with a national consumption tax of 23%. This plan would also include a monthly "prebate" which would help those who are below the poverty line. They made a very convincing case. I encourage you to check out their website.

We caught Mike Huckabee's band Capitol Offense - they are really good. I was impressed. We enjoyed Kinfolks BBQ at the Huckabee tent and then got some homemade ice cream at Duncan Hunter's area. We both got to meet Duncan Hunter and his wife. We then decided to go vote before the speeches began - we are both Huckabee supporters. We then walked around checking out the other candidate tent areas - I saw Newt Gingrich walking down the sidewalk the opposite direction. We were still hungry so tried to get some Famous Dave's at Brownback's tent. You needed ticket, darn! We then checked out Mitt Romney's tent - they got the coup of caterers with Hickory Park. The line was too long and we suspected you needed a ticket there as well - too bad. If you ever get up to Ames, IA going to Hickory Park is a must. I give the Romney campaign kudos for getting them to cater.

The speeches were interesting. I didn't feel Romney really said anything of substance, but it was clear that he had the majority there. John Cox spoke - I didn't even know he was running - who is he? I felt bad that he hardly had anybody at his tent. Tom Tancredo had some good things to say, but you can tell he was very nervous. He had a good crowd, and you could tell his message was resonating with some. I like that he is strong on illegal immigration, but it almost comes across as anti-immigrant. I don't think that is the case, but that is how it will be spun. Duncan Hunter spoke and he you can tell he has a lot of great experience on defense and national security. He should be on a short list for Secretary of Defense in a Republican administration. Ron Paul's speech surprised me. He didn't really bring up his position of wanting to pull out of Iraq immediately. Most of it I could agree with, but not bringing up that position was a little disingenuous. Tommy Thompson also seemed like he had a good crowd. He brings a lot of good experience as well. His background of welfare reform is very impressive. He wants to find a cure for breast cancer by 2015 (I may not have the exact year right).

Governor Huckabee I feel gave the best speech. He was the only one who received a universal standing ovation (not just his supporters). He also had a lot of support too. Sam Brownback had a good showing today as well, and probably gave one of the better speeches I have heard from him. All in all it was a good day. Eric and I also have a chance to talk with Kim Lehman of the Iowa Right to Life Committee. If you live in Iowa, be sure to support their upcoming book sale, and support their petition to keep the pro-life plank on the GOP platform.

Well got home, and got the results later. Here are the unofficial results out of 14,203 ballots cast.

Governor Mitt Romney - 4516 votes - 31%
Governor Mike Huckabee - 2587 - 18.1%
Senator Sam Brownback - 2192 - 15.3
Representative Tom Tancredo - 1961 - 13.7%
Representative Ron Paul - 1305 - 9.1%
Governor Tommy Thompson - 1009 - 7.3%
Senator Fred Thompson - 231
Mayor Rudy Giuliani - 183
Representative Duncan Hunter - 174
Senator John McCain - 101
Mr. John Cox - 41

I think that Representative Hunter will leave the race since he was beat by candidates who were not even there. Mr. Cox should also drop out, but I would encourage him to run for a seat in the U.S. House. I would suspect that Governor Thompson may leave the race too, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, it was a fun day. I should have pictures up in a day or two.

Update: Check out Eric's post on the Straw Poll results.

Update - 8/19: I finally have the pictures from the straw poll up here.

Technorati Tags: Iowa Straw Poll, Presidential Race

Rights and Responsibilities

2007-08-10T23:15:00.001-06:00

I found this video on Governor Mike Huckabee's YouTube Channel.

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, Christianity and Culture

I'm podcasting

2007-08-10T22:24:00.001-06:00

Yeah, I'm giving it a try. I probably only do one a week, maybe two. My first is just a short devo on Romans 8. You can reach the actual podcast blog at Caffeinated Thoughts Podcast, and you can subscribe to it here. Give a listen and let me know what you think. Also if you have content ideas, let me know since this is in its infancy. Any advice or tips would be welcome as well.

Be nice with your comments though - it's my first try! If this goes well I'm considering doing one for Serve Our Youth Network that would include juvenile justice news, mentoring information, volunteer interviews, etc.

Technorati Tags: podcasting

Friday is for Funny Videos

2007-08-10T18:29:00.001-06:00

Vander Hart men have had experience in this area.

Technorati Tags: Weird Al Yankovic, Comedy

A Gossip is the Knife of the Party

2007-08-09T22:46:00.001-06:00

I remember reading that years ago on Westchester Evangelical Free Church's sign. It has stuck with me still. A gossip is truly a relationship killer. Gossips poison conversation, they are divisive and unfortunately very prevalent in the Church. I've had to deal with gossip in my 15 years of youth ministry. I've been the subject of it, and I've had people come to me with it. I am sure I've been guilty of it at times. I was recently a victim of it again. I'm sure the person meant well by it, that person probably thought they were doing what was right, but ultimately what it does is destroy unity in the body of Christ. I decided to look at some scripture on the subject.

A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure, (Proverbs 11:12-14, NIV).

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good, (Proverbs 16:27-29, ESV).

The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart, (Proverbs 18:7-8, NLT).

He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip, (Proverbs 20:19, NASB).

Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down. As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being. Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel, (Proverbs 26:20-23, HCSB).

I want to encourage you to put a stop to gossip. If you hear it, ask them if they have talked to the person they are referring. If they haven't let them know they need to talk to that person. Gossip and slander (they usually go hand in hand) are a cancer in the church. I've seen them destroy fellowship and create disunity. Many church splits have been a result. Not to mention reputations that are ruined.

If somebody offends you or sins against you - follow Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18:15-17 - go to that person. Remember also to speak the truth in love, (Ephesians 4:15). Pray and see if it is really necessary to confront. Is it that I was truly offended? Is this really a sin? Perhaps it is just a difference of opinion, philosophy or even personality. Most of all let's take Peter's admonishment to heart:

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins, (1 Peter 4:7-8, NIV).

Technorati Tags: Bible, gossip, slander, protecting unity

A Great Reminder

2007-08-08T23:45:00.000-06:00

HT: Janet Parshall

Technorati Tags: Armed Forces

Kindergarten Cop?

2007-08-08T20:00:00.000-06:00

Teachers as reserve police officers? That is a question that is currently being asked in Nevada. While I'm a supporter of 2nd Amendment rights I am not sure this is the best idea. My main problem is that teachers have too many roles as it is, and I think it would be too easy for roles to be blurred. I'd prefer this idea not take in Nevada and then spread here.

Anyway, what do you think? Good idea or a knee jerk reaction to Virginia Tech and other campus shootings? As always I appreciate your comments.

Source: Las Vegas Sun Politics

Technorati Tags: School Security, Campus Shootings

Be Careful Who You Call Baldy

2007-08-07T22:47:00.000-06:00

I've been blogging too much on politics lately. I'm feeling dirty (just kidding). I thought I would write about something different tonight. Yesterday I was reading a Des Moines article, and this gentleman in the comments section on that web page made a comment about how unbelievable the "Christian God" is because of unbelievable verses such as "the Book of Kings in the Old Testament about the prophet sending bears to maul kids because they made fun of him." That caught my attention because I read that passage yesterday in my time in the Word (before I read the article) so it was an interesting coincidence. I filed the passage under the "I'm going to have to do some research on that" category. Well the comment prompted me to do a little study into it. The passage that the gentleman referred to is below.

He (Elisha) went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead! And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys, (2 Kings 2:23-24, ESV).

It seems outrageous. I mean to be mauled because you called a prophet a baldy seems to be a bit much. Well to understand this passage one has to understand the context of the situation. Elisha just succeeds Elijah after Elijah was taken up to heaven, (2 Kings 2:9-14). He then goes into Jericho and heals their water supply. He was well received there, but then he goes on to Bethel. A different situation awaits him along the way.

The phrase "go up, you baldhead" was more than just some kids making fun of his lack of hair.

"The public insult against Elisha was a mocking caricature of Elijah's going up into heaven, aimed ultimately at the God whom he represented. Indeed, Elisha's whole prophetic ministry was in jeopardy; therefore the youths' taunt had to be dealt with decisively. The sudden arrival of the two bears who mauled forty-two youths to death would serve as both an awful sentence on unbelievers - and thus, too, on Jeroboam's cult city - and a published reminder that blasphemy against the true God and his program would be met with swift and certain consequences, (pg. 538, "1 & 2 Kings", NIV Bible Commentary - Volume 1: Old Testament, Austel & Patterson, Grand Rapids: Zondervan).

When they said "go up" they were clearly referring to Elijah. The bears didn't come out because they called Elisha "baldhead", but rather because they were mocking God. Also I learned that...

"Two different descriptions are used for this group (referring to the mockers). The first (v. 23) uses a noun and adjective combination that elsewhere refers to children or prepubescent youths. The second (v. 24) typically refers to the younger generation, from babies (e.g., Ruth 4:16) to middle-aged men (e.g., 2 Kings 12:8; Rehoboam was over forty, and these are his peers). This is probably a group of young teens. It was Elisha's curse but God's judgment." Regarding the use of the name "baldhead", "If Elijah was a hairy man (see 2 Kings 1:8), Elisha's baldness would be a stark contrast and perhaps suggest to some that he could never have the same powers of his master. This taunt would therefore be a disavowal of his prophetic office and calling and would be strikingly refuted by the immediate fulfillment of his curse.... Ravaging wild beasts were often seen as punishment sent from God," (pg. 387, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament; Walton, Matthews, & Chavalas; Downers' Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press).

So to answer this gentleman and those who may be confused by this passage. Prophets are not petty people who curse people because they taunt physical features. This is also a great example of how context is king. Too many poor arguments or shaky theological positions have been formulated because of people cherry picking certain verses out of the Bible without understanding the proper context and interpreting the whole of Scripture.

Some may say that "this is an unfair judgment on young teens!" A couple of passages to keep in mind.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life, (Galatians 6:6-8, NIV).

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts," (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV).

Technorati Tags: Hard Bible Passages, Biblical Interpretation

Yesterday's GOP Debate

2007-08-06T12:05:00.000-06:00

I can't say that I liked having it on a Sunday morning at 8:00am, but I did watch before church. I am taking part in a voter voices panel for the Des Moines Register. Below is what I sent into them yesterday afternoon.

I was glad that the debate started on the topic of abortion and right-to-life issues. A recent Pew Research poll showed that 47% of GOP voters do not know that Rudy Giuliani is pro-choice. I feel Senator Brownback helped himself in this debate among the conservative base with the pro-life issue.

Mitt Romney helped himself in the Iraq section of the debate with the criticism of Senator Obama, the "from Fonda to Dr. Strangelove" comment was pithy along with his criticism that Obama wants to "have tea with our enemies and bomb our allies." His comment that we need to have a "surge of support" was good regarding more funding, troops, supplies and encouragement.

Regarding a domestic agenda I think that Governor Huckabee came across the strongest in terms of health care, taxes, and infrastructure. Congressman Tancredo and Senator Brownback both stated some bold tax reform views that I think will be popular with the GOP base.

The main thing I feel was missing from this debate was Fred Thompson. If he is going to run, come on already. Get in the race and make a case as to why you should be the next president.

I watched on Fox News this morning while working out that the focus group that watched the debate with Frank Luntz (he run focus groups during all of the presidential debates so far). They felt that Huckabee did the best job answering the questions directly. They felt he was honest, and less scripted in his answers. They thought he "talked to them, rather than at them" which they didn't feel was the case with the other candidates. They resonated with his positions, particularly on health care. Interesting.

No one really hurt themselves, but I'm not sure the sharp exchange between Brownback and Romney helped Mitt Romney - he didn't really address the content of the automated phone call that the Brownback campaign made. All in all I think that Governor Mike Huckabee and Congressman Duncan Hunter were probably the most helped by the debate.

I am looking forward to this Saturday's Ames Straw Poll. If you are an Iowa resident, and need tickets you can get them through the Iowa GOP (if you are in support of a certain candidate you should be able to get a free ticket through their campaign).

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, GOP Debate, Iowa Straw Poll, Presidential Race

Do People Really Know Rudy Giuliani?

2007-08-05T00:59:00.001-06:00

I guess not according to a recent poll of GOP faithful mentioned in the Carpetbagger Report. When I attended a Brownback function back in June, David Barton of Wallbuilders spoke. He said that evangelicals in 2000 and 2004 made it out to vote in the general election, but evangelicals are not as good at getting out for the caucus and primary vote. I would like to submit to my fellow evangelicals who read this blog that the caucus/primary vote is extremely important, especially this year. I don't know about you, but I would prefer not to have to choose between two pro-choice, pro-gay (special) rights candidates in the general election. It is time to get to know the candidates.

Giuliani, I know has some good qualities, he did a great job as Mayor of New York City in implementing policies that helped to lower the abysmal crime rate that rose during the Dinkins administration. I also respected his leadership right after 9/11. He is, however, dead wrong on abortion, and he's wrong for supporting the homosexual extremist agenda.

Technorati Tags: Rudy Guiliani, Presidential Race

HamNation: Better Living Through Bathroom Etiquette

2007-08-03T21:40:00.001-06:00

Mary Katharine Ham of TownHall.com posted her latest HamNation video on YouTube. Oh, how sad that this is now considered a criminal act.

Technorati Tags: Mary Katharine Ham, Political Correctness, Koran

Friday is for Funny Videos

2007-08-03T15:51:00.001-06:00

When I was growing up I loved Weird Al Yankovic, that actually may explain a lot about me. Anyway, you can imagine my delight when I discovered a bunch of his videos on YouTube. You can check out my YouTube channel in my favorites I have a bunch there.

Anyway, this video is the "Saga Begins" which is Weird Al's version of "American Pie". I hope you enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Weird Al Yanokivic, Funny Videos

Juveniles and Justice

2007-08-02T11:33:00.001-06:00

I normally don't read Philippine news, but I have google news alerts for "juvenile justice" e-mailed to me and it is interesting what ends up in my inbox. An article, "What youth offenders need" in Tuesday's Manila Standard Today caught my eye as an example of how not to fix an ailing juvenile justice system.

The Philippines have had a horrible track record when it comes how youth have been treated in their criminal justice system. They had been placed in over-crowded jails along with adults. My position (one I share with the author of this article, Rita Linda V. Jimeno) is that juvenile offenders should not be placed in detention alongside of adults, ever. Why? There are four reasons why I hold this position:

Their vulnerability: We do not want to see kids victimized by a prison culture that often preys upon the weak.
Their brains: Current research regarding the teenage brain (yes they do have them) shows that the adolescent brain is immature in precisely the areas that regulate the behaviors that that are typical of adolescents who break the law. There seems to be lower impulse control, and they do not have the ability to consider long-term consequences in the same way as adults. This doesn't not excuse criminal behavior, but it does show that the decision making process for teenagers is quite different than it is for adults.
Adult prison is often a criminal training ground: Do we want to put kids in an environment where they learn how to become better criminals? We don't want to see kids become hardened by serving time in an adult environment with adult criminals who will be a negative influence on impressionable kids.
The current mentality that leads the charge to treat juveniles as adults: I feel is this mentality more about making political statements and making oneself appear to be "tough on crime" than it is about justice. Those who advocate this position, especially those who are followers of Christ need to be reminded of this verse - "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God," (Micah 6:8, NIV). When you propose the same sentence for a 16-year-old as you would for a 45-year-old is that acting justly? Where does mercy come in? Are we walking humbly before God seeking His wisdom, or are we acting in a knee-jerk reactionary way? This is something we need to consider.

Back to the Philippines... in April 2006 the Philippine Congress passed a law called the "Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act", and according to the article I just read this law states that:

...youth offenders—15 years and below—are exempt from criminal liability. This means they cannot be prosecuted or imprisoned and must immediately be released to a social worker upon apprehension. Moreover, those in jail serving their terms, or awaiting the court’s verdict upon the enactment of the law, are also to be released if, at the time of the commission of the offense, they were 15 years of age or younger. And if a minor is above 15 but below 18, and commits a crime without discernment, then he will also be released.

I was just thinking about what would happen if we took this law and applied in the United States. Mass chaos would be the result. I would submit to you that this doesn't line with with the command in Micah 6:8 either... is this acting justly? No because it doesn't give any thought for the victim(s) involved with the crime. Is this loving mercy? Is it merciful to not hold juveniles accountable for their actions at all? No it isn't. These juvenile offenders in the Philippines who just got their "get out jail free cards" can re-offend, re-offend and re-offend and not learn a blessed thing. There are no consequences linked to their actions and that is frankly quite dangerous for them and for society in general. I would suspect that the Philippines will see an increase in juvenile crime. The only thing that has been reduced, as a result of this law, is the number of youth who are incarcerated.

What does it mean to act justly and to love mercy in regards to our juvenile justice system? We, who are in the body of Christ, need to be advocates; just like the apostle Paul advocated on behalf of Onesimus, the runaway slave, in his letter to Philemon. Under Roman law, Philemon had the right, as Onesimus' owner, to put him to death. Paul wisely saw that this young man (most Bible scholars agree that Onesimus likely was a teenager) was not a "throwaway kid", he had value. We need to recognize that juvenile offenders have value. They are also created in the image of God. They need the hope and healing that Jesus brings. They often need a voice. What does it mean to be an advocate?

Lobby for improvements in your state's juvenile justice system. While our system is certainly better than what we see in the Philippines, there is always room for improvement. Let's make sure that juveniles are treated as who they are - kids. This doesn't mean that they are not to be held accountable or even avoid incarceration, but they shouldn't be treated exactly as adults and viewed as throwaways.
Visit youth who are incarcerated. They love having people come visit them, and are often amazed when people spend time with them when they are not being paid to. Jesus said that when we visit those who are in prison (and that would also include juvenile detention centers) then we have also visited Him, (Matthew 25:34-40). Serve Our Youth Network has many opportunities for people to get involved as Bible discussion group leaders, volunteer chaplains, mentors and visitors. If you do not live in Iowa - check out Straight Ahead Network and its affiliates to see if there is a ministry that reaches out to juvenile offenders where you live.
Welcome them when they are back home. This is key. Youth need encouragement that they can make changes. It is one thing to be resolved to change when they on the inside, but quite a different story on the "outs". Kids need help with job skills, they need to be given a chance with employers, and sometimes need advocates when it comes to getting back into school. They need life skills training. They need loving, supportive accountability. They need people who are going to welcome them into local churches because that is not a natural transition for them.

If the Church does not do this... who will?

Technorati Tags: Juvenile Justice, Social Justice, Youth Advocacy, Youth Ministry

DM Register: Evangelicals Not Impressed

2007-08-02T09:40:00.001-06:00

The Des Moines Register reported yesterday that the GOP presidential candidates fail to appeal to a key constituency. That key constituency being evangelicals. When they say "GOP presidential candidates" they of course are talking about the "top tier" candidates whom the mainstream media have already declared likely to win the nomination. It is way to early to declare a winner. I believe that we will see Governor Mike Huckabee or Senator Sam Brownback (perhaps both) gain ground after the Iowa Straw Poll on August 11. Both candidates have been campaigning hard with evangelicals. Both are solid social conservatives.

The Register is right that evangelicals are not impressed with the early front runners. Senator John McCain is not worked and played well with others in the past in regards to social conservatives, evangelicals in particular. He has just alienated too much of his base, and his efforts on the immigration bill has hurt him. Mayor Rudy Guiliani is a one issue candidate. I just don't see him ultimately winning the nomination because of his stand on social issues. I think people are really only considering him because of electability. My problem with Governor Mitt Romney more with his recent "conversion" (so to speak) to social conservatism, and not so much with his Mormon faith. Even though he is in the polls, Senator Fred Thompson still isn't officially a candidate, and from what I've seen he doesn't appear to want in very badly.

Regarding Governor Tommy Thompson, I don't think will be in the race very much longer. The Straw Poll is going to be do or die for him. Congressman Tom Tancredo doesn't have much of a chance either since he hasn't not received much media attention here in Iowa, and I believe his comments on immigration in the last debate will hurt him. Congressman Duncan Hunter is too much of a one-issue candidate right now. During his interview with the Register, all of his answers slanted toward national security (which I agree is important) I was amazed at how he linked his answer to a question on education back to national security showing what little depth he has when it comes to other issues. Congressman Ron Paul I believe is only popular on Facebook and MySpace, his poll numbers are abysmal.

I believe of all the candidates Huckabee, Brownback, and perhaps Fred Thompson (if he would declare already) have the most appeal, as far as, their values are concerned. Huckabee and Fred Thompson are probably the most electable of the three, and I believe Huckabee has the best experience of the three, and that is why he is my choice. So my challenge to Iowa's evangelicals and other social conservatives is to get out to the straw poll and vote your conscience. Forget the polls and be a rebel! The war in Iraq and National Security are important, but they are not the only issues. Let's not the mainstream media crown anybody for us.

Technorati Tags: Politics, Presidential Race, GOP, Mike Huckabee