tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314293872011-09-04T04:47:52.078-07:00Herein lie the thoughts and ponderings of a Reformationally-minded, right-wing, conservative, adult male of Scottish descent. Beware.Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.comBlogger661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-22766708382226717822010-12-07T09:53:00.000-08:002010-12-07T09:53:33.488-08:00

Listen to the speech here Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives:Yesterday, December 7, 1941--a date which will live in infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-85923337004858438752010-11-24T12:25:00.000-08:002010-11-24T12:25:28.054-08:00

One of my friends on Facebook said something that reminded me about how much I love Thanksgiving.  I love the "holiday season" in general--that period of time from Reformation Day (or All Saints Eve, if you wish) through New Year's Day--with all the colors, the change in the weather, the decorations, the music, and all the traditional festivities of the season.  Like most people, it's my favorite

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-58559997039871152902010-11-09T16:12:00.000-08:002010-11-09T16:39:17.026-08:00

As my friends know, I am a big proponent of the classic hymns of the Christian faith.  The best ones have solid doctrinal content and singable, reverent tunes.  They are treasures to be taught and passed down to future generations. I'm also a big fan of singing the Psalms.  What's better than singing the words of uninspired men is to sing the actual inspired Word of God itself!  In addition to

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-4578952679497846582010-11-01T15:36:00.000-07:002010-11-01T17:28:59.796-07:00

This is Part 3 of my analysis of the 2010 General Election from Orange County, CA.  The following is a list of how I am voting on some of the Statewide and Local offices: Governor Chelene Nightingale (AI) -- Jerry Brown's failed policies have already been implemented and were harmful to the welfare of CA.  What's worse, by his own admission he's a big fat liar.  Meg Whitman's "hispandering" is

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-82697866959583435532010-10-31T14:43:00.000-07:002010-10-31T14:43:04.244-07:00

This is Part 2 of my analysis of the 2010 General Election from Orange County, CA. Propositions Summary Prop 19:  NO Prop 20:  YES Prop 21:  NO Prop 22:  NO? Prop 23:  YES!! Prop 24:  NO! Prop 25:  NO!! Prop 26:  YES Prop 27:  NO Rationale Prop 19:  NO -- A Yes vote would result in greater proliferation and availability of marijuana in CA.  Children will be able to much more easily acquire it

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-11447964449861010652010-10-28T13:04:00.000-07:002010-10-28T13:07:50.623-07:00

As everyone is fully aware from the yard signs, attack ads, and sound-bite debates, Election Season is almost over.  In fact, with only one week left to go before the General Election, now is the time to figure out how you're going to vote (if you haven't already).  I live in Orange County, in southern California--once a bastion of Conservatism in a largely Left-leaning state.  Now, it seems, I'm

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-24191015515689329152010-08-03T13:21:00.000-07:002010-08-03T13:22:20.090-07:00

My wife and I were watching the DVD of the recent BBC version of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility last night.  We were highly amused by the portrayal of the differences between men and women illustrated in a specific conversation between the Dashwood women and Sir John Middleton: "Willoughby!" cried Sir John; "what, is he in the country? That is good news however? I will ride over to-morrow,

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-68511925076671598322009-10-22T12:24:00.001-07:002009-10-22T13:02:50.423-07:00

My grandmother died last week. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but it was sad nonetheless. But she lived to a ripe age of 89 and was a follower of Christ. She was ready to go. It was bitter-sweet.When my grandfather died ten years ago, he had a funeral in the church but there was no graveside/burial service. Whoever wanted said a few words and that was about it. So this time, especially

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-81950234464840853052009-03-26T12:25:00.001-07:002009-03-26T12:36:34.244-07:00

...in the US House or Senate to stand up to President Obama and say, to his face, the same things this British member of the European Parliament said to PM Gordon Brown?Daniel Hannan, Conservative MEP for South East England, gives a speech during Gordon Brown´s visit to the European Parliament on 24th March, 2009.

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-42721270859799762132009-03-02T12:27:00.000-08:002009-03-02T13:44:27.537-08:00

On Saturday I had the privilege attending a 3-hour lecture given by the well-known New Testament scholar, and Bishop of Durham, . N.T. Wright. It was hosted by St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA. The title of the lecture was "Paul for Tomorrow's World." The lecture was taped and is slated to be available for viewing here.Bishop Wright is well known for his defense of the

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-73286687256285628582009-01-30T08:36:00.000-08:002009-01-30T16:57:13.296-08:00

Many of us have read this before. But, something this good ought to be read again. The following link is to an amusing article which connects Plato's philosophical analysis of the human soul (the "tripartate soul") with the the three most common uses of tobacco. While the analysis may be somewhat tongue-in-cheek, I think it accurately highlights some characteristics of humanity, especially in

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-16192377980997062872008-10-09T13:29:00.000-07:002008-10-09T13:46:32.124-07:00

Author and professor David Wells, speaking on the White Horse Inn, on October 5, 2008, had the following to say about the significance of the absence of the pulpit the evangelical Church today:In this last book I wrote, The Courage to be Protestant, I talked about the transition from the Pulpit to the Plexiglas stand to the Barstool. And nobody, none of us, would say that the Word of God is

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-61375098717407104802008-09-04T08:23:00.000-07:002008-09-04T08:51:20.075-07:00

Here are a few descriptions I heard or read about Governor Palin's speech last night at the RNC, from both conservatives and mainstream media alike:"Stunning." "Phenomenal." "A home run." "Elegant." "Poised." "Connected with middle America." "She was impalin!"In my opinion, Sarah Palin knocked it out of the park last night. She had a tall order to fill. She had to do exceptionally well,

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-79500754995159743912008-09-03T08:39:00.000-07:002008-09-03T08:46:07.680-07:00

On the Frank Pastore Show yesterday, Rebecca Hagelin, VP of Communications for the Heritage Foundation, said the following:"Sarah Palin is the modern Proverbs 31 woman."Thoughts?

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-33639262760157255082008-08-28T09:21:00.000-07:002008-08-28T10:47:44.552-07:00

US Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has recently been chastised for speaking on theological positions about which she, apparently, knows very little."Pelosi Gets Unwanted Lesson in Catholic Theology"I'm no Roman Catholic, but abortion is one issue where the Protestant Church stands side-by-side with Rome. And the US cardinals, archbishops, and bishops have emphatically taken Pelosi to task

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-89327718594217593682008-06-13T12:08:00.000-07:002008-06-13T12:47:29.221-07:00

Yes, I got a ticket. But it's only my second ever. Then again, it was my second in about as many years. Yes, it was for speeding. But I was trying really hard to drive the speed limit; I looked up from my speedometer for just a couple seconds and--BAM!--there were those flashing red and blues. He didn't seem to buy my story, either...Anyway, so in order to avoid getting a point on my driving

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-69503595891208963052008-04-22T12:54:00.001-07:002008-04-22T13:13:41.330-07:00

We just finished a kitchen remodel. In the course of events we also purchased new ovens. Beautiful, stainless steel, convection, double ovens from Kitchen Aid. As I sat down to browse through the instruction manual (hey, I'm an engineer! what do you expect?) I learned that our ovens keep the Sabbath. And boy do they ever!When the Sabbath Mode is set, only the number and start keys will

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-14543838744313028622008-04-01T09:19:00.000-07:002008-04-01T09:49:47.749-07:00

I was catching up on listening to episodes of the White Horse Inn on my iPod on the way into work this morning. Toward the end of the 2/16/2008 episode ("What would Moses Do?"), Dr. Horton offers a couple of nuggets of wisdom on preaching and the Bible, which I had to transcribe:When people say, "I need more practical preaching," what they're saying is "I need more Law." Now, they may be right.

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-46555192190947521992008-03-03T20:29:00.000-08:002008-03-03T20:34:53.541-08:00

You gotta be careful on the Internet. Sometimes you might run across something really frightening, hidden deep on some page of some website somewhere, like this:

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-60170686423040250392008-02-20T10:03:00.000-08:002008-02-20T10:07:25.902-08:00

My friend, Nathaniel, has said it well. What else can be said?Light up and enjoy!

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-21037322112206351752008-02-08T08:22:00.000-08:002008-02-08T08:59:52.877-08:00

On land, at sea, at home, abroad, / I smoke my pipe and worship God."Here's a little poem I discovered that is believed to be written by none other than Johann Sebastian Bach, illustrating the contemplative nature of pipe smoking and Bach's right understanding that all of life--even the most mundane parts--is an act of worship.Whene'er I take my pipe and stuff itAnd smoke to pass the time awayMy

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-7679065264400158492008-01-02T08:35:00.000-08:002008-01-02T08:45:02.254-08:00

While I already didn't believe the slogan, going to Disneyland in the middle of the "Christmas Break" should be enough to make anyone confident that the exact opposite is true. In the midst of the huddled masses, long lines, and exorbitant prices, there was this small, wonderful glimmer of grace and happiness:I love my little "Space Ranger 2." :)

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-44333183720725255192007-12-21T13:14:00.000-08:002007-12-21T13:35:13.967-08:00

At this time of year, we listen to (and, hopefully, sing) a lot of Christmas carols. I was listening to Wesley's "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" today and began thinking about one verse in particular:Christ, by highest heaven adored,Christ, the everlasting Lord,Late in time behold him come,Offspring of a Virgin's womb.Veiled in flesh the Godhead see:Hail, the incarnate Deity,Pleased as man with

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-33456853093339781682007-12-05T10:37:00.001-08:002007-12-05T10:39:50.287-08:00

Rare hidden camera footage of a mysterious musical rendition performed by an unnamed Presbyterian minister in Orange County.

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-41999069905947249022007-11-07T08:42:00.000-08:002007-11-07T09:15:07.051-08:00

Is that what the Gospel is all about? Is the goal of the Christian life really to be happy, healthy, and successful? That's what Joel Osteen teaches, in his super-successful book, Your Best Life Now. Simply obey God's commands; follow these seven steps; God is keeping score; but don't worry, there are no serious consequences if you fail--you'll just miss out on living "your best life now."The

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-41090662895987448312007-10-17T10:14:00.000-07:002007-10-17T13:52:15.853-07:00

I just wrote a letter to the governor, infuriated with his most recent activity in supporting the homosexual agenda in California's public school system. At the urging of Brant, I include it here:Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,I write to you with great dismay, frustration, and anger at your recent actions of signing into law SB777, AB394, AB102, and AB14. It is entirely disappointing to me that

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-56574320205073670812007-10-05T16:39:00.000-07:002007-10-05T16:53:43.854-07:00

Okay, for quite some time I've noticed the increasing trend of people walking around, going about their daily activities, with a Bluetooth headset in their ears. I just don't understand it. Unless you're driving, chances are you just don't need it. And it's highly unlikely you need to be on the phone continuously as you go grocery shopping, purchase your Starbuck's Frappuccino, walk your dog,

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-91295433588510887512007-10-01T15:13:00.000-07:002007-10-01T15:21:38.172-07:00

I sure do!Compounders of P&M Dermasalve are giving away 6 Free Dr. Mom Otoscopes. Click HERE for details.We've always wanted to be able to look in our kids' ears when they have a cold to see if they also have an ear infection. Having an otoscope could save us an unecessary trip to the pediatrician. Enter to win! (h/t Nathaniel)

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-77241890706007109712007-09-22T15:12:00.000-07:002007-09-22T15:17:41.059-07:00

Why do we even allow this man in to the USA? In a country where we don't even allow our own citizens to travel to places like Cuba, we're letting this terrorist-condoning hater of the free world in to our own nation to speak out against it? What is our problem?

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-51340107421435434932007-09-06T08:32:00.000-07:002007-09-06T08:57:52.728-07:00

I was saddened to learn yesterday that Rev. Dr. D. James Kennedy died yesterday. My wife stumbled across the story on Lucianne. We never saw it reported anywhere else all day.Dr. Kennedy was probably the best-known, current-day conservative (i.e., "biblical") Presbyterian minister in the world. He injected a dose of biblically-faithful, Reformation perspective into the mainstream evangelical

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-48237664525043275382007-08-16T14:25:00.000-07:002007-08-16T14:55:33.878-07:00

Congress is currently considering jacking up the federal tax on tobacco again. This time it will result in an increase of over 20,000% on cigars, as well as an equally oppressive increase on pipe tobacco.There is no other product or transaction in the IRS code with anywhere near the oppressive and punitive levels proposed in this increase. Even if you don't enjoy a good cigar now and then,

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-64835553989255957972007-08-14T16:03:00.001-07:002007-08-14T16:11:02.527-07:00

A town in Georgia is going to have a referendum to allow the townsfolk to decide on whether to ban all sales of alcohol.The problem with alcohol (like most other societal problems) is not the alcohol. The problem is people. Those who misuse and abuse any divinely-given blessing from God should be held responsible for their actions. If you ban alcohol, tobacco, firearms, knives, automobiles,

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-71241667380519745922007-08-09T08:58:00.000-07:002007-08-14T16:12:18.192-07:00

I read this pithy statement somewhere the other day about American culture. The author was quoting an apparently well-known adage, but this was the first time I heard it. I thought it was quite descriptive:Americans worship their work,Work at their play,And play at their worship.Indeed!

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-72709256290638017312007-08-02T08:25:00.000-07:002007-08-09T09:05:26.766-07:00

Boneheads - 8/1/2007I was in the area and happened by this fun-sounding place in Lake Forest quite by accident. I was in a newly restored shopping area called "The Orchard," looking for something else. But the name caught my attention, and I thought: "Grilled fish--it's good for me, sounds tasty, and I don't eat it often enough." So I gave it a shot.Inside, the place was packed. The dining

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-47640125784165610832007-07-12T16:15:00.001-07:002007-07-13T09:17:55.168-07:00

I finally read my friend Brant's post responding to another post in defense of "praise choruses." And since this is one of my hobby horses, I can't resist the compulsion to ride. In response to Cheer 1: The author claims, Praise songs are "on the whole, present truths that are theologically sound." What praise songs is he singing? The majority of the ones I've experienced in my life are

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-33930576905322592862007-07-03T09:09:00.001-07:002007-07-03T09:29:28.810-07:00

In the midst of all the recent hubbub about President Bush's commutation of Scooter Libby's prison sentence, let us remember that it is the privilege of the President to commute or pardon individuals who he believes were treated unjustly. And before we go around pointing the finger at Bush for "subverting the rule of law," let us not forget the 61 commutations and 395 pardons of convicted

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-86106595955720700362007-06-07T13:07:00.000-07:002007-06-08T10:30:49.127-07:00

I've had a few of those proud daddy moments recently, where I reflect with admiration and beam with glee at my kids. There has been a series of events over the past week or so which involve my four-year-old, Bennett, and about which as a parent I couldn't be gladder. Allow me a few moments to boast about the great son God has given me:First, I got a call last week from my wife, telling me

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-34815139474429657022007-05-21T13:02:00.001-07:002007-05-21T15:46:21.160-07:00

Here's the second installment of Restaurant Reviews.Mustard Cafe - 5/21/2007This was my second visit to Mustard Cafe in Foothill Ranch. Clearly, that's a good sign. This restaurant qualifies as somewhere slightly above the "high end fast food" category, being a chic, tasty, and relatively expensive experience. The kind of place where Sales & Marketing folks, Stockbrokers, and well-to-do Soccer

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-83937432498078525002007-05-17T08:38:00.000-07:002007-05-21T15:56:52.932-07:00

Here's some confirmation from the dark side of society. It's an excerpt from an interview today with Jenna Jameson, who is considered, according to the article, "the world's most famous porn star."PR.com: "Do you find that the climate of the adult industry changes when there is a Republican administration versus Democratic?" Jenna Jameson: "Absolutely. The Clinton administration was the best

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-3501383300096305272007-04-17T07:45:00.000-07:002007-05-21T16:05:04.897-07:00

I haven't written in quite a while. But, in light of yesterday's tragic events at Virginia Tech, I felt compelled to post something about it.As I hear and watch the news reports, I am greatly grieved and saddened. My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who died in this brutal attack. I cannot comprehend the sense of frustration and hopelessness many of them surely feel. But I

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1169769406667934652007-01-25T15:53:00.000-08:002007-05-21T15:57:25.102-07:00

You might enjoy this site as much as I do. Make up your own savvy and creative church signs at www.churchsigngenerator.com. Here's a couple I've made:

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1169498731161439372007-01-22T12:24:00.000-08:002007-05-21T16:02:11.854-07:00

I was quite disturbed to read the following article, "Documentary on Beast1ty. premieres at the Sundance Film Festival." The story, written unsurprisingly by someone at the LA Times is clearly sympathetic to this subject, "the last taboo," according to the director. The article describes it as "poetic," "strangely beautiful," with "elegiac visual re-creations." It's "not graphic in the least

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1167859352493421332007-01-03T13:00:00.000-08:002007-05-21T16:02:47.156-07:00

Pat Robertson is spewing forth nonsense again, saying that "God told him" that a major terrorist attack would take place in the US in 2007. Stand To Reason has a good blog on this.The short of the matter is if you claim "God told you" something, you're claiming to be a Prophet. If your prophecies don't come true 100% of the time, you're a false prophet and a blasphemer, taking the Lord's name

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1164995749125502232006-12-01T09:44:00.000-08:002007-05-21T16:03:04.798-07:00

This coming Sunday is the first day of the New Year. Sunday, December 3, 2006 is the First Sunday in Advent. As I think about the topic that will be our pastor's sermon this coming Sunday, I have run across so much good and encouraging material. One particularly striking piece is a brief article written by Dr. John Piper, entitled "A Big God for Little People." I believe as you read through it

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1164045424528168172006-11-20T09:22:00.000-08:002007-05-21T16:03:39.379-07:00

According to this story, several cities in Europe are getting rid of all traffic signs in a Rousseauian attempt to improve traffic safety and efficiency. According to the proponents of this "new" philosophy:"The glut of prohibitions is tantamount to treating the driver like a child and it also foments resentment," and "the many rules strip us of the most important thing: the ability to be

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1163541148041618062006-11-14T13:36:00.000-08:002007-05-21T16:03:51.984-07:00

This past Sunday we had my youngest son baptised. Providentially, I was the elder assisting in leading the worship service that day and so I had the opportunity to make some comments about baptism in response to the pastor's sermon. I wanted to drive home some summary ideas about baptism since I knew that both sets of grandparents would be there and their sacramental views are typical "

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1163005343896072322006-11-08T08:14:00.000-08:002007-05-21T16:04:34.111-07:00

Today I'm suffering from the agony of defeat. In yesterday's election, out of the 49 persons or propositions I voted on, only 22 went the way I voted (45%). If that sounds pretty good, out of the 23 races I particularly cared about, only 8 went the way I voted (35%).I have been saying to friends and family for several years now, the Republicans in Congress have squandered away their opportunity

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1162077588988084732006-10-28T15:43:00.000-07:002007-05-21T16:05:20.624-07:00

I'm thinking about starting a new line of topics on this blog, where I will review various restaurants I have visited. Since I am a lover of fine food, and since I do seem be blessed with opportunities to dine at some very fine establishments from time to time, perhaps this places me in a unique position among my peers to provide descriptions of my experiences. Perhaps you may find them helpful

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1159994899101073982006-10-04T13:30:00.000-07:002006-10-04T13:48:19.120-07:00

Tonight I depart for my first Presbytery meeting. The church which I help lead is a mission work of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC), a denomination with its roots in the Scottish Reformation and, surprisingly, still intact after 273 years.If you wouldn't mind, please pray that I would have a safe trip, that the meetings would maintain unity centered on biblical truth, charity,

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1159309822573148692006-09-26T15:05:00.000-07:002006-09-29T15:31:38.416-07:00

Life often imitates art. Maybe you remember the episode of the Simpsons where Ned Flanders--the annoyingly wierd, overly zealous, legalistic supposedly Christian neighbor--opened up a Christian amusement park called "Praiseland." Well stand back, now there's "The Holy Land Experience" in Orlando, Florida (along with a host of other similar endeavors).For $30 you can experience such exciting

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1158883785159947982006-09-21T17:01:00.000-07:002006-09-21T22:02:16.236-07:00

Does this little girl look happy to you? Well, would you be happy if Hugo Chavez had his arms around you like that?I'm enraged that he after he is graciously allowed to enter our country he then has the nerve to blast our president in the most uncivilized, rude, and immature manner. What a frightening, unstable man.Can we please just kick the UN out of New York and get the heck out of the UN

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1158611348940979272006-09-18T13:00:00.000-07:002006-09-18T13:30:38.926-07:00

"By Friday [9/22] the Tomcat will be gone." This article talks about how the US Navy's F-14 Tomcat, made famous in the hit movie Top Gun, will be retired after 36 years of service, and includes bios of some of the men who flew it. Wow. She was a beauty.

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1158001181865198172006-09-11T11:44:00.000-07:002006-09-11T11:59:41.903-07:00

Where's the outcry?About one week ago, American forces transferred to the Iraqis control of the Iraqi prison made famous for the degrading and humiliating treatment by a number of American servicemen and women. And what is the result?Allegations of routine torture: "...Screams were coming from the cell blocks housing the terrorist suspects."Mass executions: "on Wednesday [9/6/06], 27 prisoners

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1157731555342307492006-09-08T09:00:00.000-07:002006-09-08T09:05:55.850-07:00

My pastor recently had the opportunity to meet the participants of the White Horse Inn radio program. I still haven't heard what all they discussed, but I was excited he got to do this. Perhaps I'm living vicariously, but oh well. (My pastor is second from the right.)

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1157689099601596132006-09-07T21:08:00.000-07:002006-09-16T18:40:00.536-07:00

Join us this weekend--Friday, September 7 and Saturday, September 8, 2006--for the fall 2006 Ligonier Conference. The subject is the Atonement of Christ and its significance in our lives. Speakers will be R.C. Sproul and Ligon Duncan. Here's a brief summary:Beginning with the man’s need for atonement, they will discuss the identity of those Jesus came to save, look at how He ransoms us from God’s

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1157492811648736402006-09-05T14:40:00.000-07:002006-09-07T07:27:43.183-07:00

Just got back from Hawaii. But I'll talk more about that later.Read this article today on Drudge. Apparently, Muslims will start getting their own specialized gowns whenever they go to hospital in the UK.What I want to know is, do they flap open all way way down the back, like a traditional hospital gown?

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1156178033504529692006-08-21T09:00:00.000-07:002006-08-21T15:28:39.793-07:00

America is the land of choice. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that Americans have far more choices in general than any other nation on earth. It's so ingrained in our psyche that we see "choice" as a given, almost an "inalienable right." This right to choose extends from the most grave (the choice to murder your own unborn child) to the most mundane (orange juice).The last time I was at the

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1156109895415120522006-08-20T14:23:00.000-07:002006-08-22T12:44:10.140-07:00

The other day Brant and I were discussing the idea that the idea of Law comes naturally to us as humans. We all inherrently understand that good deserves reward and bad deserves punishment. Of course, reinforcement of this throughout our lives helps.Last week, my wife called me up and told me that our eldest son's (he's three) sense of justice had been offended. I had driven to work, having

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1155674022561224072006-08-15T12:56:00.000-07:002006-08-15T13:33:42.653-07:00

This story oughtta make all those conspiracy nuts out there who think that the US staged the Apollo moon landings on a Hollywood back lot feel real good. "Suuure you lost them. Uh huh."

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1155661608893756502006-08-15T09:35:00.000-07:002006-08-15T11:04:54.243-07:00

America is a nation of entertainment junkies. We're addicts. Just like a heroin addict, all we can think about is our next fix. NFL, NBA, NASCAR, Snoop Dog, Christina Aguilera, American Idol, Sez and the City, Lost, 24, etc., etc. We walk around town in a trance with our iPod earbuds glued to our ears, faithfully attending Regal Cinema or the Troubadour or Edison Field on Sundays, where we

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1155069772911333682006-08-08T12:48:00.000-07:002006-08-09T10:22:08.253-07:00

Okay, I have no idea what possessed me. I think someone at the recent SCCCS conference mentioned Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. And today, on my way to lunch, the thought occurred to me: "Someone out there must have done something called "The Fashion of the Christ."Sure enough, here's a fashion show, starring a Jesus Christ impersonator.Yes, it's a bit irreverent--but probably not

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1154551113777343592006-08-02T13:26:00.000-07:002006-08-04T02:05:08.410-07:00

Reminder: This weekend is the annual Summer Conference, sponsored by the Southern California Center for Christian Studies. This year's theme is "Holywood Worldviews and the Cultural Mandate." Speakers will include (among others) Jack Hafer and Brian Godawa, Producer and Screenwriter, respectively, of the award-winning film, To End All Wars. Should be a good and informative time, as usual.

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1153887662855484512006-07-25T21:00:00.000-07:002006-07-25T21:49:21.536-07:00

Okay, here's part two of the introduction to checksums, as recently learned by this novice. The concept of a Cyclic Redundancy Check is derived from polynomial math. The idea is this: Take your file or a block of data in binary notation and convert it into a polynomial with coefficients of either one or zero. Ex, if your message was 1101:1101 --> (1)x^3 + (1)x^2 + (0)x^1 + (1)x^0 --> x^3 + x^2 +

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1153515464340624812006-07-21T13:44:00.000-07:002006-07-25T21:45:07.696-07:00

Here's something interesting to the techies. In my quest for learning new things, I did a little research about what a CRC (cyclic redundancy check) is. Since I found the subject interesting, I thought I would share a little about it here.A CRC is a type of checksum, and is a way of attempting to ensure that data (e.g., a computer file, or stream of data over a network) has not become corrupted

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1153457682436438442006-07-20T21:48:00.000-07:002006-07-21T10:33:49.523-07:00

Parents spend only 19 minutes a day looking after their children. This comes from yet another study (this one in the UK) which shows that parents are orphaning their children while they pursue their careers.And yet, I thought the following quote was particularly interesting:"Recent research showed that most mothers with young families would prefer to stay at home and look after their children."So

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31429387.post-1153441391767304312006-07-20T17:07:00.000-07:002006-07-21T10:34:24.910-07:00

So this is my first attempt at a blog. Okay, that's not quite true--I started a blog several years ago, just as they were coming around. But I ran out of time to keep it updated and eventually gave up. Now that blogging is "all the rage," I decided to try giving it another shot. (Of course, now I have even less free time, so we'll see...)I always have lots to say--not that anyone really ought to

Vanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628260636530671722noreply@blogger.com2