There once was a fellow named Lindsey,
Whose political repute was quite flimsy.
He kept his seat in the Senate—
Through dishonesty he did win it—
And now he can do whate’er his whimsy.
Gresham Barrett is the man who can’t tell
That he cannot speak o’er a crowd’s yell.
To the Tea Party he came,
And he should’ve left in shame,
But the backs people turned didn’t ring a bell!
Ron Paul stepped up and did what he could.
He did what everyone else knew they should.
He tried to save the day,
But now folks will say,
“A vote for Ron Paul was no good!”
Obama as president is a dud.
He has dragged the U.S. through the mud.
In foolishness he has capitalized,
But we really shouldn’t be surprised;
He was helped to D.C. by Elmer Fudd!
McCain’s race was in such a plight,
Though he fought on with all of his might.
So he tapped Sarah Palin,
And his campaign went sailin’,
But he still couldn’t appeal to the Right.
The citizens of the United States
In ignorance a problem did create.
Now the voters should demand
The crooks get their hides tanned,
But they’ll have to act before it’s too late!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Book Review 1
Paul, Ron. The Revolution: A Manifesto. New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2008.
Marsceau Book Score: 99%
The Revolution, by Ron Paul, is an excellent primer on the current United States political situation, a manifesto for those of us who want to change this situation, and a handy reference for future generations of Americans. Dr. Paul points out the fundamental questions that should be asked about the present way of government in the United States. These questions concern the interventionist foreign policy of today, the very existence of the Federal Reserve Bank, the use of bills of credit (paper money) versus real money (gold or silver), the invasion of our personal privacy, and more.
Dr. Paul is a true statesman. He sidesteps the current smokescreen issues we generally hear debated, and looks at the men who control the federal government and their methods of governing. This perspective lends common sense yet refreshing thought to the possibilities available to all Americans. Consider these gems from the book:
Law reflects the morality of the people…Let us therefore adopt the constitutional position, one that is achievable and can yield good results but that shuns the utopian idea that all evil can be eradicated. The Founding Fathers’ approach will not solve all problems, and it will not be perfect. But anyone expecting perfection in this world is going to be consistently disappointed. (p. 61)
What is more, the law cannot make a wicked person virtuous. According to Aquinas, God’s grace alone can accomplish such a thing. The law is simply incompetent here. What the law can do is provide the peace and order within which men can conduct their affairs. But so much of what is important in human life takes place far removed from law, and in the domain of civil society, families, and communities. These salutary influences, apart from the state, have a responsibility to improve the moral conduct of individuals. We ought not to shirk our own responsibility by looking to politicians—who are not exactly known for living beyond moral reproach themselves—to carry out so important a function. (pp. 126 -127)
Our Constitution was written to restrain government, not the people. Government is always tempted to turn that maxim upside down. Little wonder that George Washington, the father of our country, once said, “Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” (p. 135)
For more directive, dive in and read this book. Each American who wants a part in reforming constitutional government in his country will find no better instructions or more encouraging marching orders than those of Dr. Paul.
Ron Paul for President in 2012!
Marsceau Book Score: 99%
The Revolution, by Ron Paul, is an excellent primer on the current United States political situation, a manifesto for those of us who want to change this situation, and a handy reference for future generations of Americans. Dr. Paul points out the fundamental questions that should be asked about the present way of government in the United States. These questions concern the interventionist foreign policy of today, the very existence of the Federal Reserve Bank, the use of bills of credit (paper money) versus real money (gold or silver), the invasion of our personal privacy, and more.
Dr. Paul is a true statesman. He sidesteps the current smokescreen issues we generally hear debated, and looks at the men who control the federal government and their methods of governing. This perspective lends common sense yet refreshing thought to the possibilities available to all Americans. Consider these gems from the book:
Law reflects the morality of the people…Let us therefore adopt the constitutional position, one that is achievable and can yield good results but that shuns the utopian idea that all evil can be eradicated. The Founding Fathers’ approach will not solve all problems, and it will not be perfect. But anyone expecting perfection in this world is going to be consistently disappointed. (p. 61)
What is more, the law cannot make a wicked person virtuous. According to Aquinas, God’s grace alone can accomplish such a thing. The law is simply incompetent here. What the law can do is provide the peace and order within which men can conduct their affairs. But so much of what is important in human life takes place far removed from law, and in the domain of civil society, families, and communities. These salutary influences, apart from the state, have a responsibility to improve the moral conduct of individuals. We ought not to shirk our own responsibility by looking to politicians—who are not exactly known for living beyond moral reproach themselves—to carry out so important a function. (pp. 126 -127)
Our Constitution was written to restrain government, not the people. Government is always tempted to turn that maxim upside down. Little wonder that George Washington, the father of our country, once said, “Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” (p. 135)
For more directive, dive in and read this book. Each American who wants a part in reforming constitutional government in his country will find no better instructions or more encouraging marching orders than those of Dr. Paul.
Ron Paul for President in 2012!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Pakistani Pastor Visits United States
Choice Hills Baptist Church attendees were privileged this past Sunday to meet a Christian pastor from a well-known region of Muslim control. Master Akbar Masih, founder and chairman of Sermon and Song Church Ministries in Punjab, Pakistan, addressed the Greenville church during the morning service. The Pakistani pastor is visiting the States for a short time to present his ministry to supporters and to receive some education in ministry work.
Akbar Masih lives in District Toba Tek Singh, Punjab, Pakistan, which is not far from two colonies that were attacked and burned by Muslims in June and July of 2009. The attacks actually opened for Akbar a door of ministry into these colonies. But when he and others began to protest to the government, the Muslims threatened them with a similar fate. According to Akbar, Christians in Pakistan live daily in fear for their lives. At any moment they could be the object of Muslim wrath. As a result, they attempt to live peacefully. But sometimes they must protest against injustice, and when they do, they do it at their own peril. Most Christians are not fortunate enough to own their own homes in Pakistan. They must live in the home of a Muslim, and work for the homeowner to pay rent. This situation places them in a precarious position socially.
Of the three percent of Pakistanis who are Christian, half are Roman Catholic. Of the other one and a half percent, less than one fifth belong to the Baptist church, of which Akbar is a minister. He began to receive attention from Baptists in the U.S. almost a year ago, when he contacted Dr. Bennett Collins of Greenville, SC, through Dr. Collins’ website, sermonandsongministries.org. Akbar wrote to ask permission to translate Dr. Collins’ booklet “What is Salvation” into Urdu. Permission was granted, and a ministry relationship began to form.
At the time of his contacting Dr. Collins, Akbar and his wife had been going door to door in the village where they live with their three children. Their village is a Christian one, so they decided to begin there rather than in a Muslim area, their goal being to unify the Christians in prayer and the Scriptures for the founding of a church. As they spoke with people about educating their children in the Scriptures, they felt the lack of available printed materials. Thus, Akbar communicated with Dr. Collins, and soon had a printed booklet to give to families. The next step was to acquire some Bibles. Through Dr. Collins and others, 2000 Bibles have now been shipped to Pakistan and distributed.
The current problem that Akbar faces is the high illiteracy rate in Pakistan, particularly among the Christian villages. With a Muslim State in control, it is easy to understand that Christians are denied many privileges in Pakistan. Being a teacher by occupation, Akbar Masih desires to start primary schools in the Christian villages with the goal of teaching children to read the Bible. Another goal is to prepare Christian children early to understand how to live with the Muslims, so when they grow and are forced to study in Muslim schools, they will remain faithful to the Scriptures.
Recently, Akbar has been holding meetings in villages in Pakistan. 100 to 300 people often attend these conventions, with local police being called in for security. For this, and the publicity at recent protests, Sermon and Song Church Ministries, named after Dr. Collins’ own organization, is gaining recognition in Pakistan. This means more possibility of persecution. Christians in the U.S. need to pray for Akbar Masih and his family that God will protect them and allow them to see the schools come to fruition. Money is needed for buildings, and prayer and spiritual support are needed to encourage the Christians in Pakistan.
This article will appear in some form or other in this week's issue of The Times Examiner, a weekly newspaper published in Greenville, SC.
Akbar Masih lives in District Toba Tek Singh, Punjab, Pakistan, which is not far from two colonies that were attacked and burned by Muslims in June and July of 2009. The attacks actually opened for Akbar a door of ministry into these colonies. But when he and others began to protest to the government, the Muslims threatened them with a similar fate. According to Akbar, Christians in Pakistan live daily in fear for their lives. At any moment they could be the object of Muslim wrath. As a result, they attempt to live peacefully. But sometimes they must protest against injustice, and when they do, they do it at their own peril. Most Christians are not fortunate enough to own their own homes in Pakistan. They must live in the home of a Muslim, and work for the homeowner to pay rent. This situation places them in a precarious position socially.
Of the three percent of Pakistanis who are Christian, half are Roman Catholic. Of the other one and a half percent, less than one fifth belong to the Baptist church, of which Akbar is a minister. He began to receive attention from Baptists in the U.S. almost a year ago, when he contacted Dr. Bennett Collins of Greenville, SC, through Dr. Collins’ website, sermonandsongministries.org. Akbar wrote to ask permission to translate Dr. Collins’ booklet “What is Salvation” into Urdu. Permission was granted, and a ministry relationship began to form.
At the time of his contacting Dr. Collins, Akbar and his wife had been going door to door in the village where they live with their three children. Their village is a Christian one, so they decided to begin there rather than in a Muslim area, their goal being to unify the Christians in prayer and the Scriptures for the founding of a church. As they spoke with people about educating their children in the Scriptures, they felt the lack of available printed materials. Thus, Akbar communicated with Dr. Collins, and soon had a printed booklet to give to families. The next step was to acquire some Bibles. Through Dr. Collins and others, 2000 Bibles have now been shipped to Pakistan and distributed.
The current problem that Akbar faces is the high illiteracy rate in Pakistan, particularly among the Christian villages. With a Muslim State in control, it is easy to understand that Christians are denied many privileges in Pakistan. Being a teacher by occupation, Akbar Masih desires to start primary schools in the Christian villages with the goal of teaching children to read the Bible. Another goal is to prepare Christian children early to understand how to live with the Muslims, so when they grow and are forced to study in Muslim schools, they will remain faithful to the Scriptures.
Recently, Akbar has been holding meetings in villages in Pakistan. 100 to 300 people often attend these conventions, with local police being called in for security. For this, and the publicity at recent protests, Sermon and Song Church Ministries, named after Dr. Collins’ own organization, is gaining recognition in Pakistan. This means more possibility of persecution. Christians in the U.S. need to pray for Akbar Masih and his family that God will protect them and allow them to see the schools come to fruition. Money is needed for buildings, and prayer and spiritual support are needed to encourage the Christians in Pakistan.
This article will appear in some form or other in this week's issue of The Times Examiner, a weekly newspaper published in Greenville, SC.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
New Book Rating Method
For the up-and-coming book reviews, I thought I would give an overview of my personal scoring method. A book's Score will accompany each review.
Marsceau Book Score
50% - Recommendation Level
10% = Not recommended
20% = Hardly recommended
30% = Medium recommendation
40% = Recommended
50% = Highly recommended
25% - Evaluation of Contents
1-5% = Enjoyability of reading
1-5% = Relevance of topic
1-5% = Portrayal of topic
1-5% = Soundness of reasoning
1-5% = Effectiveness of purpose
10% - Layout of Material
1-3% = Organization
1-3% = Style
1-2% = Indexing / references
1-2% = Editing / Proof-reading
15% - Agreement with Personal Beliefs
5% = Not very much
10% = Give and take
15% = Very much
Total = Book Score
Maximum Book Score = 100%
Minimum Book Score = 24%
Marsceau Book Score
50% - Recommendation Level
10% = Not recommended
20% = Hardly recommended
30% = Medium recommendation
40% = Recommended
50% = Highly recommended
25% - Evaluation of Contents
1-5% = Enjoyability of reading
1-5% = Relevance of topic
1-5% = Portrayal of topic
1-5% = Soundness of reasoning
1-5% = Effectiveness of purpose
10% - Layout of Material
1-3% = Organization
1-3% = Style
1-2% = Indexing / references
1-2% = Editing / Proof-reading
15% - Agreement with Personal Beliefs
5% = Not very much
10% = Give and take
15% = Very much
Total = Book Score
Maximum Book Score = 100%
Minimum Book Score = 24%
Saturday, January 9, 2010
One of the Things I Have Ever Done
If you hold the general opinion that New Year’s resolutions are highly overrated, then we share a common thought. Yet, here I find myself posting some of my own. How do these things happen? Still, I would like to share a few of my goals for three reasons. One, by posting them online I will always remember where I put them for future reference. Clever, huh? Two, I welcome the accountability that publicity will bring. If you so desire, check up on me. Lastly, I hope this post will encourage others who may have similar goals.
I choose to share some particular goals I have in six different areas. If you find this uninteresting, then please do not suffer through the rest. I find this rather dry myself.
Reading:
1. Read the New Testament 12 times.
2. Read the book of Proverbs 12 times.
3. Read and ingest 24 (or more) books on various topics. I will post a short review of each when completed.
Writing:
1. Post to my blog (and Facebook) weekly.
2. Write 4 longer works of 3000 to 5000 words.
Piano Playing:
1. Compile 24 complete preludes.
2. Improve hymn improvisation, sight reading, and technique.
Spiritual:
1. Know Holy Spirit power in my life.
2. Become useful to the LORD.
Business:
1. Operate debt free.
Politics:
1. Address local crowds concerning civil disobedience and resistance to governmental corruption.
Now I’ve done it. There is no turning back. One year from now I may regret this, or I might at least wish I had not been so hopeful. We shall see.
Now, to work!
I choose to share some particular goals I have in six different areas. If you find this uninteresting, then please do not suffer through the rest. I find this rather dry myself.
Reading:
1. Read the New Testament 12 times.
2. Read the book of Proverbs 12 times.
3. Read and ingest 24 (or more) books on various topics. I will post a short review of each when completed.
Writing:
1. Post to my blog (and Facebook) weekly.
2. Write 4 longer works of 3000 to 5000 words.
Piano Playing:
1. Compile 24 complete preludes.
2. Improve hymn improvisation, sight reading, and technique.
Spiritual:
1. Know Holy Spirit power in my life.
2. Become useful to the LORD.
Business:
1. Operate debt free.
Politics:
1. Address local crowds concerning civil disobedience and resistance to governmental corruption.
Now I’ve done it. There is no turning back. One year from now I may regret this, or I might at least wish I had not been so hopeful. We shall see.
Now, to work!
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