Bird Flu, Millions Die, Preparedness and Funding

Today I read in the Gannett Newspaper local, the front page story about the coming Bird Flu and how millions will die. Of course our local university is doing its Under-Dog, super-hero best to 'save the day' with its research, etc. Then on the back page you get to read how it hasn't mutated (yet!) and of the hundreds of countries in the world, there have been globally only about 100 cases. Of course it doesn't really work out this way, and the nature of the "cases" is interesting, but that's about one per country using rough numbers. Actually less. But 'readiness' read (funding) and 'we aren't promoting fear' are all part of the closer on the frontpage story.

Just the other day I read that in the USA we now have 4 cases of women being dead from taking the latest, FDA pushed fast-track, abortion RU 486 pill. This and the forced abortions in the home country of the Bird Flu, and human cloning without ethics in Korea, just next door celebrated as 'the second coming' and I wondered about a Gannett Newspaper story on the Coming Human Cloning Disaster. It isn't here yet, but it is coming and we must be ready. The UN has called for a ban on all human cloning (this part is actually underreported and TRUE) but we know that big biotech is going to rush into it anyway funded by our tax money because venture capitalists so far do not see a profit to be had or enjoyed by destoying or created millions of human lives for 'higher purposes'. Only forty million intentional prenatal human deaths so far in the USA, and the new drug with its septic shock deaths only has four women (truly) dead this year, but please send the local university pharmeceutical studies and other elitists your tax money to protect us! Millions will die! But we aren't promoting fear, just public awareness and safety.

Oh but the Bird Flu has happened before in human history and many *died* while Bush *lied* (oops, that's another media montra...it just sang-out-of-me so programatically, sorry). Yes, these kinds of horrid judgments and 'acts of God' have befallen us before and we must be prepared. Ever read Genesis 6-9? Nevermind. Gannett won't be able to figure out the reference and will ridicule eternal preparedness.

I do commend research to prevent chemical and biological warfare attacks from being as severe and limiting even hypothetical flu outbreaks etc. I'm glad we have an FDA. But can't people just do their jobs with integrity without all the double-speak, profiting from the 'culture of death' and sing-song alarmist, frontpage, propogandizing?! Guess not.

Evangelicals and Global Warming absolutism iffy?

Which group has it wrong--

1. These evangelicals?

Read New York Times article on the group of evangelicals' statements here.

2. The British?
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8398

The British scientist in the article curiously states that the possible coming ice age in Europe is caused by global warming! Ice Age - Global (not regional) Caused by Global (not regional) Warming(?). I'll bet they all chafe at a human history with a global flood, while buying it on the planet Mars!

Or the Russians?
http://upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060207-041447-2345r

The posturing over the issue of global warming seems to contain a lot of pseudo guilt about economic prosperity. The capacity of human beings to effect worldwide climate change is questionable at best and most likely quite negligible. Some like me are more likely to prefer the Russian explanation. The sun is a weightier factor than anything we mortals are doing. Others have pointed out that volcanic activity (again outside human agency) is yet another humongous factor dwarfing ours.

For a more scholarly view, by a female academic on global warming as an issue and as science, go to: http://www.hillsdale.edu/imprimis/2002/march/default.htm

Thanks K.O. for the good forward of your friend S.'s comments with the great links.

Evangelicals Global Warming and Gospel

What do you make of the new evangelical movement to stop the humanity-caused warming of the globe and equating the necessity of doing so and the truthfulness of the enterprise with the necessity and truthfulness of sharing the gospel? What do you think of how I phrased that question? Is it an honest question based on how they are portraying themselves and if so, what do you think of it/them and equating it -the scientific accuracy of human causation of global warming- with the authority of the gospel?

This equating of authorities strikes me as the kind of civil-religion and weddedness to a 'cause' that has a lot of potential to undermine their authority and the authority of whatever their understanding of gospel might be. Should newer scientific discoveries and measuring sophistication shift current viewpoint, or (tongue in cheek) like when a democrat president is in office and the economy is growing for instance or when the trading in fossil fuels helps 'fund' bigger goverment and bigger research grants for instance, whatever might they do and say and equate with the gospel then?!

I also confess that I wonder about the science and the wisdom of this variety of environmentalism by evangelicals. It isn't as loopy as tree-hugging, but I'm not sure it is a wise or prudent tact. It might gather short-term favor with a few in the academe for a season but will it really come with respect or be seen as a pragmatic move when for instance this or that preacher signs-on to this or that scientific theory? I'm inclined to think Charles Colson has this one correct. and that the Cornwall Declaration on Environmental Stewardship is a far more balanced and less 'civil religionist' position paper.

NY Times will apparently even sell deceit

The NY Times is apparently willing to even sell deceit. There is a legal term for this and hopefully someone will assist Dr. James Dobson in obtaining punative damages. Here is their ad (and don't even imagine they do not consider the legal implications of the paid ads they receive and run) and Dr. Dobson's response.

Click here to see the ad. http://www.afa.net/pdfs/defcon_religiousright.pdf

Click here to read Dr. Dobson's response to the ad. http://www.family.org/cforum/feature/a0039768.cfm

Why is it that people who are in bed with Vegas and State Lotteries and Tax increase vehicles of every conceivable variety are so quick to assume those who have opposed gambling (and done so publicly and at no small cost) are doing just exactly what THEY themselves are doing? Why didn't the newly careful NY Times catch the misinformation? Likely Answer: Like Urban legends and Tabloid news, those who placed the Ad and those that profitted from the sale of the ad WANTED to believe it was true.

Parents of Iraq War lost soldiers not given Sheehan

Kind of reminds one of 'spiritual warfare'. Those that are sharing their faith, doing good interpersonal apologetics and seeing lives changed and dignified are often demonized and intentionally misunderstood in those large parts of the university and journalism careers that are affected by emotivism, naturalism, and radical relativisms. You might enjoy these censored ads.

The vets are saying. Or view this one of the parents of fallen soldiers who apparently can't buy ad time in Minnesota that national media gave Cindy Sheehan for free. Click here.

Apparently some Democrats in MN are saying these should not be allowed to speak, and this link provides a brief response to such. Click here.

I found this article and the link to the advert by parents of Iraq vets who do not apparently measure-up to the 'Cindy Sheehan gold standard' of objectivity in the Paul Wellstone funeral dignifying State of Minnesota, quite interesting.

Valentines Day

A Valentines Present just for you. Perhaps a bit rough but the context was a university graduate student conversation related to marriage.

SuperBowl Ads all in one place online

In case you haven't seen them yet...the Superbowl Ads online are HERE.

I will admit to having a (sick?) sense of humor at times and will tell you (at no small 'sensitivity risk') that my favorites were all in the first quarter and were in order of funny (again, just to me) #1 funny Fedex, #2 maybe because of the magic-theme, the Rube Goldberg motiff, or the imbicilic actions of the guys, it was the Bud Lite Man in Kitchen, 'magic fridge'. LOL.

Cartoon Riots, the secular 'Crusade' against religion

Did you see in WND.com that the US Supreme Court has an 'image' of Mohammed with sword engraved in its wall? Clearly it is meant to be repectful of people associated with moral law. But if the radicals' issue is; 'no image of the prophet or riot' then what now...
http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48695
See article above. It kind of makes one want to post the cartoons not to condone them but to say, "Here's what we don't like about secularist treatment of religion in general and what is causing shame versus law-based societies to 'kill and vandalize by association', just FYI." Then just to make the point of relative safety by association, put up the picture from the U.S. Supreme Court (see above) along side it. (-:

Humorously speaking only; If some jihadists, and Iran nuke problem-obfuscating radicals want to vandalize our High Court say..for passing Roe v Wade and doing so right in the presence of a picture of the 'prophet', well...OK..they'd be wrong and in some very deep water.. LOL... It kind of puts the 'evils' of the peaceful, pro-life, 'Operation Rescue' protesters and their nonviolent, sit-ins, to protect human life in perspective, doesn't it? Oh the troubles of the naturalists/secularists/atheists. May *God* YHWH help them.

OK, some new 'blame evangelicals first' book titles just for fun. "Why do all these people HATE the Euro secularists?" LOL "Why do the rest HATE the secular Euro West?" (-: I guess these are the unasked questions of the day because of course we *all* know they really only hate Bush. "Why do secularists HATE religion?", might be another unasked question. Alas the pits the pagans do seem to perpetually dig for them/our/selves.

BTW, I think the cartoon of Mo. with the bomb in his turbin is clearly disrespectful. Honestly. I do. I don't care for it at all. I'm not sure it goes to the level of depictions of Deity (Jesus) on the cross, submerged in human urine and funded by the National Endowment for the Arts or the ones of other Christian revered depictions smeared with Elephant dung and likewise funded, but yes I find it in poor taste and worthy of the secular Euro elites making a sincere apology for publishing. What a wake up call for them. Suppose they might stop demonizing the war on terror? Doubt it. See the cartoons (most of which are benign imho) here.
http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48674 but really the other link above, to the Supreme Court is the one that really has me chuckling inside. And of enormous surprise I'm sure to the secularists who seem to control the mainstream, western media, it was actually put there long before Alito, Roberts, Scalia, and Thomas. Imagine! LOL uncontrolably.

The United States Senate is the problem.

The polls say people are upset with Congress. They also said our current President would lose the election both times. Nevertheless I believe people are upset with PART of Congress and that part is the United States Senate. Sure Kennedy and Durbin have led the parade of imbiciles in 'over the top' rhetoric, but even RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) like Arlen Specter and others who tout 'super duper' precedence and such are really 'leading' and manifestly manipulative. Someone is buying these guys a lot of carrots or threatening them with big sticks to get them to do such crazed performances.

January 2006 and Roe v Wade music

http://ingradiv.com/images/mp3s/System.mp3

January is almost over and I haven't shared with my own blog my pro-life activism song. Admittedly it utilizes the rhetoric of evil to make the point in contrast with the culture of life. Hope you enjoy the jazz. Sorry for my 'old voice' as old, pre-conversion rock bands had me do the screaming and growling vocals. Ha!

Here's another far more pleasant and softer jazz, pro-life song I wrote (music not the lyrics) based on Psalm 139, a powerful pre-birth, human life affirming Psalm. Enjoy this one.

http://ingradiv.com/images/mp3s/ps139.mp3

Gun Control, Illusionist Productions, a good laugh

A friend sent me this cool animated .gif file with a little tagline that went something like this; "Hooded-sweatshirt to hide identity and firearm, $15. 'Saturday night special' from Paul's Pawn Shop, $150. Inability to hold on to your leverage, Priceless."

I forwarded it to some Christian Illusionists under the tag line... "In the illusionists' trade there are substitutions and changes, there are penetrations, levitations, vanishes, and productions. And sometimes we are quite happy when the productions go poorly. Sometimes we are glad when people do not have 'gun control'." Enjoy the mini movie picture here.

Michelle on Hillary

Michelle (of color) is awesome on Hillary (as poser). Read for yourself.

For a fun flash of outlandish fun related to the rantings in the Alito confirmation hearing, you've got to see this to believe it!

Is this blog fun or what?!

Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings

Thanks be to God that the Family Research Council has given those of us who cannot stomach Kennedy's railings, Biden's campaign speeches, and Specter's extremely leading questions, a play by play summary which is sympathetic with a culture of life and with an original or author intent interpretation of the Constitution. Check it out here.

A prophetic, regathering of Israel...a fun Jewish view

Some evangelicals believe Biblical passages about a regathering of scattered Jewish people into the current nation of Israel is significant prophetically. I even know non futurist evangelical friends who believe Romans 11 teaches that in the very last days before the return of Jesus, a regathered Israel could well have a national revival believing in Jesus as Messiah. It is interesting in light of passages like 2Thess.2:1-17 to see what non-evangelical, Jewish sources say about the regathering. This flash movie is from one source and is on the theme of the Matrix and is quite intriguing, especially for those who doubt 'temple' intentions. Enjoy!

Map of States with Marriage Amendments

The societal building block of marriage is always on the firing line. This link provides a map of the USA with information on each State summarizing what they have done legally for or against the institution of marriage in these days of regressive judicial activism in certain high courts. Click to view.

D.A. Carson on Emerging Church Discussion

For those interested in the Emergent Church movement (shown by Brian McLaren et al.), professor D. A. Carson of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School discusses this movement on Issues Etc. I've listened to the first portion and it's well-conceived and worth listening to.

Part 1 (Windows Media Audio; starts at 31:02)

Part 2 (Windows Media Audio)

A Song for Ward Churchill

In the spirit of Christmas, this song is dedicated to Ward Churchill and all the twisted, formerly unquestioned, liberal professors of his ilk. Enjoy.

For a bit higher quality sound (this was composed and sung over a cell phone while in transit), click here for a bit better sound, diction, and all the lyrics typed out.

Fabulous CCM with Newsboys

OK, this one is streaming online so watch your volume levels. I couldn't resist posting it because it reminds me of heaven and Revelation 21:24-26 etc. Enjoy by clicking here. Eric Pement, thanks for the code!

Christmas Good Message

Christmas meaning, partial screen with sound

Here's the same one, perhaps better, it is on the meaning of Christmas, full screen without sound. These aren't half bad Christmas summaries, compared to a lot that floats about these days. (-: Enjoy.

Postmod, fast-grow, penal substitution negotiable?

You might find this article intriguing. Dr. Al Mohler is critiquing an influential book written by a gentleman in England which was promoted by NT Wright who spoke at a Grad IVCF national conference. The book is also promoted by other big names in church growth on this side of the pond. Of particular concern is the sacrifice of Christ and what is called penal substitution, where Christ dies in our place and takes the punishment we deserve for sin. Isaiah 53 really hammers this truth home as does the apostle Peter.

But mainline liberals (never very appreciative of absolutes, sin, any hint of God's wrath, punishment and such) and apparently now a significant number of fast-grow evangelical leaders like a fellow named McLaren who writes sometimes for Christianity Today are now rejecting this teaching (penal substitution) as 'celestial child abuse'. But doesn't the doctrine of penal substitution seem rather central to the gospel itself. I'd be curious as to your thoughts on this. Note these players as they are not going away. In fairness to NT Wright, his blog states that he does not reject penal substitution though it is unclear why he writes a promotion piece on the book's jacket for his author friend who does reject it. The writer of this critique below is a good guy and is the president of the Southern Baptist seminary in Louisville, KY. Enjoy being cutting edge on another 'evangelical borders' discussion.

Short Quiz: The first press on the definition of 'evangelical' in post 'year of the evangelical' history, biggie question was, Is the Bible true in all it properly interpreted, intends to teach? Answer. Yes. The second was, Does God really know everything including every detail of the past, present, and future? Answer. Yes. In review of this new question below, Did Christ take the penalty (punishment, death, wrath on sin) from His father for our sins when he took them into his body on the cross? Answer. Yes. What is wrong with the hip and happening evangelical scholars these days?! Answer. Not sure but odd ideas in hero mouths, do apparently sell books. Read the full article here.