Bob Etheridge (D-NC) is giving the nuclear test to the idea that no publicity is bad publicity. Having seen the video on “several blogs,” the congressman has released an apology. I know congressmen get away with far worse than this (hiding money in their freezers, prostitution coordination in their houses), but I think Etheridge must be rejected for his district in favor of someone more level-headed. I mean, two congressmen smacking each other around one thing, but grabbing the neck of a college student who asked him a question on the street?
We Were Created to Live
Denise Spencer, wife of Michael Spencer who recently died, has a fiercely beautiful post on life and dying: Sometimes It’s Just Plain Hard.
“Jesse” was another man who had been unconscious as his wife watched his condition deteriorate. She at last whispered to him that she didn’t want him to suffer any more, and she told him to “run to Jesus.” He opened one eye and smiled before dying shortly thereafter. . . .
These are beautiful stories, one and all. Tales of hope in the midst of tragedy. Memories that bring consolation to the bereaved. And I’m getting tired of hearing them. Can I say that out loud? “Why?!” you no doubt gasp in horror. ‘Cause Michael and me, we got nuthin’.
Comfort Zone
What readers want in a book. And from the same blogger comes brief advice on writing: Avoid the broken, bitter, and cold.
Challenging Islam
From FrontPage Magazine, an article on the vulnerability of Islam, if courageously challenged.
One answer is that you do all you can to force Muslims to question their faith in Islam. As Mark Steyn observes, “there’s no market for a faith that has no faith in itself.” He was speaking, of course, of the more mushy versions of Western Christianity—the post-Christian Christians who seem anxious to dialogue themselves into dhimmitude. But there’s no reason the concept can’t be applied to Islam. Surely the average intelligent Muslim has occasional doubts about the founding revelations. And just as surely he keeps them to himself, not only because he fears his fellow Muslims, but also because the rest of the world seems to be going along with the pretense that he belongs to a great religion. It may be time for the rest of the world to drop the pretense.
I Did Not Read It, But You Should
A new book on marketing called, UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging has these UnTestimonials on the back. I remember something like this on other books. Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life & Times
Andrew Peterson's "The Reckoning (How Long)"
This is a new song from Andrew Peterson, and I love it.
Outrage
According to reports, the Taliban in Afghanistan have hanged a 7-year-old boy.
A 7-year-old boy was murdered by the Taliban in an apparent act of retribution this week. Afghan officials said that the child was accused of spying for U.S. and NATO forces and hanged from a tree in southern Afghanistan.
Daoud Ahmadi, the spokesman for the provincial governor of Helmand, said that the killing happened days after the boy’s grandfather, Abdul Woodod Alokozai, spoke out against militants in their home village.
For all you relativists who have trouble figuring out the complicated differences between good and evil, this is what we call evil.
Stopping a boat running a legal military blockade is not evil.
Just for the record.
You might want to make a note of this.
Testimony of God's Gracious Gift
Connection Point, June 2010 Edition from CBMC on Vimeo.
I edited this video last week, and we’ve talked about it around the office since, so I am spontaneously sharing it with you. This is part of my day job as a graphic designer for Christian Business Men’s Connection. The story is remarkable, and you will see only a few of the details. Two guys who met as teenagers in a Kung Fu school became great friends through God’s saving grace.
Musical interlude
I was fairly pleased with my post yesterday, but it’s left me depleted. I feel like I’ve said everything I have to say for the moment.
Also, I’m bummed because Hunter Baker, author of The End of Secularism (don’t read it–it’ll only give him a swelled head) is now getting mentioned on Adam Baldwin’s twitter feed. Yes, that Adam Baldwin, the guy who plays Casey on “Chuck.”
Have I mentioned that I hate Hunter Baker?
In closing, here’s Sissel Kyrkjebø doing a little Grieg. “Solveig’s Song” from “Peer Gynt.” Comfort food for the soul.
Irony or Targeted?
This book on leadership for pastors is described by the publisher as “Brief. Practical. Insightful. And conveniently sized to fit in any bathroom!”