Transparent, Totalitarian Iron-Fister Lashes Out At America For Failing To Keep Communist Ideal Afloat Through Proximity

I always love it when socialist nitwits panic every time their Great Satan actually looks like it may be teetering over Hades. Ditto for Vladimir Putin:

The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin lashed out at the United States today for what he said was its inability to deal with the financial crisis affecting the global economy.

In remarks unlikely to go down well in Washington, Mr Putin was especially critical of Congress's rejection of a $700 billion bank bailout – a rejection that hit Russian financial markets particularly hard.

“Everything that is happening in the economic and financial sphere has started in the United States. This is a real crisis that all of us are facing," the former president told a government meeting in Moscow.

Whoa, wait a second, Comrade. Listening to you, Fidel, or for that matter, that military-hating money grubbing Rep. Cynthia McKinney, it should be precisely our fall that makes everything Kumbaya, right? You know, that whole "spectre is haunting Europe" business?

Let's get the narrative straight, okay?

Spacebo.

-R

Your Political Beliefs (Mathematically Speaking)

Okay, here's a fun "political beliefs" quiz (40 questions, about 4 mins max) on political beliefs that will give you some interesting responses to what your "true" political responses are socially & economically. It was designed by mathematicians & appears to be quite accurate, judging by the analysis on me and a friend.

Yes, it doesn't quite give you every option you want for every question & yes there are caveats to certain questions, but it's a quiz!

Find out if you're a "Capitalist," "Centrist" -> John McCain, "Liberatarian," "Fascist," or "Socialist -> Barack Obama. (Presidential candidates as defined by this quiz, which is also interesting.)

So go take it & let me know what you are. Me? I'm a "Centrist" (which must be why I upset so many people in so many ways! :)

BTW, Phillip Hampton, our original blogger (and an original staffer), is going to take a spin on "Month in the Life" to cover the last 4 weeks of the election. Go check him out, won't you?

Okay, Now I Am Offically Creeped Out

Chances are, if you've already seen this elsewhere, you've already seen the word "creepy" attached to it.

Once again, the vehicle of worship and adoration that should be reserved for a God that will not exactly be treated with deference if they get their way has been out and out commandeered. And the blatant use of children (who fortunately managed to sneak past the Family Planning quotas) to propagate a messianic tone? Sickening.

Watch at your own, Guyana/V-For Vendetta/Soylent Green/all-that-is-missing-is Rembrandt-Lighting peril.

One interesting note as well. Please note the day of the week in which this was shot, as noted by the text at the beginning. How fitting.



-R

When Pentecostals Sue

Alert Reader Billy sends this:

Former Galleria Hollister Worker Sues Over Dress Code
Lakettra Bennett is Pentecostal and says her religion does not permit her to wear pants or skirts if the hemline does not cover the knee.

++++
Is there a line that has been crossed? Should Christians take matters to court when they have been “persecuted” for a bad dress code? Should we insist on our rights? Or, have we become so non self-sacrificing that we shirk at persecution thinking it’s not God’s will? (Think of the first century church and they were fed to the lions)

Consider…
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).

and…

“For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:” (I Corinthians 4:9-12).

and…

“For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (I Peter 2:19-23).

On the other hand, didn’t Paul stand up for his Citizen rights after being thrust into prison and beaten wrongfully? Are we Apostolics to be “dumb sheep” never standing up for our rights?

“And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. 35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. 36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. 37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. 38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. 39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city” (Acts 16:34-39).

What sayest thou, kind reader?

Shades of Grey

As Christians we strive to make moral decisions.  But often the answers are not so clear as we would like them to be.  The evangelical movement, for example, has recently begun to acknowledge that caring for and protecting the environment is a moral choice that had been ignored for decades.  Good stewardship of God's planet means not squandering its limited natural resources.  Newer technologies are allowing us to take better care of our environment on a national, a local, and an individual level.  Such environmentally friendly philosophies, then, are always the moral choice in a given set of alternatives, right?

 

It would seem so, but this story out of the UK reminds us that applying any moral choice to every situation is a dangerous thing, especially when it comes to technology.  In this case, one scientist, Sir David King, is making the argument that environmental philosophies which encourage organic foods and "traditional farming" techniques are, in reality, keeping Africa poor.  Because improved agricultural technologies have become readily available, they should be alleviating some of the hunger and poverty in Africa as they are starting to in Asia.  Instead, Western Non-Governmental Agencies and aid organizations are emphasizing a "focus on nontechnological agricultural techniques, on techniques of farming that pertain to the history of that continent rather than techniques that pertain to modern technological capability."  Such a focus discourages technologies such as genetic improvements that could protect plants against new diseases,  as well as provide drought resistance, saline resistance, and flood tolerance.  In fact, one organization "worried that drought-tolerant crops may have the potential to grow in habitats unavailable to conventional crops.  The priority of providing food to an area of the world in greatest need appears not to have been noted."  King calls such environmental agendas "well-meaning but fatally flawed." 

 

Adopting any idea or philosophy wholesale without fully considering the consequences is always dangerous.  And to claim that my personal convictions should be applied to everyone in the world is, likewise, dangerous.  It may be a good moral choice for me to eat only organic foods as a way of demonstrating kindness and good stewardship.  But in Africa, where genetically altered crops could save many lives, to insist on low-tech methods of agriculture is certainly not the best moral choice.   

 

Sometimes making a moral decision is not as clear as we would like it to be.  Sometimes it requires wisdom simply to live righteously.  When discussing personal convictions and "the right thing to do," perhaps we should always start where Proverbs 9 starts, with the fear of the LORD.

 

Josh R

What Do You Want To Do Today Brain? The Same Thing We Do Every Day Pinky...

 

This week it was announced that pornography is no longer the king of the internet.  Social networking sites have taken the top spot as Facebook and My Space become the way to stay connected, get connected, or reconnect with friends all over the world.  Analysts indicate that this reflects a major shift in the way we are communicating as a society.  But it's not just an American phenomenon.  Really, social networking sites have become popular all over the world.  Countries as diverse as Sweden, Korea, Australia, Turkey, Colombia, South Africa, and India are all finding web-based friends.  Facebook is leading the way in the global market with tools that allow users to translate their sites while others like My Space have to create a local version of the site in each new market.  It appears the internet is undergoing a change from primarily being used for entertainment purposes to becoming an important form of communication and a major piece of our lives, not to mention actually bringing a small sense of unity to this diverse planet of ours.

 

Josh R

Intellectual Skiier Reaches Bottom Of Socialized Medicine's Slippery Slope

Even though Planned Parenthood's founder, Margaret Sanger was light years ahead of this woman with her brand of racial eugenics wrapped in a woman's right to choose, the aplomb on the public stage is nonetheless sobering. Old and infirm? Do your civic duty. Let the government "put you down."

The veteran Government adviser said pensioners in mental decline are "wasting people's lives" because of the care they require and should be allowed to opt for euthanasia even if they are not in pain.

She insisted there was "nothing wrong" with people being helped to die for the sake of their loved ones or society.

The 84-year-old added that she hoped people will soon be "licensed to put others down" if they are unable to look after themselves.

But is the Baroness doing anything other than front loading the inevitable consequences of socialized medicine? Once health care becomes nothing but a budgetary issue to government--something with inherently no heart or soul--then euthanasia simply becomes a "budget cut."

-R

Only 7 More Days...

...and The Forum begins! Whether you're seeking something fresh in Apostolic ranks, or are interested in contemporary issues ("Should Apostolics Go Green?" "Apostolics & Race - Is Everyone Welcome in Your Church" "The Emerging Church") or wonder what it's like to interact with like-minded young Apostolics, then you need to check out The Forum in St. Louis!

This year's event is headlined by Wayne Francis, but expect to hear from Jaime Morgans, Ray Crownover, Jeff Tracy, Jared Runck, and the Apostolic Comedy of Josh Fitkin!

It's a one-of-a-kind event you dare not miss!

Glitch In Giant Manmade Atom Smasher With Years Of Planning Causes Failure To Explain Event Bearing Absolutely None Of These Criteria

As referenced below, the machine that some were hoping would create some microcosmic Big Bang has suffered a hangup. But that isn't the best part. The best part is how idiotic the little man in the middle of this picture looks--all in his veiled attempt to vacate God from the court record.




I know what you're thinking. "Wow that elaborate, multimillion-dollar intelligently designed object that takes up a football field's worth of real estate totally reminds me of matterless, outer darkness with no physical laws in effect!"

I know. That's what I was thinking, too.

-R

Evolution vs. Academic Freedom

The ongoing battle between Creationism and Evolutionism reached sad low this week when a British evolutionist fell to friendly fire.  Michael Reiss, a member of the Royal Society resigned his position over a controversy centered on remarks he made concerning the teaching of evolution.  While he does not support Creationism as scientific, his comments were met with purely emotional reaction by his peers.  Ultimately it was decided he had damaged the reputation of the Royal Society.

 

What reputation-damaging comments did he make?

 

You can read the full text here , but among the inflammatory rants are such illogical statements as the following:

 

So when teaching evolution, there is much to be said for allowing students to raise any doubts they have (hardly a revolutionary idea in science teaching) and doing one's best to have a genuine discussion.  The word 'genuine' doesn't mean that creationism or intelligent design deserve equal time.  However, in certain cases... it can be appropriate to deal with the issue.

 

Wow!  What an apologists!  Actually, no where in all of his comments does he claim to believe in Creationism or give it any scientific merit.  He simply feels that "creationism is best seen by science teachers not as a misconception, but as a worldview."  In other words, one science class is unlikely to cause an entire paradigm shift in many people.  Instead of focusing on correcting or debunking Creationists, educators should be willing to answer questions, discuss, and actually teach science, even to Creationists.

 

The issue at stake in this discussion is not even Creationism vs. Evolutionism.  It is merely how to teach evolution in a classroom where students believe in creation.  And the issue at stake in the resignation of Dr. Reiss is has nothing to do with origins.  it has everything to do with the academic freedom to raise questions, and freedom of speech.  When scientists are unable to write in a neutral tone without fear of firing--whether they be evolutionists who want to teach creationists, climatologists unconvinced by global warming, or physicists declaring that the universe looks designed--then science itself has suffered a tremendous blow.

 

Josh R

Palin and Young Evangelicals

As the sole female blogger on Collideoscope I'm regretful that I've taken so long in sharing my opinions on Sarah Palin as the VP candidate for the McCain presidential campaign. I will admit that I think it was a brilliant political move and one that certainly energized my interest what had become an uninteresting political slugfest. It seems that I'm not alone.

While polls have not yet been conducted on the "Palin Effect" on younger evangelical voters it seems that many of them have started paying more attention to McCain and his platform as a result of the addition of Palin to the ticket. And the under-30 evangelical vote could prove to be a vital one.

A Pew survey last fall showed under-30 white evangelicals are increasingly up for grabs politically: 40 percent identified as Republican, down 15 percent from 2005. Most who abandoned the GOP were becoming independents, not Democrats.

On the whole, evangelicals under 30 say Palin enthuses them because she's a fresh face with a compelling family story, a reputation as a reformer and a champion of conservative moral values.

The thing I found most interesting while watching Palin's RNC speech was just how much I felt she resonated with middle America. Her feelings on the military, abortion, family, etc. seemed in lock-step with the views of the people I grew up with, both as a part of my church and as a part of extended social groups. As a young female evangelical she appeals to me largely because she is proof that we don't have to be limited in what we strive for by our beliefs or our sex.

"For a lot of young evangelical women, it's exciting," said Colorado-based author Margaret Feinberg, an up-and-coming evangelical voice. "It speaks to young evangelical women who face a glass ceiling in our workplaces, but also the stained-glass ceiling of the church."

The challenge will be in motivating these newly energized voters to stay engaged and to turn out in November. McCain/Palin also need to find a way to reach those young evangelicals who are more center or left-of-center who are rather unimpressed and who view her appointment as a purely political move and who have serious concerns about the possibility of Palin becoming President should McCain have unexpected health issues. Personally, I think Palin will prove that she is up to the challenge.

This Means I Must Be Einstein!

"Caloric overcompensation following intellectual work, combined with the fact that we are less physically active when doing intellectual tasks, could contribute to the obesity epidemic currently observed in industrialized countries," said lead researcher Jean-Philippe Chaput at Laval University in Quebec City, Canada. Read more in "Thinking Makes Us Pig Out."

Thanks to Alert Reader Steve for the link.

Trig Palin & A More Fitting Political Cartoon

My whole theory as to why Sarah Palin's Vice Presidential nomineehood has the left freaking out can be summed up in three words.

Unaborted Downs Baby.

Twenty years ago, I took it with a grain of salt when I heard Rush Limbaugh refer to abortion as the "sacrament" of the otherwise irreligious left. Now I think he was WAY ahead of his time. Something about that cute little Trig Palin is making them nuts.

I really didn't think the transparency of these things would emerge so soon, but they have. And all it took was for John McCain to nominate Sarah Palin.

At first, the press went straight ahead with the predictable "stupid hick" meme, hoping that McCain would falter on one of his Maverick turns and spirit her out the gate called Eagleton. That was immediately evaporated by crack Internet research and one speech to the convention. Then they tried to explain little Trig's existence as the pregnancy of a naive girl and an embarrassed mother trying to cover it up by saying it was her own. That failed, about the same time that the Daily Kos, notorious for their malevolent sendoffs of dead conservatives, found themselves even too embarrassed to be seen standing next to that smear.

So what did that leave them with? Sarah Palin: A woman who loved her genetically-damaged child enough not to kill it.

This is an abomination too heavy for the left to handle. But again, I, the raven, quoth too much. I'll let the horses usher their transparent malfeasance, right off the bit. Take, for instance, Carol Fowler, the chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party:

South Carolina Democratic chairwoman Carol Fowler sharply attacked Sarah Palin today, saying John McCain had chosen a running mate "whose primary qualification seems to be that she hasn’t had an abortion.” Palin is an opponent of abortion rights and gave birth to her fifth child, Trig, earlier this year after finding out during her pregnancy that the baby had Down syndrome.

Of course , this was retracted the minute it saw print. Er, eh . . . wait. Not exactly:

"I personally admire and respect the difficult choices that women make everyday, and I apologize to anyone who finds my comment offensive. I clumsily was making a point about people in South Carolina who may vote based on a single issue. Whether it’s the environment, the economy, the war or a woman’s right to choose, there are people who will cast their vote based on a single issue. That was the only point I was attempting to make."

And she was trying to make the point without ever once apologizing to the woman she insulted: Sarah Palin.

Even worse, we have the medical community attempting to weigh in with--and I mean this--a "concern" that Sarah Palin's high-visibility amongst the rest of humanity will . . . and I can't believe these words are coming out . . . encourage those with protractible special needs pregnancies to seek methods other than the saline catapult to answer fate's whisper:

Sarah and Todd Palin's decision to complete her recent pregnancy, despite advance notice that their baby Trig had Down syndrome, is hailed by many in the pro-life movement as walking the walk as well as talking the talk.

But a senior Canadian doctor is now expressing concerns that such a prominent public role model as the governor of Alaska and potential vice president of the United States completing a Down syndrome pregnancy may prompt other women to make the same decision against abortion because of that genetic abnormality. And thereby reduce the number of abortions.

Though I guess I won't know until Judgement, I still cannot understand just what exactly it is that Hell accomplishes with this. I for one don't believe that the unborn fill Hell's coffers. But the spirit behind this is almost tangible, and practically ectoplasmically visible.

I just don't know why.

-R

Talking in Tongues Political Cartoon

If you haven't seen the Washington Post cartoon yet about us benighted believers, then here it is.

Phoebe's Blog has a Scriptural response that's worth reading. (She was also the first to flag us on this one.

In the meantime, remember that the point of political cartoons is to provoke thought. This appears to be outright ridicule.

Just remember we're not to respond as the Muslims did about the Danish editorial cartoons of Mohammed, but to turn the other cheek and pray for others. You can send your well-worded, compassionate-but-forceful comments of disappointment to ombudsman@washpost.com or executive.editor@washingtonpost.com.

Got any thoughts on the matter?

Woefully Underdressed Savant Promises Not To Cause End Of World

This will be perhaps my shortest post, ever.

I logged on to Fox News a minute ago, and found myself treated to this story. A story which inaugurates itself with the following, mind-numbing salvo--pertaining to the guy to the right:

A British physicist has claimed he can explain the secrets of the Big Bang Theory, but his controversial experiment has scientists believing he could bring about the end of the world, the U.K.'s Daily Mail reported.

Unlock the "secrets?" Of a "theory?"

Time to turn off the computer. I need to go and find out what "Sherlock Holmes" was "really like."

-R

Me? I'll Be Over Here Blaspheming Like Elijah

I'm always on the semi-defensive when I walk into my local Barnes & Noble, as I am fully aware that they will have erected a shrine to something in there for my immediate visual benefit. Either it's global warming, replete with some ill-written tome on how I can be exactly like Ed Begley Junior, DaVinci Code knockoffs or the pantheon of atheistic drivel that masquerades as independent thought and rationality.

Today, however, I am treated to a Stonehenge-rivaling stack of books that bear the following dust cover to the right:

I don't care who you're voting for. The canonization of Barack Obama has finally hit sickening levels. The messianic gravity assigned to this man--especially by people who hate the real Messiah--is enough to trip my semi-antagonistic gag reflex (apparently, my attempts to lead a public prayer to the bibliophilic monument were considered uncouth, but I digress).

This complaint is not something dredged up by a right-wing talking points committee. We are talking out and out pathology here.

But I quibble using my own words. Quoth the Called:

"Many even see in Obama a messiah-like figure, a great soul, and some affectionately call him Mahatma Obama."
-- Dinesh Sharma

"We just like to say his name. We are considering taking it as a mantra."
-- Chicago Sun-Times

"A Lightworker -- An Attuned Being with Powerful Luminosity and High-Vibration Integrity who will actually help usher in a New Way of Being"
-- Mark Morford

"What Barack Obama has accomplished is the single most extraordinary event that has occurred in the 232 years of the nation’s political history"
-- Jesse Jackson, Jr.

"This was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal."
-- Barack Obama

"Does it not feel as if some special hand is guiding Obama on his journey, I mean, as he has said, the utter improbability of it all?"
-- Daily Kos

"He communicates God-like energy..."
-- Steve Davis (Charleston, SC)

"Not just an ordinary human being but indeed an Advanced Soul"
-- http://obamamessiah.blogspot.com/2008/03/not-just-ordinary-human-being-but.html

"I'll do whatever he says to do. I'll collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear."
-- Halle Berry

"A quantum leap in American consciousness"
-- Deepak Chopra

"He is not operating on the same plane as ordinary politicians. . . . the agent of transformation in an age of revolution, as a figure uniquely qualified to open the door to the 21st century."
-- Gary Hart

"Barack Obama is our collective representation of our purest hopes, our highest visions and our deepest knowings . . . He's our product out of the all-knowing quantum field of intelligence."
-- Eve Konstantine

"This is bigger than Kennedy. . . . This is the New Testament." "I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often. No, seriously. It's a dramatic event."
-- Chris Matthews

"[Obama is ] creative imagination which coupled with brilliance equals wisdom . . . [He is] the man for this time."
-- Toni Morrison

"Obama's finest speeches do not excite. They do not inform. They don't even really inspire. They elevate. . . . He is not the Word made flesh, but the triumph of word over flesh . . . Obama is, at his best, able to call us back to our highest selves."
-- Ezra Klein

"Obama has the capacity to summon heroic forces from the spiritual depths of ordinary citizens and to unleash therefrom a symphonic chorus of unique creative acts whose common purpose is to tame the soul and alleviate the great challenges facing mankind."
-- Gerald Campbell

"We're here to evolve to a higher plane . . . he is an evolved leader . . . [he] has an ear for eloquence and a Tongue dipped in the Unvarnished Truth."
-- Oprah Winfrey

“I would characterize the Senate race as being a race where Obama was, let’s say, blessed and highly favored. That’s not routine. There’s something else going on. I think that Obama, his election to the Senate, was divinely ordered. . . . I know that that was God’s plan."
-- Bill Rush

Just when I thought these people wanted religion out of politics, they go off and melt down all their jewelry and start dancing naked around the abortion plank. What's a theocratic upstart like me to think?

I for one, refuse to pray to the meme. If Obama's skin color alone has the redeeming power I'm supposed to think it has, then why isn't Condoleeza Rice considered his baptismal forerunner?

Sometimes, it seems, a little blasphemy is in order--especially when the god is a false one.

-R

NOTE: If one thinks I'm kidding about this, go here. You'll be treated to a chronicle of photographic canonizations that rival Renaissance-levels of halo gracing the Madonna--all in one place.

This Means I’m a Billionaire!

Or would’ve been in past years, as 2008 hasn’t been especially kind to my reading commitments.

If You’re Rich, You Still Have Time to Read

Respondents making more than $100,000 annually said their average hours online had grown to 22.1 each week from 10.7, while the time they said they spent watching TV sunk to 18.6 hours from 23.7 in the 2003 survey. And they said their time spent listening to the radio had declined slightly. But they said they're regularly reading an average of 15.3 print publications, a notch above 15.1 five years earlier. Readers making more than $250,000 said they read just as many publications, 23.8 now, as they did in 2003.

Gustav Strikes Us Out

Hurricane Gustav has broken our web master's electricity, so all the new articles are piled up in an inbox he can't reach. Alas! No new articles at the Mothership, but know this - there are a lot of people who aren't going to like the cover wen it runs.

We Are The 90&9!

Alert Reader Kris tipped us off to this sign that hangs in the tabernacle at Minnesota camp. It was apparently signed by Senior campers a few years ago.

As you might guess, we like it a lot. :)

Because You're Different

You're the curious type seeking like-minded Apostolics.

You're always wondering about the less publicized young leaders in Pentecost.

You're having problems thinking of who else you can forward this to because you don't fit the typical Pentecostal mold, yet you're proud to be Pentecostal.

You're looking for The Forum.

Go ahead and tell this to your friends. Just in case they're like you.

Now Why Would They Think Christians Are Kooks?

From a staffer at Focus on the Family. Just how believers want to be represented. ARGH!

I Really Dig This Stuff! (Get It?)

I know you probably get sick of hearing archaeology updates, but I think they're really cool.  And since I have a forum to share them with the rest of the world here you go:

 

The Dead Sea Scrolls are going digital !!  Finally!!  Web access to one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century!  Not only have the scrolls provided a glimpse into the minds of a unique Jewish sect, but they have also supplied an abundance of material for understanding the Bible better.

 

 

Using simple photography doesn't do a wonderful job of showing the text (see image), and it also exposes the delicate fragments to too much harmful light.  However, using NASA infrared imaging technology, scientists have been able to get easily readable digital images.  These images are to be posted on the web so that any and all can access them.  Now all you need is a good working knowledge of 1st century Hebrew !

 

Josh R

Blue Like... A Democrat State

Evangelical author Donald Miller was invited to give the benediction at the Democratic National Convention last night.  Although the term "Religious Right" is often used to describe evangelicals, many have rejected this label and seek to move beyond party affiliations in serving the Kingdom of God.  Symbolically, Donald Miller did this by praying at the convention for both Democrats and Republicans, and for a united America.  But he is not just some liberal fluke of the evangelical movement.

 

In fact, Cameron Strang, editor of Relevant Magazine was first invited to give the benediction.  He accepted as an opportunity "to show that this generation of values voters doesn't necessarily need to draw political battle lines the way previous generations have."  Then he found out that he would be front and center on television--very prominent in the coverage of the convention.  As the editor of a bi-partisan magazine, he didn't want to be seen as endorsing either candidate so he declined the invitation.  Instead, he offered to find someone else and put in a call to Donald Miller.

 

With young evagelicals appearing so close to the Democratic camp (without fully endorsing), and older evangelicals refusing to support McCain, the "Religious Right" may just be a thing of the past.  Personally, I'm glad.  "Political battle lines" have never been helpful in propagating the Gospel.

 

Josh R.

The American Reformation?

Just like in the days of Martin Luther, a handful of brave souls are standing up for truth and righteousness!  ...or at least proper grammar.  Jeff Deck and Benjamin Herson were in court recently over their uninvited correction of a sign posted in a state park.  It appears a conspiracy is afoot with collaboration between the federal government and British college professors to destroy proper spelling and grammar.  Is this anything less than an attempt to undermine the very foundations of civilized society?  Anarchy will reign!! People will go around spelling "apple" "orange" just because they can!!! Something must be done to stop them.  These two are heroes, and the first casualties in the coming war.  The conspiracy must be brought to light! 

 

But seriously, I do have two questions.  1) If you make something better is it still destruction of property?  2) Could the federal government maybe spend a little less on ugly art and a little more on spell checking state park signs and historical markers?

 

Anyway...

Josh R

Are You A Phelps Phan???

Millions of viewers (myself included) stayed up well past their bedtimes this past week to watch Michael Phelps make Olympic history by winning an unprecedented 8 gold medals. Of course now swimming is over and most of us won't see another meet until 2012 when the games move on to London. Olympian value (and money making for the athlete) is largely tied up in advertising so the question now is how to capitalize on Phelp's "phame" before the world loses interest.

Mr. Carlisle, Phelp's agent, has received a huge array of offers for Michael over the last week.

A man in Omaha, Neb., offered to sculpt a statue of the chiseled swimmer. As strange as that sounded, a similar offer came from China. Several book and movie deals were suddenly on the table. A dog-food idea was pitched, given Mr. Phelps's well-known love for his British bulldog, Herman.

And still more: bobblehead dolls, acrylic paintings, commemorative coins, car rims and tuxedos. Some just wanted to give him things, like all the pizza he could eat for a year, or free dental work. And certain female celebrities and athletes wanted an introduction from Mr. Carlisle.

Phelps already does advertising (is endorsed by) Speedo, Visa, Omega and Hilton Hotels among others. Now the bidding wars will begin to see who can keep him and can best ride his wave of popularity.

"Michael Phelps would be worth $40 or $50 million to Nike," Mr. Bloom said. "He could literally allow them to launch a massive swimwear company, and I think you are going to see an incredible bidding war for him."

That means that current sponsor, Speedo, will have a huge gap to fill to improve the $1 million they offered him for these games.

Phelps may never make as much money in endorsements as Tiger Woods who makes $100 million a year in advertising alone playing year round but it is estimated that he could be worth $100 million over his life time. Not bad for a gangly, ADHD kid from Baltimore.

Do You Trust In God?

Some don't .  But NBC is currently running a poll on whether we should keep this motto on our other god... er, money.  Don't know how long this poll is going to be up so go ahead and vote.

 

Josh R

Kid Drops Out Of School To Guarantee Place Among Ignominous Dropouts

Alert reader, Steve, sent me this article, one that describes a 16 year-old's cunning plan: one that involves inattention to one's basic educational bedrock and explores the glories of . . . Guitar Hero:

In fact, young Mr. Peebles is dropping out of high school... in order to focus on Guitar Hero full time. Peebles hopes to join the small but growing crew of players looking to make gaming a job. Citing his victories in Guitar Hero tournaments, which include "gift certificates, gaming equipment, and chicken sandwiches," Peebles thinks he has the chops to play competitively and earn actual money in the process. As the story notes, top gamers on the competitive circuit can earn up to $80,000 a year (though $25,000 is more common). Peebles, of course, can count his 52 Chick-fil-A combo meals toward that total.

I have to admit a slight convulsive reflex that makes me want to to live-heckle anybody that employs the word "chops" in the same sentence with descriptive braggadocio and hubris that seems to follow these lords of the Stylized Simon genre. But I won't. Unemployment will do it for them.

On a larger note, the ratios of fantasy to reality, and the seemingly non-existent line that separates them is really bothersome. The kind of isolated pathology that had Bela Lugosi wearing his Dracula suit to the grave has metastasized--to the point that a whole legion of non-guitarists think they are guitarists--along with an applauding and abetting world.

Next thing you know, Martin Sheen will think he's actually President.

-R

Do You Want To Fly the Friendly Skies???

Southwest Airlines is currently holding a contest, "Nuts About Southwest", looking for a video blogger that they will fly around the country to blog for the airlines.

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal. All you have to do is upload a short audition video to YouTube and then let (have, encourage, demand ????) people vote for you. Look for the rest of the details here.

If you decide to do this let us know here on Collideoscope and we'll make sure to let everyone know to vote for you!!

Keeping Up With the Jones

If you're the kind of person who loves your $600 sunglasses and your $2000 Louis bag, and you just can't wait for people to ask how much they cost, this fantastic new product may be just for you.  I know, I know, you're feeling a little down right now.  That fancy new I Phone you bought to impress your friends when it first came out has been reduced in price and reduced again.  Now even the middle class can afford it.  But there is a way to spruce yours up and make it shine once more!

 

The new "I'm Rich" ap!  It is just a little button on your phone that reminds you, and anyone else, just how well-off you are.  If you have it, it means you were able to spend $1,000 on nothing.  That's right, the button does absolutely nothing!  Well, not nothing.  It does give you that little tingly feeling every time you see it.  The perfect electronic accessory for rich rulers young and old!

 

Josh R

Pop Culture Politics

John McCain and Barack Obama have revealed their pop culture favorites. Batman, Indiana Jones, Shrek, Sinatra and Dylan all make the presidential lists along with some surprises. As a self-proclaimed student of pop culture I have to say...

What does this have to do with a presidential election!? I sure hope nobody uses this list to choose who they vote for!

Josh R

Segregated Sundays

In his day, Martin Luther King, Jr. lamented the fact that Sundays are the most segregated day of the week.  In our day... things aren't much better.  According to this article only about 5% of American churches are racially integrated, and about half of those are in the process of becoming all black or all white. Forty years after the Civil Rights movement why are american churches not more integrated?

 

As with any complicated issue, there are number of reasons.  Racial tensions still exist even inside the walls of the church, and many members just aren't willing to deal with those tensions on the weekend.  Cultural differences lead to conflicts over worship and preaching styles.  Also, issues and perceptions of power can disrupt congregations working toward integration.  For example, a black pastor in an integrated church is statistically likely to cause many of the whites in the church to leave.  And as segregated churches become more integrated, the formerly predominant race is likely to become uncomfortable with changing demographics, even to the point of expressing fear of a "takeover" by another race.

 

It seems that, while racism has suffered great blows in America, it has not been utterly defeated.  I have seen this most clearly displayed in romantic relationships between blacks and whites.  Inter-racial marriage finds little acceptance in many churches.  Sometimes this is more an issue for parents, however.  As their children get to be old enough to date, many parents in integrated churches will simply leave.

 

But what makes integrated churches work is a shift in attitude from seeing "they" or "them" to seeing "us" and "we."  Many integrated churches recognize that there is a difference in cultures and backgrounds, but seek to transcend those differences.  It's not about making all the blacks act white or all the whites act black, it's about people from various backgrounds coming together and acting like Christians.  This article is definitely worth reading (and sharing) if you are in trying to make your church more integrated.  If you are seeking to rid yourself of racism on a personal level there is also an extremely well-written article ;-) on 90&9 this week dealing with that.

 

Josh R

Living God's Love

America is, in general, a very self-centered, consumeristic country.  As Christians this is something we should mourn and fight against, but how?  Perhaps the best way is to begin by examining ourselves.  Where am I spending too much money on me?  Where am I passing up opportunities to help other people because it would inconvenience me?  Where could I make a sacrifice to help someone else who cannot return the favor?  One apostolic couple chose the occasion of their honeymoon to practice self-sacrificing love.

 

Brian and Lauren Elrod (son-in-law and daughter of the presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World) sponsored a child in Zambia, but weren't satisfied simply sending money.  For their honeymoon they decided to go there themselves and visit some of the sites that have been supported by their church.  Along the way, they also had the opportunity to meet the child they had been sponsoring.  Perhaps in the most self-sacrificing part of the journey, Brian even allowed the in-laws to join them. 

 

Thanks to Brian and Lauren Elrod for providing both inspiration and a challenge to give a little more of ourselves in sacrifice to God .

 

Josh R

THE FORUM - September 26-27, 2008

Tired of conferences all being the same? Then you aren't going to want to miss this!

THE FORUM in St Louis, Missouri

Featured Speakers - Wayne and Claudene Francis

For more information: www.iqforum.net

Apostolic Success?

On sister blog Word, Lee Ann wonders why the overall successes of the Apostolic movement are largely ignored/overlooked? There are plenty of comments in reply.

Why don't you add your thoughts?

Short of Drilling for Oil in America...

...this may be the only way to lower gas prices.  Me, I've got my containers lined up, and I'm looking for a prophet .

 

Josh R

 

 

Do You Mobile Web??

According to recent studies mobile web usage is swelling.

The report, researched and released by In-Stat, forecasts that by 2012 more than 229.5 million people worldwide could be using mobile social networking services.

Social networking aside, IBM estimates that by 2011 the number of mobile Web users worldwide will approach one billion, a 191 percent increase from 2006, according to a study released last week.

When I moved to New York three years ago all of the attorneys at the firm I work for had a Blackberry that they used largely for work purposes. People you saw on the train with them were obviously using them for work as well. Today, not only do the attorneys have them, the secretaries, messengers and receptionists all have them and it's not because of work, it is purely for pleasure. I love my Crackberry. I use it for email all day long, in class if I need to look something up via Google quickly and for other random purposes. Wanna know if it's raining? Crackberry. Need to see if tickets are still available for that event this weekend? Crackberry. Bored on the train and need something to do?? Crackberry!!! People at school have them, people at church have them, they're everywhere. The world really is at our fingertips.

So the Point Is???

It means that if I were you, I would seriously consider advertising on the mobile Web. The In-Stat report estimates that businesses will spend $1.5 billion in mobile Web advertising this year, but that’s only a small fraction of the $486 billion expected to be spent on advertising as a whole.

In a few years nearly one billion people will be carrying Web access with them everywhere they go. That’s quite an audience, so capture it now. It’s true that the mobile Web still has a few kinks to work out, but it’s going to take off, sooner rather than later.

I don't know how I feel about this. I wouldn't want pop-up ads ruining my love of my mobile web device.

Books & Music & Fiction

There's lots happening in our sister blogs and if you don't peruse the Friday updates, you're cheating yourself.

Over at Notes, our Music blog, one writer wonders why there's an unnecessary rift between so many pastors and their music ministers. Got an opinion?

Over at Word, there's some unlikely Apostolic fiction, but read the intro first!

Finally, a title to look out for in November (yes, November) that Publisher's Weekly gives a starred review by the esteemed Phillip Jenkins, a continual fresh voice on the religion front:

The Lost History of Christianity: The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia
Philip Jenkins. HarperOne, $26.95 (304p) ISBN 978-0-06-147280-0

Revisionist history is always great fun, and never more so than when it is persuasively and cogently argued. Jenkins, the Penn State history professor whose book The Next Christendom made waves several years ago, argues that it's not exactly a new thing that Christianity is making terrific inroads in Asia and Africa. A thousand years ago, those continents were more Christian than Europe, and Asian Christianity in particular was the locus of tremendous innovations in mysticism, monasticism, theology and secular knowledge.

An interview on the book is here. 90&9 has been reporting on Jenkins as far back as 2002, sharing his thoughts on a worldwide Pentecostal revival in both.

Oil Prices Are At Least Educational

Just as Ambrose Bierce one said that war was God's way of teaching intermittent geography, rising gas prices are dumping a Henry Hazlitt double-energy shot right into the American 32 oz, Jamba Juice of ignorance.

The lesson? Depend on middle-eastern nutcases for your fuel, and you place yourself at the mercy of middle-eastern nutcases--who also seem to have the American media convinced that trading living Hezbollah fighters for dead Israeli soldiers is a "fair deal."

So here sits nine million acres of frozen Alaskan armpit, with tons of oil underneath a few thousand square acres of it. And Barack Obama doesn't want to drill it. Or, should I say he doesn't want to drill it--yet. But I have faith. He'll discover the virtues of drilling, just as he suddenly discovered:

1) the validity of the second amendment.
2) the need to listen to the phone conversations of people smitten with flying our passenger jets into our skyscrapers.
3) that people that "cling" to their faith may actually know how to vote. And may be smart enough to ignore guilt trips and Chris Mathews.

As I told my workplace, arch-political nemesis, if Barack Obama veers any further right in his blatant and arrhythmic pandering, he may wind up being called a Reagan Democrat. But I know one thing: let gas go to $10.00 a gallon, and Barack Obama will bulldoze an abortion clinic if he thinks there might be oil underneath it.

Addicted to oil? Sure. I'm also addicted to oxygen. So far, the alternative, Helium isn't working either.

-R

Cheap Theatrics

This pastor in England decided to preach a powerful message to his congregation.  Instead of screaming or jumping, though, he merely sat.  He dressed himself up as a bum and parked himself in front of the church with some scattered beer cans and syringes.  Most people, he said, ignored him.  The ones that had something to say were telling him to get lost.  Nobody offered to help him in any way.  Then, after the service got started, he walked into the church and revealed himself to his congregation.

 

I wonder how I would have respoded.  I wonder how my church would have responded.  How would most Apostolic churches have responded?  How would we have responded if someone showed at the front door of one of our conferences  (General, youth, campmeeting)?  As the pastor points out in this article, it's easy to say that you would have handled the situation correctly.  But do some soul-searching.  How have you responded in the past, maybe not at church, but anywhere?  What thoughts generally enter your mind when you see someone who looks homeless, or even just very poor? 

 

It's amazing how little we think of the poor in America and how much Jesus loved them . 

 

Josh R.

Who Knew . . .

Even the Statue of Liberty is a Cardinals fan!!

An Ideal Husband - One Who Won't Maul Your Happiness

Try not to pass out from shock. This is indeed my second post of the week. (I'm procrastinating on doing my International Law reading)

"But there is one thing worse than an absolutely loveless marriage. A marriage in which there is love, but on one side only; faith, but on one side only; devotion, but on one side only, and in which of the two hearts one is sure to be broken."

Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband

A friend sent me the following story and in a world where divorce has become so sensational that it consumes the headlines - thank you A-Rod and Christie Brinkley - I couldn't help but appreciate its relevance. What happens when you wake up one morning and realize that the person sleeping next to you isn't the person you thought you'd married? "Father Pat Connor, a 79-year-old Catholic priest has spent his celibate life — including nine years as a missionary in India — mulling connubial bliss. His decades of marriage counseling led him to distill some “mostly common sense” advice about how to dodge mates who would maul your happiness."

“Hollywood says you can be deeply in love with someone and then your marriage will work,” the twinkly eyed, white-haired priest says. “But you can be deeply in love with someone to whom you cannot be successfully married.”

Oh so true. I will never forget the story Pastor Ken Gurley told during a Worth the Wait seminar once about a (very young) couple who wanted to get married and when he asked them how they were going to survive financially they actually had the audacity to tell him they would "live on love." Right. Good luck with that. Let me know how it goes when he asks what's for dinner and you say "love" or when the electric company sends the bill and you write "love" in the paid by line.

Father Connor's marital advice can be summed up in the following 9 points:

1. Never marry a man who has no friends.

Amen! Hallelujah! Glory to God!

This usually means that he will be incapable of the intimacy that marriage demands. I am always amazed at the number of men I have counseled who have no friends. Since, as the Hebrew Scriptures say, ‘Iron shapes iron and friend shapes friend,’ ask yourself - what are his friends like?

2. “Does he use money responsibly? Is he stingy? Most marriages that founder do so because of money — she’s thrifty, he’s on his 10th credit card.

3. Steer clear of someone whose life you can run, who never makes demands counter to yours.

It’s good to have a doormat in the home, but not if it’s your husband.

Here's a personal tid-bit for you. I've never met a woman who thinks that wimpiness is attractive. There's a reason that manly men are more attractive.

4. Is he overly attached to his mother and her mythical apron strings?

I know some men who could benefit from this advice.

5. Does he have a sense of humor?

That covers a multitude of sins. My mother was once asked how she managed to live harmoniously with three men — my father, brother and me. Her answer, delivered with awesome arrogance, was: ‘You simply operate on the assumption that no man matures after the age of 11.’ My father fell about laughing.

6. A therapist friend insists that ‘more marriages are killed by silence than by violence.’ The strong, silent type can be charming but ultimately destructive. Ouch. That's a bit harder to swallow. I love the strong silent types. ~sigh~ John Wayne.

That world-class misogynist, Paul of Tarsus, got it right when he said, ‘In all your dealings with one another, speak the truth to one another in love that you may grow up.’

7. Don’t marry a problem character thinking you will change him. People are the same after marriage as before, only more so.

8. Take a good, unsentimental look at his family — you’ll learn a lot about him and his attitude towards women.

Is there a history of divorce in the family? An atmosphere of racism, sexism or prejudice in his home? Are his goals and deepest beliefs worthy and similar to yours? Imagine a religious fundamentalist married to an agnostic. One would have to pray that the fundamentalist doesn’t open the Bible and hit the page in which Abraham is willing to obey God and slit his son’s throat.

9. Does he possess those character traits that add up to a good human being — the willingness to forgive, praise, be courteous? Or is he inclined to be a fibber, to fits of rage, to be a control freak, to be envious of you, to be secretive?

Well, that certainly narrows the field but a guy (or gal) like that would definitely be worth waiting for.

Everyone's Apostolic

Late last week Kent asked me to check out a new web-networking site he'd been invited to join - Everyone's Apostolic. Well, what with my busy holiday weekend galavanting around the city with my family I didn't have a chance to look into it. So imagine my surprise when I showed up at work this morning and had an invite of my own (and no, not from Kent, I do have other friends)!

About five years ago, Everyone's Connected became a huge craze among Apostolics - even though it was never intended to be solely for Apostolic use. It was a cleaner, safer environment than MySpace and it wasn't long until it seemed you could find anyone you may have ever known in Apostolic circles on EC. Sometime in the past six months or so (I honestly have no idea when) EC became Ubuti and there is simply no polite way to put it - Ubuti stinks (so maybe that was semi-polite). Well, someone finally got the bright idea to create a site for Apostolics modeled off of the networking site craze and that's where Everyone's Apostolic comes in.

I spent about an hour on the site this morning setting up a profile and looking at some of the features. So far I can only say GREAT things about it. It has the simplicity and the best features of EC/MySpace/Facebook combined. You can upload photos, blog for everyone to read, upload and share music and join all kinds of groups that share your interests - Apostolic Chef's, Apostolic Hair-Dos (very important with it being camp season and GC coming up). There is also space for advertising if you have a business you'd like to promote. By far my favorite feature is just how easy it is to search for potential friends. You can search by name, location, age, relationship status, AND church attending.

It is by invitation only so if you're interested in joining let me know and as long as I can vouch for the fact that you're not totally debauched we'll see what we can do. If you're already on there I'd love 1) be your friend and 2) know what you think about it!

Faith and Film

Here is a link to an interview of one of my favorite writers, Craig Detweiler.  He is one author who carefully examines the fruit of pop culture (specifically films) to find depth and even the sacred among what high-culture lovers sneeringly call "the entertainment of the masses."  In this interview he discusses his upcoming book, this summers' popular films, and some of the greatest films of all time.  If you love God and you love movies, you won't want to miss it.

 

Josh R

News Flash!: Jesus Maybe Messiah After All!

An ancient tablet has come to light that could transform biblical scholarship. This three-foot stone contains 87 lines of Hebrew text written in ink, not engraved, on its face. Dating from the decades before Jesus' birth, it seems to describe a coming messianic figure who will suffer and die, but be raised again after three days. If this is the case, it would suggest that there was the idea of a suffering messiah in Israel before Jesus.

The scholarly assumption has been that there was no such idea before Jesus--that Jesus' role as a suffering messiah was completely unique. Of course Jesus being merely a Jewish teacher would never have claimed such a novel role for himself. The idea of Jesus as suffering messiah must have been added only after his death by his followers seeking to find meaning in the crucifixion. Such assumptions also lead to the widely discredited idea that Paul was the true architect of Christianity, basing his own teachings on a warped view of who Jesus actually was. This discovery has the potential to turn all that around.

If this was an idea that was already popular in Jewish thought, it would allow Jesus to have been a Jewish teacher, and everything else the Gospels claim for him. Of course, the idea of a suffering messiah does no more to dilute Jesus' mission than the idea of a messianic triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Such a prophecy as the one presumably written on this tablet could be an indication of God's voice being heard by those listening in preparation for the birth of Jesus. This would not be unprecedented, as even the Magi astrologically divined the birth of a king and the exact location.

It will be interesting to see how all of this turns out. As more scholars are able to view the text itself, there will be more interpretations as to what is actually being proclaimed (the condition of the artifact reflects its age, many of the words are missing or faded). This could turn out to be a very interesting historical addition to the story of Jesus, giving us more insight into the world that he grew up and ministered in. For a theology nerd like me this is very, very fascinating.

Josh R

Fresh Thoughts: Aspen Ideas Festival

The ridiculously expensive (read: I'm completely envious) Aspen Ideas Festival is in progress in Aspen, Colorado.

World (thought) leaders share panels, give addresses & generally offer exceptional insight into our contemporary world on culture, politics, media, and so much more. Blogs and video clips here.

Guerrilla Gardening?

You know, the fourth of July is all about remembering the founding of this nation. But when I think about our nation's founding, I think about rebels who were willing to die for the cause of freedom. I think about people who stood against a king because they felt that they should be free to govern themselves. To tell you the truth, if I think too much about it (like if I watch The Patriot or something) I start getting in a revolutionary mood myself. But what to rebel against? What cause can I support that fights The Man, but doesn't go against my Christian morals?



Then I discovered guerrilla gardening. People who desire to see more beauty in their cities, but find cutting through red tape and government bureaucracy nigh impossible, are taking matters into their own hands. Guerrilla gardening can take on many forms. Some people sneak in under the cover of darkness and plant flowers and other plants in the medians of highways. Others find a vacant lot and start a vegetable garden. Still others simply take care of areas that are neglected by the city.



Guerrilla gardening has in the past been tied to radical environmentalist groups seeking to redefine land ownership. But it has grown beyond those beginnings to include many people who just want more beauty in their cities. Taking ownership of the problems is a serious step toward a solution. And taking ownership of caring for your city is certainly a noble cause. In a way, it's like getting involved with God in creation--getting back to humanity's original task, tending the garden.

So this weekend why not get together a group of friends, make a quick trip to the local plant store, and bring beauty where there was none. You know deep down inside your a rebel anyway.

Josh R

Independence Weekend!!!

Yes, the 4th of July has become such a big deal that I can no longer celebrate it in just one day. Sort of like my friend Andy who doesn't celebrate just his birthday but the entire week of his birth so that we're blessed with what has been termed "Andy-gras".

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. It's Independence Day eve here in the Big Apple and I thought I'd give you a little peek into how the city celebrates. Last year I shared my fireworks pictures with you but since the fireworks aren't until tomorrow this year we're going to play a little game. Too often people think of Boston, Philadelpia, etc. when they think of how the U.S. gained her independence. However, New York also played a pivitol role. So without further ado, I give you:

10 Fun Facts About New York and American Independence

10. Three-times as many patriots died in jails in New York and on prison ships in the harbor as the number killed in all the battles of the eight-year war. Approximately one-third of the skirmishes and engagements of the war were fought on New York soil.

9. Nathan Hale, the most famous martyr to the cause of American liberty, was hung in Manhattan after making his famous statement, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Hale, a Yale graduate and school teacher, had enlisted in the American army as a lieutenant and been promoted to captain of an elite unit. He volunteered to enter New York after the British occupation as a spy to gather information for George Washington. He was captured with valuable intelligence stored in his boots.

8. St. Paul's Chapel is the only surviving church in New York of the Revolutionary era. St. Paul's was completed in 1766 on what was then the northern edge of the city. Washington came here for a special service after his inauguration on April 30, 1789. He continued to attend services at the chapel during the two years that New York served as the capital of the United States.

7. Trinity Church was chartered by King William III in 1697 but was destroyed when the British burned New York in 1776. When the British evacuated the city on Nov. 25, 1783, the Americans marched into New York and stood near Trinity Church as a salute of 13 guns was fired marking the end of the war. Alexander Hamilton is buried there and there are several war monuments in the surrounding grounds.

6. The steps of Federal Hall were the site of Washington's inaguration as first POTUS (President of the United States) on April 30, 1789 and on September 25, 1789 Congress adopted the Bill of Rights inside Federal Hall.

5. Fraunces Tavern was a meeting place of the Sons of Liberty prior to the start of the war and continued to serve as host for meetings and government offices well after the war. On Dec. 4, 1783, Washington met here one last time with his officers before resigning in the hopes of avoiding the fate of many republics that turned quickly to military dictatorship.

4. On July 9, 1776, after hearing the Declaration of Independence read in City Hall Park, the people and soldiers headed to Fort George at the tip of Manhattan where they proceeded to pull down the statue of King George III and melt it to make bullets.

3. The first submarine attack took place just off of Liberty Island (then known as Bedloe Island) in August 1776. During training to work the submarine - the creation of a local engineer - fishermen reported stories of a sea monster in the harbor. It wasn't successful in destroying the British ship but the use of a submarine was unprescedented.

2. The Battle of Long Island (or the Battle of Brooklyn) was the largest battle of the war and was the first battle fought after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Spanning just over 24 hours it is estimated that between 350 - 600 Americans died while over 1,100 were captured. The following night Washington and his commanders stealthily sneaked the remaining 9,000 American troops across the East River into Manhattan - past 400 British ships. **side note** I love this information because I'm living in Brooklyn right on top of where all this happened. Who knows who was marching or camping where I'm not sleeping.

1. John Greenwood is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery (no relation). Greenwood was not a general or some other hero. Rather he was a dentist. The dentist who made George Washington's false teeth in fact (and no, they weren't actually wooden).

So the next time you stop to think about how America gained her Independence remember to think about all that New York sacraficed too. Historian David McCullough brought the point home while discussing one of the earliest drawings of the city of New York.

"It was some houses and a dock for boats. And I looked at the drawing of that little place and thought not just of the history that would take place there, but of all the music that will be played there, the books that will be written there, the poetry, drama and the architecture that will come from there. There will be no city like it on earth."

Have a fabulous 4th!!

In Promotion of Un-Illiteracy

As evidence that I really can read (and non-fiction too!) allow me to recommend this book review.  Featured on the Barnes and Noble website is a review of the book Original Sin: A Cultural History by Alan Jacobs.  Original sin is the concept that we are born sinful, and that even infants are in need of the redemptive work of Christ.  Wrestling with the concept of who needs salvation and the grace and fairness of God is surely no easy task.  Jacobs tackles this task head on in such a way that even non-believers would find informative and "worthwhile."  His approach, addressing an important theological concept using a historical approach, has earned this book a spot on my Amazon wish list .  (But if you decide to buy me anything, don't forget to go through the 90&9 link).

 

Josh R