Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Personal Responsibility and Aimless Apologies

Another commentary from Thomas Sowell that has the "ring of truth", I think. It also makes one think on the nature of forgiveness.Is there such a thing as aimless forgiveness? And what is the relationship of accountability, responsibility, grace, and forgiveness?

I have been encountering these thoughts in the context of defining the proper and just modus operandi when it comes to the restoration of leaders (of all stripes) who have moral failures.

Here's a point of contention: while Dr. Sowell is definitely worth reading, pondering, and even discussing, I do think that anyone in a role model or leadership situation DOES need to acknowledge their failures corporately as well. The other side of the coin of personal responsibility is responsibility as a citizen of society, culture and the moral universe.

In regard to the Tiger Woods apology, morality is not found in renouncing all desire, as TW pointed to from his Buddhist perspective, but in desiring the divine forgiveness and redemption found in the ONE who is the worthiest of all desires.

Not sure what the point of this is, but it is interesting.


Pew study on the variance in income based on religion I can't tell if this is household income or individual- I don't see that they clarify this point.

Sunday, February 14, 2010



The Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie is the most effective, inexpensive and stylish way to combat psychotronic mind control.

Thought I would see what I looked like in the latest mind control deflector attire.I figured I could save some $$$ with a do it yourself version instead of buying this...

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Sojourners (Bring Us Through)

The waters lay before us and there was no bridge in view
And crossing seemed impossible and a foolish thing to do
But we could hear you calling us to wade into the deep
The river opened up and you revealed your path so steep
You took us through as surely as the promises you keep

Sojourners must sojourn
Strangers must be strange
Pilgrims must make pilgrimage
And so changed men must change.
Aliens must travel
In a dry and weary land
Put one foot in front of another
Until we learn to stand
There is joy in the journey
But the travellers must roam
Press on toward the heavenly mark
Until God takes us home

The mountain we were given required that we must climb
And as we were ascending it has taken us some time
To overcome it and subdue its heights
But you preserved us from it perilous plights
But only as we’ve kept you in our sights.

A valley lay before us, the bridges burned behind
Its briars and brambles tore us, as they overgrew our minds
In the valley of death’s shadow the perils e’re increase
The slough of despond threatens to steal our righteous peace
In the valley there’s a vista and a vision of release

Open up a way that’s far beyond our view
Make us a miracle in ways that only you can do
Then all who see will know all glory is to You
Bring us through, bring us through, bring us through!

Sojourners must sojourn
Strangers must be strange
Pilgrims must make pilgrimage
And so changed men must change.
Aliens must travel
In a dry and weary land
Put one foot in front of another
Until we learn to stand
There is joy in the journey
But the travellers must roam
Press on toward the heavenly mark
Until God takes us home

Anthony Foster
February 13, 2010

Redefining Normal


Turned in the defense draft of my dissertation yesterday. There's more to do in terms of preparation for the defense in March, and prepping for graduation in May, but I am mostly done, and am having to readjust to getting up on a Saturday morning with no research to do. I think I can adjust quite nicely, given a little time. We are ready to fly the coop and the weather is not cooperating. Bad, weather.

I am sitting and thinking back on the last five years that have flown oh, so quickly. The outstanding feature of this process is that it became an act of worship and sacrifice somewhere along the way. The discipline of simply doing something "as unto the Lord" changes your life. I thought I knew all about that before we started this process, but new lessons were surely learned.

New challenges lay ahead as we transition again to a new phase. We don't know whether that means staying put or sojourning to a new situation or even a physical relocation. I am sure that God will make it obvious in our lives and the call will be clear. This has become a reality for us and I never want to live life any other way than that.