Three Truths to Induce Thanksgiving

(Author: Abraham Piper)

The following is adapted from John Piper's sermon, "Proud People
Don't Say Thanks."

Proud people can't be grateful. So here are three very humbling
truths for the sake of your thankfulness.

1. Nature teaches us that an infinitely marvelous, eternally
powerful being created us and all we have. Therefore we are his
creatures. He owns us. Our life, our breath, and everything we have
is a gift. Our duty is simply to be thankful to him from our heart
and to cherish his glory.

2. All of us have fallen short of this duty. We have not
consistently prized the diamond of God's glory with an affection
anywhere near its value. Instead, we've exchanged it again and again
for the cracked marbles that in our great "wisdom" we have determined
are more valuable.

3. God, in his great mercy, sent his Son to suffer the judgment
of people who are broken and contrite in spirit and who trust in him.

Proud people don't say thanks, but people who believe these three
truths do. We are utterly dependent; we are depraved sinners; and we
are redeemed and forgiven through contrite faith.

If this penetrates our hearts today, we will be emptied of pride and
filled with thankfulness to God.

First Thanksgiving at Home

For the first time in our five Thanksgivings living overseas, Kristie
and I are not traveling. We've decided to stay around Okinawa for
both Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations. It's a sound fiduciary
decision, but we are pining a bit for adventure.

Here's a list of our past Thanksgivings:

2004: Beijing, China
2005: Saigon, Vietnam
2006: Venice, Italy
2007: Rome, Italy
2008: My couch, Okinawa

How Obama Got Elected

Nine minutes well spent. Can you honestly believe that there was no media bias in St. Obama's favor? Think that McCain supporters would fare the same? Perhaps you can try it yourself with these same questions.

The woman who looks like a strung-out cheerleader with lipstick-written Obama shirt is particularly annoying at mark 3:30. I doubt Sarah Palin thinks highly of you.

Steel Cut Oats

I have been deprived since living here in Okinawa. I love these steel
cut oats, and ate them nearly every day in Germany. The commissary in
Wiesbaden sold them often. Here in Okinawa, however, they do not
carry them. I went right to the source: Bob's Red Mill in Milwaukie,
Oregon. I placed an order for over 13 pounds of steel cut deliciousness.

After they arrived here, the commissary received their shipment as
well. I have plenty, so come on over for a bowl!

Sidenote: This summer, I went to Bob's Red Mill to taste how they
make theirs. I was pleased to discover that I like mine better. While
there, Bob himself came into the store/restaurant. I wanted a picture
of him because he really does look like that cartoon picture of him
on the packages.

More information at http://www.bobsredmill.com/home.php.

So Much for Tolerance

Chuck Colson posted this entry about the aftermath of Proposition 8's passage:

"The ad ran all over California on Election Day—and surely sets a record for anti-religious bigotry. Two clean-cut young men knock at the door of a lesbian couple. The men identify themselves as Mormon missionaries. "We're here to take away your rights," they announce.

They snatch the women's wedding rings off their fingers and ransack their home. When they find the couple's marriage license, they rip it in half. "Say no to a church taking over your government," the voiceover says. "Vote 'no' on Proposition 8."

Despite such vicious attacks, California's Proposition 8, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman, passed. But the assaults on churches have just begun."

Read the full article here.

Here's the commercial mentioned:

Angry Prop 8 Activism

"Peace-loving" activists display their hatred toward another protester on the other side of the issue. Is it possible at all that there can be two sides, or is it only your side that matters?

Watch this live feed in Palm Springs as a news crew tries to interview a woman while the angry mob chats "Go home!" Free speech or hatred? Does free speech only matter when it's you and your issue? I don't think it should.



This whole protest issue is silly to me. Citizens in a community have an obligation and a right to pass measure that reflect how they want to be governed. Proposition 8 passed banned gay marriage last Tuesday, and now it's being protests. How can a democratic vote on a social issue be protested if it passed fair and square along with every other state who passed similar measures? Here is where is goes past just a gay marriage issue, and is an issue on voting, communities, and democracy.

Proposition 8 passed banning same-sex marriage with 52% of the vote. This isn't a minor victory. By means of comparison, Obama won 53% of the popular vote, and liberals declare that the people have decisively spoken. The percentage is similar for Californians to vote to ban gay marriage. Imagine if you can how stupid it would be for McCain supports to take to the streets and bounce on cars protesting that Obama won. Imagine what the Left's favorite son Keith Olberman would say about those people.

Just because you don't like the outcome does not mean it is wrong. You may disagree with the passing of the measure, or of the choice of president, or that your favorite senator is voted out (in my case!), but that's the beauty of democracy. We get to have a voice in stating how we should be governed, and what laws are over us.

Was the passing of Prop 8 really a surprise? States have made decisive votes all across the country to define marriage as one man-one woman. If you don't like how it turned out, do your best to try to sway people's minds. It's your right. But, don't jump on cars and pick fights with churches or old ladies. That's just being an idiot.

Gay marriage is a liberal social issue, and there are no liberal social issues passed by voting. Liberals need to run to the courts to pass such measures, which is far worse in my opinion than voting on them. California tried that in the spring and everyone was so excited. "As California goes, so goes the country" I heard often then. Putting this issue up to a vote for the people is the right and democratic thing to do.

Gay protesters can whine about Mormons, Rick Warren, Republicans, Blacks, Jews, Hispanics, and renegade Democrats who voted to pass the measure, but the bottom line is that the majority of people in California did not want gay marriage to be recognized in their state. More votes=victory. Ask Obama about that. (He is, however, noticeably silent on this current issue, but Barack, like all the presidential candidates were this year, against gay marriage).

As California goes, so goes the country.

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

From The Onion:


Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

The Muslim and the Messiah

President-elect Barack Obama received the highest honor today when Iranian President Ahmadinejad offered his praise and congratulations. Since those on the far left often weeped, "But the world hates us!" this indeed is excellent news. Now, if we can check Hugo Chavez's schedule, perhaps we can all have elevenses together and curse Bush's name.

Oh, then let's wipe Israel from the map before dinner.