Free Download: Praise the Living God

Grace Evangelical Free Church is offering a free download of their worship record, "Praise the Living God." Go to http://www.songsofgrace.org to enter in your email to receive a free album of worship songs.

Obama's Victory Plate

It's All About the Timing

See a gallery of more of these photos that were snapped at the perfect time. 

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.

Hang 'Em High

Where were the outcries against this from women's organizations? I
suppose when a Conservative woman is mocked, threatened, or abused,
it's not misogyny; it's comedy. What would have been the reaction to
a Hillary hanging during her run? Would NOW have been silent?

Where were the black organizations to stand up against this depiction
of a hanging? They were more concerned about "Obama waffles" than
they are about this depiction of violence. Jesse Jackson and Al
Sharpton are silent, and for once I wished they were talking on TV.

Most importantly, where was the Obama camp to speak out against this
type of campaigning? Wouldn't that have been a bold move for him to
denouncing this type of politicking?

The fact that liberals were quick to use the "it's different than a
black man hanging" defense shows us the cruel spirit of some of these
folks. And the hypocrisy.

In November, I Shall Write a Novel

50,000 words in 30 days.

I have wanted to do this for a few years, and this year I'm going to
give it a try. Don't worry, you'll ALL be in it somewhere.

Check out the site, and let me know if you think you'd like to give
it a try.

More information is here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/whatisnano

I Would be Honored...

Signed, Confused in Cambodia

As we plan our Cambodia-Vietnam trip this Christmas, I reserved a driver to take us around Angkor Wat temples. This is the same tuk-tuk driver friends used and spoke highly about. I reserved him for 25-30 December. This weekend, I received an angry message from him because he thought we reserved for 25-30 October. Here's the exchange:

On Oct 27, 2008, at 12:26 AM, san borin wrote:

Hello how are you ? WHERE ARE YOU NOE ? you are staying at BOPHA Ankgkor hotel now WHY you don't call me ,I waiting you for 2 day at BOPHA angkor hotel but Idon't know Who are you ? I think you are cheting me now . Thank you for CHET ME

From: ron.coia@mac.com

Subject: Re: WELCOME TO ANGKOR WAT

Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:20:14 +0900

To: sanborin@hotmail.com

We arrive on December 25-30, not October. Please see my first email.

I do not appreciate that you accused me of cheating you. I am honest, and you did not read my email request correctly.

Ron

On Oct 28, 2008, at 12:36 AM, san borin wrote:

I am sorry about that I had read your e mail but I think this mounth, this is my foul ,I hop see you on 25 december thank you

On Oct 30, 2008, at 12:09 AM, san borin wrote:

Hello how are you ? plaese Apologiseto me this is my Mistaken , I have to keep in my mind and I hop to see you soon
GOOD LUCK FOR YOU

A Thriller Week

I heard Michael Jackson's "Thriller" playing in public three times in
the past two days. Is Michael making a comeback in the States and no
one bothered to tell me?

Defeating "Leftwing Triumphalists"

From William Kristol:

"(W)we hope for a McCain-Palin victory, for the sake of the country.
And also for the pleasure of seeing the dejection of the mainstream
media, the incredulity of the leftwing triumphalists, and the
humiliation of the pathetically opportunistic "conservatives" who've
been desperately clambering on board the Obama juggernaut. We're
proud to stay off that juggernaut. We're proud, in our modest way, to
stand with John McCain and Sarah Palin against it.

An Obama-Biden administration--working with a Democratic Congress--
would mean a more debilitating nanny state at home and a weaker
nation facing our enemies abroad. We, of course, have confidence that
the nation would survive such an interlude, and we would even hope
that a President Obama might adjust course from the path he's
advertised, especially in foreign policy. But the risk of real damage
is great, especially when compared with the prospect of a tough-
minded center-right McCain-Palin administration that could lead the
country sensibly through these difficult times.

Reading the endorsements of Obama in the liberal media should
strengthen the determination of all believers in American self-
government and greatness to fight this election campaign to the end.
Time magazine's Joe Klein tells us that Obama "seems a grown-up, in a
nation that badly needs some adult supervision." To the contrary, we
are a nation of adults. We don't need the "supervision" of a
conventionally liberal and totally untested junior senator whose most
impressive lifetime achievement has been the construction of an
effective narrative about himself."

Because Your Parents and Grandparents are Idiots

According to this Obama-sponsored video, your parents and grandparents who have a different view than you need to be talked down to and treated as "children." Or, like the one guy in the video, you can threaten to not help them in the future if they don't vote that way they want you to. "Sorry, Granny, but until you vote for Barak Obama, you won't get any cherry Jell-O. Or oxygen."

This type of thought further divides the country. Where's the bi-partisanship and respecting of all ideas? All ideas except for conservative ones are allowed. And these geniuses call George W. Bush a fascist.

Being the Wrong Type of Woman: Conservative

From The Weekly Standard's article on the mercurial positions of liberals:

"(T)here's the feminist model of womanhood, as cherished a liberal ideal as there is (or was). A woman could--and probably should--do it all: be a wife and mother, hold a job with real responsibilities, and never, ever knuckle under to the rule of males. Pursuing a career in politics while still caring for a family--that's the feminist model in its purest form.

Then Sarah Palin came along. Unlike feminist favorite Hillary Clinton, Palin actually succeeded in politics on her own. She didn't ride into office on her husband's shoulders. And she knocked off a string of powerful male politicians on her way to the Alaska governorship and the Republican vice presidential nomination.

Perfect! Palin has precisely the career profile that liberals are supposed to admire in a woman. Except she's a conservative Republican. Worse, she's pro-life and a serious Christian and pretty too. So rather than lift Palin up as a model for young women to follow, liberals loathe her.

Of course they're on high moral ground in feeling this way. They always are."

Read the entire article here.

Starbucks's Future Threatened

In political-season fashion, Dunkin Donuts is running this campaign about how DD beat Starbucks in a blind taste test. Now, outside of a few folks I've met in Rhode Island, I haven't met many who could agree. Maybe this taste test involved a free pair of tickets to Fenway or something.

By the way, since when does popular equal better? Can't this study simply mean that more people have bad taste in coffee?

O, Oregon...

One of the bragging points that I have about my state is that our two
senators, one Republican and one Democrat, reflect the two natures
existing in Oregon. Multnomah County is overwhelmingly Democrat,
while the rest of the state is overwhelmingly Republican. Because of
the two types of Oregonians, I love that we have one senator to
represent each: Gordon Smith (R) and Ron Wyden (D). This is true
representative government, as all Oregonians have someone in the
Senate to represent their voice. This bipartisanship relationship is
a model for other states, and I wouldn't want it another way.

The Oregon liberals want it differently, though. As usual, they think
that their voice is the only voice and that all others should be
silenced. I stay abreast with Oregon news and politics, and it is sad
to see the attacks on Gordon Smith as being a "toady" for the "Right
Wing Agenda." A true believer in bipartisanship and democracy would
see that having a Republican and a Democrat in the Senate is not only
fair for Oregonians, but it is also beneficial for Oregon. That's not
important, as long as they remove anyone who does not think and vote
like they do.

Being a conservative in Portland is soon going to be as dangerous as
being a Jew in Munich in 1933.

Happy Filthy Birthday to Me

Our friends Buddy and Jen thought it'd be hilarious to make fun of my germ phobia (although I refer to it as my "non-filthiness") by having their children create birthday projects in the most unsanitary environment. We'll see here in this video the children touching, licking, and biting the food before making my special birthday wraps. Unfortunately, it did not come with Purell or a penicillin shot!

It does include a minor sibling argument on who likes the Coia's more. That alone covers a multitude of germs. Almost.

Liberalism is Slavery

Here's an amusing, albeit lengthy, performance regarding why this man is voting for McCain/Palin. His words are especially directed to Black Americans who believe that Democrats provide the best options for them.

On top of this, he's wearing a Richard Pryor shirt.

Pictures of Our House

Kristie took these photos of our house today. Now that it's presentable, we thought we'd share a peek.

It has the only two criteria that I sought: 1. It has a balcony with a view of the ocean. 2. I can see the water from the living room.

A Motivation to Continue Blogging