In The Process | |
Why Should We Read the Great Books?"The reduction of the citizen to an object of propaganda, private and public, is one of the greatest dangers to democracy. A prevalent notion is that the great mass of the people cannot understand and cannot form an independent judgment upon any matter; they cannot be educated, in the sense of developing their intellectual powers, but they can be bamboozled. The reiteration of slogans, the distortion of the news, the great storm of propaganda that beats upon the citizen twenty-four hours a day all his life long mean either that democracy must fall prey to the loudest and most persistent propagandists or that the people must save themselves by strengthening their minds so that they can appraise the issues for themselves."Giving Approval to WickednessFor the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. I listened to a sermon on "Practical Holiness" the other day that used this passage in one part of the message. The preacher stated that when we watch television or movies or read books that portray homosexuality, fornication, drunkenness, or anything else that God hates in a funny and/or lighthearted manner, then we are "giving approval to those who practice them". Wow. I never thought about it that way. Correction: I haven't thought about it that way in a long time. When I was first saved, I went on a holiness binge, for lack of a better way to put it. If anyone told me that I should do "x" because that's what the Bible said, I did it. I didn't watch television, I only wore long, frumpy, homemade dresses. I didn't listen to secular music. I didn't drink at all. Etc., etc., etc. Of course, I burned out after a few years of rules, rules, and rules. And, then sort of went the other way to a church that had no rules at all -- a church where, unbelievably, they asked my unsaved (at the time) husband to teach children's Sunday school! Yikes! We didn't last long there -- I think it was the shimmying of one of the 'worship' leaders in a nightclub dress as she belted out a CCM song that finally put us over the edge. As I've stated before here, I've had holiness issues since leaving my fundamentalist church. I struggle with what God really wants me to do. He calls us to be holy. What does this mean in 21st century America? I'm not talking about legalism -- i.e., the idea that salvation is earned by obedience to the law. I know that Jesus Christ Himself is my Righteousness! What I am talking about is practical obedience after we're saved, because we're called to obey. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:2-3If we are not to set worthless things before our eyes: I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. Psalm 101:3-4And, we are to meditate on Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 Then, is it ok to entertain ourselves with characters that are hooking up, shacking up, or committing adultery? With gay & lesbian characters? With the 15th episode of a medically necessary abortion? Obviously, you can tell by the way I'm writing this post which way I'm leaning. But, I know I'm in the minority here because I know all my Christian friends! I know they are strong Christian women who truly love the Lord, so it gives me pause that maybe I'm misinterpreting scripture here. What say you? It Must Be December....as seed catalogs have started to arrive! {grin} I've received the Vermont Bean Seed Company and Totally Tomatoes catalog so far and can't wait to see what else trickles in through the mail!Is it too early to dream about next year's vegetable garden? I don't think so! With the economy the way it is, I think next year's garden may be even more important than this year's. I learned so much about gardening this year. I learned about what not to plant (watermelons -- they take up too much room; potatoes -- too hard to store properly), and what I'd like more of (tomatoes, raspberries, and pickling cucumbers -- we didn't can nearly enough!). I learned not to plant broccoli and cauliflower too early because they either bolt to seed or don't form a head at all. I learned that peas are a lot of work for little reward. That there is nothing like home grown radishes. That an organic garden IS possible. That there are a ton of different things that I'd like to try and grow next year! So for now, I'm going to ignore the wind and 6 inches of snow and curl up with a seed catalog and a hot cup of coffee and dream about spring. :-) So far, so goodSo far, Noah hasn't gotten sick. Hannah, Matthew, Timothy, David, and Sarah did get sick, but they are finally feeling better. They all got sick within 48 hours of when Mary Faith and I got sick, so by tomorrow morning I'm thinking we should be in the clear if no one else gets sick in the night. Looks like Sarah will be having a great birthday tomorrow!! William has a cast iron constitution and never gets sick, but Jeff and Noah staying healthy can only be the result of divine intervention. Noah gets everything, and Jeff did so much cleaning up after sick little ones that he was thoroughly exposed. (Yes, you read that right. Mr. Amazing Husband was worried that I might get reinfected and get sick again, so he insisted that I stay in bed with Mary Faith all Saturday night while he got up with sick children over and over and over. Every time he got up I prayed that God would protect him and bless him for his faithful servant's heart.) Now Mr. Amazing Husband wants to get in bed and watch Wallee (is that how you spell it??) so I need to go. :-) He rented it for the children to watch once they were at that stage where they were feeling somewhat better but were too tired and weak to do much. They laughed all of the way through it and said it was great, so I promised Jeff to watch it with him. Blessings, Kate American Teens Lie, Steal, Cheat at 'Alarming' Rates
Sad, sad, sad.
I think the last sentence is particularly telling. Even though 83% were admitted liars, 64% were admitted cheaters, and 30% were admitted thieves, 93% of the students were satisfied with their own character and ethics.
Wow.
The heart is deceitful above all things, Jeremiah 17:9 You May Now Kiss Your BrideI just loved this story!
Isn't it romantic? :-) On a related note, Young Ladies Christian Fellowship has an index full of courtship stories for those so inclined. :-) Please pray for us allThanksgiving night Mary Faith woke up throwing up and continued to do so all night. I got sick a few hours after she did, but managed to fight it off for a few hours. (I even went out for the early AM Christmas sales with my mom, hoping that I wasn't really getting sick, but I had to come home before long as I couldn't fight it off any more.) This was some of the worst stomach flu I've ever had, and I am just now feeling like being out and about - but NOT eating more than a nibble here and there. Mary still obviously feels icky and is having loose stools every few hours. I figured that Mary Faith and I both caught this at the hospital, and since we stayed away from everyone else, I hoped that we had contained the bug . . . but poor sweet David just started throwing up. PLEASE pray that this bug will somehow stop with David. Obviously it would be terrible if Noah got it, and he would probably end up in the hospital. On a more personal note, Tuesday is Sarah's 6th birthday and we don't want anyone sick on her big day! We had planned to have all of the family over today for a turkey dinner and to decorate our tree, but we didn't even get a tree because Mary Faith and I were so sick. We decided to do it all on Sarah's birthday instead - make it a big day - get the tree, decorate it with family, have dinner with everyone, do cake and presents, etc. These children missed so much last December with Noah being in the hospital most of the month. Sarah spent her birthday in the hospital and I really, really wanted to make this birthday extra-special for her. I know that it can be special in ways other than how I had planned, but boy oh boy - I don't want anyone sick that day!! It can be hard to surrender plans like that to the Lord and leave them in His hands - - but I know that there is no better place to put my hopes and dreams, knowing that He can redeem the things that seem wrong, broken, or sad to us. It doesn't stop me from asking for prayer for healing and protection, but it gives me confidence to trust in whatever outcome we see! Blessings, Kate HomeWe got home last night but I haven't had time to update 'til now. :-) Noah still has some swelling in his left hand, but x-rays confirmed correct placement/function of his new broviac. The swelling is probably due to scar tissue reducing the blood return from his arm. (scar tissue fron previous broviacs) The fact that the swelling is slowly improving means his beautifully designed body is actually finding a way around the scarring and obstruction! I can't write more now - Noah is sleeping in my lap and it's alnost impossible to type. Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings, Kate The Well-Trained Mind -- 3rd Ed.!I just read on Susan Wise Bauer's blog that a new edition of The Well-Trained Mind is coming out!According to Amazon, it looks like it should be ready near the end of February. FYI, if you pre-order, you save $13.58. Yay! I can't wait! It Is the Duty of All Nations to Acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God
Posted by Heather in WI
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and: 5:15 AM, Nov. 27, 2008 .. Posted in Our Constitutional Republic .. 0 comments .. Link WHEREAS both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness": Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplication to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, AD 1789. George Washington { Last Page } { Page 1 of 5 } { Next Page } |
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