New Year's Eve, 2012

Revelation 21:5

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

About this Sunday

It will be 2012, and time to discuss World's end-of-2011 issue.  The usual columns and departments are still there, but there is no focused "cover story" in this one. End-of-the year coverage begins on p. 16 and meanders on until about p.63 with page by page accounts of major events in 2011. Be prepared to discuss any and all - and to pray a bunch for 2012!

Bible reading in 2012

Eddie Taylor and some friends from Grace Church, Sierra Vista, have been discussing Bible reading plans on their message board this week, in preparation for new disciplines in the new year. I would like to encourage Dove Mountaineers to recommit to the discipline of Bible reading, as well.  Here are a variety of plans to choose from.                                                                                      I'll put in my own plug here for the one identified in the list as Professor Grant Horner's plan. I used it in the 1970's and it was formative in my Christian life. It is time-intensive, but extremely worthwhile. I found it more enjoyable than the usual "read the Bible in one year" and similar plans.

Local Kerfluffle

Protesting students disrupted a Tucson Unified
School District board meeting in May, 2011

Administrative Judge Lewis Kowal ruled yesterday in favor of State Superintendent of Education John Huppenthal's long-standing quarrel that Tucson Unified School District's "Mexican American Studies" program violates a state law against studies aimed a specific ethnicity. It is expected that the district will file a counter-suit costing taxpayers even more money (when one government entity sues another, it's the taxpayer that loses!). At stake are about $15 million in funds which TUSD will lose unless some court of appeal will overthrow Judge Kowal's decision.

This has been an ugly and vituperative fight, and it's not over yet. There is so much sin on each side that one  hardly knows where to begin.

It is true that:
          Generations of white Americans have exploited and mistreated Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, in spite of the fact that they were here long before the whites.

However,
          Even though many of those most protesting the Arizona law are here illegally, Tucson High School endorsed a hard core activist to speak at an assembly last year, leading the (mostly Hispanic) students in chanting, "We didn't cross the border; the border crossed us!"

In addition,
          Students who chained themselves to desks in the school board meeting last spring were more concerned about whether their "right" to study the history of political oppression against Mexicans was being infringed on, than whether or not they might be breaking a law.

It should be noted here that:
           The Mexican-American studies course can substitute as a graduation requirement in place of courses on U.S. history and government.

It's all sin, and none of it is education. It's all political, and none of it is redemptive in any form. Nothing will improve through raw exhibitions of political power, either judicial or legislative. Nothing will improve as long as each side is pointing and saying, "Your sins are worse than mine!"  Somebody has to repent of something, some time, somewhere. Somebody has to fear God, and love his own ego less. Somebody has to obey God's revealed will.

Who would like to go first?

Amazing things that people write...

And I don't mean amazing in a good way!

Some people know that I do not "suffer fools" lightly (or quietly), but lately there are too many fools to keep up with! Now I have help from my long-time hero, Dr. Marvin Olasky, editor of World Magazine.  In his latest article he cites his favorite "mush" from the Media Research Center's anuual awards for "worst journalism."

Here is a sample of the article:

"I didn't realize that Tea Party folks were terrorists, but New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman equated them to Hezbollah, and within a week fellow Times columnist Joe Nocera was writing that 'Tea Party Republicans have waged jihad on the American people" and wear "suicide vests.' MSNBC's Chris Matthews similarly observed that 'the GOP has become the Wahhabis of American government.'"

You can read the whole article here or see the complete list of awards here.

Happy Boxing Day

BOXING DAY


by Lee Emmet

Boxing Day is a time of rest
clean up house after Christ-fest

recovering from food overload
put up feet, not the time to hit road

talk about fun of Christmas day
old folk sit around while children play

Happy Birthday, Brad!

Joyous Christmas Day!

Luke 2:
1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.