This link will take you to a BBC produced dramatized biography of C.S. Lewis. It is well done and faithful to his story.
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Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Edward Kennedy: Heb. 9:27
Born into a family long on ambition and supplied with the money and power to fulfill it, Edward Kennedy might have been just another rich socialite had not his oldest brother died as a pilot in World War 2. Joseph Kennedy's untimely death meant the plans of his own father, Joseph, Sr., to make him the first Irish Catholic President had to be transferred to his second son, John. And when Senator John Kennedy became President Kennedy, and his younger brother Bobby became Attorney General, there was the matter of an open Senate seat in Massachusetts. Enter Edward "Ted" Kennedy, barely old enough to hold the office, as a candidate in the 1962 special election to fill the seat. Thus began a long, illustrious, and checkered political career that only ended in death. He was the second longest currently serving Senator, but his own actions ultimately kept him from the prize he had hoped to claim--the Presidency.
As a politician, he had few equals, acquiring power over time that made him a formidable enemy as well as a desirable ally. He led the campaign that stopped the nomination of Robert Bork to the U.S. Supreme Court and forever changed the confirmation process--many say for the worse. His 1964 immigration bill changed the way in which people were admitted to the U.S. It opened the door to a flood of people from poorer lands who prior to this did not qualify for entry, something that was both eminently compassionate and enormously aided his own political party. He moved his party ever leftward, arguing for federal power to be increased in education, economics, and most obviously, health care.
His personal problems never stayed personal, but he often managed to escape their normal consequences. The infamous drowning death of Mary Jo Kopechne, a young worker for his late brother Bobby's presidential campaign, stands as the prime example. He had taken her from a party after drinking heavily, drove off the road and into the water, left her to die, and went home, not calling the police until later the next day. That would have sent most offenders to jail. Instead, he was allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor and continue as a senator and later as a candidate for President. Many believe that he lost the nomination to President Carter not because of his previous bad behavior, but because he ran such a poor campaign--making the most memorable of his speeches only after he had lost the contest at the Convention in 1980.
He experienced the tremendous pain of the violent death of three brothers, the failure of his first marriage, and various tragedies involving his children, nieces, and nephews. He became the father figure for the children of his slain brothers.
He was a very effective politician--of that there is no doubt. Many speaking from personal acquaintance are writing about his personal kindnesses, his friendliness, his love for his wife, and other good qualities.
But I cannot help but be sobered by the fact that he has now entered eternity, and all the power and political acumen means nothing. He will give account to the Lord for his deeds--and what will matter most is not whether he won a political battle, but whether his name is in the Lamb's book of life.
Cal Thomas, a strong evangelical newspaper columnist, befriended Sen. Kennedy a number of years ago. I am sure that he has shared the Gospel with him--in fact, I seem to recall reading something about that, but cannot be certain. Many say "rest in peace," but that is hard for me, for such peace is only found by those whose faith rests in Jesus alone. We know such faith is a gift, and Sen. Kennedy may have availed himself of the free offer of the gospel. We do not know. We have little to go by here.
Great men in this world still leave it, and must be ready for the next, as must we all.
As a politician, he had few equals, acquiring power over time that made him a formidable enemy as well as a desirable ally. He led the campaign that stopped the nomination of Robert Bork to the U.S. Supreme Court and forever changed the confirmation process--many say for the worse. His 1964 immigration bill changed the way in which people were admitted to the U.S. It opened the door to a flood of people from poorer lands who prior to this did not qualify for entry, something that was both eminently compassionate and enormously aided his own political party. He moved his party ever leftward, arguing for federal power to be increased in education, economics, and most obviously, health care.
His personal problems never stayed personal, but he often managed to escape their normal consequences. The infamous drowning death of Mary Jo Kopechne, a young worker for his late brother Bobby's presidential campaign, stands as the prime example. He had taken her from a party after drinking heavily, drove off the road and into the water, left her to die, and went home, not calling the police until later the next day. That would have sent most offenders to jail. Instead, he was allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor and continue as a senator and later as a candidate for President. Many believe that he lost the nomination to President Carter not because of his previous bad behavior, but because he ran such a poor campaign--making the most memorable of his speeches only after he had lost the contest at the Convention in 1980.
He experienced the tremendous pain of the violent death of three brothers, the failure of his first marriage, and various tragedies involving his children, nieces, and nephews. He became the father figure for the children of his slain brothers.
He was a very effective politician--of that there is no doubt. Many speaking from personal acquaintance are writing about his personal kindnesses, his friendliness, his love for his wife, and other good qualities.
But I cannot help but be sobered by the fact that he has now entered eternity, and all the power and political acumen means nothing. He will give account to the Lord for his deeds--and what will matter most is not whether he won a political battle, but whether his name is in the Lamb's book of life.
Cal Thomas, a strong evangelical newspaper columnist, befriended Sen. Kennedy a number of years ago. I am sure that he has shared the Gospel with him--in fact, I seem to recall reading something about that, but cannot be certain. Many say "rest in peace," but that is hard for me, for such peace is only found by those whose faith rests in Jesus alone. We know such faith is a gift, and Sen. Kennedy may have availed himself of the free offer of the gospel. We do not know. We have little to go by here.
Great men in this world still leave it, and must be ready for the next, as must we all.
Monday, August 24, 2009
A very significant essay on current political discontent
Just read: Fouad Ajami: Obama’s Summer of Discontent - WSJ.com
I tend to agree with Mr. Ajami's analysis, even though I would say that Republican opposition to the President has in many instances misread public concerns related to health care in America. And Republicans were responsible, through President Bush, for the biggest step toward national health care since Medicare/Medicaid with the Prescription Drug Benefit program, so as a party they lack credibility when now saying the government needs to stay out of health care.
The bigger issues that Mr. Ajami raises, though, are telling, and worth considering.
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I tend to agree with Mr. Ajami's analysis, even though I would say that Republican opposition to the President has in many instances misread public concerns related to health care in America. And Republicans were responsible, through President Bush, for the biggest step toward national health care since Medicare/Medicaid with the Prescription Drug Benefit program, so as a party they lack credibility when now saying the government needs to stay out of health care.
The bigger issues that Mr. Ajami raises, though, are telling, and worth considering.
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Another small encouragement for those who believe we are created, not evolved...
Read The Appendix: Useful and in Fact Promising - Yahoo! News.
Just because it's taken us thousands of years to figure out what the appendix may be good for doesn't mean we can't rely on human intellect and supposition to base our views on how we came into being, does it?
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Just because it's taken us thousands of years to figure out what the appendix may be good for doesn't mean we can't rely on human intellect and supposition to base our views on how we came into being, does it?
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Thursday, August 13, 2009
Honest Bible Reading
Why is it that when I read many of the great stories of the Bible, I identify with the "hero?" The stories of Jacob's 12 sons leave me thinking about myself in Joseph's sandals, even though I'm a firstborn with only one brother and one sister. David fighting Goliath? Yes, that's me winning battles for my Lord!But this morning, as I was reading the story of Abram and Lot in Genesis 13, I became very uncomfortable as I slowed down and thought about the story. Abram doesn't want friction between himself and his nephew. He suggests that they separate, and even though he is older and entitled to a first decision, he offers Lot the choice of any direction he wants to go. Lot spies the fertile Jordan valley and especially its southern grasslands extending southward toward (and apparently beyond) what is now the Dead Sea. The other direction is mountains and hills prone to long dry spells (they had just gotten back from Egypt due to famine, which may have been a result of drought). For Lot, this is a "no-brainer," maybe even a "God provided" moment where he is given the chance to have what he believes he needs and certainly wants. So, he takes the choice and takes the fertile pastures of the valley.
What would I have done?
I'm afraid I know. I don't like hard things, and it is very easy to see an easy way ahead open up and believe that "God is in this." In the moment, I could easily have said, "Well, if you really don't care, I'll take the valley, Uncle. Thanks so much for your graciousness!"
Of course, life in the valley meant life around the cities of the valley, including Sodom. Lot gravitated the direction everybody else did, and soon found himself pitching his tent there. If you haven't read the rest of his story--it ends badly, with the only good news coming in 2 Peter 2. There we are told that as bad as things got, his heart was constantly bothered by the sin around him, because deep down he was a righteous man. Just not a very good nephew. Or family man. Or example. Or...
Abram was told by God not to fear that he had lost the best land, and that everything he saw--north, south, east, west--would belong to his descendants. He trusted, even though he didn't see it happen in his lifetime. There was something of greater value to him than immediate gratification, or easy and quick solutions, or guaranteed wealth protection. It was to hear and respond to God's voice. He wasn't perfect, either, but where Lot's slide into ignominy began with an easy choice, Abram's faithfulness was confirmed by his confidence in God's promises.
I pray that I'll keep reading honestly, letting the Word reveal my sins, not just inspire my fantasies.
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