MacArthur Sermons

Just found out John MacArthur sermons are now available for free! Fantastic resource........as long as you avoid all things eschatology! ;-D .

What do I do with the thousands of CDs and cassette tapes strewn all over my house? ;)

Vacation's almost over...

Got a call Friday indicating I'd been hired for the job I retired for. I expect to hear from my new boss tomorrow. I'm sure I'll start soon, how soon will be up to my new employer. Since I continue to collect active duty pay until my official retirement date of 1 Feb 09, anything I earn between now and then will be banked for who knows what.... The only downside is this means my vacation will soon be over, as will my 3 hrs/day in the gym...

Jan and I have been driving around town, looking at houses in various price ranges, different ages, neighborhoods, etc. We're not the fixer upper types, but there's something appealing about owning an older home, namely, a far lower mortgage payment. But some of the home's we've looked at show significant structural weaknesses even to our untrained eyes. All I need is to buy a money pit! I expect we'll probably play it safe, and spend money for a home commensurate with our income rather than go on the cheap. You know the saying - penny wise, pound foolish!

I'm reading John Frame's "Salvation belongs to the Lord", an introduction to systematic theology. I already own a bunch of different systematic theologies, but it never hurts to brush up. Anyway, he mentions something I've never heard before in the chapter on Eschatology. I find a lot to commend the "partial preterist" view, but about that Frame says this "It is also significant that the early church fathers of the generation following the apostles never speak of a return of Christ that occurred in AD 70. Significant indeed!

Post-Election Thoughts

It's over. A truly historic election which brought us our first African-American President, Barack Obama. I disagree with him on virtually everything, but I consider him an honorable man of integrity, and I wish him well. It was a democratic year, and he ran a great campaign. He won decisively, and he deserves it.

McCain wasn't a great candidate, and ran an uninspired campaign. Sarah Palin was a gutsy choice as running mate, and was a big target for the dems because of her conservatism.

What's the way forward for the Republicans? I'm not sure, but one thing I do know is we must return to our core values. Limited gov't, low taxes, pro-business, and above all, we must cut federal spending.

Fortunately, there is considerable young talent in the conservative ranks. Besides Palin, there's Louisiana Gov Bobby Jindal, Minnesota Gov Tim Pawlenty, and my favorite, GOPAC chairman Michael Steele. Look out in 2012.

The Ex-hypocrite

This sounds strangely familiar. I was about 10 years older when I came to faith in Christ, and there are other differences, but the path is very similar

Cowboys!

My youngest daughter got invited to academic excellence day at Oklahoma State University the other day. It was a day full of briefings and other things. Really a sales pitch for kids and esp parents to get their kids to go to OSU. We've been sold for some time. My daughter is going to major in pre-vet, and there aren't that many vet schools in the country. OSU is one of the best. Long story short, she was accepted, and she's pretty pumped about it. Today, we got a letter in the mail saying she's been awarded an academic scholarship. It will help a lot, but it's not nearly a full ride. We'll seek other scholarships, but it's still going to be a huge investment. Cha-ching!
Of course, the post 9/11 GI Bill is still a (remote) possibility. I'm comfortable I'll get it, even though I'll be officially retired by the time it's implemented on 1 Aug 09. But what I really want is the portability piece. It appears that will only be for certain active duty troops. Rats! Then the question becomes - do I use it, or lose it? I don't know. Since I'll have 15 years in which to use the benefit, I have time to decide. I'd love to do another Master's degree, this time in religion, which is offered by Reformed Theological Seminary. My other option is to go up to the next level. OSU offers a PhD in Management, which I would find interesting. I think I'd have to go full time for that (ie, stop working). Not sure I could ever justify that to myself...

Retired!

Well, had my retirement ceremony on Reformation day, 31 Oct. It was a terrific ceremony, and I appreciate the committee so much. Col Patricola flew in from Wash D.C. to officiate. That really meant a lot to me. He's the best commander I ever served, by far. And a wonderful, humble, and gracious man. A few of my fellow retired third herders attended as well. It was nice to see those guys

Saddleback Shenanigans?

Rick Warren hosted a “come clean” type event at his church last night in which he interviewed both Presidential candidates. I didn’t watch it; the proceedings really aren’t important. But what is important (to me, anyway) is this. Is this an appropriate thing for a pastor of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ to be doing?

Mind you, I thought the event had some very real value. I’m just not thrilled about the mixing of “church and state”, for lack of a better term. Why couldn’t this event be held in a sporting arena or other appropriate sized venue and been moderated by some media type?

I admit I have an anti-Rick Warren bias. I have a lot of problems with his theology and his approach to ministry. He’s the current champion of the “user-friendly” church-growth movement, having unseated Bill Hybels. But he’s still a Christian pastor, and I’m disturbed he would use his influence in such an overtly political way.

I cannot think of anything obviously wrong about what Warren did, nor can I think of any direct violation of a Biblical principle. But I wonder if other powerful (but more Biblical) pastors would have participated in and allowed their church to be used for this type of event?

Many unbelievers think of Christianity as just another political movement. And when guys like Warren, James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and other evangelical power brokers engage in this type of activity, it’s just more proof.

Anyway, I’m still thinking about this. Who knows? I could be wrong.