Amazing Photos of Nathan, Miscarried at 14 Weeks, Show Unborn Baby’s Humanity

Lovely story about God's creation, grace, and a peace that passes all understanding.

Amazing Photos of Nathan, Miscarried at 14 Weeks, Show Unborn Baby’s Humanity

The Help Was Welcomed - But Not Needed

Many years ago I was giving the lawn mower a tune-up for the newly arrived mowing season.  It doesn't take much effort to change the oil, replace the spark plug, clean the air filter, and check nuts & bolts all around.  Altogether it requires less than an hour's work.  It's really an easy task unless there's something broken on the mower.

This one spring afternoon a boy came to me and ask if he could help.  He lived a couple of doors down the street and was about seven years old.  He was a nice boy who lived with his mother and older sister.  I really did not need his help with tuning the mower, but he had a eager look in his eyes and smiled with anticipation after he finished asking.

I asked him if he knew how to use a wrench and he said, "Yep!"   I would break the oil plug bolt loose and let him finish removing it to drain the oil.  I'd thread the bolt and let him finish tightening it with his fingers.  I did the same with the spark plug.  I removed the air filter and let him wash it out with soap & water.  He was anxious to put it back together and add the fresh motor oil.  When I started the mower he had the biggest smile on his face and he jumped with joy.

With his help it probably took twice as long as if I had done the job myself, but he seemed to have fun helping.  More importantly I learned an important lesson.

I learned that sometimes it's more important to have others help even when their help is not necessary.  There are several reasons for this:

1.)  It shows an act of kindness to both parties.
2.)  It can teach a person a new skills or interests.
3.)  It teaches humility.
4.)  It can be fun to have others help.
5.)  It teaches us a bit about God.

It teaches us a bit about God in that He asks us to do so many things that He could do Himself.  He wants us to help.  He does not need us to help.  He wants us to help spread the gospel.  In doing so we learn about God's love and mercy.  We also realize more & more about God's holiness and justice.

So, to answer many non-Christians question about why doesn't God just show Himself to the world?  Well, He did - Jesus.   Nowadays He wants us to help.  In doing so we learn so much and fall more & more in love with the one who loves us most.  It's also an act of love on our part to tell others of the truth pertaining to God.

I don't remember this boy's name.  I hope he turned out to be a good man.  I hope he remembers the time when the old guy down the road let him help with the lawn mower.

Good Exegesis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B0C9Rm7VGQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Rainy Days

I know some parts of the country are very dry, but it raining every day here.  Almost every day for the last couple of weeks it has rained.  More rain is in the forecast for each of the next ten days.  The grass is growing and it needs to be cut; but it's never fully dry enough to mow.

Oh well, there are worse things happening in the world.

Paula Dean... Paula Dean.... Paula Dean

Everyone has probably heard about the Paula Dean story.  Many retail stores have stopped carrying her products.  As far as I can tell, Mrs. Dean admitted to saying these things years ago - decades ago - and she has repeated expressed sorrow for it.

I don't think these retailers are canceling Dean's products because the retailers have such noble moral codes.  It's because they are afraid of also be called a racist.  In today's world many people consider being called a racist the worst thing possible.  Look at the public's reactions and media coverage when someone (especially a celebrity) commits certain crimes.

Arrested for drunk driving?  There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.

Accused of cheating on your spouse?  There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.

Arrested for drug use/possession?  There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.

Ordered by a judge to go to rehab/jail?  There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.

Cheating on your taxes?  There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.

Arrested for theft?  Arrested for murder?  There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.

However, say certain racist comments - even if it was decades ago and you're sorry for it now - then they'll kick you out of their stores.  Others will try to ruin your reputation beyond repair.  You do not see retailers discontinuing movies, television series DVD's, music, perfume, etc. from others who have made similar or worse actions.  New York and LA (including Hollywood) celebrities get more grace than this southern belle.

You can criticize or say offensive words about many people without much fallout.  You can:  Badmouth men.  Say horrible things about whites.  Say horrible things about Christians.  Say horrible things about Americans. That's all considered "free speech" to many people.  Such a double standard, in my opinion.

However, like most celebrity snafus, the public will forgive & forget later.  In a couple of years, no one will care about the Paula Dean deal.  She'll be selling books and back on television.

Sammy Hagar and King Solomon.

In the early 1980's Sammy Hagar wrote and sang one of my favorite songs, Can't Get Loose (Geffen, 1981).  It was a song that helped me realize that I was not alone in trying to make sense out of a messed up world.  Thousands of years prior to that, one of my favorite books, Ecclesiastes, was written by King Solomon (at least that's who many scholars and I conclude).  Strangely enough, these two literary works touch on some of the same subjects, but only one gives an answer to the problems.

Endless Summer ... not quite

Today is the first day of summer.  I used to love summers.  It was a time away from school.  Months of swimming and playing with friends.  Relaxation.

Then one summer I went to United States Marine Corps boot camp at MCRD San Diego.  That put an end to my carefree summers.  I haven 't had a peaceful summer since.  There was one summer when I took several weeks to ride my Harley-Davidson through seventeen states, but other than that my summers have been full of work or going to school, or both.

Today was peaceful for the most part.  I will do some mowing.  I will do some reading and studying.  I probably should do some things around the house.

For those of you still in school and are taking the summers off, enjoy it while you have it.  Soon Adulthood will hit you right between the eyes and his nasty, whiskey drinking sister named Reality will take a piece of your backside.  After that, it's all work and no - well, very little - play.

Even though my summers keep me very busy nowadays, they are filled with fond memories of friends from my childhood and my youth.  I learned to do many things during the summer months:  swim, shoot, sports, and many senseless things that seemed so much fun back then.

So, here's to summer.  Grab you something cool to drink and relax for a couple of hours.

Poison Ivy

This is not some catchy title for a blog.  I have poison ivy from my wrists to my elbows on both arms.  The itching is driving me crazy.  I'm taking antihistamines, which make me sleepy, and using Ivarest lotion to hopefully dry up the poison.

I'm not sure if I got the poison from weed whacking some overgrown weeds or if it's from the dogs' paws jumping on my arms after they've had a romp in the woods.

I haven't a good night's sleep in about a week.  I feel really drained right now.

Last night the dogs woke up barking something fierce.  As I woke, my wife said in a panic, "Get up! Get up!"   I grabbed my trusty companion with the tritium night sights, released the hounds, and patrolled the yard.   All was clear.  One of the dogs ran up the hill into the woods.  I think it was just chasing a stray cat that comes around at night to bother our cats.  The way the cats were behaving, I'm sure that's what it was.

A good night's sleep and relief from the itching would be very welcomed.

A Father's Touch Continues

It's Monday, I'm physically & emotionally drained. I don't think I can make it through the day... but then I look down and see one puppy in my lap and another puppy at my feet. They look up at me as if I'm their hero. I pet them. Their tails wag. Suddenly I think today is going to be all right.

Father's Day was very emotional for me.  Even though I was able to speak with my father on the telephone, I was not able to speak with my father-in-law.  I did keep my father-in-law in my thoughts throughout the day.  I realize once again how much he has blessed my life.

My father-in-law influenced and guided my wife's life long before I met her.  He helped her become the loving, caring, brave, trusting person that she is today.  During the first week my wife & I dated, I noticed something special about her.

She has a sweet quietness about her.  I appreciate that.  I do not care to be around people who talk loud & fast.  Hannah was (and is) so pleasant to be with.  Her thoughts & feelings about God, politics, family, and social issues bring no conflict with - yet stimulate - my own thoughts & feelings about many things.  She has brought new life to me.  She has turned my stone-cold heart into a loving and open heart.  Hannah has given me a reason to live to my full potential.  For decades I thought I was unlovable.  Hannah changed all that.... thanks to her dad.

Father's Day Feelings

Father's Day is a day of mixed emotions throughout the United States.

Pickin' & Grinnin'

I have many fond memories of my father and I hope to make many more great memories.   One memory that came to mind today was the day I received a very unique letter in our mail box.  I was not yet a teenager, but the letter was addressed to me.  I don't recall whether or not it had a return address, but I remember the at the location of the stamp was merely a fake stamp sketched in pen.  The letter told me to go to another place in the house and look for a surprise.  There I found another piece of paper that led me to another place in the house for - you guessed it - another piece of paper.   This went on several more times until I finally came to the closet in my bedroom.  In the closet was a large cardboard box; almost as tall as me.  Inside the box was

He Gave You The Answer

Quite a few years ago I gave an exam to a mathematics class.  I was feeling lazy that week so I used an exam from a previous semester.   A few minutes into the exam a student came to me, pointed to a particular question, and said, "I don't think we covered this question in class.  Did we?"  Although it is not usual for students to completely forget something that was covered in class, this student was absolutely correct.  I had decided to skip the content that was asked in that particular question.  Even though it was a multiple-choice question, it would have been very unlikely for students to get this question correct.

Unless the students had studied this material in another course or on their own - which was unlikely - they would not have the ability to correctly answer this question unless they got lucky with a guess.  They had a 20% chance of guessing correctly.  I decided to just give the entire class the answer to that question.

I stood and clearly announced to the class, "May I have everyone's attention.  I'm sorry for the interruption, but there is a question on the test we did not cover.  So, I'll give you the answer.  The answer to question number eight is D.  Did everyone get that?  D is the answer to question number eight."   Furthermore, out of the kindness of my heart, I also wrote on the chalkboard "The Answer is:  #8.) D."

How could anyone get #8 wrong?  I gave it to them!  Free of charge!  No problems.  No worries.   All they would have to do is follow my direction.

However, believe it or not, two students got the wrong answer to question #8.    Two students!

I had to ask, "Why did you not listen to me and record the answer to #8 as D?  I gave you the answer."

One student said, "I wanted to see if I could get the answer on my own."

The other student said, "I thought you were trying to trick us."

I was at a loss for words.  Why would a student do such a thing?  Then I thought about the spiritual world.

As a Christian I believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life and gave Himself as atonement for our sins.  That is, we are not capable of paying the infinite debt to a perfect God.  That debt is a result of our sin.  A perfect God cannot permit sin (imperfection) in His presence.  Perfect justice cannot let this sin (which is a result of disobedience) go unpunished.  God's perfect love paid our debt through Jesus' death on the cross for our sins.   But, this perfect love does not force us to accept it.  Love is never forced upon us.  We can accept it and we can reject it.

Some might try to tell God that they wanted to see if they could pay their debt on their own and get to Heaven by their own works or by some other way.  Others might try to say that Christianity seemed too easy; they thought God was trying to trick them.  Neither response will work.  There is only one correct answer.

We are told in the first chapter of the apostle Paul's letter to Romans that we are without excuse.  God has given us all the answers we need.

Prepare in Many Ways

I'm sitting here waiting for a storm to hit.  Last year a similar storm knocked out my electricity for over ten days.  It was quite frustrating.

This time I hope I am more prepared.  I stay tuned to weather forecasts.  I have purchased many canned foods.  I have a camp stove and fuel.  I have plenty of charcoal for my grill.  I have a rechargeable battery pack for small electrical needs.  I have candles.  My wife washed several loads of laundry and baked two loaves of bread yesterday.  This time we do not have a refrigerator stuffed full with perishables.  I have batteries for the flashlights and radio.  I'm good to go.

I pray that there is no damage to our property and that the power stays on this time.

In life we must be prepared for things we do not now see:  insurance, our health, and a good education.

We should purchase many types of insurance (it is affordable, if you spend wisely in other areas) to protect many parts of our lives should an accident happen.  Kudos to the man who prepares for himself and does not just simply hope the government will bail him out of a jam.

Staying healthy is not just a way to have a better life in the here & now, but to also make life less troublesome in the years to come.  So many health problems come our way when we do not maintain a healthy lifestyle.  A healthy lifestyle does far more good than a government healthcare plan.

Continuing a good education is also a way to prepare for life's up & downs.  In a way, it is arrogant to not attempt to get an education.  It is like a person saying, "I already know all there is to know.  Why should I learn more?"  It does not have to be a college education.  So much can be learned at no cost from a public library or the internet.  Nowadays, even internet access is often free at local libraries.

Another way to prepare is to seriously consider whether or not this world is all there is.

Here comes the storm!  I'm signing off.

The Stones for Today's Workers

I know I am not the only one who complains about those people who want more than their fair share.  They want more than they are willing to work.   They want to live beyond their means.  They scraped their way through college with a 2.0 g.p.a. in a major which has no demand in today's workforce and no application in the real world (or no education at all) and yet they expect to get nearly the same salary and benefits as someone who has earned a 4.0 g.p.a. in tough, rigorous, fields of study that are in high demand.

I have had friends tell me that their companies hate to hire people fresh out of college because those newly released "children" expect so many days off each year (I guess to go party with their friends still in college), expect to go home early many days, and feel that they need to get a raise in pay every four months (as if they've made it through another semester of work).

I have heard people on news shows and in person lament on how it's not fair that they do not have the same pay and benefits as those "rich people in business."  I know it's not a popular view today, but I think someone who was socially promoted through an inadequate, public school system and is working at a convenience store should NOT get the same salary and benefits as the CEO who has earned an MBA and a few other degrees, worked his way up the ladder over the past twenty years, and deals with billions of the company's dollars and thousands of employees' jobs on the line.

I remember a day when companies worked hard to acquire good insurance and retirement plans as an incentive for attracting and retaining the best talent for a position.  Many times the benefits package is what attracted the employee even though the remuneration for the job was less than what the competition was paying.  Sometimes the benefits were a reward for staying with the company and were only available after working several years.

I have had jobs where there was no paid vacation.  You want a day off?  Fine, you don't get paid either.  I once had a job where I did not get a paid day off until after working there a full year.   I hear that new hires now expect paid days off as soon as their hired.

Nowadays, people with no job experience demand the same benefits package as those who faithfully work year after year.  They also want to drive a fancy, new car and live in the nicest dwelling... and let's not forget a sweet vacation three times a year.

There is an old song by the Rolling Stones that needs to have its chorus memorized today by many people (of all ages).

You can't always get what you want 

But if you try sometimes, you just might find

You get what you need 

I believe in hard work.  I believe in studying and constantly learning new things.  I believe in keeping your skills sharp.  I believe that those who learn valuable skills, work hard, are innovative, and stay the course are more likely to be rewarded than those who are not.  And, even if you are not able to get all you want, you are likely to get what you need.

All Thought Is Not Valid:

I thought I was going to die ...

I forget the exact words of the discussion, but it went something like this:

She: "Those people have good jobs just because they know somebody.  It's not fair." 

He:  "Yeah, you know what they say, 'It's not what you know.  It's who you know.'" 

Me:  "Well, just because you know someone at the company doesn't mean you can get a job at that company.  If that was so, then I'd be working at some great companies because I have some friends that work at great companies." 

She:  "Yeah, if you know someone working at the company, your chances of working there are much better. I tried to get a job there, but was turned down.  It's because I didn't know anybody there.  That other dude got a job there, so it's just because he knows someone working there already.  It's not fair." 

He:  "Yeah, she makes a valid point." 

Me:  "Well, no.  Actually her point is not valid." 

She:  "What?!  How dare you say my point is not valid!" 

It was about this time her eyes about popped out of her skull and the veins in her neck started bulging.  She looked like one of those mad women on The Maury Show who was just told the results of the paternity test did not go the way she was hoping.

He:  "Watch out, man."

I tried to explain what validity meant and how her point was not valid, but it was too late.  I was already labeled as insensitive and other horrible things.  Further intellectual discussion was hopeless.  I then turned my attention from teaching a miniature lesson in logic to getting ready to block punches, kicks, and wild cat scratches.

What is an Argument?

The word argument, as used in logic, means a series of statements arranged in a certain order to arrive at a conclusion.  One may think of an argument as a conclusion and the reasons for believing the conclusion.   A student studies many such arrangements of statements in a introductory course on logic.

As soon as someone asks me for the reasons why I think such-and-such is true, they are asking to hear my argument.  An argument does not necessarily mean yelling and shouting.   To many, this is exactly what it means.  However, to someone who studies mathematics, logic, or philosophy, an argument is simply the manner in which the reasons support a conclusion.

What is a Valid Argument?

Many people I have met use the word "valid" to mean whatever is being discuss is worth hearing or should be considered or respected.  They may say, "I have a valid opinion" or "he has a valid point."  (The logic students snicker).  A person's point of view may or many not be valid.  Not all thought is valid.

By definition, an argument is valid when the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.  That is, if the reasons are true, then, by the structure of the argument, the conclusion must also be true.  The logic and advanced mathematics students study these forms of arguments to justify their conclusions and statements.  An argument is said to be invalid if you cannot come to the stated conclusion based on the reasons given.  It is not saying that the conclusion is false; it is saying you cannot logically arrive at this conclusion based on the reasons given.

I will not try to summarize semesters worth of study in one blog entry.   Go to college and take rigorous courses.   Get yourself some books on introductory logic and study them on your own.

An example of a Valid Argument:

(Premise)  All acts that intentionally harm an innocent human being are immoral and should be illegal.

(Premise)  Abortion is an act that intentionally harms an innocent human being.

(Conclusion)  Therefore, abortion is immoral and should be illegal.

Whether you agree with my premises or conclusion does not matter.  This is a valid argument.  That is, if the premises are true, then the conclusion is necessarily true also.  So, if the premises can be shown to be true, then rejecting the conclusion would be an irrational way of thinking.

An example of an Invalid Argument:

(Premise)  If macroevolution is true, then we would expect to see similarities between different species.

(Premise)  We do see similarities between different species.

(Conclusion)  Therefore, macroevolution is true.

This is an invalid argument.  You cannot logically arrive at this conclusion based on this reasoning.  The argument is invalid by what is called the fallacy of affirming the consequent.  This is also the fallacy used in my opening example.  This and many other fallacies are discussed in a first semester course in logic.  This being an invalid argument is not denying that macroevolution is true; it is stating that you cannot arrive at the truth of the conclusion based on the reasons given.  Sadly, so many people (including educators) use this argument to try to justify that macroevolution (single-celled animals evolving into humans) is true.

Validity vs. Truth:

"Valid" does not mean "true."  "Invalid" does not mean "false."  You can have a valid argument full of false statements.  You can also have an invalid argument full of true statements.  You can have a true conclusion from an invalid argument and you can have a false statement as a conclusion from a valid argument.  Validity deals with the structure and positioning of these statements; that's it.

Here's an example of a valid argument with false statements:

(Premise)  All men are honey badgers.
(Premise)  All honey badgers are chihuahuas.
(Conclusion)  Therefore, all men are chihuahuas.

I know this is a silly example, but, believe it or not, this is a valid argument.  That is, IF the premises were true, then the conclusion MUST also be true.   However, as is in this case, since at least one of the premises is false (in fact, both are false), then there is no logical, rational reason for accepting the conclusion.

Here's an example of an invalid argument with true statements:

(Premise)  Some fathers are accountants.
(Premise)  Some accountants are over 50 years old.
(Conclusion)  Therefore, some fathers are over 50 years old.

Each of these premises are true and the conclusion is true.  Almost everyone can prove each of these statements.  However, this argument is invalid because you cannot arrive at this conclusion (even though it is true) simply by using these premises.   That is, the reasons (premises) do not necessarily lead to this conclusion.

What is a Sound Argument?

An argument is considered to be sound if: (1) it is valid and (2) the premises are shown (or known) to be true.  So, if an argument is sound, then only an irrational person would deny the conclusion.  There are two methods for refuting someone's argument: (1) show their argument to be invalid, or (2) show at least one of their premises to be false.

Why Does It Matter?

Logic is used in all forms of thinking.  Poor logic leads to poor thinking.  Good logic leads to good thinking.  Invalid arguments are the result of sloppy thinking (or an insufficient education).  By using invalid arguments we fool ourselves and possibly mislead those to whom we are communicating into believing things that are not true or believing things for the wrong reasons.  All rational thought depends on sound reasoning.  We need to think, speak, and act using sound reason.

Bad ideas can have bad consequences.   Bad reasoning can have bad consequences.

Good ideas and sound reasoning often has good consequences.

Day One: Orientation

I am a patriot.  I am concerned about some political decisions.  I may make political comments from time to time, but this is not a political blog.

I am conservative, but this is not a conservative blog.

I am a scholar.  By that I mean I am constantly learning and expanding my knowledge.  I have spent more than a decade teaching others on college campuses.  However, this is not a blog concerning education.

I am a Christian.  I have studied Christian theology and other religious beliefs, but this is not a Christian blog.  That is, don’t expect a daily sermon.

I have been told that I’m quite a comedian at times, but this is not a blog to make you giggle every morning before you go to work.

I have been told by individuals that I have motivated or inspired them to pursue great things, but this is not a blog to bring you inspiration and hope after a difficult day at work.

I am a man, but this is not a blog about men’s issues.

I am a Marine, but this is not a military blog.

So, what’s the nature of this blog? 

This blog will post entries that are a mix of political commentary, educational topics, and Christian apologetics.  My humor can be sarcastic at times.  I would not mind if I inspired someone to greatness, but I’d be satisfied just to make a person think more clearly.  So, in that case, I guess I hope to inspire someone to think rationally and logically.

Is this just another mindless rambling rant by someone with internet access?

Yes, most people would consider it so.  However, the main reason behind this blog is that I’m tired of posting some of my views repeatedly in the comments sections of other blogs and websites.  One day I thought, “I should just have my own blog and post a link to a particular blog entry of mine instead of typing the same comments over & over.”

Am I out to change the world?  NO.

Am I out to challenge the world?  YES.

I do not intend to banter or argue within the comments section of my blog (assuming there ever are any comments).  I might make a point of clarification, but not argue back & forth.  Supportive comments and constructive criticism will be appreciated.  Destructive criticism (i.e. just trying to tear me down and insult me) will be laughed at and then ignored.  Vulgar comments will be deleted.  If you cannot be civilized on this blog, your comments will be deleted.  Your freedom of speech does not give you the right to be nasty and hateful on my blog.  Red herrings and fallacies of distraction will be deleted.  Don’t like that?  Fine, start your own blog then.

Coming Next:  The meaning of “Not All Thought Is Valid.”