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.  Some of the pictures in this article may be shocking to some people.

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

The Help Was Welcomed - But Not Needed

In the early 1990s, 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.

Rainy Days

I know some parts of the country are very dry, but it's 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.

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 conclude).  Strangely enough, these two literary works touch on some of the same subjects, but only one gives an answer to the problems.

Sammy

First, let me say that I'm not claiming that Mr. Hagar is giving a biblical message in this song.  I do believe he is expressing the questions and frustrations that so many people of every generation find themselves facing as they stumble through life.  Sometimes reality sucks the life right out of you.  We work hard.  We study hard.  We try to do what's right.  Yet so many bad things happen to us and our loved ones.  Sometimes all that hard work and study just seem like a big waste of time.

Some of the Sammy's lyrics are:

What makes him stand and fight, when he only wants to love?

And why do they push so hard, when he only needs a shove?

Every time I see him give, it's his turn to take.

Every time I see him go, everybody says to wait.

What makes one man rich?  How's another man get so poor?

What makes someone care so much for things another man can just ignore.

Some questions go unanswered and they have for quite some time.

Some things forever sacred.  We're just prisoners of our own mind.

Can't get loose.  You can fight like hell, but you can't get loose.

You can dream, but you can't get loose.  It's holding on.  You can't get loose.

Solomon

Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon talks about so much of what we do in life is fleeting.  Early in the book the author begins, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity"  (NKJV 1: 2).  The word "vanity" is taken from the Hebrew word meaning "vapor" such as steam coming from a hot cup of morning coffee, or "breath" such as what we see when breathing out in extreme cold temperature.  It rises up only a bit and then is gone - never to been seen again.  After years of study and being blessed with wisdom, Solomon concludes that so much of life appears to be useless.

Some of the verses are:

What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? (1:2)   

All things are full of labor; man cannot express it.  The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.  (1:8)

Solomon acquired great wisdom and knowledge, yet he says it brought him much grief and sorrow (1:12 - 18).  He sought pleasure and happiness with earthy things, yet he says it was madness and accomplished nothing (1:17).  Everything he accomplished and built will be left to someone else after he dies, and then, all that might be wasted (Chapter 2).  Life is full of ups & downs and injustice seems to prevail  (Chapter 3).  Popularity, riches, and accomplished works - although good - seem to be wasted in life (Chapter 4).  Much of what we set forth to do in life seems to be done in vain (Chapter 5).  So much of what we do seems to get us nowhere.  We can't get loose.  

However, Solomon also seems to say that we should work hard, study, and live life to its fullest (Chapter 7 -9).  So what's the message of Ecclesiastes?   I believe it is that we should give our best efforts in life.  We should work hard to get ahead in life, but don't let that consume you.  Hard work just for the sake of gaining much in this life is useless.   We should study and learn as much as we can, but don't make that the whole purpose of your life or else your life is lived in vain.  We should enjoy life, have friends, and strive to be honorable, but there is so much more to life.

King Solomon answers the problems to what Sammy Hagar could not find answers.  

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all.  For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil." (12:13-14)

Ah ha!  We can get loose!  Loving God and respecting His holiness and might is the meaning of life.  For without God in your life, life is vanity, a mere chasing of the wind.  The book of Ecclesiastes says so much more about how to live life to its fullest, but I'll let you read it for yourself.  The words of the Bible say so much more than I could ever dream of saying in a blog post.

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 in the summer of 1983 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 the 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 a banjo.  The very thing I had asked for for some time.

I recall my dad asking me many times if I really wanted a banjo.  He asked if I would rather first learn to play piano or guitar.  I insisted on wanting to start playing a banjo.  Some time later I received another letter at Christmas revealing that I would soon be taking banjo lessons.  Tears of joy flowed.  I was only in junior high school, but I remember the joy of learning how to play music from reading music, chords, or by ear.  I learned to modulate between different keys.  That especially came in handy when playing with people who were using a key different from the one in which I had learned the song.

I'm not much of a banjo player, but I am so thankful that my father provided the gift of music in my life.  Since then I have learned bits & pieces of playing mandolin, fiddle, and guitar.  I play guitar almost exclusively now.  My guitar helps me express myself whether I'm happy, sad, lonely, confused, angry, or overwhelmed with joy.  One little gift from my father has given me decades of pleasure.  Thanks, Dad.

Sparky Sent Me to Sleep

As a child I remember sitting on the back porch of my grandfather's house late at night listening to Cincinnati Reds games on the radio with my father and his father-in-law.  I especially liked the nights when there was lightning somewhere between the broadcast antenna and that screened-in porch.  I don't think I ever stayed awake long enough to hear an entire game.  The sporadic static from lightning strikes seemed to always lull me to sleep more quickly.  Lightning bugs danced in the back yard.

The lights were always out on that porch during a Reds game.  The old radio produced a soft glow.  I do not recall whether it was from tubes glowing out the back of the radio or if it was from the lighted dial on front.  I merely remember the ambiance was perfect for putting this shaggy headed, blonde haired boy asleep after a hard day of playing in my grandparents' yard and eating Grandma's delicious dinners.

My father and my grandpa were quiet during the game's broadcast.  They talked softly during the commercial breaks and made comments only after exciting plays.  They quietly discussed the players and manager, Sparky Anderson, as if they knew them well.  They bonded without saying many words during those moments.

Tears Over Things Not to Be

Last year I had the pleasure of becoming a son-in-law.  Becoming a husband to a wonderful woman was the greatest moment of my life.  Furthermore, with my wonderful wife came two wonderful people: my mother-in-law and my father-in-law.  I looked forward to spending time with my father-in-law.  I looked forward to spending "guy time" with him, getting advice from him, sharing laughs with him, and enjoying our mutual interests.  I looked forward to sharing moments like my father spent with his father-in-law.

Less than two months after our wedding, my father-in-law went home to his Heavenly reward.  I tried hard to be strong for my wife and give her all the support & comfort she needed.  I tried to shoulder as many burdens as I could to lessen the strains upon my wife and mother-in-law.  At the funeral I broke down in tears.  In the midst of of all the sorrow and pain, I also realized that I would not get any experiences and memories like my father was able to share with his father-in-law.  I would not have any more time to spend with my father-in-law to talk about guns and shoot them, talk about cars and go on trips with him, and learn about the silly things my wife did as a teenager.  I wanted to get to know him more.  I wanted us to have a deep friendship that lasted many years to come.  I wanted to prove to him that I am a worthy son-in-law.

Counting My Blessings

I am thankful for every moment that I can spend with my father.  He has influenced my life in more ways than he realizes.  I hope I can honor him every day of the remainder of my life.  I am thankful for the good memories of my father-in-law, John.  I hope I can honor his memory every day of the remainder of my life by being an honorable and noble husband to the woman whom he gave me his blessing to wed.

Happy Father's Day to all fathers and please remember and honor those fathers who are no longer with us.

He Gave You The Answer

Sometime around 2002 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  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?  Right? 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 the 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.  Oh, sure, we may have other questions that we'd like to have answered, but as with life on this earth, we also have to walk in faith and not demand to know everything.

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.  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 several 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 merely 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.  Trade schools and on the job training are still great ways to start a career.

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).  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 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 were no paid vacations.  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.  That would be nice of the employer to provide that, but it shouldn't be expected.

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: Logic 101 Day 1

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 at a protest.

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 logic course.

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 may 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.  Students of 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 necessarily come to the stated conclusion based only 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 a semester's 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 1)  All acts that intentionally harm an innocent human being are immoral and should be illegal.

(Premise 2)  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 1)  If macroevolution is true, then we would expect to see similarities between species.

(Premise 2)  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 in 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 1)  All men are honey badgers.
(Premise 2)  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), we say that this is not a sound argument.  It is a valid argument, but since at least one of the premises can be shown to be false, then the conclusion is not necessarily true.  It would not be reasonable to accept this conclusion.

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

(Premise 1)  Some fathers are accountants.
(Premise 2)  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 provide evidence of each of these statements.  However, this argument is invalid because you cannot arrive at the 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 in its structure, and (2) the premises are shown (or known) to be true.  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 others.  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 twenty years teaching.  However, this is not a education blog.

I am a Christian.  Don’t expect a daily sermon; maybe twice a week.  I have studied Christian theology and other religious beliefs, but this is not a Christian blog.  

I have been told that I’m funny at times, but don't come here to giggle every morning before you go to work.  This is not a comedy blog.

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.  This is not a influencer blog.

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.  So, in that case, I guess I hope to inspire someone to think rationally and logically.

Is this just another mindless rambling 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 answered with "Irrelevant comment" or deleted.

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