FogBat

Sometimes I read things that make me wonder if we would be better off under a monarchist system than a republic that appears to have a lower standard of accountability (especially since this relates to presidential politics). Consider the following. "The characteristic of a true sovereign is, to acknowledge that, in the administration of his kingdom, he is a minister of God. He who does not make his reign subservient to the divine glory, acts the part not of a king, but a robber. He, moreover, deceives himself who anticipates long prosperity to any kingdom which is not ruled by the sceptre of God, that is, by His divine Word. For the heavenly oracle is infallible which has declared, that 'where there is no vision the people perish' (Proverbs 29:18)." (John Calvin in his Prefatory Address to the King of France.) Also, King Alfred the Great said many centuries ago that there were three types of men he wanted: teaching men, praying men, and fighting men. Furthermore, take a look at this blog. Some things to really consider - especially for the long term. Now, some of you may think I'm off my rocker (like that should come as a surprise to me). Then again, I see things a bit differently apart from the Status Quo. After all, there is One Eternal Monarchy that I bow my knee to (as some others do out there).

:o There's no arguing with that statement. As an aside, if there's one thing that irks me, it's the fact that the "third parties" hardly get a voice in the media. I certainly hardly hear anything about the Libertarians, the Constitution Party, the Greens (although Ralph Nader helped their cause back in 2000 IIRC). But when it comes to Presidential debates, it's only the Democrats and the Republicans. Granted, sometimes at the state level, more parties get involved and they get greater exposure. But why should it be limited just to state and local elections? This is the big ticket that all of them should be shooting for. As it is, Finland just had presidential elections earlier this year with multiple parties getting involved. They couldn't get a clear winner, so they had a runoff. It worked for them, so it should work over here. I hope all of that made sense because I'm late for bed and I'm trying to anunciate my thoughts clearly.

Looks to me like you went through the fourth estate sewers so the rest of us really didn't have to.

Good to know how you really feel about them; because history is full of tyrants, "religious fanatics", and comic caesars who have tried to do the same thing - even to this day. Yet, in countries where persecution against Christians is still in full force, it has not stopped people from repenting and believing in the Gospel. I have talked with a pastor in Siberia who can attest to these things. BTW, just so you know, this website has an extensive catalogue of persecution that is going on to this day - mostly in Muslim-majority countries. Not even our resident Mohammedan can explain these away.

I wanted to stay away from this thread (let alone the Forum) altogether - but after reading this, I thought all of you might have some fun with this. Have at it! :)

I just found out that one of my high school classmates died earlier this mohth. He was 43. Sad.

In a day and age where business "leaders" cave in to the winds of whatever zeitgeist is happening, it sure is AWESOME and refreshing to see someone remain principled to his core values.

Classic!!! :clapping:

I feel your pain. I know what it's like to go against the grain of "conventional wisdom" and the groupthink mentality behind it - especially being outnumbered by a huge margin. Then again, I'm thinking just how much the English were outnumbered by the French in the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War. Gives me peace of mind and blessed assurance.

I remember him from Airwolf. Favorite pre-1970 film: Where Eagles Dare.

I tried reading Angela's Ashes a few years ago but I found it so incredibly boring and depressing to read that I couldn't finish it.

I actually agree with this complaint. As for my complaint of the week: Chris Matthews. Enough said.

Actually got a three-fer for F'N Fantastic Fridays. (rarer than a blue moon IMO) 1, I know it's rather early in the game, but I really love my new job. A 12 hour shift goes by quickly because there is so much hands-on stuff going on. Pay is almost where it was when I was over the road, but I am spending way less money and making meals at home. Lord willing, I'm staying with these guys until I can't work anymore. 2. SwampD's response to my mention of the pastor that looks like a ghoul from They Live yesterday on the Complaint Thursday thread. Dude, that rocked! :w00t: 3. Nope. Open market. Oh, and, BTW, it's now down to 2.89. Might be even lower by the time I have to fill up my Nissan Titan again. :thumbsup:

In all seriousness, I do not like to quote myself; but after hearing about something this past Sunday from one of the chief pulpit criminals in America, it's no wonder the visible church is in such freefall. (Yes, the video got pulled because of a "copyright claim", but the real reason behind it is because that idiot (looks more like one of the ghouls from the movie They Live) pretending to be a "pastor" did not like being called to the carpet for his rants and non sequiturs.) At least someone had enough sense to blow his arguments to smithereens, but sadly most so-called "evangelical leaders" will listen to the idiot in Dallas and not listen to the logical refutations of a lesser known ministry leader. As goes the "church", so goes a nation.

Have you noticed that the job market appears to be much better in Dixie than it is in the old Rust Belt (Buffalo included)? Which leads me to this: You know what? I'm not the least bit ashamed of being there. At least they're creating jobs down here. I even managed to change jobs to one that got me home daily and pays me about the same as I was getting when I was over the road.

I paid $2.95 a gallon for gas today. F'N Fantastic!

Not since 1453. Having said that, I'm not sure if you've read this man's novels. I haven't read them, but I thought that you might be interested in them - given when and where they're set. There's always the edit feature tab... :)

It was not meant to come across as self-righteous, but I do apologize for having offended you that way. It probably would have come off better had I dropped the first half of that sentence.

Evanjellyfish. Actually, this world isn't my home (but would you understand what I'm getting at?). Bad omen? If it was me, I'd think nothing of it. ar, ar, ar, ar, ar. Oh, you're killing me...

I don't expect anyone here to understand this nor the logic behind my posting this, but I thought this was awesome when I read it last night. Gave me an incredible amount of insight: "71. I was also made, about this time, to see something concerning the beasts that Moses counted clean and unclean: I thought those beasts were types of men; the clean, types of them that were the people of God; but the unclean, types of such as were the children of the wicked one. Now I read, that the clean beasts chewed the cud; that is, thought I, they show us, we must feed upon the word of God: they also parted the hoof. I thought that signified, we must part, if we would be saved, with the ways of ungodly men. And also, in further reading about them, I found, that though we did chew the cud, as the hare; yet if we walked with claws, like a dog; or if we did part the hoof, like the swine, yet if we did not chew the cud, as the sheep, we were still, for all that, but unclean: for I thought the hare to be a type of those that talk of the word, yet walk in the ways of sin; and that the swine was like him that parted with his outward pollutions, but still wanteth the word of faith, without which there could be no way of salvation, let a man be never so devout. Deut. xiv. After this, I found by reading the word, that those that must be glorified with Christ in another world must be called by Him here; called to the partaking of a share in His word and righteousness, and to the comforts and first-fruits of His Spirit; and to a peculiar interest in all those heavenly things, which do indeed prepare the soul for that rest, and house of glory, which is in heaven above." (John Bunyan, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners)

Long overdue. This book should have been checked back into the HHOF library a long time ago.

I'm finally committing the time to get some serious reading done. Having said that, here's what I'm working on: (Mentioned this earlier in the thread) Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen. (J.I. Packer's "Introductory Essay" is very strong in and of itself). The Truth Behind the New Atheism by David Marshall (Written from a Christian apologetic, but even I can tell when someone does a horrible job trying to refute the likes of Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens, and Dennett. Trying to finish it, but I certainly don't recommend it. He tries to argue empirically instead of presuppositionally, but it blows up in his face.) The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women by John Knox (Written during the Scottish Reformation on top of the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation. This book has always been controversial!) Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan (For someone who had no formal education unlike his peer John Owen, Dr. Owen actually enjoyed Bunyan's preaching.)

The citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah would have felt the same way.

Wow. Everyone who replied like you did to my complaint really proved my point about her. You don't know the Gospel. (Thankfully, when I posted the story on my Facebook wall, my friends got it.) Works such as "compassion" don't get us to heaven. They never have. Only God's Grace does. The replies did remind me of one thing: ignorance of good theology and the Gospel while trying to claim WWJD is dangerous.

Carrie Underwood. Given her recent announcement over her support for "gay marriage" and said that her "Christian views" made her think this way, the only thing that crossed my head was this: Does she really know the Gospel? I have serious doubts that she does. That, this, and this. I don't understand why our beloved hometown feels such a need to ban anyone from proclaiming the Gospel at a venue like the annual Italian festival. Open air preaching is protected by the First Amendment, regardless of what the Common Council has to say about it. Plus, the photographer in the other account of events has every right to refuse service to anyone based on her (ahem) religious convictions. In the long run, the court will be held accountable for what they did.