ARE WE THE SAVAGE NATION?

The fun part about blogging is pretending that someone is actually interested in your postings. This is an incurable delusion which will be abated once a new blog entry is posted.

Now then, we must get down to brass tacks (as I am wont to say in this blog). Perhaps life experiences are what inspire me to reach higher, deeper, and longer for better blog posts. Something usually gets my creative juices flowing.

Well, enough pomposity. Have I said something here in this blog today that is profound and worth preserving in the annals of cyberhistory? Wait. Think about it...

For some strange reason, I am listening to Michael Savage's "The Savage Nation" radio program. Why? Because I feel an unusual burst of bellicose patriotism, where Mr. Savage has the temerity to speak his mind and, at the same time, inspire me to support his God-given, constitutionally-supported right to free speech.

I don't usually listen to The Savage Nation, but I hear a hopeful defiance in his broadcast, and a passionate plea for common sense. A return to fearless discourse is indeed refreshing.

A REFRESHING PERSPECTIVE

By way of a friend's website, Apocalypse Delusion, I found this article on American Vision. It is a refreshing summarization of the healthy and optimistic perspective of those Christians who hold to a dominion theology. I say that advisedly because there are serious aberrations of this doctrine which distort the true gospel (which all people should want, but unfortunately do not).

It grabbed my attention and succeeded at inspiring me to post another blog entry-- no small task! It appeared yesterday, but I got it today. I would call it a Christian To-Do List that will indeed change the world for the better, as it has done so admirably and permanently in the past.

I would recommend that every Christian read this article, or something equally inspiring and informative.

Dominion is the name of the game here. It is a war being fought right now all around the world. If we who are Jesus' salt and light give up the fight, we cannot expect the world to be a better place, but a far worse one. If Islam or any other false religion wins the day, and the hearts of many, then we can only expect "9/11" on a daily basis.

False religion, and false eschatology, are a deadly pair. Together, let us repent of both.

SPRING CLEANING

I just thought I would jazz up my blog a little, spruce it up, you know.

I hope you notice. It's not a big change or overhaul. But it's significant enough to warrant a warm fuzzy feeling inside (of me-- of you, I don't know). I hope it does.

It is every blogger's dream to elicit warm and fuzzy feelings inside of his or her readers. What is lacking in editorial content and literary skill is made up for in spades by the warm fuzzies. Maybe.

Well, at this point, I have to admit I lack that significant content and insight, biting wit and sarcasm in this blog post. But then, don't I always?

Not to disappoint, I conclude this venture into self-gratifying bliss (as I listen to my own widget, "Live365 Radio," available to the right of this post) by signing off unceremoniously.

;)

JUST ANOTHER CONTROVERSY

What succinctly stated tidbit of wisdom might I impart to the digital diaspora out there in the blogosphere? Assuming, again, that there exist in reality--not just in my mind-- readers of my blog, let me digress for a moment.

The issue of illegal immigration to the United States of America, and Arizona's much-maligned attempt to remedy this problem, is at the forefront of much discussion on talk radio today. Having today off from work, I have availed myself of much of Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, two of my favorites (when I agree with them). And today, they did not disappoint.

I love it when the left-brained, logical, rational side of the debate eats the lunch of the right-brained, emotional, popular side. At times, it inflames me to hear the left liberals characterize those with whom I agree as racists, anti-immigrant bigots, etc. It also fuels my convictions.

Funny how their demonstrations and protests are far more violent and destructive than any of ours. They are the truly compassionate patriots, except when you disagree with them.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

You know, sometimes you just have to watch a video like this after watching multiple bad-news-videos about violence and so on around the world today. It uplifts the spirit and refreshes the soul. You be the judge.

The Lord's Prayer

ARIZONA, LEAD THE WAY!

Here we go again. The people who want absolutely nothing to be done about illegal immigration are crying foul (what else can they do?) once again. And the rest of us are relieved that some of our leaders (and most of our citizens) are for such reforms as have been advanced lately by our governor and elected representatives in Arizona. We are indeed thankful.

I am sure you have either heard, read, or seen reports about Arizona leading the charge to protect our borders because the Federal government hasn't! I was recently reminded that people who migrate back and forth in search of work are called "migrants," as opposed to "immigrants," who stay put in their new digs. The need for such drastic reform is obvious to all. Witness the recent killing of a Douglas rancher and the ongoing drug cartel war spilling across the border into our land!

I am momentarily listening to Sean Hannity on the radio, and have been encouraged by the public discourse regarding Arizona's actions of late. But I am especially encouraged by the show of support from many conservative voices whom I generally trust to defend justice and mercy (Micah 6:8).

Although my knowledge of this law is limited now, I intend to remedy that. It is, as far as I can tell, a good thing. I feel protected, although I sympathize with those immigrants who simply did whatever they could to get here and start a new and better life. God bless them. But we have to draw the line somewhere. Perhaps a compromise is in order. Let us see what happens.

I am willing to hear both sides, but I only have so much tolerance for the shrill, socialistic rants of mindless nonsense that clouds the issue. Does not a sovereign nation have the right to protect itself from clear and present danger to its citizens?

Yes. I say, "Right here, right now," to borrow a phrase from Mr. Hannity's program announcer.

A LITTLE TEXT EDITING

Well, I've done it: I've taken the plunge and, at least for this entry today, changed the font to ... Verdana!!!

I am flabbergasted at the amount of stuff you have to know in order to publish a web page, let alone edit it!

Now I will publish this post. As you can see, the program-- not I -- changed the font back to whatever it was before.

Wait! I've been ripped off! The font on the published blog did not change!!! What gives, Blogger? What gives, Google?

Ad fontes! To the source (from the Reformation)!

ENTITLEMENT

As part of our ongoing efforts to secure a prominent position in the social networking industry, we here at Worldview Window have slightly revised our overall appearance to reflect that commitment.

"We here...?" That would be me. A truly presumptuous comment to say the least. But fun.

Now, what to call this blog post. Hmmm...

BLOG OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Instead of my usual routine of visiting the news sites before blogging, ostensibly so I'll have something to say, I decided on a whim to visit my blog first.

Well, at the risk of sounding self-serving (which it may be), I felt encouraged by what I blogged recently. I even edited a recent post.

Right now I'm listening to a podcast of Preterist Radio from their archive of preterist-oriented programming, particularly 17:11 (based on Acts 17:11, where the Bereans were more noble than the Thessalonians because they searched the Scriptures).

I know it goes against the tide/grain/majority report/conventional wisdom/traditional doctrine of dispensational, premillennial, pretribulational rapture theory. But it's fun.

SOCIAL NETWORKING SOLO

Sometimes the best thing to do is just sit down at the ol' PC and listen to a good podcast or something, and just blog your brains out. Sometimes that's exactly what it looks like I did!

I believe social networking is the natural outgrowth from our need to connect with each other in a fast-growing world, where time and location are increasingly limited. In a time when such conditions threaten to isolate us completely from one another, the Internet and its attendant blessings save us (by the grace of God) from extended solitary confinement.

Blogging is a good way to overcome the complete sense of isolation one gets when one refers to oneself as "one."

But seriously, the natural thing to do when one is all alone in a world of solitary solo artists who spend much of their spare time alone is blog. I know that sounds redundant, but you get the idea.

It is a "crapshoot" (pardon the expression). Maybe someone is reading your blog. Maybe they aren't.

But you are. God, you, angels, and demons-- not a bad starter audience. I would count on God, angels and yourself as supporters. Anyone else is a benefit of perseverance.

How to end a post like this?

Solo.

RUNNING THE HUMAN RACE

Is that a catchy title or what?

It brings attention to the question which came up today in a piece on the KTAR website about the 2010 U.S. Census and its confusing queries about race and ethnicity.

I too was stumped by the separate questions, and wondered if I was both white and Hispanic-- not that there's anything wrong with that :)

Help me out here. Can we not just call ourselves part of the HUMAN RACE, and leave the question forever answered in the affirmative for all humans? I am a firm believer in this assertion, and abhor the idea that some of us are part of a different race. Let us repent of this subtle deception forever.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not against recognizing ethnic origins. That's all well and good. It's in the Bible. But I feel the "race" question is already settled.

REVIVAL IS WHAT WE NEED

Just a thought: while reading (scanning) the headlines at the Arizona Republic's website, it occurred to me that all the good things that happen in the world can be attributed to God, because the Bible says:

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17)

I like the way the Holman Christian Standard Bible says the first part: "Every generous act..." This is actually closer to the Greek, according to my Jay Green translation.

This gives me pause, and I wonder if God will not plant another revival seed somewhere in the world today and let us see His work in the hearts of people who desperately need Him in their lives. We will indeed see the effects of this work in our lifetime, if He chooses to do so.

May God be praised for His gracious deliverance from all evil in Jesus' Name.

CALL ME CRAZY...

Every now and then, I get the sinking feeling-- the sneaking suspicion-- that no one reads my blog.

"Call me crazy..." goes the old saying, but if anyone is reading my blog, God bless them. Perhaps a few (if any) family and friends, a sprinkling of strangers, and me. That's it. No Hugh-Hewitt-like following, that's for sure.

Well, the pity-party is over.

This is the one venue where I get to exercise my nitpicky perfectionism.

No wonder nobody reads this thing!

CLASH BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE

Today I ask you, my dear readers, what would a blog about worldview, especially a Christian one, be without a post about church persecution in our own backyard.

I hope I don't sound like I enjoy blogging about it, per se. But I enjoy it when we (the Church militant) gain a victory over oppression, albeit legally.

Witness the case in Gilbert, Arizona, as reported by FOXNews.com. I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to the Alliance Defense Fund, who is defending the Oasis of Truth church against the town of Gilbert. The whole story can be found on ADF's website.

It shows the hypocrisy and double-standard applied to Christian churches, but not to everything else that meets regularly in homes and may cause minor traffic issues.

My money is on the church, and ADF.

THE FACE OF FRAUD

If fraud had a face, it might look something like James Sikes, the California real estate agent who has a shady financial past and a dubious reputation for such things as his latest escapade: scamming Toyota.

Witness the article on him on FOXNews.com. I was mildly angered by the apparent duplicity in his account of what happened when his Toyota Prius' gas pedal supposedly got stuck at 94 mph on a San Diego freeway.

As a veteran of reading news stories and driving, and that would describe most thinking adults, I doubt the veracity of such an incredible story because the most obvious remedy was not exercised: throw the stick shift into neutral! This was suggested by someone, and his response was, "You had to be there..."

Really? We weren't there. But you were.

"Twenty-three minutes later," according to the article, he was guided by a police officer safely to a stop. I have to wonder if this is not another scam by Mr. Sikes attempting to recover from his financial losses. I don't doubt his desperation, but I have to wait and see if this really happened.

Sorry if I'm wrong. But I have to say it sounds like a scam.

MEXICO'S SAVIOR?

Let the mariachis begin!

Carlos Slim, Mexico's son and the world's richest man has emerged amid the heap of superlative wealth to claim the title which used to belong to our own Bill Gates. His first-place showing of $53.5 billion beats Gates' $53 billion second-place position.

My question is, what can he do to help fix the broken economic and political machine that is Mexico?

ITCH TO BLOG SCRATCHED

Well, intrepid blog readers, it is once again time to post an entry in my five-plus-year-old web log. What? Oh! I meant blog. Just testing you.

Blessed is the man or woman who does his or her work and finally feels the need to blog and socially mediate! It will scratch an itch, to borrow a phrase, and renew a sense of inspiration and creativity (something new under the sun) within the heart. It is a good feeling, especially when one has faith in God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ by the power and working of the Holy Spirit.

It might even engender feelings of fulfillment and satisfaction. Blessed indeed.

ON SAFARI

Out of sheer and utter boredom, or some kind of inspired mundanity, I will post a link to Safari, Apple's web browser par excellence.

When a web browser outperforms your expectations, generally speaking, you want to recommend it to the world. That's what blogs are for.

Yet, for some odd reason, while I was composing this post and simultaneously downloading the latest versions of Safari and iTunes/QuickTime together (you know how Apple does it), my Safari browser crashed and/or closed itself before I could finish this post. How rude!

[I found out later that Windows shut down Safari due to an executable file which turned out to be harmless as far as I can tell.]

Well, not to be denied, I had to restart my download and resume posting. Fun, fun, fun...

It looks like my progress meter is showing that Safari is done downloading and iTunes/QT is in progress. Sometimes--somehow--technology and the great minds behind it redeem themselves quite admirably. Or it could be that I'm in an unusually good mood today. A combination of both is my humble assessment. Nevertheless, I credit the Holy Spirit with this one for sure.

It is a slow download, but I am in the mood to wait and learn in the meantime of other things online.

May the God of the Bible grant you deliverance from any heaviness and worry resulting from this economic nightmare we are living under. I pray for His peace and comfort in you today in His Son Jesus Christ's name, amen.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

How did 2000 years of Biblical tradition, knowledge, and scholarship get it wrong?

I must ask this question immediately after coming to grips with a view of Scripture I have never held before, namely, preterist.

I am currently investigating for myself the claims of such learned men as Don Preston, William Bell, and others on this view. It is worth looking into.

More to come...

ANOTHER FAVORITE

Q. When does a website become a favorite?

A. When one spends precious many minutes listening to podcast after short, sweet, hard-to-beat podcast, a broadcaster is sure to have entered the inner sanctum of the human heart and won some measure of closely-held confidence.

Quiz over. You win.

LewRockwell.com is the latest addition to my "Favorites" list of web sites on this blog. I woke up early today and found a new podcaster that piques my interest in things socio-political, economic, and/or religious (Biblical). "The Best-Read Libertarian Website in the World," is not your average website of this sort. Check it out.

My last favorite entry was AD70.net, which you may find in a previous post.