I had thought about a post that expressed what I expect from government and what I expect from religion as they both pertain to my interaction to society in general. The things that I expect from government vary greatly from the things that I expect from religion. One of the most important things that I expect from government is the right to practice religion as I choose--without coercion and without penalty. In accepting that I have the right to practice religion as I choose, I also have to accept that I have to give that same right to others.
I think that this is the point that presents us with our big problem. We want to impose our religious beliefs into our governmental beliefs...but we can't. If we are allowed to impose our religion into government, then we have to allow others to impose their religion into government. Clearly, this isn't going to work. We certainly have the right to elect officials that best represent our beliefs and desires, but somewhere we still have to recognize that the best that they can do for us is to introduce and support legislation that keeps order in our society and still supports every citizen's constitutional rights.
In some way, every law that is written and passed restricts our freedom. The more laws...the less freedom. A law that restricts you to driving at 30 mph will keep you from getting across town as fast as you might like, but it also provides safety for yourself, other drivers, pedestrians and property. A perfect society would need no laws. Everybody would play nice. But ours is not a perfect society. We need laws (order) and we need to have those laws enforced. We also need freedom. Laws should be to maintain order and to protect freedoms. While restricting one freedom, speed limits protect other freedoms by keeping us safe (from ourselves!).
Laws can be burdensome. We'd be better off if we could get along without them. I think that the best way to keep from having our own freedom restricted is not to restrict the freedom of others. That may mean that we have to practice our religion in our daily lives without forcing others to our way of believing. Live and let live sounds too simple. Jesus said that we should love each other...not just our friends, but our enemies, too. Maybe we've forgotten that last part.
John
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Looking Ahead
I know that it's only Friday (or soon to be) but I am really looking forward to the coming days. Saturday afternoon/evening we will be with many of our church family to celebrate a marriage. I'm looking forward to the whole event--wedding ceremony, reception dinner and the party that will follow. I'll have to plan a little bit ahead to get my bags packed and car loaded up so that I can be on the road by 6 am Sunday morning.
Sunday morning will find me across the state in Herculaneum, MO at the New Testament Baptist Church for the morning service. I'll spend the afternoon with Chris' dad and then be back at their church for an evening magic show. Afterwards I'll drive into downtown St. Louis and check into the Millennium Hotel where I'll be spending the next few days. The Millennium is the host hotel for the Annual Convention of the Missouri Southern Baptist Convention. (That sounds a bit like The Department of Redundancy Department).
For anybody that cares (if indeed anybody cares) the one thing that is worse than the politics surrounding the Presidential campaign, it is the politics found in large religious organizations! Fortunately, I'm only there as a representative of the Fellowship of Missouri Baptist Evangelists and won't have anything to do with all of the posturing and politics. I will get to meet many old friends and make some new contacts for future engagements as the retirement date keeps getting closer...3 years, 2 months and 13 days. I also hope to get together with some friends that are unassociated with the convention but that I don't get to see often. Ted Drewe's will be on the menu for the week and I'm looking forward to sharing that experience with some friends that have never been there before.
I am expecting to have a grand time. On the downside...I'll be in St. Louis on Hannah's 17th birthday. We'll make plans to celebrate on the weekend.
Life is sooooo good!
John
Sunday morning will find me across the state in Herculaneum, MO at the New Testament Baptist Church for the morning service. I'll spend the afternoon with Chris' dad and then be back at their church for an evening magic show. Afterwards I'll drive into downtown St. Louis and check into the Millennium Hotel where I'll be spending the next few days. The Millennium is the host hotel for the Annual Convention of the Missouri Southern Baptist Convention. (That sounds a bit like The Department of Redundancy Department).
For anybody that cares (if indeed anybody cares) the one thing that is worse than the politics surrounding the Presidential campaign, it is the politics found in large religious organizations! Fortunately, I'm only there as a representative of the Fellowship of Missouri Baptist Evangelists and won't have anything to do with all of the posturing and politics. I will get to meet many old friends and make some new contacts for future engagements as the retirement date keeps getting closer...3 years, 2 months and 13 days. I also hope to get together with some friends that are unassociated with the convention but that I don't get to see often. Ted Drewe's will be on the menu for the week and I'm looking forward to sharing that experience with some friends that have never been there before.
I am expecting to have a grand time. On the downside...I'll be in St. Louis on Hannah's 17th birthday. We'll make plans to celebrate on the weekend.
Life is sooooo good!
John
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Did You Know...
Recently I picked a up a book titled The Intellectual Devotional. It is set up to provide the reader with 365 brief bits of knowledge from seven different categories: History, Literature, Visual Arts, Science, Philosophy and Religion.
From the Science category this week was about Eratosthenes. This Greek scientist lived from 276-194 BC and was the chief librarian at Alexandria. He developed a way to measure the circumference of the Earth and came up with a surprisingly close measurement.
Eratosthenes knew of a well near Syene, Egypt that was directly below the sun at noon on June 21st, the longest day of the year. This was known because the sun shone directly down to the bottom of the well. Knowing that if the sun was overhead in Syene it must be hitting the Earth at an angle in Alexandria(due north of Syene, Egypt). At noon of the 21st of June, he measured the angle of the sun's shadow in Alexandria.
Eratosthenes knew that the angle of the shadow of the sun would be equal to the angle formed by the two cities and the center of the Earth. He divided the angle by 360 (degrees in a circle) to determine the fraction of a circle that separated the two cities and came up with one-fiftieth. If one were to travel the distance back and forth between the two cities fifty times it would be the equivalent of traveling around the world. Eratosthenes hired a pacer--a professional walker trained in taking perfectly equal steps--to measure the distance between the cities. Using the information from the pacer, Eratosthenes estimated the circumference of the Earth to be 24,700 miles. Using the same principles today the Earth's circumference (pole to pole) is measured at 24,860 miles (24,902 around the equator).
Amazing! The pacer walked a distance of approximately 494 miles and Eratosthenes came up with a measurement that is off by so little a margin of error (.6 of 1 percent)!
John
By the way, if you want to hear a great endorsement from a high profile Republican, check out this post at FAA Follies. Do yourself the favor of listening to the long version (8 minutes) at the end of the post.
I know, I know. Pointing you to another political blog isn't much different than posting it myself--but Paul does a much better job than I could do.
From the Science category this week was about Eratosthenes. This Greek scientist lived from 276-194 BC and was the chief librarian at Alexandria. He developed a way to measure the circumference of the Earth and came up with a surprisingly close measurement.
Eratosthenes knew of a well near Syene, Egypt that was directly below the sun at noon on June 21st, the longest day of the year. This was known because the sun shone directly down to the bottom of the well. Knowing that if the sun was overhead in Syene it must be hitting the Earth at an angle in Alexandria(due north of Syene, Egypt). At noon of the 21st of June, he measured the angle of the sun's shadow in Alexandria.
Eratosthenes knew that the angle of the shadow of the sun would be equal to the angle formed by the two cities and the center of the Earth. He divided the angle by 360 (degrees in a circle) to determine the fraction of a circle that separated the two cities and came up with one-fiftieth. If one were to travel the distance back and forth between the two cities fifty times it would be the equivalent of traveling around the world. Eratosthenes hired a pacer--a professional walker trained in taking perfectly equal steps--to measure the distance between the cities. Using the information from the pacer, Eratosthenes estimated the circumference of the Earth to be 24,700 miles. Using the same principles today the Earth's circumference (pole to pole) is measured at 24,860 miles (24,902 around the equator).
Amazing! The pacer walked a distance of approximately 494 miles and Eratosthenes came up with a measurement that is off by so little a margin of error (.6 of 1 percent)!
John
By the way, if you want to hear a great endorsement from a high profile Republican, check out this post at FAA Follies. Do yourself the favor of listening to the long version (8 minutes) at the end of the post.
I know, I know. Pointing you to another political blog isn't much different than posting it myself--but Paul does a much better job than I could do.
Friday, October 17, 2008
My Last Political Blog for '08
Well maybe. I've decided that the reality of this fall's Presidential election is that most of us have made up our minds already and the bantering about of what "that one" said or what my opponent's plan will do (interesting at how everyone can explain their opponents plan as well as their own) isn't going to change anybody's mind. There is so much deception mixed in with a little bit of truth that one hardly knows the difference between the two.
I'm sure that both Presidential candidates are genuinely proud of the United States. I'm sure that they both believe that they are the best candidate for the job. I'm sure that the American voters will let them know which one we believe will lead us out of the current economic mess we're in and back to a world standing that is not one that has diminished over the past eight years.
Living in Southwest Missouri is pretty much the buckle of the Bible belt. The Assemblies of God World Headquarters are located in Springfield. The General Baptist World Headquarters are located across the state in Poplar Bluff, MO. It is a predominantly moral conservative area. As such, most have aligned themselves with the party that claims to be the morally conservative party--the Republicans. At present, Missouri is still a red state but within the margin of error that makes it pretty much of a toss-up. In the past 100 years, Missouri has sided with the winning candidate every time--but once. This year, though there are still the die-hard party faithfuls, there are more and more disillusioned Republicans (myself included) that the balance may tip the other way.
There is so much material available on the web that it is difficult to digest it all. I'm glad that several of my fellow controllers that blog have helped to sort some of them out. Here is an article that another disillusioned-Republican-now Independent-blogger found. It's a long article but one that points to the character of one of the candidates and exposes much that would be unsavory in a President. Thanks, Kevin.
I always enjoy the well written posts from The FAA Follies. While maintaining a very pro-union stance, this blog always recognizes that we (the controllers) and the FAA have (in theory) a common goal of aviation safety. It's unfortunate that the FAA no longer wants input from the men and women doing the job of separating airplanes and would rather rely on the advice and direction from political appointees and hired guns that have never actually given control instructions to a pilot. Here's a post that addresses some of the stupid (my word, not his) lies and half-truths that the McCain campaign continues to spew forth.
For more direct, in-your-face posts, try the Main Bang's insight to Joe the Plumber. Or this stat filled post from Politigal (not a controller). If you haven't yet made up your mind, you still have a couple of weeks. Whatever your decision, make it count by voting on election day. As for me, my yard signs are for Jay Nixon (Democrat for Governor) and Obama-Biden.
You will have plenty to watch and hear for the next couple of weeks if you are in the US. As far as Out of My Hat is concerned, I'm done. (I think)
John
I'm sure that both Presidential candidates are genuinely proud of the United States. I'm sure that they both believe that they are the best candidate for the job. I'm sure that the American voters will let them know which one we believe will lead us out of the current economic mess we're in and back to a world standing that is not one that has diminished over the past eight years.
Living in Southwest Missouri is pretty much the buckle of the Bible belt. The Assemblies of God World Headquarters are located in Springfield. The General Baptist World Headquarters are located across the state in Poplar Bluff, MO. It is a predominantly moral conservative area. As such, most have aligned themselves with the party that claims to be the morally conservative party--the Republicans. At present, Missouri is still a red state but within the margin of error that makes it pretty much of a toss-up. In the past 100 years, Missouri has sided with the winning candidate every time--but once. This year, though there are still the die-hard party faithfuls, there are more and more disillusioned Republicans (myself included) that the balance may tip the other way.
There is so much material available on the web that it is difficult to digest it all. I'm glad that several of my fellow controllers that blog have helped to sort some of them out. Here is an article that another disillusioned-Republican-now Independent-blogger found. It's a long article but one that points to the character of one of the candidates and exposes much that would be unsavory in a President. Thanks, Kevin.
I always enjoy the well written posts from The FAA Follies. While maintaining a very pro-union stance, this blog always recognizes that we (the controllers) and the FAA have (in theory) a common goal of aviation safety. It's unfortunate that the FAA no longer wants input from the men and women doing the job of separating airplanes and would rather rely on the advice and direction from political appointees and hired guns that have never actually given control instructions to a pilot. Here's a post that addresses some of the stupid (my word, not his) lies and half-truths that the McCain campaign continues to spew forth.
For more direct, in-your-face posts, try the Main Bang's insight to Joe the Plumber. Or this stat filled post from Politigal (not a controller). If you haven't yet made up your mind, you still have a couple of weeks. Whatever your decision, make it count by voting on election day. As for me, my yard signs are for Jay Nixon (Democrat for Governor) and Obama-Biden.
You will have plenty to watch and hear for the next couple of weeks if you are in the US. As far as Out of My Hat is concerned, I'm done. (I think)
John
This Guy is My Hero
Heidi, you're not going to want to read this story! Look away now.
This guy managed to eat the 20.2 pound burger that you see pictured here. Look at the size of the man and then look again at the size of the sandwich!
If I lived any where near this place, I'd be tempted to give it a try. I know that it would be way beyond eating 6 Burger King Whoppers in a single lunch break (hey, I was challenged), but I might feel like pushing my luck just the same. Oh, I'd like to think that I'm more mature than to accept such a challenge, but the truth is I'd give it a go just for the bragging rights. The $400, three T-shirts and certificate would be mere trinkets compared to the right to say I did it! I'm sure that my wife would be so proud! We may have to grow up, but we can still be immature!
John
This guy managed to eat the 20.2 pound burger that you see pictured here. Look at the size of the man and then look again at the size of the sandwich!If I lived any where near this place, I'd be tempted to give it a try. I know that it would be way beyond eating 6 Burger King Whoppers in a single lunch break (hey, I was challenged), but I might feel like pushing my luck just the same. Oh, I'd like to think that I'm more mature than to accept such a challenge, but the truth is I'd give it a go just for the bragging rights. The $400, three T-shirts and certificate would be mere trinkets compared to the right to say I did it! I'm sure that my wife would be so proud! We may have to grow up, but we can still be immature!
John
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Good News and the Bad News
So today I had my annual review at work. That's no big deal and since I haven't had a raise for the past two years and won't see one this year either (thanks to the imposed work rules and new/15 year old pay scale of the FAA). I generally get good reviews (one would hope that a guy that sidelines as a preacher would be a decent employee) and this one was no exception. The good news was that I may be getting a break from training for a while. My trainee is doing well and my supervisor said that since I've been training him for about a year and a half now, I deserve a break. The bad news is that we are getting several more new controllers in the next few months and I'll probably get another trainee. For the record--I'd prefer not to train anybody.
I really don't care for training too much. The ATC manual--the 7110.65--is a big book that is full of all kinds of rules. I keep telling my supervisor that I only know two of them! In the terminal environment (that's where I work) standard separation for aircraft is three miles at the same altitude or 1000'. All of the other rules are pretty much to satisfy the lawyers if something goes wrong and a plane falls out of the sky or gets too close to the ground or another plane. Three miles or a thousand feet works well for me. Whenever I hear another instructor telling their trainee something from the .65, I tell my trainee that he should listen in--that's probably something that I should be teaching, too! I doubt that it instills a lot of confidence in his instructor--fortunately, he's seen me work busy traffic.
I was talking with a co-worker yesterday about how much legalism we tend to put into Christianity. The Old Testament is full of laws and rules. Our churches today still burden members with unnecessary rules that are made in the traditions and judgments of men. It occurred to me that Jesus may have taken my approach to ATC training. When questioned about the greatest Law of the Old Testament (it was just the Law back then) He said that there were two. The first is found in Deuteronomy 6:5 and says, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Jesus then said that the second was like it. It's found in Leviticus 19:18 and says, "... love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus then said that the rest of the Law is built on these two.
I'm a pretty simple guy and tend to try to keep things as uncomplicated as I can. I can remember the two main rules of air traffic control--three miles or one thousand feet--and that works for me. If I can remember the two main rules for life--love God and love others--I think that would work for me, too.
John
I really don't care for training too much. The ATC manual--the 7110.65--is a big book that is full of all kinds of rules. I keep telling my supervisor that I only know two of them! In the terminal environment (that's where I work) standard separation for aircraft is three miles at the same altitude or 1000'. All of the other rules are pretty much to satisfy the lawyers if something goes wrong and a plane falls out of the sky or gets too close to the ground or another plane. Three miles or a thousand feet works well for me. Whenever I hear another instructor telling their trainee something from the .65, I tell my trainee that he should listen in--that's probably something that I should be teaching, too! I doubt that it instills a lot of confidence in his instructor--fortunately, he's seen me work busy traffic.
I was talking with a co-worker yesterday about how much legalism we tend to put into Christianity. The Old Testament is full of laws and rules. Our churches today still burden members with unnecessary rules that are made in the traditions and judgments of men. It occurred to me that Jesus may have taken my approach to ATC training. When questioned about the greatest Law of the Old Testament (it was just the Law back then) He said that there were two. The first is found in Deuteronomy 6:5 and says, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Jesus then said that the second was like it. It's found in Leviticus 19:18 and says, "... love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus then said that the rest of the Law is built on these two.
I'm a pretty simple guy and tend to try to keep things as uncomplicated as I can. I can remember the two main rules of air traffic control--three miles or one thousand feet--and that works for me. If I can remember the two main rules for life--love God and love others--I think that would work for me, too.
John
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Weekend Update
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know that it's Tuesday and typically Monday's are the day for summarizing the weekend. Yesterday's unexpected article in the local paper deserved it's mention and so this post got pushed back a day.
On most weeks I would have just skipped the weekend rehash, but this was a particularly good weekend. Sunday morning I was at Living Waters Community Church in Nixa. This is the third consecutive year that I've been invited to be a part of their Fall Festival Celebration. The main event for the morning was singer Paul T. Flemming. I want to encourage you to go to his web site and listen to some of his music. I really enjoy the Caribbean flair that he gives to the old hymns and especially like the music that he has written. It was a wonderful morning of praise and I'm sure that everyone enjoyed the food and games afterwards.
On Sunday evening we had a very special service at Hopedale Baptist Church. It was the ordination service for Les Day. Members from three congregations gathered to celebrate with Les and to affirm God's call on his life to pastor a local New Testament Church. Pastor Terry's message was challenging for all of us.
I really miss being at Hopedale for Sunday morning services. I get handed visitor's cards when I show up and I often ask if anyone can participate of if you have to be in regular attendance to take part in the special events. I'll be there next Sunday for the first time in a month and will miss again the following Sunday! C'est la vie!
John
On most weeks I would have just skipped the weekend rehash, but this was a particularly good weekend. Sunday morning I was at Living Waters Community Church in Nixa. This is the third consecutive year that I've been invited to be a part of their Fall Festival Celebration. The main event for the morning was singer Paul T. Flemming. I want to encourage you to go to his web site and listen to some of his music. I really enjoy the Caribbean flair that he gives to the old hymns and especially like the music that he has written. It was a wonderful morning of praise and I'm sure that everyone enjoyed the food and games afterwards.
On Sunday evening we had a very special service at Hopedale Baptist Church. It was the ordination service for Les Day. Members from three congregations gathered to celebrate with Les and to affirm God's call on his life to pastor a local New Testament Church. Pastor Terry's message was challenging for all of us.
I really miss being at Hopedale for Sunday morning services. I get handed visitor's cards when I show up and I often ask if anyone can participate of if you have to be in regular attendance to take part in the special events. I'll be there next Sunday for the first time in a month and will miss again the following Sunday! C'est la vie!
John
Monday, October 13, 2008
A Ray of Light; A Glimmer of Hope
I know that I have posted about the tragedies of religion and politics in the past. I have read recent posts by a young man that is so frustrated at being put down by his brothers in Christ because of his political views that today he just prefers not to talk politics or share his thoughts.
Well, today I want to offer a bit of hope. This article appeared in today's Springfield News-Leader. It was written by a local Assemblies of God minister and should serve as an example for all of us that claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
I have a feeling that this is just the kind of thing that Jesus was talking about when He said, "They will know that you are my disciples by the way you show love for one another."
John
And a quick addition: An apology from a friend that recently said, "I don't know how anyone can be a Christian and vote Democrat." Today he said that he was out of line and that it wasn't his place to judge.
Well, today I want to offer a bit of hope. This article appeared in today's Springfield News-Leader. It was written by a local Assemblies of God minister and should serve as an example for all of us that claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
I have a feeling that this is just the kind of thing that Jesus was talking about when He said, "They will know that you are my disciples by the way you show love for one another."
John
And a quick addition: An apology from a friend that recently said, "I don't know how anyone can be a Christian and vote Democrat." Today he said that he was out of line and that it wasn't his place to judge.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Blame Game
It's a great game, isn't. Point the finger at somebody else. Make what ever excuse you can fabricate on the spot. It seems that this game has been going on for quite some time.
There's an old, old story about a woman (Eve) that disobeys God by doing the one thing that He says not to do. She then entices her man (Adam) to do the same thing. So now we have Adam and Eve hiding in the garden because they know that they are naked. God comes through the garden and asks, "Who told you that you're naked? Did you eat from the tree?"
At this point, I suppose that Adam could've said something like, "Uh, God, I'm really sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. I ate from the tree that you said to leave alone. I'm sorry."
But instead, Adam begins The Blame Game. "The woman that you gave to be with me gave me the fruit and I ate."
To the woman God asks, "Why did you do this?"
She replies, "It was the serpent. He tricked me."
And The Blame Game was invented. Over the past several millennium man has managed to perfect (or pervert, depending on your point of view) this little game. Played well, you never have to be accountable for your bad choices. Pick somebody that is poorly equipped to defend themselves or just conveniently blame the villain of the day. Make it the Republicans. Make it the Democrats. Make it the church. Make it the corporations or just do what Eve did and say, "The devil made me do it." Nobody is really expecting anybody to admit to having made a mistake anymore. Just offer your best excuse and condemn the nearest bystander.
Abuse the power of your political office; consort with people of questionable character; sell bad investments; condemn people that have different beliefs...whatever. If it's all for the good of the state, the school, the investors, the church--it's okay. Lie if you have to--everybody does it. It's all apart of the game.
It would be nice if somebody could come up with a new game, wouldn't it?
John
There's an old, old story about a woman (Eve) that disobeys God by doing the one thing that He says not to do. She then entices her man (Adam) to do the same thing. So now we have Adam and Eve hiding in the garden because they know that they are naked. God comes through the garden and asks, "Who told you that you're naked? Did you eat from the tree?"
At this point, I suppose that Adam could've said something like, "Uh, God, I'm really sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. I ate from the tree that you said to leave alone. I'm sorry."
But instead, Adam begins The Blame Game. "The woman that you gave to be with me gave me the fruit and I ate."
To the woman God asks, "Why did you do this?"
She replies, "It was the serpent. He tricked me."
And The Blame Game was invented. Over the past several millennium man has managed to perfect (or pervert, depending on your point of view) this little game. Played well, you never have to be accountable for your bad choices. Pick somebody that is poorly equipped to defend themselves or just conveniently blame the villain of the day. Make it the Republicans. Make it the Democrats. Make it the church. Make it the corporations or just do what Eve did and say, "The devil made me do it." Nobody is really expecting anybody to admit to having made a mistake anymore. Just offer your best excuse and condemn the nearest bystander.
Abuse the power of your political office; consort with people of questionable character; sell bad investments; condemn people that have different beliefs...whatever. If it's all for the good of the state, the school, the investors, the church--it's okay. Lie if you have to--everybody does it. It's all apart of the game.
It would be nice if somebody could come up with a new game, wouldn't it?
John
Friday, October 10, 2008
Read this post!
I'm cheating today. But this is a very good post--one that is worth the read and will make you think.
John
John
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