Sometimes things just seem to work out for the best when bad guys target each other. The bombing of the Iranian Embassy in Beirut is a great example. Lest you think I’ve completely lost any sense of Christian morality, I’d like to explain the significance of this terrorist attack and why the attackers had a sense of history and humor in their own evil way.
I was listening to some Arab talking head bemoaning the attack. They had the audacity to say that this was an unusual act in Lebanon, suicide bombing, and very much an anomaly. Naturally, the Jews did it. (At least according to the Iranians.) I think it was Lebanese Sunni’s or Christians, most likely the former. You see, there’s a long history in the modern era of this act in Lebanon.
For practical purposes (I’m nothing but practical) the Iranians and their surrogates brought suicide bombing to Lebanon in the 1980s. They (the Shia in Lebanon) were responsible for the bombing 30 years ago that killed hundreds of United States Marines and brought down the U.S. embassy in Beirut.
Having had a stake in that area for a long time, it’s amusing to me to see their weapon turned against them. I’m finding it hard to find sympathy for anyone except the innocent Lebanese who were killed in the blast. Them, Muslim & Christian, I will pray for tonight. The Iranians? I’ll pray for them but the sympathy level is somewhere near zero.
I was one of those reluctant students when it came to being told that something was important or had a special meaning. The Old Man And The Sea is at the front of the list (never bought into the hype) and unfortunately the Gettysburg Address was presented in such a boring fashion that I didn’t appreciate it for years.
Today is the 150th anniversary of that speech. I’ve thought a lot about what it means to me and this nation. For starters, it’s beautifully written. President Lincoln used exactly the right number of words to convey his message. God, please grant me that same skill set.
Lincoln, and the nation, were appalled at the slaughter in Pennsylvania. The Confederacy had come close to cleaving the nation with this battle. The Union knew it had been a close call. Lincoln’s speech, in spite of his prediction that it would not be long remembered, has gone down as one of the great orations of all time. It had the virtues of simplicity and directness, and the promise of a brighter future. It also clearly acknowledged that the war was not yet over and much bloodshed was to come. It was a call to arms, a plea for a second effort – a hope that this tragedy of brother versus brother might be brought to an end with additional determination.
I’ve read it out loud several times. But never before on camera. And today, in honor of this anniversary, I’ve captured it for you. I read the Bliss version of the speech and only managed to add one extra conjunction. Pretty good since I’m a doofus. But I’m a doofus who finally get’s the speech. Partly that’s because my friend Karl Bacon wrote a great book about the Civil War. The book, An Eye For Glory, is available for purchase and is a great work. It’s a fictional account of one man’s service to the nation during that war. His struggles and experiences. There is a great chapter on Gettysburg. Please take the time to read it if you’d like to understand the war on a personal level.
Finally, I’m the first for something. The first review, and probably the first 350 pound biker type to read the book, The Wedding Game.
I usually run as fast as possible from any form of Chic Lit: it has been known to cause hives in guys like me. And it’s not like I haven’t tried to read books like this in the past. My wife has urged me to read dozens over the years. Haven’t made it through one without thinking, “Never again. I value my sanity too much.”
I made an exception for Amy Matayo. I’ve had the pleasure of being her Facebook friend for several months. We also have the same Literary Agent. A few months ago, I met her in person at a writer’s conference. I figured if the book was half as good as her wisecracks and snarky Facebook postings it would be tolerable. Support a fellow author and all that sort of thing.
I am pleased to report that her book, The Wedding Game, is one of the wittiest, funniest, most enjoyable books I’ve read in my life. It’s one of those rare gems that sucks you in on the front end and leaves you begging for a sequel.
The story of Ellie and Cannon isn’t archetypal, it isn’t preachy, it isn’t… well, you’d be hard pressed to apply any negatives to this delightful story of two people who are the winners, if you could call them that, of a reality television show. Both have their reasons for competing, both loathe each other, and both find that their relationship with each other becomes vital to their well being.
Amy uses gentle humor, slapstick, sarcasm, and spot-on depictions of male-female relationships to entice the reader to genuinely care about the characters. If you dig into the book on the surface, a great romp will bring tears to your eyes and laughter to your belly.
On another level, it’s an examination of each of their relationships with God, and how they reconcile their behavior with God’s expectations. Growth, both as a couple and as spiritual beings, is a key to the story.
Hidden twists, inventive descriptions that put you in the room with the characters, and dialogue that had to be overheard between bickering couples (it’s that authentic) leave you in awe of this first novel from an author who’s working hard at her craft. It shows in the quality of this work.
I know Amy’s working on the next book. If Amazon would let me buy it today, I’d shell out the money right now. I’m already telling friends about the book. After 28 years of marriage, I finally have a Chic book to give to my wife. I know she’ll love it as much as I did.
Buy it today. You won’t be sorry. Just don’t blame me if you can’t get Ellie and Cannon out of your head.
Oh, yeah. Guys: there’s no shame in enjoying this book. I promise not to revoke your man card if you laugh.
We’re back to Sponsorship Sunday after a week off to celebrate the United States Marine Corps birthday, and we’re going to try and get our young fellow, Isaac, fully sponsored. Isaac was here back in June and still needs a sponsor. It’s awfully easy to become jaded to the needs of others when you are bombarded with requests for donations day after day. I know that I’ve been that way all my life. Still am, for the most part.
I hope this weekly column doesn’t have that impact on anyone in the audience. It would be a shame if it did, as I think it’s pretty low key. You can read it or not, I keep it on the same day each week, it’s never snuck in under the tent’s edge.
Today I’d like to tell you what those kids mean to me at Grace Village. I deal with thousands of little ones every year as Santa. And I can spot a phony about 2 blocks away. I met not a one of them at Grace Village.
They are the most remarkably gentle, polite, nice children you will ever deal with in your life. All of them are so grateful for the love and care they get from the teachers and missionaries at that center. God truly works with them and their staff. Just typing the words I am awestruck by the kindness and love that abounds in that place.
Orphanage is a bad word in the United States. It is in many parts of Haiti as well. But Grace Village is an oasis of Christ’s love in a troubled country. I love those kids. I love the staff. If I wasn’t married with a job and responsibilities I’d ask to be sent there as a staff member today. I could easily spend all of my days there until God calls me home.
Yes, it’s that anointed. Please take a few minutes and pray about your ability to help these beautiful kids. Your emails touch me greatly every day. I will never use my lists or influence to nag for funds. I appreciate the voluntary nature of our relationship and will continue to respect that gift you give to me.
Be blessed and consider sponsoring Isaac and his extended “family” at Grace Village. I know my sponsorship of two little girls is a huge plus in my life. I wish the same joy for you.
Isaac once had the opportunity to learn to ride a bike and says it’s his favorite thing to do. Isaac came to Grace Village with his brother Romual and they both remain close to one another. Isaac would like to be an engineer some day so he puts a lot of effort into his studies, especially math. Isaac’s prayer request is for his family.
Isaac came to Healing Haiti in September, 2008. Isaac and his brother Romual are orphans, both or their parents are deceased.
Birth Info
Birthdate: September 26, 1999
Place of Birth: Cap-Hatien, Haiti
It is my hope that one of you will find your heart touched by this child and take up a bit of Christ’s work by sponsoring them for an extended period. My wife and I are sponsoring a pair of sisters and I look at it this way – I only gave up the equivalent of a fast-food dinner each day to change the life of a child. Healing Haiti will do the right things for these children and I have full confidence in their work. I am not affiliated with them, they don’t endorse this blog, nothing like that at all. I just love kids (can’t be Santa and not love children) and know that Grace Village is the difference between life and death for many of these children. Please open your heart and prayerfully reflect on the opportunity God’s giving us to sponsor these children. Some of them have come out of slavery and have some of the toughest lives you could imagine prior to Grace Village.
But he’ll sure try. You see, Barack Hussein Obama has the press on his side. To recap for those of you who slept through Thursday, he promised to set aside certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) because the public got angry when they realized he’d lied to them about keeping their policies and doctors.
I know the Associated Press doesn’t use the word lie for this one, but that’s what it is. The legislation clearly sets it out and it was there all along. Even when Nancy Pelosi rammed it through in the middle of the night. Remember: You have to pass it to find out what’s in it.
Now our esteemed president (yes, capitalization is correct here) is offering to let it slide. But that’s the funny thing about laws: they are laws. The ACA isn’t his personal will writ large, it’s a law. One of those things that can only be corrected by another act of Congress and then signed by the president. No option to just “do it my way” and let people have their old policies. That would be dictatorship and rule by fiat.
Chew on that for a minute: the law means what the president says and nothing more or less. And next week, when he changes his mind again, it means something else. And when you let that slide, as his allies in the press have so far, it means we have no laws. We have the rule of one man. One very vain and self-centered man.
Since I know that none of you wish to be subjects, rather to be citizens, you’d best watch out for the imperial kleptocracy that’s emerging here. Once you give the president a precedent to do this it’s going to be awfully hard to go back. None of the insurance companies are keen on this either. They don’t know what to expect and as a result they are opting to stick with the letter of the law. Those policies aren’t coming back. And, without a doubt, the blame will be cast at the horrid capitalist swine who run the companies. (Keep in mind, they were making money on the old policies or they wouldn’t have sold them. But to go back now exposes them to huge liabilities.)
If Barack Obama wants to change the health care law, he’d best have Congress put it in a bill and pass it. He can sign it. But until then, no more rule by fiat. Simon Says is no way to run our country.
