money=freedom

If you are a person who has ever dreamed of being wealthy someday, then you will easily relate to the point of this post. When people think about being rich they often dream about being free to wake up whenever they feel like it, having the freedom to work only if they want to, having the freedom to live anywhere and send their children to the best schools, best doctors, best cars, food, etc. The opposite is also true.

Poverty=bondage
When you are among the working poor then you have to scrape for every dollar, then you are likely bound to a job which restricts to from enjoying all of those thing mentioned above. I've often thought that those of us who carry significant debt from year to year, are not living lives much different from those poor people in North Korea, China, Soviet Union. Debt is bondage. Debt consumes your money, which in turn consumes your Freedom.

The point of this all is that we put criminals into jail for two reasons:
1. Containment
2. Abrogation of freedom.

Taking away a person's freedom is a severe punishment. So, lets purpse ourselves to get out of debt and when that politician comes around telling that he will give you all kinds of goodies, know that he is also promising to take more of your money, more of your freedom.

For the past 2 years, my family has been on a journey to elminate all of our debt. We've had some setbacks, we've also had some good achievements. We have a way to go, but we are not giving up. We are working hard, the American way. I want to obtain for myself as much Liberty as is possible in this world.

BIG Government is Corruption

I've come to a new perspective on BIG Government since the townhall meeting. American's have lost our appreciation for Liberty and what it means to be free. We need to recapture our love of Freedom and oppose significant attempts to steal it. I directly equate our national debt with the loss of freedom. Every dollar of mine that the Government takes claim of is one less that I have for my family. Less money means less choice, less financial power, less Liberty. Government debt is also bondage, because of the long term levy on my income that is restricting. America was built on hard work and the idea that the way to ultimately help poor people is by enhancing their Freedom, not giving them handouts. Remove the barriers to their progress.

One of my guiding values: Your personal liberty should only be restricted when it infringes on the personal libery of someone else. This value is in opposition to the "Nanny State" mentality. For example: People should have the freedom to practice any religion that they prefer and take on any ideology (regardless of how politically incorrect it maybe). However, that freedom should be restricted if it can be proven that the belief encourages actions that infringe on other's rights. Such as, the phenomenon known as "Honor killing".

Spirited yet Civil Townhall meeting.

Those are the words I'd use to describe the Townhall meeting Rep. Rob Andrews held on August 24th 2009 over the Health care Bill HR3200. The news media says that there were 800 people there. There were a lot of people in the hall ways who didn't have a seat in the auditorium. My guess is that 60% of the people were there to support the opposition to HR3200. I must admit my new found respect for Rob Andrews. He took most of the jeers like a man. I think he did engage in a little stretching the truth on the Bill. He said that the Bill included more competition between Health care Providers. He said the health care he receives as a member of the House would be the same quality as the health care from HR3200. He acknowledged that passage of the Bill would foster the need to raise taxes. He saw no benefit to Tort reform.
One woman who identified herself as an Independent floated the idea of a health care referendum. I thought that would be a great idea. R. Andrews didn't.
The most electrifying speech came from this guy:


He identified himself as a person suffering from a chronic illness, then went on to recite a quote from Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."

The quote ignited a ruckus within the meeting. I think R. Andrews was visibly shaken and had no real comeback. It was as though he acknowledged the political score. How can you argue with Thomas Jefferson?
R. Andrews clothed his support for Health care reform in compassion for uninsured.
The lines for the microphones were out the door. I didn't get a chance to speak. If I did, I would have said something like this:

"Congressman Andrews, this administration has been selling HR3200 to the Americans as compassionate. As a percentage, I give 10x more of my income to charity than President Obama does. I am trying to do my part to help the least among us only to get lectured by the President about my need to be compassionate. His compassion involves reaching into my pocket(instead of his own) to give to someone else. I don't think it is compassionate to make people dependent on Government for their needs. That is not loving them, that is enslaving them. Right now, every baby born into the US, is born owing the government about $5,196347.54. That is not Freedom, that is bondage. This administration has not advanced Liberty in America. Liberty is more valuable than "free" health care."

Homeschooling is inextricably linked to Religious freedom

When my wife and I seriously began considering homeschooling our children, I was very interested in the educational acheivements of homeschoolers. Now that we are a few years into homeschooling, my reasons for homeschooling have changed. The educational aspect of homeschool is still great, but a deeper conviction about this alternative method has arisen. I don't think homeschooling is a fit for everyone, but every Christian parent ought to take seriously the option of homeschooling.
As a Christian father, we are called to be the Shepards of our children/family. Scripture implores us to raise our children to be disciples. We are called to teach our children the revelations of God in Scripture. My role as a father is not so different than that of a Pastor or Priest.
I would not tell a brother, that you cannot shepard your family if they are going to traditional school, but traditional schooling will provide many more challenges to your children/family than homeschooling. You will have a steeper mountain to climb because of peer pressure and Liberal instructors. Many homeschool parents who have decided to put their children in school even for one year have decried a large amount of undoing of their discipleship work. As a Christian, it is my duty and pleasure to instruct my children in the Truth of Scripture. In a public school, by law teachers are only allowed to present the Bible as a work of literature if at all.
If the homeschooling alternative was removed from parents via legislative action(as in Germany and Britian), then you can see that my religious freedom (to live my life and raise my children according to Scripture) would be compromised.

The UN treaty of the "Rights of a Child" has been floating around for decades. In the 90's Bill Clinton said he would sign it, but Congress did not ratify it. This treaty seeks to drive Government in as a wedge between you and your children among other things. With the new 111th Congress leaning more toward Internationalism, there is a heightened concern over the ratification of this legislation. As you know, when the Congress ratifies a Treaty, that treaty supercedes our Constitution.

Fun post Friday - Washed up bands with Orchestras

My theory: When a rock band decides to do a concert with an Orchestra, then you know the band is past its prime and lacks new ideas. I guess they rationalize that the Orchestra bring some freshness to their sad/tired music. Let's see some examples: First a couple that should be no surprise
1. Elton John


2. Billy Joel (give it up, man)


3. Elvis


4. Eric Clapton (seriously, what hits has he had since the songs on this record? I rest my case; Done!)


5. Oh no, not Metallica (it's over dudes you are washed up)


Did I miss any?

Jesus sang Scripture, shouldn't we?

I'd like to offer a less negative post on Worship from my original post on the topic. The Psalms are filled with people crying out to God from their own experience. However, IMO modern worship music should present a balance between my experience and God's word. This is where modern worship music tends to fail. The modern worship movement is mostly based on cool riffs and catchy melodies with ego-centric lyrics. Whatever happened to singing doctrine? "Holy, holy, holy Lord...God of power and might...Heaven and Earth are filled with your Glory"

The Westminster Shorter Catechism contains:
2. What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
Answer: The word of God, which is contained in scriptures is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

Jesus sang Scripture; in Matthew 30: 14 at the last supper it is revealed that Jesus sang with the disciples. This was the end of their Passover and for 2000 years Psalm 118 has been sung at the conclusion of the Passover. It is an unanimous belief among commentators that Jesus sung this Psalm at this moment.

As a musician, I am hardly sympathetic to the notion that using Scripture only for lyrical content, is like tying your creative hands.
The greatest Christian music off all time: Handel's messiah is built entirely on Scripture.

I think there is room in Christian music for two categories: Worship and Pop. You can do whatever you want with the Pop genre of Christian music. Let's base the Worship genre on Scripture.

Christianized Worship music

As Christians we are called out of the world into the kingdom of God. Because of this calling, Christians ought to be different from those in the world. We ought to think differently, act differently, parent differently, educate differently, worship differently, sing differently, etc.
However, the modern Worship music appears to take the model of music from the world and attempts to "christianize" it to fit in the church service. Much of the World's music is written from those who have no authority higher than themselves. Therefore, their music is often self-centered. Many of the writters of Modern worship music have taken on this narcissistic attitude in their music and attempted to "do it better" by adding Christian themes. Worship music is no longer about Our God, and Our Faith it is more concerned about My God, and My Faith.
for example:
(Shout to the Lord: Darlene Zschech)
"My Jesus, my Savior, Lord there is none like you
All of my days, I long to praise
the Wonders of your mighty love.
...

Now consider the lyrics penned by Martin Luther:
A mighty fortress is our God
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe
....

Dear brother/sister, when has God called us to take up worlds model on anything?