The Most You Can Do

Never say, "All I can do is pray." Prayer is not the least you can do. It is the most you can do.

Private Acts

Today conduct yourself as if one day all of your private acts will be public knowledge. Because they will.

Consumer Culture

In our modern consumer culture, the biggest thing we end up consuming is often ourselves.

Catch-22

This unsettling port deal with the UAE reminds me of the Harriet Myers fiasco. How could such a poor decision get to this point, dividing the president's supporters and allowing the likes of the opportunistic Chuck Schumer to seem tougher on terror than Mr. Bush?

At this point, there are no good options. If we tear up this deal, we will appear to be anti-Arab and offend an ally in the war on terror. If it somehow goes through, we will have appeared to hand over our ports to a government that we cannot be certain will be able to keep its home-grown terrorists at bay. Either way, W's standing has been hurt, and that's not good. We have a war to win.

Olympic Flops

With Sasha Cohen's (quite literal) deer-in-the-headlights flop in the long program of the figure-skating competition, another heavily marketed U.S. Olympic athlete has failed to deliver the goods during crunch time. (See also: "Jacobellis, Lindsey" and "Miller, Bode.") Most athletes get their pictures on the Wheaties box and their trips to Disney World after they have achieved their goals. For some reason, we hype our Olympians before they get into the ultimate arena. Perhaps the added pressure contributes to their failures.

Window

Searching for a window into a man's soul? See how he responds to criticism.

The Wrong Hill

One reason conservatives respect George W. Bush so much is that he sticks to principle regardless of the polls. His laserlike focus on the war on terror is a case in point. However, when his convictions appear not to be linked to principle, he appears simply stubborn.

Such is the case with the United Arab Emirates port deal. Despite widespread opposition by Republicans and Democrats, who question the wisdom of inviting a small Arab state to have such a key role in our nation's security, Bush opposes legislation to overturn the deal and is threatening the first veto of his presidency. He correctly notes that the UAE has been a staunch ally in the war on terror.

While that may be, we can't turn over our ports to an undemocratic nation with ties to al Qaeda. It is questionable strategically and a loser politically. Stand down, Mr. Bush. There are hills worth dying on. This isn't one of them.

Jeers and Cheers

When evangelicals speak out about abortion or public prayer, the secular left jeers them and starts up its mantra about separation of church and state. But when these same evangelicals call for government action on global warming or poverty reduction, the left cheers their high-minded activism.

Perhaps the left's concern was never over church and state in the first place? Just wondering.

Expensive Hotdog

Last week, Lindsey Jacobellis lost what looked to be a sure gold medal in the snowboard cross final when she made a hotdog move and, in the parlance, wiped out. I just don't understand it. Lindsey had it all worked out: She would think of her Visa check-card being stolen, get all relaxed because she is covered, and swoosh to victory. That's what the coach said on all those commercials. I guess the moral of the story is don't buy a hotdog with your check-card. It isn't covered.

Unworthy Heirs

Last week the University of Washington's student senate voted down a memorial for alumnus Gregory "Pappy" Boyington of "Black Sheep Squadron." The student reps questioned whether Boyington, who shot down a record number of Japanese fighters during World War II and was held for 20 months in a Japanese prison camp, was the kind of person the university wanted to produce.

Boyington earned the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. The spoiled brats of UW and their ilk have earned nothing except the opprobrium they so richly deserve. They are unworthy heirs of the freedom that Boyington and other members of "the Greatest Generation" bestowed on them.

Black and White Thinking

Ever-pompous Bryant Gumbel says he won't be watching the Winter Olympics because there are not enough blacks, and thus the best athletes in the world will not be there. Gumbel says there are so many whites that it looks like a Republican convention.

If Gumbel isn't canned for his premeditated race-baiting, then the broadcasting gods will have to apologize to Rush Limbaugh, Al Campanis, Jimmy the Greek, and Howard Cosell, who all lost their gigs over verbal racial fumbles.

Oh, wait. Gumbel is black. Never mind.

Torino?

When did the ancient Italian city of Turin become the Olympic hot spot of Torino? Does this mean we have to rename the Shroud of Turin the Threads of Torino?

Theology and Reason

"Without a theology committed to reason, progress, and moral equality, today the entire world would be about where non-European societies were in, say, 1800...."

Rodney Stark, The Victory of Reason, p. 233

Playing Politics

Since September 12, 2001, President Bush has done an amazing job protecting this country from terrorist attacks. Yet in the face of partisan attacks from Democrats over the Patriot Act and the terror surveilance program, he has said little about this record.

But as public support for the war on terror slips and as control of Congress goes up for grabs later this year, apparently Mr. Bush decided to go on the public relations offensive and tell America a bit about his homeland security successes. Apparently we have thwarted 10 potential terrorist operations.

Now the Democrats, who have done nothing but play politics with national security issues, are crying foul because Bush is ... a politician. Of course he is, and if he doesn't rally support to his cause as a good politician should, this war will be lost. Keep telling us the truth, Mr. Bush. We need it.

Ranting and Raving

Saddam Hussein still thinks he is the dictator of Iraq, disruptively ranting and raving during court proceedings. By so doing, the "Butcher of Baghdad" continues to delay justice on grave charges of mass murder. What defendant gets away with this in the U.S.? The authorities need to do one of two things: (1) put him back in his cell 'til he is ready to behave, or (2) proceed without him.

Self-censorship

Strange how the free press is so reluctant to print those cartoons that have caused such a frenzy in parts of the Muslim world and Europe. Newspapers have little compunction about publishing hurtful caricatures of Christian symbols (even a crucifix immersed in a jar of urine is fair game), and talk of a Christian "Taliban" is all too common.

Where then does this hesitation about offending Muslims come from? While one might hope that the media are becoming more sensitive toward those with strong religious beliefs, I believe the explanation lies elsewhere. Seeing embassies burning and Dutch filmmakers butchered on the street has a way of turning secular lions into frightened followers of Muslim law.

Soporific Spectacle

Insomniacs of the world, take heart! The Winter Olympics are here.

Remember when "the Games" meant something? You had the Soviet Union's basketball team stealing the gold from the Americans. Then there was the "miracle on ice" when the U.S. team pulled off an upset for the ages. Today, however, we get treated to reports of Michelle Kwan having a rough practice and blaming it on the fact that she forgot to bring her iPod. (She has subsequently withdrawn because of injury.)

Face it. The marquee sport in the Winter Olympics is hockey, which is dying a slow death here in in the United States. I'd like to care, but I just don't. While others watch, I'll be waiting for spring training.

Cussed "Moderate"

Jack Danforth, the former U.S. senator from Missouri, is criticizing Christian conservatives again. Now he says their oppostion to gay marriage is just "cussedness." Danforth, a self-proclaimed moderate, ought to know. An ordained Episcopal priest, Danforth knows that activists in his own denomination here in the U.S. are cussedly tearing the worldwide Anglican Communion apart over openly homosexual bishop Gene Robinson. Moderate indeed.

Heavy Eyes

The eyes are deceptively heavy. Take them off of yourself and you'll probably be surprised at how much less pressure you feel.

Bitter Peanut

Jimmy Carter, who through his laudable efforts to build homes for the poor in recent years had done much to make America forget his wretched presidency, has finally hit rock bottom when it comes to bitter partisanship.

Carter, who for years has taken cheap shots at George W. Bush (even sitting with conspiracy theorist Michael Moore at the Democratic Convention), reached a new low at Coretta Scott King's funeral. Carter likened Bush's terror surveillance program to the illegal wiretaps ordered against Martin Luther King (somehow forgetting that Democrats authorized them) in the '60s.

Carter also decided to reopen the racialized controversy over the administration's deficient response to Hurricane Katrina. "We only have to recall the color of the faces of those in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi who are most devastated by Katrina," the former peanut farmer intoned, during what was supposed to be a eulogy for Mrs. King, "to know that there are not yet equal opportunities for all Americans."

To today's Democrats, including elder stateman James Earl Carter (unfortunately, now more elder than statesman), the transformation of the personal into the political has become complete. Too bad for Carter, whose historical stature shrinks day by day.

Distant Dreams

Don't let the glitter of distant dreams blind you to present realities.

Religion of Peace 11

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We interrupt this program for a breaking news bulletin:

"In Pakistan, 5,000 Muslims shouting, 'Hang the man who insulted the prophet,' burned effigies of a cartoonist and the prime minister of Denmark. An Iranian newspaper announced plans to hold a competition for cartoons about the Holocaust. Some say that Jews are behind the insulting depictions of Muhammad."

We now return to our regularly scheduled program:

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A Tale of Two Holmgrens

Yesterday during the Super Bowl, a couple of people named Holmgren were working in two kingdoms.

The one kingdom exalts those with power and wealth; the other, a King who emptied Himself of glory, who became poor that we might become rich.

The one kingdom values athletic perfection, warlike planning and aggression; the other a Messiah who was pierced through for our transgressions, whose death at first seemed a senseless waste of a life filled with promise.

The one kingdom was on gaudy display via excited electrons that lit countless homes and sports bars throughout the world in an unnatural blue light. The other comes only to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

The one kingdom produces unimaginably pricey commercials that use loveless sex and silliness to get us to buy burgers, cell phones, and beer. The other counsels that we sell all to acquire a priceless hidden treasure.

The one kingdom calls us to preen, prance and thump our chests before emotionally frenzied fans. The other calls some of us to serve gladly in a place that few have heard of and even fewer would want to visit.

The rewards in the one kingdom, though lavish, quickly tarnish. The rewards in the other are reserved for us forever in a place that most people pay lip service to but who live as though it doesn’t exist.

The one kingdom values victory above all else. The other takes victory from defeat, hope from despair, life from death.

Which kingdom are you serving?

Gay Actor, Christian Film

The anger that some Christians are expressing over the casting of an actor who is a homosexual in The End of the Spear is embarrassing. Chad Allen, who also advocates gay marriage, plays Steve Saint and Nate Saint in the film, which powerfully depicts the sacrifice of five missionaries among the Waodani tribe of Ecuador. Allen does a terrific job in the movie, which is a ground-breaking presentation of Christian sacrifice and reconciliation reminiscent of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

While we Christians may personally feel disappointed for Allen about his homosexuality and his vocal activism about so-called "gay-rights" issues, we can only praise him for the skill and passion he brought to the movie. And do we really want to discriminate against actors who are homosexuals? (What happens when they start discriminating against us?) Or do we simply want to get the best artists, regardless of "sexual orientation"? The latter allows us not only to make the best art, but to reach out to those with whom we disagree.

I hope and pray that this silly controversy will bring more publicity to The End of the Spear, which has been unfairly maligned by some mainstream reviewers. More people need to see this film, which provides all moviegoers–gay or straight, Christian or non-Christian–with a gut-wrenching opportunity to learn about God's love.

Religion of Peace 10

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We interrupt this program for a breaking news bulletin:

"Tens of thousands of angry Muslims marched through Palestinian cities on Friday, burning the Danish flag and calling for vengeance against European countries that published unflattering cartoons of Islam's prophet, Muhammad. In Islamic societies, any depiction of Muhammad is prohibited. Muslims, a minority in Europe, want the continent to give up its traditional freedom of the press and live by Islamic law."

We now return to our regularly scheduled program:

... isareligionofpeaceIslamisareligionofpeaceIslamisareligionof....

Hillary's Scowl

During the State of the Union speech, President Bush told a joke about both former President Clinton and himself turning 60 this year. The camera cut to Hillary Clinton, and the junior senator from New York wore a scowl that could peel paint. Amazing. She didn't have the social grace to smile, laugh, or even nod her head. Apparently George W. Bush is such an anti-Christ to the left that it is verboten to even acknowlwdge a common humanity with him. Or perhaps she simply doesn't like to be reminded about Bill.

Moviespeak and Courage

When Ebert and Roeper laud a film as "courageous" or "important," two-to-one that's moviespeak for something that has a politically correct agenda. And how much courage does it really take to produce Brokeback Mountain in the PC world of Hollywood? It would take much more bravery to make a movie depicting homosexuality as wrong ... which is why you'll never see one.

Inherent Contradictions

After President's Bush's strong speech last night about the need to win the Iraq war and other matters of vital national concern, Democrats criticized his domestic initiatives on things such as health insurance and alternative energy as too small. Then they proceeded to knock him for the deficit-ridden budget. Choose one or the other, but you can't logically criticize him for both.

Certainly the president should be more fiscally responsible, but every time he tries to cut something from the budget (or simply slow the rate of increase), Democrats howl that he is throwing the poor out on the street. He can't win in the court of Democratic public opinion, no matter what he does.

The president also hailed the slow but sure coming of democracy to Iraq and the rest of the Middle East, saying the yearning for freedom is given by God. I hope he is right and support his efforts to nudge the process along, as the alternative is too dark to think about.

But later in the speech Mr. Bush said America needs to end its "addiction" to oil from volatile areas of the world such as the Middle East. I agree, but if the region is going to be democratic anyway, what do we have to worry about?