Living by Inspiration

Public Mindset: What Does Being Right Have To Do With Anything?

2011-09-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

Any ideologically driven observer of events in our nation would be understandably baffled by the question: How could the same nation elect two such diametrically opposed presidents as Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama in such a short time? It is axiomatic that Reagan was a limited-government, pro-business, anti-socialism, peace-through-strength conservative, and Barack Obama is a the-government-owns-everything-including-you, you-are-so-selfish-you-deserved-to-be-attacked, peace-through-apologizing-for-capitalism socialist.

To what shall we attribute the fact that this country has exalted both these men to the highest office in the land? The phenomenon can't be legitimately attributed to turnover in voter rolls. I voted for Reagan twice. Soon I will have voted against Obama twice. And I intend to vote in 9 or 10 more presidential elections. My point is this: these two were elected well within one lifetime, mine. And I am far from a unique member of that club. So you can't blame it on a complete turnover of voter rolls.

What, then? If you argue that there is a pendulum effect at work here from conservatism to liberalism and back again, as is common throughout American political history, the stark ideological contrast between these two men would turn your argument into an accusation that the American people are schizophrenic. Some of us may be, but not all. No. There is a problem, and it does reside in the American psyche, but it's not schizophrenia.

It's simple self-centeredness.

What do you remember about Ronald Reagan, the candidate? Ronald Reagan, the man? He was an actor. He was quick-witted. He was good-looking. Articulate. Optimistic. Funny.

What about Obama? Good-looking, check. Articulate, check. Optimistic? His 2008 campaign could be summed up in two words, the first of which was "Hope." His campaign slogan was "Yes we can!"

So what's the point? What's the bottom line? How does self-centeredness tie into all this? It's simple (and sad.)

In the current American culture it's not what you say that counts; it's how you make me feel when you say it.

"Multiverse" Theory

2010-10-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

Contrary to the following article's misleading title, it predicts time will continue for eternity. The theory tries to explain away some problems with the Big Bang Theory, poorly, and in the process explains (to my way of thinking) what a grand adventure it will be, spending eternity in Heaven with the Creator of the "multiverse."

Time Will End in Five Billion Years, Physicists Predict

Humility

2009-08-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

Here is something worth my remembering, especially when the heat is on: self-justification tends to destroy all that's fair (i.e. good, wonderful, treasured.) Why? Because when Self rises up to claim its rights, God is being ignored, at best, and probably even usurped. And since God is the source of all good (James 1:17) haughty self assertion precludes happiness.

Now, how to remember that when I think I've been accused or misunderstood... That's the hard part. Maybe that will be fodder for a later blog. Hey! I think I have an idea. Maybe it would make a good T-shirt:

HAUGHTY SELF-ASSERTION PRECLUDES HAPPINESS!

Nah. I'm not wide enough.

Some Ebbs and Some Flows

2009-08-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Life is funny. There are times when one day your elderly father dies and the next you get laid off at work. Then there are times when you win a trophy for filmmaking, then you celebrate your daughter's graduation, and then you celebrate your 24th wedding anniversary.

And through it all you:

•struggle to get out of debt,

•strive to win back the heart of a beloved rebel or two,

•scrounge for a job that will provide sustenance,

•scramble to keep the old beater running because it's paid for,

•support your kids in marching band, 4-H, high-power rocketry club, etc.,

•pray that God would keep evil at bay,

•and cling to Jesus because otherwise you'd die.

Our New Award Winning Short Film!

2009-08-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

My family and I just had a rare and exciting experience. We made a short video with the local library as the setting, and entered it in the MELSA Libraries' "Quiet on the Set" Short Film Competition. At the awards gala two nights ago, our film received Honorable Mention for Special Effects and an Audience Choice Award! There were 68 entries in all, and our trophy was one of only twelve given out. I think the best "award" though, was simply that people liked it. And to top it off, my niece won Best Film! What a night! So here it is... hope you like it.

Hello World

2009-08-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

Everything has to start somewhere, and for my blog it's here.

Introductions:

I am happy to be a type-B kinda guy (why don't they call us easy-going ones "type-A?" Let the gung-ho types be second class!), a generalist, a renaissance man wannabe, a recovering do-it-yourselfer, a jack of all trades who is fighting the "and master of none" trend. I expect that many of those "trades" will show up in this blog in one form or another.

With all that in mind you can anticipate sporadic posts on a wide variety of subjects, using various media. For now, I've used up my time, so you'll have to be content with this short teaser for what's in store.