Saturday, May 07, 2005
“He shall call upon me and I shall answer him”
Recent Austin Events Link Prayer, Providence, and Geopolitics
Yet, the Governor did make some statements worth pondering, right motive or not. Specifically, he mentioned that the “power of prayer is the power to change the world”, acknowledging that making requests of God can actually result in tangible, real-world results, not just a warm, fuzzy feeling. Furthermore, he said that prayer in the public square “is not extraordinary, but historic”, alluding to the many times of public prayer that accompanied the founding of the nation.
This provided the perfect segue for State Republican Vice-Chair David Barton to discuss the effect of divine intercession on the fate of sovereign powers. With encyclopedic precision and easy, Southern disposition, Mr. Barton zoomed through anecdotes of prayer, fasting and humiliation during the country’s founding. Mr. Barton referenced an instructive quote about the inter-relationship between prayer and the affairs of nations from Ben Franklin. When the Constitutional Convention was foundering because of “different sentiments on almost every question”, Franklin wrote:
Jump forward about 218 years to the Texas Capitol in Austin for the National Day of Prayer Ceremony on Thursday at noon. Putting I Timothy 2:1-2 into action, the speakers prayed for all members of government, from town clerks to the president, from municipal courts to the Supremes. The most touching moment came from Melissa Noriega, Temporary Acting Representative and wife of Rep. Rick Noriega, who’s currently serving in the US Army in Afghanistan. Reciting Psalm 91, a passage also known as “The Soldier’s Prayer”, Mrs. Noriega held back tears reciting verses that are very personal for her and her husband…
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” I Timothy 2:1-2Why was Governor Perry at the National Day of Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday morn, May 3? Cynics will say that he was there to burnish his social conservative bona fides and prove he is over his gambling-as-school-finance backsliding in advance of a tough 2006 Republican primary. I do not totally dismiss myself from them.
Yet, the Governor did make some statements worth pondering, right motive or not. Specifically, he mentioned that the “power of prayer is the power to change the world”, acknowledging that making requests of God can actually result in tangible, real-world results, not just a warm, fuzzy feeling. Furthermore, he said that prayer in the public square “is not extraordinary, but historic”, alluding to the many times of public prayer that accompanied the founding of the nation.
This provided the perfect segue for State Republican Vice-Chair David Barton to discuss the effect of divine intercession on the fate of sovereign powers. With encyclopedic precision and easy, Southern disposition, Mr. Barton zoomed through anecdotes of prayer, fasting and humiliation during the country’s founding. Mr. Barton referenced an instructive quote about the inter-relationship between prayer and the affairs of nations from Ben Franklin. When the Constitutional Convention was foundering because of “different sentiments on almost every question”, Franklin wrote:
“….God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel…To make a long story short, the convention continued and the greatest document of human governance and freedoms soon came into being. Coincidence? I think not.
I therefore beg leave to move—that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business…” (Emphasis added)
Jump forward about 218 years to the Texas Capitol in Austin for the National Day of Prayer Ceremony on Thursday at noon. Putting I Timothy 2:1-2 into action, the speakers prayed for all members of government, from town clerks to the president, from municipal courts to the Supremes. The most touching moment came from Melissa Noriega, Temporary Acting Representative and wife of Rep. Rick Noriega, who’s currently serving in the US Army in Afghanistan. Reciting Psalm 91, a passage also known as “The Soldier’s Prayer”, Mrs. Noriega held back tears reciting verses that are very personal for her and her husband…
“I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I
trust.’
...his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
...then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent
…You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
Pray for our soldiers and sailors today.
One sailor I greatly respect is Admiral Bobby Inman. I saw Adm. Inman at the Central Texas Navy League meeting last Thursday evening.
Vaguely reminiscent of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, Admiral Inman gave a spellbinding presentation on geopolitical topics such as how
- Islamicists are getting cozy with narco-terrorists in South America
- Brazilian/Uruguyan/Argentinian border very porous and serves as a staging ground for terrorist infiltration into the Western Hemisphere
- South American governments seem to be slouching towards the left, except Chile
- China’s new middle class are buying new apartments with mortgages and renting out their grungy old communal digs to rural folk coming to the city to find work. How long can the Communists continue with this rising class of private property owners and landlords?
- The good Lord chose to take Yassar Arafat who is now getting his just rewards; Ariel Sharon wants to keep Israel as majority Jewish because of its comparatively low birthrate. That is why Sharon seems more open to Palestinian statehood
- The UN completely dysfunctional and we should send in “the demolition man” (John Bolton)
Americans’ proclivity to publicly blab about key intelligence has defeated our purposes in the War on Terror - The US Armed Forces are the only organization in the world with the logistical backbone to carry out sustained, large-scale, expeditionary missions
- Lebanese freedom protests faced counter protests that were actually organized by Syrian intelligence agents (on videos of the counter protests, Syrians can be spotted directing people where to go and what to say). In response, the Lebanese freedom protestors turned out an even bigger crowd than before, causing the Syrians to turn tail.
- How the Lebanese were inspired by Iraq and especially Ukraine. If the Ukrainians could turn back a corrupt leader backed by Russian power, force a fair election, and elect a freedom-friendly government, so could the Lebanese.
The last observation became the unifying theme of the three events. Often ignored in mainstream press accounts, the overt involvement of Ukrainian churches of several stripes and prayer sustained the “Orange Revolution” in the Ukraine.
This Wall Street Journal story by Adrian Karatnycky chronicles the role of divine intercession in the largely peaceful revolution:
“The scene at Kyiv's Independence Square was part political rally, part rock concert and part fireworks display. But it was also a religious experience. Each day's protest opened with prayer. On weekends, religious leaders held liturgies and prayer services for Orthodox Christians (whose adherents represent more than 60% of the population), Eastern Rite Catholics (10%), Protestants, evangelicals, Jews and Muslims.”
Pastor Sunday Adelaja, a major religious leader in the Ukraine, also credits prayer with the former Soviet Republic’s political freedom.
“For the last five years we've prayed in our church every day from 11 o’clock at night to six in the morning. Every day, every single day. Praying for revival of this country. So there is no way something like [the Orange Revolution] will not happen.”
Of course, a right understanding of the biblical worldview would never conflate prayer with a “magic bullet” that guarantees success, “for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.” Yet, God’s directive to humankind is to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” The continual prayer offered in faith for Ukraine caused an ontological ripple in Lebanon, buffeting along the freedom of millions.
This is what is exciting, powerful, and relevant about prayer: it gives ordinary people the ability to initiate huge, even global, change. We all can petition the master of the universe to affect our lives, the affairs of those we love, and the fate of nations.
This presupposes, however, that you have faith in said Supreme Being because “…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Do you believe God exists? If so, do you believe He can hear your prayer and is able to act on it? What, if anything, is stopping you from praying?
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Counter Coulter
Ann Coulter holds a mirror to campus protesters and the academic aristocracy
Nationally known writer, pundit, and news talk show guest Ann Coulter appeared at the LBJ Auditorium on the University of Texas at Austin campus Tuesday evening.
Less than 90 minutes before the event, a friend who is a student at UT said he had an extra pass I could use. I hustled down to campus, still in my dressy work duds and immediately felt like a 6th grader at a kindergartners’ party. Having to endure the oft-puerile banter and antics of the college students in attendance, I dutifully waited in line. I stuck out like an old, wrinkled thumb among the throng of young, thin undergrads to report on this momentous event. Never forget how much I sacrifice for you, dear reader!
Around 6:40 pm, I noticed the first protester, an expressionless, aging hippy holding signs saying “Chicken Hawks Devour Their Young, Like Ann” inside the lobby for the reading pleasure of those waiting in line. Is he trying to say the audience waiting in line are “chicken hawks”? Is Ann a chicken hawk that devours her young? Or is Ann the young that is devoured by the chicken hawk? I think he’s just trying to say “Look at me, I’m morally superior to you.”
Upon entering the auditorium at 7:02, I took a seat towards the back so I could not only beat the crowd out at the end, but also get a good view of the antics of Austin’s professional protester class. I suspect they will want to get as close to the stage as security will let them
At 7:15, the only protester I spied was a Rastafarian looking dude three rows hence. Where are they? They must have disguised themselves as Republicans. At 7:25, I notice another protester walk up the aisle and…oh wait! They all snuck in behind me! My obscure little seat towards the back of the room is surrounded by protestors and is going to be in the vortex of much dissenting derring-do! I hope they don’t decide to throw pies at conservatives in the audience instead of conservatives on stage because I am a pretty obvious target wearing burgundy penny loafers, pressed slacks, and white, collared dress shirt. My whole ambience screams “pro-life, free market, defense hawk”.
Ms. Coulter started at 7:39. She zoomed between such diverse topics as:
This intolerant obstructionism may have contributed to the generally pedestrian feel of Miss Coulter’s monologue. She had many one-liners about the topics above. Some worked, some didn’t. But, behind the inane, rhetorical belchings of the rude protesters and the clunky one-liners, there is incisive commentary if you work to hear it.
Furthermore, Miss Coulter occasionally says things that make me wince. For example, she referred to Ted Kennedy as “the human dirigible”. This is disappointing because it smacks of the same name-calling the Left typically engage in and obscures her provocative insights on other topics. Besides, there are many fact-based monikers one could attach to Ted Kennedy, like drunken, philandering, man slaughtering, neo-Marxist. So why take the easy way out?
The event took on new life when the question and answer time started. Ann must be an extrovert because she visibly livens up when talking with someone. The same energy that makes her a hit on cable talk shows seems activated when she has a foil. Yet, the protester vitriol also increased during this time, leading to some awkward and tense moments.
Several other sources have more extensively chronicled the fireworks (see here, here, and here) including Ajai Raj’s copy-cat crudity and ensuing simulated masturbation. (Be sure to check out Urban Grounds’ intrepid investigative reporting about Mr. Raj). To me, the deeper story behind the political street theater is the key differences revealed between campus liberals and conservatives.
During the more than hour-long QA period, I counted 37 questions, 23 from liberals, 12 from conservatives, 2 from people of moderate or indiscernible points of view.
Of the 23 liberal questioners, 12 substituted the insipid, “racist/bigot/anti-gay” boilerplate invective for actual thought. (Yet, to their credit, 11 of the liberals did have some cogent and thought-out questions to challenge Ms. Coulter’s views and it resulted in some enlightening discussion. Kudos to them. This is a greater percentage than I expected, but is still pretty sorry.)
Of the 12 conservative questioners, 10 had informed, challenging questions (including a clever and media savvy plug by ProtestWarrior.com). Two had vacuous or butt-kissy things to say.
As the statistics above show, the conservative students seem to have much higher quality of thought than the liberals. Why are the liberal students more apt to wild swings of emotion while the conservative students generally seem more inquisitive? I think part of the answer is the presence of grassroots, conservative organizations on campus like the Young Conservatives of Texas. The YCT meetings I have visited were full of challenging discussion and shared insight. But what are liberal student groups doing with their time? Furthermore, where is the intellectual rigor that professors should be inculcating in all their charges? Just what are professors teaching kids on campus today?
I suspect this apparent corruption of higher education is part of the reason Miss Coulter and her fellow polemicist of the Right, David Horowitz, give speeches on campus. By exposing leftists’ apoplexy and childishness, Coulter/Horowitz also reveal the dereliction of duty by the faculty charged with the intellectual development of college students.
Furthermore, each time the black booted thugs of the Left pull some asinine or free speech quashing stunt, it does several other things that serve the conservative cause:
Nationally known writer, pundit, and news talk show guest Ann Coulter appeared at the LBJ Auditorium on the University of Texas at Austin campus Tuesday evening.
Less than 90 minutes before the event, a friend who is a student at UT said he had an extra pass I could use. I hustled down to campus, still in my dressy work duds and immediately felt like a 6th grader at a kindergartners’ party. Having to endure the oft-puerile banter and antics of the college students in attendance, I dutifully waited in line. I stuck out like an old, wrinkled thumb among the throng of young, thin undergrads to report on this momentous event. Never forget how much I sacrifice for you, dear reader!
Around 6:40 pm, I noticed the first protester, an expressionless, aging hippy holding signs saying “Chicken Hawks Devour Their Young, Like Ann” inside the lobby for the reading pleasure of those waiting in line. Is he trying to say the audience waiting in line are “chicken hawks”? Is Ann a chicken hawk that devours her young? Or is Ann the young that is devoured by the chicken hawk? I think he’s just trying to say “Look at me, I’m morally superior to you.”
Upon entering the auditorium at 7:02, I took a seat towards the back so I could not only beat the crowd out at the end, but also get a good view of the antics of Austin’s professional protester class. I suspect they will want to get as close to the stage as security will let them
At 7:15, the only protester I spied was a Rastafarian looking dude three rows hence. Where are they? They must have disguised themselves as Republicans. At 7:25, I notice another protester walk up the aisle and…oh wait! They all snuck in behind me! My obscure little seat towards the back of the room is surrounded by protestors and is going to be in the vortex of much dissenting derring-do! I hope they don’t decide to throw pies at conservatives in the audience instead of conservatives on stage because I am a pretty obvious target wearing burgundy penny loafers, pressed slacks, and white, collared dress shirt. My whole ambience screams “pro-life, free market, defense hawk”.
Ms. Coulter started at 7:39. She zoomed between such diverse topics as:
- Bill Clinton’s presidential library: “the first presidential library with an adults-only section”
- The Dems real message problem: it’s not that they’re not getting their message out, it’s that they are getting it out
- College education and Ward Churchill: “You could find a more credible depiction of Indians on F-Troop” (I thought it was funny, but most 20 somethings probably think "F-Troop"is a censored protestor cheer, not a 1960's TV show)
- Rep. Ron Dellums anti-American proclivities
- How the travails of a new nuclear submarine, the USS Jimmy Carter, reflect those of its namesake
- Liberals inability to recognize evil
- The Iraq war and liberals’ banal arguments against it
This intolerant obstructionism may have contributed to the generally pedestrian feel of Miss Coulter’s monologue. She had many one-liners about the topics above. Some worked, some didn’t. But, behind the inane, rhetorical belchings of the rude protesters and the clunky one-liners, there is incisive commentary if you work to hear it.
Furthermore, Miss Coulter occasionally says things that make me wince. For example, she referred to Ted Kennedy as “the human dirigible”. This is disappointing because it smacks of the same name-calling the Left typically engage in and obscures her provocative insights on other topics. Besides, there are many fact-based monikers one could attach to Ted Kennedy, like drunken, philandering, man slaughtering, neo-Marxist. So why take the easy way out?
The event took on new life when the question and answer time started. Ann must be an extrovert because she visibly livens up when talking with someone. The same energy that makes her a hit on cable talk shows seems activated when she has a foil. Yet, the protester vitriol also increased during this time, leading to some awkward and tense moments.
Several other sources have more extensively chronicled the fireworks (see here, here, and here) including Ajai Raj’s copy-cat crudity and ensuing simulated masturbation. (Be sure to check out Urban Grounds’ intrepid investigative reporting about Mr. Raj). To me, the deeper story behind the political street theater is the key differences revealed between campus liberals and conservatives.
During the more than hour-long QA period, I counted 37 questions, 23 from liberals, 12 from conservatives, 2 from people of moderate or indiscernible points of view.
Of the 23 liberal questioners, 12 substituted the insipid, “racist/bigot/anti-gay” boilerplate invective for actual thought. (Yet, to their credit, 11 of the liberals did have some cogent and thought-out questions to challenge Ms. Coulter’s views and it resulted in some enlightening discussion. Kudos to them. This is a greater percentage than I expected, but is still pretty sorry.)
Of the 12 conservative questioners, 10 had informed, challenging questions (including a clever and media savvy plug by ProtestWarrior.com). Two had vacuous or butt-kissy things to say.
As the statistics above show, the conservative students seem to have much higher quality of thought than the liberals. Why are the liberal students more apt to wild swings of emotion while the conservative students generally seem more inquisitive? I think part of the answer is the presence of grassroots, conservative organizations on campus like the Young Conservatives of Texas. The YCT meetings I have visited were full of challenging discussion and shared insight. But what are liberal student groups doing with their time? Furthermore, where is the intellectual rigor that professors should be inculcating in all their charges? Just what are professors teaching kids on campus today?
I suspect this apparent corruption of higher education is part of the reason Miss Coulter and her fellow polemicist of the Right, David Horowitz, give speeches on campus. By exposing leftists’ apoplexy and childishness, Coulter/Horowitz also reveal the dereliction of duty by the faculty charged with the intellectual development of college students.
Furthermore, each time the black booted thugs of the Left pull some asinine or free speech quashing stunt, it does several other things that serve the conservative cause:
- Builds a body of evidence that proves the stark raving madness of today’s liberals
- Encourages conservatives, who otherwise wouldn’t care about active political involvement, to get interested and engaged
- Endorses the conservative speaker’s cultural martyr status, thus giving them increased credibility the next time when they speak
- Generates media market mind share that results in increased book sales, more cable TV appearances, higher ratings, higher speaker fees, and more money for the conservative speaker, which can then be funneled to conservative causes
- Creates campaign messaging and advertising fodder for conservative political candidates
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Today's Blog: Divinely Ordained?
In a remarkable turn of last-minute events, I was able to secure admission to both the National Day of Prayer Breakfast this morning, featuring Governor Perry and David Barton, as well as the Ann Coulter speech on the University of Texas campus this eve.
The key take-away from the NDoP breakfast was Mr. Barton's admonition that if rights are given by God, they cannot be taken away; if they are from man, they can be. This might sound like a vacuous truism, but this question underlies much our the debate around proper church-state involvement.
The Ann Coulter talk featured much witty and incisive commentary by Ann and much unhinged, asinine and anti-intellectual blather from the protesters in residence.
Both topics will make for good blogging tomorrow, when I can dedicate proper time to them. Stay tuned......
The key take-away from the NDoP breakfast was Mr. Barton's admonition that if rights are given by God, they cannot be taken away; if they are from man, they can be. This might sound like a vacuous truism, but this question underlies much our the debate around proper church-state involvement.
The Ann Coulter talk featured much witty and incisive commentary by Ann and much unhinged, asinine and anti-intellectual blather from the protesters in residence.
Both topics will make for good blogging tomorrow, when I can dedicate proper time to them. Stay tuned......
