What can this Baptist gain from a book written by a Catholic? Plenty! Like my Catholic brothers and sisters, I have concerns about freedom of religion and about the negative portrayals of faith by popular media. George Orwell shared some of our common concerns over a half century ago when he wrote about "prevailing orthodoxy" silencing unpopular opinions in society.
Charles Chaput makes the case for religious freedom as the highest of all freedoms, backing up his case with Scripture and with quotes from America's founders. Our founders assumed people's faith made a difference in how they lived their lives and related to one another as citizens.
In a world where faith seems under assault and our best efforts often seem to hit a brick wall, we need Chaput's encouraging words to remind us "Nothing in this world is inevitable except the victory of Jesus Christ". He urges us to never give up proclaiming the Gospel message. All I can say to that is, "Amen!"
I received a free copy of this e-book from Waterbrook Multonomah for my honest review.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Consider the Libertarian Party
Are you a frustrated conservative? Would you like to work for real change? If you would like to enjoy the limited, constitutional government designed by our founders (and corrupted by power-hungry men ever since the founding) then consider the Libertarian Party.
I have written an article addressing the concerns pro-life voters might have with going Libertarian.
I have written an article addressing the concerns pro-life voters might have with going Libertarian.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
More Subversion
Tuesday and Wednesday: Engaged in blatant acts of capitalism by writing things and selling them to willing buyers for an agreed-upon price.
Thursday: More blatant capitalism. I also started reading A Heart on Fire: Catholic Witness and the Next America by Charles J. Caput, because what could be more subversive than a Southern Baptist reading a book by a Roman Catholic about American freedom of religion? I love it!
Thursday: More blatant capitalism. I also started reading A Heart on Fire: Catholic Witness and the Next America by Charles J. Caput, because what could be more subversive than a Southern Baptist reading a book by a Roman Catholic about American freedom of religion? I love it!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Days 5 and 6
November 11, 2012
Veteran's Day: My family went to church as usual. The afternoon was spent putting the finishing touches on one daughter's science fair project. Science is very subversive! Teach a child the scientific method and he/she will not be easily duped by silly social theories or unscientific "science" spouted by celebrities.
It has long been my observation that engineers, for example, tend to be a bit conservative because of their training. The engineer will stop and think while the mobs are grabbing pitchforks and chanting the political slogan du jour. The engineer will think three or four steps ahead while the mob just does stuff that gives them the immediate satisfaction of showing "how much they care." Then when the logical consequences of their environmental, energy, or welfare policies come home home to roost, the engineers, scientists, and business managers will do their best to fix things--things that would not have needed fixing if everyone would have stopped to think like the engineers in the first place.
November 12, 2012
Subversive activity is in full swing this morning. I got up early, baked triple chocolate brownies, and packed some in my kids' lunches. My husband then drove them to their non-government-controlled school, where they will study great books and learn to actually do math instead of just feeling good about math.
Later, I may eat a large brownie in front of a picture of Michelle Obama.
Veteran's Day: My family went to church as usual. The afternoon was spent putting the finishing touches on one daughter's science fair project. Science is very subversive! Teach a child the scientific method and he/she will not be easily duped by silly social theories or unscientific "science" spouted by celebrities.
It has long been my observation that engineers, for example, tend to be a bit conservative because of their training. The engineer will stop and think while the mobs are grabbing pitchforks and chanting the political slogan du jour. The engineer will think three or four steps ahead while the mob just does stuff that gives them the immediate satisfaction of showing "how much they care." Then when the logical consequences of their environmental, energy, or welfare policies come home home to roost, the engineers, scientists, and business managers will do their best to fix things--things that would not have needed fixing if everyone would have stopped to think like the engineers in the first place.
November 12, 2012
Subversive activity is in full swing this morning. I got up early, baked triple chocolate brownies, and packed some in my kids' lunches. My husband then drove them to their non-government-controlled school, where they will study great books and learn to actually do math instead of just feeling good about math.
Later, I may eat a large brownie in front of a picture of Michelle Obama.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Day 4: November 10, 2012
I do a great deal of knitting and some sewing. Did you know that colonial women engaged in subversive activity when they wove their own fabric and made it into clothing? The king restricted production in the colonies, often requiring raw materials to be shipped to England and finished goods to be purchased from England.
When American women spun and wove during the Revolution, they were depriving England of revenue that could be used against them and against their loved ones on the battlefield. Likewise, every time we produce something in our own homes for consumption by our own families, we are avoiding the taxes we would have incurred had we purchased those same things. Every tax you manage to avoid is one less dollar the government can use against you!
So be subversive and repair your own clothes, knit your own sweater, or grow your own vegetables.
When American women spun and wove during the Revolution, they were depriving England of revenue that could be used against them and against their loved ones on the battlefield. Likewise, every time we produce something in our own homes for consumption by our own families, we are avoiding the taxes we would have incurred had we purchased those same things. Every tax you manage to avoid is one less dollar the government can use against you!
So be subversive and repair your own clothes, knit your own sweater, or grow your own vegetables.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Day 3: November 9
I thought my subversive act was celebrating veterans today. While I did do that, I also came home to another oppportunity I never expected.
I usually get the mail, but my husband was home at lunchtime today for a while, so he opened it today while I was running an errand. When I got home, he had returned to work. I went to throw something in the kitchen trash and found something on top of the trash that shocked me to the core--a mailing from Planned Parenthood! I'm sure Keith just rolled his eyes and threw it out, but I was not content with that. I fished the letter out of the trash and looked for a phone number I could call.
I found an 800 number for "membership services" and dialed. When it was answered, I launched an impromptu speech at high speed with as much outrage as it is possible to muster. I informed this PP pawn that I had never been pro abortion in my life and had never done anything to give anyone cause to believe I might ever consider giving a penny to PP. I told her I did not spend my days wringing my hands, worried that someday I might want to kill one of my children and not be able to do so cheaply and conveniently. I told her I don't believe in "women's issues" but in issues that affect us all as human beings. I asked her if there was some code in her database that would tell me who gave them my name. She suggested I might subscribe to a women's magazine (I don't--I have better things to do than read about celebrities and cosmetics.) I still don't know who did it.
I was almost in tears as I told her it should be enough for them that I have to endure their president for another four years. I told her that letter from them was like rubbing salt in my open wounds. I told her I wanted PP to keep their trash out of my house. Furthermore, I want them to stay away from my six children, out of my wallet, and out of my government. At this point the girl told me she had successfully removed me from the mailing database.
If only I could have delivered that speech to the girl's superiors. I will say that the girl apologized for upsetting me, although she made no apologies for all the killing done in the name of her employer.
I usually get the mail, but my husband was home at lunchtime today for a while, so he opened it today while I was running an errand. When I got home, he had returned to work. I went to throw something in the kitchen trash and found something on top of the trash that shocked me to the core--a mailing from Planned Parenthood! I'm sure Keith just rolled his eyes and threw it out, but I was not content with that. I fished the letter out of the trash and looked for a phone number I could call.
I found an 800 number for "membership services" and dialed. When it was answered, I launched an impromptu speech at high speed with as much outrage as it is possible to muster. I informed this PP pawn that I had never been pro abortion in my life and had never done anything to give anyone cause to believe I might ever consider giving a penny to PP. I told her I did not spend my days wringing my hands, worried that someday I might want to kill one of my children and not be able to do so cheaply and conveniently. I told her I don't believe in "women's issues" but in issues that affect us all as human beings. I asked her if there was some code in her database that would tell me who gave them my name. She suggested I might subscribe to a women's magazine (I don't--I have better things to do than read about celebrities and cosmetics.) I still don't know who did it.
I was almost in tears as I told her it should be enough for them that I have to endure their president for another four years. I told her that letter from them was like rubbing salt in my open wounds. I told her I wanted PP to keep their trash out of my house. Furthermore, I want them to stay away from my six children, out of my wallet, and out of my government. At this point the girl told me she had successfully removed me from the mailing database.
If only I could have delivered that speech to the girl's superiors. I will say that the girl apologized for upsetting me, although she made no apologies for all the killing done in the name of her employer.
Honoring Veteran's Day a Bit Early
Today Caldwell Academy celebrated Veteran's Day (which actually falls on Sunday this year.) I made food and helped clean up after the breakfast to honor local veterans. Our students were in their official uniforms, holding doors, serving food, and providing patriotic entertainment.
Our culture celebrates the silliest things--just look at "reality" TV. Actually, it's best not to look. Why do people want to watch other people shop, sleep around, plot to eliminate one another...? Why not do something real instead?
Our veterans and active duty military have faced real reality, at the most fundamental level--survival. They deserve more than one day a year of honor.
Our culture celebrates the silliest things--just look at "reality" TV. Actually, it's best not to look. Why do people want to watch other people shop, sleep around, plot to eliminate one another...? Why not do something real instead?
Our veterans and active duty military have faced real reality, at the most fundamental level--survival. They deserve more than one day a year of honor.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Daily Acts of Subversion
These acts began the day after the 2012 presidential election. They are my way of coping with a government that is out of control. I will focus on those things I can control.
Day 1: November 7, 2012
Went to church and prayed that God would give me compassion for people who have been deceived.
I need God's help to forgive and love people who have voted against my religious liberty, our country's defense, and my children's economic future.
Day 2: November 8, 2012
Changed my voter registration from Republican to Libertarian. As Ronald Reagan would say, I didn't leave my party, they left me. Conservatives will be blamed for the loss, even though they were not at the top of the ticket. I stayed for years because I thought my votes in primaries could make a difference. After this election, I no longer consider a third party vote to be a waste. Libertarians did not lose the election. It was lost by Republicans who don't know how or don't have the guts to fight something like the Chicago machine and the network "news" shows.
Day 1: November 7, 2012
Went to church and prayed that God would give me compassion for people who have been deceived.
I need God's help to forgive and love people who have voted against my religious liberty, our country's defense, and my children's economic future.
Day 2: November 8, 2012
Changed my voter registration from Republican to Libertarian. As Ronald Reagan would say, I didn't leave my party, they left me. Conservatives will be blamed for the loss, even though they were not at the top of the ticket. I stayed for years because I thought my votes in primaries could make a difference. After this election, I no longer consider a third party vote to be a waste. Libertarians did not lose the election. It was lost by Republicans who don't know how or don't have the guts to fight something like the Chicago machine and the network "news" shows.
Why Subversive?
A subversive seeks to undermine an established order. According to the dictionary definition, a subversive works in secret. I, however, will be sharing daily one subversive act I engage in. My goal is not to overthrow the government, but to oppose those who over the past century have themselves subverted the Constitution of the United States, which I consider one of the greatest documents ever written by mere man.
I never set out to be subversive, but once the country has been subverted it takes other subversives to return us to the founding principles.
Please know that I believe no human system or document is perfect--only God is perfect. I have not found a better system, however, than limited constitutional government. Because of that, I will rebel whenever government oversteps the boundaries set by that constitution.
Enough introduction for now. On to the subversive acts! If you wish to join me in any of my daily acts, please comment and let me know.
I never set out to be subversive, but once the country has been subverted it takes other subversives to return us to the founding principles.
Please know that I believe no human system or document is perfect--only God is perfect. I have not found a better system, however, than limited constitutional government. Because of that, I will rebel whenever government oversteps the boundaries set by that constitution.
Enough introduction for now. On to the subversive acts! If you wish to join me in any of my daily acts, please comment and let me know.
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