See You at the Pole!

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

John 17:20-23

SYATP was this morning and I was given the privilege of returning to my high school alma mater and join in on what I and a few others helped begin years ago. Starting from humble beginnings, it was wonderful to see over 40 people standing, circled with held hands, around that flagpole. Joined, as we usually have been since we began, by students from the local Christian school, it is a time for fellowship and worship, too. What is SYATP? Go here to find out more on this truly holy day of the school year.

It is always a joy to see both student, teacher, and faculty come together around their school's flagpole and take the time to pray and lift their voices to God. In today's society of political correctness and pro-ACLU mentality--this hour, this day--is one they cannot touch. This hour is all about a school's devotion and love for God--all across the country and world--at exactly the same time--all praying to one man--and unlike SYATP, He has no beginning or end.

True Jesus Freaks

Understand this fact hoobie,

There are more Christian martyrs today than there were in AD 100--

in the day of the Roman Empire. Now in the 21st century,

hundreds of thousands of Christians are

MARTYRED

around the world EVERY YEAR.

Hoobie, you said that "There will be vigorous opposition to these views, which you mistakenly interpret as religious persecution..."

As far as I can make out, you need to truly understand what persecution means. And as I've stated before, don't throw around the mantra of persecuted Christians as flippantly as you might throw around the mantra of Republicans chicken-hawks. It's not even in the same ballpark--no comparison.

Look where the real threat is hoobie, and how dare you try to brush off the whole, to use your own words, "...Christians are persecuted thing."

Afghanistan: Restricted Nation
Algeria: Restricted Nation
Azerbaijan: Restricted Nation
Bangladesh: Restricted Nation
Bhutan: Restricted Nation
Brunei: Restricted Nation
Chechnya: Hostile Area
Chiapas: Hostile Area
China and Tibet: Restricted Nation
Colombia: Hostile Area
Comoro Islands: Restricted Nation
Cuba: Restricted Nation
Cyprus: Restricted Nation
Egypt: Restricted Nation
Equatorial Guinea: Restricted Nation
India (Orissa and Gujarat only): Hostile Area
Indonesia: Hostile Area
Iran: Restricted Nation
Iraq: Restricted Nation
Kuwait: Restricted Nation
Laos: Restricted Nation
Libya: Restricted Nation
Malaysia: Restricted Nation
Maldives: Restricted Nation
Mauritania: Restricted Nation
Morocco: Restricted Nation
Myanmar (Burma): Restricted Nation
Nepal: Restricted Nation
Nigeria: Restricted Nation
North Korea: Restricted Nation
Oman: Restricted Nation
Pakistan: Restricted Nation
Qatar: Restricted Nation
Saudi Arabia: Restricted Nation
Somalia: Restricted Nation
Sri Lanka: Restricted Nation
Sudan: Restricted Nation
Syria: Restricted Nation
Tajikistan: Restricted Nation
Tunisia: Restricted Nation
Turkey: Restricted Nation
Turkmenistan: Restricted Nation
United Arab Emirates: Restricted Nation
Uzbekistan: Restricted Nation
Vietnam: Restricted Nation
Yemen: Restricted Nation

The threat against Christianity is a real one. Hundreds of thousands die annually around the world because they believe in this man named Jesus. We as Americans have become soft with our faith. We need to bloom again, step out, and follow in His footsteps once more.

News Leader Patrons SUPPORT PORN?

Could this be true? I mean, we all know that grievances exist between us and the MisLeader, but this has the propensity of going wayyyyyyyy to far.

First, let me say that the "Stop Porn" Forum at Staunton's City Council Chambers was a a rousing success that truly got the voice of the citizens out in the community spotlight. Some heavy hitters from Ray Robertson, Dickie Bell, and Chris Freund took time to speak to the concerned citizens of this city about the "smut" -- as one reporter put it -- coming into this City.

The Misleader did an article. That's not the sticking point. What is, is the response that the readers of this paper are giving. Here are just a few examples ---

Funny, these same jackasses that want to prosecute over porn would not prosecute a former employee of mine who embezzled a large sum of money from me. Hey Robertson, why isn't this a civil matter? Maybe we'll find you hanging out in the bathroom of Shenvalley airport, sliding a foot under a partition.
buncha #^%$@*$ puritans

Posted by: billy moonpie on Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:39 am

This article reads like every other parody of the back woods, hick town. Overzealous bureaucrats on personal crusades spouting phrases like "I don't want this", "it's offensive to ME" and "I'll prosecute if you...", stiff lipped ultra-conservatives attempting to weed out anything THEY don't want in THEIR little utopia, etc. It's quite laughable, really. I quickly learned what madmike_1 has pointed out...the will of the many is not what is important in Staunton. I can't beat them and I'm sure as hell not going to join them so seeing as I live here, at least for now, I will continue to refuse to support this behavior by taking my dollars elsewhere (I already spend too much in Staunton property taxes). I'll continue to support the Waynesboro and Harrisonburg economies and kick back to watch Staunton drive itself into the ground while enjoying a good porno (bought elsewhere, of course).

Posted by: Woodie on Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:00 am

How the hell is it a perversion or a threat to ANYTHING? Do these people seriously think that nobody has sex, and that people actually believe that they don't have sex either? How do they explain the fact they have kids? The stork brought them?

Oh no, we cant have that SEX, its bad, naughty, wrong....

Ignorance and stupidity really piss me off...

Posted by: Amethyst on Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:43 am

Can you believe it?

And for those patrons of the Misleader that have spoken in favor of such a deplorable institution as this, I echo Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Robertson...

If they are planning to open, open at your peril.

Republicans and Porn....TONIGHT!

TONIGHT!

~ Join Chris Freund from the Family Foundation to STOP porn in Staunton ~

The Staunton Republican Committee

will host a forum TONIGHT

Tuesday, September 18, at 7:00 pm

Council Chambers at City Hall

regarding the proposed "Adult Video" store in the City of Staunton


Guest speakers will include:

Dickie Bell, Staunton City Councilman
Raymond Robertson, Commonwealth's Attorney
Chris Freund, Vice President, Virginia Family Foundation
Dr. Kurt Michael, Valley Family Forum

The panel will address questions from the community. They will also provide information on resources citizens have to prevent this scourge from moving into our community.

Consider the facts:

-- The United States ranks 4th in the world for pornography usage, spending $13.33 billion a year as a whole. That's $44.67 on average from each of us!

-- The average age of a child's first exposure to pornography is 11 years old.

-- The pornography industry receives more revenue than the following top tech companies combined: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo!, Apple, Netflix, and EarthLink.

-- In a research study conducted by the American Academy of matrimonial lawyers in in 2002, 56% of divorce cases reported having at least one party having an obsessive interest in internet porn.

-- In a study of convicted child molesters, 77% of those who molested boys and 87% of those who molested girls admitted to the habitual use of pornography in the commission of their crimes.

-- City of Staunton has 73 registered sex offenders. Other stats include Lexington (23), Waynesboro (56), and Harrisonburg (66).

Mark your calendars!

- Spread the word to family and friends -

Tonight, Sept. 18, 2007

7:00 pm

Staunton Council Chambers - City Hall

Classes at H-SC and A Trip to W&M

This morning at Hampden-Sydney College was nothing short of glorious. Having gone to bed relatively early and getting up about the same, I was fully rested and ready to go for three of perhaps the greatest college classes I've ever attended.

First came the history of Greece, where they were in the middle of a discussion on the works of Herodotus. The professor was from the North--we won't hold that against him--and knew truly everything there is to know about his subject. The class was small--about 10 in all. Held in the Maples Building, a fireplace was in the class--the class was a converted room in the old house...no desks...just a large round table surrounded by pull-up chairs. Grecian history is wonderful--for those who appreciate it too, this was the class to attend.

Next came a survey of early European history, this class focusing on the Reformation--with attention given to Luther, Calvin, and Loyola. Everything from predestination, the Anabaptists, and Mennonites were discussed. The professor, teaching from a modern-esque classroom (truly, the only down side), was engaging and very welcoming. Truly grapsed the subject of the Reformation era.

The final class I had the pleasure of attending was a religion class that was focusing solely on Martin Luther and his teachings. All I can say about that class is OH....MY...GOD...literally. I have seldom felt as close to God as I did in the prescence of that professor and that class. It was truly an awakening that I needed. Through the professor and Luther's teachings, God became alive. God became powerful. He truly was recognized as the end all and the be all. Luther's teachings have opened me up to a new world of an understanding of the Christian faith. God is great. Luther understands that--and refuses to entertain anything that differs from that truth.

Now comes the trip to the College of William and Mary. A truly American college with roots to old Europe. Love the school. Love the history. Love the people. More to come tomorrow...

Visit to Hampden-Sydney College

If there ever was a bastion of true conservatism, Hampden-Sydney College is that. Nestled in southern Virginia, H-SC was founded as almost a slap-in-the-face to those loyal to the British government and the likes of those who founded the College of William and Mary. Founded by the Presbyterians in 1776, it is truly an American school--and full of history. Going here is as though you go back in time. Republican bumper stickers abound, Confederate national and battle flags fly, the churches are full on Sunday mornings, the NRA's membership benefits are enjoyed by a majority of the students, and the ROTC program is going strong. Such ideals are truly hard to find these days...but they can be found.



I am lucky to be spending time in a place where true American culture is valued and antiquated European influence is appreciated to a certain extent. As I write this, I am in a dorm room whose building is circa 1854. That's old--that's history. That's the beauty of America. And that's what alot of Americans nowadays do not get--and in some cases refuse to get.

Some are offended by Hampden-Sydney--some hate the fact that this college touts its Christian, pro-gun, pro-military, pro-male, pro-higher education, pro-antiquated South ideals. Hampden-Sydney has survived well for over 200 years and has no indications of stopping or letting up. The freshman class this year is one of the largest on record. They're doing something right--and striving for the highest level of education and living out the dream of an education based entirely on American Imperialism is that something.

This school is what being a conservative is about. It is what true education is about. It is what the Genteel South is about.

Now, I've got to go...the seniors are planning a toast to our President before his speech to the Nation.

GO TIGERS!

John Lewis Renovation Initiative Speeds Ahead...

Auditorium renovation gets boost

Originally posted here, is a fantastic article by Ms. Mitchell, detailing the great steps towards renovation occurring at the John Lewis Auditorium at Robert E. Lee High School. Having spent countless hours, days, weeks, months, and years on those histrionic boards, I can say first hand that this was long coming. Kudos to those who have stepped up and taken on this big challenge.

They do need help though. It truly is a community involvement project.

WANT TO HELP?? ----

Donations for the Robert E. Lee High auditorium renovation effort should be mailed to the attention of Charles M. Phibbs, Staunton city schools, P.O. Box 900, Staunton, VA, 24402-0900. Please make all checks payable to Staunton city schools and marked for the John Lewis Auditorium Renovations Fund.

I Pledge My Allegiance

Kaine's Pardon, Apologies, and Reparations Revisted

In light of Tim Kaine's ridiculous pardon, I want to just bring back into the spotlight the ludicrous-ness of this whole situation--the pardon, apologizing for slavery, and reparations for such--wrapped into one big defense...


From a post I used to have up on this blog...

Reparations and Apologies...and now symbolical Pardons? Give me a break, folks....This story was first being reported by my good friend the Richmond Democrat. It called for a resolution that calls for the atoning for the involuntary servitude of Africans and calling for reconciliation among all Virginians.

Now before you call me a racist bigot, here me out.

This resolution would have been a great one--and a needed one--BEFORE the turn of the 20th century when slavery was still fresh in people's minds. It is not needed now and this resolution is about as bogus as any that calls for slavery reparations.

Let me break this down for you...

• The State of Virginia was the FIRST to attempt to prohibit the importation of slaves.
  Understand that no law was ever passed in the North that granted freedom to a person ALREADY in slavery. Not so, in the State of Virginia. By the law that was established in Northern states regarding slave holdings, there could have been slaves in the North as late as 1873. The slaves emancipation process in the North was driven by the impulse to remove, for profit, a people with whom a majority of Northerners had no desire to associate with.
• The first state to legalize slavery in America was NOT Virginia but Massachusetts.
  By an act of the General Assembly of the state of Virginia, the state outlawed the slave trade on October 5, 1778. This was 10 years before Massachusetts and 30 years before the British Parliament. The slaves that did enter into Jamestown (thirteen years after it's founding) were not requested by the colony but were offered sale and subsequently purchased from a ship claiming to be of Dutch origin.
• Who owned slaves in the beginning of it all?
  Isn't it very ironic, when looking at the world as it is now, that they system of African slavery goes back to the ninth-century when MUSLIMS became the first to be involved in this 'Peculiar Institution'?
• What document was the first to outlaw slavery?
  It wasn't the Emancipation Proclamation (which, as an aside, did absolutely NOTHING), not the United States Constitution, not the Declaration of Independence (though Jefferson, one of Virginia's founding fathers tried to get it in there, but was rejected by Congress), nor the Articles of Confederation. Take a look at Article 1, Section 9, of the Constitution of the Confederate States of America. I wouldn't lie to you.

At it's simplest, a measure which accepts blame for the institution gives the greedy a precedence for holding the state liable and could lead to all manner of infringement. Maybe this measure is a well camouflaged booby trap? Slavery existed in many forms (and still does in many forms) long before now, and now, I as an enlightened American, am being asked to apologize for actions taken 100 years before I was born?

As far as reparations go, that is just a swampy mess that needs not be waded through. Do wealthy blacks get checks? Do whites who immigrated to the US from Ireland post Civil War have to pay up? Should those who fought for the North be made to pay? Should the ancestors of blacks who willingly fought on the side of the Confederacy write a check? Who pays when it comes to persons of mixed races? From where will this money come from in the first place? Should payment correspond to the amount of 'black blood' (as Larry Elder puts it) in one's system? The whole question is a waste of time, energy, and resources.

Despite the loss of civil liberties in the early part of the 1900's, Federal legislation passed since the late 1960's has given African-Americans more opportunities to become equals financially, socially, and economically with anyone in the United States than any other single ethnic group. Witness Affirmative Action's effects on school enrollments and college financing, the availability of special housing loans for African-Americans, among other considerations, given to African-Americans since the 1960's.

As my good friend, JAB has pointed out before, "The good news is that Southern History isn’t defined by Northern ignorance. It merely defines the Yankees themselves."

ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS

First, there was this nonsense.

And now, Tim Kaine has moved onto this crock of...well, you get the idea.

What's next? Pardoning Nat Turner? John Brown?

Get real folks.

Well, at least they would have spared the French, right Tim?

Jesus' Difficult Road Less Traveled

For the next few days, we'll spend some time delving into the writings of Darrell Johnson, a wonderful writer, who, when I was very much involved with Young Life, we gleaned alot of our studies from.


From that day, Jesus walked and taught the road less traveled, the road that leads to Easter but that goes right through the cross. There are all kinds of forks in the road offering another way, a way around the cross, but each of them eventually ends in a cul-de-sac. There is only one road to life. This road ends on the other side of the empty tomb, and we do not get there except through the cross.

Jesus gave this hard saying not only to his disciples but also to the multitudes. William Barclay rightly observed, "No one could ever say that he was induced to follow Jesus by false pretenses. Jesus never tried to bribe men by the offer of an easy way." Jesus was up front with any would-be follower: "If anyone would follow me--and I hope you will because I can give life abundantly--this is what you are in for" (see Mark 8.34-35).

Notice he uses the word if. That if reflects Jesus' acknowledging our freedom to choose. A certain rich man heard Jesus' call to discipleship, and he walked away (Mark 10.17-22). He heard what he was in for and judged to costly. Mark tells us that Jesus looked at the man and loved him (v. 21), still knowing what his choice would be. But Jesus did not run after him or change the terms of the call. Jesus said, "Estimate the cost (Luke 14.28). You call Me Messiah, Christ. You wish to follow Me? If so, you should realize quite clearly where I am going, and understand that by following Me, you will be going there too."

Jesus uses three vivid phrases to describe the road less traveled: deny yourself, take up your cross, and lose your life for My sake.