7 years ago, in a loss of civilian life numerically greater than the military losses at Pearl Harbor, America was assaulted in the name of radical Islam. In hatred of the freedom we have, in hatred of our Christianity (and our secularism), Islamic terrorists murdered nearly 3,000 men and women in New York City and Washington, D. C.
I still remember my grandmother calling my mom in the middle of the school day and telling her to turn on the TV; my mom and I together watched the second plane fly into the World Trade Center. And we watched them collapse in flame and flying debris.
The result was a deep-rooted anger which, God, in His merciful grace, has since rooted out of my heart--a story in itself--and replaced with a more deeply seated desire to protect my family and friends and country from another such occurrence.
On campus today, the security officers lowered the flag to half-staff, and we had a time of silence. Silence in remembrance of those who died in a raging inferno without the opportunity for peace. Silence for those who have died without murmur, without complaint, in the mountains of Afghanistan and on the streets of Iraq, to preserve peace and freedom for their own. And, for me, and a number of others here, a silent resolve to carry on that work, that our loved ones may live and die in peace.
Do not forget the hands that died reaching for life, nor those hands that fell while giving life...do not abandon them to the silence of the grave. We cannot give life to the honored dead, but we can ensure they did not die in vain, by our remembrance, and a commitment to live worthily of their sacrifice. May those who have gone before us rest in peace.
PSALM 94
1 O Lord God the avenger, O God the avenger,
show thyself clearly.
2 Exalt thyself, O Judge of the world, and render
a reward to the proud.
3 Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall
the wicked triumph?
4 They prate and speak fiercely: all the workers
of iniquity vaunt themselves.
5 They smite down thy people, O Lord, and
trouble thine heritage.
6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and
murder the fatherless.
7 Yet they say, The Lord shall not see: neither
will the God of Jacob regard it.
8 Understand, ye unwise among the people: and
ye fools, when will ye be wise?
9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? or
he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10 Or he that chastiseth the nations, shall he
not correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall
he not know?
11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that
they are vanity.
12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastisest, O
Lord, and teachest him in thy Law,
13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days
of evil, while the pit is dug for the wicked.
14 Surely the Lord will not fail his people, neither
will he forsake his inheritance.
15 For judgment shall return to justice, and all
the upright in heart shall follow after it.
16 Who will rise up with me against the wicked?
or who will take my part against the workers of
iniquity?
17 If the Lord had not helped me, my soul had
almost dwelt in silence.
18 When I said, My foot slideth, thy mercy, O
Lord, stayed me.
19 In the multitude of my thoughts in mine heart,
thy comforts have rejoiced my soul.
20 Hath the throne of iniquity fellowship with
thee, which forgeth wrong for a Law?
21 They gather them together against the soul of
the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
22 But the Lord is my refuge, and my God is the
rock of mine hope.
23 And he will recompense them their wickedness,
and destroy them in their own malice, yea, the Lord
our God shall destroy them.
11 September 2008
26 July 2008
22 July 2008
Newsflash
“Hello, I'm Shepard Smith for FOX News. While there has been much talk lately of the economy, the housing market, and inflation, our sources say that yet another sector has been hit with amazing rates of inflation. But this is not your ordinary economic inflation; in a surprising twist, it seems that the worth of pictures has increased beyond all precedented market values. Colin in Nebraska has the story:”
Colin: “Good evening, Shepard. That’s right, pictures have jumped to nearly 30 times their historical value. As I’m sure you well know, pictures have been, from time immemorial, worth a thousand words, neither more nor less.
Well, our sources were surfing blogs a number of days ago, and came across a blog post entitled ‘About a million words’ worth of pictures (more or less).’ Further investigation revealed that there were only 35 pictures. By the old picture standard, this would be worth 35,000 words. To value them at anything approximating a million words would require each picture to be worth, well, to be exact, it would be 28,571.4 words. Actually, those digits repeat infinitely.”
Shepard: “Wow!”
Colin: “Yes, wow! The worth of pictures has jumped by a factor of 28.5714!”
Shepard: “So what does this mean for the economy of pictures and words?”
Colin: “Well, it’s hard to say at this point, but naturally those advocating the word standard are dumbfounded and slightly peeved by this discovery. To decrease the value of words in their proportion to pictures is, to them, unacceptable. To those with digital cameras, however, this development is one to be greeted happily, and forget the troglodytes, they say.”
Shepard: “Fair enough. Well, keep us updated.”
Colin: “I will. Thank—“
Shepard: “Colin? Colin? Hmmm…the link seems to have been lost. In other news, authorities have reported an outbreak of the dread disease ANS—coincidentally, in the area from which Colin was just reporting. It stands for Acute Nerd Syndrome, and is brought about by long-term book deprivation and preparations for college, symptoms being logorrhea, sesquipedalianism, compulsively executing long division problems, irritability, etc. Most susceptible are those with a history of addiction to litteras and those with a personal or family history of CNS: Chronic Nerd Syndrome.
Oh, and look, our link is back.”
Colin: “NO!!!! YOU CAN’T TAKE ME!!!! JUST BECAUSE I ACTUALLY BOTHERED TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY WORDS IT WAS PER PICTURE!!!! ON PAPER!!!!! WITHOUT A CALCULATOR!!!! AND I READ LES MISERABLES FOR FUN!!!!! AND I LIKED LORD OF THE RINGS!!!!! AND I WAS HOMESCHOOLED!!!!!!!”
Shepard: “It appears one of our reporters has just been taken into custody and quarantined, having shown severe symptoms of ANS.
Anyway, stay tuned. Soon our sources will have a report on a recent Army ROTC training camp, complete with pictures and funny stories.”
Colin: “Good evening, Shepard. That’s right, pictures have jumped to nearly 30 times their historical value. As I’m sure you well know, pictures have been, from time immemorial, worth a thousand words, neither more nor less.
Well, our sources were surfing blogs a number of days ago, and came across a blog post entitled ‘About a million words’ worth of pictures (more or less).’ Further investigation revealed that there were only 35 pictures. By the old picture standard, this would be worth 35,000 words. To value them at anything approximating a million words would require each picture to be worth, well, to be exact, it would be 28,571.4 words. Actually, those digits repeat infinitely.”
Shepard: “Wow!”
Colin: “Yes, wow! The worth of pictures has jumped by a factor of 28.5714!”
Shepard: “So what does this mean for the economy of pictures and words?”
Colin: “Well, it’s hard to say at this point, but naturally those advocating the word standard are dumbfounded and slightly peeved by this discovery. To decrease the value of words in their proportion to pictures is, to them, unacceptable. To those with digital cameras, however, this development is one to be greeted happily, and forget the troglodytes, they say.”
Shepard: “Fair enough. Well, keep us updated.”
Colin: “I will. Thank—“
Shepard: “Colin? Colin? Hmmm…the link seems to have been lost. In other news, authorities have reported an outbreak of the dread disease ANS—coincidentally, in the area from which Colin was just reporting. It stands for Acute Nerd Syndrome, and is brought about by long-term book deprivation and preparations for college, symptoms being logorrhea, sesquipedalianism, compulsively executing long division problems, irritability, etc. Most susceptible are those with a history of addiction to litteras and those with a personal or family history of CNS: Chronic Nerd Syndrome.
Oh, and look, our link is back.”
Colin: “NO!!!! YOU CAN’T TAKE ME!!!! JUST BECAUSE I ACTUALLY BOTHERED TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY WORDS IT WAS PER PICTURE!!!! ON PAPER!!!!! WITHOUT A CALCULATOR!!!! AND I READ LES MISERABLES FOR FUN!!!!! AND I LIKED LORD OF THE RINGS!!!!! AND I WAS HOMESCHOOLED!!!!!!!”
Shepard: “It appears one of our reporters has just been taken into custody and quarantined, having shown severe symptoms of ANS.
Anyway, stay tuned. Soon our sources will have a report on a recent Army ROTC training camp, complete with pictures and funny stories.”
Tagged...
By CDT Josten Cornett...
So in accordance with SOP for tagging, here is my contribution to filling the space on the internet.
So in accordance with SOP for tagging, here is my contribution to filling the space on the internet.
Attached or Single? I’m very attached to my guitars, Geneva Bible, boots, knife, car, books, and military surplus gear. But I don’t think that’s quite what this question means. Assuming that it means my relationship to any given female, I’ll point out that even if I were married, we’d be one flesh, but whatever….I’m unmarried and not currently in a romantic relationship, if that’s what the question is asking. That doesn’t mean I’m available, though, as I am content in God’s provision and purpose for this time of my life. Does that answer the question?
Best Friend? My Saviour. And yes, I have close human friends, as well. ;-)
Cake or Pie? Pie.
Day of Choice? The Lord’s Day. Although Saturdays are fun because that’s when I do my ruck marches.
Essential Items? Bible. Water. Food. Knife. String/para cord.
Favorite Color? Black, navy blue, grey, and olive drab. Amazingly for a guy, I even have a favorite pattern: woodland camo. :-)
Gummy Bears or Worms? Both.
Home Town? Wherever Uncle Sam sends me…(military brat, remember?)
Indulgences?: Ummmm………they’re unbiblical. But God used them (in part) as the occasion for the Protestant Reformation, which occasioned a lot of stuff that makes me happy. :-)
January or July? January. I strongly dislike summer. I like taking walks in 20 degree weather with 30-knot winds….but when you step outside and start sweating like a pig just sitting there….no.
Kids?: Someday, Lord willing….
Like or Love? Ummmm….I’m assuming this has something to do with romantic interest…marriage (and all human interaction in the Christian sense) should be based on the biblical sense of love, not reactive “liking.”
Marriage Date? Ummmm…God alone knows. Unless my parents know something I don’t.
Number of Siblings?: I’m the second of 6. For my public school friends, that means I have 5 siblings (kidding…).
Phobias/fears? FRAGOs….change and spontaneity.
Quotes? “Are you for real, Cadet?” ~DS Salladay
“Eat like you’re motivated, Cadets” ~ DS Klebs
"This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." ~Winston Churchill
Ezekiel 36:22-32
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 10
Reason to Smile?: The Lord who has arranged the stars, guides the hearts of kings, and bounds the sea and nations is the same who clothes the flowers, governs the fall of a sparrow, and directs all things to the good of those who love Him.
Season?: Winter
Tag Six: The first six who read this.
Unknown fact about me?: If I were to make this known, wouldn’t it no longer be unknown? Why should I share it if I have not thus far? For that matter, if it is unknown, how would I know it? If I don’t know it, how can I share it?Not answering. The question is nonsensical.
Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals? Lifelong member of PETA. People for the Eating of Tasty Animals. “Vegetarian: ancient tribal term for the village idiot.”
X-rays or Ultrasounds? Ummmm….they have different purposes….
Your Favorite Food? The kind you eat….I have too many favorites. Steak, burgers, macaroni salad, and MRE cappuccinos would be among them, though. NOT MRE wheat snack bread. ;-)
Zodiac? Yup, I was the 7 man. I stayed on board the boat and helped pull the ropes to capsize it. Cool, huh?
20 July 2008
Ummmm...
So it just occurred to me that the post I set to automatically appear on 15 June didn’t automatically appear—I should have known better than to trust the computer. Anyway, this is what should have appeared for Father’s Day (another post or two coming soon):
Psalm 128
1Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
5The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
Psalm 128
1Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
5The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
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