truth B told

AP STORY: Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, who lost the November presidential election against Republican President George W. Bush, described the Iraqi elections as "significant" and "important" but said they should not be "overhyped."

"It is significant that there is a vote in Iraq," Kerry said in an interview with NBC television's Meet the Press. "But ... no one in the United States should try to overhype this election.

"This election is a sort of demarcation point, and what really counts now is the effort to have a legitimate political reconciliation," Kerry said. "And it's going to take a massive diplomatic effort and a much more significant outreach to the international community than this administration has been willing to engage in.

"Absent that, we will not be successful in Iraq," he said.

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First, the democrat leaders say Iraq will never be liberated. Then, when American soldiers gave their lives to see Iraq as a free nation, the democrats said a democratic vote will never happen. Then when they voted this week, they say that it's not that big of a deal; and to wait and see if it is really that legitimate.

The democrats continue to move the goalline of success to make a Republican president look like he' s not doing a good job.

My hat's off to our soldiers and national leadership. We're moving in the right direction.

I'm hooked.
I love Yahoo's launchcast--an internet music station that you create yourself.
You get to pick the type of music you like, and then it plays it for you.
Pick specific songs, specific artists, specific albums...it's great. And then it picks other music that is similar. Therefore, you get to learn some new artists that may interest you. And if you don't like a song, just skip it.

If you listen to music while at your computer, give it a try. It's free.
http://launch.yahoo.com/

have fun.

Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell prayed the benediction prayer at President George W. Bush's inauguration today. It was incredible. I can't wait to find a transcript on the web. If you find it, leave a comment and post a link to the site.

During a time when some people are trying to keep religion or Christianity out of politics, his closing prayer--which was in the Name of Jesus Christ--was strong, bold, right on, and powerful.

I'm thankful Bush is in office. I'm thankful he will seek God's wisdom while he leads our nation.
I'm thankful he has surrounded himself with godly people who can add to his council.

I listen to a lot of talk radio. And on many of the Chicago and St. Louis stations they run many ads for the big river-boat casinos in the area.

The ads are full of life. They sound fun. It sounds like a no-brainer way to go out for an evening and have a great night of fun and excitement.

...until you hear that last sentence of each ad. "Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.

Then the light should click on for everyone. This must be dangerous territory. And it is.

Advertising has its way of making dangerous things look good. Beer, casinos, fast-food...it's all dangerous to the life, but looks so good in the commercials.

Be careful out there. Things may not be as good as they appear.

Let the Truth be Told

I turned 30 today. I feel old.

I was born in 1975. In that year...

• The Jehovah's Witnesses thought it would be the last year before the "END."
• The movie, "The Giant Spider Invation" was released about a swarm of spiders from another dimension that were coming to attack Wisconsin.
• The MITS Altair 8800 is released.
• Arthur Ashe becomes the first black man to win Wimbledon in a singles match.
• Saturday Night Live is broadcast for the first time.
• Wheel of Fortune premieres.
  
• Angeline Jolie and Tiger Woods were born.
• Bobbly Fischer refuses to play in a chess match against Anatoly Karpov, giving Karpov the title.
• Color television transmissions began in Australia.

Quotes on aging...

I still have a full deck; I just shuffle slower now. ~Author Unknown

Everyone is the age of their heart. ~Guatemalan Proverb

Middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle. ~Bob Hope

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional. ~Chili Davis

The first sign of maturity is the discovery that the volume knob also turns to the left. ~Jerry M. Wright

There is still no cure for the common birthday. ~John Glenn

Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. ~Quoted by Francis Bacon

Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. ~Author Unknown

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I give thanks for 30 great years...

From the World Net Daily: Kid Rock, the vulgar rock-rapper who initially had been lined up to headline the youth concert next week as part of the inauguration festivities for President Bush, will not be apppearing after all.
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I'll be honest-- I'm glad Kid Rock isn't playing at the inauguration. I know there is some debate as to adding entertainers to the venue that will show a youth culture that the Bush Administration is relevant. But it would have been a hypocritical move to book Kid Rock after standing on a platform for "family-friendly" policies and standards.

I'm sure someone on the inauguration committee is sweating a bit now that there has been a public backlash from the righter side of the Republican supporters. But the media would have had a hayday reporting all the past lyrics of Kid Rock as he stood on the stage at the inauguration.

Of all the entertainers out there...and none are perfect....Kid Rock was a poor choice for this event. Read the entire story I've linked to. He has some really bad stuff out there.

You may throw me in the pit with all the other family-friendly organizations that screamed about this Kid Rock thing. But I'd rather be in a pit with ultra conservatives than sitting on my couch watching the Bush Administration identifying itself with Kid Rock and his sexually explicit lyrics.

Let the Truth be Told....

Reporting in the Washington Times: “The killer wave that swallowed tens of thousands of Muslims was an act of Allah designed to punish the Christians. So went the convoluted logic of some Muslim imams in recent sermons from Saudi Arabia to the Palestinian territories.
If it weren't for the diligent monitoring of Muslim clerics by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), Americans would be in the dark about the outpourings of dangerous drivel fed to devout Muslims gathered in mosques for Friday prayers.”

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Should it be surprising that the tsunami is being used by radical Muslims as propaganda against Christianity and Christmas? Or to further the hatred toward the Jews?

The story reported: Saudi cleric 'Aed Al-Qarni told the worshippers, "Throats must be slit and skulls must be shattered. This is the path to victory." He was reacting to the death of a brother "killed by the brothers of apes and pigs, the murderers of the prophets." In case there was any doubt, he was referring to the Jews of Israel.

We are living in radical times. Christians in America need to be alert to the reality of hatred toward Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are too apathetic and comfortable in our safe neighborhood churches. We live life a bit selfishly, and we usually fail to grasp the big picture of what’s happening in the world outside our borders.

Let this be a reminder that a spiritual war is raging, and we must not be draft dodgers.

Be alert. Pray often. Seek His face. Stand strong.

Let the Truth be Told...

It looks as though we will be getting another telethon raising money for those hurt by the tsunami. The 911 moneymaker was a huge success, and this one will probably raise millions of dollars as well.

And the big-name entertainers are coming out of the woodwork to get involved.

But there is something inside of me that always remains skeptical when I hear about movie stars and major entertainers giving their money away.

I’ve been called the king of skepticism. So take these thoughts with that in mind.

But here’s a few questions I’d like to know:

• Do entertainers usually just give to charities that promote their image?
• Are entertainers simply instructed by a finance guru and their agents on who to give to?
• Do entertainers give a calculated amount every year according to tax relief strategy?
• If they give millions to the tsunami tragedy, is that over and beyond what they normally give, or will other charities not receive their funds because Peter was robbed to pay Paul?

I know, it’s really none of my business. But then again, when the media gloats of their giving, I’d like to know the complete picture.

My policy on giving to charity is simple: give from the heart.

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Bill O’Reilly had some interesting thoughts too. Click here.

My wife’s grandfather passed away last week. Ivan Frownfelter, 89, was laid to rest on Christmas Eve morning as the ground was covered with six inches of fresh fallen snow in Flint, Mich.

Funerals and Christmas don’t mix together too well. But gifts and Christmas do. And since both grandparents are now gone to be with Jesus, so the time has come to deal with the estate and the inheritance.

Ivan and Maxine Frownfelter lived simple lives. They had lived through the depression years, the wars, and several presidents. They, like many others who lived through the depression, saved their plastic grocery bags, bread ties and newspaper rubber bands. They had many glass figurines, some old dusty books, and boxes of priceless pictures.

But when it comes to major estate inheritance, their lives proved not to focus on materialism, but did emphasize on simple, good Godly living. And when it comes to inheriting something from your family—that’s priceless.

Here’s what my family inherited from the grandparents:

Hugs and Smiles. There was never a time we weren’t greeted with a hearty hug and a genuine smile of love and care. Showing affection for your loved ones is almost a lost art in some of today’s families. But we have learned the importance and power of loving gestures that warms the heart. We can pass this on to our children, nieces, nephews and younger cousins. Showing affection is worth its effort.

Newspaper clippings. Her grandparents occasionally would send us a letter in the mail with an added clipping from a newspaper article giving advice in some area of life. The advice may not have been rocket science, but the clipping was evidence that they were constantly thinking of family--even when reading the paper. Their thoughts were constantly targeted on the family. A newspaper clipping about healthy remedies for a headache was nice, but the thought behind it is invaluable.

The spot light. When we visited the grandparents and attended church with them, we were introduced to everyone as if we were million-dollar movie stars. They were so proud of their grandchildren. Not for any achievements or merit, but because they simply loved us and wanted to show us off to their church friends. Grandparents who pour their love into their family build self esteem, self respect, and a sense of dignity. Their outward appreciation and admiration for us has made us a better people.

A prayer covering. My wife’s grandparents prayed for us everyday. We were a regular part of their daily prayer lives with God. They would pray for our protection, for blessing, for our son, and for our ministry in Mattoon. They invested in our lives through prayer. Praying for your family is priceless. Do you want to pass along something significant to your loved ones? Then pray everyday for them that God would work in their lives in tremendous ways.

Memories. We have so many wonderful memories of holidays, vacations, and special occasions with the grandparents. These memories, many captured on film, won’t rust, wither, or be eaten by moths. These memories are masterpieces in our memory banks. These memories are far more important than any materialistic object could ever become. Are you making precious memories with your family? Making positive memories builds a heritage that will continue to be passed on through the generations.

When we think of an inheritance, we often think of property, wealth, jewelry, or antiques. Our minds naturally think of the materialistic side of inheritances. But let’s take time while we’re all living to deposit quality characteristics into our loved ones. Teach them good morals, first-class character, and a strong faith in Jesus Christ. Make positive memories with your family. Pray for them everyday.

Leaving behind a nice lot of land is one thing. Leaving behind a Godly legacy is another.

Grandma Maxine and Grandpa Ivan, thanks for the wonderful inheritance. We’ll be sure to pass it on.