Blog Highlights

I thought I would would highlight some other blogs today. I am taking without permission some quotes from other blogs to share with you some things that struck me as terrific. If you haven't sampled any of these people's blogs then I hope that this inspires you. The first quote from a discussion on Shlog about Calvinism. My friend the Cachinator can be both profound and funny, his blog usually leans to the humorous side and most of you read it anyway, so I thought I would display him fired up and on. I think he showed some real gutts to step out here and breath some fire into this comment section. When I read it, he reminded me of those old great debates our founding fathers used to have.

"...To follow Calvinist thought is to render null the Great Commission. What need would the disciples have of authority from heaven if heaven had already decided the fate of the world? How can one make disciples of all nations if disciples are made before time? And the answer is the same garbage every time: that scripture clearly means all elect nations despite the obvious fact that it is absent entirely from the text...

...And what kind of God does it create? One who cruelly dangles hope, since there is no hope in Calvinism. One who intentionally misleads people through scripture, since he does not make this doctrine clear. (Again, unless you're elect, and on the inside where the filth of the damned humans can't touch you.) And one who condemns people to do what he created them to do, and then punishes them eternally for doing what he has forced them to with no opportunity for reprieve.

...And the most awfully sad part about saying all this is that some people will dismiss it without a thought because they've been taught that I don't get it because I'm not elect. No matter how urgent the fire in my bones for God. No matter the dedication of my life to his service. Either that or I am saved, and what a lucky schmuck that makes me since I don't even believe I got there the right way. Both perspectives spit on me and my life.

Calvinist election is a salvation for heaven alone - the world here and now be damned. Literally."


Another is from Kat's blog where she told the sweet story of her little girl's innocent ability to trust God totally to find the thing that meant the world to her, her lost stuffed monkey.

"He has the power to calm the raging seas with a word. He holds the keys to life and death. And He cares about my little girl's stuffed monkey."

I needed to reminded that God cares about every thing in my life. He cares about my needs. We may laugh it off and say "well, does God REALLY care about a little girl's stuffed monkey?" Well does God really care if we get our paycheck this week? Does God really care if we find something to eat? We can be assured that the God of the universe, the God that called forth something from nothing and still holds it all together, knows our needs and meets them.

Another came from Operamama's blog about PMS.

"Lately I have decided to name my alternate personality when dealing with PMS. Essie. Short for estrogen. Every time I have a nasty, paranoid, depressed, morbid, or just plain negative thought, (more than usual, I mean) then I just say, "Down essie, Down!" It makes me feel a smidge more in control."

I can't relate but it sure was a funny read. BTW I tried that on my wife,...not a good idea.

Another highlight of this past week came from Forky's blog about the great love of his life.

"There are a few things in life I'd really rather not have. Bad acne. Seven fingers as opposed to the traditionally conservative ten. Male pattern baldness. A job at a paper mill. A forked tongue. Kidney stones.

But if there's one thing that would make me genuinely depressed to have, it'd be peanut allergies.

If I came down with peanut allergies, I know I'd cry real salt tears. Into my pillow. Every night. I might even decide to end it all by drowning myself in the one thing I love more than my nine toenails:

Peanut butter. Rich, creamy, Someone-help-I-can't-stop-eating-this PEANUT BUTTER."

A funny, funny man people. Cachinator has another name for him, but you'll have to read his blog to find out.


There are many more highlights to post but I am tired and must nap. Thanks to all for keeping me entertained and moved.