CoffeeInAStraw's Xanga

Jude Gray Carlson

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:10:18 GMT

Our third bundle of giggles and messes has arrived!

Read more about it, and soon see some pictures, at our family blog: www.kyleandlindseycarlson.blogspot.com

I know I haven't been around here much, but I thought I'd step in to make the announcement.

Happy 200th, Abraham

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:12:38 GMT

On this, the bicentennial of the birth of America's greatest president, I submit to you the following (from his second inaugural address in 1865):

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...Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. 'Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.' If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said: "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

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Obama is an Apple

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:59:25 GMT

So, here's an interesting interview with Barack Obama from 2004 about his faith.

At the outset of the interview, in answer to the first question ("What do you believe?"), he asserts, "I am a Christian."

Let me provide a hypothetical scenario for you.

Suppose I were to publicly proclaim, "I am an apple."

You would ask, "Really? What does it mean to you that you're an apple?"

What if I answered, "Well, to me, being an apple means having flesh, blood, a heart, a rational mind, and the ability to make decisions and carry them out"?

In my explanation of what it means to be an apple, I have clearly demonstrated that A) I am not sure what an apple is, and B) I am in fact not an apple.

The Best of Times, the Worst of Times...

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:23:11 GMT

I'm torn.

You see, on one hand, last night was a gloomy night for America. Senator (soon-to-be President) Obama's radical position on issues related to abortion (most notably his oft-stated commitment to the Freedom of Choice Act and his opposition to the Born Alive Infants Protection Act) frighten me for the future of life in our country. With one signature, Obama may wipe away three decades' worth of Pro-Life policies designed to protect the rights of the most helpless, voiceless class of Americans - the unborn. This is morally reprehensible and personally heartbreaking. So on behalf of millions of unborn Americans, I am saddened and frustrated.

On the other hand, last night was a terrific night for America. 150 years ago, American society didn't consider black men and women fully human, much less American citizens. Last night, we elected an African-American man the leader of our nation. I can't overstate the magnitude of this occasion. I rejoice with the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jesus of Nazareth at this enormous step toward racial harmony. Racism is an evil paralleled by few others, and last night marked a huge victory for the United States of America in the war against it.

Senator McCain's concession speech was a model of humility and grace in the midst of fervent contest. It was classy and elegant and right. Senator Obama's acceptance speech was solemn, grateful, powerful - in a word, inspiring.

So you see, in many ways November 4, 2008 was a great day for the United States of America, with many glorious victories. And yet, these victories are tainted by the ominous reality of the future of millions of unborn Americans. It falls to Christians across the nation to humbly and wholeheartedly support our President, and at the same time to pray fervently for God to change his heart (and his mind) toward the unborn.

America - I give you my deepest sympathies.

And many congratulations.

A Song for Election Day

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:03:38 GMT

Courtesy Derek Webb.

I'm so tired of these mortal men
with their hands on their wallets and their hearts full of sin
Scared of their enemies and scared of their friends
And they're always running for re-election
So come to D.C. if it be thy will
because we've never had a Savior on Capitol Hill

Well you can always trust the Devil or a politician
to be the Devil or a politician
But beyond that, friends, you'd best beware
'Cause at the Pentagon bar they're an inseparable pair
And as long as the lobbyists are paying their bills
Oh, we'll never have a Savior on Capitol Hill

All of our problems gonna disappear
when we can whisper right in that president's ear
He can walk right across the reflection pool
in his combat boots and ten thousand dollar suit

Oh, you can render unto Caesar everything that's his
And you can trust in his power to come to your defense
It's the way of the world, the way of the gun
It's the trading of an evil for a lesser one
So don't hold your breath or your vote until
you think you've finally found a Savior up on Capitol Hill

Palin Goes Baroque

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:50:27 GMT

This video is far funnier and more creative than anything I've seen on SNL during these presidential campaigns.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

** Music nerds, I know the music being played isn't from the Baroque period. I was going for a pun.**

Election Update

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:50:52 GMT

If you plan on voting, please take 10 minutes to read this horrifying article.

Britney

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:49:53 GMT

Here's a compassionate and convicting song.

Britney - Bebo Norman

Carlson on Palin/Biden

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 04:09:53 GMT

I wrote a comment on Krissy_Cole's site about the VP debate Thursday, and it was long enough that I figured I'd make a post out of it. Here it is:

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I finally watched the debate tonight (Saturday) when it was re-aired on Fox News. Here are my two cents':

I thought both candidates performed well. Both were at least moderately articulate and never seemed "caught" (and considering Palin's week in the media, she needed desperately to not be a bumbling fool during the debate). I also like the conversation/debate style of both of these candidates better than that of Stone-Face McCain and Cooler-than-You Obama. I also like how Palin kept saying, "Say it ain't so, Joe." That was pretty cool.

I think Palin's inexperience is apparent in her dependence upon pre-scripted talking points (Although, to be fair, I think McCain's speeches/debates have the same tendency). But at least she was able to weave them into the debate in a way that seemed to me fairly seemless.

I think ultimately these debates don't show us much. Someone above mentioned that we shouldn't expect politicians to do what they say they'll do, and that assumption is always in the back of my mind as I observe these events. Whoever "won" the debate and whoever wins the election in a month, we won't really know what a McCain or an Obama administration will be like until it's a reality.

Good luck, America.

Here I am...

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:08:56 GMT

I am one dangerous dude.