Bob Nicholas

I am working on a project and am struck by these quotes from Will Durant. Durant was a promoter of history and philosophy. He lived from 1885-1981 and wrote a series called The Story of Civilization. I recall him from my college days and will be again reading his series soon. I love history and especially history regarding empirical societies.

Durant said, “We Americans are the best informed people on earth as to the events of the last twenty-four hours; we are the not the best informed as the events of the last sixty centuries.” He said this prior to 1981. Imagine what he would say now….

Durant also said, “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.” This is something I like to call, an inconvenient truth. We never want to admit that what we are doing is harming us. Why would we? However reality tells us that we are destroying ourselves.

A new survey noted on the USCCB website, http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2008/08-206.shtml, states that 82% of Americans support the limitation of Abortion. You can and should read the article to see the other stats.

My point is this. Despite this survey showing support for the limitation on abortions, the pro-death movement is pushing their agenda of chaos.

The attack on the sanctity of marriage continues as the gay and lesbian groups challenge laws voted on by the majority.

The attack on children continue as our liberal government continues it’s failure to (1) properly manage and provide a good education and (2) to provide in many areas proper liberty for people to home school or to use their tax dollars to educate their children privately.

We are being attacked. So, should we sit down and watch it happen like in the past, or should we consider doing something about it. Here is my proposed 5 step solution to the madness.

Step 1: pray. Yes, simple but true. How can you fight with the Truth when you don’t know Him? So, pray.

Step 2: Walk the walk. Go to Church, lead your family to Christ, be a light to the nations. You can’t show others how to do it unless you can yourself. The statement “those who coach, can’t play” is not true. Those who coach well are ones who know how to play well.

Step 3: Be formed in righteousness. Have trouble admitting you are wrong? Find a new faith. The Christian is armed with humility and trust. We must be formed in His image.

Step 4: Fight! Fight! Fight! Don’t let up. When you are attacked, fight back with charity. Speak the truth. Do not allow yourselves to be conformed to this world!!!

Step 5: Win Win Win. When you win, stand tall, not in pride for self but in joy of God. Sing His praises to the nations and always always celebrate the wins. Remember, the wins we see are small, the war is already won by Him.

So, that’s my 5 minute message of the day. Pray, walk, formed, fight, win.

Our cheerleaders wear habits. Join the team, save the world.

Today I had to travel for work and drive six hours round trip. Rather than scan the radio stations to make the trip faster,

I decided to try something new. I turned off the radio and while I had to make a couple of calls for work, most of my time

was spent in silence. I found myself at times singing, or talking to myself to break the silence….Funny how even when the

conversation is with ourselves, or with God, we are still unconciously affected by silence. :)

During my day I also had a conversation with someone regarding racial stereotypes and my struggles to break free from racists

viewpoints (see earlier posts on this issue for reference). Also during my day I had a conversation about universal health

care and the ideal that the only reason it is attached to one’s employment is that the unions used it as a carrot to get

people to join them. Without that time and history, healthcare would be still treated like car insurance and found in a more

free market manner. Also add that when I returned home I watched “secret millionaire” with my wife and older children.

Okay, now see if you can keep up….

I’m very frustrated with people right now.

On my way to my appointment, and on the way home, I had to deal with an extremely inconsiderate driver. Let me paint the

picture…He drives a late 90s Crown Vic with like 25″ wheels. The car is in bad shape and the rims are the nicest thing on

it. He punches it and accelerates, tailgates, changes lanes irradically, and is basically incapable of being a part of the

human population.

Judging by the cars exit, and location within the city, this person is exactly the stereotype I am trying to remove from my mind and heart. I don’t know him, don’t know if he has a family, don’t know what his job is, don’t know his faith, and don’t know his heart. But I found myself thinking about how five minutes alone in a padded room with me would change his ways…
Many of us think we are “right” when we think this way. I often have discussions with people who disagree with me that Rush Lumbaugh and Howard Stern are exactly alike. Most of the time their disagreement with me is becuase they personally agree with one or the other…. Of course both of them propogandize the truth simply to get ratings and make more money. Neither has the good of their listeners as their primary focus.

This is the same thing. I behaved the same. I believe I can tell this person what for and he’ll change his beliefs. As if I have some ability to convert??? As if I am God…

The other day in a group dicussion someone said that we as believers go to God, obtain Grace, and pass it on to others. While I respect this person, and I didn’t chastize him for the statement at the time, it’s basically…um… 1 gazillion percent incorrect. People cannot impart what we do not possess. Grace, is God’s and is a free gift to us individually and as a Church.

So you are now asking me to get to the point. Okay already.

What is my change of tune: Well I’m sorry for thinking and judging that person the way I did. I’m sorry for possessing stereotypes that tear down the body of Christ rather than build it up. And Lord, I’m sorry for not doing more to help others move past their stereotypes as well.

What is my conversion to conciense.