Friendship

"By prayer the Christian can open his heart to God, as to a friend, and obtain fresh testimony of God's friendship to him." (p. 11)

Bunyan, John. Prayer. Puritan Paperback Series. Banner of Truth.

The Undefeated

Decisions

"This committee was assisted by a group of scientists, of whome those most prominently connected with the development of the atomic bomb...The conclusions reached by these men, both in the advosory committee of scientists and in the larger committee, were brought to me by Secretary Stimson on June 1.

It was their recommendation that the bomb be used against the enemy as soon as it could be done. They recommended further that it should be used without specific warning and against a target that would clearly show its devestating strength. I had realized, of course, that an atomic bomb explosion would inflict damage and casualties beyond imagination...It was their conclusion that no technical demonstration they might propose, such as over a deserted island, would be likely to bring the war to an end. It had to be used against an enemy target.

The final decision of where and when to use the atomic bomb was up to me. Let there be no mistake about it. I regarded the bomb as a military weapon and never had any doubt that it should be used. The top military advisers to the President recommended its use, and when I talked to Churchill he unhesitatingly told me that he favored the use of the atomic bomb if it might aid to end the war...

I had made the decision. I also instructed Stimson that the order would stand unless I notified him that the Japanese reply to our ultimatum was acceptable...

On July 28 Radio Tokyo anounced that the Japanese government would continue to fight. There was no formal reply to the joint ultimatum of the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. There was no alternative now. The bomb was scheduled to be dropped after August 3 unless Japan surrendered before that day.

On August 6...came the historic news that shook the world. I was eating lunch...Captain Frank Graham, White House Map Room watch officer, handed me the following message:

'...Hiroshima bombed visually with only one tenth cover at 052315A. There was no fighter opposition and no flak. Parsons reports 15 minutes after drop as follows: 'Results clear cut successful in all respects. Visible effects greater than in any test. Conditions normal in airplane following delivery.'

I was greatly moved. I telephoned Byrnes aboard ship to give him the news and then said to the group of sailors around me, 'This is the greatest thing in history. It's time for us to get home.'" (pp. 419-421.)

Truman, Harry. Memoirs by Harry S. Truman: Year of Decisions, Volume I, Doubleday, 1955.

An Era has Ended

I am no longer a DPA employee. I said goodbye to my co-workers on Wednesday.

Even more shocking to some I am no longer a Hunan Village waiter.

Just in case you didn't know.

Merry Christmas!

Too Much of One Doctrine

Douglas Wilson (whose blogging on Piper's book responding to NT Wright) has this great quote from Spurgeon:

"It is not true that some doctrines are only for the initiated; there is nothing in the Bible which is ashamed of the light . . . All revealed truth in harmonious proportion must be your theme . . . Do not insist perpetually upon one truth alone. A nose is an important feature in the human countenance, but to paint a man's nose alone is not a satisfactory method of taking his likeness: a doctrine may be very important, but an exaggerated estimate of it may be fatal to an harmonious and complete ministry" (Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, pp. 74-75).

Untitled #8

Saying "No" is Saying "Yes"

"Saying "no" to some things means saying "yes" to others."

Source: Franklin Covey's website.

The Globe's

I definitely enjoy a good film and look forward to the nominations for movie awards. Today the Golden Globe nominees came out:

Best Drama

“American Gangster,” “Atonement,” “Eastern Promises,” “The Great Debaters,” “Michael Clayton,” “No Country for Old Men,” “There Will Be Blood.”

I've only seen two of those films, AG and MC, and I'd have to give the nod to American Gangster over Michael Clayton, but both were very good.

My wife and I are looking forward to Atonement. Sadly, its not here this Friday where we are located. That would have been my date night pick...not this week.

After reading The Road last Christmas, I spent the year enthralled with Cormac McCarthy novels, so I've been trying to fit No Country for Old Men into my schedule.

Finally, off this list I am awaiting to be stunned by the acting of Daniel Day Lewis and the directing of PTA's There Will Be Blood.

Best Actress - Drama

Cate Blanchett, “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”; Julie Christie, “Away From Her”; Jodie Foster, “The Brave One”; Angelina Jolie, “A Mighty Heart”; Keira Knightley, “Atonement.”

I have seen none of these, but I'm pulling for Keira.

Best Actor - Drama

George Clooney, “Michael Clayton”; Daniel Day-Lewis, “There Will Be Blood”; James McAvoy, “Atonement”; Viggo Mortensen, “Eastern Promises”; Denzel Washington, “American Gangster.”

Denzel is a good gangster, but he will always be my Creasy Bear (sp?). Clooney does a great job as the complex and guilty Michael Clayton. But, I'm most looking forward to Daniel Day's performance. I still can't get his portrayal of the Butcher in Gangs of New York out of my head, and the occasional Mohican echoes of "I will find you" resonating in my heart.

For the rest: here's the list.

Piper on The Prosperity Gospel

This has received plenty of attention in the blogosphere, but the message John has to say here is a must listen, and moves me deeply.

Mark Driscoll Talks Sex

It was a few years back when I sat as a single guy under the quite explicit talk of Mark Driscoll on the Song of Song's and Masculinity at his Reformission conference. The audio never came up though. Well, now a few years later on another continent Driscoll talks sex using the words of the Holy Spirit in the Song of Songs. This one is a bit more geared for both men and women, but imagine sitting in a church service hearing this. I have a feeling you might blush...I'm glad I'm married now, and I'm glad singles and marrieds alike can know when God is for sex. I think everyone knows when God is against it.

Here is the audio and video download: Whatever you wanted to know about sex but were to afraid to ask...God

Practical Guidelines to Control Spending

These "Practical Guidelines to Control Spending" are from Randy Alcorn's book Money, Possessions and Eternity.

1. Realize that nothing is a good deal if you can't afford it.
2. Recognize that God isn't behind every good deal.
3. Understand the difference between spending money and saving money.
4. Look at the long-term cost, not just the short-term expense.
5. Pray before you spend.
6. Examine every purchase in light of its ministry potential.
7. Understand and resist the manipulative nature of advertising.
8. Learn to walk away from things you want but don't need.
9. Realize that little things add up.
10. Set up a budget and live by it.

(p. 437-441)