Actors Act

I was listening to Michael Savage talk about how he did not like the movie Rambo, because of the actor who played Rambo. He does not like Sylvester Stallone. I do not understand why you can dislike a movie because of the actor who played the character in the movie.  But Savage seems to think so.

 But one must remember that Sylvester Stallone never claims to be the characters he portrays.  He has said that some of his characters have had similarities, but he does not claim to be the character.  Sly does not believe he has the mind of Rambo.

Actors are just people.  It is their job to portray a character in the most believable and entertaing way possible to draw the largest audiences to the theaters.  No one should expect an actor to be just as perfect as the characters they play in the movies.   Which means no one should dislike a movie just becuase the actor does not live up to the character they play.

Bless Me

On rare occasion I will encounter someone who sneazes and says “bless me”.  This has occured at various public places including airports, a libraries, and various DMV offices.

I think they are just trying to be polite.  They do not feel that silence should come after their sneeze.  But you need to fuse humblenes with politeness.    To be polite and humble you should say “excuse me” or nothing.  Saying “bless me” is weird.

 You are being polite if you cover your nose.  Wishing blessings on yourself freaks me out.  So wait for someone to bless you or say nothing.  Thank you.

Appreciate Your Parents

If you had good parents growing up you probably went through 3 stages to realize fully how awsome they are.

 First you are a young child.  They are investing a great deal of time with you, teaching you new things everyday.  You believe that they are the most awsome thing since sliced bread.(and they are.)

Then you grow into a teenager.  2 things happen here.  You want independence, and you start to notice your parents flaws.  You think your parents are on a power trip since they still set regulations.  You may not realize that they  simpy care about you, and want to instill their discipline and values into you.  

As you get older you become more perceptive.  You notice that your parents are not perfect.  You may become disappointed in them.

 Then you grow up into a young adult.  You see how much they really cared about you growing up.  And you realize that they are not perfect, but they are really tryed their best to be the best parents they could be.

 This is my story.  And it may be your as well.  Take a moment to thank your parents for raising you into the quality person that you are.  No one cares about you more than your parents. (except God)

Word Games

There are word games that some confident people play.  They believe that since they have been succesful in life that they what they have to say is ususual or always right.

Some people do not ask whether you agree with them, they make a statement and say phrases such as “you know what I am saying?”.  A better phrase would be “what do you think” or “in my opinion.”  This allows for civil disagreement.  If you are always ask people “You know what I am saying?” you are assuming what you say is undoubtedy correct and that disagreeing is not even an option.  You are asking them if they understand your presuamabaly correct statement.

 But let encourage everyone no matter how confident you are, you must realize that even the most succesful people in life are sometime wrong.  Your opinion or view of life is not always the only view or opinion that is viable.  There can be more than one correct view or opinion. 

But what you say might not be an opinion or a view, but a sound belief that you will not change your mind on.  I would still use a less forceful phrase such as “Do you have any questions as to what I just said?”.  This statement does not assume that the person automatically agrees with you and asks an honest question.  And opens up any critisism.  “You know what I am saying” does not care if the person agrees with you, it asks if you understand what they are talking about. 

Asking the right questions to open up dialogue is important.  Do not assume that people simply might not understand you, assume that they might also disagree with you.  And allow them to do so.

Roberton Endorses Giullanie

According to Msnbc.com and several other top news sites, leading television evangelist and founder of Regent University Pat Robertson is supporting Rudy Giuliani for president. According to a Newsmax.com article Robertson said that Giuliani was a proven leader who has a hopeful view over the future of this country: ”It is my pleasure to announce my support for America’s Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, a proven leader who is not afraid of what lies ahead and who will cast a hopeful vision for all Americans,” Robertson said during a news conference with Giuliani in Washington.

I was surprised to learn of this news. In my opinion, Robertson indirectly gave Giuliani his endorsement for president saying according to Nydaily.com that he thinks Giuliani would be a great leader of the United States: This is supposed to be a nonpolitical thing,” Robertson said in introducing Giuliani at a lecture series at the preacher’s Regent University here. “But we would be remiss to forget the fact that he seems to be running for President.” Robertson continued by saying, “And in point of fact,” added Robertson, a co-founder of the powerful Christian Coalition, “he may one day become not New York’s mayor, but America’s leader. So it’s a great pleasure to welcome a dear friend and a great leader.”

Although Robertson and Giuliani both favor a free capitalist society, Giuliani is not a social conservative like Robertson is. I supposed that Robertson would endorse Fred Thompson. Fred Thompson is number 2 in the polls. I think he can beat Giuliani in the polls and has a solid chance of becoming president. He is a conservative both economically and socially. That is not my opinion that is a fact according to On The Issues.org. I am going to show you a Giuliani’s liberal view on abortion and civil rights and then compare Thompson’s view of civil right. The following is a list Giuliani’s stance on abortion:Ultimate decision by woman, her conscience & her doctor. (Aug 2007)
Allowing choice keeps government out of people’s lives. (May 2007)
Giuliani donated to Planned Parenthood throughout 1990s. (May 2007)
Ok to repeal Roe v. Wade, but ok to view it as precedent too. (May 2007)
Allow states to fund or not fund abortion. (May 2007)
Pro-choice; no ban on partial-birth abortions. (Dec 1999)

Not let us look at Giuliani’s view on civil rights:

Supports domestic partnerships, but not same-sex marriage. (Aug 2007)
Don’t change gays-in-military policy in time of war. (Jun 2007)
Opposed Pres. Bush’s ban on gay marriage. (Jan 2007)
Pro gay rights. (Jul 2006)

Now let us look at Thompson’s view on abortion according to OnTheIssues.org:
Roe v. Wade was bad law and bad science. (Jun 2007)
Appoint strict constructionist judges. (Jun 2007)
Has never been pro-choice despite 1994 news reports. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)

Now let us look at Thompson’s view on civil rights according to ontheissues.org:

Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted NO on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)

According to a quote by Centristcoalistion.com, Roberston has said that he disagrees with Giullani on some issues, but thinks that he could still run the country well. So why not pick someone that agrees with you in all your views(that I am aware of) like Thompson?\

Is there something Roberston does not like about Thompson? Or perhaps he does not think he can win? Either Thompson or Giullani can beat Clinton, so why pick a semi-conservative when you can pick a solid conservative?

Robertons Endorses Giullanie

According to Msnbc.com and several other top news sites, leading television evangelist and founder of the Regent University Pat Robertson is supporting Rudy Giuliani for president. According to a Newsmax.com article Robertson said that Giuliani was a proven leader who has a hopeful view over the future of this country: ”It is my pleasure to announce my support for America’s Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, a proven leader who is not afraid of what lies ahead and who will cast a hopeful vision for all Americans,” Robertson said during a news conference with Giuliani in Washington.

I was surprised to learn of this news. In my opinion, Robertson indirectly gave Giuliani his endorsement for president saying according to Nydaily.com that he thinks Giuliani would be a great leader of the United States: This is supposed to be a nonpolitical thing,” Robertson said in introducing Giuliani at a lecture series at the preacher’s Regent University here. “But we would be remiss to forget the fact that he seems to be running for President.” Robertson continued by saying, “And in point of fact,” added Robertson, a co-founder of the powerful Christian Coalition, “he may one day become not New York’s mayor, but America’s leader. So it’s a great pleasure to welcome a dear friend and a great leader.”

Although Robertson and Giuliani both favor a free capitalist society, Giuliani is not a social conservative like Robertson is. I supposed that Robertson would endorse Fred Thompson. Fred Thompson is number 2 in the polls. I think he can beat Giuliani in the polls and has a solid chance of becoming president. He is a conservative both economically and socially. That is not my opinion that is a fact according to On The Issues.org. I am going to show you a Giuliani’s liberal view on abortion and civil rights and then compare Thompson’s view of civil right. The following is a list Giuliani’s stance on abortion:Ultimate decision by woman, her conscience & her doctor. (Aug 2007)
Allowing choice keeps government out of people’s lives. (May 2007)
Giuliani donated to Planned Parenthood throughout 1990s. (May 2007)
Ok to repeal Roe v. Wade, but ok to view it as precedent too. (May 2007)
Allow states to fund or not fund abortion. (May 2007)
Pro-choice; no ban on partial-birth abortions. (Dec 1999)

Not let us look at Giuliani’s view on civil rights:

Supports domestic partnerships, but not same-sex marriage. (Aug 2007)
Don’t change gays-in-military policy in time of war. (Jun 2007)
Opposed Pres. Bush’s ban on gay marriage. (Jan 2007)
Pro gay rights. (Jul 2006)

Now let us look at Thompson’s view on abortion according to OnTheIssues.org:
Roe v. Wade was bad law and bad science. (Jun 2007)
Appoint strict constructionist judges. (Jun 2007)
Has never been pro-choice despite 1994 news reports. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)

Now let us look at Thompson’s view on civil rights according to ontheissues.org:

Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted NO on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)

According to a quote by Centristcoalistion.com, Roberston has said that he disagrees with Giullani on some issues, but thinks that he could still run the country well. So why not pick someone that agrees with you in all your views(that I am aware of) like Thompson?\

Is there something Roberston does not like about Thompson? Or perhaps he does not think he can win? Either Thompson or Giullani can beat Clinton, so why pick a semi-conservative when you can pick a solid conservative?

The act of Mercy

I went to an excellent conference a couple months ago in Asheville at The Cove (http://www.bgtc.info/), better known as the Billy Graham Training Center. John Piper was the messenger and the conference was titled “The Mercies of God and the Transformed Christian Mind (Romans 12, 13)”. Words of wisdom flowed at this conference. As believers and followers of Jesus Christ we should praise God and rest in the Mercy that God extends toward us, the closer we walk with God the more we see who we are and see Him as the Glorious Master abundantly merciful. As children of God we are commanded to imitate His goodness (Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children[Ephesians 5:1 (NIV)]). God shows us mercy and therefore He commands us to show mercy as well. How bold of an example is that, the world tell us to take revenge, but God directs us to take the merciful route. In my life here on earth, I have both heard of and seen the act of mercy practiced, the act of mercy stands out, it can even cause one to shed a tender heart felt tear, from both the receiver and those surrounding. The act of mercy can be so beautiful and at the same time dig into the hearts of world taking notice and never to be forgotten.
It was noted that there are times that we are asked to act according to our role given us, for instance a police officer acting upon a criminal for example. This role of authority is a whole other topic, I won’t discuss here at gthe moment…. during this conference I really needed to reflect on the act of mercy.
If you get a chance, find a moment this week where you have the priviledge to extend the act of mercy…. it’s actually pretty cool. If you need help with Mercy then ask God to help you. John 3:16 explains a great act of mercy given from God, read more about the teachings of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and learn about mercy.

Respect!

No one respects a disrespectful person.    You must also live a life that is virtuous.  Who respects a person who smokes drugs and lies on occasion?  You need to live a life of decency.  Caring for others, and yourself are important.  If you do not care for others or yourself, people will be less likely to care for you.

There is someone I know that has publicly stated a demand for respect.  Although we all deserve respect, realistically, this person will not get as much respect as asked for. 

In order to get a continual amount of respect, you have to continually give it.  Once you stop respecting people, you will not be respected as much, or as consistently.  This person is not that respectful.  Neutrality, curtness, and an impatient attitude is a central part of this person.

So why should I respect disrespect?  People generally do not respect a disrespectful person.  Although I try to respect everyone, many people do not want to respect disrespectful people.

You must also live a life of integrity.  Showing up for work late, getting drunk every night (or at all), and cursing are not going to result in ample respect for yourself.  And you will be living a life of integrity.

Lastly, you must respect yourself.  If you treat yourself poorly, people will believe that you do not like yourself.  If you do not like yourself, people will not be as excited or curious to get to know you.  You have hinted that you are not a good person by the way you treat yourself.(whether you are a good person or not.  But if you respect yourself, people will want to see why you like yourself.

Remember no one gets respect by treating other poorly.  Respect will not come to you by living a disorderly life either.  Respect yourself and others and people will treat you with high regard.  But it takes respect and integrity.