Morality: Government vs. Church

Government can and should "legislate morality" in certain cases. I think everyone agrees that murder should be illegal.
The church (or any non-governmental) group should handle other morality issues because the government can't reach the heart of people. i.e. "Love your neighbor".
Some issues should be handled by both (murder) but all issues should be handled by the church -- the church should handle all moral issues and the government should also handle some of them.

The questions is: How do we decide which issues should be handled by the government and which should be left to the church? (The answer may vary by level of government but for this post I will consider all levels as one).

Questions that might help us answer the question:

• Is the issue easy to define and judge? (murder vs. hate)
• Does the issue affect the rights of other people?

I don't know the exact answer to this and I would appreciate your comments.

A Presidential candidate in Minnesota on Monday

On Monday, February 4th, a presidential candidate will visit Minnesota.

Ron Paul is coming to Minnesota to participate in a rally at the University of Minnesota, Monday, Feb. 4 @ 7pm.

Lest you think he is just a bit player, more money was given to him than any other GOP candidate in the 4th quarter of 2007. Romney has a higher quarter total because he gave over $18,000,000 of his own money. He also has more cash on hand than any other GOP candidate. More details are at opensecrets.org.

Stimulating what economy?

"foreign creditors will lend us the money to send rebates to families, who'll go out and buy more foreign goods"

Stimulus Stupidity

Someone I know is running for Mayor of Hudson, WI: an Knudson

Someone I know is running for Mayor. I have met him a few times when he was chairman of the Republican party of St. Croix County. If you happen to live in Hudson, WI take a look -- He seems like a good guy for the job.
Dean Knudson for Mayor of Hudson, WI

A conversation with Joseph

This is an actual conversation between Joseph (Age 2) and Annette:

Joseph asked "Did Papa take our car today? Did Grandpa take him to work? Or did he take Auntie Sarah's car?"
Annette answered that he took Auntie Sarah's car.
He said, "oh good. Now we can go to Gymboree today."
She asked him why he wanted to go there.
He said "to watch the movies and stuff."

Annette had not mentioned Gymboree that day at all.

Reaching Chinese People from Home

Do you wish you could be involved in sharing with people in China, but can’t travel there? If you understand and speak English well (as a native-English-speaker) here is a way you may be able to bless Chinese people without leaving your own home.

http://www.englishcoaching.info/info.html

Ron Paul

In my research of the presidential candidates I have been having trouble finding one that I really want to support but the more I look at Ron Paul the more I want to support him. Take a look!

Giving to a person in need in a store line

I have heard many stories (and songs) about people standing in line at a store and seeing another person in obvious need and then helping that person. Those stories are touching and move me to want to help and look for situations like that were I could help. But AFAIK I have never been in such a situation. Have you ever been in a situation like that? Are they just rare in the areas where I go? Do I just not notice them? Do I just assume the person really isn't in need? Why do I hear those stories but never seem to get a chance to act out the good deed?

Joseph: School days

The other day I asked Anna what days she goes to school, and she didin't know so Joseph said: "I don't go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays." He doesn't go to school at all but Anna goes to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Joseph's amazing memory: Jessica's age

A few weeks ago Jessica Pillman came to our house to visit (I was at work). Jessica asked Anna how old she was and Anna said 4, and then Jessica asked Joseph how old he was, and he said, "2, and Anna is 4, and you are going to be 25!" Our best guess is that he heard her age when we read the Pillman's Christmas at least a week before that. The things they say sure surprise us sometimes!