On the Road Again

In a few minutes, Claire and I will be taking off for Colorado where I've got a couple of speaking engagements the next few days -- one in Colorado Springs and another in Woodland Park. However, Claire is bringing along her laptop so I'll be trying to keep up on my blogging chores too. Among the topics, of course, will be the President's nomination to the "Supremes." As of this early morning hour, Drudge and others are silent but one source is reporting Samuel Alito is the pick.

Porky Politicians Hit a New Low

For 30 years, reporter John Stossel has given Americans the "straight skinny" about hucksters, con men and frauds. He has boldly exposed those parasites who live only to feed off the hard earned dollars of the rest of us.

Well, in this column, Mr. Stossel directs his aim at the most successful rip-off artists of all. It is a piece you don't want to miss.

And, to help encourage you to immediately register your complaint (before you cool down) about the "Bridges to Nowhere" and other ridiculous political frauds, here's a couple of terrific links. Note that they both come from Taxpayers for Common Sense, a very nifty site where you can keep tabs on the worst of government waste and fraud.

The first TCS link to utilize takes you to the roll call on the Coburn Amendment so you can see where your respective representatives voted on. The second connects you to a full slate of appropriate addresses for your response.

Life Ad Infinitum

"It’s not really a matter of living forever, it’s just a matter of not wanting to die."

This from Cambridge University researcher Aubrey de Grey who is publicizing his belief that human immortality is just around the corner...well, 25 years or so.

De Grey directs the Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS) project, in which he has defined seven causes of aging, all of which he thinks will be completely overcome soon. Furthermore, eternal youthfulness will be enjoyed. De Grey says people will be able to live in a splendid balance of the life force as if they were 20-25 years of age.

Of course, De Grey's hopes to defeat death are sheer fantasy.

Science, which is merely the study of God's creation, cannot be used as a weapon against His purposes. And it is God that has decreed, "It is appointed unto men once to die, and then the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) No one escapes.

However, man can conquer death through resurrection. And that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, accepting the sacrifice for sin He provided by dying in our place on the cross. Man's hope for eternal life cannot be found in a mythical Fountain of Youth but rather in the singular sacrifice of Jesus. "But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water which I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)

Michelangelo wisely wrote, "Death destroys a man, but the idea of death saves him." The great Christian artist understood that the inescapable reality of death was the motivation to effectively prepare for it; specifically, by receiving Christ's atoning sacrifice in man's behalf. Jesus said "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die..." (John 11:26).

No matter what the "Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence" attempt to do about it, death will come to Aubrey De Grey...and to you and me. Therefore, instead of wishful thinking, science fiction, whistling through the graveyard, or any other distractions, men must first face the irreducible fact of death, and then make sure of one's salvation from death through the triumph of Christ's resurrection.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you..." (1 Peter 1:3-4).

On the Death of Pro-Life Champion Wellington Mara

Clicking on the title of the above post will take you to the brief Wellington Mara obituary from the New York Giants official web site.

In addition, I thought you would like to read the comments from Life Athletes, including those from Chris Godfrey, former New York Giant player and founder of LA:


Good bye, dear friend

We lost a good friend with the passing of Wellington Mara. He is best known for his role as co-owner of the New York Giants, and his pioneering efforts in establishing the National Football League. But his most important role was fathering eleven children and at last count, 40 grandchildren. But he was a spiritual father to countless more, if it weren't for his careful "fathering" we simply would not be who we are today.

Chris Godfrey had this to say, "In a cynical world that seems to know the cost of everything, and the value of nothing, Wellington Mara helped us appreciate the important things, namely faith, family, friends, and life itself."

This is the timeless lesson that we, in turn, pass on to the next generation. We will miss him deeply... Please remember him and his family in your prayers.

Here too are comments from Family Research Council:

Known affectionately as "The Duke," Pro-Football Hall of Famer Wellington Mara died this week of cancer at age 89. Co- owner of the New York Giants, Mara was also a giant pro-lifer. He not only generously contributed to pro-life groups, he also encouraged his football players to join Athletes for Life and many did.

"My father still knew every player on the team and his time in the 40-yard dash," said John Mara, Wellington's son and the team's chief operating officer. Wellington Mara may have gotten practice managing the Giants' dining table by presiding over family dinners. His son John was the oldest of eleven Mara children.

It was especially notable that Wellington Mara stood up for the right to life in New York, New York. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. We honor his memory and we pray that God will comfort the Mara family.

Abortion & Church History

Abortion advocates frequently argue that the pro-life convictions expressed by Catholic and evangelical Christians are of relatively recent origin and are more of an outgrowth of conservative politics than theology.

But the record clearly shows something different.

Danforth's Dementia

Burn me once -- John Danforth's New York Times article of last June in which he criticized religious conservatives for messin' up the Republican Party.

Burn me twice -- John Danforth complains again yesterday about those trouble-making Christians who ought to stay in church and pray while folks like himself (a moderate, enlightened, Episcopalian priest) handle such grown up tasks as governing the country.

During a visit to the Bill Clinton School of Public Service yesterday, Danforth whined, "I think that the Republican Party fairly recently has been taken over by the Christian conservatives, by the Christian right....I don't think that this is a permanent condition but I think this has happened, and that it's divisive for the country."

He also said the evangelical Christian influence would be bad for the party in the long run. Apparantly, Danforth sees a rosier future for the G.O.P. in the likes of Arlen Specter, Michael Bloomberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Log Cabin Republicans.

Will somebody please check Mr. Danforth's meds?

The Killing of "Wrong" Sex Babies

Nine years of "studying" the ethics of sex selection abortion -- and they still didn't get it right? Here's the Guardian Unlimited (U.K.) story on the Texas fertility clinic which will now engage in sex selection abortion.

(Note the connection to Baylor University, the Big 12 school formerly proud of its Baptist heritage.) Sigh.

Is Your Congressman "True Blue"?

The Family Research Council last week gave its "True Blue" Awards to 69 Members of Congress whose voting records this year reflect an A+ on issues of importance to the American family.

"These Members are to be commended for supporting public policy that values human life, protects our religious liberties, and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family," said Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council.

"I applaud these Members for pursuing the mandate given by the values voters in the last election. Values voters should be encouraged by these Members who have shown a commitment to protect and strengthen the family."

On a lighter note, FRC issued its first "Black & Blue Awards" to those Members of Congress who voted 0% on pro-family issues. Dishonorable mentions were in order for two members who excelled in disservice to the strengthening of families, faith and freedom.

Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) received the "Abstinence of Thought" award for his brilliantly composed abstinence report which abstained from providing any facts or positive research to substantiate his claims.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) received the "Un-Intelligent Design" award for being a longtime proponent of removing faith from the public square, prayer from public schools and intelligent design from academic studies. However, Rep. Pelosi never fails to accept the Supreme Court's wisdom as though "God has spoken" when rendering a decision derived unconstitutionally.

The full Family Research Council report (in PDF form) is right here.

Is Europe Dying?

Quint Coppi alerted me to this fine article by George Weigel and I gladly pass it on to you. It examines the critical de-population problem in Europe from both a historical and a philosophical perspective. It is a very thorough piece so I'd advise you to print it off and take a little time with it. But trust me (and Quint!); it is well worth it.

On Leading Seekers to Faith in Jesus Christ

There is nothing in life quite comparable to the thrill, the gratitude and the overwhelming humility one experiences when he or she is blessed to lead someone to Jesus Christ.

Last night I spoke to a group of about 25 high school students in a packed basement in Blair, Nebraska. It was a meeting of Student Venture, the high school outreach of Campus Crusade for Christ, and this particular chapter is directed by Gary Warrick, an old and trusted friend. I have spoken to his gatherings over the years and have always been honored and pleased at seeing God work in the lives of these young people and their adult sponsors.

But last night truly was special with five students being bold enough to publicly acknowledge their desire to receive Christ as their personal Savior.

While the other students were on their knees praying, these five came upstairs with me. I explained again what it is to become a Christian -- simply to trust in the sacrifice Jesus had made on the cross when He died for our sins. Rather than relying on one's own good works, or basic "goodness," or religious affiliation, or anything else, one must take advantage of the sacrifice Jesus provided.

Said Jesus, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me."

Forgiveness of sin, the guarantee of heaven, the adoption as an honored son or daughter of God, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and so much more -- these are all immediate and supernatural benefits of simply (but honestly) seeing Jesus on the cross and saying, "Yes. I understand You died in my place. You paid my debt. I believe in You and trust You. And I humbly receive the gift of salvation You purchased with Your blood."

After quickly reviewing these splendid truths which I had emphasized in my sermon downstairs earlier, I then led these precious five kids in prayer and from everything we can now see, these five young people became Christians last night. They started on that incredible spiritual adventure that leads to the full triumph of Christ over meaninglessness, sin, and even death itself. It doesn't get any better than this.

I entreat readers of Vital Signs Blog to say a quick prayer for these kids even as you say one for many more chances of this kind to come our way as Claire, myself and the whole team of Vital Signs Ministries "LifeSharers" keep holding high the banner of Christ.

And, yes; please say just one more for Gary Warrick and his remarkable ministry which reaches out to the students of Blair and several other communities. Gary is in the process of trying to increase his meager support and he could really use any spiritual (and financial) assistance we can provide. He is a genuine champion whose service to Christ has been marked by integrity, compassion and hard work all the 35 years I've known him.

If you're interested in finding out more about his ministry or inviting him to address your church or Sunday School class, please contact him here -- gwarrick@studentventure.com

Thanks.

Dirty Money Scandal? This One's Not DeLay; It's the Democrats

Here's a brief item on what to the MSM ("mainstream media") is a complete non-story; namely the Democratic Congessional Campaign Committee refusing to return dirty money obtained via Frank Ballance, a former North Carolina Democrat Congressman whose constituency is now his prison cellmates.

Clinton Library to Be Visited by Victims of His Sexual Harassment

Tomorrow, two women who have an intense interest in the man so irrationally glorified there will visit the Clinton Library in Little Rock. And they hope their attendance at the site will help publicize the real Bill Clinton and thus serve to better empower women who are victims of sexual harassment and assault by powerful perpetrators.

And these women well know of what (and whom) they speak. They are Juanita Broaddrick and Kathleen Willey, both victims of Bill Clinton's perverted and egocentric lusts. From Front Page Magazine, here's the story on the women's visit.

Islam Advances...Into the White House?

In one of those mushy-headed moments that President Bush seems to be giving us a lot of lately, he is pleased to announce the Koran has now been placed into the official White House library. Apparantly, it is another of the Chief Executive's faith-based moves but, like several of them, enacted without careful consideration of what the particular "faith base" is.

By clicking on the title of this post, you'll zip over to Diana West's penetrating column on this silly (and ultimately dangerous) publicity ploy.

The Baby Boomers & Euthanasia

The wise watchman on the wall, Chuck Colson, describes how the pampered lifestyles of the baby boomers has created an absolute intolerance for suffering of any kind; thus creating a dramatic new momentum for euthanasia.

"Doc" Coburn vs Pork-Addicted Politicians

There are so few politicians who are willing to stand and fight for anything other than their right to aggrandize themselves with your money!

Senator Dr. Tom Coburn is a wonderful exception to the rule.

Here's Mark Tapscott's nifty column about "Doc" Coburn squarely facing off with his petulant, swinish colleagues.

Driving for Life

Interstate Batteries' Norm Miller and NASCAR star Bobby Labonte are teaming up to raise both money and public awareness for the outstanding ministries performed by the preganancy aid centers affiliated with Care Net. Here's the story from LifeNews.com

Go Big Green!

The Stench of Injustice and Violence Continues in Belarus

As one independent journalist is memorialized on the anniversary of her murder, another is killed. Here's the brief update from Radio Free Europe...

Colleagues and relatives on 20 October visited the grave of journalist Veranika Charkasava, who was stabbed to death in her Minsk apartment one year ago, Belapan reported.
Reporters Without Borders wrote in a press release the same day that Charkasava covered a wide range of subjects, noting that she undertook investigative work on sects and organized crime and wrote a series of articles headlined "The KGB Is Still Watching You." Shortly before her murder, Charkasava had been investigating possible Belarusian government arms sales to Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. Charkasava's case remains unsolved.

Meanwhile, on 18 October Vasil Hrodnikau, a freelancer for the opposition daily "Narodnaya volya," was found dead in his apartment outside Minsk, reportedly after being hit on the head with a blunt object. An investigator from the Minsk District Prosecutor's Office told RFE/RL's Belarus Service on 20 October that evidence and expert examinations so far do not warrant a criminal probe into Hrodnikau's death.

How Goes the Miers Nomination?

Here's a few of the latest takes on what seems to be the unraveling of Harriet Miers' chances to make it to the Supreme Court.

Byron York...Charles Krauthammer...Wes Pruden...John Tabin...and Bob Novak.

I think that's enough to give you the big idea.

Despite the charges of many Bush supporters that veterans of the conservative movement have hurt the President by their opposition to the Miers nomination, the fact is that the President hurt himself by this selection. And the last few days have demonstrated that there's "plenty more hurt" to this nomination that has come via Miers herself and a few of her well meaning but unwise friends.

Lower Case Prejudice

This from a Catholic News Agency report --

According to a new grammar rule in the Netherlands and Belgium, the name "Christ" will soon be written with a lower-case "c", as stipulated by an orthography reform published last Friday.

According to the Kath.net agency, the new spelling rules also will stipulate that the Dutch word for "jews" (joden) be spelled with a capital "J" when referring to nationality and with a lower-case "j" when referring to the religion. The changes will be mandatory starting in August 2006.

This certainly isn't the worst example of modern Dutch decadence. There is, after all, their bold and expansive enthusiasm for abortion, euthanasia, sexual perversions, etc.

But it does tend to underscore the irreligious philosophy under which the other horrors are flourishing.

Government School Teams with Homosexual Activists to Oppose Parental Rights

Homosexuals continue to badger David Parker, a parent who was arrested for a peaceful protest against a Lexington, Massachusetts, school where pro-homosexual literature was given to his son's kindergarten class. Parker's trial began yesterday.

World Net Daily has the story, a disturbing one on many fronts.