Month: June 2010

Uncategorized1 Comment

The Rahn Curve and the Growth-Maximizing Level of Government

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From the Center for Freedom and Prosperity: “Government spending can promote economic growth if money is used for core “public goods” such as rule of law and property rights. But the burden of government spending in the United States and other industrialized nations is far higher than needed to finance such activities. Citing scholarly studies, this CF&P Foundation video examines the Rahn Curve, which graphically illustrates the negative impact of excessive government spending. http://www.freedomandprosperity.org.” The Rahn Curve and the Growth-Maximizing Level …, posted with vodpod Continue reading The Rahn Curve and the Growth-Maximizing Level of Government

Current Events, Interesting7 Comments

Sharia law trumps U.S. Constitution in Dearborn

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Via AP and PowerLine: Four Christian evangelists were arrested on charges of “disorderly conduct” for distributing copies of the Gospel of John on a public street outside an Arab cultural festival in Dearborn, Michigan, which is heavily Muslim. One of the men filmed the event and had his camera confiscated, even though he wasn’t distributing the gospel tracts. Both the arrest and the request to stop videotaping are atrocious violations of the First Amendment. more about “Sharia law trumps U.S. Constitution i…“, posted with vodpod Continue reading Sharia law trumps U.S. Constitution in Dearborn

Book ReviewsLeave a comment

What about Darwin?

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Thomas F. Glick, What about Darwin? All Species of Opinion from Scientists, Sages, Friends, and Enemies Who Met, Read, and Discussed the Naturalist Who Changed the World (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University, 2010). $29.95, 552 pages. What I hoped this book would be is a sort of Bartlett’s Darwin Quotations, containing both friendly and hostile quotes about the man and his theory. As such, the book would be a useful compendium for writers looking for a piquant quote to make their point. Unfortunately, my hope for this book is unrealized. What about Darwin? is indeed a book of quotes about Darwin … Continue reading What about Darwin?

Book Reviews2 Comments

The Strong Horse

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Lee Smith, The Strong Horse: Power, Politics, and the Clash of Arab Civilizations (New York: Doubleday, 2010). $26.00, 240 pages. “When people see a strong horse and a weak horse,” Osama bin Laden once said, “by nature, they will like the strong horse.” Bin Laden’s statement provides the title, thesis, and motivation for the policy recommendations in Lee Smith’s new book, which examines—in the words of the subtitle—“power, politics, and the clash of Arab civilizations.” Smith is a Middle East correspondent for The Weekly Standard. The thesis of The Strong Horse is that “violence is central to the politics, society, … Continue reading The Strong Horse

1 Corinthians, The Daily WordLeave a comment

Till Death Do Us Part (1 Corinthians 7:39-40)

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Editor’s Note: This is my 900th post at GeorgePWood.com. In celebration of that achievement, I’m taking next week off to recuperate. GPW —– When I perform marriages, I use the wedding service of The Book of Common Prayer. After addressing the congregation on the purpose of marriage, I turn to the bride and ask, “will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall … Continue reading Till Death Do Us Part (1 Corinthians 7:39-40)

Book Reviews1 Comment

Off-Road Disciplines

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Earl Creps, Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2006). $23.95, 240 pages. The American church is in crisis. Sunday morning worship attendance figures are declining. But interest in God and spiritual matters is increasing. A typical pastoral response to this crisis asks, “How should we do our worship services?” In Off-Road Disciplines, Earl Creps suggests a better question: “How can I be changed so that others will find me worth following in mission?” (3, emphasis in original). The former question focuses on technique, while the latter question focuses on spiritual formation. Off-Road Disciplines addresses the spiritual … Continue reading Off-Road Disciplines

1 Corinthians, The Daily WordLeave a comment

Making Up Your Own Mind (1 Corinthians 7:36-38)

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My wife Tiffany and I met on a blind date. It was arranged by my pastor’s secretary, who also happened to be Tiffany’s parents’ next-door neighbor. For me, meeting Tiffany was a case of “love at first sight.” For Tiffany, it was “love at two- or three-weeks-later sight.”  Pretty soon into our relationship, we both knew we were headed for marriage. In 1 Corinthians 7:36-38, Paul writes advice to a Corinthian man who was experiencing difficulty making up his mind whether see through his engagement all the way to marriage. The man’s difficulty was not related to issues of personal … Continue reading Making Up Your Own Mind (1 Corinthians 7:36-38)

1 Corinthians, The Daily WordLeave a comment

Worst-Case Scenario Advice (1 Corinthians 7:32-35)

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I have always been something of a worst-case scenario thinker. In other words, I instinctively imagine the worst thing that could happen to me and mine in any situation and plan accordingly. For example, during tornado season, I make sure the storm radio is operational, stash clothes in the safe room, clear a path between the master bedroom and the baby’s room so I can run and bring him quickly to the safe room at a moment’s notice. My wife Tiffany is responsible for bringing our idiot dog. In some people, worst-case scenario thinking becomes pathological, a phobia of possible … Continue reading Worst-Case Scenario Advice (1 Corinthians 7:32-35)