Tuesday evening afforded me the opportunity to watch Ben Stein’s newest film called: Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. I found this documentary to be interesting and entertaining; having enough interviews and film clips to keep my attention and maintain a certain level of entertainment.

I’m not an expert in either the Evolution or Intelligent Design debate, but if even half of what Ben is espousing were to be true, then his point is quite valid and needing attention. His basic premise is that the Scientific Community in America is denying, ignoring, and disregarding anything the Intelligent Design proponents might be offering to the larger discussion of the origin of the species. He believes this is not only weakening the discussion/debate; but is actually inhibiting the beloved sense of “freedom” upon which this country is so proudly founded. As fascinated as I was listening to the various interviews with Scientific Professors and professionals; I was most intrigued with the connections he attempted to draw between Darwinism and Nazism, and between Nazism’s theory of Eugenics and our modern day Planned Parenthood organization.

Granted, I’m sure Ben had an agenda, and used interview clips that fit his bias and said agenda. That being said, I left the theater with one overriding question: I wonder how the mainline modern media machine will cover, report and critique this modern day documentary? I suspected that this film would not get the positive, even glowing adoration, and certainly not the nominations for film awards, afforded other recent documentaries such as Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, and Michael Moore’s creations: Fahrenheit 9/11, Bowling For Columbine, Sicko and An Awful Truth.

My suspicions proved to be true. I spent an hour or so on Wed. reviewing a number of film reviews from the NY Times, and Washington Post, and MSN. Each of the authors fell in line with the other dismissing and discrediting Stein’s attempt by pointing out his ‘obvious’ bias and misconstrued preconceptions. Funny how ‘their boys’ (Al Gore and Michael Moore) apparently don’t possess such preconceptions. All this simply proves one thing: stated quite clearly in the movie, the definition of Truth is often determined by the majority, and excludes, even “Expells” any minority consideration. Hopefully this brief review might whet your appetite to see this movie, and Ben will give me the appropriate kickbacks this review certainly merits…well…probably not!

Greetings blog readers; thanks for the love! Glad you've found your way here, and hope you return when you can.

Is it me or has the current political campaign season been going on for 3 months or 3 years?? I've just got to remark about Barak's latest comment about all us "small town" folks turning to our religion and our guns cause we're in such dire straits over our current economic plight. Believe you me, I am concerned about our fiscal future, I don't like paying $3.35 for gas anymore than anyone else, but I could walk or ride my bike if I really hated it! I don't like the fact my retirement accounts lost $15,000 last quarter, but at least I had it to lose! That being said, I just love the mindset of Barak (Clinton and McCain are no better, really) that all us backwoods rednecks got to add meaning to our worthless 'flyover' lives are our stupid religion and hunting with guns. I suppose Barak would rather have us sit for 20 years under the leadership of a preacher who bashes America as a greedy, heartless, place; while his preacher has built for himself a 10,000sq foot mansion in a predominantly white neighborhood so he can enjoy the retirement he has earned after working lo these many years with all those poor disadvantaged Americans who have been so unjustly discriminated against by this evil America.

My friends, I want you to know that my disdain for most things political, is not just this latest barb, but the almost constant state of 'disconnect' between government and 'real' people. I consider myself a real person. Yes, I love guns and hunting; in fact I'm tempted to go buy more guns for fear that I soon won't be able to! BUT MORE THAN ALL THIS OTHER NEGATIVE RAMBLING NONSENSE: I LOVE JESUS CHRIST, and my desire to live for Him, and put my trust in Him, and Worship, Love and Serve Him, is in no way related to my 'bitterness' over any economic or political past, PRESENT or future! I've dedicated my life to serving Jesus, and though my faithfulness fails most miserably, most of the time, my intention is to spend the rest of my life trying to give myself away. Not as a vain attempt to repay the One who gave Himself for all of us, but in an effort to let my life be an offering that might positively influence someone else. Would that ANY politician might accept that mantle, instead of patronizing those of us who are trying to make a real difference in people's lives, and in our world.

Wow, I think I better cool off! Thanks for letting me vent! Kermit

I can't help it...I've tried, but I can't seem to get over longing to be in Augusta Georgia this week. You see, the Masters Golf Tournament is happening there this week. It was two years ago now my friend Paul and I spent 10 days playing on a few 'other' courses and spent 4 days walking the hallowed fairways of Augusta National Golf Course.

I've fallen in love with the 10th hole. It's beauty matches some of the more 'famous' holes, but its distinction is a 70 yard long bunker that hardly ever comes into play. I ask...why is it there? And answer...because it's beautiful, and the club can afford it! No expense is spared at that place. I doubt the "Green Jacket" ever open a business meeting with this phrase: "I wonder what that might cost?" (Which seems to be how most meetings are opened elsewhere!)

I've tried to upload a photo of #10, I hope you enjoy it. I hope you might pray for me to be diligent in my work this week, and not give in to my everpresent temptation to sneak away to catch a glimpse or two of that 'sacred space'.

God loves Golf! ME TOO! Kermit

Dear friends,
It's Holy Week, 2008. Hard to believe how early Easter is this year. I guess (via an email of unknown origin) that it can only ever be one day earlier (Mar. 22). 1913 was the last time it was on the 23rd, and it will be 120 years before it is this early again, and 200+years before it will be on the 22nd. That is all fascinating to me, but the real significance of this early Easter, is we'll have a whole month (April) before end of school, Mother's day, Graduations and Memorial Day activities arrive in May. For those of us who love golf here in the upper mid-west...that is GREAT NEWS.
Now watch, we'll get a huge blizzard in late March.

I'm not a political junkie, but I'm finding this whole Barak mess with his preacher saying stupid things very interesting. Not the least of which is how the liberal press would have crucified Geo. W. had he been a parishioner in a church for 20 years with a preacher saying such things as these.

It is getting tougher to be a conservative (politically or theologically) in this country, (and in the UMC). I am not very traditional in my approach to ministry or people or even in my life-style, so why do I try to hang on to conservative values in politics and religion? I value the sacredness of life, and I value loving Jesus. I try to be a follower of Jesus, but fail more than not. I'm really rambling. I want people to know the love of Jesus that has possessed me. I want people to share the value of hard work, and honesty and humility. Enough for now. Your beloved frog-blogger...Kermit

Dear Friends
It's about dang time you got around to reading this!!! (It's about dang time I got around to adding a new entry, truth be told!!!) Hope you are doing well.
Woke up yesterday to -24degrees and the first thought out of my sleepy head was: "This is the last-coldest day of the year till spring...can you tell what I have on my mind? I love being outdoors, especially playing golf and hunting. I am looking forward to another great golf season.
Had a great week with my sons in Nashville earlier this month. They are making music in Music City, and loving their Bohemian life style. I wasn't so sure of its glamour when it dipped to 38 degrees in their furnace-less house one evening! Survived the tornadoes thankfully. Took in some pro Basketball and Hockey, ate some tasty B-B-Q, heard some good live music (in their garage rehearsal space) and a smoky bar, and watched what in my limited memory was the greatest Super Bowl ever!
Have been busy with funerals, preaching, teaching and trying to advance the Kingdom in my little corner of the world. It is fun being a follower of Jesus.
A thought: "We Belong to Each Other". This quote has gotten under my skin...I really like it, though not sure exactly what it means. From George Bernard Shaw: "I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can." It was in the context of 'church' he wrote it, but I wonder if it might have a larger application. What of the community we live, what of our 'human' community? Knowing that we share life, might impact all we do. I have a good friend working on a dissertation right now that is addressing this very subject...I can't wait for the book! What do you think this might mean for your life? Our church? Our neighborhoods, our world? Keep thinking.
Have a great day. kermit