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For Him

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How do we use what we've been given for God's purposes?

Fairness on the field

Recently, I called in to The Lampstand radio show to discuss the reaction people have had to a high school team beating another team by over 80 points. You can listen to the audio below. To hear the podcast in its entirety, visit The Lampstand.

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On the death of Patrick Swayze

Today's podcast: Just Matthew J

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Joker Picture of Obama Racist?

It seems that every time someone speaks out against President Barack Obama, they are labeled a racist. This is no different in the case of a new poster appearing in Los Angeles depicting Obama as The Joker from The Dark Knight movie. This depiction is "racist" and "mean spirited" but when it's pointed out that Bush was first depicted as the Joker, the racist accusation is not dropped. "Lynchings" of Obama in effigy are called racist, but there was no outrage when Sarah Palin was "lynched" in effigy some time ago. There is a moral double standard on the left when it comes to treatment of the President.

I have put up a few comparisons for you to decide what you think.

Effigies:

The Joker:

Now please explain to me, preferably with coherent, rational thoughts, how the defamation of Obama is racist while the mean spirited attacks against Palin and Bush (and I won't even go into the Cheney pictures) are "just jokes" and "free speech".

Rubio on healthcare

Rubio on the Constitution

Rubio on family values

Rubio on accountability in government

Rubio on the role of government

Marco Rubio is not "the GOP's Barack Obama".

As I was checking up on Facebook today, a video caught my attention that was posted by David All.  This video, which you can view here, was entitled "Marco Rubio: Rising Star and Republican's Barack Obama."  As a Rubio supporter, I was excited to watch this video, but I do have to take issue with the title.  I'll be quick and to the point, as there isn't much reason to go on about this subject.

Marco Rubio is NOT the Republican version of Barack Obama.  Yes, he grew up with very little and rose to prominence at a young age.  Yes, Marco Rubio is intelligent and articulate and rattles up crowds whenever he speaks.  Yes, Marco Rubio is an ethnicity other than white.  But there is a fundamental difference between Rubio and Obama that MUST be pointed out.

While the lock-step followers of Barack Obama (I like to call them Obamites) bought into the cult of personality that is Obama, Rubio supporters are not supporters because of the above reasons.  We do not follow Rubio because he is young, good looking, articulate, non-white, captivating (although he is all of those things) or because of his life story.  Unlike blind followers of Barack Obama who swoon over the man like he's the Messiah, regardless of the fact that they cannot name a single policy he supports, we Rubio supports want our candidate elected because we believe in the policies he supports.  We believe in his politics, in his conservative message.  And his message is not a vague, bumper sticker cliche like "change you can believe in".  No, Marco Rubio has core values, he believes in real things. He can tell you what policies he supports and more importantly, why he supports them. 

We do not follow the man Marco Rubio, oblivious to any mistakes he makes.  We do not follow an interesting life story.  We support policies and we want to elect a Senator that will enact them.  We do not oppose Governor Crist in this race because he's a white-haired white guy.  We oppose his policies, from the out of control spending in Florida to his unexplainable support of the "stimuls" package (and much, much more).  We do not support Rubio versus Crist because he is younger and we relate to him more.  We do not support Rubio just because we think he's "cool".  We do not support Rubio because it's the popular thing to do.  That's the difference between us and them.

The difference between Rubio and Obama is that Rubio supporters know their guy has substance and will make a good Senator.  Obama supporters "like" their guy and that's about the jist of it.  Rubio isn't the GOP's solution to their problems because of any characteristics that make him like Barack Obama.  He is the cure to the GOP's dilemma because of his true conservative values. And values are not what Barack Obama was elected for.

A message from Matthew J. to Patriot Action listeners

View the message here.

25 books that every conservative should read

*This list is not all inclusive.

In no particular order:

1. The Forgotten Man by Amity Shlaes
2. The Conservative's Handbook by Phil Valentine
3. Animal Farm by George Orwell
4. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
5. 1984 by George Orwell
6. Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal by Ayn Rand
7. The 10 Big Lies About America by Michael Medved
8. Liberty and Tyranny by Mark Levin
9. The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
10. New Deal Or Raw Deal? by Burton W. Folsom
11. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
12. Economic Facts and Fallacies by Thomas Sowell
13. Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg
14. Edmund Burke by Russell Kirk
15. The Conservative Mind by Russell Kirk
16. The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek
17. The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater
18. Up From Liberalism by William F. Buckley, Jr.
19. The Law by Frederic Bastiat
20. Attention Deficit Democracy by James Bovard
21. Scalia Dissents by Antonin Scalia
22. The Works of Edmund Burke
23. The Federalist Papers
24. The Anti Federalist Papers
25. Democracy in American by Alexis de Tocqueville

Find these books and more at www.theconservativesource.com

Government and God

Once, when I had just started listening to talk radio, I heard Rush Limbaugh describe the difference between liberals and conservatives.  He said that while liberals define success as how many people they have on government programs, conservatives measure success by how many people no longer need to be on those programs.  That is true compassion.  That is conservatism.

That explanation seemed so profound to me that I took to trying to find ways to explain the differences between conservatives and liberals myself.  I'm rather fond of coming up with new ways to explain what separates the two.  There is, of course, the old standard definition that says that conservatives believe in smaller government while liberals believe in bigger government.  I've also looked many times to Edmund Burke and Russell Kirk to give well-formed explanations as to what conservatism is.

Today, however, I found a different source from which to grasp an answer to the question of what divides conservatives from liberals and vice versa.  As I was reading for a class on Old Testament history, I came across a statement that struck me.  The text read, "Establishing a monarchy did not solve Israel's problems.  What God desires is the genuine devotion of each person's mind and heart to him.  No government or set of laws can substitute for the rule of God in your heart and life."(emphasis mine)

That last sentence hit me with great truth.  Many in our government would like for government to replace God himself.  While liberals seek to replace God with government, conservatives seek to protect God's laws from government.  Now, don't get me wrong; I'm not so partisan that I think it's only liberals who want to do so.  No, I recognize that there are those in both major parties that would like to establish themselves as the final word in truth and law.  But as a general rule, it seems to me that liberals seek to make laws as a means to reach a utopia.  And in my view, conservatives try to pass laws for the good of those on this earth, without the unrealistic expectation that these laws will lead to a perfect civilization. 

The reason this text had such an impact on me probably goes back to something that someone asked me recently.  The question was brought up that, since I consider myself a Christian, how can I take part in earthly politics.  After all, I should be considering the things of the next life, not this one; right?  Well, my answer to that was that I feel obligated as a Christian to protect the very right we have in this country to worship freely.  If we have no freedom of religion, then whose fault is it?  I don't fight only to protect the rights of people who belong to my religion to worship.  I fight for the rights of all citizens to worship as they please, regardless of what religion.

While the current liberal administration seeks to repeal "conscience laws", forcing medical professionals to perform procedures that they morally oppose, conservatives feel that the ability to express our conscience is at the core of our rights.  Redefining what is right and wrong through legislation and not allowing for conscience is indeed trying to replace God with government.

Faith in Fatherhood: Father Knows Best

Luke 11:13 “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Every dad has seen this scenario: your child is begging for some sort of junk food, but you know, as a responsible parent, that he needs something more healthy....

Read the entire article >>

Faith in Fatherhood: Don't Worry.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34

How many of us, as fathers, have found ourselves worrying about how we are going to provide for our family? And how many of us later feel guilty for lacking faith in doing so?

I never felt much need to worry when it was just me and my wife. She is a very strong, capable woman and I don't worry much about her being able to take care of herself in my absence. Or should I say didn't worry much...

Read the entire article >>

Et tu, Alex?

Throughout my life, I have had a love/hate relationship with baseball. It seems that the notion is true that one is most hurt by the one's he loves.

No matter how old I get, I love baseball. I love the thrill of Spring Training. I love the sounds and the sights that are experienced at a baseball game. I even love the players. And yet, time and time again, they hurt me.

In 1994, at the height of my teenage lovefest with sports, the players of Major League Baseball decided that their salaries mattered more than their fans. They decided that their multimillion dollar contracts were simply not enough for them to go play a sport that many would give anything just to play. They, in my teenage heart, dumped on us all. And I gave up on them.

It took me quite a few years before I would give the MLB players a second chance and let them back into my heart. In 2002, I began to feel the first love all over again that I had experienced as a kid. Now an adult, I returned to my childhood hobby of collecting baseball cards, and watching the games on TV. I made myself vulnerable once again. And again, I have been let down.

Now, there have been some controversies between 2002 and now. From Jose "I can pitch, coach!" Canseco's book about how everyone in baseball has done steroids and cheated on their wives, to the U.S. Senate's hearings about substance abuse, I have looked past a few things and put on my blinders. Call it self preservation and not wanting to be hurt again.

But now... Now Alex Rodriguez, a man who repeatedly denied ever having used performance enhancing drugs, has admited to using them. He has admited that he lied to us all. A-Rod is a player that I never liked, but I was convinced by some people around me that I should like him because he is now a Yankee. I refused to like him and said that he was not a true Yankee, but alas, I let him grow on me. I should have stuck with my original dislike for him.

Again, I have let the players of this sport tear apart the game I love. Again, I have let them tarnish the once beautiful memories that I held of this national pasttime. And again, they have dumped on me. I actually believed that these guys would never do it again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...

Shame on me.

Faith in Fatherhood: Everything Belongs to God

“I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing’.” Psalms 16:2

“…for everything in heaven and earth is yours…” I Chronicles 29:11

This week my child reached a stage that every parent dreads. He has reached the “mine” stage. It seems that now, everything in the house, or in the mall or at a restaurant belongs to my son. Who knew?

Read the rest of the article >>

On Florida News Platoon:

Arthur Nadel Turns Himself In

January 29, 2009 by willielawson

Filed under "In The House", News, Special Reports

Leave a comment

Written by Matthew J. Cochran

Sarasota (FNP) Florida’s own version of Bernie Madoff, Arthur G.
Nadel, turned himself in on Tuesday to face charges that he stole
millions of dollars through a Ponzi scheme.

Nadel, who fled from Sarasota after investors demanded more than $50
million from him, faces two counts of securities fraud and wire fraud.

Mr. Nadel, 76, faces 20 years in prison for each count and a fine of
up to $5 million. He may be moved to New York, where the charges were
filed due to the fact that he used a brokerage house there to wire
money from the hedge funds to his personal accounts.

Read the rest of the article >>

Faith in Fatherhood: Leave a Legacy

“A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children…” Psalm 13:22a

The inheritance we leave to our children is not merely a monetary one. The way in which we live our lives and the character we show is a legacy that lives on after we depart this life.

I am guilty of buying into the same belief that so many others have believed for many years; that my children will be better off if I make enough money and provide them with all of their physical needs. While there is nothing wrong with aiming to provide for our children, I think we sometimes miss the point of leaving them an “inheritance”.

Read the rest of the article>>

On the lack of regard for human life

I am sickened.

I was sickened on the day after Thanksgiving when I learned that a Walmart employee was trampled by shoppers who couldn't wait to get a deal. Not because the employee got trampled; it's sad but it happens in these situations. No, I was sickened that people actually realized that the person was being trampled and walked over him anyway. What's more is that some of them became very angry when Walmart tried to close their doors due to the death. Those shoppers had no regard for human life. That Walmart employee was a person! He was a person with a family who loved him and now he is DEAD. This mentality that he was just some thing to be thrown to the side is horrifying.

Today I am once again sickened. I clicked on a link to a story about a 77 year old woman who had a shopping addiction that died after some of her possessions fell on her and she was trapped. The comments on this post ranged from "I love it, death by shopping and on Boxing Day yet! How utterly perfect." to "She shopped till she dropped?" This woman was a PERSON! She was a real life, living and breathing SOUL. She had feelings and passions. And now she's dead.

There is a difference between irony and humor. Is it ironic that a shopoholic died because her possessions were so many that they caved in on her? Of course it's ironic. But is it funny? Since when is it funny when a human life ends? If you truly find humor in the end of human life, I'll be sure to laugh out loud at YOUR funeral. The trash that posted those comments (yeah, I said it) need to learn a little bit about compassion and the value of EVERY human life.

In case you missed it...

This morning I was a guest on Willie Lawson's radio show to discuss the conservative movement and the future of the Republican Party. The show was a ton of fun and I encourage you to check out Willie's show everyday at 12 noon EST on Blog Talk Radio.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/HeadingRight/willielawsonshow

Here is today's show in the archives:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/HeadingRight/willielawsonshow/2009/01/06/The-Willie-Lawson-Show-

On resolutions

Exit 2008...enter 2009. Yes, it's that time of year again to talk about new year's resolutions. I normally stay away from the subject, even to the point of not making resolutions of my own. My belief is that if you want to do something, you should just do it instead of waiting for the first of the new year to start. This year, however, I've changed my mind.

Before I start into telling you what I resolve to do in 2009, let me tell you something I accomplished in 2008. While it may not seem like a big deal to many, I managed to finish something this past year that I previously have given up on before completion. I read the Bible in one year. I've read through the whole Bible using a one year reading plan before...it took me 4 years. But in 2008, I stayed on track and I finished the objective. Now, this was not a new year's resolution I had, but I bring it up to prove a specific point.

If you set a goal and keep realistic expectations, you can accomplish it. This is true, not only with new year's resolutions, but with other goals throughout the year. If it's your goal to lose weight, keep the goal within realistic means. It's also so important to remember that if you screw up the plan once or twice it's not the end of the world. If you want to quit smoking and you lose control and smoke a cigarette, it does not mean that you have failed. Start again and this time try even harder. Don't let your past mistake equal your future confidence. Forget that you messed up and move on. This past year I did not keep up with my daily reading on several occasions and got behind. I didn't let that keep me from finishing. When I got a moment, I sat down and read until I was at least close to caught up. Little by little I got back on track and in the end I finished the task.

This year I'm looking forward to working on being a better planner; not jumping into projects with so little planned out. I know that if I don't do so well on some days I just need to keep moving. I will also be trying to be more physically active. I don't necessarily mean that I'm going to join a gym; I've tried that before and never went. Realistically, I know that my goal needs to be more like trying to walk each day or do some curls with my dumb bells; anything that isn't sitting behind the computer.

Those may not seem like much, but as I said, I know that my expectations need to be realistic and not beyond my capability or motivation. What are your new year's resolutions? If one of them happens to include daily Bible reading, there is a great reading plan at www.youversion.com. If you're like me and you prefer to have a piece of paper to check off as you go along, I have created this much more printable format of You Version's reading plan that you can download here.

Let's let the past stay in the past, let go of our regrets and begin a new year with new goals.

Here's to 2009!