Jon Swerens

Very few Christian writers have named the real source of homosexual marriage in our country.

It’s the church.

It’s Christian fathers not being faithful to what they’ve been called to do.

Douglas Wilson is saying this better than anyone. Here’s a link to a little parable:

Once Upon a Time

This is the big finish:

Of course, there were many who blamed the unbelievers outside the church for corrupting the youth of the church, and wanted their parliament to pass a law. But this was the reverse of the truth. The church had corrupted the world outside, and the world outside, once restraint was removed, began to attack the churches.

Politics is useless without repentance from our corporate sin of faithless fatherhood.

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Today, Pat White, on WOWO radio (1190 am), was crabbing about how expensive weddings are, so the first thing he suggested leaving out was children. Nice job, Pat. Should we really think it useful or wise keep children from seeing the joy that comes with marriage? The vows and celebration should be witnessed, enjoyed, and dreamed about by children, as well as the adults. Are children only distractions and pests? Or are they people, too? They will consider marriage someday, too, so why shouldn’t they see it from the beginning?

Pat, if you want to make the weddings less expensive and, involve friends and family in the preparations. They can cook, bake the cake, make the flower arrangements, make favors for the tables, etc. The list is endless. Just don’t be a cheapskate and think that leaving out the very people who should see such a thing is a virtuous act.

Pat went on to say that children make too much noise at weddings, anyway.

Children are not the only ones who make noise in church. And if they do, an adult can remind them of the importance of the event and that they need to be quiet. Some of the most distracting noises I have heard in church are snoring, clipping of nails, blowing of noses, crinkling of hard candy wrappers, coughing with uncovered mouths… all done by adults.

Local radio talk-show host Pat White solicited on-air complaints about the problem of expensive weddings, the problem of having kids there eating food better appreciated by adults, the problem of kids making noise and ruining those precious wedding videos, etc.

First, if background noises ruined your wedding video, that just means you were too poor or cheap to pay for proper audio recording equipment.

But beyond that, Mr. White seems to think he is defending decency and conservative values by complaining about extravagant weddings. But instead he is defending the boring, pragmatic, modern idea of drinking in joy through pursed lips and complaining about the taste.

Weddings are supposed to be celebratory feasts. But nowadays, those paying for the feast believe they have a duty to complain about the expense as the guests mingle guiltily around the tables.

If and when my daughters get married, may God grant me not just the financial ability to really lay out the food, but also to do it with great joy.

Boycott all media coverage of J.Lo and Marc Anthony.

NBC’s retrospective on the late President Reagan spent a lot of time focused on his way with words. As they played a number of his speeches, I didn’t think Reagan sounded like “The Great Communicator.” Instead, he just sounded like an interesting fellow to have a conversation with.

Then the news came on, with an interview of a local politician. And as the politician droned on saying a great many words, none of which I can remember, I realized again just how rare a gift it is to have a politician who not only speaks what he believes, but also who can say it in a winsome fashion.

No wonder so many people hated Reagan! With that combination of gifts, he was their worst nightmare.

This afternoon, we’ll all be heading for Hamilton Park for Wildcat League baseball signups. This will be the first time for the boys and Hannah to play an organized sport.

From what I’ve read, the Wildcat League was started right here in Fort Wayne as a counterpoint to the overly competitive Little League. Wildcatters let everyone play, and let them play any position they want.

Well, you may say that doesn’t sound like what happens in the big leagues. And you’re right. But it does sounds like what happens when a bunch of friends get together and want to play. And since almost everyone will not play professional ball, this seems like a better way to learn the game and learn to love the game.

I’ve always liked baseball, and when I was young, I was on a Little League team for maybe three seasons. The first day on the team, I proved I was not a good player. So the coach sent me to the bench — which made sure I would not get better.

Here’s hoping the Wildcat League will at least give my kids the opportunity to play the game, so they can learn to love the game.

Next time you’re in the library and have an extra five minutes, check out the April 16 edition (with Quentin Tarantino on the cover) of Entertainment Weekly. (The article isn’t available online unless you’re a magazine subscriber or AOL user.)

I read the “Hooray for Holywood” article while waiting at the doctor’s office yesterday. The magazine interviewed five “faith-based” entertainment folks, including Jerry Jenkins of “Left Behind” fame (or infamy), Phil Vischer of VeggieTales and Martha Williamson of “Touched by an Angel.”

The interviewer asked thoughtful questions that weren’t softballs or patronizing, and the Christians sound intelligent and humorous. Read a great review of the article here, by the bloggers at GetReligion.