I am a Fish Tank

The dogs were barking this morning, and I got up to yell at them. Of course, they were quiet by the time I got out there, but, since I was up....

I decided to take care of a few things around the house. I get a lot more done in the mornings, and everything is easier when the kids are asleep.

I started off sweeping and mopping. I wanted to move the fish tank to the other side of the dining area, as it would give us more sitting room.

So, I had to drain it, move the fish, find something to put the fish in, yada yada yada. You get the picture.

I finally remember we had bought a fish pond for outside. So I took about thirty minutes and dug a small hole for it. 24 inch diameter and 6 inches deep. Not really that big, but big enough when its hard packed dirt like we have here.

So, the fish are happy, the dining room looks a little bigger, the floors are clean, and I'm dirty.

Back to the fish tank. I pushed it up against the wall, then had to pull it back out to make room for the filter. Its in a corner, and still tight against the other wall. I needed to slip the power cords between the tank and the wall, and run them over to the outlet.

Low and behold, it was too tight for the cords even. So, I grabbed the tank and pulled a little. It moved some, but it was more of a sway, and the stand didn't budge. The cord dropped about half-way down and stuck. So, I sat down and pulled on the base, right were it sits on the tile. It waas easier, and the whole thing slid over for me. Mission accomplished.

It made me think of life, laws, morality, and government. Funny, huh.

America, according to history as I was taught all those years ago, was founded by men fleeing religious persecution. They wanted to practice Christianity as God was leading them, not as the government told them was proper and accepted.

When they rebelled and formed their own nation, it was based on their principles. Christians morals as taught in the bible, as believed and practiced in their everyday lives. This is the foundation of our legal system, and our everyday freedoms.

Today, we are trying to spread our lifestyle, and our newer version of freedom, around the world. But its not working so well. I've heard it said for years that you can't legislate morality. It appears you can't legislate capitalism or democracy either.

We've stepped in, with the best of intentions, and tried to help Iraq and Afghanistan. To some degree, we probably have. But we've only managed to sway the top of the fishtank. Eventually, if we keep applying pressure, we will move the whole thing.

But there needs to be a grass roots movement for effective change. When the people want something, then the country can change.

Its the same for individuals. There are certain things I know I need to change about myself. Drink more water. Exercise. blah. But necessary. I know these things, and my life has swayed a little. But I need to desire these chnges too.

As Christians, I've seen us divide up the human person into two or three distinct parts. Material and immaterial, or spirit, soul, and body. However you divide yourself up, you're doing it wrong.

You are one. In the beginning, God created man. Not three things that he packed together like free software bundles. I am a man. One being. I need to worship with my whole being. Not just singing with my voice while my mind roams. Or paying attention to the literal meaning of the words while singing with no emotion. Understanding, emotions, and bodily involvement. Stand up, clap, dance a little. (Very little in my case, since I have no rhythm.)

Changes in my life will need to involve my whole being. Not a mental assent, or mere desire. Desire gives strength, knowledge gives direction, and my body is my slave.

Gotta start at the bottom to move the whole fishtank that is me.

Blair warns of 'arc of extremism'

"'This war can't be won in a conventional way, it can only be won by showing that our values are stronger, better and more just, more fair than the alternatives,' he said."

Thats gonna be real hard, convincing the world that American Values are better than those of the rest of the world. Ordaining gays, condoning violence, ignoring our own poor.

Sure, we need to reach out and help the rest of the world. But I think we're not working hard enough to raise ourselves from the pits we've fallen into.

The Muslim world isn't going to see our way of life as better than theirs any time soon. Not unless they let go of their religion, and become secular.

Thats what we've done. Religion is a private affair here in the States, and it isn't allowed to affect our schools, our work, or our political processes. Ours is a secular worldview, and as such, seems better to us. Better education. Better food. Better homes.

But at the price of our souls. Does Mr. Blair really think he can convince this "arc of extremism" that better food is really worth our souls?