One Man Makes a Difference in Haiti

Jake Wood, known in the milblogosphere as "Badger Jake," is a former U.S. Marine who has been in Haiti for several days, setting up triage centers and bringing much-needed aid to earthquake victims there. The team he put together is comprised of other Marines, first responders, and two doctors (who volunteered to join him even as he was on board a plane on his way to the Dominican Republic to cross over into Haiti).

Jake's small but capable team is accomplishing things that larger organizations cannot. They are swift and strong, unfettered by bureaucracy, and doing incredible work. Follow Jake via his blog or on Twitter @TeamRubicon.

And if you have a few dollars to spare for the relief effort, in conjunction with other orgs you may be supporting, please consider a donation to help him bring down his second relief team (more doctors and supplies). You can donate right here.

It's Official: I Live in a Movie

Los Angeles has finally become a parody of itself.

This morning I saw a gigantic billboard on my way to work that made me say to myself, out loud, "What disgusting strip club is doing a male AND female act all in one, and making it CHRISTMAS themed?!?!?"

And then I said to myself, "Oh. The Beverly Center."

Roget's Uses for a Drunken Sailor

Put him in a trawler 'til he's temperate
Put him in a pinnace 'til he's prudent
Put him in a kayak 'til he's solemn
Put him in a schooner 'til he's temperate
Put him in a dinghy 'til he's Baptist

Sacrifice and Unity

Today is a day of mourning in this country as it has been every year since 2001, and there are not enough waking hours within it to read every word of every worthy article and tribute and commentary and memory posted on the Web. Others have already said it, and better, so I want to show you a few things.

Rick Rescorla -- Viet Nam veteran (you may remember him from "We Were Soldiers") who perished on 9/11 as he helped bring 2,700 other people to safety out of a tower he knew was going to collapse -- was a man among men.

Honor his memory and heroism by reading about his exceptional life here, at Mudville Gazette.

Also noteworthy is "The World Mourns", a moving collection of photos illustrative of the grief and empathy felt by citizens of other nations in the days immediately following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. May we never see so many flowers adorning the gates of our embassies again.

Prayers today, please, for the United States and her leadership, and for all who are still haunted by the events of that day.

Amen to That, Thomas Aquinas

With a hearty hat tip to Brett at the Stand To Reason blog for bringing this to my attention, I now bring it to yours.

In his Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas praises the virtue of wit:

"Jokes and plays are words and gestures that are not instructive but merely seek to give lively pleasure. We should enjoy them. They are governed by the virtue of witty gaiety to which Aristotle refers (Ethics II28aI) and which we call pleasantness. A ready-witted man is quick with repartee and turns speech and action to light relief."

I could totally see Thomas throwing down some sarcastic barbs at fellow members of the Domincan Order. Later Aquinas says:

"It is against reason to be burdensome to others, showing no amusement and acting as a wet blanket. Those without a sense of fun, who never say anything ridiculous, and are cantankerous with those who do, these are vicious, and are called grumpy and rude."

Though I'm a proponent (and...perpetrator?) of sarcasm, I think that for the sake of others, there are boundaries of offense and irreverence which need not be crossed. People tend to disagree about the particulars of those boundaries, but sometimes we in the church take ourselves -- and everything else -- far too seriously. A very funny man I knew, who was new to the pastorate at the time, was so self-censoring that after leading a small group Bible study he'd often repent during the closing prayer time for any jokes or humorous comments he'd made. I thought that was funny in itself, and unnecessary, as the rest of us felt his sense of humor was a unique gift that made for enjoyable fellowship, but at least it showed his heart; he was genuinely concerned with not offending God or the people for whom he felt responsible.

Humor can be a great connection tool. Read the whole post at STR to find out how Brett and the high school students he teaches find humor to be a bridge between those who disagree, specifically Christians and atheists.

A Collision of Classics

Now making the rounds on the Internet:

MJ Continues to Inspire

Say what you will about the sadder circumstances of Michael Jackson's life -- his dysfunctional background, his eccentricities, the scandals and accusations that marked the last several years of his public-glory-private-pain existence -- there's no denying that his talent was hugely influential. Even after his death, Michael Jackson's music has continued to have an impact...on Iranian freedom fighters?



HT: Blackfive