Yearly Archives: 2012

Keith Green Story (Part 9)

Keith Green – Easter Song (live)

Uploaded by on May 25, 2008

Keith Green performing “Easter Song” live from The Daisy Club — LA (1982)

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Keith Green was a great song writer and performer.  Here is his story below:

The Lord had taken Keith from concerts of 20 or less — to stadiums of 12,000 people.  At his concerts Keith always gave an altar call and led thousands upon thousands to the Lord, and just as many firmly recommitted their lives fully to serve the Lord.

KGPhotos-22

Keith began to appear on many television and radio programs. He talked about his walk with God and played a song or two. But his heart was to please the Lord.  His childhood dream of becoming a super star had been cleansed from his heart years before with something better – being a servant of God.  
Keith said, ”I only want to build God’s Kingdom and see it increase, not my own. If someone writes a great poem no one praises the pencil they used, they praise the one who created the poem.  Well, I’m just a pencil in the hands of the Lord.  Don’t praise me, praise Him!”

2nd Chapter Of Acts Easter Song

Uploaded by on Jul 19, 2009

2nd Chapter Of Acts Live In Concert

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For Keith, meeting Jesus was one thing. Becoming more like Him was another. He struggled with the same things we all do – developing self discipline, deadlines, bad attitudes, selfishness, and ministry issues screaming for attention. He was also trying to disciple the 70 new believers who had come to be part of LDM, which by now had moved to East Texas. Besides all this, Keith still had music to write, articles to finish, and a growing family and wife to take care of.
After striving for years to measure up to God’s holiness, at times even questioning his own salvation, Keith came into a deeper understanding of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross — both to forgive his sins, and to clothe him in His righteousness.  It was like a huge weight had been lifted off of his chest.
It wasn’t that Keith became less concerned with purity and holiness. But now he was more motivated by love and less by fear in His pursuit of Jesus. He learned so much more about God’s grace and the importance of pausing simply to behold His glory and enjoy His presence. That is perhaps, what Keith loved most.
In 1982 Keith and Melody took a trip to Europe, including Greece and the UK, and their hearts were stirred.. especially when they visited the ministry in the Red Light district of Amsterdam, the open drug use, and the lack of thriving churches where ever they went.  Kith asked every leader what we could do, they all said, “Please tell people we need them to come help us.”

2nd Chapter of Acts – Make My Life A Prayer to You

KGPhotos-40

So Keith decided that at his 1982 Fall Tour he would challenge the Christians in America to get out of their comfort zones, and into the the world to reach the hurting.. So in the last few months of his life, with his heart turned back to winning souls, LDM booked large arenas for the Fall Tour, Melody wrote some missions songs, and YWAM founder Loren Cunningham was going to come to talk about the needs in the world, and give an missions altar call.
Keith’s heart had fully turned back to those who probably wouldn’t show up at a concert or a church. Keith wanted to go back out into the streets and into the prisons the way he and Melody did as new believers. He wanted to go to the mission fields of the nations, and into secular clubs to reach people with his music. However, it was not to be.
On July 28, 1982, there was a small plane crash and Keith went home to be with Jesus. The crash also took the life of his three-year-old son Josiah, and his two year old daughter, Bethany. Melody was home with their one year old, Rebekah, and was also six weeks pregnant with their fourth child, Rachel. Keith was only 28 years old.
Although Keith is now with Jesus, his life and ministry is still making a huge impact around the world. His songs and passionate delivery are still changing lives. His writings are translated into many languages. Keith once said, “When I die I just want to be remembered as a Christian.” It’s safe to say he reached his goal, and perhaps, a bit more.
Keith Green was simply a man of conviction. When his convictions led him to an eternally worthy object in the person of Jesus he sold all that he had—ambitions, possessions, and dreams—to possess His love. In so doing he became a man of devotion. He also became a man remembered, and still missed, by millions around the world.

 “The only music minister to whom the Lord will say,

‘Well done, thy good and faithful servant,’ is the one

whose life proves what their lyrics are saying… 

And to whom music is the least important part of their life. 

Glorifying the only Worthy One

has to be a minister’s most important goal!”  

                                                                                           Keith Green

A review of Woody Allen’s latest movie “Midnight in Paris” (Woody Wednesday)

 
Not Dove Family Approved

Theatrical Release: 6/10/2011

Reviewer: Edwin L. Carpenter
Source: Theater
Writer: Woody Allen
Producer: Letty Aronson
Director: Woody Allen
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 100 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kurt Fuller, Kathy Bates

Synopsis:
Midnight in Paris is a romantic comedy that follows a family travelling to the city for business. The party includes a young engaged couple that has their lives transformed throughout the journey. The film celebrates a young man’s great love for Paris, and simultaneously explores the illusion people have that a life different from their own is better.

Dove Worldview:
This one has some funny moments for sure. You have to understand the plot to understand the humor though. In this one, Gil Pender is a romantic, a writer who dreams of living in Paris. In fact, he is there on business along with his fiance’, who spends more time with an old boyfriend named Paul then with Gil. She just can’t understand his desire to take walks in the rain and his dream of being a novelist instead of the successful screen writer that he is. She also can’t comprehend his daydreams of 1920s Paris. When he finds himself in a certain part of the city one night and the clock strikes twelve he soon is shocked to learn he has traveled back to his dream time, Paris in the 1920s. He meets Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Fitzgerald as well as Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, and a woman he could fall in love with.

He always winds up back in the present when morning breaks but on one occasion he and the woman he falls for winds up in another time frame, the 1890s. She longs to remain in that time frame but he points out that he might have to get dental work done, and they didn’t have proper pain medication back then!

Owen Wilson is likable in his role as Gil and the movie makes a point that no matter what time one lives in, there are always problems to deal with. Despite the nice themes including being true to one’s self, and the opening sequence which includes shots of the Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, the Seine River and nice cafes, sadly there is use of strong language and the sex rating hits a three in content, due to some frank sexual comments. It should be noted that there are a few political comments too which some viewers will not appreciate. We are unable to award this movie our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal.

Content Chart & Description

Content ScaleSexLanguageViolenceDrugs & AlcoholNudityOther
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
Rating Descriptions

Sex: Frank sexual comments and a few innuendos; kissing; a woman talks about having moved in with her boyfriend; an unmarried couple live together and the woman admits to having an affair while in Paris with her old boyfriend.
Language: Chr*st-1; JC-1; For Chr*st Sake-1; G/OMG-10; H-3; D-1
Violence: A few disagreements.
Drugs: A lot of drinking scenes including wine and champagne and comments about wine tasting; cigarette smoking; a character admits to being drunk; a few scenes of characters riding in cars including a taxi and drinking; a character takes medicine for panic attacks; a comment about “coke” spoons.
Nudity: Cleavage; some hookers raise up skirts; a nude drawing of a woman nude from the waist up.
Other: Political comments about former President Bush and right wingers who are “air-heads” and “demented” and “fascists”.

Santorum shocks Romney and Newt in 3 primaries

Great night for Santorum supporters like me.

Santorum projected to win Minnesota, Missouri GOP Contests

 

Published February 07, 2012

| FoxNews.com

 

Rick Santorum is projected to win the Minnesota Republican presidential caucuses, after earlier winning the non-binding Missouri primary.

Santorum is also ahead in early returns out of Colorado. The former Pennsylvania senator could be looking at the best night of his campaign since Iowa, in which he was belatedly declared the winner. For the first time in weeks, he — and not Newt Gingrich — was posing the biggest challenge to frontrunner Mitt Romney.

With 37 percent of precincts reporting in Minnesota, Santorum was ahead with 46 percent. Ron Paul was pulling in second with 26 percent, followed by Romney and Gingrich.

Santorum was also leading in Colorado, followed by Gingrich in second, and Romney and Paul at the back. A total of 70 delegates are up for grabs in those two states Tuesday, though the caucuses are just the start of a lengthy delegate-allocating process.

In Missouri, the primary is effectively a statewide straw poll, as it sets the stage for the delegate-awarding caucuses a month from now. Still, Santorum cruised to a crushing victory. With 85 percent of precincts reporting, Santorum was leading with 55 percent of the vote. Romney had 25 percent, followed by Ron Paul with 12 percent. Gingrich was not on the ballot in that contest.

The returns appear to challenge assertions by Gingrich that the GOP presidential contest is a two-person race between him and Romney. Gingrich, though, hardly competed in the three states Tuesday, instead focusing his attention on other contests down the primary calendar. He campaigned Tuesday in Ohio, which holds its election on March 6, “Super Tuesday,” as the other candidates made last-minute appeals in Colorado and Minnesota.

Santorum, speaking in Colorado, urged caucus-goers earlier to do something Tuesday night that “no one was expecting.”

“Provide a little surprise to the inevitable march of Governor Romney,” Santorum said.

Tuesday’s contests were the first of the season in which multiple states were holding contests on one day. Up next, Maine concludes its caucuses this Saturday, and primaries will be held in Michigan and Arizona later in the month.

Romney so far has won three contests, in New Hampshire, Florida and Nevada. Gingrich has won one, in South Carolina.

Romney entered Tuesday’s competition with a healthy lead in the delegate count — at 101 delegates.

Gingrich trailed with 32 delegates, following by Santorum with 17 and Paul with nine. It takes 1,144 delegates to win the nomination.

Though Missouri’s primary Tuesday was largely symbolic, the contest was still expected to cost state taxpayers about $6 million.

World’s dumbest crook takes on Duggars

I have heard of some idiots before but this would be crook takes the cake.

Duggar Family Member Speaks Out on Extortion Plot

Amy Duggar from the show 19 Kids and Counting is setting the record straight after being targeted by a woman in Iowa who claimed to have compromising photos of Amy as part of an attempt to extort money from TLC.

Federal court documents show that Teresa Hunt was arrested Feb. 1 after she apparently sent TLC executives letters demanding that they cancel 19 Kids and Counting or pay her $10,000 in exchange for her not releasing to a magazine photos of Amy and a 56-year-old musician that were described as depicting “apparently intimate situations.”

Michelle Duggar Miscarries

Amy, an aspiring country singer and the 25-year-old niece of Jim Bob Duggar, told ET in a statement that there are no compromising photos of her with the musician, whom she has known for quite some time as a friend. “It’s totally untrue. He is a longtime family friend who has always been supportive of my music career.  He’s a good Christian and it’s upsetting that his generosity has been exploited like this.”

The TLC reality show focuses on the ups and downs of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar as they raise their growing family of 19 children.

Related posts:

Duggars in Iowa to support Rick Santorum (video clip)

John David Duggar supports Rick Santorum in Iowa Uploaded by bubba2229 on Jan 2, 2012 John Duggar, 21, explains why he and his famous family are supporting Rick Santorum’s Republican presidential campaign. Recorded Jan. 2, 2012, in Boone, Iowa._____ _ Today Max Brantley of the Arkansas Times Blog commented: In some places, a Jim Bob […]

Duggars mourn miscarriage

I read  on the Arkansas Times Blog this morning this sad news about Duggar’s miscarriage. Michelle said, “I feel like my heart broke telling my children…” Below is the article from People Magazine: Michelle Duggar Miscarries By Alicia Dennis Update Thursday December 08, 2011 08:25 PM EST Originally posted Thursday December 08, 2011 04:30 PM […]

Duggars expecting another baby (related links to Duggars)

The Arkansas Times Blog reported today: EXPECTING 20th: Michelle Duggar People magazine reports that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are expecting their 20th child this spring. She’s 45 and had a rough time with her 19th, Josie, born prematurely weighing 22 ounces Link includes video to TLC, where the Duggar-based reality show airs. ______________________ Related […]

Duggar Family Member Speaks Out on Extortion Plot

Agriculture dept continues to grow as the number of people at farms has decreased

Agriculture: Downsizing The Federal Government

I got this info below from Cato Institute website:

Uploaded by on Dec 19, 2008

Agriculture is easily the most distorted sector, with high tariffs and, in developed countries at least, large amounts of government subsidies through price supports and direct payments. On the other hand, developing countries, who have a comparative advantage in these products, cannot afford to subsidize their agriculture sector and face prohibitive tariffs for their products abroad. The powerful agriculture lobby groups, particularly in the large developed countries, make reform politically difficult. Chris Edwards, Sallie James and Dan Ikenson discuss the inequities of American farm policies.

This video was produced by Caleb Brown ( http://www.twitter.com/cobrown ) and Austin Bragg ( http://www.twitter.com/habragg ).

Francis Schaeffer would have been 100 this year

Francis Schaeffer would have been 100 this year

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Two Minute Warning: How Then Should We Live?: Francis Schaeffer at 100

Uploaded by on Jan 31, 2012

Under Francis Schaeffer’s tutelage, Evangelicals like Chuck Colson learned to see life through the lens of a Christian worldview. Join Chuck as he celebrates a life well lived.

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BreakPoint this Week: The Legacy of Francis Schaeffer
By: Shane Morris|Published: February 4, 2012 12:00 AM
 

Francis Schaeffer would have turned 100 years old on January 30, 2012. He was one of the greatest Christian authors and apologists of all time — a man who insisted that Truth be taught, no matter what the consequences might be. His influence lives on today in the message and mission of the Christian worldview movement, especially in apologetics and in the work of ministry leaders like Chuck Colson.

schaeffer

In this eye-opening conversation, Chuck Colson and John Stonestreet take us on a tour of the incredible influence one man had on Christianity during the last century. This influence, as John Stonestreet notes, extends beyond theology and philosophy and into the hearts of men and women who have converted their worldview into action, including one ex Watergate felon-turned-Christian-commentator.

“Everyone that’s influenced me,” says John Stonestreet, “was influenced by this guy who had a little place in Switzerland where he talked about the world of ideas. The list of names that this man has influenced goes on and on, and you’re one of the guys on that list!”

“I think Francis Schaeffer was the greatest prophet of the latter half of the 20th Century,” says Chuck. “What Schaeffer did was to put intellectual content in context to see Christianity not just as a personal experience with Jesus, but as an overarching way of understanding all of the world and all of reality.”

For Chuck, whose personal experience with Schaeffer near the end of the theologian’s life molded his view of Christianity and culture, the central message of this champion of holistic faith was Truth.

“I will never forget being with Schaeffer on several occasions after he had contracted cancer and was getting weaker and weaker,” remembers Chuck. “He would still go to Christian audiences, he worked right up until dying. He died prematurely in my opinion — he hadn’t really finished his task here. But what he would say over and over in that squeaky, little voice and with that goatee as you described it and the knickers — he kept saying, “The issue is Truth, Truth, Truth! Flaming truth!” He was passionate — talking at the top of his lungs even when his health was failing, because he wanted us to know so badly that the issue of the day was Truth: is there something that is reality? Is there a moral order than we can know?”

As any listener or reader of BreakPoint’s resources will know, this flagship message of Schaeffer’s is the heart and soul of Chuck’s work. But what gives this message legs, and carries it into the culture to, as Abraham Kuyper said, claim everything “within the whole domain of human existence” for Christ, is another idea of Schaeffer’s — one which forever changed how Christians view the world. Chuck describes this idea:   

“It’s only now that we’re seeing people slowly, gradually but certainly embracing the fundamental idea that Christianity is not just Jesus and me. Christianity is Christ being the Logos — what the Greeks meant when they used “logos” was all Truth that could ever be known. The source of all ultimate reality is in Christ. You begin to understand that and suddenly you’re looking at things going on every day around you from a biblical perspective. This what I’ve spent the last twenty years preaching and teaching: you have to look at everything that’s happening through God’s eyes.”

Schaeffer did much more than introduce new ideas. He helped shift the conversation on faith and apologetics from one of personal experience to a universal imperative. In many ways, he made it possible for Christians to use the term “worldview” and understand what it means. Schaeffer reopened the eyes of Western Civilization to read its own biography — a legacy of Christian faith etched in its art, music, science, business, law and values. That, says Chuck, is what makes Schaeffer’s life not only a legacy worth remembering, but a mission worth continuing.

“He gave texture and intellectual depth to the Christian faith at a very critical time. Schaeffer got it. And the more we can talk about Schaeffer right now to put things in context of what Christianity really is and its impact on life, the better we’re going to be.”

Related posts:

Francis Schaeffer would be 100 years old this year (Schaeffer Sunday)

Dr. Francis Schaeffer – Extra – Interview – Part 2 Francis Schaeffer had a big impact on me in the late 1970′s and I have been enjoying his books and films ever since. Here is great video clip of an interview and below is a fine article about him. Francis Schaeffer 1912-1984 Christian Theologian, Philosopher, […]

Francis Schaeffer’s “How should we then live?” Video and outline of episode 10 “Final Choices” (Schaeffer Sundays)

E P I S O D E 1 0 How Should We Then Live 10#1 FINAL CHOICES I. Authoritarianism the Only Humanistic Social Option One man or an elite giving authoritative arbitrary absolutes. A. Society is sole absolute in absence of other absolutes. B. But society has to be led by an elite: John Kenneth […]

Fellow admirer of Francis Schaeffer, Michele Bachmann quits presidential race

What Ever Happened to the Human Race? Bachmann was a student of the works of Francis Schaeffer like I am and I know she was pro-life because of it. (Observe video clip above and picture of Schaeffer.) I hated to see her go.  DES MOINES, Iowa — Last night, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann vowed to […]

Francis Schaeffer’s “How should we then live?” Video and outline of episode 9 “The Age of Personal Peace and Affluence” (Schaeffer Sundays)

E P I S O D E 9 How Should We Then Live 9#1 T h e Age of Personal Peace and Afflunce I. By the Early 1960s People Were Bombarded From Every Side by Modern Man’s Humanistic Thought II. Modern Form of Humanistic Thought Leads to Pessimism Regarding a Meaning for Life and for Fixed […]

Francis Schaeffer’s “How should we then live?” Video and outline of episode 8 “The Age of Fragmentation” (Schaeffer Sundays)

E P I S O D E 8 How Should We Then Live 8#1 I saw this film series in 1979 and it had a major impact on me. T h e Age of FRAGMENTATION I. Art As a Vehicle Of Modern Thought A. Impressionism (Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, Degas) and Post-Impressionism (Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, […]

Francis Schaeffer’s “How should we then live?” Video and outline of episode 7 “The Age of Non-Reason” (Schaeffer Sundays)

E P I S O D E 7 How Should We Then Live 7#1 I am thrilled to get this film series with you. I saw it first in 1979 and it had such a big impact on me. Today’s episode is where we see modern humanist man act on his belief that we live […]

Francis Schaeffer would be 100 years old this year (Schaeffer Sunday)

Dr. Francis Schaeffer – Extra – Interview – Part 2 Francis Schaeffer had a big impact on me in the late 1970′s and I have been enjoying his books and films ever since. Here is great video clip of an interview and below is a fine article about him. Francis Schaeffer 1912-1984 Christian Theologian, Philosopher, […]

Francis Schaeffer’s “How should we then live?” Video and outline of episode 6 “The Scientific Age” (Schaeffer Sundays)

E P I S O D E 6 How Should We Then Live 6#1 I am sharing with you a film series that I saw in 1979. In this film Francis Schaeffer asserted that was a shift in Modern Science. A. Change in conviction from earlier modern scientists.B. From an open to a closed natural system: […]

Francis Schaeffer’s “How should we then live?” Video and outline of episode 5 “The Revolutionary Age” (Schaeffer Sundays)

E P I S O D E 5 How Should We Then Live 5-1 I was impacted by this film series by Francis Schaeffer back in the 1970′s and I wanted to share it with you. Francis Schaeffer noted, “Reformation Did Not Bring Perfection. But gradually on basis of biblical teaching there was a unique improvement. A. […]

Francis Schaeffer’s “How should we then live?” Video and outline of episode 4 “The Reformation” (Schaeffer Sundays)

How Should We Then Live 4-1 I was impacted by this film series by Francis Schaeffer back in the 1970′s and I wanted to share it with you. Schaeffer makes three key points concerning the Reformation: “1. Erasmian Christian humanism rejected by Farel. 2. Bible gives needed answers not only as to how to be right with […]

Francis Schaeffer’s “How should we then live?” Video and outline of episode 3 “The Renaissance”

How Should We Then Live 3-1 I was impacted by this film series by Francis Schaeffer back in the 1970′s and I wanted to share it with you. Schaeffer really shows why we have so many problems today with this excellent episode. He noted, “Could have gone either way—with emphasis on real people living in […]

Francis Schaeffer’s “How should we then live?” Video and outline of episode 2 “The Middle Ages” (Schaeffer Sundays)

How Should We Then Live 2-1 I was impacted by this film series by Francis Schaeffer back in the 1970′s and I wanted to share it with you. Schaeffer points out that during this time period unfortunately we have the “Church’s deviation from early church’s teaching in regard to authority and the approach to God.” […]

Francis Schaeffer’s “How should we then live?” Video and outline of episode 1 “The Roman Age” (Schaeffer Sundays)

How Should We Then Live 1-1 Today I am starting a series that really had a big impact on my life back in the 1970′s when I first saw it. There are ten parts and today is the first. Francis Schaeffer takes a look at Rome and why it fell. It fell because of inward […]

Andy Rooney was an atheist

How Now Shall We LiveClick here to purchase Chuck Colson and Nancy Pearcey’s How Now Shall We Live?, dedicated to Francis Schaeffer.


Click here for a list of Francis Schaeffer’s greatest works, from the Colson Center store!
SchaefferBooks 

Chuck Colson on Komen caving to pressure from Planned Parenthood

Liberals think that Komen has damaged their image with this whole mess and now conservatives are upset with Komen too.

Very good article from Breakpoint.org

Komen Caves

An Object Lesson for All of Us

By: Chuck Colson|Published: February 3, 2012 2:59 PM
 

Komen for the Cure’s stunning reversal to fund Planned Parenthood after all, has an important lesson for us all..

Chuck  Colson

No doubt you’ve been watching the unfolding drama of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation’s decision to de-fund Planned Parenthood — and then its stunning reversal.

What you saw last week was a concerted, intentional effort by an ideological minority — the radical pro-abortion forces — not just to make their case in public, but to destroy the opposition. Using incendiary language, accusing Komen of endangering the lives of women, they made no pretense to pursue civil discourse.

And it’s a tragedy that Komen for the Cure caved. Because all of the all of the rational arguments were on their side.

First of all, Planned Parenthood does not perform mammograms, its doctors simply provide breast cancer referrals. No wonder Komen for the Cure figured its money could be better spent on organizations that provide direct treatment.

And of course there’s the uncomfortable link between breast cancer and abortion. A 2009 study by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center showed “a statistically significant 40% increased risk [of breast cancer] for women who have abortions.”

Second, Komen’s stated policy was not to contribute to organizations under investigation. Well, Planned Parenthood is under Congressional investigation for potentially misusing federal funds — funds that by law may not be used for abortions. In 2010, the organization received fully 46 percent of its funding — 487 million dollars — from government grants.

Yet according to Planned Parenthood’s latest annual report, the organization and its many affiliates performed more than 329,000 abortions in 2010 — or a full 91 percent of services rendered to pregnant women.

It sure sounds to me that they’re flaunting the law.

Finally, this never was about the money. Komen’s grant was a drop in Planned Parenthood’s bucket. As Tim Stanley of the UK Telegraph pointed out, Komen for the Cure’s annual grant made up a mere .058 percent of Planned Parenthood’s budget!

So what is this all about? Look friends, Komen is the kind of respectable and mainstream partner that Planned Parenthood desperately needs to continue its charade that it is all about “women’s health.” And it and its friends will bully and shout down anybody who dares to disagree with them.

What happened to Komen is a perfect example of the despotism of the modern left. Disagree with them, they vilify you and seek to intimidate you into silence. Tragically, Komen caved.

As I’ve been saying on BreakPoint for the last three or four months, we must break the spiral of silence. That’s why it is so important to speak out, even now. Let Komen know that you appreciated what they did to de-fund Planned Parenthood — come to BreakPoint.org and we’ll link you to their website — and that you are horrified that they didn’t have the courage to stick to their convictions.

Here is the lesson for us in all of this: We must have the courage of our convictions. Remember, courage is the first of the cardinal virtues, the virtue on which all others depend. We must never cave when it comes to defending the Truth, no matter what comes our way.

Just remember, we have no choice but to stand for what is true and just and to oppose evil no matter what the cost.

The Heritage Plan Keeps Spending Low and Ends Deficits Without Raising Taxes

The Heritage Plan Keeps Spending Low and Ends Deficits Without Raising Taxes

Everyone wants to know more about the budget and here is some key information with a chart from the Heritage Foundation and a video from the Cato Institute.

Bold, transformational reforms are needed to solve America’s spending crisis. The Heritage Plan achieves this through spending, entitlement, and tax reforms. It reduces the size of government, encourages personal fiscal responsibility, and fosters economic growth. It balances the federal budget by 2021 and keeps revenue at 18.5 percent of the economy.

REVENUE AND SPENDING AS A PERCENTAGE OF GDP

 
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The Heritage Plan Keeps Spending Low and Ends Deficits Without Raising Taxes

Source: Current projections: Congressional Budget Office (Alternative Fiscal Scenario). Heritage Plan: Calculations by the Center for Data Analysis based on data provided by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. For more information, go to savingthedream.org.

Chart 42 of 42

In Depth

27 club (Complete list)

It was so sad to lose these people so soon.

The Curse of 27

This page is in response to my most frequently asked questions – is there really a Curse of 27, how many musicians actually died at that age, and who are they.

When legendary Blues man, Robert Johnson, was killed at the age of 27, his death is said to have spawned a curse. The legend unfolds like this: Johnson, always enamored of the Blues and desiring the ability to play guitar was, unfortunately, a mediocre talent. He disappeared for a time, during which he sold his soul to the devil by making a crossroads deal, in exchange for an unparalleled talent with the guitar. Suddenly he was a Blues master, composing songs about the crossroads and hellhounds on his trail. Johnson’s ability made him popular with many (especially the ladies), but there were some who were suspicious and jealous of his talents (particularly the ladies’ husbands). In 1938, he was supposedly given a bottle of wine which had been poisoned by one such jealous spouse. Johnson died a long, agonizing death. He was 27.

Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson

Since that day, it is said that many musicians – especially those of particularly high quality – would succumb to the curse and die, at the height of their careers, at the age of 27. While it is true that many musicians did, in fact, die at this age, it is hardly a magical number. Just as strong a case – if not more compelling – could be made for the age of 28. Twenty-seven by no means stands out. I have catalogued all musicians in the Archive that have died at age 27 since Robert Johnson; the list isn’t nearly as long as one might think. Not including Johnson, there are 21 musicians who died at age 27 from 1938 to 2011 – that’s one person roughly every three-and-a-half years. And although many of these performers were wildly famous and indisputable legends, most were supporting players in moderately successful bands.

space saver

I give you The 27 Club, in chronological order.

space saver

space saver

Jesse Belvin

Jesse Belvin

Jesse Belvin
car accident – suspected murder. He was 27. Belvin was a soulful crooner, marketed as “the black Elvis” to a still-segregated South. While leaving his first integrated concert (1960), in Little Rock, Belvin’s car was involved in a head-on collision. One of the first state troopers on the scene stated that both of the rear tires on the black cadillac had been “obviously tampered with.” Belvin and his driver died at the scene (Hope, AR); his wife Jo Ann succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Belvin was co-author of The Penguins’ hit, “Earth Angel,” and his recording of “Goodnight My Love” was the closing theme for Alan Freed’s rock & roll radio show for several years. Visit Jesse Belvin’s Tribute, which expands on his his career and offers other suspicious details surrounding his death.
Malcolm Hale
carbon-monoxide poisoning in 1968. (Some sources site bronchopneumonia as the cause of death.) He was 27. Hale was the lead guitarist for Spanky and Our Gang. He had gone to bed drunk at a girlfriend’s, and even though the band called her to wake him, she refused. Twenty-eight hours later, she discovered that he was dead. Hale died of carbon monoxide poisoning, the result of a faulty space heater. He was 27. “Sunday Will Never Be the Same,” “Like to Get to Know You,” “Lazy Day”

Brian Jones

Brian Jones

Brian Jones
(Lewis Brian Hopkins-Jones), drowned in 1969. He was 27. Jones was a co-founder of the Rolling Stones, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004. Speculation remains that Jones may have been murdered. For the whole story, and to read about the renewed investigation into his death in August of 2009, follow this link. “Satisfaction,” “Red Door,” “Sympathy for the Devil”

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Mitch Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix and Noel Redding

Jimi Hendrix
(born Johnny Allen Hendrix, his father changed his name to James Marshall Hendrix when he was 4 years old), aspiration of vomit while sleeping after ingesting alcohol and sleeping pills (1970). Sources are saying Hendrix’s death was actually a homicide; read about Hendrix’s murder by his manager. Hendrix was 27 and an established guitar legend. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine named Hendrix the greatest guitarist of all time. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, with Noel Redding (see 2003) and Mitch Mitchell (2008; natural causes at age 61), were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. “Purple Haze,” “Foxy Lady,” “Manic Depression”

Janis Joplin

“Pearl”

Janis Joplin
heroin overdose in 1970; “Pearl” was 27. Blues legend Bessie Smith (see 1937) lay in an unmarked grave for 33 years, until Joplin and Juanita Green, Smith’s former maid and later a chapter-head of the NAACP, donated money for a headstone. “Pearl” was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Summertime,” “Mercedes Benz”

Canned Heat

Canned Heat, front to back:

Fito de la Parra, Larry Taylor, Bob Hite (standing, d. 1981),

Henry Vestine (d. 1997), Alan Wilson (standing, d. 1970).

Al “Blind Owl” Wilson
suicide. Wilson was the vocalist, harmonica player, and one of thr original members of Canned Heat, along with Bob “The Bear” Hite (see 1981) and Henry “Sunflower” Vestine (see 1997).” In 197O, Wilson overdosed on tranquilizers (reportedly in the back yard of Hite) when he found out he couldn’t save a redwood forest from being leveled by a timber company. He was 27. “Going Up Country,” “Let’s Work Together,” “Time Was,” “Boogie Music,” “On the Road Again”
Arlester “Dyke” Christian
shot in 1971. Christian sang back up for The O’Jays and later formed Dyke and the Blazers. Dyke is said to have influenced many, inclduing James Brown and Wilson Pickett. He was shot to death while sitting in his car in downtown Phoenix. He was 27. Dyke and the Blazers were inducted to the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame. “Funky Broadway – Part 1” (later covered by Pickett as a #1 R&B single)

Jim Morrison space saver Jim Morrison

“The Lizard King.”

Jim Morrison
(James Douglas Morrison), unknown. In 1971, Morrison was found dead in his bathtub while living in Paris. The official cause of death was myocardial infarction (heart attack). Some speculate that he actually succumbed to some type of drug (heroin or cocaine) and/or alcohol overdose. Others believe “The Lizard King” still lives. Morrison was lead singer of The Doors and a published poet; he was 27 at the time of his death. The Doors were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. “Riders on the Storm,” “Hello, I Love You,” “The End,” “Light My Fire”Interesting aside: In 1967, The Doors were booked to play three shows in San Francisco, headlined by soul singer Otis Redding. Redding was killed two weeks before the scheduled performances. (Visit Redding’s Tribute.) Morrison paid tribute to the fallen singer during the first performance and again in The Doors’ song “Runnin’ Blue”: “Poor Otis, dead and gone, left me here to sing his song…”

2007 – Update: Sources are surfacing (including close personal friend, Sam Sernett), stating that Morrison actually overdosed on heroin in a Paris nightclub bathroom and was quietly moved to his apartment where the bathtub death scene was staged.

Roger Lee Durham
fall from a horse in 1973; he was 27. Durham was a member of Bloodstone, with Willis Draffen (see 2002). Durham was an airman in Vietnam; he is buried in Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery (Kansas). “Natural High,” “Never Let You Go,” “Outside Woman,” “My Little Lady”

Ron

Ron “Pigpen” McKernan

*Ron “Pigpen” McKernan
liver failure due to alcohol abuse (1973); he was 27. Keyboardist for the Grateful Dead, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. McKernan was the first of four Grateful Dead keyboardists to die prematurely. He was succeeded by Keith Godchaux (see 1980), Brent Mydland (see 1990), and Vince Welnick (see 2006). “Truckin,'” “St. Stephen,” “Casey Jones,” “Friend of the Devil”

Chase

The band, Chase.

Chase (Wally Yohn)
Chase was a promising jazz-rock ensemble, founded by trumpeter Bill Chase. In 1974, while leaving Texas for an appearance in Minnesota, Chase (age 39), his drummer Walter Clark (age 25), guitarist John Emma (age 22), and keyboardist Wally Yohn (age 27) were killed when their plane crashed. The cause was sited as pilot error and poor radio communication. View the National Transportation and Safety Board Report. “Get It On”
*David Michael Alexander
pulmonary edema in 1975. He was 27. “Zander” was the original bassist for The Stooges (featuring punk icon, Iggy Pop). Zander died of pulmonary edema in Ann Arbor, Michigan, after being admitted to a hospital for pancreatitis, probably caused by his excessive drinking. (Stooges guitarist, Ron Asheton, died of a heart attack in 2009.) The Stooges were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” “Fun House,” “Dirt”

Badfinger

Badfinger: Mike Gibbins (d. 2005),

Pete Ham (d. 1975), Tom Evans (d. 1983), & Joey Molland

Pete Ham
hanging (suicide); 1975. Member of Badfinger, he was 27. Ham’s bandmate, Tom Evans, would follow in his steps 8 years later. Drummer Mike Gibbins would succumb to natural causes in 2005. Harry Nilsson’s (see 1994) cover of Badfinger’s “Without You” reached #1. (Read about Badfinger’s connection to the Curse of Harry Nilsson.) “Day After Day,” “If You Want It (Come and Get It)”
Gary Thain
heroin overdose in 1975; he was 27. Thain was the bassist for Uriah Heep. During his final tour, Thain was electrocuted, blacked out, and suffered serious burns. He also (supposedly) contracted an untreatable STD. He was found dead in the bath by his girlfriend. (Heep vocalist, David Byron, would succumb to excessive alcohol consumption in 1985.) “Easy Livin’,” “Sweet Lorraine,” “Stealin'”
Chris Bell
automobile crash in 1978; it is speculated that he may have been high when he drove straight into a telephone pole. Singer and guitarist for Big Star. He was 27. “Thirteen,” “September Gurls,” “I Am the Cosmos” (as a solo artist)
D. Boon
(Dennes Dale Boon), van accident in 1985. Boon was the guitarist for the Minutemen. On a trip to Arizona, Boon’s girlfriend fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed their van. Boon was ejected form the vehicle and broke his neck, killing him instantly. He was 27. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the greatest guitarists of all time (ranking #89). Album: Double Nickels on the Dime
The Reba McEntire Band (Chris Autin and Joey Cigainero)
On 15 March 1991, country crooner Reba McEntire finished a show in California. While she decided to stay the night in San Diego, her band piled into two Hawker-Siddeley planes destined for Indiana. Unfortunatley, one of the aircraft slammed into a mountain moments after take-off. On board were Chris Autin (vocals, guitar, mandolin), age 27; Kirk Capello (keyboards), age 28; Joey Cigainero (synthesizer), age 27; Paula Kaye Evans (vocals), age 33; Terry Jackson (bass), age 28; Tony Saputo (drums), age 34; Michael Thomas (guitar), age 34; Jim Hammond (road manager), age 40; and two others, including the pilot. View the National Transportation and Safety Board report which includes photos of the musicians. McEntire dedicated her 1991 album, From My Broken Heart, to the fallen musicians.

Mia Zapata

Mia Zapata

Mia Zapata
strangled and raped (1993). Singer for The Gits, a seminal Seattle band, she was 27. According to the medical examiner, if she had not been strangled she would have died from the internal injuries suffered from the beating. After her murder, friends formed Home Alive, a self-defense group. Zapata’s case was aired on the nationally broadcast television program, “Unsolved Mysteries.” It wasn’t until 2004 that Jesus C. Mezquia was identified as her killer and sentenced to 36 years in prison. Albums: Frenching the Bullyand Enter: The Conquering Chicken.

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain
self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Lead singer/guitarist for rock music iconoclasts and grunge pioneers, Nirvana. Cobain’s body was discovered by an electrician 3 days after his death (estimated to have been on 5 April 1994). Cobain suffered from stomach problems, possible depression/bipolar disorder, and drug addiction. He was 27 when he took his life. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the greatest guitarists of all time (ranking #12). Visit the Kurt Cobain Tribute for artist information, photos, his suicide note, and a detailed account of the events leading up to his death. Learn about Cobain’s connection to the Curse of Buddy Holly. “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Come As You Are,” “Heart-Shaped Box,” “All Apologies”
Kristin Pfaff
heroin overdose in 1994. Bassist for Hole, she was 27. “Miss World,” “Doll Parts”
Passion Fruit
crash of Crossair Flight 3597 in 2001. Passion Fruit, a Euro-dance trio, scored several international hits, the biggest being 1999’s “The Rigga-Ding-Dong-Song.” After a performance in Berlin, the group was flying to Zurich, when the pilot descended below the minimum descent altitude and crashed into a hill in Bassersdorf, Switzerland, killing 24 of the 33 people on board. Debby St. Marteen survived; Nathalie van het Ende (age 25) and Maria Serrano-Serrano (age 27) were killed, along with Melanie Thornton of the group La Bouche. Proceeds from Passion Fruit’s posthumous single, “I’m Dreaming of a. . .Winter Wonderland” went to families of the crash victims.

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse
found dead in her apartment from drug-related causes (2011). She was 27. Winehouse, a Grammy-winning soul singer with a retro sound, very publicly battled with drug addiction. She often made headlines for her erratic behavior and shockingly thin and dissheveled appearance. At the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, Winehouse’s second (and final) album, Back to Black, won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album (and was nominated for Album of the Year). The single, “Rehab,” won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year; Winehouse won Best New Artist. (In “Rehab,” she refers to fellow soul singer, Donny Hathaway, who committed suicide in 1979.) “Tears Dry on Their Own,” “You Know I’m No Good,” “Back to Black”

Pete de Freitas of Echo and the Bunnymen is a member of the “27 club” (Part 9)

Amy Winehouse died last week and she joined the “27 club.” Pete de Freitas of Echo and the Bunnymen is also a member of the “27 Club.” This is group of rockers that have died at age 27. A tribute to the amazing drummer of one of our biggest influences, Echo & The Bunnymen. We […]

Ron “Pigpen” McKernan of the Grateful Dead is a member of “27 Club” because of alcohol (Part 8)

cc ‘Janis Joplin’ 2/5 from True Hollywood Story (Janis was having affair with Pigpen) Jerry Garcia (guitar, vocals), Ron “Pigpen” McKernan (vocals, harmonica), Bob Weir (guitar, vocals), Phil Lesh (bass), Mickey Hart (drums), Bill Kreutzman (drums). Grateful Dead “Don’t Ease Me In” Live @ Canadian National Exhibition Hall Toronto, CA June 27th, 1970 Grateful Dead […]

Gary Thain of Uriah Heep is a member of the “27 Club” (Part 7)

Amy Winehouse died last week and joined the “27 club” which is a group of rockers that died at age 27. Gary Thain also joined that same group long ago and I wanted to look at his life today. Uriah Heep – Wizard bb By Sean Nelson, Special to MSN Music , July 23, 2011 […]

Janis Joplin joins “27 Club” three weeks after Jimi Hendrix (Part 6)

Recently Amy Winehouse joined the “27 Club” when she died of a drug overdose. The “27 Club” is a group of rockers that died at age 27. Unfortunately Jimi Hendrix died at age 27 in 1970 and Janis Joplin did the same three weeks later. Today we are going to look at her life and […]

Jimi Hendrix one of first members of the “27 club” (Part 5)

JIMI HENDRIX : FINAL INTERVIEW . The other day when Amy Winehouse died she joined the “27 Club” which includes other famous rockers who died at age 27. Most of them died because of drugs. Unfortunately Jimi Hendrix joined the club for the same reason. Something special for all music and Beat Club-Lovers on YouTube: […]

Pete Ham of Bad Finger (Part 4 of series on “27 Club”)

Amy Winehouse died at age 27 and unfornately joined the “27 club” which is made of famous rockers that died at age 27. Pete Ham was a member of Bad Finger which was one of my favorite groups that I followed. “Come and get it” was my favorite song of theirs. ___________________________________ Badfinger perform a […]

Brian Jones’ futile search for satisfaction (Part 3 of series on 27 Club)

Brian’s Blues, Brian Jones on guitar in the early stones years. unreleased track Brian Jones died at age 27 just like Amy Winehouse did. I remember like yesterday when I first heard the song “I can’t get no satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones. I immediately thought about Solomon’s search for satisfaction in the Book of […]

Kurt Cobain’s spiritual search started in a Christian home but ended in Buddhism (Club 27 series part 2)jh41

The Rise And Rise Of Kurt Cobain part 1/3 Amy Winehouse joined the “Club 27 the other day with her early death. I am going through the others one by one. Today is Kurt Cobain.   7. Kurt Cobain very rarely does an artist come along and not just upset the “apple cart” but drops […]

Jim Morrison spiritual search comes up empty (Part 1 of series on “27 Club”)

Jim Morrison – Feast Of Friends – (The Doors Documentary) (1969) (Paul Ferrara) 1/4 I was saddened by the recent death of Amy Winehouse and her inclusion into the “27 Club.” This series I am starting today looks at the search that each one of these entertainers were on during their lives. Today I look […]

“Tennis Tuesday” John McEnroe part 3

Above is a video I used to like a lot which features MacEnroe’s wife.

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The tennis players Björn Borg and John McEnroe met 14 times at the regular tour during their careers with their on-court rivalry highlighted by their contrasting temperaments and styles.[1] Borg was known for his cool and emotionless demeanor on court, while McEnroe was famed for his court-side tantrums. Their rivalry extended between 1978 and 1981, with each player winning seven times against the other.[2] Because of their contrasting personalities, their rivalry was described as “Fire and Ice”.[3]

In 1980 McEnroe reached the men’s singles final at Wimbledon for the first time, where he faced Borg, who was aiming for an Open Era record fifth consecutive Wimbledon title. At the start of the final McEnroe was booed by the crowd as he entered Centre Court following his heated exchanges with officials during his semi-final clash with Jimmy Connors. In a fourth set tie-breaker that lasted 20 minutes, McEnroe saved five match points (seven altogether in that set) and eventually won 18-16. However, he was unable to break Borg’s serve in the fifth set and the Swede went on to win 8-6. This match is widely considered one of the greatest tennis matches ever played. McEnroe exacted his revenge by defeating Borg at the US Open final the same year in five sets.

In 1981 McEnroe returned to Wimbledon and again faced Borg in the men’s singles final. This time it was the American who prevailed and defeated Borg to end the Swede’s run of 41 consecutive match victories at the All England Club. At the US Open in the same season, McEnroe was again victorious, winning in four sets. Borg retired shortly afterwards, having never won the US Open, despite reaching four finals. Their final confrontation came in 1983 in Tokyo at the Suntory Cup (exhibition tournament), with Borg prevailing 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.