<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd"
xmlns:rawvoice="http://www.rawvoice.com/rawvoiceRssModule/"
	>
<channel>
	<title>Comments for Stephen Mansfield</title>
	<atom:link href="http://mansfieldgroup.com/comments/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com</link>
	<description>Mansfield Group</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:03:03 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1</generator>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Backtalk: Is Mormonism a Cult? by William Word Jr</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2012/01/25/backtalk-is-mormonism-a-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-266</link>
		<dc:creator>William Word Jr</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:03:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1910#comment-266</guid>
		<description>Thanks for unemotionally depicting why anything that is a cult is an aberration.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks for unemotionally depicting why anything that is a cult is an aberration.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on WinstonMas: Churchill on Marriage by Ugonna Ukwu</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2012/01/21/winstonmas-churchill-on-marriage/comment-page-1/#comment-260</link>
		<dc:creator>Ugonna Ukwu</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:49:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1908#comment-260</guid>
		<description>Thanks for sharing!  Inspirational indeed.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks for sharing!  Inspirational indeed.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on NDAA 2012: The War on Civil Liberties by Mansfield on NDAA &#171; Kuyperian Commentary</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2012/01/11/ndaa-2012-the-war-on-civil-liberties/comment-page-1/#comment-259</link>
		<dc:creator>Mansfield on NDAA &#171; Kuyperian Commentary</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:34:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1897#comment-259</guid>
		<description>[...] Stephen Masnfield offers a sharp critique of the NDAA. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post.   Categories Civil Liberties [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] Stephen Masnfield offers a sharp critique of the NDAA. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post.   Categories Civil Liberties [...]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on ‘Winstonmas’ Begins by Jeremy Boyce</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2012/01/18/winstonmas-begins/comment-page-1/#comment-257</link>
		<dc:creator>Jeremy Boyce</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:50:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1901#comment-257</guid>
		<description>Mr. Mansfield,

 I, too, believe Churchill was a man called to greatness by God. His independent spirit and resolve to do what he knew was right in the face of potential catastrophe and quite a bit of political resistance is - in my mind - a testimony to that calling.

 In your book (which I confess I don&#039;t have and haven&#039;t read, but would certainly like to given the time and wherewithal), you offer a quote that I don&#039;t THINK is cited. And when I try to find it anywhere, I can&#039;t - other than to reference either your work or another 1 or 2 vague sources. The quote is apparently on page 190 and reads thus:

&quot;...making them the fulfillment of Karl Marx&#039;s dictum, &#039;A people without a heritage are easily persuaded.&#039;&quot;

Now, I&#039;ve not read any of Marx&#039;s works, but search engines and Google&#039;s book search brought up nothing but a few uncited references to the same thing (i.e. THAT Marx said it, but not where). Could you please provide a source for that quote? I believe it is a very true quote and would like very much to see what Marx was getting at when he said it (other than how to manipulate the masses). 

 I appreciate any help you can offer.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mr. Mansfield,</p>
<p> I, too, believe Churchill was a man called to greatness by God. His independent spirit and resolve to do what he knew was right in the face of potential catastrophe and quite a bit of political resistance is &#8211; in my mind &#8211; a testimony to that calling.</p>
<p> In your book (which I confess I don&#8217;t have and haven&#8217;t read, but would certainly like to given the time and wherewithal), you offer a quote that I don&#8217;t THINK is cited. And when I try to find it anywhere, I can&#8217;t &#8211; other than to reference either your work or another 1 or 2 vague sources. The quote is apparently on page 190 and reads thus:</p>
<p>&#8220;&#8230;making them the fulfillment of Karl Marx&#8217;s dictum, &#8216;A people without a heritage are easily persuaded.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
<p>Now, I&#8217;ve not read any of Marx&#8217;s works, but search engines and Google&#8217;s book search brought up nothing but a few uncited references to the same thing (i.e. THAT Marx said it, but not where). Could you please provide a source for that quote? I believe it is a very true quote and would like very much to see what Marx was getting at when he said it (other than how to manipulate the masses). </p>
<p> I appreciate any help you can offer.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Christianity: The Third Way by William Word Jr</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2012/01/03/christianity-the-third-way/comment-page-1/#comment-254</link>
		<dc:creator>William Word Jr</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:25:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1892#comment-254</guid>
		<description>Others can say better than I the veracity and timeliness of your words. I took a break from reacing Ten Tortured Words to listen to this today. What you have done with your public policy education as a writer, a speaker and a leader serve you and all of us well. That you present from a non-religious hierarchy in society rather than from a Church pulpit adds so much more to your voice. May your tribe increase.

Love alive,
William (Bill) Word, Jr.
Corpus Christi, Texas
(361) 985-9939</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Others can say better than I the veracity and timeliness of your words. I took a break from reacing Ten Tortured Words to listen to this today. What you have done with your public policy education as a writer, a speaker and a leader serve you and all of us well. That you present from a non-religious hierarchy in society rather than from a Church pulpit adds so much more to your voice. May your tribe increase.</p>
<p>Love alive,<br />
William (Bill) Word, Jr.<br />
Corpus Christi, Texas<br />
(361) 985-9939</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Weekly Mansfield Podcast by listener</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/11/07/the-weekly-mansfield-podcast/comment-page-1/#comment-253</link>
		<dc:creator>listener</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:32:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1799#comment-253</guid>
		<description>I left the US in 2001 to live in Asia. Every time I return I see the USA getting worse. 

When I leave from a sparkling new modern Asian airport like Hong Kong and land at a run down American airport like LAX that has faded signs, broken water fountains, and a decor that looks like it hasn&#039;t been updated since 1984, I feel like I have arrived in a 3rd world country.

I see Americans getting fatter.

I see more laws in the USA that outlaw everything from baggy pants to sex tourism to artificial turf to feeding the homeless to banning fast food restaurants.

I see the end of freedom in the US. Americans can now be added to no fly lists. The US Constitution has been overruled by the Patriot Act that has legalized wiretaps 
without a warrant and allows the government to deport and strip any American of his or her citizenship. Does that sound American to you? 

http://articles.latimes.com/print/2011/jun/02/news/la-pn-patriot-act-alarm-20110602

The prison at Guantanamo has been opened to detain and torture suspected terrorists indefinitely without trial. 

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/06/25/human_rights_chief_appeals_to_us_on_guantanamo_inmates/

The US now has a secret panel “kill list” of Americans who are targeted to be assassinated without a trial. 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/05/us-cia-killlist-idUSTRE79475C20111005

President Obama recently signed the National Defense Authorization Act that allows the indefinite detention of any American or foreigner accused of terrorism without trial by the US military on US or foreign soil.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/01/02/president-obama-signed-the-national-defense-authorization-act-now-what/

I see a higher unemployment rate and more welfare. I see jobs have been offshored to cheaper countries, more jobs lost to technology, and the US flooded with illegal immigrants that take American jobs, don&#039;t pay taxes, and drain government resources.

I see indebted Americans who bought more than they could afford and a broke US government that has lowered taxes, but increased spending on unnecessary wars. 

Looking at the history of Rome and the United States, I see some disturbing parallels:

1. While becoming a superpower, Rome abandoned the very values with which it had won its supremacy.

2. Roman rulers used “self-defense” pretexts to invade other countries, with hawks criticizing doves for not being patriotic.

3. War benefited the Roman elite before the masses.

4. Wars were sold as about liberty and justice defeating tyranny. 

5. The aggressor nation stated conditions to avoid war that are impossible for the opponent to comply with.

6. Powerful Romans hated to make concessions. They would have rather fought to the death instead of giving in to the the demands of citizens. The elite felt that they earned it, even though they used corruption to amass their wealth.

7. Romans became weak and lazy because the masses were given free bread and circuses. 

8. The people seen as “barbarians” gradually wore down the empire, causing it to spend itself into bankruptcy. 

Americans should not just be concerned by the recent changes in the US, they should be outraged. We need to get our country back.

I suggest that we start moving the US in a better direction by doing the following:

1. Americans would be more healthier and better looking if they just started eating
less and exercising more.

2. The US really needs to end the very scary and obvious movement that is banning freedom, increasing nanny state laws, and expanding the creation of a military socialist dictatorship. Even if politicians says they won&#039;t use unconstitutional laws on the books now, doesn&#039;t mean that later officials won&#039;t. Americans that stay silent while illegal laws are enacted should not depend entirely on the Supreme Court to protect their rights because courts once protected slavery, segregation, and concentration camps as well. The time to protest unconstitutional laws is before they are enacted. Americans cannot naively believe a dictator like Hitler or Stalin will never seize power in the US.

If America has no freedom, criticizing countries like China or North Korea is hypocritical.  

Everyone opposes terrorism, but if you want to prevent terrorism, give suspected terrorists a trial, improve airline security, and don’t give out visas easily. Terrorism should not be an excuse to declare war against Americans. Not only are many of the growing flood of regulations wrong, they are also unnecessary. One only needs to look at the pro-democracy protests in the Middle East to see Arabs prefer following a democratic model instead of  Osama bin Laden terrorism. 

3. Americans should call for a much smaller government with less welfare, a greatly reduced military budget, a tax hike on the richest, higher visa fees for foreigners, increasing sin taxes on alcohol and tobacco, reducing the wages of government workers, ending government farm and airline subsidies, and eliminating less important programs like Amtrak, PBS, and the National Endowment for the Arts. We should stop extending unemployment benefits and require unemployed Americans to take jobs in farming, meatpacking plants, construction, landscaping, and hotels. Business people should not punished while lazy people are encouraged to depend on government welfare. Welfare makes people lazy and no country would be foolish enough to attack the US even with a smaller military. We need to get the American house in order before we try to control the world.

4. Americans need to start moving overseas to teach English and export US products. Whining about jobs being outsourced because foreign workers are willing to work cheaper is not very practical. Americans would be shocked how poor product quality and shopping selection is in 3rd world countries compared to the US. Would you rather have an American car or a Chinese one?

5. One of the few areas the US government needs to increase spending is enforcing immigration laws and protecting the border from illegal immigrants. Limited legal immigration is not bad, but allowing illegal immigrants to live in the US encourages disrespect for the law. Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to have driver licenses, pay in-state tuition, or receive government benefits. The lives of illegals should not be made easier or be rewarded for breaking the law. Illegals should be deported and employers should be required to use 
E-Verify. If 13 million Americans are out of work, 12 million illegal immigrants should not be taking up the jobs. 

6. Americans need to start living within their means and stop taking on credit card debt, auto
loans, mortgages, and student loans. What you want and what you need are two different things. 

7. Americans should vote for any presidential candidate other than Obama. Obama is a pessimistic pro-government, anti-business, anti-freedom, pro-illegal immigration, and pro-war politician who is continuing most of the worst policies of George W. Bush that will bankrupt the US without improving much at all. 

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/06/obama-we-still-face-some-tough-times/1

http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2010/03/26/congress_completes_overhaul_of_health_care/

http://articles.latimes.com/print/2009/jan/28/nation/na-obama-capitol-hill28

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-acts-ease-burden-student-loans-001017820.html

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/09/GOP-Obama-regs-are-killing-jobs-548766/1

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/05/news/la-pn-obama-immigration-regulation-20120105

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1946990,00.html

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/10/obama-dispatches-100-troops-to-uganda/1

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-03-21-1Alibya21_CV_N.htm

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/11/fed-debt-hits-15-trillion-gop-blasts-obama/1

8. Americans also need to remain confident. The USA is by far the richest and most powerful country in the world. Who invented the assembly line, telephones, movies, light bulbs, airplanes, air conditioning, elevators, skyscrapers, television, the atomic bomb, the pill, calculators, microwaves, lasers, the Internet, mobile phones, the space shuttle, and landed on the moon? What country wins the most medals at the Olympics despite having only 5% of the world population? If the United States is dying, why do so many people want to immigrate there? 

While I must admit that I once did not oppose some of the policies like the Iraq war, less banking regulation, and tax cuts that lead to part of our current troubles, I now fear that more terrorism laws, bigger government, coddling illegal immigrants, and increased debt are not the solutions to our problems. I was quiet once about concerns I saw in the past and I regret it. Now I think people should not keep silent while watching a potential train wreck.

The problems facing the USA require urgent action. I love the United States and I do not want the strongest, richest, and most free country in the world to fall. Talk about the changes happening to the US with your friends and family, contact the media, and write to your elected officials. America won&#039;t be a beacon to the world if freedom is banned and the US goes bankrupt. Stand up, fight for your rights, and protect our country now!

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html
_______________________________

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

The best government is that which governs least. 

Be the change you wish to see.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I left the US in 2001 to live in Asia. Every time I return I see the USA getting worse. </p>
<p>When I leave from a sparkling new modern Asian airport like Hong Kong and land at a run down American airport like LAX that has faded signs, broken water fountains, and a decor that looks like it hasn&#8217;t been updated since 1984, I feel like I have arrived in a 3rd world country.</p>
<p>I see Americans getting fatter.</p>
<p>I see more laws in the USA that outlaw everything from baggy pants to sex tourism to artificial turf to feeding the homeless to banning fast food restaurants.</p>
<p>I see the end of freedom in the US. Americans can now be added to no fly lists. The US Constitution has been overruled by the Patriot Act that has legalized wiretaps<br />
without a warrant and allows the government to deport and strip any American of his or her citizenship. Does that sound American to you? </p>
<p><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/print/2011/jun/02/news/la-pn-patriot-act-alarm-20110602" rel="nofollow">http://articles.latimes.com/print/2011/jun/02/news/la-pn-patriot-act-alarm-20110602</a></p>
<p>The prison at Guantanamo has been opened to detain and torture suspected terrorists indefinitely without trial. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/06/25/human_rights_chief_appeals_to_us_on_guantanamo_inmates/" rel="nofollow">http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/06/25/human_rights_chief_appeals_to_us_on_guantanamo_inmates/</a></p>
<p>The US now has a secret panel “kill list” of Americans who are targeted to be assassinated without a trial. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/05/us-cia-killlist-idUSTRE79475C20111005" rel="nofollow">http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/05/us-cia-killlist-idUSTRE79475C20111005</a></p>
<p>President Obama recently signed the National Defense Authorization Act that allows the indefinite detention of any American or foreigner accused of terrorism without trial by the US military on US or foreign soil.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/01/02/president-obama-signed-the-national-defense-authorization-act-now-what/" rel="nofollow">http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/01/02/president-obama-signed-the-national-defense-authorization-act-now-what/</a></p>
<p>I see a higher unemployment rate and more welfare. I see jobs have been offshored to cheaper countries, more jobs lost to technology, and the US flooded with illegal immigrants that take American jobs, don&#8217;t pay taxes, and drain government resources.</p>
<p>I see indebted Americans who bought more than they could afford and a broke US government that has lowered taxes, but increased spending on unnecessary wars. </p>
<p>Looking at the history of Rome and the United States, I see some disturbing parallels:</p>
<p>1. While becoming a superpower, Rome abandoned the very values with which it had won its supremacy.</p>
<p>2. Roman rulers used “self-defense” pretexts to invade other countries, with hawks criticizing doves for not being patriotic.</p>
<p>3. War benefited the Roman elite before the masses.</p>
<p>4. Wars were sold as about liberty and justice defeating tyranny. </p>
<p>5. The aggressor nation stated conditions to avoid war that are impossible for the opponent to comply with.</p>
<p>6. Powerful Romans hated to make concessions. They would have rather fought to the death instead of giving in to the the demands of citizens. The elite felt that they earned it, even though they used corruption to amass their wealth.</p>
<p>7. Romans became weak and lazy because the masses were given free bread and circuses. </p>
<p>8. The people seen as “barbarians” gradually wore down the empire, causing it to spend itself into bankruptcy. </p>
<p>Americans should not just be concerned by the recent changes in the US, they should be outraged. We need to get our country back.</p>
<p>I suggest that we start moving the US in a better direction by doing the following:</p>
<p>1. Americans would be more healthier and better looking if they just started eating<br />
less and exercising more.</p>
<p>2. The US really needs to end the very scary and obvious movement that is banning freedom, increasing nanny state laws, and expanding the creation of a military socialist dictatorship. Even if politicians says they won&#8217;t use unconstitutional laws on the books now, doesn&#8217;t mean that later officials won&#8217;t. Americans that stay silent while illegal laws are enacted should not depend entirely on the Supreme Court to protect their rights because courts once protected slavery, segregation, and concentration camps as well. The time to protest unconstitutional laws is before they are enacted. Americans cannot naively believe a dictator like Hitler or Stalin will never seize power in the US.</p>
<p>If America has no freedom, criticizing countries like China or North Korea is hypocritical.  </p>
<p>Everyone opposes terrorism, but if you want to prevent terrorism, give suspected terrorists a trial, improve airline security, and don’t give out visas easily. Terrorism should not be an excuse to declare war against Americans. Not only are many of the growing flood of regulations wrong, they are also unnecessary. One only needs to look at the pro-democracy protests in the Middle East to see Arabs prefer following a democratic model instead of  Osama bin Laden terrorism. </p>
<p>3. Americans should call for a much smaller government with less welfare, a greatly reduced military budget, a tax hike on the richest, higher visa fees for foreigners, increasing sin taxes on alcohol and tobacco, reducing the wages of government workers, ending government farm and airline subsidies, and eliminating less important programs like Amtrak, PBS, and the National Endowment for the Arts. We should stop extending unemployment benefits and require unemployed Americans to take jobs in farming, meatpacking plants, construction, landscaping, and hotels. Business people should not punished while lazy people are encouraged to depend on government welfare. Welfare makes people lazy and no country would be foolish enough to attack the US even with a smaller military. We need to get the American house in order before we try to control the world.</p>
<p>4. Americans need to start moving overseas to teach English and export US products. Whining about jobs being outsourced because foreign workers are willing to work cheaper is not very practical. Americans would be shocked how poor product quality and shopping selection is in 3rd world countries compared to the US. Would you rather have an American car or a Chinese one?</p>
<p>5. One of the few areas the US government needs to increase spending is enforcing immigration laws and protecting the border from illegal immigrants. Limited legal immigration is not bad, but allowing illegal immigrants to live in the US encourages disrespect for the law. Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to have driver licenses, pay in-state tuition, or receive government benefits. The lives of illegals should not be made easier or be rewarded for breaking the law. Illegals should be deported and employers should be required to use<br />
E-Verify. If 13 million Americans are out of work, 12 million illegal immigrants should not be taking up the jobs. </p>
<p>6. Americans need to start living within their means and stop taking on credit card debt, auto<br />
loans, mortgages, and student loans. What you want and what you need are two different things. </p>
<p>7. Americans should vote for any presidential candidate other than Obama. Obama is a pessimistic pro-government, anti-business, anti-freedom, pro-illegal immigration, and pro-war politician who is continuing most of the worst policies of George W. Bush that will bankrupt the US without improving much at all. </p>
<p><a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/06/obama-we-still-face-some-tough-times/1" rel="nofollow">http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/06/obama-we-still-face-some-tough-times/1</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2010/03/26/congress_completes_overhaul_of_health_care/" rel="nofollow">http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2010/03/26/congress_completes_overhaul_of_health_care/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/print/2009/jan/28/nation/na-obama-capitol-hill28" rel="nofollow">http://articles.latimes.com/print/2009/jan/28/nation/na-obama-capitol-hill28</a></p>
<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/obama-acts-ease-burden-student-loans-001017820.html" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/obama-acts-ease-burden-student-loans-001017820.html</a></p>
<p><a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/09/GOP-Obama-regs-are-killing-jobs-548766/1" rel="nofollow">http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/09/GOP-Obama-regs-are-killing-jobs-548766/1</a></p>
<p><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/05/news/la-pn-obama-immigration-regulation-20120105" rel="nofollow">http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/05/news/la-pn-obama-immigration-regulation-20120105</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1946990,00.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1946990,00.html</a></p>
<p><a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/10/obama-dispatches-100-troops-to-uganda/1" rel="nofollow">http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/10/obama-dispatches-100-troops-to-uganda/1</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-03-21-1Alibya21_CV_N.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-03-21-1Alibya21_CV_N.htm</a></p>
<p><a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/11/fed-debt-hits-15-trillion-gop-blasts-obama/1" rel="nofollow">http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/11/fed-debt-hits-15-trillion-gop-blasts-obama/1</a></p>
<p>8. Americans also need to remain confident. The USA is by far the richest and most powerful country in the world. Who invented the assembly line, telephones, movies, light bulbs, airplanes, air conditioning, elevators, skyscrapers, television, the atomic bomb, the pill, calculators, microwaves, lasers, the Internet, mobile phones, the space shuttle, and landed on the moon? What country wins the most medals at the Olympics despite having only 5% of the world population? If the United States is dying, why do so many people want to immigrate there? </p>
<p>While I must admit that I once did not oppose some of the policies like the Iraq war, less banking regulation, and tax cuts that lead to part of our current troubles, I now fear that more terrorism laws, bigger government, coddling illegal immigrants, and increased debt are not the solutions to our problems. I was quiet once about concerns I saw in the past and I regret it. Now I think people should not keep silent while watching a potential train wreck.</p>
<p>The problems facing the USA require urgent action. I love the United States and I do not want the strongest, richest, and most free country in the world to fall. Talk about the changes happening to the US with your friends and family, contact the media, and write to your elected officials. America won&#8217;t be a beacon to the world if freedom is banned and the US goes bankrupt. Stand up, fight for your rights, and protect our country now!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml" rel="nofollow">http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html</a><br />
_______________________________</p>
<p>Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.</p>
<p>The best government is that which governs least. </p>
<p>Be the change you wish to see.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Christianity: The Third Way by Ugonna Ukwu</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2012/01/03/christianity-the-third-way/comment-page-1/#comment-251</link>
		<dc:creator>Ugonna Ukwu</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:05:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1892#comment-251</guid>
		<description>Happy New Year and thank you for a well-stated exhortation.  I whole-heartedly agree.  I couldn&#039;t help but think of Constantine, and the rise of Constantinople as a warning of scripture-believing Christians embracing the Neo-Conservative political stance you discuss.  My personal experience as a 2nd-generation female Minority American has also made this issue near and dear to my heart.  I truly believe that Government is the Hospital/ ER of Society, not the Surgeon.  If each sphere of society: Self, Family, Education, Entertainment, Community Organizations (including Religious Institutions) would function in a viable and sustainable capacity, then Government would not have to be the catch-all cure-all that spawns such divisive political sects.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Happy New Year and thank you for a well-stated exhortation.  I whole-heartedly agree.  I couldn&#8217;t help but think of Constantine, and the rise of Constantinople as a warning of scripture-believing Christians embracing the Neo-Conservative political stance you discuss.  My personal experience as a 2nd-generation female Minority American has also made this issue near and dear to my heart.  I truly believe that Government is the Hospital/ ER of Society, not the Surgeon.  If each sphere of society: Self, Family, Education, Entertainment, Community Organizations (including Religious Institutions) would function in a viable and sustainable capacity, then Government would not have to be the catch-all cure-all that spawns such divisive political sects.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Christianity: The Third Way by RT</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2012/01/03/christianity-the-third-way/comment-page-1/#comment-250</link>
		<dc:creator>RT</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:36:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1892#comment-250</guid>
		<description>You make some good points. Your podcasts encourage my faith.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You make some good points. Your podcasts encourage my faith.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Stephen&#8217;s Top Ten Faith Trends of 2011 by Barry</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/12/28/stephens-top-ten-faith-trends-of-2011/comment-page-1/#comment-241</link>
		<dc:creator>Barry</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:10:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1887#comment-241</guid>
		<description>This is great! Thank you.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is great! Thank you.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Weaving of the Christ Tale by Lisa Raby</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/12/20/the-weaving-of-the-christ-tale/comment-page-1/#comment-234</link>
		<dc:creator>Lisa Raby</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:05:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1884#comment-234</guid>
		<description>Thank you!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Rise of Newt Gingrich by Bill Word</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/12/06/the-rise-of-newt-gingrich/comment-page-1/#comment-224</link>
		<dc:creator>Bill Word</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:48:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1858#comment-224</guid>
		<description>Your assessment agrees with me, though your fondation for it far outweighs mine. I am standing for Rick Perry, although he does not seem to be on the high tide. My stand is not based on my affection for Governor Perry. He took action and stood publicly for legislation that is anti good culture for Texans. His bravado to secede Texas was just that, bravado and posturing. But, in my private heart, I believe the impul;se to stand with Gov. Perry is God directed. I am watching for a sudden rise of the tide in his favor.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Your assessment agrees with me, though your fondation for it far outweighs mine. I am standing for Rick Perry, although he does not seem to be on the high tide. My stand is not based on my affection for Governor Perry. He took action and stood publicly for legislation that is anti good culture for Texans. His bravado to secede Texas was just that, bravado and posturing. But, in my private heart, I believe the impul;se to stand with Gov. Perry is God directed. I am watching for a sudden rise of the tide in his favor.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Virtue of Slow by The Virtue of Slow &#171; The Every Nation Plog</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/10/24/the-virtue-of-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-221</link>
		<dc:creator>The Virtue of Slow &#171; The Every Nation Plog</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:45:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1779#comment-221</guid>
		<description>[...] Read the original post here. Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] Read the original post here. Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Weekly Mansfield Podcast by Marty Smith</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/11/07/the-weekly-mansfield-podcast/comment-page-1/#comment-207</link>
		<dc:creator>Marty Smith</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:00:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1799#comment-207</guid>
		<description>Stephen,

I listen with interest to your podcast regarding the 2012 Election and the current Republican field of candidates.  I agree with you regarding the real possibility of President Obama winning again but do have a couple of differences.  1) I think Newt has been completely vetted and while he will be attacked by Democrats, I&#039;m not sure anything new will emerge.  Given we already know about Newt&#039;s past, I don&#039;t believe it will impact him. 2) While I agree the &quot;Mormon&quot; thing will cause some to never vote for Romney, with the economy being such a huge factor in this election, I think he could overcome this hurdle by clearly laying out his plan to fix this economy.  He has to become less robotic and communicate with clarity and I believe he would be formidable foe for the President.    You make some very good points and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

BTW....I attend Southpoint Community in Jax and always look forward to you speaking for us and I listen regularly to your podcast.  Have a great Thanksgiving!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Stephen,</p>
<p>I listen with interest to your podcast regarding the 2012 Election and the current Republican field of candidates.  I agree with you regarding the real possibility of President Obama winning again but do have a couple of differences.  1) I think Newt has been completely vetted and while he will be attacked by Democrats, I&#8217;m not sure anything new will emerge.  Given we already know about Newt&#8217;s past, I don&#8217;t believe it will impact him. 2) While I agree the &#8220;Mormon&#8221; thing will cause some to never vote for Romney, with the economy being such a huge factor in this election, I think he could overcome this hurdle by clearly laying out his plan to fix this economy.  He has to become less robotic and communicate with clarity and I believe he would be formidable foe for the President.    You make some very good points and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.</p>
<p>BTW&#8230;.I attend Southpoint Community in Jax and always look forward to you speaking for us and I listen regularly to your podcast.  Have a great Thanksgiving!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Is Mormonism a Cult? by Believe All Things</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/11/14/is-mormonism-a-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-205</link>
		<dc:creator>Believe All Things</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:21:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1801#comment-205</guid>
		<description>Hi Steve - I hadn&#039;t come across the definition that a &quot;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.believeallthings.com/5303/mormonism-cult/&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;cult&lt;/a&gt;&quot; is a &quot;perversion of Christian doctrine&quot; or a &quot;rewriting of Christian theology&quot;, especially given the Latin definition of the term.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hi Steve &#8211; I hadn&#8217;t come across the definition that a &#8220;<a href="http://www.believeallthings.com/5303/mormonism-cult/" rel="nofollow">cult</a>&#8221; is a &#8220;perversion of Christian doctrine&#8221; or a &#8220;rewriting of Christian theology&#8221;, especially given the Latin definition of the term.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on A Thanksgiving Meditation by A week for grateful living &#124; never picture perfect</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/11/15/a-thanksgiving-meditation-3/comment-page-1/#comment-204</link>
		<dc:creator>A week for grateful living &#124; never picture perfect</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:31:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1804#comment-204</guid>
		<description>[...] week, as we read some of our favorite books about Thanksgiving, re-read Stephen Mansfield&#8217;s meditation on the Pilgrims, and read through the papers in our gratitude box, I am truly grateful of the small change in at [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] week, as we read some of our favorite books about Thanksgiving, re-read Stephen Mansfield&#8217;s meditation on the Pilgrims, and read through the papers in our gratitude box, I am truly grateful of the small change in at [...]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The First Thanksgiving in the Pilgrim’s Own Words by The First Thanksgiving in the Pilgrim’s Own Words &#171; CHRISTIAN PARENT HUB- CHRISTIAN PARENT NEWS AGGREGATOR</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/11/20/the-first-thanksgiving-in-the-pilgrim%e2%80%99s-own-words/comment-page-1/#comment-202</link>
		<dc:creator>The First Thanksgiving in the Pilgrim’s Own Words &#171; CHRISTIAN PARENT HUB- CHRISTIAN PARENT NEWS AGGREGATOR</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 07:58:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1817#comment-202</guid>
		<description>[...] Article FROM http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/11/20/the-first-thanksgiving-in-the-pilgrim%E2%80%99s-own-words/  SPONSOR- Christian Games for kids-fun and faith based curriculum GET YOUR FREE PASS [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] Article FROM <a href="http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/11/20/the-first-thanksgiving-in-the-pilgrim%E2%80%99s-own-words/" rel="nofollow">http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/11/20/the-first-thanksgiving-in-the-pilgrim%E2%80%99s-own-words/</a>  SPONSOR- Christian Games for kids-fun and faith based curriculum GET YOUR FREE PASS [...]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on A Thanksgiving Meditation by Beth Ann</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/11/15/a-thanksgiving-meditation-3/comment-page-1/#comment-198</link>
		<dc:creator>Beth Ann</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:31:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1804#comment-198</guid>
		<description>Thank you for this.  There is so much misinformation out there about what actually went down on the first Thanksgiving.  I will use this at our gathering this year to help us re-focus our thanks.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you for this.  There is so much misinformation out there about what actually went down on the first Thanksgiving.  I will use this at our gathering this year to help us re-focus our thanks.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Is Obama Going to Win? by shirley K. Brown</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/10/31/is-obama-going-to-win/comment-page-1/#comment-193</link>
		<dc:creator>shirley K. Brown</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:08:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1790#comment-193</guid>
		<description>I heard you on the olive tree ministries radio program with eric barger and checked out your website. I listened to you oct 31 program where you give you reasons for another obama term as president and I could not agree more with your assessment for I have been seeing the same thing but I do wish that republicans would get behind our candidate and support him as the democrats do.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I heard you on the olive tree ministries radio program with eric barger and checked out your website. I listened to you oct 31 program where you give you reasons for another obama term as president and I could not agree more with your assessment for I have been seeing the same thing but I do wish that republicans would get behind our candidate and support him as the democrats do.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Prohibition, Part 1 by Berdene Walsh</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/10/04/prohibition-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-190</link>
		<dc:creator>Berdene Walsh</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:19:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1704#comment-190</guid>
		<description>Stephen, I heard you on KGNW, Signs of the Times show this AM. Very interested in your new book. 
I have my own spiritual journey story through 
the last 30 years of the &quot;new information&quot; age. In 1979 finaly said, &quot;What Do I believe, Why do I believe it, &amp; What am I going to do about it!&quot; I know the first two. The Bible is the only thing that makes sense out of this crazy world. Now I&#039;m trying to find out what &amp; how I do something about it.
Thank you for writing this book!
Also, how about writing one on drugs and legalization of marajauna?
Kindest regards, Berdene Walsh</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Stephen, I heard you on KGNW, Signs of the Times show this AM. Very interested in your new book.<br />
I have my own spiritual journey story through<br />
the last 30 years of the &#8220;new information&#8221; age. In 1979 finaly said, &#8220;What Do I believe, Why do I believe it, &amp; What am I going to do about it!&#8221; I know the first two. The Bible is the only thing that makes sense out of this crazy world. Now I&#8217;m trying to find out what &amp; how I do something about it.<br />
Thank you for writing this book!<br />
Also, how about writing one on drugs and legalization of marajauna?<br />
Kindest regards, Berdene Walsh</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Are All Religions One? by Brad Watson</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/09/18/are-all-religions-one/comment-page-1/#comment-188</link>
		<dc:creator>Brad Watson</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:19:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1640#comment-188</guid>
		<description>Re:  The 3 Responses to my statement about inclusive spirituality....

To Beth- I enjoyed our continued private dialogue, Beth.  As I suggested to you privately, when the Bible is seen as a work written by men encountering God, rather than by God Himself, it is treasured as an inspirational work, but not an infallible guide. Therefore, theology can be explored with the Bible as one of many tools, but not the only authoritative truth.  Therefore, legitimate exploration of the Divine is something people can do from various cultures, times, and with various sacred texts. The REALITY of spiritual connection is therefore based more on the individual&#039;s personal experiences and transformational journey rather than on figuring out correct doctrine.

To Robert- The idea that legitimate truth has to be represented by some kind of organizational or theological &quot;structure&quot; is not necessarily accurate. Even LOVE, for instance, is a profound truth that transforms human beings, the structure or &quot;rules&quot; of which are diverse depending on the nature of that love, the commitment of those involved in relationship with one another, and the societal norms within the community where that love is shared.  Absolute Truth is not necessarily a set of beliefs anyway, but an experiential encounter with the Divine that leads to personal transformation, growth, and healthy relationships with yourself and others.

To Melanie- Great to hear from you!  I was honored to be a part of your personal tranformation those many years ago in Abilene, TX! Your encounter with God in college set you free from legalistic analysis and led you to experience a personal relationship with a loving and powerful God that you began to believe accepted you and filled you with His powerful Holy Spirit!  
Melanie, other believers, from other cultures, with other &quot;God stories&quot; and sacred texts have had the same KIND of encounters producing the same kind of peace, joy, and transformed lives.  NONE of us see or understand God clearly.  ALL of us look upon the Divine and spirituality in general with glasses tinted with our own cultural and religious ideology.  The Bible is NOT the only sacred text that contains &quot;gems&quot; that help people find true connection with God.  The ultimate goal, however, IS THAT HOLY CONNECTION. That&#039;s what set you free, me free, and continues to set people free all over the world.  One humbling thing Ive experienced it to have deep fellowship with people from other religious traditions and find that the same &quot;Holy Spirit&quot; which has worked beautiful growth and changes in my life has also worked in the same way in their lives in spite of our differing religious traditions, myths, stories, rules and regulations. Even the words we use describing our spiritual experiences may be different, but when we really examine the core of our spirituality, we find that true spiritual seekers share  much in common - perhaps not in dogma, but certainly in what we would call &quot;the fruit of the Spirit.&quot;  
When we humble ourselves and become courageous enough to get out of our comfort zones and &quot;boxes,&quot; we discover that GOD is SO much bigger, more creative, more multi-cultural, more loving, and quite frankly, much more wonderful than we had ever imagined!

Blessings to all of you as your continue the journey......
Brad Watson</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Re:  The 3 Responses to my statement about inclusive spirituality&#8230;.</p>
<p>To Beth- I enjoyed our continued private dialogue, Beth.  As I suggested to you privately, when the Bible is seen as a work written by men encountering God, rather than by God Himself, it is treasured as an inspirational work, but not an infallible guide. Therefore, theology can be explored with the Bible as one of many tools, but not the only authoritative truth.  Therefore, legitimate exploration of the Divine is something people can do from various cultures, times, and with various sacred texts. The REALITY of spiritual connection is therefore based more on the individual&#8217;s personal experiences and transformational journey rather than on figuring out correct doctrine.</p>
<p>To Robert- The idea that legitimate truth has to be represented by some kind of organizational or theological &#8220;structure&#8221; is not necessarily accurate. Even LOVE, for instance, is a profound truth that transforms human beings, the structure or &#8220;rules&#8221; of which are diverse depending on the nature of that love, the commitment of those involved in relationship with one another, and the societal norms within the community where that love is shared.  Absolute Truth is not necessarily a set of beliefs anyway, but an experiential encounter with the Divine that leads to personal transformation, growth, and healthy relationships with yourself and others.</p>
<p>To Melanie- Great to hear from you!  I was honored to be a part of your personal tranformation those many years ago in Abilene, TX! Your encounter with God in college set you free from legalistic analysis and led you to experience a personal relationship with a loving and powerful God that you began to believe accepted you and filled you with His powerful Holy Spirit!<br />
Melanie, other believers, from other cultures, with other &#8220;God stories&#8221; and sacred texts have had the same KIND of encounters producing the same kind of peace, joy, and transformed lives.  NONE of us see or understand God clearly.  ALL of us look upon the Divine and spirituality in general with glasses tinted with our own cultural and religious ideology.  The Bible is NOT the only sacred text that contains &#8220;gems&#8221; that help people find true connection with God.  The ultimate goal, however, IS THAT HOLY CONNECTION. That&#8217;s what set you free, me free, and continues to set people free all over the world.  One humbling thing Ive experienced it to have deep fellowship with people from other religious traditions and find that the same &#8220;Holy Spirit&#8221; which has worked beautiful growth and changes in my life has also worked in the same way in their lives in spite of our differing religious traditions, myths, stories, rules and regulations. Even the words we use describing our spiritual experiences may be different, but when we really examine the core of our spirituality, we find that true spiritual seekers share  much in common &#8211; perhaps not in dogma, but certainly in what we would call &#8220;the fruit of the Spirit.&#8221;<br />
When we humble ourselves and become courageous enough to get out of our comfort zones and &#8220;boxes,&#8221; we discover that GOD is SO much bigger, more creative, more multi-cultural, more loving, and quite frankly, much more wonderful than we had ever imagined!</p>
<p>Blessings to all of you as your continue the journey&#8230;&#8230;<br />
Brad Watson</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Are All Religions One? by Melanie Wheeler Johnson</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/09/18/are-all-religions-one/comment-page-1/#comment-185</link>
		<dc:creator>Melanie Wheeler Johnson</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:01:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1640#comment-185</guid>
		<description>Brad, remember praying for me at ACU; CSR (and something I struggled w/with Tina Farley - can&#039;t remember); the street ministry, Steve Chandlier; falling in love w/Shelia Locke??  Woe...has that sweet young man who used to sing about Jesus and play the guitar w/David McQueen and lead young seekers to the Lord changed dramatically? You know, we are all born with a spirit and can be &quot;spiritual&quot; on a broad spectrum.  We pass around our belief systems around, in circles; churches are built on biblical interpretation. Well, I am free from finding the perfect church, the perfect answer. A transformation took place in my heart when I truly sought God to give me truth.  I had a supernatural experience.  It was not of myself and it was a beautiful gift. It happened to me back then, when you any many were praying for me. Since  then, it has been a laborless journey.  I started keeping the commandments out of love, not fear or anything else. When I was given this gift, there were no fabrications or analytical thoughts, no conjured up any feelings, I simply surrendered.  I was sealed w/his spirit that day.  I know I have unity w/our creator.  In Ephesians, it talks about marriage being a mystery in the spirit realm.  When I think about my marriage journey, I see the parallel in my children.  I look at them and I see half of my husband and half of myself.  Those individuals reflect the unity of our covenant w/God that we are one.  When Jesus died and gave us the HOLY SPIRIT, he sealed us and and made us one w/God.  His church is the bride and he is the bridegroom.  When they are united, we have reached true unity.  Guess He died in vain....for nothing...if you &quot;excuse&quot; or refuse Him. I hope that&#039;s not the case. The gift of Christ&#039;s death on the cross is still God&#039;s gift to His creation whether one chooses to receive it and the eternal life it brings, or not.  These teachings that are &quot;enlightening&quot; you are still from man.  The HOLY spirit is not.  We don&#039;t have to find these wise teachings to find Him.  Many are not this intellectual.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Brad, remember praying for me at ACU; CSR (and something I struggled w/with Tina Farley &#8211; can&#8217;t remember); the street ministry, Steve Chandlier; falling in love w/Shelia Locke??  Woe&#8230;has that sweet young man who used to sing about Jesus and play the guitar w/David McQueen and lead young seekers to the Lord changed dramatically? You know, we are all born with a spirit and can be &#8220;spiritual&#8221; on a broad spectrum.  We pass around our belief systems around, in circles; churches are built on biblical interpretation. Well, I am free from finding the perfect church, the perfect answer. A transformation took place in my heart when I truly sought God to give me truth.  I had a supernatural experience.  It was not of myself and it was a beautiful gift. It happened to me back then, when you any many were praying for me. Since  then, it has been a laborless journey.  I started keeping the commandments out of love, not fear or anything else. When I was given this gift, there were no fabrications or analytical thoughts, no conjured up any feelings, I simply surrendered.  I was sealed w/his spirit that day.  I know I have unity w/our creator.  In Ephesians, it talks about marriage being a mystery in the spirit realm.  When I think about my marriage journey, I see the parallel in my children.  I look at them and I see half of my husband and half of myself.  Those individuals reflect the unity of our covenant w/God that we are one.  When Jesus died and gave us the HOLY SPIRIT, he sealed us and and made us one w/God.  His church is the bride and he is the bridegroom.  When they are united, we have reached true unity.  Guess He died in vain&#8230;.for nothing&#8230;if you &#8220;excuse&#8221; or refuse Him. I hope that&#8217;s not the case. The gift of Christ&#8217;s death on the cross is still God&#8217;s gift to His creation whether one chooses to receive it and the eternal life it brings, or not.  These teachings that are &#8220;enlightening&#8221; you are still from man.  The HOLY spirit is not.  We don&#8217;t have to find these wise teachings to find Him.  Many are not this intellectual.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Stephen&#8217;s Book List by Travis</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/10/26/stephens-book-list/comment-page-1/#comment-184</link>
		<dc:creator>Travis</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:19:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1785#comment-184</guid>
		<description>I bought this on a whim at a bookstore a few months ago. Just about to dive into it this week. Good to know it&#039;s high on your list!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I bought this on a whim at a bookstore a few months ago. Just about to dive into it this week. Good to know it&#8217;s high on your list!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Virtue of Slow by Evelyn Glover</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/10/24/the-virtue-of-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-180</link>
		<dc:creator>Evelyn Glover</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:47:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1779#comment-180</guid>
		<description>I love reading about this experience you&#039;re having with slowing down. 
I had just today decided to slow my painting pace down because I miss too much  speeding along/hyper-focused. This slowing down is intentionally and for the purpose of enjoying the process and adding a depth to my work that can only be achieved by reflection and reveling in the process. Thanks for sharing.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I love reading about this experience you&#8217;re having with slowing down.<br />
I had just today decided to slow my painting pace down because I miss too much  speeding along/hyper-focused. This slowing down is intentionally and for the purpose of enjoying the process and adding a depth to my work that can only be achieved by reflection and reveling in the process. Thanks for sharing.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Ron Paul and the Tenth Amendment by Ugonna Ukwu</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/10/19/ron-paul-and-the-tenth-amendment/comment-page-1/#comment-176</link>
		<dc:creator>Ugonna Ukwu</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:56:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1770#comment-176</guid>
		<description>Great discussion.  I really believe the road back to integrity and proper checks and balances in our government is accountable procedure and methodology.  I&#039;ve never thought about reading the Constitution before; but I have a new challenge; thanks!  

One other thought I had after listening is that I believe the roots of Deism are being exposed as the religious undertones that are attached to constitutionalism are becoming more and more non-contextual in our modern society...</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Great discussion.  I really believe the road back to integrity and proper checks and balances in our government is accountable procedure and methodology.  I&#8217;ve never thought about reading the Constitution before; but I have a new challenge; thanks!  </p>
<p>One other thought I had after listening is that I believe the roots of Deism are being exposed as the religious undertones that are attached to constitutionalism are becoming more and more non-contextual in our modern society&#8230;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Are All Religions One? by Robert W Donnell</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/09/18/are-all-religions-one/comment-page-1/#comment-174</link>
		<dc:creator>Robert W Donnell</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:14:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1640#comment-174</guid>
		<description>Brad,
The divine presence you speak of would have to represent some absolute truth.  That being the case how would such an entity work with people of widely varying and mutually exclusive religious precepts?  I anticipate your answer might be that as individuals mature in their quest for the divine those differences would melt away as they approached a common truth, the real truth.  If such truth has any organization or structure at all then your attempt to connect with the divine is yet another religion.  Lacking such structure it would be too nebulous to be meaningful.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Brad,<br />
The divine presence you speak of would have to represent some absolute truth.  That being the case how would such an entity work with people of widely varying and mutually exclusive religious precepts?  I anticipate your answer might be that as individuals mature in their quest for the divine those differences would melt away as they approached a common truth, the real truth.  If such truth has any organization or structure at all then your attempt to connect with the divine is yet another religion.  Lacking such structure it would be too nebulous to be meaningful.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Backstory: &#8220;Where Has Oprah Taken Us?&#8221; by Ugonna Ukwu</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/10/03/backstory-where-has-oprah-taken-us/comment-page-1/#comment-157</link>
		<dc:creator>Ugonna Ukwu</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:57:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1671#comment-157</guid>
		<description>Amazing; it seems sometimes as professional women find their niche; they confuse their quest for healing and wholeness as their vocational mission towards others.  Discipleship is staying at least one step ahead, not the blind leading the blind.  How much more important it is for women with her level of influence to maintain boundaries.  And how convicting that such world-wide influence could not be harnessed and supported by more Religious Leaders that seemed to criticize defensively more than clarify offensively.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Amazing; it seems sometimes as professional women find their niche; they confuse their quest for healing and wholeness as their vocational mission towards others.  Discipleship is staying at least one step ahead, not the blind leading the blind.  How much more important it is for women with her level of influence to maintain boundaries.  And how convicting that such world-wide influence could not be harnessed and supported by more Religious Leaders that seemed to criticize defensively more than clarify offensively.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Are All Religions One? by Beth Knox</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/09/18/are-all-religions-one/comment-page-1/#comment-145</link>
		<dc:creator>Beth Knox</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:58:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1640#comment-145</guid>
		<description>Brad, if this were the case, why did Paul feel compelled to preach to the Athenians (Acts 17), revealing to them the error of their worship of &quot;An Unknown God&quot;? If it was not important to God that they come through Jesus Christ, wouldn&#039;t he have led Paul to praise the Athenians for their great spirituality? But instead of praising their quest he corrected them and instructed them to recognize the one true God, who had made Himself evident and would judge all men. How do you reconcile your thoughts with Christ&#039;s statement that &quot;No one comes to the Father, except through me&quot;? If God&#039;s intent was to &quot;connect with humanity through the various religious ideas that differing groups espouse&quot; wouldn&#039;t He have left more room for that in Jesus&#039; teaching?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Brad, if this were the case, why did Paul feel compelled to preach to the Athenians (Acts 17), revealing to them the error of their worship of &#8220;An Unknown God&#8221;? If it was not important to God that they come through Jesus Christ, wouldn&#8217;t he have led Paul to praise the Athenians for their great spirituality? But instead of praising their quest he corrected them and instructed them to recognize the one true God, who had made Himself evident and would judge all men. How do you reconcile your thoughts with Christ&#8217;s statement that &#8220;No one comes to the Father, except through me&#8221;? If God&#8217;s intent was to &#8220;connect with humanity through the various religious ideas that differing groups espouse&#8221; wouldn&#8217;t He have left more room for that in Jesus&#8217; teaching?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Are All Religions One? by Brad Watson</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/09/18/are-all-religions-one/comment-page-1/#comment-144</link>
		<dc:creator>Brad Watson</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:20:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1640#comment-144</guid>
		<description>One thing to consider is the possibility that there is a Divine Presence that connects to people and works with people through the lenses of their own religious understanding in spite of theological discrepancies.  In other words, perhaps God is not clearly and accurately defined by ANY religion, and but is able to connect with humanity through the various religious ideas that differing groups espouse. Perhaps the REAL truth is not found so much in discerning theological accuracy about a GOD that we cannot, no matter how intelligent or holy we are, fully understand. Perhaps, instead, REAL truth is found in establishing RELATIONSHIP to this GOD based on a personal walk connecting with Him/Her as fully and as genuinely as we know how.  If this is the MAIN THING, then what transforms a human being is not so much their intellectual opinion about GOD, but their personal encounter with Divine Intelligence that produces a changed life.  Religion can, no doubt, not only enlighten, but often cloud the issue.  Fundamentalism, in particular, can easily become the enemy of REAL CONNECTION with the Divine as it insists on particular creeds, regardless of what they are, to be the vehicle of legitimate connection to God. Perhaps its not because of the creeds, but IN SPITE of them that people find their way to real relationship with the Divine. Consider the possibility that what the world needs is not some morphing of religions, or a mass conversion to one particular religious system, but a lifting of the veil, to find the real substance of spirituality - CONNECTION to GOD as we understand HIM/HER, CONNECTION to our deepest self, and CONNECTION to others, no matter what their belief or creed, that all make up the beautiful tapestry of our human family. Consider that a conscious, daily spiritual practice , full of experiential wonder and meaningful growth,  potentially illuminates the pathway for spiritual seekers to discover purpose in life, joy in the journey, acceptance of self and others, and meaningful connection to GOD.  This can occur regardless of many of a particular belief system&#039;s specific theological underpinnings, myths, stories, or history. And consider finally,  that at the end of the day,perhaps the main thing....ultimately the ONLY thing... is LOVE.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One thing to consider is the possibility that there is a Divine Presence that connects to people and works with people through the lenses of their own religious understanding in spite of theological discrepancies.  In other words, perhaps God is not clearly and accurately defined by ANY religion, and but is able to connect with humanity through the various religious ideas that differing groups espouse. Perhaps the REAL truth is not found so much in discerning theological accuracy about a GOD that we cannot, no matter how intelligent or holy we are, fully understand. Perhaps, instead, REAL truth is found in establishing RELATIONSHIP to this GOD based on a personal walk connecting with Him/Her as fully and as genuinely as we know how.  If this is the MAIN THING, then what transforms a human being is not so much their intellectual opinion about GOD, but their personal encounter with Divine Intelligence that produces a changed life.  Religion can, no doubt, not only enlighten, but often cloud the issue.  Fundamentalism, in particular, can easily become the enemy of REAL CONNECTION with the Divine as it insists on particular creeds, regardless of what they are, to be the vehicle of legitimate connection to God. Perhaps its not because of the creeds, but IN SPITE of them that people find their way to real relationship with the Divine. Consider the possibility that what the world needs is not some morphing of religions, or a mass conversion to one particular religious system, but a lifting of the veil, to find the real substance of spirituality &#8211; CONNECTION to GOD as we understand HIM/HER, CONNECTION to our deepest self, and CONNECTION to others, no matter what their belief or creed, that all make up the beautiful tapestry of our human family. Consider that a conscious, daily spiritual practice , full of experiential wonder and meaningful growth,  potentially illuminates the pathway for spiritual seekers to discover purpose in life, joy in the journey, acceptance of self and others, and meaningful connection to GOD.  This can occur regardless of many of a particular belief system&#8217;s specific theological underpinnings, myths, stories, or history. And consider finally,  that at the end of the day,perhaps the main thing&#8230;.ultimately the ONLY thing&#8230; is LOVE.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Are All Religions One? by Ugonna Ukwu</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/09/18/are-all-religions-one/comment-page-1/#comment-143</link>
		<dc:creator>Ugonna Ukwu</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:29:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1640#comment-143</guid>
		<description>Thank you for posting this; this is hauntingly familiar to my encounter with a friend who was Bahai when I was in college.  After living with a roommate who was grounded personality-wise, yet was a &quot;Back-slidden&quot; Muslim, it became very clear I had to move.  Amazing how the story of Sarah asking Abraham to sleep with the Maid has come back in such a Vengeful force.  As a woman who constantly walks that tight rope of being Strong in the Lord but Submissive to (sometimes misguided) Authority, I marvel time and time again at the Mercy and Awesomeness of Abba.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you for posting this; this is hauntingly familiar to my encounter with a friend who was Bahai when I was in college.  After living with a roommate who was grounded personality-wise, yet was a &#8220;Back-slidden&#8221; Muslim, it became very clear I had to move.  Amazing how the story of Sarah asking Abraham to sleep with the Maid has come back in such a Vengeful force.  As a woman who constantly walks that tight rope of being Strong in the Lord but Submissive to (sometimes misguided) Authority, I marvel time and time again at the Mercy and Awesomeness of Abba.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Hidden Calling by The Hidden Calling &#171; The Every Nation Plog</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/07/08/the-hidden-calling/comment-page-1/#comment-139</link>
		<dc:creator>The Hidden Calling &#171; The Every Nation Plog</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:24:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1570#comment-139</guid>
		<description>[...] Read this post here. Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] Read this post here. Like this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Oprah Winfrey&#8217;s New Age Conundrum by Eve</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/06/09/oprah-winfreys-new-age-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-136</link>
		<dc:creator>Eve</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:13:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1529#comment-136</guid>
		<description>I am really wanting to share this, since I have a personal testimony regarding the new age movement, as well as many friends who are being misled at this moment.  

I am hesitant however because of the &quot;stripper&#039; comment.  It sounds very condescending and you risk giving your listeners the wrong impression of what you are trying to accomplish here before you even get started good.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I am really wanting to share this, since I have a personal testimony regarding the new age movement, as well as many friends who are being misled at this moment.  </p>
<p>I am hesitant however because of the &#8220;stripper&#8217; comment.  It sounds very condescending and you risk giving your listeners the wrong impression of what you are trying to accomplish here before you even get started good.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Some History Behind 9/11 by David Mansfield</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/09/11/some-history-behind-911/comment-page-1/#comment-133</link>
		<dc:creator>David Mansfield</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:31:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1609#comment-133</guid>
		<description>I had never heard of this story of history before, and am inspired by it.  Identifying and avoiding the blinding Political Correctness of our age is a challenge.  Mom would be so pleased of your work, and this is the kind of topic she would have loved following and listening too.  Bravo, big brother.

David Mansfield</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I had never heard of this story of history before, and am inspired by it.  Identifying and avoiding the blinding Political Correctness of our age is a challenge.  Mom would be so pleased of your work, and this is the kind of topic she would have loved following and listening too.  Bravo, big brother.</p>
<p>David Mansfield</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Update: The 2012 Presidential Race by Tommy Kiedis</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/09/09/update-the-2012-presidential-race/comment-page-1/#comment-131</link>
		<dc:creator>Tommy Kiedis</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:29:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1605#comment-131</guid>
		<description>Thanks for this, Stephen. Informational, analytical, helpful!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks for this, Stephen. Informational, analytical, helpful!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Some History Behind 9/11 by Brigid Chase</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/09/11/some-history-behind-911/comment-page-1/#comment-130</link>
		<dc:creator>Brigid Chase</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:30:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1609#comment-130</guid>
		<description>Thank you for shedding light on this repeating cycle in history. I found it very informative.

Based on your indentions in the article, it appears that you are quoting some other work. Was this from another article or book you already wrote? Please advise as I would like to read more regarding this if it is available.

Thanks
Your Continuing Student
Brigid Chase</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you for shedding light on this repeating cycle in history. I found it very informative.</p>
<p>Based on your indentions in the article, it appears that you are quoting some other work. Was this from another article or book you already wrote? Please advise as I would like to read more regarding this if it is available.</p>
<p>Thanks<br />
Your Continuing Student<br />
Brigid Chase</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Update: The 2012 Presidential Race by William Word Jr</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/09/09/update-the-2012-presidential-race/comment-page-1/#comment-129</link>
		<dc:creator>William Word Jr</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 10 Sep 2011 18:23:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1605#comment-129</guid>
		<description>The analysis in this update is edifying and not consistent with mainstream voices. Thanks you.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The analysis in this update is edifying and not consistent with mainstream voices. Thanks you.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on China&#8217;s One Child Policy by William Word Jr</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/08/29/chinas-one-child-policy/comment-page-1/#comment-127</link>
		<dc:creator>William Word Jr</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:17:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1602#comment-127</guid>
		<description>Great essay Mr. Mansfield. Your generosity towards VP Biden is Christlke and may it be contagious as a pattern for rising Church of this generation.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Great essay Mr. Mansfield. Your generosity towards VP Biden is Christlke and may it be contagious as a pattern for rising Church of this generation.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Hidden Calling by RICK KRIVE</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/07/08/the-hidden-calling/comment-page-1/#comment-118</link>
		<dc:creator>RICK KRIVE</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:12:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1570#comment-118</guid>
		<description>Thnx so much Stephen... I&#039;ve always admired Churchill but only from a distance. your piece here is not only very inspiring, but adds a perspective I was unaware of...</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thnx so much Stephen&#8230; I&#8217;ve always admired Churchill but only from a distance. your piece here is not only very inspiring, but adds a perspective I was unaware of&#8230;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on On Economics by Brad Watson</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/08/09/on-economics/comment-page-1/#comment-117</link>
		<dc:creator>Brad Watson</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 14 Aug 2011 01:56:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1591#comment-117</guid>
		<description>Thanks Stephen for your thoughts.  Certainly, most of us share a compelling desire to reduce the federal debt.  Obviously, without some kind of change of course, this trajectory will most likely be disasterous.  However, simply reducing spending, while making the books balance, could be devastating to many of our national spending priorities that stem from our country&#039;s collective moral center. Our historic commitment to equality, freedom, and justice demand that we do our best in establishing budget priorities that reflect our desire to be morally as well as fiscally responsible:  Necessary foreign aid; the preservation and care of our military; college subsidies for America&#039;s deserving youth, whom we can hopefully still expect  to be the effective leaders of tomorrow; and, of course, critical care of our domestic poor, sick and elderly. These priorities would be sacrificed completely or at least greatly compromised under the plans pushed by the so called &quot;fiscal conservatives&quot; of America&#039;s right wing.  The illustration coming from Ramsey fails to emphasize that the amount of revenue coming into the &quot;household&quot; can be substantially influenced by fiscal policy.  That fact makes our national budget conversation very different from the financial reality on the ground in most American homes.  At a national level:  Tax reform; closing of loopholes; even eliminating the ill-conceived tax breaks for the wealthiest will greatly increase the amount of monies available to carry out effectively our national priorities. Expecting the top 3% of the economy - America&#039;s wealthy elite- to pay their fair share of taxes...simply to go back to the tax rates of the prosperous 90s, is a small price to pay for helping to keep America on track, both fiscally and morally.  That&#039;s not to say the best answer is just to go back to the tax structure of the past....there is likely a much better, fairer system yet to emerge.  However, the &quot;new thing&quot; that has yet to come forth can only be birthed within a respectful dialogue of fair-minded leaders - courageous, humble women and men who know how to listen to one another, compromise, then make timely decisions, keeping in view the need to be financially responsible while at the same time not throwing away America&#039;s moral compass or neglecting our high calling for outstanding global leadership.  While simple illustrations like Ramseys can sometimes highlight a problem, the risk is that in their simplicity important elements that must be taken into consideration are often left out. Unfortunately, the result is often a further polarization of opinion, stereo-typing and judging one another, and a missed opportunity to collectively move to a much higher plane.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks Stephen for your thoughts.  Certainly, most of us share a compelling desire to reduce the federal debt.  Obviously, without some kind of change of course, this trajectory will most likely be disasterous.  However, simply reducing spending, while making the books balance, could be devastating to many of our national spending priorities that stem from our country&#8217;s collective moral center. Our historic commitment to equality, freedom, and justice demand that we do our best in establishing budget priorities that reflect our desire to be morally as well as fiscally responsible:  Necessary foreign aid; the preservation and care of our military; college subsidies for America&#8217;s deserving youth, whom we can hopefully still expect  to be the effective leaders of tomorrow; and, of course, critical care of our domestic poor, sick and elderly. These priorities would be sacrificed completely or at least greatly compromised under the plans pushed by the so called &#8220;fiscal conservatives&#8221; of America&#8217;s right wing.  The illustration coming from Ramsey fails to emphasize that the amount of revenue coming into the &#8220;household&#8221; can be substantially influenced by fiscal policy.  That fact makes our national budget conversation very different from the financial reality on the ground in most American homes.  At a national level:  Tax reform; closing of loopholes; even eliminating the ill-conceived tax breaks for the wealthiest will greatly increase the amount of monies available to carry out effectively our national priorities. Expecting the top 3% of the economy &#8211; America&#8217;s wealthy elite- to pay their fair share of taxes&#8230;simply to go back to the tax rates of the prosperous 90s, is a small price to pay for helping to keep America on track, both fiscally and morally.  That&#8217;s not to say the best answer is just to go back to the tax structure of the past&#8230;.there is likely a much better, fairer system yet to emerge.  However, the &#8220;new thing&#8221; that has yet to come forth can only be birthed within a respectful dialogue of fair-minded leaders &#8211; courageous, humble women and men who know how to listen to one another, compromise, then make timely decisions, keeping in view the need to be financially responsible while at the same time not throwing away America&#8217;s moral compass or neglecting our high calling for outstanding global leadership.  While simple illustrations like Ramseys can sometimes highlight a problem, the risk is that in their simplicity important elements that must be taken into consideration are often left out. Unfortunately, the result is often a further polarization of opinion, stereo-typing and judging one another, and a missed opportunity to collectively move to a much higher plane.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on On Economics by Dan</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/08/09/on-economics/comment-page-1/#comment-113</link>
		<dc:creator>Dan</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Aug 2011 03:11:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1591#comment-113</guid>
		<description>Okay, here&#039;s one thing about the Ramsey analogy that doesn&#039;t quite work for me: the implication is that, in a household, the choice would be simple: reduce spending to $58,0000 a year. But let&#039;s scale it back up, since many families in the US overspend, so let&#039;s say every family decided today to reduce spending by 23%...what effect would that have on the US economy?  Devastation.  Companies laying off left and right...That&#039;s what you face when you attempt to take trillions out of the US budget at once.  10&#039;s if not 100&#039;s of thousands unemployed.  And that&#039;s just in the public sector.  

Then there&#039;s the bigger question of what gets cut?  In the family it&#039;s easy as you have one final arbiter who answers to no one.  The families that have trouble cutting their budget do so because they dont have a single decider.  If there was a single person in government unilaterally making such decisions there would be a riot.  

This analogy is like saying &quot;I can stop my rowboat in 10 feet, why can&#039;t they stop a cruise ship just as fast?&quot;</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Okay, here&#8217;s one thing about the Ramsey analogy that doesn&#8217;t quite work for me: the implication is that, in a household, the choice would be simple: reduce spending to $58,0000 a year. But let&#8217;s scale it back up, since many families in the US overspend, so let&#8217;s say every family decided today to reduce spending by 23%&#8230;what effect would that have on the US economy?  Devastation.  Companies laying off left and right&#8230;That&#8217;s what you face when you attempt to take trillions out of the US budget at once.  10&#8242;s if not 100&#8242;s of thousands unemployed.  And that&#8217;s just in the public sector.  </p>
<p>Then there&#8217;s the bigger question of what gets cut?  In the family it&#8217;s easy as you have one final arbiter who answers to no one.  The families that have trouble cutting their budget do so because they dont have a single decider.  If there was a single person in government unilaterally making such decisions there would be a riot.  </p>
<p>This analogy is like saying &#8220;I can stop my rowboat in 10 feet, why can&#8217;t they stop a cruise ship just as fast?&#8221;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on We Can Be Better by John</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/07/30/we-can-be-better/comment-page-1/#comment-106</link>
		<dc:creator>John</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:44:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1584#comment-106</guid>
		<description>What would Jesus do?  Would Jesus stand by the Republicans with their poicies to protect the richest Americans and huge tax loopholes for the big corporations?   Would Jesus approve of the American economy that is crushing the middle class while 66% of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans, the number of millionaires in rose a whopping 16% in &#039;09, huge corporations like GE paid ZERO tax while 21% of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 – the highest rate in 20 years.   

According to the CRS and the CBO, Bush Tax cuts, which were never supposed to be permanent, will cost America up to $5 Trillion.

Jesus only used physical force in the Gospels one time - when he expelled the money changers from the temple.   Jesus cared for the weakest among us and appoved of taxes.  

&quot;Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God&#039;s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God&#039;s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God&#039;s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.&quot;   (Romans 13:1-7)

Jesus was clearly a liberal socialist.  HE down played wealth and championed the poor and charity.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
[1 Timothy 6:10,11]

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
(Proverbs 23:4,5)


The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
(Psalm 37:21)

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
(Proverbs 28:20)</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What would Jesus do?  Would Jesus stand by the Republicans with their poicies to protect the richest Americans and huge tax loopholes for the big corporations?   Would Jesus approve of the American economy that is crushing the middle class while 66% of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans, the number of millionaires in rose a whopping 16% in &#8217;09, huge corporations like GE paid ZERO tax while 21% of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 – the highest rate in 20 years.   </p>
<p>According to the CRS and the CBO, Bush Tax cuts, which were never supposed to be permanent, will cost America up to $5 Trillion.</p>
<p>Jesus only used physical force in the Gospels one time &#8211; when he expelled the money changers from the temple.   Jesus cared for the weakest among us and appoved of taxes.  </p>
<p>&#8220;Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God&#8217;s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God&#8217;s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.</p>
<p>This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God&#8217;s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.&#8221;   (Romans 13:1-7)</p>
<p>Jesus was clearly a liberal socialist.  HE down played wealth and championed the poor and charity.</p>
<p>For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.<br />
[1 Timothy 6:10,11]</p>
<p>Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.<br />
(Proverbs 23:4,5)</p>
<p>The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.<br />
(Psalm 37:21)</p>
<p>A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.<br />
(Proverbs 28:20)</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on We Can Be Better by Randall Rhodes</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/07/30/we-can-be-better/comment-page-1/#comment-105</link>
		<dc:creator>Randall Rhodes</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:20:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1584#comment-105</guid>
		<description>Dr. Stephen,

I am working really hard right now so that I can give all that I can for God and Country.  I hope many in my generation (born in the 80&#039;s) will follow.  I believe our generation, with all it&#039;s problems, has been underestimated, and there is great hope for the future.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dr. Stephen,</p>
<p>I am working really hard right now so that I can give all that I can for God and Country.  I hope many in my generation (born in the 80&#8242;s) will follow.  I believe our generation, with all it&#8217;s problems, has been underestimated, and there is great hope for the future.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Faith of Barack Obama Updated by Shellie Kepley</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/01/21/the-faith-of-barack-obama-updated/comment-page-1/#comment-103</link>
		<dc:creator>Shellie Kepley</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:29:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1197#comment-103</guid>
		<description>I hope your view of BO has been updated.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I hope your view of BO has been updated.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Backtalk: The Mormon Moment in America by Richard Merryman</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/07/20/backtalk-the-mormon-moment-in-america/comment-page-1/#comment-101</link>
		<dc:creator>Richard Merryman</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 23 Jul 2011 03:02:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1580#comment-101</guid>
		<description>I think you should have a radio show with a mixture of history, politics and religion. 

What do you think?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I think you should have a radio show with a mixture of history, politics and religion. </p>
<p>What do you think?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Mormon Moment in America by Steve Farless</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/06/30/the-mormon-moment-in-america/comment-page-1/#comment-94</link>
		<dc:creator>Steve Farless</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:21:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1543#comment-94</guid>
		<description>Thank you for adding a prominent voice to a concern that many of us have. An added example of the impact of Beck was his ability to enlist Christian leaders for his rally in Washington DC.

What I can&#039;t get anyone to address is how should Christians deal with it? I don&#039;t know if I can vote for Romney if he gets the GOP nomination (I am conservative) based on his Mormonism; many others feel the same, and it will grow progressively worse as his believes become an election issue. Many of our conservative media voices seem to ignore Romney’s Mormonism, over look it, or rationalize the politics of it all.

It’s also disturbing knowing that every inch of Mormonism’s mainstream acceptance is used as a tool for Proselytizing. Mormons have as much right to as anyone else to do their thing; the problem is their not being honest and open about their beliefs in public discourse and presentations, using mainstream acceptance as validation. 

So, how should Christians approach the present-day Latter-Day….day?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you for adding a prominent voice to a concern that many of us have. An added example of the impact of Beck was his ability to enlist Christian leaders for his rally in Washington DC.</p>
<p>What I can&#8217;t get anyone to address is how should Christians deal with it? I don&#8217;t know if I can vote for Romney if he gets the GOP nomination (I am conservative) based on his Mormonism; many others feel the same, and it will grow progressively worse as his believes become an election issue. Many of our conservative media voices seem to ignore Romney’s Mormonism, over look it, or rationalize the politics of it all.</p>
<p>It’s also disturbing knowing that every inch of Mormonism’s mainstream acceptance is used as a tool for Proselytizing. Mormons have as much right to as anyone else to do their thing; the problem is their not being honest and open about their beliefs in public discourse and presentations, using mainstream acceptance as validation. </p>
<p>So, how should Christians approach the present-day Latter-Day….day?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Hidden Calling by Zena Workman</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/07/08/the-hidden-calling/comment-page-1/#comment-93</link>
		<dc:creator>Zena Workman</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:30:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1570#comment-93</guid>
		<description>Wow! Barbara, I knew you were good, but that was very professional.I still think you should think about writing a teaching book on prayer. And thank you mr. Mansfield for requesting this story, I had not heard it before. I wish you would come to Abilene for a visit I would love to hear you preach again.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Wow! Barbara, I knew you were good, but that was very professional.I still think you should think about writing a teaching book on prayer. And thank you mr. Mansfield for requesting this story, I had not heard it before. I wish you would come to Abilene for a visit I would love to hear you preach again.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Hidden Calling by Rosemary</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/07/08/the-hidden-calling/comment-page-1/#comment-92</link>
		<dc:creator>Rosemary</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Jul 2011 05:36:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1570#comment-92</guid>
		<description>Hi Stephen,
I think you must have blogged this a few years ago as well as I saved it to my computer and have read it many times. it is so powerful for me as a mum to read and be encouraged by in relation to bringing up my own child. I now have a blog and wanted to ask if I could re-post this on mine (pointing people of course to your blog on my post and giving you credit for it) :) I have many friends who read my blog that wouldn&#039;t read yours so I&#039;d love for them to be able to see this.
Thanks heaps
Rosemary</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hi Stephen,<br />
I think you must have blogged this a few years ago as well as I saved it to my computer and have read it many times. it is so powerful for me as a mum to read and be encouraged by in relation to bringing up my own child. I now have a blog and wanted to ask if I could re-post this on mine (pointing people of course to your blog on my post and giving you credit for it) <img src='http://mansfieldgroup.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  I have many friends who read my blog that wouldn&#8217;t read yours so I&#8217;d love for them to be able to see this.<br />
Thanks heaps<br />
Rosemary</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Great Political Principle by Craig Beech</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/06/13/the-great-political-principle/comment-page-1/#comment-91</link>
		<dc:creator>Craig Beech</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:58:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1535#comment-91</guid>
		<description>Well said Stephen, this is classic Mansfield.  
In an age when the search for truth is paramount to the fulfilment of our destinies, we need to begin from a platform of transparency and honesty from the heart, a spoken honesty.  Mankind&#039;s search for the truth never gets off the ground if it begins with the inability to be true within &quot;our inward parts&quot;, deep within our own hearts.
Thank you Stephen. 
God bless you.
Craig</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Well said Stephen, this is classic Mansfield.<br />
In an age when the search for truth is paramount to the fulfilment of our destinies, we need to begin from a platform of transparency and honesty from the heart, a spoken honesty.  Mankind&#8217;s search for the truth never gets off the ground if it begins with the inability to be true within &#8220;our inward parts&#8221;, deep within our own hearts.<br />
Thank you Stephen.<br />
God bless you.<br />
Craig</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Mansfield Named Distinguished Alumnus by Tish</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/05/24/stephen-named-distinguished-alumnus/comment-page-1/#comment-85</link>
		<dc:creator>Tish</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 May 2011 15:58:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1521#comment-85</guid>
		<description>Congratulations!  Well-deserved.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Congratulations!  Well-deserved.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Time to “Man Up” by Brant Travis</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/05/08/time-to-man-up/comment-page-1/#comment-84</link>
		<dc:creator>Brant Travis</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 May 2011 15:18:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1494#comment-84</guid>
		<description>I&#039;m a national correspondant for CNN&#039;s Brigitte Gabrielle and former speaker to Men&#039;s Ministries.  Men in our country need to become the warriors they long to be, not just &quot;nice guys&quot; who keep their promises (I say this respectfully because nothing has impacted American Men like Promise Keepers back in the day) but Spiritual AND Physical warriors.

The stories I cover prove that the time is drawing near when God&#039;s men will literally fight for the lives of their families on American soil.

God bless you!

Brant Travis</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m a national correspondant for CNN&#8217;s Brigitte Gabrielle and former speaker to Men&#8217;s Ministries.  Men in our country need to become the warriors they long to be, not just &#8220;nice guys&#8221; who keep their promises (I say this respectfully because nothing has impacted American Men like Promise Keepers back in the day) but Spiritual AND Physical warriors.</p>
<p>The stories I cover prove that the time is drawing near when God&#8217;s men will literally fight for the lives of their families on American soil.</p>
<p>God bless you!</p>
<p>Brant Travis</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Time to “Man Up” by Alan Molineaux</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/05/08/time-to-man-up/comment-page-1/#comment-82</link>
		<dc:creator>Alan Molineaux</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2011 17:49:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1494#comment-82</guid>
		<description>Hi. I appreciate that it is regrettable when those who defend our freedom feel unsupported by those back home. 

I am not sure, however, that you are being fair by putting all those who have raised questions in the same boat. 

Those questions raised that ask that our governments act in a lawful way in how they uphold the rule of law and freedom, are in fact supporting the armed forces by ensuring that the politicians act correctly. 

I am not trying to be argumentative but I think we always need to uphold the law in the most lawful way we can. If this enters in to gray areas, as it will often do, it is the questions raised that can ensure we don&#039;t go too far over the line. 

It seems fair to ask &#039;could he have been taken alive&#039; at this point. 

Thanks

Al</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hi. I appreciate that it is regrettable when those who defend our freedom feel unsupported by those back home. </p>
<p>I am not sure, however, that you are being fair by putting all those who have raised questions in the same boat. </p>
<p>Those questions raised that ask that our governments act in a lawful way in how they uphold the rule of law and freedom, are in fact supporting the armed forces by ensuring that the politicians act correctly. </p>
<p>I am not trying to be argumentative but I think we always need to uphold the law in the most lawful way we can. If this enters in to gray areas, as it will often do, it is the questions raised that can ensure we don&#8217;t go too far over the line. </p>
<p>It seems fair to ask &#8216;could he have been taken alive&#8217; at this point. </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Al</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Time to “Man Up” by Mike Waggoner</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/05/08/time-to-man-up/comment-page-1/#comment-81</link>
		<dc:creator>Mike Waggoner</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2011 17:32:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1494#comment-81</guid>
		<description>Great post. I really appreciated the distinction between the KJV &quot;Thou shalt not kill&quot; vs. you must not murder. Very few people understand the difference.
You comment concerning Rob Bell and his perceived belief in universalism, while understandable within the context of a teacher of bonafide universalism, is I believe incorrect. I am sure you have read &quot;Love Wins&quot; by now...being the well read man you are. I have read it as well. While Bell makes some statements that make me scratch my theological head, (as he has done since I first started reading him several years ago), I do not think he advocates universalism any more than I think that your awesome book on the Guinness family&#039;s legacy advocates drunkeness.
I also understand, and am frustrated by, Bell&#039;s vagueness. Like my father used to say, &quot;(defecate) or get off the pot&quot;...sorry for the semi-graphic simile.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and I look forward to reading more.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Great post. I really appreciated the distinction between the KJV &#8220;Thou shalt not kill&#8221; vs. you must not murder. Very few people understand the difference.<br />
You comment concerning Rob Bell and his perceived belief in universalism, while understandable within the context of a teacher of bonafide universalism, is I believe incorrect. I am sure you have read &#8220;Love Wins&#8221; by now&#8230;being the well read man you are. I have read it as well. While Bell makes some statements that make me scratch my theological head, (as he has done since I first started reading him several years ago), I do not think he advocates universalism any more than I think that your awesome book on the Guinness family&#8217;s legacy advocates drunkeness.<br />
I also understand, and am frustrated by, Bell&#8217;s vagueness. Like my father used to say, &#8220;(defecate) or get off the pot&#8221;&#8230;sorry for the semi-graphic simile.<br />
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and I look forward to reading more.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Time to “Man Up” by Adam Shields</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/05/08/time-to-man-up/comment-page-1/#comment-80</link>
		<dc:creator>Adam Shields</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2011 16:56:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1494#comment-80</guid>
		<description>&quot;Man-up&quot;?

I you want to talk about tradition with Rob Bell you cannot ignore it when talking about bin Ladin. The church was pacifist for more than 500 years. It was not until the crusades that warrior became a category for Chrisitian.  Romans 13 does not say that Christians should stand by and ignore violations of civil government law. Our own law has requirements for dealing with prisoners of war, invading other countries and terrorism.  It maybe that all of the proper channels really were tried and still there was not a way to capture him and he was killed because he resisted arrest.  But suggesting that Christian theology supports the violation of both US and international law because he was a bad guy is not proper use of Rom 13, just war theory or a reason to stay relevant.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;Man-up&#8221;?</p>
<p>I you want to talk about tradition with Rob Bell you cannot ignore it when talking about bin Ladin. The church was pacifist for more than 500 years. It was not until the crusades that warrior became a category for Chrisitian.  Romans 13 does not say that Christians should stand by and ignore violations of civil government law. Our own law has requirements for dealing with prisoners of war, invading other countries and terrorism.  It maybe that all of the proper channels really were tried and still there was not a way to capture him and he was killed because he resisted arrest.  But suggesting that Christian theology supports the violation of both US and international law because he was a bad guy is not proper use of Rom 13, just war theory or a reason to stay relevant.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Time to “Man Up” by Daniel Kendrick</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/05/08/time-to-man-up/comment-page-1/#comment-79</link>
		<dc:creator>Daniel Kendrick</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2011 16:25:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1494#comment-79</guid>
		<description>I don&#039;t fault the military for what they did; in fact, arguing that he shouldn&#039;t have been killed is not something I even heard much of. The big fuss I was hearing was whether or not Christians should be rejoicing in someone&#039;s death. (rejoice that an instrument of terror has been wiped out, yes. But rejoice that a human&#039;s life has ended and presumably been sentenced to hell?) How do you see that one?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I don&#8217;t fault the military for what they did; in fact, arguing that he shouldn&#8217;t have been killed is not something I even heard much of. The big fuss I was hearing was whether or not Christians should be rejoicing in someone&#8217;s death. (rejoice that an instrument of terror has been wiped out, yes. But rejoice that a human&#8217;s life has ended and presumably been sentenced to hell?) How do you see that one?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on A Reading Life by Jim Warner</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/03/17/a-reading-life/comment-page-1/#comment-76</link>
		<dc:creator>Jim Warner</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:29:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1303#comment-76</guid>
		<description>Hello. I was just introduced to you by a friend in Nashville. He sent me your blog entry on the homeless newspaper.  I have added you to my iGoogle homepage.  I am a Christian on the staff of Global Aid Network, a ministry of Campus Crusade.  I will read you everyday.  PS I also read on my Android. Do you a recommendation or two from the &quot;free&quot; book list?  May the Lord richly bless your work. It sounds like you are making a huge difference.  Jim Warner</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hello. I was just introduced to you by a friend in Nashville. He sent me your blog entry on the homeless newspaper.  I have added you to my iGoogle homepage.  I am a Christian on the staff of Global Aid Network, a ministry of Campus Crusade.  I will read you everyday.  PS I also read on my Android. Do you a recommendation or two from the &#8220;free&#8221; book list?  May the Lord richly bless your work. It sounds like you are making a huge difference.  Jim Warner</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Reflections on Bush’s “Decision Points” by Will</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/03/09/reflections-on-bush%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%9cdecision-points%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-75</link>
		<dc:creator>Will</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:31:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1286#comment-75</guid>
		<description>When looking at the man as a whole, it is doubtful that Bush&#039;s stem cell initiatives came about as a moral imperative, but as a political one, a way to pander to the base.  It is well known that Laura Bush is pro choice and pro gay marriage. 

There IS an unwritten religious test for public office.  All presidents from the founding fathers on down have had to walk the &quot;Jesus Walk&quot; but when we see their private letters (not their public memoirs) we see what they really believe.  Jefferson often proclaimed the principles of Christianity in public proclamations but in private letters we find what he really thinks.   Jefferson wrote: &quot;We discover in the gospels a groundwork of vulgar ignorance, of things impossible, of superstition, fanaticism and fabrication &quot; and,
&quot;Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the Common Law&quot; and  &quot;I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature.  They are all alike founded on fables and mythology.&quot;

Quite a different tone from what he said in public.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When looking at the man as a whole, it is doubtful that Bush&#8217;s stem cell initiatives came about as a moral imperative, but as a political one, a way to pander to the base.  It is well known that Laura Bush is pro choice and pro gay marriage. </p>
<p>There IS an unwritten religious test for public office.  All presidents from the founding fathers on down have had to walk the &#8220;Jesus Walk&#8221; but when we see their private letters (not their public memoirs) we see what they really believe.  Jefferson often proclaimed the principles of Christianity in public proclamations but in private letters we find what he really thinks.   Jefferson wrote: &#8220;We discover in the gospels a groundwork of vulgar ignorance, of things impossible, of superstition, fanaticism and fabrication &#8221; and,<br />
&#8220;Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the Common Law&#8221; and  &#8220;I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature.  They are all alike founded on fables and mythology.&#8221;</p>
<p>Quite a different tone from what he said in public.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Ways Of Men by The Ways of Men &#171; The Every Nation Plog</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/02/05/the-ways-of-men/comment-page-1/#comment-74</link>
		<dc:creator>The Ways of Men &#171; The Every Nation Plog</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:14:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1208#comment-74</guid>
		<description>[...] Mansfield wrote this post last February 5, 2011 in his blog page found in the Mansfield Group. He is a New York Times bestselling author and a [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] Mansfield wrote this post last February 5, 2011 in his blog page found in the Mansfield Group. He is a New York Times bestselling author and a [...]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Egypt: A Contrarian View by Diane</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/02/14/egypt-a-contrarian-view/comment-page-1/#comment-73</link>
		<dc:creator>Diane</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:59:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1214#comment-73</guid>
		<description>I pray that Christians worldwide will rise in prayer for what is happening in Egypt and will come together in support of what God originally purposed for this world! Thank you for your view and hopefully as people read it, it will provoke them to re-evaluate the foundation they have built their lives on.  We in the U.S. have much to be thankful to God for and we are no where near the Christians that truly lay down and live their lives for righteousness in Glory to God!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I pray that Christians worldwide will rise in prayer for what is happening in Egypt and will come together in support of what God originally purposed for this world! Thank you for your view and hopefully as people read it, it will provoke them to re-evaluate the foundation they have built their lives on.  We in the U.S. have much to be thankful to God for and we are no where near the Christians that truly lay down and live their lives for righteousness in Glory to God!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Why Winston Churchill? by S Lucas</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2009/11/30/why-winston-churchill/comment-page-1/#comment-71</link>
		<dc:creator>S Lucas</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Feb 2011 02:30:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=571#comment-71</guid>
		<description>I have heard this decades before from my father who was a Churchill fan and who served our country in the Army in W.W.II.

The nanny is all but forgotten and Richard Dawkins, the atheist says Churchill was not a believer.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have heard this decades before from my father who was a Churchill fan and who served our country in the Army in W.W.II.</p>
<p>The nanny is all but forgotten and Richard Dawkins, the atheist says Churchill was not a believer.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Egypt: A Contrarian View by Fred Wolfe</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/02/14/egypt-a-contrarian-view/comment-page-1/#comment-69</link>
		<dc:creator>Fred Wolfe</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Feb 2011 02:14:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1214#comment-69</guid>
		<description>Great to see an American who knows what form of government our Founding Fathers established.  God bless you!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Great to see an American who knows what form of government our Founding Fathers established.  God bless you!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Ways Of Men by Stella Rathjen Brumley</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/02/05/the-ways-of-men/comment-page-1/#comment-68</link>
		<dc:creator>Stella Rathjen Brumley</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 2011 00:45:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1208#comment-68</guid>
		<description>Thanks, Steve. Widowed at 33 with a 3yr old son and 3mo old daughter, I sought such examples within my church to mentor my son. He is now 22 and a Marine, happily married, and very much the man you describe. He calls me every Sunday to check in on me and his sister (now 18). The man you describe does exist but does not thrive without intention and cultivation; it is a choice, not an accident.

On a different note: remember BAHS 71-74? Linda Carlson, Laurie Kubilins, Scott Hughes, Stella Rathjen, etc? Looking forward to hearing you on BratCon!

~Stella</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks, Steve. Widowed at 33 with a 3yr old son and 3mo old daughter, I sought such examples within my church to mentor my son. He is now 22 and a Marine, happily married, and very much the man you describe. He calls me every Sunday to check in on me and his sister (now 18). The man you describe does exist but does not thrive without intention and cultivation; it is a choice, not an accident.</p>
<p>On a different note: remember BAHS 71-74? Linda Carlson, Laurie Kubilins, Scott Hughes, Stella Rathjen, etc? Looking forward to hearing you on BratCon!</p>
<p>~Stella</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Contributor by Ian Shelburne</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/01/03/the-contributor/comment-page-1/#comment-66</link>
		<dc:creator>Ian Shelburne</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:08:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1192#comment-66</guid>
		<description>Thanks for spreading the news about this -- I&#039;ve shared the link with several friends who have a heart for the needs of homeless folks.

Ian</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks for spreading the news about this &#8212; I&#8217;ve shared the link with several friends who have a heart for the needs of homeless folks.</p>
<p>Ian</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on &#8220;The Generals&#8221; &#8211; Now Available by Richard Olson</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/08/13/the-generals-now-available/comment-page-1/#comment-65</link>
		<dc:creator>Richard Olson</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Jan 2011 15:19:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1137#comment-65</guid>
		<description>I believe I saw Mr. Mansfield being interviewed on &quot;Fox and Friends&quot; perhaps two or three months ago.  In connection with that interview, I was led to believe that he recently completed a biography on George S. Patten.  Am I mistaken?  Is it on your website?  If so,I can&#039;t seem to navigate your website in order to purchase online.  I&#039;m not exactly a &quot;geek&quot;.  On the other hand, I usually have no problem navigating commercial websites.  Your help will be appreciated.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I believe I saw Mr. Mansfield being interviewed on &#8220;Fox and Friends&#8221; perhaps two or three months ago.  In connection with that interview, I was led to believe that he recently completed a biography on George S. Patten.  Am I mistaken?  Is it on your website?  If so,I can&#8217;t seem to navigate your website in order to purchase online.  I&#8217;m not exactly a &#8220;geek&#8221;.  On the other hand, I usually have no problem navigating commercial websites.  Your help will be appreciated.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The 25 Principles of Churchillian Leadership by Tom</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/11/30/the-25-principles-of-churchillian-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-64</link>
		<dc:creator>Tom</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:53:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1186#comment-64</guid>
		<description>Dear Stephen:

I just read your wonderful blog on the &quot;25 Principles of Churchillian Leadership&quot;.  I must say, it moved me to tears.  Churchill seemed to embody everything that we aspire to be.  Reading this list, I see my painful shortcomings, but I do aspire to be better.  Thank you for this wonderful blog.  Bless You....Tommy</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Stephen:</p>
<p>I just read your wonderful blog on the &#8220;25 Principles of Churchillian Leadership&#8221;.  I must say, it moved me to tears.  Churchill seemed to embody everything that we aspire to be.  Reading this list, I see my painful shortcomings, but I do aspire to be better.  Thank you for this wonderful blog.  Bless You&#8230;.Tommy</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Contributor by Kevin Barbieux</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/01/03/the-contributor/comment-page-1/#comment-63</link>
		<dc:creator>Kevin Barbieux</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:44:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1192#comment-63</guid>
		<description>&quot;Obviously, my politically conservative and compassionately Christian worlds frequently collide.&quot;  I very much appreciate your candor.     Homelessness was not invented by liberalism, but early on it was co-opted by them, mostly because it was obvious how little conservatives responded to the needs of the homeless.

What would be best for all is if politics was taken completely out of the homelessness discussion, and all the other social ills of our day, and just do what is right by people.

I have struggled with homelessness all my adult life.  Still, I have made some significant gains in the past couple years.  I have had the same roof over my head for a while now, thanks mainly to The Contributor, and they opportunity it has given me as a vendor to make my own money.

Still, The Contributor can only do so much.  Though 400 homeless people now work as vendors, there are thousands of other homeless people in Nashville and surrounding areas without a viable solution to their problems.  I&#039;m certain there are other ways, other ventures, that with the right backing and enthusiasm of purpose, can do as much, or even more than The Contributor.   The encouragement you are giving your readers to participate is just the thing that can create new opportunities in pursuit of ending homelessness.

thanks,
Kevin Barbieux</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;Obviously, my politically conservative and compassionately Christian worlds frequently collide.&#8221;  I very much appreciate your candor.     Homelessness was not invented by liberalism, but early on it was co-opted by them, mostly because it was obvious how little conservatives responded to the needs of the homeless.</p>
<p>What would be best for all is if politics was taken completely out of the homelessness discussion, and all the other social ills of our day, and just do what is right by people.</p>
<p>I have struggled with homelessness all my adult life.  Still, I have made some significant gains in the past couple years.  I have had the same roof over my head for a while now, thanks mainly to The Contributor, and they opportunity it has given me as a vendor to make my own money.</p>
<p>Still, The Contributor can only do so much.  Though 400 homeless people now work as vendors, there are thousands of other homeless people in Nashville and surrounding areas without a viable solution to their problems.  I&#8217;m certain there are other ways, other ventures, that with the right backing and enthusiasm of purpose, can do as much, or even more than The Contributor.   The encouragement you are giving your readers to participate is just the thing that can create new opportunities in pursuit of ending homelessness.</p>
<p>thanks,<br />
Kevin Barbieux</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Contributor by Mary Goolsby</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/01/03/the-contributor/comment-page-1/#comment-62</link>
		<dc:creator>Mary Goolsby</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 2011 21:32:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1192#comment-62</guid>
		<description>i appreciate your article and what you are doing to make so many people see what they are not aware of...... I have worked in Nashville at a little church building where the homeless come out from under the bridges and who came   for food, clothing, and fellowship. Such an eye opener to find out that when I worshiped with them, every issue in the big congregations that they are fighting about, just flew out the door.... I was with my people and my God</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>i appreciate your article and what you are doing to make so many people see what they are not aware of&#8230;&#8230; I have worked in Nashville at a little church building where the homeless come out from under the bridges and who came   for food, clothing, and fellowship. Such an eye opener to find out that when I worshiped with them, every issue in the big congregations that they are fighting about, just flew out the door&#8230;. I was with my people and my God</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Contributor by Jim</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/01/03/the-contributor/comment-page-1/#comment-61</link>
		<dc:creator>Jim</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:41:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1192#comment-61</guid>
		<description>I just visited your great city around New Year&#039;s and saw at least three different people selling The Contributor on the same day. It sounds like a great program!

I am from the Chicago area and since 1992 or so there has been a similar, successful paper/program called StreetWise: http://www.streetwise.org/about.html 

The Contributor might be modeled after it.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I just visited your great city around New Year&#8217;s and saw at least three different people selling The Contributor on the same day. It sounds like a great program!</p>
<p>I am from the Chicago area and since 1992 or so there has been a similar, successful paper/program called StreetWise: <a href="http://www.streetwise.org/about.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.streetwise.org/about.html</a> </p>
<p>The Contributor might be modeled after it.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Contributor by Travis</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/01/03/the-contributor/comment-page-1/#comment-60</link>
		<dc:creator>Travis</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:08:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1192#comment-60</guid>
		<description>My wife and I have been supporting The Contributor for awhile now.  Thanks for bringing more attention to this effort in Nashville!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My wife and I have been supporting The Contributor for awhile now.  Thanks for bringing more attention to this effort in Nashville!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Contributor by Jason</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2011/01/03/the-contributor/comment-page-1/#comment-59</link>
		<dc:creator>Jason</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:01:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1192#comment-59</guid>
		<description>Thanks for this post. Just got done seeing &quot;Snow.&quot;  He sells The Contributor on the corner of 4th and Church.  Really nice, outgoing guy.  

Thanks for raising awareness!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks for this post. Just got done seeing &#8220;Snow.&#8221;  He sells The Contributor on the corner of 4th and Church.  Really nice, outgoing guy.  </p>
<p>Thanks for raising awareness!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Top Twelve For 2010 by Ron and Rosemary</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/12/20/top-twelve-for-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-58</link>
		<dc:creator>Ron and Rosemary</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:37:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1189#comment-58</guid>
		<description>We enjoyed reading this and especially loved # 2.
Congratulations on the literary award too!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We enjoyed reading this and especially loved # 2.<br />
Congratulations on the literary award too!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Bush and Obama: A Lesson in Leadership by Gregory Scott</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/11/10/bush-and-obama-a-lesson-in-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-56</link>
		<dc:creator>Gregory Scott</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:41:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1171#comment-56</guid>
		<description>Stephen--You absolutely nail it in this blog.  I&#039;ve always liked that Pres. Obama articulates how he sees all sides of the argument, but I have been disappointed in his leadership.  I liked Pres. Bush&#039;s decisiveness but was concerned he didn&#039;t appreciate the finer points of important issues, such as the torture issue.  Your blog post explains all that and what we can draw from both men to be better leaders.  A great lesson! Thanks.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Stephen&#8211;You absolutely nail it in this blog.  I&#8217;ve always liked that Pres. Obama articulates how he sees all sides of the argument, but I have been disappointed in his leadership.  I liked Pres. Bush&#8217;s decisiveness but was concerned he didn&#8217;t appreciate the finer points of important issues, such as the torture issue.  Your blog post explains all that and what we can draw from both men to be better leaders.  A great lesson! Thanks.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Bush and Obama: A Lesson in Leadership by Eric</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/11/10/bush-and-obama-a-lesson-in-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-55</link>
		<dc:creator>Eric</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Nov 2010 18:24:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1171#comment-55</guid>
		<description>Interesting perspective and take on Leadership. 

I think at the time of the election the majority of American&#039;s were so enamored by someone who they thought would think through and analyze problems and issues thoroughly before making any decision.  They felt Bush II was to hasty in his decision making and sought for someone more intuitive.  

Ironically it was this same characteristic that the Clinton campaign chose to attack during during the primaries.  Remember the old &quot;it&#039;s 3 am&quot; ads. Her campaign pointed to the fact that he was not a person of decision.  

It&#039;s like we are in an airplane running out of fuel and still analyzing why the designers of the plane never considered designing the plane with an extra fuel tank. Land already, even if it&#039;s in the Hudson, land the plane. We&#039;ll deal with the consequences after the decision is made.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Interesting perspective and take on Leadership. </p>
<p>I think at the time of the election the majority of American&#8217;s were so enamored by someone who they thought would think through and analyze problems and issues thoroughly before making any decision.  They felt Bush II was to hasty in his decision making and sought for someone more intuitive.  </p>
<p>Ironically it was this same characteristic that the Clinton campaign chose to attack during during the primaries.  Remember the old &#8220;it&#8217;s 3 am&#8221; ads. Her campaign pointed to the fact that he was not a person of decision.  </p>
<p>It&#8217;s like we are in an airplane running out of fuel and still analyzing why the designers of the plane never considered designing the plane with an extra fuel tank. Land already, even if it&#8217;s in the Hudson, land the plane. We&#8217;ll deal with the consequences after the decision is made.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Bush and Obama: A Lesson in Leadership by Billy Purcell</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/11/10/bush-and-obama-a-lesson-in-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-54</link>
		<dc:creator>Billy Purcell</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:49:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1171#comment-54</guid>
		<description>Amen, what forces are in place for people to suspend reality (ie 54% of Catholics pro-life voting for Obama) and chase after Obama? And the vitriol with which they defend him? Also the progressive/liberal Christians (Ugh!) doing the same? Perplexed.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Amen, what forces are in place for people to suspend reality (ie 54% of Catholics pro-life voting for Obama) and chase after Obama? And the vitriol with which they defend him? Also the progressive/liberal Christians (Ugh!) doing the same? Perplexed.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Life Isn&#8217;t Politics by David Toberty</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/10/24/life-isnt-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-53</link>
		<dc:creator>David Toberty</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:03:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1169#comment-53</guid>
		<description>Steve, Very well put. I recently heard that more and more people are choosing thier religion based on thier politicts.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Steve, Very well put. I recently heard that more and more people are choosing thier religion based on thier politicts.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on A Bold Proposal by We Must Do Better &#124; A Worshiper&#039;s Heart</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/10/04/a-bold-proposal/comment-page-1/#comment-52</link>
		<dc:creator>We Must Do Better &#124; A Worshiper&#039;s Heart</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:24:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1164#comment-52</guid>
		<description>[...] Mansfield Group, run by my friend Stephen Mansfield is offering to help foster a &#8220;teaching revolution.&#8221;  If you are a pastor or Christian educator, I strongly [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] Mansfield Group, run by my friend Stephen Mansfield is offering to help foster a &#8220;teaching revolution.&#8221;  If you are a pastor or Christian educator, I strongly [...]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Three Books Rewriting My World by Rick Dassler</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/09/03/three-books-rewriting-my-world/comment-page-1/#comment-51</link>
		<dc:creator>Rick Dassler</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Nov 2010 03:29:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1145#comment-51</guid>
		<description>Stephen, 

Thank you again for the great presentation of Learning to Learn, http://www.stylesoflearning.org/, last September.  

Your recommendation of, &quot;The Shallows&quot;, is facinating and perspective changing.  I&#039;m still only half-way through -- I keep skimming it.  

If you liked Dan Pink&#039;s, &quot;Whole New Mind,&quot; you&#039;ll appreciate his latest book, &quot;Drive.&quot;  It&#039;s adding a great dimension to my collaborative teaching project, Career Care:  How to Create a Job Offer in 29 Days.

Question:  Since your talk, I&#039;ve been continually searching for more information on what you mentioned as another modality of learning, Super Rationality.  I assume you were relating a broader application of the meaning than of Douglas Hofstadter&#039;s game theories.  What shall I study to learn more on the subject as you presented it?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Stephen, </p>
<p>Thank you again for the great presentation of Learning to Learn, <a href="http://www.stylesoflearning.org/" rel="nofollow">http://www.stylesoflearning.org/</a>, last September.  </p>
<p>Your recommendation of, &#8220;The Shallows&#8221;, is facinating and perspective changing.  I&#8217;m still only half-way through &#8212; I keep skimming it.  </p>
<p>If you liked Dan Pink&#8217;s, &#8220;Whole New Mind,&#8221; you&#8217;ll appreciate his latest book, &#8220;Drive.&#8221;  It&#8217;s adding a great dimension to my collaborative teaching project, Career Care:  How to Create a Job Offer in 29 Days.</p>
<p>Question:  Since your talk, I&#8217;ve been continually searching for more information on what you mentioned as another modality of learning, Super Rationality.  I assume you were relating a broader application of the meaning than of Douglas Hofstadter&#8217;s game theories.  What shall I study to learn more on the subject as you presented it?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Mansfield Group Seminars by max palmer</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/10/04/mansfield-group-seminars/comment-page-1/#comment-47</link>
		<dc:creator>max palmer</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:21:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1162#comment-47</guid>
		<description>Greetings
Do you have any plans to offer your seminar training outside of the USA?
Webinars? 
We would be keen to work with you
Love to hear from you
Kind regards

max palmer
www.lr.org.nz</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Greetings<br />
Do you have any plans to offer your seminar training outside of the USA?<br />
Webinars?<br />
We would be keen to work with you<br />
Love to hear from you<br />
Kind regards</p>
<p>max palmer<br />
<a href="http://www.lr.org.nz" rel="nofollow">http://www.lr.org.nz</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Mansfield/Holland Pen New Book on Palin by Ed Maloney</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/12/mansfieldholland-pen-new-book-on-palin/comment-page-1/#comment-44</link>
		<dc:creator>Ed Maloney</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:12:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1087#comment-44</guid>
		<description>I enjoyed Mr. Mansfield&#039;s interview with Dan Rather and just finished listening to his interview on the Hugh Hewitt radio show. I would like to know if Mr. Mansfield was able to interview Gov. Palin for the new book? I look forward to the book&#039;s release.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I enjoyed Mr. Mansfield&#8217;s interview with Dan Rather and just finished listening to his interview on the Hugh Hewitt radio show. I would like to know if Mr. Mansfield was able to interview Gov. Palin for the new book? I look forward to the book&#8217;s release.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Churchill on Change by Ron and Rosemary</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/08/04/churchill-on-change/comment-page-1/#comment-43</link>
		<dc:creator>Ron and Rosemary</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:55:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1113#comment-43</guid>
		<description>This is a great post on change, embracing it and using it ! Thank you for this!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is a great post on change, embracing it and using it ! Thank you for this!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on My Mac Confession by Jonathan Riggs</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/12/my-mac-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-42</link>
		<dc:creator>Jonathan Riggs</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:50:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1085#comment-42</guid>
		<description>Welcome, pilgrim.  Welcome.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Welcome, pilgrim.  Welcome.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on A Tale of Two Ships by Ruth C.</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/23/a-tale-of-two-ships/comment-page-1/#comment-39</link>
		<dc:creator>Ruth C.</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:00:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1109#comment-39</guid>
		<description>Beautifully written.  I, too, did not know about the book &quot;Futility.&quot;  So interesting.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Beautifully written.  I, too, did not know about the book &#8220;Futility.&#8221;  So interesting.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on A Tale of Two Ships by Ron and Rosemary</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/23/a-tale-of-two-ships/comment-page-1/#comment-38</link>
		<dc:creator>Ron and Rosemary</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:44:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1109#comment-38</guid>
		<description>wow! We really loved this post and didn&#039;t know about the book &quot;Futility&quot; either!
Ron and Rosemary</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>wow! We really loved this post and didn&#8217;t know about the book &#8220;Futility&#8221; either!<br />
Ron and Rosemary</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on A Tale of Two Ships by July 25, 2010 &#8211; The New Progressive &#8211; &#124; After Echoes: A New Conservative Journal</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/23/a-tale-of-two-ships/comment-page-1/#comment-37</link>
		<dc:creator>July 25, 2010 &#8211; The New Progressive &#8211; &#124; After Echoes: A New Conservative Journal</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:49:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1109#comment-37</guid>
		<description>[...] A Tale of Two Ships &#124; MansfieldGroup. [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] A Tale of Two Ships | MansfieldGroup. [...]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on A Tale of Two Ships by July 25, 2010 &#8211; The New Progressive &#124; After Echoes: A New Conservative Journal</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/23/a-tale-of-two-ships/comment-page-1/#comment-36</link>
		<dc:creator>July 25, 2010 &#8211; The New Progressive &#124; After Echoes: A New Conservative Journal</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:22:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1109#comment-36</guid>
		<description>[...] A Tale of Two Ships &#124; MansfieldGroup. [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] A Tale of Two Ships | MansfieldGroup. [...]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on My Mac Confession by Richard &#38; Jennifer Welch</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/12/my-mac-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-35</link>
		<dc:creator>Richard &#38; Jennifer Welch</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:10:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1085#comment-35</guid>
		<description>Dear Rev. Dr. Mansfield:

You are forgiven and warmly welcomed into the fold.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Rev. Dr. Mansfield:</p>
<p>You are forgiven and warmly welcomed into the fold.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Mansfield/Holland Pen New Book on Palin by Kelly King</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/12/mansfieldholland-pen-new-book-on-palin/comment-page-1/#comment-33</link>
		<dc:creator>Kelly King</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:14:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1087#comment-33</guid>
		<description>Mansfield and Holland’s book seeks to explain what Palin beliefs and WHAT the popular response to them exposes in American culture. 




typo tyrant</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mansfield and Holland’s book seeks to explain what Palin beliefs and WHAT the popular response to them exposes in American culture. </p>
<p>typo tyrant</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Mansfield/Holland Pen New Book on Palin by Kelly King</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/12/mansfieldholland-pen-new-book-on-palin/comment-page-1/#comment-32</link>
		<dc:creator>Kelly King</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:12:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1087#comment-32</guid>
		<description>believes  not beliefs</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>believes  not beliefs</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on My Mac Confession by Garry Senna</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/12/my-mac-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-31</link>
		<dc:creator>Garry Senna</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:03:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1085#comment-31</guid>
		<description>You are absolved based upon the depth of your repentance.  If you like we can both get a Apple Tattoo when you are here this weekend.  Next is to buy some stock - some are predicting it will go to 390 a share.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You are absolved based upon the depth of your repentance.  If you like we can both get a Apple Tattoo when you are here this weekend.  Next is to buy some stock &#8211; some are predicting it will go to 390 a share.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on My Mac Confession by Francis Nesta</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/12/my-mac-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-30</link>
		<dc:creator>Francis Nesta</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:13:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1085#comment-30</guid>
		<description>For those of us who have known this secret for awhile and have taken the less vitriolic method of computer evangelism, becoming therein proficient in both platforms, your conversion adds to the mounting evidence that the truth shall set you free.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For those of us who have known this secret for awhile and have taken the less vitriolic method of computer evangelism, becoming therein proficient in both platforms, your conversion adds to the mounting evidence that the truth shall set you free.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on My Mac Confession by Ross Middleton</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/07/12/my-mac-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-29</link>
		<dc:creator>Ross Middleton</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:41:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1085#comment-29</guid>
		<description>Welcome to the cult!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Welcome to the cult!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Movies That Inspired Me by Mike Smith</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/06/19/movies-that-inspired-me/comment-page-1/#comment-28</link>
		<dc:creator>Mike Smith</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:37:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1077#comment-28</guid>
		<description>Good list, but I have one quarrel.  You say &quot;the small and routine are the enemies of fulfillment and purpose.&quot;  In a recent interview with Dr. James Andrews (the famous sports surgeon in Birmingham, Alabama) the following was written:

         To Andrews, the key is to not do something extra special          
         because of who the patient is, &quot;because then you mess up.  
         You treat them with your routine.&quot;

In other words, there is power in routine.  Competency comes from doing things over and over again until you&#039;ve mastered your craft.  How else can this happen but through routine?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Good list, but I have one quarrel.  You say &#8220;the small and routine are the enemies of fulfillment and purpose.&#8221;  In a recent interview with Dr. James Andrews (the famous sports surgeon in Birmingham, Alabama) the following was written:</p>
<p>         To Andrews, the key is to not do something extra special<br />
         because of who the patient is, &#8220;because then you mess up.<br />
         You treat them with your routine.&#8221;</p>
<p>In other words, there is power in routine.  Competency comes from doing things over and over again until you&#8217;ve mastered your craft.  How else can this happen but through routine?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Seven Christian Tasks by Steve Coulter</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/06/24/the-seven-christian-tasks/comment-page-1/#comment-27</link>
		<dc:creator>Steve Coulter</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 26 Jun 2010 16:46:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1083#comment-27</guid>
		<description>The context of day to day living is where Yeshua lived, He was Prepaired with revelation and truth that &quot;Resonated&quot; people!
He said those who respond to Truth hear me, its like: The true Battery that recharges all other batteries has come into the world and to as many as recieved Him,(The charging), gave He the Right to be come the Sons of God! &quot;fully charged batteries!!  :)

Being able to talk through these subjests is so life giving.
when you &quot;tell&quot; someone that the book they be reading is the same one you are, and its pertinent supernatural answer impacts their everyday life. Here are Keys you be needing, and hey, it starts the car !have a great Drive!!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The context of day to day living is where Yeshua lived, He was Prepaired with revelation and truth that &#8220;Resonated&#8221; people!<br />
He said those who respond to Truth hear me, its like: The true Battery that recharges all other batteries has come into the world and to as many as recieved Him,(The charging), gave He the Right to be come the Sons of God! &#8220;fully charged batteries!!  <img src='http://mansfieldgroup.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Being able to talk through these subjests is so life giving.<br />
when you &#8220;tell&#8221; someone that the book they be reading is the same one you are, and its pertinent supernatural answer impacts their everyday life. Here are Keys you be needing, and hey, it starts the car !have a great Drive!!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Seven Christian Tasks by Bob Emrich</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/06/24/the-seven-christian-tasks/comment-page-1/#comment-26</link>
		<dc:creator>Bob Emrich</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:34:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1083#comment-26</guid>
		<description>Thank you for pointing this out. Without a solid foundation, we cannot expect to build any of substance.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you for pointing this out. Without a solid foundation, we cannot expect to build any of substance.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Seven Christian Tasks by Joy</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/06/24/the-seven-christian-tasks/comment-page-1/#comment-25</link>
		<dc:creator>Joy</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:43:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1083#comment-25</guid>
		<description>Yeah - I hear where you&#039;re coming from, but I think we need to learn to love first.  People respond to love-in-action before they respond to Biblical knowledge.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yeah &#8211; I hear where you&#8217;re coming from, but I think we need to learn to love first.  People respond to love-in-action before they respond to Biblical knowledge.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Movies That Inspired Me by Steve C</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/06/19/movies-that-inspired-me/comment-page-1/#comment-24</link>
		<dc:creator>Steve C</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:31:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1077#comment-24</guid>
		<description>1. Gladiator -  &quot;What we do in life echoes in eternity.&quot;

2. Seven Pounds - Will Smith caused a car accident that killed 7 people, so now he lives to extend a life for each one that was lost.

3. Pay It Forward - &quot;What did you ever do to change the world?&quot;

4. Searching for Bobby Fischer - &quot;To put your son in a position to care about winning and not to prepare him is wrong!&quot;

5. Mr. Holland&#039;s Opus - &quot;Play the sunset&quot; from the following dialogue:

Music teacher (Richard Dreyfuss) trying to inspire a flautist student: &quot;Let me ask you a question. When you look in the mirror, what do you like best about yourself?&quot;
Girl student with long red hair: &quot;My hair.&quot;
Teacher: &quot;Why?&quot; 
Student: &quot;My father always says that it reminds him of the sunset.&quot;
Teacher: &quot;Play the sunset. Close your eyes. One, two, three, four.&quot;</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>1. Gladiator &#8211;  &#8220;What we do in life echoes in eternity.&#8221;</p>
<p>2. Seven Pounds &#8211; Will Smith caused a car accident that killed 7 people, so now he lives to extend a life for each one that was lost.</p>
<p>3. Pay It Forward &#8211; &#8220;What did you ever do to change the world?&#8221;</p>
<p>4. Searching for Bobby Fischer &#8211; &#8220;To put your son in a position to care about winning and not to prepare him is wrong!&#8221;</p>
<p>5. Mr. Holland&#8217;s Opus &#8211; &#8220;Play the sunset&#8221; from the following dialogue:</p>
<p>Music teacher (Richard Dreyfuss) trying to inspire a flautist student: &#8220;Let me ask you a question. When you look in the mirror, what do you like best about yourself?&#8221;<br />
Girl student with long red hair: &#8220;My hair.&#8221;<br />
Teacher: &#8220;Why?&#8221;<br />
Student: &#8220;My father always says that it reminds him of the sunset.&#8221;<br />
Teacher: &#8220;Play the sunset. Close your eyes. One, two, three, four.&#8221;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Why I Wrote ReChurch by Will</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/03/31/why-i-wrote-rechurch/comment-page-1/#comment-23</link>
		<dc:creator>Will</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:07:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1017#comment-23</guid>
		<description>I just heard you on the 700 Club, but there&#039;s a central issue you didn&#039;t mention.  The leadership needs to one on one mentor the members, heads of families, take initiative and offer to help rather than waiting for the families, single members to seek _them_ out.  To visit families and offer their help on mentoring, helping get past moral/theological struggles, helping to have real community (which exists when it&#039;s not just Sunday/Wednesday).  An elder is helping me out where I go, but an elder or the pastor needs to visit the families where they attend about (rule of thumb) once a month.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I just heard you on the 700 Club, but there&#8217;s a central issue you didn&#8217;t mention.  The leadership needs to one on one mentor the members, heads of families, take initiative and offer to help rather than waiting for the families, single members to seek _them_ out.  To visit families and offer their help on mentoring, helping get past moral/theological struggles, helping to have real community (which exists when it&#8217;s not just Sunday/Wednesday).  An elder is helping me out where I go, but an elder or the pastor needs to visit the families where they attend about (rule of thumb) once a month.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Maxims of My Life by Gary Newcomb</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/05/28/maxims-of-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-22</link>
		<dc:creator>Gary Newcomb</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 May 2010 20:18:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1068#comment-22</guid>
		<description>Thank you Steven for sharing this!  I believe I finally found the best definition of the fear of the Lord in Maxim #1 &quot;take God seriously&quot;!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you Steven for sharing this!  I believe I finally found the best definition of the fear of the Lord in Maxim #1 &#8220;take God seriously&#8221;!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Seven Prayers of a Warrior by Mark</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/05/11/seven-prayers-of-a-warrior/comment-page-1/#comment-21</link>
		<dc:creator>Mark</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 May 2010 19:19:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1054#comment-21</guid>
		<description>Thanks, Stephen. Your words are a great help.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks, Stephen. Your words are a great help.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on The Power Of Music by Ron and Rosemary</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/05/25/the-power-of-music/comment-page-1/#comment-20</link>
		<dc:creator>Ron and Rosemary</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 May 2010 00:53:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1066#comment-20</guid>
		<description>Yes indeed! Where would we be without them...I love singing though I have a terrible singing voice (so my 6 year old daughter tells me) :) So, I rely on the more gifted in this area to help me and I tell my daughter that God thinks my voice is beautiful and He loves it when I sing to Him!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yes indeed! Where would we be without them&#8230;I love singing though I have a terrible singing voice (so my 6 year old daughter tells me) <img src='http://mansfieldgroup.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  So, I rely on the more gifted in this area to help me and I tell my daughter that God thinks my voice is beautiful and He loves it when I sing to Him!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Seven Prayers of a Warrior by Linda Forrest</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/05/11/seven-prayers-of-a-warrior/comment-page-1/#comment-19</link>
		<dc:creator>Linda Forrest</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 May 2010 16:27:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1054#comment-19</guid>
		<description>This is just the focus I was asking the Lord for today.  I&#039;m going to print this out and keep it with me at all times!  Thank you so much, Stephen!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is just the focus I was asking the Lord for today.  I&#8217;m going to print this out and keep it with me at all times!  Thank you so much, Stephen!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Comment on Seven Prayers of a Warrior by Ron and Rosemary</title>
		<link>http://mansfieldgroup.com/2010/05/11/seven-prayers-of-a-warrior/comment-page-1/#comment-18</link>
		<dc:creator>Ron and Rosemary</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 May 2010 00:48:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mansfieldgroup.com/?p=1054#comment-18</guid>
		<description>Thanks for this! I&#039;m going to ponder over these today.
blessings
Ron and Rosemary (in Australia)</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks for this! I&#8217;m going to ponder over these today.<br />
blessings<br />
Ron and Rosemary (in Australia)</p>
]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
</channel>
</rss>

