Comments for zjvv.net

Comment on my do over by Gary Vander Veen

Gary Vander Veen — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:28:38 +0000

My father (Zach’s granddad)was always a little leery of college educated people. It probable stems from uncle Wendel leaving the farm and shortly after he got his doctorate divorcing aunt Gert. This created a conflict for him when Zach chose education for his profession relegating brickwork, carpentry, and shingling to weekend projects.
His love of his grand-kids trumped the suspicion of people who didn’t have callous on their hands. He was proud and impressed with Zach’s teaching career but more often than not would remember those two summers where his grandson learned how to do “real” work.
As far as I’m concerned all of his work is “real” good.

Comment on Practice by Katie Phillips

Katie Phillips — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:40:05 +0000

Hey Zach!

I learned 5 years ago that my mom had had a baby when she was young and had given her up for adoption. 5 years ago my mom and her daughter were reunited! The rest of my family soon met my half-sister, Molly and her husband and 2 kids. It is weird to have introduced myself to this new family, but I can say 5 years later (and really almost immediately after meeting Molly) the Lord connected our hearts in a way I can’t explain. Meeting her and her husband and kids is one the greatest blessings of my life and we have embraced our sister relationship – talking on the phone weekly – sharing our deepest thoughts – praying together. I can’t hardly remember my life without her.

I honestly can’t imagine what you and Renee must be feeling. But, I know the Lord will be present as he has been through this whole experience. We are thinking and praying for you guys!!!

Katie

Comment on The list for 2009 by Brian

Brian — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:49:18 +0000

We’re also hooked on Mad Men and are just getting into Friday Night Lights. And in the guilty pleasure category: we’re burning through, er, Burn Notice. Oh, and here’s some recent musical favorites. http://is.gd/5HfkW Thanks for the list Zack!

Comment on How do we choose our political leaders? by Zach

Zach — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:32:55 +0000

Without doubt Obama won the election so handidly because of his star power (I’ve never seen such demagoguery in a presidential election before). My critique can just as easily be applied to those on the left.

I wish Americans spent more time thinking about where politicians stand (and why they stand) than who they are. Part of this is a frustration with conservative evangelicals who vote republican because only a republican can be a Christian (see George Bush’s presidency). I want the questions to be “whose policies alleviate poverty?” and “whose policies actually decrease the number of abortions?” and “whose policies grow the economy?” and “whose policies encourage/discourage war? When is war necessary? etc.”

You know, the stuff you and I argue about all the time.

I understand that I come off a bit as an intellectual elitist. But I know of no other way to engage in conversation with an opposing view unless we use the tools of the enlightenment. Otherwise we’re just shouting at each other.

Comment on How do we choose our political leaders? by Joel

Joel — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 01:02:48 +0000

I get your point on Palin, she is a celebrity and will never be a powerful political force. Obama, arguably, came to office because of an even greater star power.

Comment on Reflections on Advent, Reconciliation, and Fatherhood by Amy Tol

Amy Tol — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:33:24 +0000

Beautiful post, Zach. I can identify with the unexpected moments of tearfulness and the uncertainties of waiting! And I think most every adoptive parent struggles with the reality that our great blessing flows from another’s brokenness… one of those mysteries I can’t completely wrap my mind around. I can only stand in awe of God’s grace, so undeserved. We’re praying all goes well during these next few months as you bring your girls home.

Comment on Certificate No. 036 by Anna

Anna — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:36:33 +0000

We are so excited for our sobrinas! Praise the Lord!

Comment on Who? by Eric Hub

Eric Hub — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:28:05 +0000

Hi Zach

remember me? Ann Arbor 1999 – 2000 Campus Chapel the guy from Switzerland? It s been ten years – I remeber I wanted to come to your wedding, but I was more than broke back then (which hasnt changed much in a financial way, because I started a second studies – Theology to become a pastor).
So say Hi to Renee (we only met once in 1999) and bless you

Eric

Comment on The cost of war. by Joel

Joel — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:13:03 +0000

To your first point, the cause was actually an attack on our soil and I will accpet the absence of effect (American deaths) as a fine answer to your “gotten what?” question over the last 8 years.

We are actually in agreement about spending money appropriately to make our home safer by focusing on preventing terrorists from either being created in America or entering America. Oddly enough, the last President that you hate so much implemented a number of policies to accomplish just that. And while you attack him for ignoring the constitution (or raping the constitution as some liberals say), just note that Obama has not repealed a single progam that you loathe. I guess they turned out to be effective programs after all. Funny how governing is different than campaigning, although I’m still not convinced our Commander in Chief realizes that.

And to your last patriotic point, Kristof’s quote doesn’t say anything about accomplishing “enough.” Our soldiers feel like they have accomplished a great deal, and his quote fails to recognize that. I am not suggesting that he isn’t patriotic, just that his quote belittles and ignores actual accomplishments.

Comment on The cost of war. by Zach

Zach — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:01:09 +0000

Always love the debate from my Republican brother!

Where to start? How about knowns vs unknowns. We don’t really know if the war in Afghanistan is preventing American deaths at home. An absence of effect (American deaths) in no way proves cause (the war).

Even if you want to spend money protecting America from terrorists. Why not spend it at making home safer by focusing on preventing terrorists from either being created in America or entering America?

Look, history is very clear on this. Occupiers – even occupiers with good intentions – never fair well. Nearly every major conflict in the last 200 years demonstrates this.

Americans are questioning, rightfully so, are we getting a good return on this investment? We’re 8 years in and still pouring money into the operation. I won’t – nor, I suspect, would Kristof (who, by the way, has been to Afghanistan and Pakistan) – suggest the military hasn’t accomplished anything (and please don’t pull the “insulting the military” patriotic card…question our Government and its military is a very American thing to do). But I question whether or not it has accomplished enough.

And when can finally say “enough”.

This is a fundamental beef against the wars over the past 8 years. We’ve burned through loads of money (again – borrowed during an Adminstration that was too chicken to pay for it) and gotten what?

Meanwhile, 44,789 Americans die each year from lack of health insurance.