God's Judgement??

Did you know a group associated with Focus on the Family (which started out as great organization, but has become ravenously political, even to the point of having groups call for them to loose tax exempt status) asked Christians all over the US to pray for rain on Barrack Obama's Democratic nomination acceptance speech since it was out doors? (Would Jesus do that?) Now, they did pull the ad, however, I imagined they prayed that way...I wonder what they make of the fact that there was not a cloud in the sky that day? Is that God's blessing on Barrack? Could it be!

Now, the Republican Convention has to cancel the first day of their convention because of Hurricane Gustav...not that it's in the town where they are meeting, but it will affect them. I don't buy this theology myself. It gives itself to too much tea leaf reading. I suspect that will be the case this time too. So how will they read them? The tea leaves, that is...funny, really...except...

These guys will pronounce God's judgment on anyone (like me) who questions them. I have heard them myself preach that "whoever questions God's anointed (them, usually) will not prosper" (kind of a broad term there, "prosper")...Many Christians fear them. They should all read I Thess 5:19-22, esp. vs 21.

One more thing...where we worship they do not participate in this nonsense, rather they preach God's love, and our mandate to participate in demonstrating that love (which includes the gospel, yes).

Let's pray for more fellowships to be like that.

Joe Biden

I always thought he liked to hear himself talk too much. At congressional hearings he talked about himself more than he discussed anything of substance with those he was grilling at the moment.
And he seems arrogant, like John McCain has been lately.
This was a big decision...swing and a miss for Obama...I hope I'm wrong.

Christian Vote

I think I understand the Christian political mentality, because I have been there. More often than not our political views are fear driven. Fear of the end of the world, fear of questioning our Christian leaders positions on abortion, stem cell research, human cloning, gay civil rights, and other highly emotional issues. Could someone be using us? (I know, I know, most politicians are using us at some level...but not in Jesus name.)

Several years ago I started to ask "why" the fear mongering? God is love, love drives out fear...so...God drives out fear. Sounds logical, don't you think? Seeing things through Gods perspective should eliminate, not promote fear. Many Christian political leaders promote fear so that they can advance their own political agenda. Does the everyday Christian on the street understand what that agenda is? We may find at the end of the day that it is not "Christian" at all.

God makes room for all of us. The far right agenda divides us. For example, they ask...when does conception occur? We let the Bible be a final authority on issues like that. (Well, it does not answer the question.) You have to jump hoops to a pagan religion where parents were sacrificing their children to Moloch. That is nowhere near Roe v Wade. So maybe we should ask a different question. Like how does the Bible does define life? It answers that question. "Life is in the blood", and "life is in the breath". That would indicate our current law is way to liberal. But God gives us room to talk and not label the opposition as "murderers". Don't demonize me for posting that. I can give you book and verse. (Duet 12:23, and Gen 2:7) And someone else will say Obama supports all abortion. OK, if that is the case, I disagree with him. There are other issues where I do agree with him that are also important.

Maybe the best question a Christian could ask a Presidential candidate is what is Christianity, or what is a Christian? If you watched the Christian Forum the other night Obama answered that question much more accurately (faith in Jesus death for the forgiveness of our sins) than McCain (who just talked about his experience as a POW). But the right is still refusing to vote for Obama. Fear is the reason, I know, I've been there.

Fact Check: Refuting More McCain Attacks

Just passing this along. I'm glad the are taking the high road.

Pickens Plan

I signed up for this. Mr. Pickens is the only individual who has had the creativity, intelligence, and guts to propose a sensible, workable, and largely unpolitical energy plan. But it won't happen unless you and I sign off on this, and contact our government representatives.

China Olympics

You know China isn't perfect, but the opening ceremony was all I expected and more. I got chocked up several times including the lighting of the torch.

The Big Issue!! To me, at least right now...

No, not abortion...education. Let's face it, our public schools are a dinosaur. I have three kids. We have had them in public, private, and home schools. The public schools, and any parent can verify this...first, set up a confrontive, antagonistic relationship with parents. Second, they care about process and policy more that anything else. Pay close attention the next time your kid has problems, or gets into trouble at a public school. You won't get that attitude (antagonism, and a dogmatic commitment to policy) at a private school, or charter school...why is that? You have a choice as to weather to be there. The parents remain positively, and meaningfully involved. So I support school choice. Right now, we have somewhat antiquated, unionized public schools. Have you ever been at a grocery store which was unionized? Compare that to the one which is not...and you will get.......what?.....better customer service! That is, less antagonism. This is a touchy subject, because unions play a crucial role in representing those of us who have no power to those who do, so I support them, but not if they go past their primary function, and dictate policy and process, which is what the NEA has done. Sad but true. The only good answer that I know at this point is school choice. It would force public school reform. The pro choice candidate happens to be John McCain....Hmmm, I'm an Obama backer....this is a really big deal to me...would McCain deliver? I kind of doubt it. Would I choose a President based on one issue? I know a girl who always votes pro choice (abortion, not education)...one issue as all that matters to her...I think that is weird, and short sighted.
By the way, has anyone noticed that neither candidate plans to deliver universal heath? The insurance companies win for now...long term they won't, they can't...the system will crumble. It's a joke...but I'll save that for another post. I think I'll remain an Obama backer for now...I see him as a practical individual, but I'll check exactly what he thinks about education...

Politics!!!

To sum up the rhetoric this week...

Obama's message is "hope".
McCain's message is "fear".

Obama is still trying to take the high road. It didn't work for John Kerry, remember Swift Boat? I hope he does not wait too long to confront what the McCain campaign is putting out there. Jon McCain seems to be closing the gap in the polls. This saddens me. And don't get me wrong. Obama is human, and will NOT deliver all he promises; however, I think it would be fantastic to have a President who is intelligent, philosophical, and popular. I hear so much about Obama being so liberal he won't get anything done. That is not true. He wants to build unity. That will take compromise; he knows that. John McCain and his campaign sound absolutely, cruel lately (look past the smiles). They go as far as to imply Obama is the anti-christ!! Ugh. I hope, and pray we all see through the Republican attacks, and insist on discussions about the candidates plans for the country if they are given power. The current flow of things is somewhat sickening.

"Hope"...or..."fear", choose wisely, that's my take on things in a nut shell.