Dobson's at it again...protecting the families of the world by doing everything in his power to support the right wing political agenda. And I would say the same thing if his attack was leveled at McCain instead of Obama. As an aside, Dr. Dobson vowed just a few months ago that he would never support McCain because he wasn't conservative enough. He has since reversed himself. Interesting.
I won't go through the whole thing again (see the previous post), but when are the ultra conservative evangelicals going to stop being the mouthpieces for a political party (and underlying agenda, which, by the way, has nothing to do with forwarding the cause of Christ)? When will they shut the crap up and start listening to God (Matthew 25:31-46; Phill. 2:3-5)? When will Christians (or, at least, church-goers; there is a difference) stop allowing ourselves to be led around by the nose at the whims of politico-evangelicals with personal agendas?
I fear the answer to the last question is, perhaps, never. It is much easier to assume that everything they say is correct than it is to search for the truth and think for ourselves; especially in this age of instant misinformation when so much comes at us so fast. It's much easier to live on the falsely energized emotional roller coaster than to admit we are not always right. God is always right, but not us. How many atrocities have been committed and falsehoods perpetrated in his name?
Check out this quote from Jim Wallis' latest blog:
The United States is not the Christian theocracy that [evangelicals] seem to think it should be. Political appeals, even if rooted in religious convictions, must be argued on moral grounds rather than as sectarian religious demands -- so that the people (citizens), whether religious or not, may have the capacity to hear and respond. Religious convictions must be translated into moral arguments, which must win the political debate if they are to be implemented. Religious people don't get to win just because they are religious. They, like any other citizens, have to convince their fellow citizens that what they propose is best for the common good -- for all of us, not just for the religious.
Please think for yourselves. If you disagree with me or anyone else that's fine. But do so in a coherent, cogent way that indicates you have reasoned through your thoughts and the issue at hand. Do it in a way that is biblical and allows for dialogue. Do not paint me or anyone else as evil just because you disagree with us. That determination remains the exclusive purview of God and God alone. And that is biblical--check chapters 2, 3 and 14 of Romans for starters.
Until the church fully ejects itself from protection mode and starts to truly think globally, we have little chance of fulfilling the callings placed upon us by Matthew 25 or Matthew 28.
Pray for peace, wisdom and patience, as will I.
Mike
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The Question of Gay Marriage
The word on the street (and in the papers) is that upwards of 30 million dollars will be spent between now and November by activists on both sides of the gay marriage debate in California. That is when an amendment to the state constitution which would ban gay marriage will be decided by voters. The thing about this story that most interests me is the amount of money (a combined 27 million dollars was spent in the other 24 states that have already decided this issue with constitutional amendments) and, more specifically, the sources of much of it. Among those in favor of the amendment are the traditional conservative groups, most of them Christian; and among those one of the more generous contributors is expected to be the Colorado-based Focus on the Family.
I don't doubt, or intend to contradict, that the Bible teaches against homosexuality. I also understand that the issue is highly charged and emotional for many Christians. But I guess what I don't understand is how this issue is a priority worth millions of dollars for an organization that claims to focus on the family in a country where there are many other issues that are destroying families in a much more devastating way and at a much more rapid rate than anything associated with homosexuality ever will.
Nearly 50 million Americans have no health insurance in the richest nation in the history of the world. In a recent conversation about this issue with a friend, he said he didn't want any of his money going to support people who would not support themselves. Well, here's a newsflash: the vast majority of the people here who are uninsured are working full time, often at more than one job, and they still have no insurance because their employers either can't or won't provide it. And I defy any of these self-righteous capitalists to provide the basic necessities of life to their families on wages that typically don't produce incomes above the poverty level, much less find additional resources to purchase personal health insurance. And many millions of the uninsured are children who, obviously, are at the mercy of their situations.
Speaking of poverty specifically, check out the quote below taken from Wikipedia and based on U.S. Census and world poverty statistics:
Poverty in the United States refers to people living in poverty in the U.S. Within the U.S. the most common measure of poverty is the "poverty line" set by the U.S. government. The official poverty threshold is adjusted for inflation using the consumer price index. Poverty in the United States is cyclical in nature with roughly 12% to 15% living below the federal poverty line at any given point in time, and roughly 40% falling below the poverty line at some time within a 10 year time span.[1] While there remains some controversy of whether or not the official poverty over or understates poverty, the United States has some of the highest absolute and relative pre and post-transfer, poverty rates in the developed world.[2][3] Overall, the U.S. ranks 16th on the Human Poverty Index.[4]
Those under the age of 18 were the most likely to be impoverished. In 2006 the poverty rate for minors in the United States was the highest in the industrialized world, with 21.9% of all minors and 30% of African American minors living below the poverty threshold.[5] Moreover, the standard of living for those in the bottom 10% was lower in the U.S. than in any other developed nation except the United Kingdom, which had the lowest standard of living for impoverished children.[6]
Do you understand how utterly unthinkable it is that the U.S. is the LOWEST ranked developed nation?! Do you understand how many families are destroyed by poverty in this country every year? Do you have any idea how many millions of children suffer from easily treatable conditions in this country every year because they have no access to the finest medical treatment available in the world today? Do you have any idea how insignificant any detrimental effect gay marriage may have on American families will be compared to the answers to the above questions?
I would ask Focus on the Family to reconsider their allocation of significant resources to a cause that will ultimately pale in its influence on American culture and families when compared to the good their millions of dollars could do for the poor and suffering of this country. Or, if they insist on following through with their windmill-tilting campaign, please change the name of their organization. Let's call it Focus on Politics, or Focus on Media Attention, or Focus on Failure or something similarly appropriate; but do not tell me that your focus is on what's best for American families. If my family where falling apart because we were about to lose our home, or our child was sick and I couldn't provide care for him or we were just plain hungry because we couldn't afford to buy food, I truly don't think that I would believe that situation would be corrected or improved by banning gay marriage in California or any other state.
Read Matthew 25, especially where Jesus tells us what's important to him, and let me know what you find in there about gay marriage.
Pray for peace.
Mike
I don't doubt, or intend to contradict, that the Bible teaches against homosexuality. I also understand that the issue is highly charged and emotional for many Christians. But I guess what I don't understand is how this issue is a priority worth millions of dollars for an organization that claims to focus on the family in a country where there are many other issues that are destroying families in a much more devastating way and at a much more rapid rate than anything associated with homosexuality ever will.
Nearly 50 million Americans have no health insurance in the richest nation in the history of the world. In a recent conversation about this issue with a friend, he said he didn't want any of his money going to support people who would not support themselves. Well, here's a newsflash: the vast majority of the people here who are uninsured are working full time, often at more than one job, and they still have no insurance because their employers either can't or won't provide it. And I defy any of these self-righteous capitalists to provide the basic necessities of life to their families on wages that typically don't produce incomes above the poverty level, much less find additional resources to purchase personal health insurance. And many millions of the uninsured are children who, obviously, are at the mercy of their situations.
Speaking of poverty specifically, check out the quote below taken from Wikipedia and based on U.S. Census and world poverty statistics:
Poverty in the United States refers to people living in poverty in the U.S. Within the U.S. the most common measure of poverty is the "poverty line" set by the U.S. government. The official poverty threshold is adjusted for inflation using the consumer price index. Poverty in the United States is cyclical in nature with roughly 12% to 15% living below the federal poverty line at any given point in time, and roughly 40% falling below the poverty line at some time within a 10 year time span.[1] While there remains some controversy of whether or not the official poverty over or understates poverty, the United States has some of the highest absolute and relative pre and post-transfer, poverty rates in the developed world.[2][3] Overall, the U.S. ranks 16th on the Human Poverty Index.[4]
Those under the age of 18 were the most likely to be impoverished. In 2006 the poverty rate for minors in the United States was the highest in the industrialized world, with 21.9% of all minors and 30% of African American minors living below the poverty threshold.[5] Moreover, the standard of living for those in the bottom 10% was lower in the U.S. than in any other developed nation except the United Kingdom, which had the lowest standard of living for impoverished children.[6]
Do you understand how utterly unthinkable it is that the U.S. is the LOWEST ranked developed nation?! Do you understand how many families are destroyed by poverty in this country every year? Do you have any idea how many millions of children suffer from easily treatable conditions in this country every year because they have no access to the finest medical treatment available in the world today? Do you have any idea how insignificant any detrimental effect gay marriage may have on American families will be compared to the answers to the above questions?
I would ask Focus on the Family to reconsider their allocation of significant resources to a cause that will ultimately pale in its influence on American culture and families when compared to the good their millions of dollars could do for the poor and suffering of this country. Or, if they insist on following through with their windmill-tilting campaign, please change the name of their organization. Let's call it Focus on Politics, or Focus on Media Attention, or Focus on Failure or something similarly appropriate; but do not tell me that your focus is on what's best for American families. If my family where falling apart because we were about to lose our home, or our child was sick and I couldn't provide care for him or we were just plain hungry because we couldn't afford to buy food, I truly don't think that I would believe that situation would be corrected or improved by banning gay marriage in California or any other state.
Read Matthew 25, especially where Jesus tells us what's important to him, and let me know what you find in there about gay marriage.
Pray for peace.
Mike
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Letter from a Birmingham Jail
The quote below is from Dr. King's letter, which was written in 1964 as a response to the disingenuous and hypocritical panderings of an array of local clergy who had condemned the civil disobedience of local African Americans.
But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.
I read Dr. King's letter several years ago, but as I was re-reading it tonight this paragraph jumped all over me. It's as if he saw 40 years into the future. Read the entire letter (please) at the following link:
http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/frequentdocs/birmingham.pdf
But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.
I read Dr. King's letter several years ago, but as I was re-reading it tonight this paragraph jumped all over me. It's as if he saw 40 years into the future. Read the entire letter (please) at the following link:
http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/frequentdocs/birmingham.pdf
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Various
Dana Carvey has a new HBO special called "Squatting Monkeys Tell No Lies". I probably won't watch it, but I thought the name was cool. I cannot speak to the voracity of the statement.
Still no word on the prophetic warning from yesterday's post, but I'll never rest until we have the truth.
I had barbecue for supper--a half rack of ribs and a rather large pulled pork sandwich; plus fries. I think if I sneeze I'll crap my pants.
I love my daughters and my wife more than anything and I miss them terribly when I'm on the road. Seeing them for the blessing they are is very humbling.
I read once that the average American will meet 10,000 people during their lifetime. That's a lot of opportunities to influence people. Don't ___ it up by being a jerk.
Pray for peace.
Mike
Still no word on the prophetic warning from yesterday's post, but I'll never rest until we have the truth.
I had barbecue for supper--a half rack of ribs and a rather large pulled pork sandwich; plus fries. I think if I sneeze I'll crap my pants.
I love my daughters and my wife more than anything and I miss them terribly when I'm on the road. Seeing them for the blessing they are is very humbling.
I read once that the average American will meet 10,000 people during their lifetime. That's a lot of opportunities to influence people. Don't ___ it up by being a jerk.
Pray for peace.
Mike
Monday, June 9, 2008
Warning--Prophetic Alert
I can't believe it. I was flipping channels and what might appear to others to be mere chance but I know was Divine guidance, occurred. As I landed on Daystar it just so happened (Just so happened...HAH!) that Manna-Fest (get it?) was just coming on. AND, the host was preempting the regular programming to provide a prophetic alert because he had received a word from God that is going to be vital to all of us believers; I think it was about Iraq because he followed up the precursor with a reminder of how God had given him a vision about the invasion 8 or 9 years before it happened; really; he had a drawing of it. And just when he was about to spill the beans about the new prophecy------the screen went all snowy. Man, what rotten luck. No doubt the devil, or some of those Godless terrorists, jacking with the broadcast to keep us from getting this invaluable piece of heavenly intelligence info. It will probably turn the tide in the war when we get it. And I will get it. No paltry force of evil-doers can overcome me. Keep checking back. I'll post it as soon as I get it. Rock the prophecy.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
A Gift of Song
This video is of my daughter, Liz, singing (she is amazing), being accompanied on guitar by her friend, Emily, who also has a great voice. Could fame await them? You be the judge.
I have hair growing where?!
OK...I want to get serious for a few minutes so buckle in.
Do you think God sits up in heaven (is it up? where is it really...heaven, I mean) and just giggles and snickers when guys get old enough to start having hair grow in places it never used to? For example, our ears. Why in the world do we, after living 35 or 40 years without hair growing on and in our ears, suddenly wake up and discover we have 2 extra places to shave? You look in the mirror one morning and instead of the guy you're used to seeing there's a hobbit or something (no, wait...hobbits have hairy feet; well, you get the point). And don't even get me started on the nose hair thing. For cryin' out loud! And the worst thing of all is the guys who don't shave the extra follicles. GROSS! What do they think, that they're French? Guys, I know it's not fair or fun, but just shave it. You look like a creeper when you don't.
Do you think God sits up in heaven (is it up? where is it really...heaven, I mean) and just giggles and snickers when guys get old enough to start having hair grow in places it never used to? For example, our ears. Why in the world do we, after living 35 or 40 years without hair growing on and in our ears, suddenly wake up and discover we have 2 extra places to shave? You look in the mirror one morning and instead of the guy you're used to seeing there's a hobbit or something (no, wait...hobbits have hairy feet; well, you get the point). And don't even get me started on the nose hair thing. For cryin' out loud! And the worst thing of all is the guys who don't shave the extra follicles. GROSS! What do they think, that they're French? Guys, I know it's not fair or fun, but just shave it. You look like a creeper when you don't.
Pray for peace (and hairless orifices).
Mike
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sunday School
Isn't that a weird phrase? I always get the image of people who don't know what Sunday is and have to be taught all about it. The test always has the same question on it: What day comes after Saturday and before Monday?
I was actually in Sunday school today (but not to learn what Sunday is). It was my first day with the college ministry. There was an interesting (well, sort of interesting) discussion about why people choose to either show up or not show up each week. For example, if I choose to go to a ball game or the races or just sleep in does that mean that I'm disrespecting God or church or community or something. I guess it comes down to attitude; these kinds of questions usually do. Am I blowing off church because I figure whatever I'm going to do is more important; or because I just selfishly prefer doing what I want to do? Maybe I'm very faithful and really struggle with the decision but ultimately decide to skip church this time because what I'm doing is important also, or just an unusual opportunity.
I don't know the answer for sure. I really do think it's about attitude. Someone pointed out that Jesus made it a point that the day of meeting in and of itself is not the important thing. It's about communing with God and contributing to the welfare of other believers. If I also come to church on a different day or night, plus have a Bible study that I go to does that make Sunday less important? Can't I be a Christian even if I don't go to church at all? The fact is, Sunday is not sacred, and you don't have to be in church to be saved. But there are tons of biblical reasons to be with other believers. Sunday is the day when we have traditionally gathered. I like going and I also think I contribute to others when I'm there--in addition to what I get out of it. It also gives me a chance to serve; another thing I am commanded to do.
If you go because you think you have to and there's no joy or sense of worship and gratitude toward God--stay home.
Attitude is everything.
Pray for peace.
Mike
I was actually in Sunday school today (but not to learn what Sunday is). It was my first day with the college ministry. There was an interesting (well, sort of interesting) discussion about why people choose to either show up or not show up each week. For example, if I choose to go to a ball game or the races or just sleep in does that mean that I'm disrespecting God or church or community or something. I guess it comes down to attitude; these kinds of questions usually do. Am I blowing off church because I figure whatever I'm going to do is more important; or because I just selfishly prefer doing what I want to do? Maybe I'm very faithful and really struggle with the decision but ultimately decide to skip church this time because what I'm doing is important also, or just an unusual opportunity.
I don't know the answer for sure. I really do think it's about attitude. Someone pointed out that Jesus made it a point that the day of meeting in and of itself is not the important thing. It's about communing with God and contributing to the welfare of other believers. If I also come to church on a different day or night, plus have a Bible study that I go to does that make Sunday less important? Can't I be a Christian even if I don't go to church at all? The fact is, Sunday is not sacred, and you don't have to be in church to be saved. But there are tons of biblical reasons to be with other believers. Sunday is the day when we have traditionally gathered. I like going and I also think I contribute to others when I'm there--in addition to what I get out of it. It also gives me a chance to serve; another thing I am commanded to do.
If you go because you think you have to and there's no joy or sense of worship and gratitude toward God--stay home.
Attitude is everything.
Pray for peace.
Mike
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