Many Apologies and President-Elect Obama

I am so sorry for the virtual absence. I am leaving tomorrow for a mission trip to Palestine and the last few weeks have been very busy as I prepare for that trip (among other many details). I will return in 10 days, so look for a new post around November 17. :-)


A quick word on President-Elect Obama. I was listening this morning to a national radio program that was fielding calls from listeners regarding their reaction to his victory and it disturbed me greatly. Many self-described "religious" or "Christian" listeners were sharing some very hateful words insisting that his victory meant the end of a Nation (many also insisted he was the Anti-Christ).

Let me assure (and remind) and encourage you...

1. Be GRACIOUS with your words!!!! A LOST world is LISTENING to every word that proceeds from your mouth! He is now the President-Elect... campaigning is over - respect his position! Name-calling is not a form of accountability. It's childish. Honor Romans 13:1-7.

2. True "Change" is not coming from Obama (nor would it have come from McCain or Palin!) or any other members of our government. True change comes from a HEART change. In this case, America will change when people seek change and take responsibility. To sit back and wait for change to rain down (trickle down) from Washington is irresponsible of us as Christians. Money fades, taxes go up and down, gas prices rise and fall, salaries adjust and the economy booms and busts - it's a regular part of life. Truth and love, however, remain the same and it is our calling as believers to show what true change looks like from that perspective.

3. Above all - SHOW LOVE with all that you do, say and think!!! Remember, we know love because God first loved us. He extended love FIRST - He didn't wait for us to deserve it. Let us live that example as well - let us love all, first (Even if they do not ask it of us)!!!! SERVE those in your homes, work places and communities.


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My Hope (and Prayer) for Audacity

Obama promises change. McCain promises change. So with the economic structure of the country in flux both candidates have boldly risen up and said... nothing.

At least both sides do truly have one thing in common - they're both playing the politics game. The same "game" both have campaigned against for the last year. If either of them had one clue how to truly "change" the game, NOW would be the time to rise up and outshine the other. If either Obama or McCain could deliver the "change" they are promising, they would have spoken up by now (and better yet - back it up by going to Washington and voting on President Bush's economic plan, whether for or against it). But they won't. They'll sit back and watch... from a distance... hidden behind speech writers and more people with agendas. Why? Because that's how the political game is played.



Right now America's chief concern is money. Why wouldn't it be? It's what we've built our foundation upon as a nation. What happens when that foundation is washed away (or shaken, as it seems to be now)? The hope of the country fades... because they placed all their eggs in the basket that has no real value or answers. It is also the reason both Obama and McCain will remain silent... True Hope can't be sold (God already gave it away - free!).

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matt. 7:24-27)

"Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:5-6)


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