Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category
Happy Memorial Day !
I hope you have a great day with your loved ones today. I received a comment on one of my blogs from a guy named David. He took a piece of message shrapnel that he claims is a quote from one of my messages and it reminded me how careful I need to be in making a ‘passing comment.’ Here’s what he wrote:
Well – so what does the famous pastor think about torture? You mentioned in church that you supported Bush’s War On Terror (I bet you would love a never ending war). What is your stance on water boarding? Still supporting US soldiers being sacrificial lambs in Iraq?? How come your sons are not in Iraq-Afganistan? You want honesty – u got it.
1. I am a patriot not a party member so I support whomever is president with prayer and belief in a God who is bigger than their errors in judgment and even bigger than their unbiblical, in some cases, evil policies.
2. I am not a pacifist. I believe America has a right/obligation to defend itself and that governments have been ordained by God with the ‘punishment of wrongdoers,’ as one of their highest responsibilities (Romans 13:1-7).
3. I was privileged to attend several private White House briefings where President Bush made a very strong case that the war on terror and the ongoing battle against insurgents in Iraq was the same thing. I do believe Americans are killing terrorists and establishing a potential foothold for democracy in an area of the world that threatens both America and our allies.
4. I believe that war involves, and even requires, levels of brutality that are beyond the ability of the average citizen to comprehend. I do not believe the cause of our soldiers or our government is advanced by the sensationalizing of an issue of interrogation for the sake of political gain (i.e., House Speaker Pelosi who has now apologized).
5. I believe that President Obama is naively heading down a very dangerous road thinking that we can reduce terrorist intent through compassionate reason. His error is rooted in a failure to understand the true nature of evil.
6. I believe we have seen that America is also capable of cruel actions toward enemy combatants, but I do not believe that harsh interrogation methods are examples of that cruelty (as the Abu Grabe prison etc. would be).
7. I am thankful for a country where freedom is worth fighting for. I am thankful to have my home in a place where the debate over what is legal and legitimate in times of war can be carried on by its citizens and elected officials in a civilized and mutually respectful manner.
8. Most importantly. I believe today is a very difficult day for families whose children are serving in a war they may or may not agree with and certainly have many legitimate issues to object to. Nothing touches us like the lives of our children do, and I pray for every family with an empty place at the table today, especially for those facing a future where that place will never again be filled.
I’m gonna go pray about all this. Have a good Memorial Day.
james
Thankful for our New President? Yes!
Note: This post has generated a bit of controversy. Beyond my comments in the comment section below, please see my follow-up post here about using the gift of discernment in the flesh.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
What a great Scripture to put into practice today, especially since I just finished watching the swearing in and the inaugural speech of the 44th President of the United States of America, Barak Obama. Like most Bible-believing Christians I can think of many biblical convictions that I wish our new leader had, and about which we must fervently pray. But today I think I will focus on obedience to the above Scripture and cultivate the kind of thankfulness that leads to a quiet, peaceable life.
1) I am thankful for a president whose election says to the minorities of our land that a majority of Americans have chosen their leader without regard to his racial background, that can only be healthy and good. I am thankful for the immense joy in the heart of every one of my black brothers and sisters, people I know and love who are filled with incredible hope and dignity today.
2) I am thankful for Obama’s determination to hold Washington accountable for self-interest and personal greed. As an outsider, he has an incredible opportunity to help those who have lived by ‘business as usual’ to take a fresh look at themselves and the partisan politics that has so often lost sight of what is in the best interest of America.
3) I am thankful for his decision to have Pastor Rick Warren pray. Warren’s prayer was unapologetically Christ-centered yet appropriately sensitive to those who would differ. Obama’s decision to have him pray was an unusual expression of non-partisan intent, that he would not reverse though it brought him much criticism. It was a conscious choice by Obama to invite evangelicals beyond single issue politics and toward involvement in the many issues all thoughtful Americans agree about.
4) I am thankful for the realism of his speech. He did not hype the people with “yes we can” rhetoric. He did not avoid the problems facing our nation with emotionalism and false hope. He did not promise a prosperity that could be accomplished without sacrifice and hard work and he specifically insisted that those personal benefit should not be expected by anyone who was not willing to work and give and believe and hope. I love that. Down with entitlement and partisan politics and up with patriotism and personal sacrifice.
5) I am thankful for the engagement of so many young people in the governance of our country. For too long young people have been only skeptical and aloof in regards to Washington. In Barak Obama there is an opportunity for a new generation to believe in our democratic process and reengage their energy and intellect toward the solutions we desperately need.
In closing I am thankful for the example set by President Bush in the peaceful transfer of power and the respect he showed in spite of glaring differences in policy and conviction. Bush has led our country according to his principles through the toughest time, by far, that any of us or our parents have lived through. I thank God for sustaining him and hope that every true believer in Jesus Christ will not be diminished in their prayer for our new president simply because he does not agree with some of our biblical convictions. Barak Obama needs our prayer for strength to maintain the convictions he holds which are in keeping with God’s will for our nation, wisdom to realize where his beliefs are not according to God’s plan and then the courage to change.
Romans 13:1, Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
That’s good to know, isn’t it? Our new president has less experience and more pressure than any president in history, might he remember where his power ultimately comes from and seek the Lord for daily strength; he’s gonna need it.
