I have to chime in on the whole Cinco de Mayo incident at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, CA. Personally, I'm pretty tired of having the beliefs I hold most dear being considered "offensive" to a vast minority of people. My faith and my patriotism are under attack in, of all places, the United States of America. I'm not surprised by any of this, mind you. Things are so backwards these days. The tail is wagging the dog, and we've allowed it to happen.
It certainly isn't our intention to be offensive. We're just such easy pushovers. All one has to do is simply accuse someone of being a child molester, and they are automatically guilty in the court of public opinion, even if it's totally made up. Similarly, being called a hater, a racist, a homophobe or any such thing automatically makes the target defensive and guilty even in the absence of truth. Men and women have laid down their lives to defend the very symbol of freedom these students proudly displayed last week. Memorial Day is only weeks away. Will immigrants be sent home from school or work if they wear the colors of their native country? I certainly hope not.
My faith enables me to love those who disagree with me. It liberates me to be gracious in the face of opposition. My patriotism does the very same. How can I be surprised that those without faith and without love of this great country only seek to mock, bully, slander and silence their opposition? I'm proud to see those who share my faith and my patriotism beginning to stand up and fight back. I'm excited to see people shining the light of truth upon the deception of hypocrisy and double-standards. We must not allow others to hang false accusations around our necks without standing up for the truth. Even leaders in our government are making wildly irresponsible characterizations about their constituents.
The pathway to the defeat of all we believe in and stand for is paved with ignorance and passivity. We must make ourselves available to the truth, then proclaim it loudly and forcefully! "...the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." Matthew 11:12b
There have a couple recent events which have stirred up thoughts in my head which need to be addressed. As a servant of the people, I feel it is my duty to share them with you.
1. The kid in Ohio who was suspended from taking his final exams and participating in his high school graduation because he attended his girlfriend's prom. Am I the only one who thought this was a publicity stunt for a remake of the movie Footloose? It's stuff like this which sets Christianity back for generations. In a world in which the media is looking for anything which puts Christianity in the line of fire, someone who doesn't speak for me goes out of their way to put me smack dab in the center of the crosshairs. Frankly, I completely side with the kid. As someone who has worked with kids of all ages, there simply comes a point when you have to trust them, and yourself that you have taught them to uphold their beliefs in secular environments. We can't keep kids in some kind of hermetically sealed Christian bubble, insulating them from every single influence the world has to offer. Is someone from a school like that prepared mentally and spiritually should they decide to go off to a secular university or the military? What about a secular job where people swear and and have office parties with (gasp!) alcohol!? What the kid does in his life away from school falls under the jurisdiction of their parents. Let the family decide what the children can and can't do. Good job, kid. You did the right thing. Too bad the administration of your school doesn't trust you enough to handle a situation which will confront you throughout the rest of your life. You passed the first test as far as I'm concerned. 2. Miss California. I must admit, I pretty much wanted her to be stripped of the crown. Not because I thought she should have been, but because I think that tiara on her head may as well be a ball and chain around her leg. If she had been de-throned, she could then be free to say whatever she wants, wherever she wants. Now she is still bound by her contractural obligations and essentially neutered from pursuing her deeper beliefs publically at the height of her notoriety. She gave the same answer that the Teleprompter and Chief gave, yet he is Teflon and she gets the wrath of The Left showering down on her as if she were standing at the base of Niagara Falls. Meanwhile, Perez Hilton, (that isn't really his name, is it?) says the most vile and childish things, and where was the ACLU or women's advocates? You ask for her opinion, then do everything in your power to destroy her for stating it. Two other things I find disturbing about this are how much media attention this grabbed, and the fact that I wholeheartedly agreed with The Donald twice in the same week. He also fired Annie Duke in The Celebrity Apprentice, which pleased me greatly. In summary, a thumbs up to a suspended teenage boy, a beauty queen and The Donald. A strange week, indeed.
Today, the 44th President of the United States will be sworn into office. In 232 and a half years, only 44 people have held this office. That's a pretty prestigious and exclusive fraternity.
The United States of America, for all its faults, can boast of smoothly processing the peaceful transfer of power from one man to the next. The reason for that is the Office of the President doesn't change, only the occupant. The Office is the constant. This isn't about the physical office, the Oval Office in this case. The Office of which I speak is the authority, the power contained within the position itself. It may seem odd to consider an intangible subject with such reverence. In actuality, that is what our Constitution and the founding fathers protect and designed. When the President of the United States walks into a room, everyone in that room will stand to their feet in respect not of the man, but of the Office he represents. He is the embodiment of this country's history and tradition, and the sacrifice of the tens of millions who have laid down their lives for our freedom. His life is no longer his own. His own identity is veiled behind the Office he holds.
I have to admit, I am burned out with Obama this and Obama that. This isn't just because I didn't vote for him. It's because it seems that people have inverted the order of importance. I believe we, as a society, are guilty of elevating the man over the Office. It's as if he is being treated as deity.
This is such a great illustration of the humanistic, relative morality of the postmodern mentality. Christians and Christianity have been villified for many reasons. My intellect has been ridiculed because I believe in, surrender my life to, and serve God. Meanwhile, many in this group of stone-throwers look to a 47 year old man as being a sort of savior of our country. Despite our human proclivity to make mistakes and fail, we are much more comfortable following another one of us than to serve and try and emulate a perfect God. Then, when that person inevitably falls short of our expectations, we nuke them with our criticism and disdain.
I am mindful of the fact that the Office, the position of President of the United States of America is bigger than any one person. No matter how long Barack Obama holds this position, the job will continue outlive him and his 43 predecessors.
I am also mindful that my God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, from everlasting to everlasting, is bigger than me, you, everyone who lives now, and everyone who has ever, or will ever live. I put my faith in Him, not any man or any political office. I will pray for our new President because he and our country will need it, and because my country is bigger than my political affiliation.
I did not vote for Barack Obama. Barack Obama doesn't even know I exist. However, he will be my President nonetheless.
While you may not believe God exists, He loves you and sent His son to die for you. You may not love Him or serve Him, or even believe in Him. But He loves you nonetheless.
A rare bonus post for a single day. Two for the price of none! What a bargain!
I'm not really in the mood to really dive into this topic, nor is the week before Christmas the ideal time, in my opinion. This is merely an observation I've made in the wake of President-elect Barack Obama's decision to have Pastor Rick Warren offer a prayer at the Presidential inauguration next month.
The backlash I'm seeing in the local news outlets here in California about the single issue of Proposition 8 completely defining a person reminds me of how conservatives have been known to look at those in favor of legalized abortion. It basically doesn't matter what your body of work shows, it matters how you stand on a single political flash point.
Rick Warren has been embraced by Christians and non Christians for his book The Purpose Driven Life. Pastor Warren has risen to national prominence as a beacon of information and human compassion. The presidential summit held at Warren's church in Orange County was unprecedented, and applauded by both ends of the political spectrum. For one evening, no one seemed too concerned with the separation of church and state, and despite the stereotype of evangelical Christians being overwhelmingly Republican, it was anything but a home field advantage for John McCain.
The left now has it's own equivalent to Roe v. Wade. This is the litmus test which will be used to determine whether someone is loving, or hateful. Conservatives have used the abortion topic similarly. Regarding Proposition 8, I find it unfortunate that people perceive this as hateful. It's too bad that the body of Rick Warren's life is so easily and quickly dismissed because of his stance for the traditional and biblical definition of marriage. There are people in my own life with whom I disagree, and who likewise disagree with me. However, they must also know that I do not define them or base my affection for them on how they vote or who they fall in love with.
I wish in my heart people would not judge or discriminate against others for any single ideology. We don't have to agree on things. We do, however, have to coexist. Agree with me, or Rick Warren, or Barack Obama, or the butcher at the grocery store...or not. We all have redeeming qualities which should not be disqualified because of a single issue, no matter how closely to home it may hit.
This video seems to sum up the hate. While I think it was rather inflammatory for her to be waving the cross around, she had a right to do so. The violent and intimidating manner in which she was confronted is inexcusable.You disagree with her? Fine. But here's the deal, this is a democracy. The majority has spoken. You're not happy? Fine. But that doesn't give you the right to manhandle and oppress those with whom you disagree. You are becoming that which you say you hate.
Folks, it's happening. Here is another article about a protest which took place in a church during a service. The battle is now being waged in places which are literally sanctuaries. How will you handle things when you're confronted with it?
The latest "argument" against the passage of Proposition 8 has come out this week in the form of sarcasm. They're hoping that you would think their argument is absurd, outlawing divorce due to the "sanctity of marriage" and to protect children and the sacred institution of marriage. The "gotcha" comes when they reveal they are using the words used in the Yes on 8 campaign against gay marriage.
For the anti Prop. 8 crowd who are trumpeting this call against what they would like to call hypocrisy, I would ask why the majority of that very same crowd can justify so cavalierly the ending of an innocent life, yet they picket outside San Quentin when mass murderers are put to death for their crimes, or live in trees for months on end so they won't be cut down for the sake of development. A tree!
You see? The "hypocrisy" thing goes both ways.
But let me say this. We have to admit that our culture has asked for this. The divorce rate is astronomical. I could write a book on why, and how to avoid the pitfalls. As a single guy who has never married, I'm not sure that book would sell. But it is beyond debate that marriages are under assault. Not only from the outside, but from within.
Many people I know have endured divorce. In most cases, I have to say they made the right decisions in getting out of their abusive and damaging relationships. However, I have heard many of those very same people admit that they saw signs before the wedding day of the very things which eventually destroyed the relationships.
Believe me, I hate being alone. And I'm scared to live the rest of my life alone, and to die alone. My parents are each approaching their mid 70s, and both have health issues which are in varying degrees of seriousness. I can't imagine either one of them without the other. I don't want to be in my 70s and alone. Heck, I'm not enjoying be in my 40s and being alone. But despite my fear of that, I fear more the concept of being in a marriage which was practically doomed before it began.
I originally had a much different ending to this post, but I've chosen to go a different direction after reviewing my Veteran's Day post. It changed my mood about things, and thus, changed the tone in which I want to end this post. Whether or not you're married is not the point I want to make. I would simply like to issue you the same challenge I'm giving myself. That we would live our lives consistently, not giving anyone room to make claims of inconsistencies in us. It's wonderful to be politically active, particularly on issues which have a direct affect on the moral culture of our state and country. But let's also declare war against the battle within. It's one thing to stand on a street corner waving signs at passing cars. It's another thing to take time and spend it with hurting people and loving them...when no one is looking. It's another thing to do the right thing...when no one is looking.
Well, Election '08 is now history...literally. As with all elections, there are winners and losers. There are those who exult in victory, and others who weep in defeat.
Emotions can really get wrapped up in our political interests. We tend to cling very closely with our ideological roots. California has a well-earned reputation for being liberal and "progressive". What I found interesting were these maps from the LA Times. The map to the left is a county-by-county map of how the people of California voted on Proposition 8. You'll notice that while the total vote was only a 5% spread, an overwhelming majority of counties in California voted to retain the traditional definition of marriage (colored green). 42 of California's 58 counties were in favor of Proposition 8, preserving the definition of marriage to be between one man and one woman.
Meanwhile, in the presidential race, you see a vast difference in how California voted.For instance, in Los Angeles County, Obama, (blue), got nearly 70% of the votes. However, Prop 8 won in LA County by a 50.4% to 49.6% margin.
I haven't been able to put my finger on how California can be so liberal in one area, yet pretty conservative in another.
So I guess I have a couple questions I'd like to open up for your theories.
First, why do you think the counties tend to be grouped together geographically and ideologically? What is the connection between where we live and how we live and think?
Second, what do you think about California virtually always voting for the Democrat in the presidential race, but maintaining a very conservative attitude about the hot topic of gay marriage?
Wow, what a wild ride the past 18 months have been, huh? When we consider all that has happened over that time, it's easy to look at today, Election Day, and feel relief that it's over. Ironically, the title of the song we're singing this weekend best describes where we are in this process.
The End of the Beginning
No matter how things turn out tonight, I believe we need to remain at a constant state of readiness. I was having a discussion last week with some of the other singers and musicians from my church, and the topic of Joe Biden's comments about Obama being "tested" by some kind of world crisis if he wins. Then I stated that it seems that every 8 years, shortly after a new President has taken office, our country has been victimized by terrorism. In 1993, only 5 weeks into Bill Clinton's tenure in the White House, the World Trade Center was the target of a terrorist attack. 8 years later, 8 months into George W. Bush's run, the world changed forever on the day simply known as September 11.
No matter who wins today, we need to be on guard. If things don't turn out the way you hope and pray they would, we're still Americans, and we must work together. We need each other. I still believe that there is more we have in common than that which separates us. We just focus on our differences.
When the towers fell on that day, I remember thinking that those fleeing the debris were no longer black, white or brown, but all were gray...covered in ash. Before the dust had settled, we were all red, white and blue.
I'll close this post with this video. Listen to the words of this timeless and familiar song, and let them echo in your heart. Listen to the words of the prayer at the end. I know there are some partisan photos at the end of the video, which actually seem to contradict the theme of this post. But I have no control over that. But if you can put that aside and simply receive these words, I think your heart will be moved.
The election process is as exciting as it is demoralizing. In one sense, I will be glad when it's all over, but in another sense, it has awakened something within me which should never lie dormant.
I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on U.S. history, so I won't even try to address how our country came to be, and how it has evolved (devolved?) over the past 232 years.
For the record, I believe and support the right of Americans to believe whatever they believe, as long as those beliefs do not infringe upon the rights of others. If you do not believe the way I do, that is your right. Thank God we don't live in a country which could land us in prison, or worse, for our beliefs.
It is so difficult when I see our country so polarized during election season. Passion is a wonderful thing, but I just hate to see that passion turn from what we believe, to attacking those with whom we disagree.
While I hate to see what this does to our American brothers and sisters, there is an issue on the California ballot which is placing a significant wedge even in the Christian community. Of course, I'm speaking of Proposition 8.
I'm choosing my next words very carefully.
I speak only for myself here. I am voting for Prop. 8. But let me tell you that in doing so, I am not against homosexuals. I do not hate, though I am accused of doing so because of my beliefs. I do not wish ill upon anyone. My position is solely based on my biblical convictions of how marriage was intended. God created marriage, and when doing so, it was designed to be shared between man and woman. Now if you don't believe in the bible and God, then you can easily call me some kind of ignorant religious kook. That would show a great lack of respect for what I believe, and that is where our passion turns into a personal attack. But if you examine my reason, it is not personal. If you can respect that my reason is sincere and based upon something bigger than myself, hopefully we can walk away from this with our friendship in tact no matter how the election turns out.
I have homosexual friends. I have even recently reached out to one of them by email to try and express that while he believes he has been abandoned by his family and friends over this issue, I believe that those who love him and know him are not using this matter as some kind of battering ram of judgment or hate. Unfortunately, there are some who are horribly judgmental and have cast people like me under a very dark shadow. What is unique about this one particular friend of mine is that he is a Christian. In the truest sense, the life he leads makes himself something of a house divided. But then again, aren't we all? We all have things in our lives which cause an inner conflict. But for him, whether it's dealing with his very conservative family, or the friends he came to know through his many years of Christian education and service, he finds himself right in the middle of a spiritual, emotional and political firestorm.
I read a quote over the weekend which I found simple, yet profound:
Christian conservatives = their Biblical views shape their political views
Christian liberals = their political views shape their Biblical views
I hesitate to use the labels of conservative and liberal, and I don't believe this quote is absolute. But I guess these are terms we can find easy to recognize and understand. I have found in many of my "liberal" Christian friends that they consider themselves as being highly enlightened and intellectual. Those who disagree with them are less intelligent, unsympathetic, and ignorant. I was watching Mike Huckabee on television last night when he was having a debate with Bill Maher regarding the subject of faith. Huckabee's response about faith was as in depth, honest and simple to understand as anything I've ever heard. So with that, I will end this post by sharing this conversation with you. If you don't have the time to watch the entire video, I encourage you to skip ahead to about the 7:49 mark of the video and watch the last 3 minutes of it. To me, this is how two people on opposite, WAY opposite sides can debate, disagree, yet respect and like one another when it's all said and done.
Last Thursday night, I sat glued to my television (in HD splendor, I might add), watching the Vice Presidential debate. There was an interesting back-and-forth that I haven't heard discussed much, but it caught my attention. The Obama/Biden ticket has been doing their best to tie the McCain/Palin ticket to the Bush Administration. They've even gone as far as saying that by electing McCain, it would effectively be Bush's third term. Where it got interesting to me was when Governor Palin rebuked Senator Biden for focusing on the past. Biden's response to that was a pithy phrase which has been replaying in my head since I heard it.
"The past is a prologue."
I go back on forth on whether I agree with this statement. I guess it depends on your perspective. A prologue is something which essentially sets up a main body of work. I do not believe that past failures condemn one to a lifetime of similar defeats. The context of Senator Biden's use of this phrase was basically to do just that. In that context, I do not believe it is absolutely true. However, if we learn from past failures and mistakes, yes, it can be a prologue to a rags-to-riches story.
Every one of our lives is an example of this. The alcoholic or drug addict who comes to a place in their lives where they turn it around and beat their addiction. The person with a long trail of failed relationships who identifies their own shortcomings in order to contribute to and recognize healthy relationships. The person who is so riddled with insecurities that they are paralyzed by fear of failure that they don't experience the best that life has to offer.
I have been contemplating this particular topic for some time, and as is becoming more commonplace in my life, that usually means that God will go out of His way to drive the point home to me. With that being said, guess what the new sermon series is at my church. Yep, Letting Go.
Yesterday, it was about letting go of your past. We are not doomed to failure and disappointment simply because we have some major events in our past which have scarred us. I think of the biblical story about Jacob when he wrestles with God and man...and overcame. That was an absolute turning point in Jacob's life. After which, God literally changed Jacob's identity. However, Jacob was left with a limp. The limp was a constant reminder, a symbol of that pivotal point in his life in which his passion drove him to unprecedented tenacity and boldness.
Learn from the past, but don't dwell on it. Move forward. There is a reason we have only one set of eyes...which happens to be on the front of our heads.
This is my public declaration. My past is just that. Today is a new day. I am determined to be better today that I was yesterday. I want every decision, every word and every action to be toward my own betterment, and that of those around me. I'm letting go of the past and not dragging it with me into my future.
I saw this report on CNN last night, (no, not on Fox News), and thought it was something everyone should know. You just can't blindly believe all the rhetoric...on either side.
The latest high profile individual that I know of has come out and used the "Jesus was a Community Organizer, Pilate was a Governor" angle was Susan Sarandon. Stay tuned, I'm sure more are to come.
And now, a friend from back in my college days has jumped on the bandwagon. Hey, despite our disagreement in this area, I respect him very much. However, this rationale simply escapes me. It boggles my mind that anyone could repeat that phrase with a straight face.
So let's ponder this for a moment. Those who are going with this rationale are also those who are passionately opposed to the so-called "religious right". And now they are actually trying to compare their guy to most polarizing figure between church and state?
Huh?
But all this goes to prove, to the most discerning among us, that they are afraid. They're rattled. They are spending so much time and energy trying to elevate themselves by minimizing the King of Kings, they've practically abandoned the fact that it's actually Obama vs. McCain, not Palin. They're insulting our intelligence.
Desperation reveals insecurity. Of which, there is no room in the Oval Office.
I do not believe all Democrats are like this. Nor do I believe all Republicans and/or Christians are good and correct.
I agree with my friend 100% on one thing. As Christians, we should aspire to be like Him. Where we part company is that I do not believe by minimizing Christ, my party's ticket is more like Jesus than the other. Jesus was a carpenter. Does this make Bob Vila more like Christ than an auto mechanic? Not because of their professions or deeds, no.
So people, please. Enough of the nonsense. Vote your conscience. I'm less concerned with people voting the same as I do as much as I am about people voting intelligently and not in false hysteria or ignorance.
It sure seems that Sarah Palin has the Democrats in a frenzy right now. I have been following a lot of internet chatter and radio talk shows of those who are for her, and those who literally fear her and her Christian beliefs. I know of some Christian friends who are supporting Obama for their own reasons, and I have seen them debate other Christians over party philosophies, primarily Roe v. Wade and other conservative hot topics. I have to think that things like this video below would have to cause a Christian Democrat to pause and consider their affiliation.
This is not simply one man's opinion. This very same talking point was made by Donna Brazile, Campaign Manager for Al Gore's run at the presidency in 2000. On CNN this past Sunday night, she said the following:
BLITZER: Let me bring Donna in on the whole issue of being a community organizer. Now we know a lot of those community organizers are in the big urban areas and there are some suggesting that when they -- when the Republicans, whether Giuliani or Sarah Palin went after Obama for being a community organizer there was a racial overtone there. Do you believe that?
BRAZILE: First of all, I don't think they understand the role of a community organizer, often to help people who are in distress, they've lost their jobs, they've lost their homes, they've lost their health care. And for many of us, it's a time honored tradition to give back, especially those who have been rewarded with so much.
The Bible says to whom much is given much is required and it comes out of that tradition. So it was insulting to see both, you know, the governor as well as Mayor Giuliani criticize people. There's some on the Internet now that Jesus was a community organizer, Pontius Pilate was a governor. And perhaps they should understand the role of a community organizer, do help people in distress.
Is it just me? Or are the Dems actually comparing Obama to Jesus, and Palin (and all governors, for that matter), to Pontius Pilate?
I remember the very famous exchange in the Vice Presidential debate of 1988 when Democratic candidate Lloyd Bentsen strongly rebuked Republican candidate Dan Quayle because he had the audacity of comparing his qualifications to those of John F. Kennedy.That was a pretty compelling moment. However, that's nothing compared to the ammunition they just handed the Republicans by enabling them to say, "I serve Jesus Christ. I know Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is a friend of mine. Senator, you are no Jesus Christ."
Jesus wasn't a "community organizer". He was and is the King of Kings. No man or woman who has or ever will live can compare.
They say a gaffe is when a politician accidentally tells the truth. As if Obama hasn't been sweating through his shirts over his choice for running mate after the momentum shift to the other side, Joe Biden uses a political speech in front of a crowd and TV cameras for a little personal therapy session. This may just send Obama into therapy:
I've never taken a political science class or anything, but I'm pretty sure it's not a good strategy to tell the world that your would-be boss, a man seeking a position in which everyday he'll have to make decisions which make this look like choosing a pizza topping, selected the wrong person when considering who could be "one heartbeat away" from the Oval Office.
During election season, you will almost always hear the arguments between members of both political parties accusing the other of significant flaws in their philosophy of government. I watched Senator Obama's speech at Invesco Field at the culmination of the Democratic National Convention. During his speech, he declared the Republicans have a "you're on your own" philosophy. His words: For over two decades -- for over two decades, he's subscribed to that old, discredited Republican philosophy: Give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. In Washington, they call this the "Ownership Society," but what it really means is that you're on your own. Out of work? Tough luck, you're on your own. No health care? The market will fix it. You're on your own. Born into poverty? Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, even if you don't have boots. You are on your own. Well, it's time for them to own their failure.
This got me to thinking. Is that really the way I think? Am I that heartless? Is Obama right?
As I began to really analyze my beliefs, and those of the leaders for whom I tend to vote, a light turned on in my head. I remembered these words from the Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
You'll notice that the founding fathers said that we are created equal, not equally. As Americans, we are afforded the right to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. But this also means that we have the right to fail and underachieve. It is not the responsibility of those who have achieved to carry those who have not. The fact is, there are churches and agencies all over our great country available to assist people in need. That is where this belongs, not in government. We are born with "certain unalienable rights". From that point on, we're the responsibility of our families or guardians until we're adults. Then...it's up to us.
Jesus shared a story of a man who was going on a journey. Before leaving, he left some money to his servants, "according to their ability". His point in doing so was essentially a test to see what they'd do with it. You'll notice in this story that none of the three men to whom he gave this money were given equal amounts. To one he gave five talents, another two talents, and to the other, one talent. When he returned to them, the men with the five and two talents, respectively, each doubled the amount they were given. The third man literally buried what was given to him, doing absolutely nothing with it. What he was originally given was then taken away and given to the man who now had ten.
Well that seems hardly fair, doesn't it? I mean, that guy already has ten. How can you take away from the guy who only had one? Shouldn't the guy with ten give up some of his to help the poor dude with only one?
Justice can be harsh.
Notice the reasoning given by the man who buried what was given to him. He blamed his master saying that he was harsh and cruel. He didn't take personal responsibility. He was given free money, but did nothing with it because he had a knot in his boxers over his boss.
And you thought class warfare was something new.
With all this being said, I come to this conclusion. These three men had developed their own resumes. They had their own personal histories and reputations based on their own abilities and work ethic. Not based on their parents, where they were born, where they went to school or anything else. They were each servants of the same master. The first two men were given different amounts. They each doubled what was given to them. Their master's response to them was identical. He was not more pleased with the man who now had ten than the one who now had four. He was pleased with their results and their integrity. And to them, he gave more.
When we're "on our own", what is in our hearts will be revealed. Had the third man doubled his money, though he would have had only two, he would have pleased his master equally. Heck, maybe he could have tripled it and changed the story completely!
But he did nothing with it.
I commend Barack Obama for coming as far as he has considering the famliy life and racial confusion he must have felt and endured while growing up. That's very impressive and inspiring. However, I still subscribe to the ideal that we are on our own to pursue those unalienable rights described by our country's founding fathers. I do not expect or want government to be my great equalizer. I do not have the same abilities as others. To whom much is given, much more is required. I have to look in the mirror when I consider my own personal predicaments.
There are many who are born with disabilities. For one reason or another, and to one degree or another, they are dependent upon others. Poverty, under privilege, lack of motivation or intelligence...these are not disabilities. These are obstacles, but not impassable.
God is my equalizer. In cooperation with Him, I can do "all things". That is, as long as I don't bury what HE has given me.
I have always enjoyed the English language. I mean, you know...I'm somewhat partial to it being American and all. Being a communicator, and appreciating good wordsmiths, I really like to pay attention to what people say, and most tellingly, how they say it. There is power in words. Our language can be complex. There are often times many ways to say the same thing. When working in radio, I was taught to always look at the positive way to say things. For example, when giving a weather forecast which called for rain, you might want to advise people to be prepared. There might be two ways to say it:
don't forget your umbrella remember your umbrella
Isn't it more positive and encouraging to remind someone to do something they'll be grateful for later than nagging them not to do something they might later regret?
I always found it interesting that two opposite sides of the abortion topic were both "pro". You have your "pro-life" group, and your "pro-choice" group. For those who are pro-choice, their main argument is that the government has no right to be in their womb. I think this is an interesting view of where the "choice" begins for such folks.
Famed feminist Gloria Steinem wrote a scathing article Thursday against Sarah Palin. Ms. Steinem just doesn't believe that Mrs. Palin is a worthy torchbearer for today's woman. She cites several issues which I believe are gender-neutral, but of course, the topic of abortion was raised. After reading it and considering her position, which I believe is ridiculous and hypocritical, I found it astonishing that Ms. Steinem doesn't believe in a woman's right to choose to disagree. In fact, I find that as rather ironic for the entire party which touts itself as being enlightened and preaches tolerance. Tolerance. Webster defines tolerance this way:
sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own
Ms. Steinem has dedicated herself to womens' rights, at least according to her standards. In actuality, she suppresses womens' rights. For Ms. Steinem, a woman's choice begins and ends with deciding whether or not she should give birth to a developing fetus. For me, the choice begins in the moments leading up to conception, not afterwards. For me, choice includes having the right to choose for yourself if you agree or disagree with the moral, emotional and legal ramifications abortion has on themselves, their family, the baby, and our country.
As you read this, you may totally or even partially agree with me. You may totally or partially disagree with me. You know what? I'm OK with that.
I am one who really enjoys being inspired. Most often, inspiration comes at times and in people you don't expect.
While I am a conservative, politically, I haven't been too interested in the upcoming presidential election. You've probably noticed that in the past couple weeks, my attention has been grabbed. I find this particular season of our country's political process very compelling. Conventions are very intriguing. You see men and women, who only months ago were bitter rivals competing for the highest position in the land, suddenly become staunch and passionate allies. You see the battle of rhetoric and sound byte-worthy quotes and responses. Party line talking points, etc.
A couple things have grabbed my heart this week, however. And before you brush it off as my partisanship, please read on.
First, in listening to different speeches at the RNC this week, I learned something about John McCain that I didn't know. Maybe everyone knew this and I'm slow or I just had my head buried in the sand until now. I learned that while McCain was a prisoner of war in Viet Nam, he was offered an early release due to his injuries sustained in his plane crash and torture. While I don't think anyone would have blamed him for accepting, he turned it down in favor of prisoners who had been held captive longer, and by virtue of that, deserved to be released ahead of him. I'm certain that Mr. McCain's thoughts were not of the political collateral this decision would hold later in life, you know...just in case he survived and decided to enter politics. But simply because it was the right thing to do. I don't agree with all of McCain's policies, but that speaks volumes to me about his character. I believe I can trust a person in the White House whose life holds such examples of putting others before his own best interest. This inspires me. I honestly don't know I would have had the courage and character to do what he did. I want someone in the White House who is a better person than I am.
The second example this week came in the form of a 7 year old girl and her 4 month old baby brother. While her mother was delivering the most important speech of her life, before the world...little Piper Palin was holding her little brother, Trig. While the media wants us to question the quality of parenting offered by Sarah and Todd, this spontaneous moment captured by the television camera proves to me that this is no ordinary family. At least no ordinary political family. Maybe it proves that they're really very ordinary in a real world sense. This was not a choreographed move by some media savvy political advisor. This was a raw moment which proved to me that no matter what is going on around them, this family is going to stick together and take care of one another. This is evidence, to me, that what-you-see-is-what-you get when it comes to the Palin family. How refreshing is this in today's political climate?
Today, find something to inspire you, and inspire someone with your life. Tomorrow...do it again!
After showing you the recent Us magazine covers featuring Barack Obama and Sarah Palin, here is an interesting follow-up on that topic. Below is an interview of the article's authormagazine's editor side-stepping and back peddaling. I hope this serves as a warning to all of us to be careful in swallowing what the media is feeding us. And I would say that if this were an attack against someone with whom I disagree:
Hey, I have no problem with the story about the Obamas, but c'mon...this is just stupid. They should have renamed the magazine for the cover with Sarah Palin to "Them".
