Tuesday, August 26, 2008

The Next President...

Today I read an article by Christianity Today with the author of "Blue Like Jazz". This article really made me think about who I am going to vote for in the upcoming election. If you don't know Donald Miller who wrote "Blue Like Jazz" is giving the benediction at the Democratic National Convention. As you can imagine some evangelicals don't agree with his decision. In the article he even says that he is voting democrat. I can understand why evangelicals are in an uproar about this since the Democratic Party is pro-choice and condone gay marriage. However, as I read this article I asked myself some questions. Why do I want to vote Republican?

Donald Miller stated "I really felt like the Republican Party was taking advantage of the evangelical community by throwing us abortion and gay marriage, really not giving the heart of Christ more thought. I felt like it was the party of the extremely wealthy and they needed this conservative base in order to get a majority and so they pandered to us. I felt used by the Republican Party in that sense. I started looking at the Democratic Party and looking at social issues that are affecting the world, seeing the presidency and Congress from a global perspectives. Even though many Democrats don’t identify themselves as evangelicals, many of the precepts of the party, charitable foundation of the party did reflect what evangelicals are about, the sanctity of human life, the importance of really not leaving people behind. I don’t think either party is the answer to the world’s problems. I lean toward solutions the Democrats seem to favor."

This quote made me realize that Jesus is not Democrat or Republican. Jesus was about helping those who were in need. Jesus cares about those unborn babies, and Jesus cares about the sanctity of marriage, but Jesus cares about those in need.

In an interview with Rick Warren Obama said that he is pro-life but feels like the choice should be left up to woman. He said that we don't need to just be for or against abortion but focus on lowering the number of unwanted pregnancies. In regards to gay marriage he said the he believes that marriage is between a man and woman but that we can afford to give homosexuals the right to a civil union.

McCain also interviewed with Rick Warren and even though he is more cut and dry with his views about abortion and gay marriage, when you look at his stance on anything else he isn't as clear.

I haven't decided who I am going to vote for yet, but I know I am going to pray about it. I also know that our country needs to start caring about the least of these.


Check out these articles:

Donald Miller

Obama, McCain and Rick Warren

Saturday, August 23, 2008

UPDATE!!!

Paul talked to one of the Human Resources guys at Freescale and he is going in for an interview on Tuesday! Please say lots of prayers for him!

He also has been accepted in to the Teacher Certification program at LeTourneau! He is looking at getting his certification to teach high school math. Please keep him in your prayers as he really wants to do what God desires.

Please pray that God will give us a clear direction and that He will close any doors that He doesn't want us to walk through!

And please keep praying for a job for me!

Thanks!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

A Real, True, Redeeming Love

Over the past several years some people that I love have read "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers (this is the book based on the story of Hosea...from the Bible). I bought the book a couple of months ago and Paul read it but I haven't had time yet. So Tuesday when I was frantically cleaning through tears I saw the book laying on Paul's nightstand and I moved it to my nightstand so that I can at least have it available to read. I also have a Bible on my nightstand so I sat down and began reading Hosea.

To be honest I wanted to see the words I love you, and I am going to continue pursuing you right on the page. Instead I got a story. A story about how woman who was a harlot was pursued by a husband who wouldn't give up on her. Then I read about Isreal, whom God calls a harlot because they are selling themselves to things that don't glorify Him. As a read the words I realized that I often am a harlot. I follow after things that don't glorify God, but He still pursues me, just as Hosea pursued his wife Gomer. It was such a blessing to know that God still desires me when I am in the midst a crazy life and I am not having faith in Him.

I love that God shows us so often His love and mercy right at the time that we really need it. I read on Matt Chandler's blog last night...he said that he is so grateful that scripture isn't fair because fair would mean that he would get the punishment he deserves for his sin. It really made me think about fairness, and I have to say that I am also grateful that I get to experience a redeeming love that allows me to live instead of pay the penalty for my sin which is death. Is God great!