Blog Comeback

A couple weeks ago I posted something about maybe making a 'blog comeback.'  I used to do a lot of blogging in college, and then it sort of spiraled downwards the more I started working, and the discovery of my blog by my students.  I was not a big fan of them reading my so-called opinions at the time.

 

I am going to attempt to start writing about stuff I am learning at school and put it here if only for my own benefit in the long run.  A lot of blogs of my contemporaries are either re-hashings on what Justin Taylor and the Resurgence post on their blogs or running opinions on different events of the day (that may or may not seem stupid in the long run, of which I am greatly guilty of), so I am going to avoid those things if at all possible.  So look back in the next couple days if you are still there reading.

Another video

Important video by John Piper on voting.

The Baseball Pandering!

Obama cohorts with Rays fans AND Phillies fans! He's a terrorist!

Poltics

So the presidential election is coming up...have you thought about it lately?

I am particularly frustrated with this election because of the responses I have heard from fellow Christians. Here is a bulleted list of the things most Christians of one sway or another are passionate about:

• Role of Government
• Environment
• Abortion
• Gay Marriage
• Iraq War
• Americans Role in the War

Honestly you can interpret scripture to shape an argument for and against these issues. People have been doing that for ages.

The thing that has been so frustrating is that people have elevated their political beliefs above their faith; people that have the same hope in Christ question a person's salvation because of who they are voting for.

Last time I checked, the litmus test for a Christian was not based on who you voted for. So as November 4th draws near, remember that November 5th is coming and on that day God will still be sovereign, no matter who is elected as president. So let's vote with the confidence that we are very stupid humans who are at the liberty of our creator, and that in the end the decision on who is elected is not ours.

For further reading check out the Twelve Tribes of American Politics, it is pretty interesting. Although I think it is a little off base, because the Latinos could be lumped into the catholic section, and the black protestants could be put in with the moderate evangelicals.

Mission Racism: A Perfect Harmony

Great Sermon!

Laura and I both listen to sermons from our old church because it is very edifying. Here is a great one our pastor did recently on the issue of racism. It is a wonderful message that gets cogs that you don't normally turn.....to turn.

Right click ---> save as:
http://christcentralchurch.com/sermons/KingdomOfGod/20080831-mono-32kbps.mp3

On of my passions for ministry is racial reconciliation. I was convicted greatly while I was in college and when I was teaching as to how awful I was in regards to this area growing up. I am not saying that my parents were racists or anything of that nature, because they are not at all. But what I was convicted of was things like driving down the street and seeing a black guy on the corner and having the urge to lock my door. Why did I think like that? I am sure I laughed at jokes that played on racial stereotypes and thought nothing of it while I was one of these supposed "good christian kids."

My pet peeve while living in SC was hearing this prefacing statement....I don't mean to be racist, but...... What the heck does that mean? That's like smacking my wife in the face and saying but I didn't mean to smack you.

John Piper has had considerable influence on my thinking about this. He grew up in Greenville, SC (close by my home town) and he discusses what the implications from his childhood mean to him today. Here are two articles for your reading pleasure:

Racial Harmony and Interracial Marriage
Race and Cross

It is amazing to think that people still have issues with interracial marriage. When I was teaching high school so many kids I talked to thought that 'was just not right.' All these kids went to church and could tell me Bible verses. I won't forget a time I was at a tennis match and the students said some disparaging comments about a family there that had adopted an African American baby. I could go on with stories, but I won't.

I think I will end my random collection of thoughts and hit post now. Feel free to comment or email me for further discussion on this issue.