Hypocrisy on Facebook

It never occurred to me that I might one day find myself praying to God about Facebook.  But that day has come.  Actually it arrived last year some time, in the midst of the political campaigns for the presidency of the U.S.A.  I’ve long been a registered Republican, and had strongly disapproved of Barack Obama when he was elected the first time.  (In fact, I wrote several blogs here about him back then.)  As he was running for re-election, I didn’t see a suitable opponent.  I had initially thought Hillary Clinton would take his place, but then it became clear that the only real choice would be between Obama and Mitt Romney.

 

Of course there was no shortage of positive or negative rhetoric about either of the candidates running for President.  But I found myself with reservations about Mitt Romney.  No, it wasn’t his Mormon faith.  I actually have a lot of respect for many of the ideals and values espoused (and held to) by the Mormons.  Rather it was a sense that Mitt Romney might not be as sincere in his caring for all of the people.  Much as I hate to admit it, some of his remarks about people who are poor, handicapped, or even unemployed seemed strangely reminiscent of now-deceased billionaire Leona Helmsley who was quoted as having once said that, “Only the little people pay taxes.”

 

So I turned to Facebook to try and find worthwhile understanding other than my own.  From time to time, I would pose a question, usually about Mitt Romney.  Several times I tried to start a dialogue about the issues.  Does Mitt Romney really have a plan to bring our country’s deficit spending under control?  Do we really believe that reducing tax rates will result in increased tax revenue with which to pay for our government’s spending?  But time and time again, questions like this on Facebook would result in the exact same outcome.  The Obama-bashers would in outrage ask some stupid question like, “Would you like four more years of Obama destroying our country?”  Never once did they answer my question, mind you.  They would just try to “disarm” me with a condemning question --- resting on the assumption that I was an Obama supporter (which I am not).

 

It’s of course no secret that I’m a born-again Christian.  I spend my life with great concentration on the teachings of Jesus Christ.  I work hard to reconcile my sinful nature and selfish desires to the godly standards of the Old and New Testament.  And as you might imagine, a great percentage of my friends and even my acquaintances are also Christians.  At least that’s what they would have you believe.  Frankly, the bullying and hateful disrespect that some of them displayed (on Facebook) had me wondering if they could really be following the same Christ that I do. 

 

At times I would try to point out the hypocrisy that seemed apparent to me.  I would try to re-engage them back on the original topic at hand.  After all, I really did want to discuss the issues.  But I had no interest in demonizing either candidate.  Ultimately, I failed in those endeavors.  My so-called Christian “friends” prevailed in their desire to hold on to their hatred and disrespect, demonizing Obama and trying to bully me for not joining them.  Eventually, I began to “unfriend” them on Facebook.  That didn’t stop some of them, so I had to go back and actually block them from even seeing my wall or communicating with me.  This was quite sad for me.  I’ve known some of them for nearly 20 years.  I also had thought of them as godly men.  (I don’t any more.)

 

There is plenty of Scripture in the Bible that tells Christians how we are to regard our government and its leaders.  Romans 13:1-7 says that, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. …. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the (governmental) authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

 

Did you catch that last part?  If you owe respect … then give respect.  If you owe honor … then give honor.  They are no less important than paying the taxes that you owe.  This passage makes it abundantly clear that we are to obey the government God places over us. We are to obey the government in everything—paying taxes, obeying rules and laws, and showing respect. If we do not, we are ultimately showing disrespect towards God, for He is the One who placed that government over us.

 

When the apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Romans, he was under the authority of the Roman government during the reign of Nero, who is notorious for – among other things – being quite possibly the most evil of all the Roman emperors. Nevertheless Paul still recognized the Roman government’s rule over him. Do we dare do any less today? 

 

Recently I had to “unfriend” an old classmate from high school.  I had reconnected with her not long ago, and thought it would be fun to catch up.  That didn’t turn out to be the case.  While professing to be a Christ follower, and quoting Scripture regularly, she also refers to our (now re-elected) President Obama as “the antichrist” (sic).  When I tried to point out the error of her thinking, she reacted the same way those other Facebook friends had reacted last fall.  I got a severe tongue lashing for refusing to join or support her demonizing of Obama.  I cautiously tried to discuss the issue with her, but was quickly attacked by her adult children as well.  Finally I retreated, apologized for offending her, encouraged her to review her position with her pastor, and, of course, “unfriended” and blocked her. 

 

Sadly, my self-proclaimed Christian Facebook friends don’t appear to be familiar with the context of what Paul said to the Romans.  Even if Obama were the “antichrist,” the command for Christians would not change.  Obama may have been elected by the American people, but he got his position and his authority from God.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to him not only because of the law, but also, as Romans 13 tells us, because of conscience.  You see, we honor God when we give respect to those in authority over us – whether that is at work, at church, in government or anywhere else. 

 

One of the things we mistakenly conclude is that if we don’t agree with someone then we don’t have to submit to them.  We may think that they “don’t deserve” our respect (as if anyone could).  I’ve heard people say that the politician whom they think is vile “hasn’t earned” our respect.  But who has earned our respect?  After all, each of us is so terribly flawed and bent toward sin and evil that we required the salvation of a Messiah.  It’s good to remember that when looking at those in authority over us (and others) whom we don’t agree with. 

You see, I don’t have to agree with you, support your policies, or even like you in order to submit to you, show respect for you, obey you, and even love you.  Love is patient and kind, it always forgives, it never gives up, it is never harsh, and all those other things that 1 Corinthians 13 teaches us. 

So, here’s the question:  Have you loved your politician (insert name here) today?  I started out saying that I never imagined I'd be praying to God about Facebook.  But as I've encountered this conflict and nasty business on Facebook, I've found myself bewildered by so-called Christians who were behaving so heinously that I didn't know how to react.  So I've found myself praying, asking God to show me how to respond to someone.  Fortunately, He's been willing to guide me.  In some cases, I've been able to re-focus the conversation in a more righteous direction.  In other cases, I've been led to "shake the dust off my feet" and move on. 

I have to say that in those cases, it gives me no pleasure to "unfriend" someone on Facebook.  For I realize that they are lost in their hypocrisy and have a reckoning day coming that will surely be ugly.  Because I love them, I don't want to see that in their future.  I wonder if anyone ever sees my hypocrisy so clearly.  And I wonder if they do, would they love me enough to try to call me out on it.

Obama A Muslim?

According to a Washington Post survey, about 20% of all Americans think that President Obama is a Muslim. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/18/AR2010081806913.html) It's interesting to note that the Washington Post makes it clear up front that these Americans wrongly believe Obama is a Muslim. I guess that makes it clear that the writers at the Washington Post are clearly not in that 20 percent!

I have to admit that I'm not in that category of Americans that believe Obama is a Muslim. But then I never really thought he was a Christian either. Oh I know, he identified himself as a Christian, and had attended a supposedly Christian church for years before even running for President. But when I saw the kind of pastor he'd listened to for years, it became clear that at best he'd had a misguided teacher of what Christianity is. He'd been misled about what it means to follow Christ. So I never thought Obama was a Christian.

Now here's the thing. Those Americans that think Obama is a Muslim? What do they think they are? My guess is they'd be wrongly believing that too. Hypocrites aren't new to the modern generation. They existed in Biblical times. Through the ages there have always been lots of people who believed they were something they were not. Usually they thought of themselves as more righteous, more holy, more right ... than they actually were. And they still exist today. Scores of them.

Years ago I heard a preacher ask his audience if they were put on trial for being a Christian --- would there be enough evidence to convict them. Honestly I thought of all the people I knew who claimed to be Christians, and measured myself against them. I concluded that maybe there wouldn't be enough evidence to convict me. I was guilty as charged. Though I claimed to be a Christian. Probably at least 20% of Americans would look at me and conclude that I was a Christian. Nevertheless, would there be enough evidence to convict me? I doubted it. (Hopefully my record today is better!)

So what if 20% of Americans think Obama is a Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jew or whatever? Would there be enough evidence to convict him of any of those things? Frankly I doubt it. Most Americans might be surprised to find themselves in the same spot too. Let's face it, people, most of us just don't live devout lives devoted to serving the one true God or any other god. I doubt seriously that Obama's record is really any better than yours or mine.

Perhaps if just 20% of Americans believed they were close enough to God for their prayers to be answered - and devoted themselves to praying for our President - then Obama would look very different to most of us. Mmmmm?

Obama's Church

How Obama picks a church and which one he picks.

White House staff prefers a church that serves the needy and is close by. Secret Service prefers a church that can easily offer the security accommodations the President requires.

The White House is busy vetting. Churches are busy lobbying. Invitations are coming into the White House, each extolling their virtues. Ultimately, the Obamas will decide, but the White House has been flooded with invitations from churches and from individuals trying to influence their choice of churches.

Each church seems to believe that if the Obamas pick them, their church will be "blessed."

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G

Okay, I wrote the above words on April 6th of this year. Then I just saved the blog and never published it. I thought I would wait and see what church the Obamas picked. Sadly, they haven't made a public pick of a home church ... yet.

G

Does this mean that Barack and Michelle Obama are now part of America's famous "unchurched?" I suspect it does. Perhaps their allegiance is still to their "home church" in Chicago --- which ripped and shredded America, crying racism all the way. We'd like to think it's not.

G

But come on ... wouldn't it be smart of the Obamas to take a stand with some church that is credible? After all, they claim to be praying people. To whom do they pray?

G

I am not against President Obama. But I cannot find words strong enough to describe the yearning in my heart for a godly leader in my country. I guess I will continue to pray that God draw my President close to Himself. I shall pray that the Holy Spirit convict him (and his wife) to make a public commitment to a Christian community. I will hope, beyond all hope, that our President will submit himself to a spiritual leader who is truly a man of God.

G

The Old Testament book of 1 Kings, in chapter 16, speaks of an Israeli king named Omri. He is clearly described as a capable and effective leader. In fact, he sounds downright charismatic. I imagine that he offered the people hope that they could believe in. Unfortunately, 1 Kings 16 goes on to tell us that he sinned greatly. Moreover, he convinced his people to follow him and do things his way, thus leading them into sin. God was greatly angered and punished the entire nation.

G

I marvel at the fact that we serve this same God today. I wonder if the lessons of history are being repeated in our nation today. It seems that Americans have always been quick to understand what a blessed nation we are, under God. But we continue to be slow to respond to the responsibilities of being God's chosen nation.

G

Like I said, I yearn for a President that will lead us in righteousness, in ways that honor this living God. I hope you'll yearn and pray for that too!

Failed Government?

Rush Limbaugh has been in the news this week, after making a speech where he said he hoped President Obama would fail. Of course, most people who heard his remarks found them offensive ... until we listened to the context he made them in. Then they seemed more sensible. But in general, I find Rush Limbaugh offensive and annoying. He rants and raves about things of which he seems to be largely ignorant. He strikes me as a man who leans mostly on his own understanding of things (which the Bible tells us is dangerous).

I think the issue I have with someone wishing failure on President Obama is the close irony that such thinking has with history. Remember the old adage about not remembering lessons from history --- and so being doomed to repeat them. Such appears to be the case with the United States of America and its precious democracy, filled with capitalism, freedom of speech and so forth. You see, some time ago, as I was figuring life out myself, I observed democracy in our country and how it dealt with the issues. I came to a thoughtful conclusion that man is too stupid to rule himself. That insight was given to me more than twenty years ago - and the evidence has consistently supported it. As it turns out, I was not the first person to arrive at such a radical conclusion.

About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new Constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier: "A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government." He continued, "A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury." And he concluded, "From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loos fiscal policy, which is always followed by dictatorship."

Tyler said that the average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. In other words, most of history's great civilizations had a lifespan of about 200 years each. After that they would fail. Tyler explained that during those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:

1. From bondage to spiritual faith;


2. From spiritual faith to great courage;


3. From courage to liberty;


4. From liberty to abundance;


5. From abundance to complacency;


6. From complacency to apathy;


7. From apathy to dependence;


8. From dependence back into bondage;

Professor Joseph Olson of the Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota has opined that the United States appears to be following a similar trajectory. He explains that we are now somewhere between the complacency and apathy phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy. But he adds that more than 40% of the U.S. population has already reached the "governmental dependency" phase. More are piling into that category every day too.

With everything from auto manufacturing to banking to pornography, to state governments, school systems, airlines, pension funds and other entities turning to the government for a bailout - they are sure to become beholding to that government which bails them out. Aside from the question or whether or not this government has the capacity to bail us out of the mess we're in, one has to consider what we are becoming dependent on ... and what kind of bondage could result from such dependency.

It would seem to me that Rush Limbaugh could get his wish. Indeed President Obama could fail. Moreover, the U.S. government seems perilously close to fiscal failure because we are dependent on foreign countries to fund us right now. Our government's treasury is provided by countries that don't share our values and in the past have been hostile to us. Our country's energy is provided by countries that don't share our values and in the past have been hostile to us. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to imagine what our bondage could look like.

Obama Support

I just returned from a trip to East Africa (Uganda). While there I had an opportunity to meet with several (more than 14) Kenyans at a leadership conference where I was teaching. Oddly enough, they wanted to talk about the new American president, Barack Obama. It seems that they claim him as "a child of Kenya" because that's where his father was from. (Never mind the fact that he's never lived there.)

I had encountered enthusiastic support for Obama in Africa when I was teaching in a Ugandan prison last September. Even the prisoners knew about his presidential candidacy in America and were rooting for him. It was much the same now that he's been elected. No matter whom I talked to in Africa, there seemed to be unbridled support for Obama. One of the Americans I had traveled with somehow let it slip that he hadn't voted for Obama. The Kenyans and Ugandans reacted with shock. They hadn't imagined that anyone had voted for anyone else!

My colleague explained to them that he liked Obama in general, but had to take exception to some of Obama's social policies. Again, they couldn't imagine what about Obama anyone could take exception to. So my colleague explained to them how Obama's social policies tend to allow gay marriage. (Mind you that homosexuality is illegal in Uganda, punishable by long prison sentences!) "Oh, we didn't know that!"

My colleague continued by explaining Obama's social position on abortion. He explained that Obama is pro abortion, and that one of his first acts as president was to repeal a presidential prohibition on using U.S. government aid money to pay for abortions in other countries. "Oh, we certainly didn't know that!" Our Kenyan and Ugandan friends were in a stupor. Their whole perception of Barack Obama as "knight in white armor" had just crashed around them in a few short minutes.

It is interesting - this support for Obama from the rest of the world. What is most interesting is that the world will draw conclusions about a man that it knows virtually nothing about. We've always known about the concept of "guilt by association," but it seems we have vastly under-estimated the concept of "qualified by association." In other words, it seems that mankind will assume someone is highly qualified for a job if he or she seems to be like us!

Shameful Bonuses

Well, he's only been in office a short time, but already President Obama seems to be taking action. While he's trying to implement changes and be the renaissance man everyone voted for, few would deny that he's facing formidable challenges.

But perhaps one of the more surprising challenges that he's faced is the lack of morality and decency among this country's top government and business leaders. While it would be unfair to say that America's government and business leaders all lack integrity, there are certainly no shortage of examples that would suggest that indeed is the case.

The most notorious examples are not found in the finger-pointing blame-game going on in Washington last year, trying to figure out who broke our economy. No, the most notorious are grave-robbers who are preying on the government as it tries to bail out our broken economy.

The most outrageous (and infuriating) examples have been massive bonuses paid out to executives of banks and other financial services companies that received taxpayer funds to help stabilize them financially. Basically these firms had to beg our government to save them from self-destruction ... so they could turn around and pay themselves enormous bonuses. Perhaps the only people who would argue in favor of such lunacy would be the recipients of those bonuses and their families (who benefit from them).

So what is Obama doing about it? Well, there is actually precious little he can do. Government has a difficult time imposing its sense of morality upon corporate America. So while his Illinois governor was just thrown out of office for corruption, President Obama embarks on a bold call to exhort American business leaders to his sense of morality.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/29/AR2009012903727.html?hpid=topnews

In this story, we see Obama doing two things that most presidents haven't done before. First, he had someone reach out to Citicorp (bank) and question their intended purchase of a $50 million jet. Citi is on shaky ground financially - and on the receiving end of government bailout money. It seems Obama thought they should reconsider the jet purchase. (And they did --- backing out of the deal to get it altogether!)

Next, he lashed out publicly at Wall Street investment bankers who paid themselves one of the highest levels of annual bonuses on record - for one of the worst performances their firms ever have turned in. President Obama called these bonuses "shameful" and said that there is a time and place for such things ... but now is not the time.

So what do you think? Do you suppose the American people approve of Mr. Obama's tactics to reform the morality of corporate America? What effect does the fact that he hires people who may have shaky personal records of fiscal morality themselves have on his public tongue-lashings? It appears that the real bottom line is whether or not Obama can actually persuade greedy, selfish Americans to change their behavior and stop screwing each other for a buck.

So far into his presidency, I'm convinced there is a great deal that Mr. Obama can do to make himself the most remarkable president our country has ever had. I'm not talking about change we can believe in either. Instead, I'm watching for change that can make a difference! Let us pray that President Obama continues to be bold in calling America to higher morality. And let us pray that America listens to him.

Sexual Boundaries

There is a lot of sex in our culture. It appears that sex sells. It is political. It can be woven into the fabric of just about any topic. I sometimes wonder if God intended sex to be so versatile. Even more, I wonder how the human race can be so naive about sexuality. To be sure, God intended us to be sexual. But what exactly does that mean?

We seem to have an ongoing argument in my country about what I call the “normalization” of a lifestyle that we describe as gay or lesbian. Specifically, people pursue same-sex relationships --- and expect everyone else to approve of them. Okay, maybe that’s a little strong. Perhaps some of them would settle for better tolerance.

California has been in the news for the past year or two as it struggles with the issue of same-sex marriages. Other states are wrestling with the issue as well. Now that Barack Obama has invited Rick Warren to give the invocation prayer at his inauguration, the gays and lesbians (and their supporters) are up in arms. They call it a travesty that their beloved (nearly divine) Obama would cozy up to a man who states in no uncertain terms that same-sex activity is wrong.

Don’t get me wrong; I love gays and lesbians. I truly do. I’ve been very close with some of them. However, I am not ignorant as to the facts. People of God, who call themselves Christians because they believe Jesus is the Messiah and submit to His ways of living, must know the difference.

The Bible is replete with clear terms that would be hard to mistake about what God says. Let’s look at the 18th chapter of Leviticus, for an early example of the clear boundaries God intended to draw on our sexuality. In my Bible, it falls under a section called “Unlawful Sexual Relations.”

In Leviticus 18, God told Moses to instruct God’s people regarding their sexuality as follows:

· No sexual relations with any close relative.
· No sexual relations with parents or step-parents. (Lev. 18:8)
· No sexual relations with siblings or step-siblings. (Lev. 18.9, 11)
· No sexual relations with grandchildren or grandparents. (Lev. 18.10)
· No sexual relations with aunts or uncles. (Lev. 18:12, 13, 14)
· No sexual relations with in-laws. (Lev. 18:15, 16)
· No sexual relations with step-children. (Lev. 18:17)
· No sexual relations during a woman’s period. (Lev. 18:19)
· No sexual relations with another man’s wife. (Lev. 18:20)
· No sexual relations with someone of the same sex. (Lev. 18:22)
· No sexual relations with an animal. (Lev. 18:23)

Now God used some pretty strong language for these things. He called them perversions, detestable, wickedness, dishonorable and defiling. It is interesting that our society will readily agree that most of these expressions of our sexuality are wrong. But they will argue --- in the face of God Himself --- that sex with someone of the same sex is not. How does one sustain such an argument … with the God of the universe?

Let us not be deceived here. God didn’t differentiate these things. He said they are all detestable --- and they are all prohibited. He concluded by saying that if anyone engages in any of these behaviors, God’s people (e.g. Christians) should have nothing to do with them. (Lev. 18:29). So if you try to justify the behaviors and force me or anyone else to accept them as normal --- I am to have nothing further to do with you.

I guess I wouldn’t be any more acceptable to the gay and lesbian agenda to offer prayer at the Obama inauguration than Rick Warren is. It’s because I agree with Pastor Warren.

No matter how any of us feels about our sexuality, God drew some clear boundaries. The only question is whether or not we will prove that we are His people by respecting those boundaries.

"Buy A Car"

I've been thinking a lot about the auto industry lately. Quite possibly you have too. One can hardly open a newspaper or read on-line news in America without seeing the story of the potential federal government bailout of the American auto makers. It's a big story. They're big companies. And they're asking Congress for a lot of money.

Part of the story you hear and read is that the auto makers got themselves into this mess. Some think it was the auto workers unions that did them in. Others think it was the U.S. government that was too lax in welcoming foreign auto makers to our market - creating unfair competition for the domestic auto makers. To be honest, I'm not sure I know the truth of the matter. It's evident that the U.S. auto makers (i.e., those headquartered in the U.S.) are in trouble. How they got there I'm not really sure.

As I think about where they're at though, I try to think about what I do know. There are some positives that I see in this mess, which I hope don't get overlooked. Let's take a look:

These companies are building good vehicles. GM, for example, has more cars that get over 30 MPG than any other car maker in the world. So despite the fact that they've sold a lot of big, gas-hungry SUV's, GM has a broad line of fuel-efficient, sensible cars to sell. So do Ford and Chrysler. (The problem has been that this is what's been selling these past few years.) So building more sensible fuel-efficient vehicles shouldn't be a problem. The car makers are ready and able.

Years ago, it was common understanding that if you wanted a well-built car, with precision engineering, you had to buy a foreign car. Mercedes and BMW, maybe even Volvo, got the top of the line and became the premium brands. Toyota, Nissan and Honda seemed to be the every-day brands (though they later competed in the premium brands with Lexus, Infiniti and Acura). I've had experience with both domestic and foreign cars. It is my strong belief that the differences in quality have disappeared over the years. Today I would submit that there is little difference in the quality of a foreign car over an American car. (I'll put my Chevy up against your Toyota or Honda any time!) This has been validated by independent experts as well. So building well-made, finely engineered cars that last shouldn't be a problem. The car makers are already doing that.

Finally, we have an incoming President that seems to have a relationship with the media and the American public beyond belief. It's fair to say that this President will start with approval ratings well above those early ratings of his predecessors. Some have even joked that there's not been anyone people believed in so much or had so much hope in since Jesus Christ Himself. I am pretty certain that Barack Obama is not the resurrected Messiah. But I do agree that he wields incredible influence over the vast majority of the American people right now. It is influence he could leverage right now --- to save the American auto industry.

Picture Barack Obama, maybe even with his wife, Michelle, with a public service announcement asking the American public to buy a new car from an American-based manufacturer. He wouldn't have to endorse any particular brand. "Hi, I'm Barack Obama, and I'm your new President. You know, our government has recently taken the unprecedented step of investing billions of dollars to re-tool our American-based auto manufacturers. Why did we do that? Because they are important to the fabric of our society. They are relevant to our economy. Perhaps more importantly, for you and for me --- they build great cars. And if you're in a position to do so right now, I'd like you to go out and buy a new car from one of these great American car companies. It'll help them. It'll help our national economy. It'll help me as your new President. It will ensure that your government gets a fair payback on our investment. And most importantly, you'll have the pride of owning one of the finest vehicles ever made in America. I'm your President, Barack Obama. I'll see you at the car lot!"

Can you just imagine? How many people do you suppose would be lined up at the Chevy, Ford and Dodge dealers the next morning? I figure we'd run the commercial a few times. The auto companies could play for it. They could have videos of it in their showrooms. We'd go back to Mom, apple pie and Chevrolet. Perhaps Michelle Obama could get a new mini-van to take her kids to school. We'd make sure the President is seen riding around in American limousines and his honchos are seen tooling around in American SUV's and sedans. It would be the biggest "buy American" campaign ever. Most importantly ... I'm pretty sure it would work!

So come on, Mr. Obama. Can you get America to buy a new car?

Praying for Obama

I blogged earlier this week about my fantasy of a presidential appointment to be the "Secretary of Discipleship." It's a pretty sure bet that this plan of mine won't be happening. But I will not be deterred. You see, I have a plan.

I'm going to pray. I hope you'll join me. Let's pray often and with passion for our new President. Why? Well, for starters, it's part of God's will for me (and you). "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all the men; for kings and for all that are in authority ... (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Perhaps more selfishly though, it is something that I can do - which I know will have purpose, meaning and impact. (And that's pretty rewarding!)

How should we pray for Barack Obama as our new President?

• Let's pray for his protection, health and physical safety, and ask for the same for his family.


• Let's pray for him in his roles as a father and husband - that he not be delinquent as a father or husband while he's busy being President.


• Let's pray that he would have a hunger for God and the things of God.


• Let's pray that he would seek God and seek (and find) godly counsel.


• Let's pray that he will have discernment in forming his cabinet and staff, and in all other important decisions he is called upon to make.


• Let's pray that God will give him wisdom in leading this nation and addressing the key problems and issues the way God would want them addressed.


• Let's pray that during the months ahead, and during his presidency, the United States will become a nation turning to God in repentance and obedient faith.

So will you join me in this prayer effort? If so, we can all be playing the role of "Ministers of Prayer."

Perplexing Times

It is one of those weeks, when I drive through town, walk through airports, read my newspaper on airplanes, listen to news talk radio --- and remain in a chronic state of perplexion. What can I say? I am perplexed about what I see and hear.

Has the world gone crazy? Or is it just me - not getting it? The stories I see and the things I hear are troubling to say the least. I usually end up with questions that seem to have no answers. You see, there is much about today's world that I don't understand.

Yesterday, for example, I was reading about abortion. It's been a problem in America for many years now (since Roe vs. Wade made it legal). I know about the different views of the pro-life and pro-choice lobbyists, etc. What I did not know (until yesterday) is that nearly 50% of all African-American pregnancies in America are terminated through abortion! I did not know that African-American woman are five times as likely to abort their babies as white women. Talk about racial inequality! What's up with this statistic? Could someone in the black community, with its proud heritage, help me understand this?

Then there is the gay issue. I opened my newspaper last week (October 11th) and was greeted to a full color insert celebrating something called "National Coming Out Day." It's apparently a national holiday to recognize gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered individuals. What is it that we're supposed to recognize them for. As a born-again, Bible thumping Christian, I don't agree with them. I believe they are deceived and misguided. But I respect their right to be wrong. Hate crimes against them are surely wrong, and their civil rights should be the same as anyone else. But celebrate them? I don't get that? I was saddened to see Citibank had a full-page advertisement on the back of this insert too. Apparently they see themselves as a gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered employer. (I wonder if they ask about that on their employment applications!)

Later in the week, I was reading where the U.S. military branches are now spending about $360 million per year to replace about 12,000 men and women who violate their "don't ask, don't tell" policy and "come out." So let me grasp this. We're at war, two wars. I guess I hadn't thought much about it when it's been talked about in the past. A don't ask, don't tell policy seemed to hack off the GLBT crowd, but I assumed they were a minority and it was a mostly political issue. It turns out it's a financial issue. Fiscal impact is being felt by all Americans. It might even be a national security issue.

For some reason, our military believes that fighter pilots, doctors, soldiers, mechanics and other military jobs cannot be performed effectively by people who are not straight heterosexual. So they spend $360 million a year getting rid of them. (Of course, this says nothing of the money they spent to recruit and train them in the first place.) The real irony is that once thrown out of the military, these same individuals will practice their professions quite adequately. Go figure.

So my final perplexity this week (so far) is the presidential election. I listen to talk radio on the AM dial. One of the shows I was listening to today was taking calls from listeners. This guy named Preston calls in and starts to explain why Barack Obama needs to be our next president. In a nutshell, Preston thought it was only right, since we've had 43 white presidents. The talk show host ask him repeatedly what it is that he wants Barack Obama to accomplish as president. The only answer Preston ever offered was to just be president. Apparently, at least for some African-Americans, it does not matter how good or effective our next president is --- as long as he's black.

Preston went on to explain that any whites that don't vote for Obama are racist and just participate in the hundreds of years of oppression the blacks have suffered in America. I wanted to call in right then and ask him if he's ever been to Africa. He might get a better sense of what oppression looks like. I think I've blogged before about the blacks in America versus the blacks in Africa. Simply put, I know of know country where Africans are native where the standard of living or the freedoms come anywhere close to that enjoyed by most African-Americans in the U.S. (So enough of this black oppression crap!)

Like I said, it's been a perplexing week. And I haven't even talked about the nationalization of the western world's banking systems!

True Colors: Jesse Jackson

He's been a champion of black Americans for decades. He shows up in the news all the time. He once ran for president himself. Jesse Jackson would seem to be the icon of black Americans everywhere. He purports to call the rest of America to a world of equality with blacks (and other minorities). Mr. Jackson has often tried to play the role of Martin Luther King, Jr. - who stood on a Christian platform and called a racially divided country to reconciliation.

So why hasn't it worked? Why do so many non-black Americans view Mr. Jackson as a divisive bigot, a pain in the butt? If you want to understand why nobody takes him seriously, why he never actually accomplishes anything, why his legacy will die when he stops making news, and why we will never name streets in every city in America after him - one need look no further than how Jesse Jackson behaves when he thinks no one is looking.

We got an opportunity for such a view this week. Jesse Jackson was on a Fox News talk show, and made some remarks that he thought were "off the record," and wouldn't be picked up by a microphone. Sadly, he was wrong. He was sitting in front of a hot microphone and his remarks have now been heard around the world. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7498995.stm)

Speaking about Barack Obama's political platform and the positions he takes, Jesse Jackson took exception. The subject was the fact that Barack Obama calls blacks to a higher level of accountability. He exhorts blacks to step up and be the men they are created and called to be. Jesse Jackson said he thinks Obama "talks down to blacks."

What do you suppose that means? How does one half black man "talk down to blacks." The fact is, Barack Obama is saying many of the same things to blacks in America that comedian Bill Cosby has said. Would Mr. Jackson think that Cosby also "talks down to blacks." Apparently so. Read on.

Expressing his frustration with Obama's penchant for "talking down to blacks," Jesse Jackson said he "would like to cut his (Obama's) nuts off." Let's examine what that means. It's a verbally expressed desire to castrate Obama. Jackson's statement indicates he would like to violently and maliciously wound Obama by removing his testicles, rendering him a eunuch. Nice.

So here's the deal. Jesse Jackson would have you believe he is a Christian preacher. He's educated. He's ordained. He wears the hat of a "man of the cloth." He's always billed himself as "the Reverend Jesse Jackson." But the truth of the matter is that there is very little about this man that's reverent. Indeed, he is quite irreverent.

Another point to note is that Jesse Jackson does not speak like a man who is submitted and surrendered to God. He does not model Christ-like virtues. Just imagine Jesus saying something like, "I'd like to cut his nuts off!" Preposterous. Absolute heresy. Mr. Jackson, God's Word tells us that leaders will be held more accountable than anyone else. What are you teaching your followers? Would you have us believe you are being led by the Holy Spirit?

To his credit, Barack Obama has publicly accepted Jesse Jackson's apology. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080710/ap_on_el_pr/obama_jackson;_ylt=Ahp3GOj.ywaQnrCC7EqS.eys0NUE
I don't suppose he had much choice though. There isn't really anything one could say in the face of such adversity that would be dignified. Perhaps Mr. Obama would have been justified in talking down to this particular black man. What could he have said? How about, "Sit down and be quiet!"

Jesse Jackson, the real problem with blacks in America is that fools like you purport to speak for all of them. And when you do - they all look bad. Shame on you. Sit down, be quiet and let America be reconciled unto itself.

Who Leaders Follow

King David, of Old Testament fame, is often referred to as an example of a good leader. People (including me) like to think of that fact that God called him a man after God's own heart. This is especially comforting when one thinks of some of the outrageous mistakes (sins) that King David committed during his lifetime. Still, he's the poster boy for good leadership. Why is that?

What is it about King David that made him a good leader, despite the mistakes (sins) he is also known for? Do those things just not really matter? We think of some of the leaders of our day and we can see some close parallels. They are known for their mistakes - often more than they are known for their virtues and accomplishments. Think of Bill Clinton, for example. It may be hard to think of his presidency without remembering Monica Lewinsky. Is she the sum of his presidency?

As I've studied King David across the Old Testament, and looked at New Testament leaders in comparison, I noticed something recently. It seemed like it shouldn't be a revelation. I wondered why it felt like such a breakthrough in wisdom. You see, the leaders we follow have a great impact on our lives. So in this election year, I fret a great deal about which leader I will follow. (You should too!) But I think I found the best clue in King David's leadership.

You see, King David's effectiveness directly corresponded to his awareness of God's leading in his own life. He was a good leader when he was following his Leader. And when he wasn't - well that's where the Monica Lewinsky scandals of this world make history. But perhaps what endeared David to God's heart was his willingness to repent and turn back to his Leader every time he strayed. More importantly, that may be the best indication of David's true leadership gifts and qualities.

So do I know whom my leaders are following? Even if I do, do I know when they are or aren't' following their Leader? I think that's maybe what troubles me about our presidential elections this year. You see, I acknowledge that Senators McCain and Obama have leadership gifts and abilities. They're both intelligent and capable. Some of the things they say make a lot of sense. But the problem is that I just don't know who they're following.

I've learned in life that no one can lead me in excellence like my Creator can. I've learned that change for the sake of change isn't always worthwhile. It's become apparent to me that lasting, positive change can only be accomplished when I'm following God. And ironically, change that I try to pull off myself - without God's leadership - tends to be very flat and unrewarding, if it is really change at all. I think it's like that for our country too.

The presidential nominees are talking about change. I think it's safe to say that we all want change. But does the average American voter really understand where meaningful change originates? Does the individual casting the vote for president really intend to follow the person they're voting for?

Finally, who does this leader follow --- and how well does this leader follow? That my friends, may be the best criteria for deciding whom to elect as our country's next president!

America, the damned?

Much has been written about Rev. Jeremiah Wright. His claim to fame? He’s the pastor and spiritual father of Barack Obama. But once he became known for that, the world started to notice something else about this man. He’s offensive.

He says things that people don’t like. Some of them are outrageous. What kind of things? An example is his statement that the American government created the AIDS virus to wipe out the black race. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah_Wright) We write him off as a lunatic and wonder how Mr. Obama could sit in his church and listen to such crap.

So far, Mr. Obama hasn’t said anything so outrageous. He’s full of smiles and waves. He kisses the babies and offers hope. He promises change and doesn’t ever seem to find any real faults in America. He sees only hope and promise. Actually he reminds of me of Bill Clinton’s first election. (Remember when the victory song at his campaign headquarters was “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow?”) If Barack Obama agrees with his pastor, he hasn’t tipped his hand in that regard.

Not so for his wife. Michelle Obama has gone on record to say that, until now, there’s been nothing about America that she’s proud of. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_obama) Nothing. That’s pretty encompassing. She’s not proud of how we saved Europe from Hitler. She’s not proud of any of our accomplishments, our values or even our constitution. Until now, when her husband is on the scene to save the day.

Let’s face it; people like Mr. Wright and Mrs. Obama offend us with their outrageous statements. Ironically, they’re not the first people to make such pronouncements that we find offensive. Moses did it too? You know, the guy in the Old Testament. He led the Israelites for years. God talk to him a lot. He wrote part of the Bible. If we truly are “one nation under God,” it’s worth looking at what he had to say. Or more accurately, it’s worth looking at what God told him to say.

I think one of the best places to see what sage wisdom can be found for America, one nation under God, is in the biblical book of Deuteronomy (which Moses wrote most of). Specifically, we should look at chapters 27 and 28. Let’s take look.

Deuteronomy 26:16-19
Today the Lord your God has commanded you to obey all these decrees and regulations (of the Lord). So be careful to obey them wholeheartedly. You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in his ways, and to obey his decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything he tells you. The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands. And if you do, he will set you high above all the other nations he has made. Then you will receive praise, honor, and renown. You will be a nation that is holy to the Lord your God, just as he promised.

What’s he talking about here? Moses says God has certain ways he wants us to live – and he expects us to follow them. We have declared that we are Christians. In response, God has claimed us as his people. Further, God has said if we will honor that relationship with our obedience, he will set us above all other nations, honored and praised. Do you suppose that’s what it looks like for America these days?

Deuteronomy 27:9-10
… be quiet and listen! Today you have become the people of the Lord your God. So you must obey the Lord your God by keeping all these commands and decrees (of the Lord) ….”

So shut up and listen. You are God’s people. Now act like God’s people. It’s that simple.

Deuteronomy 28 (selected)

Blessings for Obedience

1-2 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands …, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: … Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.

So here’s the covenant. If we obey, God will let us be the best nation on earth. We’ll be blessed. All of our efforts throughout the world will be blessed. It almost seems prophetic. For much of the last 100 years or more, it would seem that America has lived that blessed life.

7-12 The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. … The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do … If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people … Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you. The Lord will give you prosperity … You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.

Our obedience and the resultant blessed position ensure that we are victorious in war. We are victorious over other things too. We win over poverty, crime, disease, even weather. We learn how to live in deserts, survive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and other disasters. In fact, we overcome so much that the world takes notice. The world recognizes that there is just something special about us. As the most prosperous nation on earth, we can lend money to many and never need to borrow from any of them. (This was true of America for many years.)

13-14 If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God …, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them.

Obedience means we get influence – over the whole world. We’ll always get to be the people that everyone else listens too. But we must never stop being obedient to God. We can’t ever have other gods (like money, power, pleasure, etc.). And we must remain pure to the one true God.

Curses for Disobedience

15 But if you refuse to listen to the Lord your God and do not obey all the commands and decrees …, all these curses will come and overwhelm you:

But if our obedience falters, we will be a cursed people and nation.

19 Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be cursed.
20 The Lord himself will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in everything you do, until at last you are completely destroyed for doing evil and abandoning him.
21 The Lord will afflict you with diseases …
22 The Lord will strike you … These disasters will pursue you until you die.

Confusion and frustration in everything we do? The right thing to do just isn't ever clear any more? Diseases and disasters that we cannot readily withstand?

25 The Lord will cause you to be defeated by your enemies. … You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.

Wars that we can’t win? An object of horror to people who used to be our allies? This sounds serious!

27 The Lord will afflict you …
28 The Lord will strike you with madness, blindness, and panic.
29 You will grope around …, but you will not find your way. You will be oppressed and robbed continually, and no one will come to save you.

God is out to get disobedient people who call themselves his. We’ll do crazy things that make no sense. We’ll react instead of proact. We’ll struggle on many fronts – and nobody will help us.

33 A foreign nation you have never heard about will eat the crops you worked so hard to grow. You will suffer under constant oppression and harsh treatment.

Someone else who isn’t our ally will begin enjoying the fruits of our labor. They’ll profit from our success. And we’ll suffer for the way they treat us. (Anyone bought any energy from a foreign land lately?)

34 You will go mad because of all the tragedy you see around you.

Disobedient people become overwhelmed with the tragedy the find themselves in the midst of. There’s so much of it we can’t respond to all of it. It is heart breaking.

37 You will become an object of horror, ridicule, and mockery among all the nations …

Everyone is mad at disobedient people. Even our allies are struggling with why they are our allies. They wonder how long they can continue to be our allies when they see how pathetic we are.

38 You will plant much but harvest little, …

Our efforts produce little. We seem ineffective.

41 You will have sons and daughters, but you will lose them, ...

Our children are a bitter disappointment. They don’t own our values. They live our legacy. They offer little hope for our future.

43-44 The foreigners living among you will become stronger and stronger, while you become weaker and weaker. … They will be the head, and you will be the tail!

The immigrants will be better educated, more disciplined, more industrious and more successful. (Have you seen the chairwoman of Pepsi lately?) They have more influence and power than natural born citizens do. Reverse discrimination becomes the norm. Globalization sets in and the foreigners in that global community take our jobs and our prosperity away from us.

45-48 If you refuse to listen to the Lord your God and to obey the commands and decrees he has given you, all these curses will pursue and overtake you until you are destroyed. These horrors will serve as a sign and warning among you and your descendants forever. If you do not serve the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you. … The Lord will … oppress you harshly until he has destroyed you.

Disobedient people are opposed by God. The horrors we suffer should serve as an example and warning to others for generations to come. If we don’t serve God, we will serve our enemies. He will make sure of that. God will destroy us – through slow opposition.

49-50 The Lord will bring a distant nation against you from the end of the earth, and it will swoop down on you like a vulture. It is a nation whose language you do not understand, a fierce and heartless nation that shows no respect for the old and no pity for the young. …

God will send us a “wake-up call” by allowing a foreign people with a different language from across the globe to attack us from the air. We won’t understand their language or culture. They’ll be heartless people with no respect for human life or dignity.

58-61 If you refuse to obey all the words of instruction that are written in this book, and if you do not fear the glorious and awesome name of the Lord your God, then the Lord will overwhelm you and your children with indescribable plagues. These plagues will be intense and without relief, making you miserable and unbearably sick. He will afflict you … and you will have no relief. The Lord will afflict you with every sickness and plague there is, …, until you are destroyed.

Disobedient people are plagued without relief. Every kind of sickness and plague (disease) will overtake us until we are overwhelmed. We’ll wonder how much more we can deal with.

63 Just as the Lord has found great pleasure in causing you to prosper and multiply, the Lord will find pleasure in destroying you. …

Just as it pleases God to bless his obedient people, it pleases him to destroy disobedient people who claim to be his.

65-66 There among those nations you will find no peace or place to rest. And the Lord will cause your heart to tremble, your eyesight to fail, and your soul to despair. Your life will constantly hang in the balance. You will live night and day in fear, …

When it pleases God to destroy disobedient people, there is no peace or rest. We worry about everything. Our soul will despair. There is more to fear. More to worry about. It is God’s will for people who disobey him.

So here’s the thing we need to think about. Jeremiah Wright and Michelle Obama have offended America. But what is the truth? As offensive as their statements have been, is there any truth to what they’ve said? If so, I’m afraid we need to own that, folks. It is time for us to act like “one nation under God.” And if we don’t? Well, the implications are serious indeed!

Obama Discipled?

Okay, I just had a revelation. I've been trying to figure out who Barack Obama is. His walk doesn't seem to match his talk. I couldn't figure out why. The man has said he is a follower of Christ. I know what that means. I just didn't see it in Obama's behavior. I was looking for the fruits of the Spirit - and not seeming to find them.

I've prayed about this issue. Specifically, I've asked God to show me what He sees in Barack Obama. I was stunned by the revelation He gave me. The poor man may have made a decision for Christ - but he has not been taught what it means to follow Christ. It's called discipling. It seems to me now that Mr. Obama has never been properly discipled, or taught the ways of Christ.

Barack's family background is dicey. His mother went through two marriages. He moved around a lot. Between his mother, father and step-father, we have Muslim, atheist, agnostic - or just indifferent at best. Certainly no one there was teaching Barack who Christ is and what His followers really look like.
(http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2007/dec/20/chain-email-gets-obama-religion-wrong/)

Given the fact that Obama's encounter with Christ and profession of belief in Christ as the Messiah didn't occur until adulthood, he would have to look at his adulthood for that teaching.

Jeremiah Wright, Jr., the long-time pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago was the man that Obama credits for his conversion to Christianity. After that conversion, Obama sat and listened to Rev. Wright and his teachings. This would be discipleship. At least one would hope that to be the case.

Now not everyone is really discipled by the pastor of their church. Some find spiritual mentors and teachers whom they can spend more quality time with. Some won't listen to their pastors. Some of the pastors in churches today see themselves as the "senior preachers" instead of senior pastors ... and do no discipling themselves.

But everyone born into God's family, as followers of Christ, must learn the ways of Christ. They must acquire the mind of Christ. If they don't, then they aren't. They may be "saved," as the evangelicals call it. But they remain ignorant of Christ's ways and don't produce what the Bible calls fruits of the Spirit.

So I'm looking at Mr. Obama's life. He's tried to be as open as possible about his personal life. (That's a good thing.) But the only spiritual father I see in his life is Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. And I'm afraid he doesn't look too good. Why? Look at his teachings. Hatred. Racism. Divisiveness. Blame. Judgement.

This man even claims that the U.S. government "invented AIDS" to wipe out the black race! So we can add flawed, deluded thinking to his list of character defects. It may be that Mr. Wright is a charismatic speaker and has a lot of people attending his church. But it is clear from his teaching that the man doesn't really know who God is. It is even more clear that he is not someone who could effectively disciple a Christian leader.

Barack Obama has not been taught the importance of tithing. He has not been shown the close relationship between humility and leadership. He has not been taught how to live a life above reproach. It may be clear that Obama has become a Christian and that he lives his life to his best understanding of what that means. It is becoming increasingly clear that his knowledge of what it means to follow Christ (or his willingness to obey Christ) are lacking.

So if we elect Barack Obama as our next U.S. president, how are we going to get this man discipled?