CHRISTIAN POLITICS

Christian politics is not voting for the person whose party has convinced the nation they hold the morals of America as their platform. Christian politics is the church as a community and individual Christians being proactive towards the social issues in our nation.

Are those people concerned about gay marriage taking care of their own marriages and joining with the church in supporting those who are struggling with marriage? Gay marriage is not an attack on my family or any other one. In my opinion, divorce is the most dangerous attack on the family, substance abuse, addictions are other risk factors to the family "under attack", not people who struggle with homosexuality getting married. So what are those fighting verbally doing pro-actively with the church for the support of healthy marriage?

Are those people shouting out about murdering infants adopting or fostering? Or even financially supporting organizations that actually do something after babies are born to unwed mothers, or teenagers not ready for motherhood?

Are those people fighting for policies for those under the poverty line taking time to have a meal with those in poverty? Are they joining with their church in an effort to not only financially help, but be a presence of care?

Are prayers going up for people in Iraq? Or only votes cast? Or no thought at all about loving enemies (not to mention innocent citizens)?

The disciples of Christ were never called to make sure a faithful follower was in office. I dare say Jesus did not care who was in office. It was not worth squabbling about. Jesus' challenge to us was to live in a way the world recognize as different.

Paul never tried to make the laws of the land to where he would not be flogged and put in jail for preaching Jesus resurrected. I am sure he would have found the "morality" of the government of that day to be convenient. But, he was more concerned with the lives of Christians and those in need. As we can see in his letters he had enough issues to worry about in the way of unity rather than political loyalties.

Why allow something like loyalty to a political party damage Christian relationships?

Voting is not Christian politics. Living out the social issues you want to see changed or preserved is Christian politics. Being a city on a hill, the salt of the earth is Christian politics.

There is no such thing as a "Christian Nation", not the US, not Nazi Germany (who also claimed Christian Nation). There is a Christian community, though (by the way, it reaches outside of our country). And it has nothing to do with elections and it is where we should act.

CULTURAL GARB

MOTIVATION

What motivates people? This thought came from a conversation I had about the election. I brought up the question of why a person ever want to run for president. Do they run because they really feel like they can make a difference, or is it an ego, narcissism thing? When I step back and view the election process it seems like a race to win and then it's over. The process of winning the race is no-holds barred, then it is over. The point of the whole thing is just to win.
This makes me think, more importantly, what motivates me to do what I do. Do I do things for personal victories, or boosts of my ego? I hope not. I want to do things to make a difference, not just to say I have done them. I hope my motivation of service is to make a positive outcome for other people.

I AM NO POLITICIAN, BUT...

First of all, I can't believe that I am writing a blog on politics.
I am no politician but, I can get the feeling of a properly played political tactic. After all, that is how my age brackets votes are won. It is no doubt Obama is a favorite in my demographic. He is trendy, nice smile, warm, and is not negative. He offers us "hope". Our generation is not really sure what we want, but it isn't what we have right now, and he provides the "something different" attitude.
His opponent, Hillary however has all of a sudden gotten dirty. I remember little from the elections Bill was a part of. All I remember is Bill's appearance on MTV playing some jazz music. Good tactic for the young generation, let's elect someone cool. Along the same lines as Obama, laid back, approachable. Hillary is more rigid, and now the only platform I am aware of with her is Obama's speeches are empty and he is persona only. Anytime I see a Hillary headline, it always involves Obama. The alternate is not true, other than the occasional article defending himself.
This is a very bad idea for a woman. Men can be strong willed and could probably get away with more aggressive mudslinging (although I still am turned off by it). For a woman though, to be strong willed with men and aggressively stating her mind leads to a description anyone in politics (or in general) wants to avoid. I think the description is a um... witch, or something that sounds like that.
If it is possible for a woman to win the Whitehouse, confident compassion is it I guess, I don't really know. I do know one thing though-- the description of a strong willed, aggressive woman is not it.