Obama

I just finished reading "Dreams Of My Fathers" by Obama. It is a very well written book and makes for an easy read. The thing about the book that I found interesting was that Obama's life experiences are very human. I can relate to him on that level. His struggle for identity by being half black and half white made it so that he never really fit into either world. Labeled by the blacks for being to white and labeled by the whites for being to black. His struggle to give up on his dreams to make something of his life when road blocks come at every turn and the struggle of being told by others that his dreams could never happen. His struggle to have a connection with an absent father, and his yearning to have a male father figure with wisdom help him in his life's journey. His struggle with his family from Kenya demanding from him to solve family problems that were not created by him nor could he fix and told, "he is just like his father" when he can't fix the problems. These are all struggles that we face in one way or another. A search for meaning and identity to fit in with our family heritage. We often hear people say, "I'm Scottish" or "I'm Irish" or I'm German" but do we really now what it means when we say these things. People often travel to distant lands looking for an identity and answers to their questions of origin. People everyday give up on their dreams and settle for mediocrity. Road blocks come into our lives that requires a faith greater than our own to keep going. We all long for the wisdom of elders to give direction in this journey called life. I may not agree with Barack Obama's politics, but I can appreciate him and respect him, because he is not only President, but is a human being with a history not unlike each one of us. I often hear people with enthusiasm ridicule him and put him down. We must remember however that in doing so in some way or another we are ridiculing ourselves because we are all part of the human family. Our struggles, pains, hurts and hang-ups do not exempt us from the human race, they serve to remind us that we are together in this pilgrimage. Whether you are President or a bum, Democrat or Republican, Christian, Jewish, or Muslim no human being is exempt from the struggle.

Israel

I am passionate about the people of Israel and their right to the land promised to them. It saddens me when Israel cannot defend their land without the world, including Christians, condemning them. The land of Israel is the only piece of real estate on the earth that God specifically promised to a certain people. God promised a blessing on those who would bless Abraham's descendants through Isaac and Jacob. Those who come against Israel come against the apple of His eye. "For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye." (Zech 2:8) As a believer in Jesus I am also saddened by the Palestinians who are dying, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or indifferent. Jesus came into the world that all might be redeemed. As Christians we need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and against anti-semitism throughout the Middle east and the world.

"May the LORD continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. And may Israel have quietness and peace."--Psalm 128

Falling

I fell today while on a roof and I must say that I didn't enjoy it very much. I know for a fact that my body least of all did not enjoy it. I used to fall and it never affected me much and my body would recover as though nothing had happened. Now a days all I have to do is get out of bed and the aches and pains from years gone by show up for no reason at all. So tonight as I scribble down these notes, I am reminded that to actually fall jars loose calcium deposits and frozen joints that were happy being frozen and deposited. Advil seems to mask the pain of the fall and that is a good thing. What can never be masked is the reality that this body is wearing out and will continue to wear out. My body is going to die and continual to die until I am dead. There is no doubt about it. On the other hand, the inside is continuing to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. I can rest assured that though I am a dead man walking I am alive in Jesus Christ.

"And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it."----Rom 8:23-24

Shopping Blues

I went to Boise today and did some after Christmas shopping. The strange thing about it is I figured that once Christmas was over the shopping would end. There are several reasons that I do not like to shop. On the top of the list is the amount of people scrambling to get the "good" deal. All dignity as a human being is lowered over a pair of shoes, or a pair of pants. I'm telling you now that the guy who needed those pants can have them, but I do hope they rip when he bends over. I did enjoy being with my family. It is always fun to spend time together. Lisa and I need to take every advantage that we can at this time. It soon will be over and the two oldest will be off to the college of their choice. I am trying my best to enjoy this chapter in my life. I don't want to look back with regrets that I missed out on the opportunities to enjoy them while they were at home. So, if it takes shopping and tolerating the crowds to spend time together as a family then it is a small price to pay for the memories.

P.S.---I hope the shoes give the guy blisters too!

The Problem with Pride

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself"---Php 2:3





One writer stated that pride is the only sickness that makes everyone sick except the person who has it. Pride is a troubling problem for the believer in that of all the sins that capitalize on my weaknesses and failures, pride glorifies in my victories. When I am doing the the things that draw me closer to my Christian walk pride becomes the sin that tells me I am good person for doing those things. Pride begins to tell me that I have it together and that I am a spiritual giant and I begin to pat myself on the back because I am doing so well. Pride then becomes a barrier to God, myself, and to my fellow man. Michael Jackson had a song a while back about a man who is looking in the mirror referring to a changed man (no I'm not a fan of MJ). But we are more than capable of making the man in the mirror a god. We proudly state our opinions because in the back of our mind we believe God agrees with our opinions. This verse is in the context of fellowship with one another. God knows that pride is the enemy of getting along with each other. The balance to pride is to look at ourselves with a proper view, not like the Pharisee who saw himself not like the poor tax collector because he didn't do the things the tax collector did, but saw himself better. The proper view is to see others better than ourselves, that is the check to our pride that reigns deep in our heart. If I consider you above me, and you consider me above you, a marvelous thing happens: we have a community where everyone is looked up to, and no one is looked down on!



P.S.--If you say I'm not like the Pharisee check your heart you could be in denial!

Expectations

Expectations deepen the struggle of our life in this world. Things never seem to turn out the way in which we expect them to. Thus, we become frustrated and saddened by the loss of that which we perceived to be expected. No one expected Lori to die so young. No one expected that two little children would lose their mother so early in life. How do we travel this road of loss? Only by faith! Faith is not an expectation. Faith brings a context in which to interpret unexpected events that happen to us along the journey. Faith is real! Expectations are a fantasy in which we live, yet they may or may not be fulfilled the way we expect. Most expectations are built upon the foundation of our culture. They come as a result of cultural information that was interpreted by us. However, life has a way of throwing a curve, slider, knuckle, fast ball and change up all at once at us. Sometimes we give all that we have in us to engage or interpret the expectation but it usually is never enough. Faith gives us a language to speak to the expectation and see the fallacy that is at the root of this false worldview. John said: "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith." I John 5:4



EXPECTATIONS, IF ONLY?

EXPECTATIONS, NEVER TRUSTWORTHY,

ONLY A HOPE OF THINGS TO BE,

EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT HOPE, ACTUALLY!



EXPECTATIONS, IF ONLY?

EXPECTATIONS, WHAT IS IN THEM THAT WE SEE?

A MERE SHADOW OF REALITY,

A LIFE LIVED IN FANTASY,

EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT TRUTH YOU SEE!



EXPECTATIONS IF ONLY?

EXPECTATIONS, THEY LIE COMPLETELY,

A RUSE, WITHOUT THEM WHERE WOULD WE BE,

EXPECTATIONS ARE A FRAUD, TRUTHFULLY!



EXPECTATIONS, IF ONLY?

EXPECTATIONS END SUDDENLY,

TRUST IN THEM IS TEMPORARY,

TIME AGES THEM EMPTY,

ONLY THEN WE REALIZE FINALLY!

EXPECTATIONS, IF ONLY?

Judaism And Thankfulness

In his book, "How Firm a Foundation", Rabbi Eckstein made a statement that I found to be very provocative. In paraphrasing him he stated, Judaism is a religion that focuses on thanksgiving, not sin. This book is written to Christians to help us understand our roots which originated in the Jewish faith. When we consider Paul and his focus on thankfulness we begin to understand the religious culture of his statements. When we live in this world focusing on our sin, we almost become the center of existence, which in some ways is the very essence of sin itself. Always going to God with our shortcomings and failures. Thankfulness gets our eyes off of us and onto God who has given all to us. It places God in His rightful place at the center of worship. Paul said: "in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you." (I Thess 5:18) Having said this, don't get me wrong, I am not saying that sin should not be addressed, it should. Sin damages the very essence of what it means to be human, and leaves big holes in our relationships with God and each other. But to focus on sin can result in big holes as well. Being thankful releases our spirit in a wondrous dance of celebration to a Father who loves celebration as does any father who loves to see his children fulfilled! Jesus I am thankful for you. Even though I am imperfect, your perfection redeems my life and brings about healing and deliverance molded by your perfect love. Therefore, I will look up to you and be thankful.