Ex-presidents are funny

What would you risk?

One of the things Jesus did frequently was to directly answer his critics by causing them to think radically, to think differently, and to meet the challenge head-on. Perhaps his biggest response to criticism though was his actions, not his words. On one particular occasion, his critics made the bold claim, “Jesus eats with sinners and (worst yet) tax-collectors.” Jesus responds (by words) by telling 3 short illustrations.

 

Using imagery that resonated during their day, he tells of a lost sheep and what the farmer would do. Wouldn’t you leave the 99 safe sheep and go find the one?

 

Next he tells of a woman who loses a coin and how she does everything to find that one that she lost.

 

Then the best story, better known as the prodigal son. Though really it’s more like the prodigal father. Here the story unfolds where the one son leaves with his inheritance and wastes it all and must turn back to his father. The father though, realizes the way to have his son come home, he must first let him go, let him live on his own, let him come to his own realizations. Then everyday hope and wait for him to come home.

 

Here in these illustrations we get a picture that Jesus would do anything to find the people he loves. His story is more than an illustration, it’s his life. Jesus was willing to risk his esteemed reputation among his peers. He was called a glutton, a drunk, and a sinner, not terms you typically subscribe to the savior of the world. Yet he put it all on the line to go and search till he could search no more for those he loves.

 

what about you – what are you willing to risk putting on the line for those you love? You willing to tarnish your reputation to one day celebrate that your loved ones come back home? Are you willing to go into places most ppl won’t go b/c that’s not how we do things around here?

 

Putting yourself out there isn’t easy, it’s not safe – but if you want to celebrate when you find the lost coin – you better keep digging.

LOST Season 5

NO SPOILERS HERE – The 2 hour premiere was last night and wow, what an information jam-packed event. Already so much has happened and they gave us direction for the upcoming season. So happy this show is back on.

President Obama

In an hour or so, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president in our country’s history, and the 1st African American president. This is a good moment for our country’s history. There have been African Americans achieve great success in our history, from Thurgood Marshall, J.C. Watts to Colin Powell, but this is the greatest achievement yet.

Yesterday, I watched the we are one concert, celebrating this achievement. I heard one religious commentator say “faith is the evidence of things not seen (quoting the Bible on cnn mind you). Things are so bad in our country that people want to believe in this hope and have faith.”

This I can understand. While I fully agree we can absolutely never put our hope in a person or politics (the true source of hope & love is in Christ alone), we can be inspired by achievements and by coming together and uniting with our brothers and sisters, with fellow Americans and fellow humans.

For so long we have distanced ourselves from others, and while I understand this to, what I don’t get is, why is it that the non-Christian folks are leading the way in hoping of uniting on issues of common ground? Are there issues we will never ever agree on? Absolutely, but are there other things we can agree on and be civil and be respectful with one another? Absolutely.

If you choose to not unite with people of other convictions, creeds, or political beliefs, that’s fine and permissable, and I respect that, but perhaps today, at the very least you can be proud that our country elected an African American who in our country’s beginning was considered less than human.

Feel free to comment.

President Bush

Last night, President Bush offered his farewell address where he spoke graciously, respectfully, and firmly. Many historians, critics and analysts already say this is the worst president in our nation’s history yet I’m not quite sure how they can judge that when he’s still in office. While I, and many others don’t agree with many decisions his administration made over the years, and President Bush admitted to making mistakes and would do some things differently, he also said that he always put the interests of America above anyone or anything else. To that, I completely agree, even though some decisions were the wrong ones, or maybe over time will prove right, but I do think he wanted to keep America safe under his watch. President Bush said next week’s transition to President Obama is one filled with hope and shows the hope of America, I too think we as Americans should be inspired by hope, maybe not in politics, but in God and coming together as a people to do good in our world.

That guy….and then point

While looking for a the right picture or video to post about the topic of where not to wear your bluetooth headset, the above video is what I finally settled on…though it doesn’t address the topic or question, it is funny nonetheless.

About where not to wear bluetooth, let me preface by saying, I love technology and its advances, even bluetooth, but we’ve all seen that guy or girl at the grocery line jabbering away, or even at church I’ve seen many folks sportin’ a headset, and the occasional guy at dinner with a lady.. C’mon guys, we can do better!!

5 Presidents

Together in one room today for lunch, I don’t care what party you subscribe to, it would have been amazing to listen to some of the stories shared and q&a that happened. Today, President-Elect Barack Obama had lunch with current President George Bush, former presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush, and Jimmy Carter.

It appears Obama requested such an event to discuss and prod questions about the pressures of being the president, something the other 4 agreed to do. The attitude from all was one that said, “it’s not about the individual, but about the country, and we all agree we love our country.” If we only had this attitude more oft than not.

The number 1 priority for the newly elected president is the economy, and which is why I believe more than 70% voted in this election (amazing why ppl vote) but it is what it is and let’s face it, money drives and motivates us. Circulating since before the first stimulus package last spring (2008) has been a 2nd stimulus, one that likely will exceed $745 BILLION dollars, closing in on ONE TRILLION appears to be gaining momentum and reports are it’ll be ready to head out by February. This deal has been bipartisan (kudos) and is priority #1.

What strikes me though is: this bill will be one of the largest spending bills ever in our history and will drive the national debt up by about 1/2 trillion dollars overnight. THAT’S CRAZY-talk here. What bothers me is the attitude and acceptance of the media. Don’t get me wrong, I believe something should be done for the economy to stimulate the global economy; however, I’m not sold on what role the gov. should play in that. But I agree, it’s painful and is likely to get worse so I understand the reason to push and sign this thing.

The attitude on public record is this must be done no matter what the cost, even if it drives up our national debt. Now, agree or disagree, and likely only the long-term will tell, current president Bush had the same attitude with the war in Iraq – it must be done no matter the cost. Yet the media & politicians quickly thought that his attitude was flippant & arrogant. Clearly there’s hyprocrisy here…maybe everyone really just embraces the need for unity and looking forward…I’m not convinced but I sure hope so. The sooner we come together like the aforementioned presidents and Rick Warren on inauguration night then the sooner our country can progress.

a humbling experience

Centerpoint began weekly meetings last night and let me tell you, it was quite a humbling day and experience. The entire day was sort of like Christmas as a child in that I was excited and even anxious over the next several hours. It’s been amazing to be a part of something that you truly believe in. Centerpoint has phenomenal leaders Christopher & Kristyn , Johnny , and a wonderful team of volunteers. Last night was quite rewarding to watch something come together and to think that it’s only the beginning and that we get to experience this each week is amazing.

Feel free to join us next Sunday @ 6 PM. For directions check out centerpointlive.com

thoughts/questions on forgiveness

there’s a story in the Bible when one of the followers of Jesus essentially asked, “how many times should we forgive our brother?” Jesus basically tells his student as many times as need be but you can never forgive enough. Every time there is an error committed, you forgive.

For us what does forgiveness look like in our relationships/friendships/family lives? If one has done wrong to you, when or how do you forgive them? Must that person ask for your forgiveness before you give it to him/her? Or do you forgive that person in hopes that the person is released and will turn the wrong into right? Do you just let things go and see what happens?

In the short narrative that Jesus gives, the person wishing to have the wrong corrected or forgiven approached the person who they did wrong to. Does this mean this is how it always should be? I believe so especially in family-type communities.

But what do you do in the meantime, when you’re hoping and waiting for that person to ask for patience or forgiveness? The story is equally about you than it is the wrong-doer. It’s up to you to place forgiveness over those people whether or not they want forgiveness.

Yet is that what we do? Isn’t it really about being right rather than placing forgiveness over someone? Is it more satisfying knowing you were right in a given situation than it is to take part of something truly satisfying, which is mercy & forgiveness?

Let me know your thoughts on forgiveness.