7 Quick Takes - #30

Here's another "7 Quick Takes":

1. Herman, please stop.  "Since I've been campaigning all week, I haven't had an opportunity to sit down with her and walk through this with my wife and my family. I will do that when I get back home on Friday," Cain told reporters " -- It's painful to watch his arrogance and lack of concern for his family.  I can't imagine anything that would keep a respectable man from hopping on the next plan to his family, when accused of something like this, if false.  This is horrible to watch, and I wish he'd just retreat and let the Republican race continue without this being the top story.  There are much more important decisions to be made, and this perpetual Herman Cain/women story obscures the importance of the issues & decisions facing Republican voters.
2. Are you listening to Christmas music now?  We are, but I'm kind of bummed, I lost about 1/2 of my Christmas music collection when my computer crashed last year.  I can't abide by cheesy or sub-par Christmas music, so it had taken me a while to build up not just tolerable, but enjoyable Christmas music (Sarah McLachlan, James Taylor, Reliant K, top-notch orchestras -- lots of good stuff).  So for now, I'm mainly settling for Pandora stations.
3. I've been embroidering like mad.  I'm enjoying the fuel-for-ideas that comes from Pinterest.   Here's my embroidery board, if you want to get an idea of what I've been doing.
4. Our ladies' Bible study group has been working through the book "What Did You Expect?", and though the cover looks like it was written in 1983, it was only published last year and is a wonderful book about marriage, expectations, and sanctification as believers.  It's very convicting in the very best ways.
5. Doug's at an interview right now, as I type.  This whole transition (our family deciding to stay here in America) has been faith-rebuilding for me, as once again, God reminds me of how much He has always cared for and provided for us.  So many verses come to mind: "Remember the Lord," "The Father of Lights", "The Lord is near," "Forget not His benefits," "He cares for you," "Consider the birds of the air," "The Lord will indeed give what is good."  That is not to say I believe that God will make us wealthy or always comfortable, or that everything will be smooth and easy, but I really am confident that our needs will be met, because He cares for us.
6. Yelling in anger.  Do you yell in your home?  I didn't until our oldest was about 4 or 5, and suddenly, the stress overpowered my will power, and down went the house of cards.  I began yelling at the children when I reached that "boiling point"; it became a pressure valve.  I'd rarely (almost never) yelled at Doug, but began yelling at the kiddos, and I've always hated it.   And of course they hate it too.
   
   So yesterday when a friend and I were discussing this sinful habit of ours, she shared something challenging and convicting-- that she was trying to fully get her head around the idea that God can help her stop it completely.  That it IS possible to never yell again.
   
   Something about that flipped a switch in my brain.  I began thinking and praying more fervently last night... I know it is God's will that I not yell in anger at my kiddos (I say "in anger", because I have no problem yelling a name across the house if I'm cooking and need to tell them something... I just want to ditch the angry yelling), and I know that they hate it.  It is hurtful and it is like poison in our home.  It changes the tone and uses intimidation and bullying to accomplish the desired effect, rather than patiently continuing to teach and love them.  I would never throw acid in my child's face, and yet, I will spew angry words?  That doesn't make sense, and it's not right.
   
   So I am praying that God will work this change in my life... that He will restrain me, that He will enable me to be self-controlled and REMEMBER the distasteful nature of this sin.  That I will not excuse it, or justify it, but that He will help me cut it out of my life.  Please ask me about it.
7. Check out this bit of hilarity:  Jeff Tweedy (lead singer of Wilco) singing the Black Eyed Peas' "I Got A Feeling".  It shows the inanity of pop-song lyrics.

Deciding to Stay Home, Part One

It's not often that I write solely biography-type posts. But this one is that, fully our story. It's our story of who we were, and how I became a stay-home mom.

COLLEGE GIRL

Long ago (well, 12 years ago), in a country (the US) far from the one where I have lived these last 4 years, I was in college, and things were going well. I'd applied for, and been granted, an internship in the office of then-Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee. And I was our Sophomore Class President, known on campus as the gal to talk to to get things done. I was ambitious and excited about the future, dreaming of running state and local campaigns in the short-run, and being a U.S. Senator in the long-run. I had a plan for how the future would go, and it all started right in the spot I was sitting, as an intern for this up-and-coming Republican Governor.

POLITICAL INTERN

That Spring ('99), I'd wake up early, get over to the school cafeteria for breakfast with a friend of mine, and hightail it to Little Rock for my internship a few days each week. Little did I know that there, at that cafeteria table, intimidated by my suits & heels, was my future husband.

Doug was quiet and reserved, & sat by his old youth group friend Erica, a good friend of mine. But he always sat several spots down at the table, and quite literally said nothing that I can remember, so I had no idea who he was. I think I had a vague inkling that he knew my friend, but that was the extent of things between us.

During that semester, I met then-Senator Blanche Lincoln, monitored committees for the Governor's office (including one that had Jim Bob Duggar as a committee member-- even then, with something like 7 or 9 kids, he was an attention-getter amongst staffers and lobbyists in the Capitol Building), and to be honest, I just knew I was going places.

I met the Governor a couple of times, but primarily, my function there was keeping tabs on committee happenings, and occasionally writing and editing briefing papers. That semester solidified my commitment to my third (and final) college major: political science. (I'd started out as a Vocal Performance major, spent a semester or two as an English major, and settled on Political Science during that Soph. year... why do they make us declare so early?)

DATING DOUG

The next year, Doug & I went to Wal-Mart at the start of the year with Erica (my roommate that year) to stock up on supplies for our dorm room. As we sat in the back of the car chit-chatting, I learned that he drove a VW (which delighted me), that he was wry & hilarious, and he learned that I wasn't an uppity girl in suits, noted that I liked to dance (and that he liked the way I danced), and we spent time laughing together. The next day or two, I saw him memorizing Scripture on a bench on campus and found myself even more drawn to him. In the weeks that followed, we had a blast getting to know each other as friends.

[There is a side-tangent I could go on about a long-distance dating relationship I ditched shortly into knowing Doug, but for the sake of the main point of this story, let's keep going.]

During the Fall, we became inseparable. I'd never been able to stand any guy for even 2 months, and yet with Doug, I couldn't get enough... I never wanted to be apart from him! Soon, we realized we both felt the same way, and so we got engaged in the Spring, and set our wedding for that Fall (2000).

MARRIED, WORKING GIRL

It worked out for me to graduate a semester early, and so I graduated in December, just 2 months after our wedding, and I spent the Spring of what would have been my Senior year working for the 2001 AR legislature as a committee staffer. During those months, I heard former President Bill Clinton speak in the Arkansas Statehouse (regardless of politics, he & Huckabee are two of the most dynamic speakers I've ever encountered!), and Doug & I began tossing around the idea of moving to Washington, DC.

He was finishing up a degree in Art, with a focus on painting, and I was going great guns in the political sphere. What better place to combine the two, we thought, but Washington, D.C.? Soon enough, with the help of a very-politically-active relative of Doug's, and my sharp editing skills, I'd put together my resume & a few dozen cover letters, and had a great list of leads for my job hunt. Essentially, the plan was this:

• Blanket the Hill in DC with resumes
• I'd get a job that would cover the bills enough for us to move up there by summer
• Doug finish up his remaining half-dozen or so class hours in the DC area, while working any old job he could find
• I could move up the political food-chain, he could go to grad school

So we sent out the resumes, and I flew up to DC for a weekend. After about a dozen interviews with various congressional and political affairs offices, and one call-back interview, I received a few job offers. One job offer was to do routine mail responses for a Senator (i.e., write "happy Birthday" letters to constituents), another was for doing legislative research for briefings for a Congressman.

But from the place where I'd had the call-back interview, I got a job offer that knocked my socks off. Because many top Texas political workers had transitioned into working in the Bush White House, there was a huge gap in the Texas intergovernmental affairs office located there in DC. I'd applied there for an entry-level political issues job, where I would monitor issues on the Hill & report back to various Texas agencies. Instead, after seeing my writing & editing skills (thank you, former-English major classes!), she offered for me to come in as the Associate Director of the office, the #2 slot! Not only that, but I'd have variety-- be doing a little bit of everything... monitoring political issues, overseeing office affairs, hiring & firing, writing & editing all official communications, and serving as her assistant and advisor. The woman who gave me this amazing opportunity would later become the Assistant Secretary of Education for President Bush.

It was surreal. This was no entry-level job. My starting salary was more than double that of the other jobs I was offered, I had an office 2 blocks from the Capitol building, and a full wall of windows that overlooked a grassy area. We secured an apartment near to the metro line, I had an incredible job in DC, and the future looked bright.

...to be continued.

(Click to read: PART TWO, PART THREE, PART FOUR, PART FIVE.)

A Post-Election Day Meme

This once-every-four-years occurrence seems like a good opportunity for a meme.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS YEAR'S ELECTION RESULTS:
This is an historic election, and a special one in the hearts and lives of a people that have not been well-treated by our country; I'm thankful for this opportunity to rejoice with those who are rejoicing. For other people that have not been well-treated by our country, it is an outcome with horrifying potential. I probably won't agree with much of anything Obama does as President, but I am moved by this moment, and I pray that it will do much to heal deep wounds in our nation.


A QUICK REVIEW OF THE ELECTIONS OF MY LIFE:

1980: RONALD REAGAN

1. I REMEMBER: nothing about this election. I was one year old when Reagan was elected.
2. I WAS: a toddler and preschooler... living in Texas and Colorado.
3. DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I learned to read.

1984: RONALD REAGAN

1. I REMEMBER: not much. I don't remember this election. My husband, however, attended a Reagan Rally in Oklahoma and remembers the confetti.
2. I WAS: 5-8 years old and we moved back in Texas.
3. DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I professed faith in Christ and started school.

1988: GEORGE BUSH (Sr.)

1. I REMEMBER: not a whole lot about that election. I wasn't politically-minded in my early years.
2. I WAS: 9-12 years old and lived in Texas.
3. DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I started sporting poofy bangs and tight-rolling my faded jeans.

1992: BILL CLINTON

1. I REMEMBER: being appalled that one of my friends voted for Clinton in our school's mock election. ("Don't you know he's for killing babies?," I asked, aghast that anyone I knew would vote for him.) Little did I know that 10 miles away, my future husband was casting his ballot for Perot in their school's mock election, because he thought Perot could single-handedly pay off the national debt.
2. I WAS: 13-16 years old and still living in Texas.
3. DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I lived recklessly... rebellious towards my parents, I tried all sorts of foolish things, ignoring the Holy Spirit's warnings in my heart every time. Those years have cost me much sorrow and self-loathing... but serve as a reminder and warning to me of the lure and price of sin.

1996: BILL CLINTON

1. I REMEMBER: knowing that Dole didn't stand a chance. Kind of like McCain this election, this modern world looks delightfully on young, hip people and scoffs at the old and battle-tested.
2. I WAS: 17-20 years old, and lived in Texas for the first two years and went away to college in Arkansas for the last two years.
3. DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: In God's mercy, He drew me back from the bad choices I had made and set me in a high place. I had a blast at college, made friends, and even got elected class president. The last year of this time was when I met Doug and, for the first time in my life, found someone I absolutely couldn't stand to be away from. I met the love of my life, and he asked me to marry him.

2000: GEORGE W. BUSH

1. I REMEMBER: SO much about this campaign, election, and everything. I took a "Campaigns and Elections" course in the Spring (during the primaries) and then an "American Presidency" course in the Fall (during the election). In fact, I skipped a class session to go to a Bush/Cheney rally where Doug & I met Dick Cheney. It was the first time I could vote for President. That election may end up being the most vividly remembered one of my life.
2. I WAS: 21-24 years old and lived in Arkansas, the outskirts of Washington D.C., and then we moved back to Texas.
3. DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I became a wife to Doug and a mother to Ethan and Baxter. Prior to motherhood, I worked in the Arkansas legislative session and for the State of Texas in Washington D.C. I gave up the "perfect" job for something even more perfect and prized: being at home with my sweet baby.

2004: GEORGE W. BUSH

1. I REMEMBER: thinking John Kerry was willing to say anything to get elected. He came off as so scripted, out-of-touch, and insincere-- in a way that is similar to Mitt Romney this year, I think.
2. I WAS: 25-28 years old and lived in Texas, China, Texas again, and Turkey.
3. DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: we had two more children (Maranatha, our first daughter, and Silas), moved all around the world, and grew in faith and perseverance through some difficult challenges. I would never want to re-live those years (except, perhaps, the precious time we had in China and the sweet moments when I first "met" our children), but I am thankful for the lessons we learned and how God grew us through the struggles.

2008: BARACK OBAMA

1. I REMEMBER: feeling that my "team" was done after the South Carolina primary, when Thompson kept Huckabee from winning, and McCain began having the momentum that comes from "inevitability". I will always be glad that our party didn't choose Mitt, and still believe Huckabee was the only Republican who could have, possibly, beaten Obama.
2. I WAS: 29 and lived in Turkey... and who knows where we'll be or end up by the end of this four years?
3. DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: we shall see... I am hoping and praying that there are some promises that will not be kept.

SO THAT's my election meme. Maybe you learned something? It was helpful for me to examine my life in four-year increments.

**********************

If you'd like to participate in this one (conceived in this brain'o'mine this morning), just follow these simple rules:

• First, post three sentences about your thoughts on this year's election results
• Then, starting with the year nearest to when you were born, post the election year, the winner, and these three things:

1. What, if anything, you remember about the campaign/election/outcome.
2. How old you were & where you lived during that President's four year term.
3. What happened in your life during that four-year period?

You can use this format (if ya like):

1. I REMEMBER:
2. I WAS:
3. DURING THAT FOUR YEARS:

So if you want to participate, come on! And leave a comment so I know where to find you. It'll be a fun way to review the elections of our lives.

************************

May God bless America during the next four years. In both good times and in times of suffering, and in the times when we are delighted and the times when we are discouraged, God is good and has a plan that we can rest in, for individuals and for nations.

Father, "may all the peoples praise You!" We ask for wisdom and grace to be poured out on Barack Obama. That he will lead honorably, that he will protect the people's ability to live peaceably and quietly. We ask that You will move his heart towards mercy for the unborn. We thank You for Your sovereign hand that leads us in all times.

We ask for grace for our nation, that Your will will be done in all things, and that You would allow us to act in accordance with Your will. Use this next four years to sharpen and change us into Your likeness. Continue to teach us how to honor You and be thankful in all circumstances. "May all the peoples praise You, O Lord!" Thank you for Your grace and peace. Amen.

God is Sovereign Over All Human Authorities

Eight years ago, my new husband and I were glued to the TV screen watching every facet of analysis and political commentary we could hear. Our then-engaged friends John & Julie came over to our tiny apartment and we all stayed up late into the night, waiting to see who would win... only to give up in the wee hours of the morning (which turned out to be a good thing, as the election didn't get cleared up for many weeks).

Four years ago, again, we watched eagerly, from our home in Texas, and were glad to see clear election results after the scandal and drama of the previous presidential election.

2008: McCain vs. Obama
This year, living in an apartment in Central Asia, I have been able to check in on the election when I want to, and aside from the fury of blog articles popping up in my bloglines account, I've been able to almost ignore the election except for when I go looking for information about it. Honestly, even though it at times feels strange to be so "out" of it (particular as a politically-minded gal), it's been kind of nice.

I'm sure some of my lack of worry and sense of disconnectedness comes from this being the first time I live overseas during the presidential elections, and the fact that I'm not seeing 24/7 wall-to-wall coverage of it. Some of it probably comes from the fact that "my" horse in the presidential race dropped in the Spring and I'm not *jazzed* about either candidate (although I definitely DID vote... and you should, too!).

But, also, God is giving me a new sense of peace about it all. Regardless of who wins... and however we feel about that (I know Christians who will be angry if McCain wins, and some who will be angry if Obama wins, and some who will be angry no matter what happens), it is absolutely wonderful to be able to rest in God's sovereignty.

Psalm 47: 8 says:
God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.

Proverbs 21:1 says:
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

RESPONDING TO THE OUTCOME
I feel challenged myself... and want to share this challenge with you all: whoever wins, let's agree to lift them up in prayer... no matter who it is, he will need it.

1 Timothy 2: 1-3 says:
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

We don't have to despair or be driven into fearmongering or slander. No matter who wins, let's avoid despair. Let's avoid letting this consume us. Let's not sink to bitterness or slander.


Our citizenship is in Heaven. Our hope is not in one who will promise change (in whatever party/ideology), but in the One who never changes. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is still in control! Our salvation does not lie in human governments. Our hope is not in a candidate. True change does not come with a new administration. Let us hope in Christ!

The Meaning of Pro-Choice

Randy Alcorn has some words worth considering...

Believing what I do that the unborn are human beings in the fullest sense, to be pro-legalized-abortion is exactly equivalent to being pro-legalized-killing-of-three-year-olds. Or pro-legalized-killing-of-teenagers. Or pro-legalized-killing-of-women. Or pro-legalized-killing-of-Jews.

What would you think if a politician said "I'm not pro-rape, I'm simply prochoice about rape. And though I would not choose to rape a woman, I believe that every man should be free to rape a woman if that is his personal choice." And what would you do if that politician promised the rape lobby that if he is elected president, the "first thing I would do" is to sign legislation that would invalidate all the state laws that restrict rape in any way?

Well, I think I would say that man is pro-rape, wouldn't you? But technically, no, he is simply prochoice about rape. Read the article here.

God, help us to stand up for the innocent. Those who are dying every day in America at abortionists' hands can not speak up for themselves. They cannot write letters to Congressmen, they cannot give to a PAC, and they cannot vote.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves..." (Proverbs 31:8)

"A person's a person no matter how small." ~Horton

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:40)

Pondering Palin: Beware of Icy Jesus!

The pastor of the church where I came of age used to tell a story about his days in seminary. He was madly taking notes as a fresh pup in an entry-level seminary theology class... and he heard his professor give a stern warning. Not knowing one of the terms he used, but knowing it was very important, he wrote down, "Beware of Icy Jesus!" It took him a few class sessions to realize that Icy Jesus was actually eisegesis, and means "reading into the text".

Essentially, it refers to taking your pre-conceived notions to the Scriptures and looking for proof texts for whatever it is you're trying to say.

Which, over the last few days, is what I've seen a lot of articles do that are debating about whether or not Sarah Palin's nomination as VP is biblical.

• Articles that point to worship rules in the NT as a reason why her candidacy is unbiblical
• Those who point to Jethro's (a pagan high priest of Midian) advice to Moses about how to get everything done as God's advice on governmental service, and offer it as an example of why men only can serve in civil capacities
  
• Some who point to scriptural texts about marriage, extending the idea of a wife submitting to her own husband as a reason why she can't ever have authority in any capacity outside of the home
  

I am also very aware that my degree (in political science), my pre-kids line of work (government relations), and my very upbringing in a post-feminism society may be skewing my view on Scripture. As best I can, I want to read what God says about this through the Scriptures.

I have a lot of questions, and a lot of things I'm considering. I have a lot of thoughts scrambling around in my head, and I see some around me who seem to have come to some very hard and fast conclusions (admittedly, many of them have considered these things and come to their conclusions long before this last weekend). I am not there. Even aside from this Palin nomination, I need to get this sort of thing clear in my head. I have half a dozen real life situations where this same issue is at play, and I want to hear from God on this.

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps his mouth shut. So, that's where I'm at... hoping that I'll keep my mouth shut and not say something that is either overly legalistic or overly relativistic, and instead will just stick. to. the. Bible. No more, no less. I don't have enough coherent and firm thoughts about this to write with any degree of certainty... and I'm about to do some traveling, so I won't have time to write more about this for a while. But since many of you have asked, that's where I'm at on this.

All I know is, I'm wary of "Icy Jesus"!

Just Had to Share...

... and knew you guys would understand. Check out my precious daughter getting all political:

That's right, folks! She's sporting a little "I Like Mike" shirt! :)

Oh, and check out our matching pink Converse:

How fun is that? I love having a daughter!!! :)

Have Republicans Lost Their Way? (And Other Political Musings...)

I've spent the last hour and a half poring over the fascinating international edition of Newsweek (the Jan. 28, '08), all about Bush's leadership and the declining influence of the Republican party over the last few years. One article in particular caught my interest and I want to share a portion of it and open up this issue for discussion here, if you're willing.

"The resentments of every group that has felt ignored are being taken out on the Republican candidates."

Excerpts from "How My Party Lost Its Way", by Michael Gerson, President Bush's former speechwriter:

As each one of them steps forward, ... he is greeted by ideological sniping. Mike Huckabee is targeted by free marketers... for his economic "liberalism". John McCain is attacked for his heresies on immigration and campaign finance reform. Rush Limbaugh argues that the nomination of either candidate would "destroy the Republican Party." Mitt Romney attempts to avoid this kind of criticism by blending in...with his surroundings-- a social conservative in Iowa, an agent of change in New Hampshire, a protector of the auto industry in Michigan-- and gets criticized (including by me) for his inconsistencies.

In this cycle, many Republicans seem led to support their candidate by the process of elimination--"I guess I could live with X." At the same time, many Republicans seem led to oppose candidates passionately-- "The nomination of X would end Western civilization." This is a factionalism of Bolshevik fervor, and it is a bad sign. Parties that prefer purity to victory-- a la Goldwater and McGovern-- usually lose. At this moment, Republicans look like the party that wants to lose the most.

The first bolded sentence is interesting to me, because right now, I actually feel this way. Course, I'm passionate about Huckabee as the best contender for President, as probably all of you know. But there is one candidate left that stands a chance that I believe I absolutely could not support (and that's Romney- because I don't believe his change of heart about abortion. There are too many inconsistencies, too late in life, for me to believe that his conversion is about anything but political expediency). So,

Question #1 is this: Have you experienced this kind of vicious dislike for a major presidential contender (you don't have to even share who it's against-- I'd just be interested in how many people actually have felt this kind of emotion/passion against a candidate!)?

The second bolded section, though, worries me... so,

Question #2 is: Do you think the Republican party is too fractured to mend the wounds (economic free marketers vs. evangelicals vs. libertarians vs. hawkish Republicans, etc.) and is doomed to lose in November 2008?

Gerson then finishes his article with an insightful point, which I believe has merit:

...[T]here is, perhaps, one large American political figure who could cause depressed, fractious Republicans to bind their wounds, downplay their divisions, renew their purpose, and join hands in blissful unity at the Minneapolis-St.Paul Republican convention.

And that figure is Hillary Clinton.

So,

Question #3 is: What do you think about this last excerpt? Do you think Hillary-hatred is strong enough to unite people around even candidates that they have developed strong distaste for (during the primaries)? Is Hillary-hatred enough to revive a weakened Republican base and cause them to unite around a less-than-perfectly-pleasing-in-every-way candidate?

More personally, if you have a particular Republican candidate that you strongly dislike, can you project yourself into the future and consider if you could possibly support that person if it was a two-person X vs. Hillary race?

Your thoughts and comments are welcomed and encouraged... dialogue with me here about this!

TWO MUST-READS: ALCORN & PIPER

Within 12 hours of my "Show & Tell" post, two excellent articles by my two favorite Christian authors/speakers were posted... and I must share them with you. They are both absolutely excellent and worth your time. Please make time to read them.

• RANDY ALCORN writes about Pat Robertson's bewildering and shameful endorsement of Rudy Giuliani, an unabashedly pro-choice candidate, last week:
  
  SACRIFICING CHILDREN ON A REPUBLICAN ALTAR?
  
  He writes:
  Over the years, I have sometimes appreciated Pat Robertson, and often disagreed with him. Now I am truly saddened for him. I shake my head in wonder at what has happened to him and other Christians who once stood up for innocent lives and moral concerns, but whose devotion has now shrunk to social conservativism and Republicanism. That an evangelical spokesperson—though I’m not sure who Robertson really represents anymore—would turn his back on unborn children to endorse Giuliani, who favors legalized abortion, is tragic... Continue reading here.
  
  

• JOHN PIPER writes about the very phenomenon we've been talking about lately... adult-escence, or kidults (adult-aged people still acting like "teenagers"), and gives an excellent analysis that shows how the church should respond:
  
  A CHURCH-BASED HOPE FOR 'ADULTOLESCENCE'
  
  Here's part of the article:
  

  "How Should the Church Respond?

  How might the church respond to this phenomenon in our culture? Here are my suggestions.

  1. The church will encourage maturity, not the opposite. “Do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature” (1 Corinthians 4:20).

  2. The church will press the fact that maturity is not a function of being out of school but is possible to develop while in school.

  3. While celebrating the call to life long singleness, the church will not encourage those who don’t have the cal to wait till late in their twenties or thirties to marry, even if it means marrying while in school."
  ... Continue reading here.
  

PLEASE click on & read both Randy Alcorn's & John Piper's important articles.

Do YOU "Impose Your Values" On Your Children?

I am astonished. I honestly don't know how I missed this:

Last month, at the Democratic presidential debate at Dartmouth college, John Edwards made a statement which should HORRIFY all Christian parents who have any interest in their children's moral upbringing. Boston.com reports:

[The candidates] were asked about a controversial incident in Lexington, Mass., where a second-grade teacher, to the dismay of several parents, had read her young students a story celebrating same-sex marriage. Were the candidates "comfortable" with that?

"Yes, absolutely," former senator John Edwards promptly replied. "I want my children . . . to be exposed to all the information . . . even in second grade . . . because I don't want to impose my view. Nobody made me God. I don't get to decide on behalf of my family or my children. . . . I don't get to impose on them what it is that I believe is right."

Folks, this is but one step away from completely communistic thinking. I, the parent, don't get to have input and control over what goes into the mind of my child?! Have we completely lost our SOULS as a nation? What is a parent for, then? To simply clothe and feed children? Can't the government do that too? Why have families at all? Do you see where this leads? This rhetoric from Edwards leads to the complete fracturing of the family.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE TO PARENTS? OR VICE-VERSA?
It used to be the case that the public at large saw the government education of children as beholden to their wishes as parents... that the GOVERNMENT was responsible to the PARENTS for the dollars spent, education received, and activities of their child while on the school's watch. Now, we are at risk of the complete opposite: now, in the words of a major contender for the role of leader of our nation, parents would be "imposing their views" on their children if they teach moral behavior... and, dare I say it?, if we merely teach what the Bible says.

I can't tell you how these words from a potential president chill me to the depths of my soul. Can you imagine if this kind of view became normative in America? In many countries around the world, already, moral and religious education of minors is illegal. Can you imagine if the American government (which funds abortions, teaches kids how to use condoms, hands out birth control--with or without parental awareness, increasingly not only tolerates but encourages same-sex relationships, and does an increasingly shoddy and shameful job at actual education of children) begins not only taking over but forbidding anyone else to perform the moral training of our youth?

It has been oft said that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world... What say you? Do you think that the moral education of our children ought to be left up to government schools? Do you think that you are "imposing your views" on your children when you teach them right from wrong according to the Bible? Does this frighten ANYONE else?!?

If you know me, you KNOW I'm not normally driven to emotional pleas or arguments... but this truly does frighten me. Let me hear your thoughts...

President Bush and Syncretism

Syncretism-

• the combination of different systems of philosophical or religious belief or practice -Encarta
  
• A movement aimed at establishing a harmony between apparently opposing positions in philosophy or theology. - Oxford University Press

Consider these quotes from President Bush (from his interview with Al Arabiya, Oct. 4, 2007). I will leave them in their paragraph form, lest anyone accuse me of taking these things out of context:

Well, first of all, I believe in an almighty God, and I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That's what I believe. I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace. And I believe people who murder the innocent to achieve political objectives aren't religious people, whether they be a Christian who does that -- we had a person blow up our -- blow up a federal building in Oklahoma City who professed to be a Christian, but that's not a Christian act to kill innocent people.

Then a bit further down in the interview he continues defining his theology:

On the other hand, the ultimate way for peace is for people to realize the great blessings of liberty. And what's interesting, and what has taken place ought to be hopeful to people in the Middle East, is that two young democracies have sprung up where people, when given a chance, voted. See, I believe there is a universal God. I believe the God that the Muslim prays to is the same God that I pray to. After all, we all came from Abraham. I believe in that universality. And I believe a gift of that Almighty to every man, woman and child is freedom. I really do. And I think people, if given a chance, will seize freedom. And it's liberty and free societies -- not -- they don't have to look like America -- an Iraqi democracy is going to be Iraqi, it's going to reflect Iraqi traditions and Iraqi history.

Thanks to the BaylyBlog for bringing this interview to my attention.

I wonder what you all think about this? Not just a President who is a syncretist, but a President who claimed complete faith in Jesus Christ alone now saying that the God he prays to is the same as Allah is the same as "any other religion"'s god.


This is disappointing, but not altogether surprising, news for me.

Beltway Beat #3- Electability?

Right now, the conversation going on among a lot of Republicans goes something like this: "I don't really like the field of Republican candidates, but we have to have someone who is electable. I don't like _______, but I fear he may be the Republican candidate. And at least he's better than Hillary."

There are several problems with this, not the least of which is that we are listening to the liberal media concerning who the Republican candidate will be. They are telling us who is electable, but we are the conservative voters who will have to live with that decision.

Additionally, if we had no other candidates, Giuliani or McCain still would not be good choices for the Presidency, because they would shift the center of the Republican party and the center of American politics to the left. Simply put, people would begin thinking more liberally because the most prominent conservative voice would no longer be conservative. It would almost be better (for Republicans) for Hillary to be elected than for one of these liberal Republicans to be elected President, because at least a liberal Democrat would cause Republicans to reorganize and come back stronger than ever.

Just this week, it has come out that both Rudy Giuliani AND Mitt Romney, two of the three media-deemed top-tier candidates, have donated to Planned Parenthood, the organization responsible for more abortions than any other in America. Or rather, um, as both campaigns are spinning it, both of their wives donated to PP. These men and John McCain might appeal to the liberal media, but they will not gain wide support among the conservative base of the Republican party. Which will mean a loss to the Democrat, no matter who it is.

Without an energized base, the voter turn-out will be pathetic. Which is why we need a true conservative to run for the Republican candidacy. And not just a true conservative, but a man who can merge his politics with his faith and his faith and politics with his lifestyle.

Enter Mike Huckabee. This candidate, whom I have personally met and worked for (scroll to the bottom for a picture of the college-aged me with the pre-100-pound-weight-loss-Huckabee), is not only extremely electable (as evidenced by his twice-over re-elections as the Republican Governor of a Democratic state), but he is also a consistently conservative. Says Mark Thornton of the Mississippi Star-Herald, "I am convinced that Huckabee would be the GOP nominee if more people got to know him."

His Christian roots, which run strong and sound, not only inform his political positions but also have formed his entire life. He is an unapologetic Christian, which showed up clearly in the recent Republican debate, after which, Huckabee was called "presidential" and a true conservative by MSNBC.com.

Green Mountain Politics, a site that supports McCain, ceded this week that Mike Huckabee is the candidate for true conservatives. A few excerpts from their great article:

"The former Governor of Arkansas (10 successful years) has solid compassionate conservative credentials. In fact, they're sterling. ... Huckabee doesn't have to "fake" (like several other candidates, 2 in the top tier) his social conservative credentials in order to pander to the Republican base. Huckabee is a social Conservative with a capitol "C"! But he's also Compassionate with a capitol "C"."

(See??? This is what I've been saying!) They continue:

..."the more we listen to Mike Huckabee, the more we think that he's the type of leader who will do the 'right' thing no matter what the 'right' thing is.

That counts. That counts a whole lot.

Which means that if you're a Republican Primary voter still shopping for the 'right' candidate we think you should take a good hard look at Mike Huckabee.

We think you might really like what you see."

And so do I. (Continue reading Green Mountain Politics' "Case for Mike Huckabee" HERE.) Not only is he conservative, not only is he truly show Christian compassion, but he also has consistently held his positions throughout his adult life. Pro-life, environmentally consciencious, and with a strong record on education, he is not a wishy-washy ear-tickler, as many others are (see above, regarding Planned Parenthood donations made by two men who have said they "hate" abortion). Mike Huckabee is the real deal.


For further reading:

• NPR predicts Huckabee will be a "potent force" in the Republican race for the Presidency
• Read the transcript from when Huckabee, the "Paradoxical Republican," was interviewed by George Stephanopoulos
• Examine the intersection of faith & politics in Faith: Official or Off-the-record?

When Politics Trump Faith

Growing up, my grandfather was a doctrine-focused, KJV-wielding, argue-to-the-death pastor. Puffed up about and convinced his own "right"-ness, he sought out small, controllable churches on which to unleash his opinions, worldview, and knowledge of the Bible. He also LOVED to listen to attack-driven, hate-spewing political commentators.

Now, let me just be upfront here: I'm politically right of center on most issues, and I am a family values & free market woman. But the problem comes in when a person's politics override and even negate their faith. I had a hard time listening to my grandpa's sermonizing, when I knew he regularly used crude racial slurs, supported politicians whose private lives were every bit as screwed up as Bill Clinton (who he loathed), and lived for venomous, hate-filled political programming. His behavior overruled his claimed beliefs.

Three main problems occur when we let our politics overrun our faith:

#1- WE BEGIN ATTACKING PEOPLE INSTEAD OF IDEAS
You see it all the time... Ann Coulter recently criticized John Edwards by calling him a crude name, and refused to apologize. Ms. Coulter, a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, resorted to a base attack, and for many people, that alone will turn them away from whatever "good" ideas you may have. As Christians, we should not be in the business of attacking people. If our ideas are well-grounded and well-considered, we need not resort to mindless attacks, calling people names or slinging around insults. We can engage in a more thoughtful and deliberate way, by discussing ideas rather than personalities.

#2- WE FORGET WHICH IS A HIGHER PRIORITY: POLITICS OR FAITH?
It is naturally the case that many of the vocal Christian voices in America today are also apt to share their political beliefs, whether on TV, radio, or in print. James Dobson & other Christian commentators are popular because they take strong positions and are well-spoken. It is a natural next step for these same personalities to then feel free to speak out about their political beliefs.

The problem comes in when the distinctions begin blurring and we forget that while we may have a political difference with a Christian brother or sister, we have a higher bond between us.

We can also make the mistake of equating faith with politics. Christians in Texas often view political conservatism (family values, a pro-life culture, etc.) as the only political position with merit. Christians in Arkansas may view social liberalism (caring for the poor & hungry, being good stewards of the earth, etc.) as the only political position with merit. We forget that reasonable people, thoughtful people, Christian people can disagree on poltical issues and still be genuine in their faith.

#3- WE DROP THE BALL ON ISSUES WE OUGHT TO CARE ABOUT
One of the issues politically-conservative Christians have really dropped the ball about is the environment. Because it is seen as such a "left" issue, we often leave it to the other guys to think about, or it even becomes an issue that is scoffed about. We can get snide about it: "Yeah, I know... we should save the whales and kill the babies".

Now, I'm certainly not saying that we *necessarily* need government intrusion in this area, nor am I saying that this should *necessarily* be a top priority for Christians, but we ought to be concerned about not intentionally sabotaging the beauty God has created. We ought to be discriminate in the trash output from our home, we ought to try to recycle or reuse as possible, and we ought to be intentional about caring for whatever piece of earth we've been entrusted with (whether that's a backyard, the wilderness we go camping in, or the roadside we're driving past).

There are issues that left-of-center Christians have dropped the ball on as well, but I'll not delineate those here, as there are plenty of other sources you can look to that will give you criticisms and problems with the political left.


PROPER PRIORITIES
There are other problems too, for example, when we are "choosy" about whose immorality we will judge and criticize. For example, many of the same commentators who made lots of money and spent lots of airtime criticizing Bill Clinton NOW support men like Rudy Giuliani and Newt Gingrich, who have themselves admitted to many indiscretions. But I'll save that discussion for another day.

My point is this: we need to remember where our highest allegiance lies. When we approach political issues, we need to not only come with a Christian perspective on the issue, but we also need to approach these issues as Christians, offering grace, kindness, gentleness, and peace to those with whom we disagree.

Thoughts? Further comments?

The Beltway Beat, Part One

WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT???

The Democratic Field of Contenders

Hillary Clinton and Barack (incidentally, his middle name is Hussein) Obama, both possessing that larger-than-life rock-star quality, each announced the launching of their presidential campaigns this last week. Hillary has been the assumed Democratic nominee for 2008 since at least 10 years ago. Obama is far newer to the scene, having grabbed the spotlight during the Democratic National Convention in 2004.

Both have the potential to be phenomenally interesting candidates- one, because she is polarizing, and will have to fight her way out of the corner most people have painted her into (namely, a loud, pushy, dislikable, and excessively liberal woman), and the other because he has nowhere to go but down. When I first heard Barack Obama speak (at the 2004 DNC), I was impressed. This guy was young, incredibly charismatic, seemed compassionate and well-spoken. A campaign-staffer's dream. I knew this guy was going places. At some point that night I mused to my husband that he would make a great running mate for Hillary 2008. Two years later, after his own election into the U.S. Senate, Obama has thrown his hat into the race for President. His voting record and liberal stance on the issues should be an eye-opener to the evangelicals he's currently trying to woo. While some have wondered if he is actually running for Vice President (hoping to come close enough to beating Hillary that he becomes the obvious VP choice), he is certainly an interesting figure.

John Edwards, among others, has officially announced, and has his own supporters, but having been the running mate for Kerry in 2004 will ultimately be a negative that I believe people will hold against him. ("You had your chance- we're not giving you another one"--similar to how they treated Gore in '04 after his loss in '00.)

Either way, if the Democrats select Obama or Hillary for their nominee, it would be a first (either the first African-American or the first woman to be POTUS), which may cause fence-riders to lean that direction.

The Republican Field of Contenders

The possibilities are wide-open. There is no VP vying for the spot- no obvious ah-ha choice (think Bush1 after Reagan's 8 year run, Gore after Mr. Clinton's 8-year run). Cheney has overtly refused any chance at running and has said that if drafted, he would not run, and if elected he would not serve. Can't get any more of a "no" than that (even in politics!).

So the choices so far, as I see them, are:
Senator Sam Brownback - A U.S. Senator from Kansas known for his sincerity and conservative positions on the issues. A Catholic since 2002, Brownback has taken a strong pro-life stance, both politically and personally (he has 5 children, 2 of whom are adopted).
Mitt Romney - One-term Governor of Massachusetts from 2002-2006, Romney's big negative is that he's the Mormon candidate in this Presidential race, which may be a drawback for many evangelicals, despite his conservative stance on the issues.
Condoleeza Rice - Current Secretary of State and former head of the National Security Agency, Dr. Rice would be an incredibly informed candidate. But surely her intelligence and poise would be tainted by the public's view of the war in Iraq? And I've not read direct quotes, but I'm fairly certain she's overtly pro-choice. When you throw in the fact that she's said she's not going to run, she seems like a non-starter, but would certainly be an interesting candidate if she did decide to run.
Rudy Giuliani - Best known for his strong leadership in New York after the 9-11 attacks, Giuliani lacks a personal commitment to many key Republican positions (pro-life, pro-marriage, and personal morality--remember the mistress-in-the-mayor's house debacle?) that most conservative voters would require of a presidential candidate.
Senator John McCain - Dubbed "the Maverick" by the press in 2000 (when he ran against Dubya for the Republican nod), McCain is a veteran and former POW, which may gain support for him in this wartime climate, but many will say he's already had his shot, and his former philandering may be a sticking spot for many religious conservatives.

My favorite candidate, however, just announced the launching of his exploration committee (the same step Hillary and Obama took, which allows the candidate to start raising money) this morning, on Meet the Press. He served as Governor of Arkansas for the last 10 years and most recently, while serving as the chair of the National Governors' Association, he was ranked as one of the best Governors in America by Time magazine. A former pastor, who is both evangelically conservative, and evangelically compassionate, Mike Huckabee is not only an incredible candidate, but he is also a good man.

***In the interest of full disclosure on the front end, I should tell you that I helped his campaign in the 1998 Gubernatorial race, I served as an intern in his office during the 1999 Arkansas Legislative Session, and I served on the Student Senate and went to class with both his son and his daughter during the years I spent at Ouachita (also Gov. Huckabee's alma mater). Though I don't know him personally, in the times I've encountered him while he was Governor and through friends of mine that have worked on his staff, I believe him to be a wonderful elected official and a sincere and godly man. I'm pretty sure my parents still have the official picture of me with him that I got for serving as an intern in 1999- sometime I'll have to dig it out for you guys! :)***

Like Bill Clinton, he is one of the three longest-serving Governors in Arkansas history, he grew up in Hope, Arkansas, he is musically inclined, a Southern Baptist, and a charismatic speaker. But there are stark differences between the two men as well, politically and personally.

As a Republican governor in what was (10 years ago, when he stepped up from his position of Lieutenant Governor to Governor) a solidly Democratic state of Arkansas, Huckabee has made health care for all children in the State of Arkansas a reality. He has focused on improving people's everyday lives, from education to better roads to health care. Through his own struggle with his weight (and an eventual diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes), he gained name recognition as an advocate of eating healthy as a means to be healthy. He has a very strong record as a social conservative, and I believe he just might upset the apple cart that is the Republican race for the nomination to the Presidency.

He has an uphill battle: namely, to raise money, and boost name recognition, but I would guess that if you too are a socially conservative evangelical who has been looking for who you could possibly support in this race (like I have been), if you get the chance to hear his ideas, you may also find yourself strongly supporting Mike Huckabee for President.