Crazy Republican christians!

It has been a long time since I have felt the urge to write a post because I am so irritated/saddened/disappointed by something.  However, the response of many Christians today dealing with the signing of health Care Reform has got me all muddled with thought and emotion.  Primarily it is the crazy Republican Christians.  You see, I know a whole bunch of Republican christians but very few Christian Republicans…and yes there is a difference. (The same can be said with Democrats, independents, etc…but for tonight I focus on the CRc.)

I have some friends out there whom I love hearing there perspectives on politics.  These friends are insightful, passionate, and firm in their beliefs.  Friends like Rachel, Nathan, Jenny, and Nader come to mind.  We don’t always agree.  In fact, a lot of the time we don’t, but the one thing that always stands as a firm foundation is our mutual faith in Christ, the belief in the supremacy of God, and our mutual respect for one another.  These people, and several others like them, are my Christian Republic friends.  These are the friends that are Christian first and republicans second.

Then we have the Crazy Republican christians.  Those who are Republicans first and then christians second (and yes I put christian in lower case on purpose).  These are the people who make me frustrated, and sad.  Today in various emails I have been told that I am not a true Christian and a traitor to our nation.  I have been told this not because I am for Health Care Reform (Which I am not in it’s current form) but because I made the assertion that Christians who oppose the Reform should check themselves and their anger before spouting off.

I get being overwhelmed with disappointment.  I understand being frustrated.  However, the  way in which we conduct ourselves speaks of who we are in Christ and how people view Christ and His Church. For the past 24 hours, what  I have seen and heard has been nothing short of disgusting and most of which has been perpetrated be people who are of a political persuasion first and faith second.

At this point I am praying that God shows me how to love the Crazy Republican christian because right now I don’t know how.  Right now I see individuals speaking on behalf of Christ when they have no business speaking about such things at all. Right now I see people acting in such a way that goes in direct contradiction to who Jesus was and is.  Worst of all, I see people using Christ as their political agenda/scapegoat – making certain that He dwells within the confines of there political preference.

So to all you Christian Republicans out there i want to say thank you. Thank you for showing the truth of your faith even in disappointing times. To all you Crazy Republican christians…please don’t claim Jesus if you’re not going to act like Him.

Until next time….

Cool or creepy? You decide.

Obama = End of the World

This is for all of my friends out there who are still freaking out a bit since the election.

I know that many of you are disappointed, but you have begun to move on.  You have begun to pray and you continue to trust the sovereignty of God – which is a good thing.

There are some who can give a rip – to you I say – you should give a rip.

And then there is the rest of you.  Oh the rest of you.

Let me give a little perspective.  You may think that its the end of the world now that Obama is the President elect,  but what’s the worst thing that happens? The church gets persecuted and the country goes to hell in a hand basket?

To my knowledge – mostly do to the study of church history as well as some persecuted countries today – it is in times of persecution that Christ is seen in beautiful contrast – it is in times of persecution that the church actually becomes united and *gasp* even grows.  But hey, what does church history know? I mean those Chinese believers – well it’s just a fluke -same for those in Afghanistan, Indonesia, Congo, and Venezuela. No, no, your right – America is the only hope of the world.  I mean that’s why so many of these persecuted countries are sending missionaries over here right? And sheesh, if it ushers in the return of Jesus – well that’s just down right unacceptable.

Relax – Fear God and nothing else.

You might also find it therapeutic to go listen to REM’s It’s The End of The World As We Know It. Although you and I both know the only part besides the chorus you sing along with is when it says Leonard Bernstein.

Thoughts on Rick Warren

OK, so I am breaking my blogging silence. Why do I choose to do it with a post about Rick Warren…well, why not?

Let me be clear up front…I am not bashing the guy. I have no desire to try and deny the incredible things God has done through Mr. Warren and his church. (sidebar – that sentence kind of makes me ill…I’ll let you figure out why.)

Sometimes I think he is brilliant, for instance, getting both McCain and Obama to do a joint panel gives quite a bit of free publicity…oh yeah, it also gives an opportunity to hear about what “Christians” and Americans really care about.

Other times I think he’s scary, for instance, getting both McCain and Obama to do a joint panel together. It freaks me out because it shows how much pull this guy has. Seriously, I don’t know what I think of any “pastor” having that much influence and authority. On the flip side of that Mr. Warren and his wife really have used a lot of their influence for some incredible things – particularly their current work in Africa which is quite amazing – so is the fact that he reverse tithes.

Now, I’m not completely sure why…I mean I don’t know the guy personally..but he does wig me out a little bit. I am sure he is a lovely individual who wants to see the kingdom of God expanded. However, for some reason Mr. Warren, Joel Olsteen, Tom Jones (not the singer), and a few others in the Christian world make my skin kind of crawl. While other like Bob Russell, Andy Stanly, Bill Hybels, and Hank Wilson excite me – and remind me of why I do what I do and that not all is lost in America when it comes to Jesus.

So where does that leave me? I dunno. I guess it leaves me in the same place I have been. Doing the best I can where I am at while dreaming huge dreams with great expectations of how God will use those who trust Him to build His Church. So Wether you are a part of a 300 person church in Lakewood, California – a 20,000 person church in South Orange County, a new church plant in Boston, a country church in Missouri, or in the streets of New Orleans…I ask one thing…Keep going…and for the love of everything good and holy try not to get in the way.

As for Rick, I think I could call him Rick now, I hope God continues to do great things…but he still wigs me out.

Until next time…