Our president said he would not participate in the National Day of Prayer earlier this year. I found it odd. I found it disturbing. I found it all the more reason to pray. Oh, I understand the whole "separation of church and state" thing, but why does this man have to take this stand when dozens of presidents before him did not? If he were a Muslim, or held any other beliefs for that matter, could he not have simply and quietly prayed to whatever god he does believe in if in fact he believes in a god at all? If he were praying to Allah, would anyone really know but him? God would, yes, but the rest of us? I suppose if he removed his shoes and laid on a prayer mat facing Mecca, then we might draw that conclusion, but without visible signs we wouldn't know. Where would the harm been in that? If he doesn't believe in God or any god, then I can understand and although I would strongly disagree with him on the issue, I can respect his integrity for not faking it. There are some who say that Barack Obama is a Muslim. I don't know if he is or if he isn't. I don't know if I could believe that he considers himself a practicing Christian either. He doesn't act like one. For a time, he did belong to the church headed by Rev. Jeremiah Wright but apparently, they had a falling out. I remember the "...God damn America..." video snippet of Rev. Wright. He should be glad he lives in a country that allows him to say such things. Try expressing those kinds of sentiments in Indonesia. If you stood up in Jakarta and said "Allah damn Indonesia." you probably would have signed your death warrant. You might not live out the day. You might not make it down from the podium.
Although Barack Obama did not want to participate in the National Day of Prayer, he is apparently willing to allow a celebration of Islamic unity to take place on Capitol Hill. Interesting.
I sincerely doubt any other religion would get such consideration. Please correct me if I 'm wrong. When was the last time the White House (under any President) hosted a day of Christian unity?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The first day of school
NOTE: Obviously, this was written a couple of months back. Sorry for the delay in posting this. Hopefully, you'll get the point anyway.
Our children started school today. Overall, things went really well. Everybody got up, got ready and got going. They knew what they had to do.
Can you imagine what it must have been like for the apostles meeting with the Lord for the first time? When Christ called the first disciples, they were busy getting on with the business of their daily lives... but they got up, got ready and got going. They knew what they had to do. School was in session. Their education had begun.
They met Christ and went with him immediately. They followed him right away. If only we all had the same will to follow. If only we did what we know we must do. That, more than anything would speed the coming of the Kingdom. Scripture tells us that Jesus will return when everyone has had a chance to hear the Good News, when the Gospel is preached to all nations. Let's get crackin' folks.
It must have been a devastating blow for the disciples to watch and/or learn of the Lord's crucifixion. They must have felt completely lost. Yet Jesus would return to them and remain with them for many days before His Ascension. How confusing and bittersweet this moment must have been. The Lord was leaving them again. This time, with instructions, a mission, a purpose, and a promise to not only be with them, but to return again.
It was kind of like dropping my son off at school. No doubt it was a bittersweet moment for both of us - probably more bitter than sweet to hear either of us tell it. Still, there was a purpose and a promise to return. School is in session. We are both teachers and students. What can we learn from Jesus today? What will we do to educate the rest of the world, until our Father comes to pick us up?
Our children started school today. Overall, things went really well. Everybody got up, got ready and got going. They knew what they had to do.
Can you imagine what it must have been like for the apostles meeting with the Lord for the first time? When Christ called the first disciples, they were busy getting on with the business of their daily lives... but they got up, got ready and got going. They knew what they had to do. School was in session. Their education had begun.
They met Christ and went with him immediately. They followed him right away. If only we all had the same will to follow. If only we did what we know we must do. That, more than anything would speed the coming of the Kingdom. Scripture tells us that Jesus will return when everyone has had a chance to hear the Good News, when the Gospel is preached to all nations. Let's get crackin' folks.
It must have been a devastating blow for the disciples to watch and/or learn of the Lord's crucifixion. They must have felt completely lost. Yet Jesus would return to them and remain with them for many days before His Ascension. How confusing and bittersweet this moment must have been. The Lord was leaving them again. This time, with instructions, a mission, a purpose, and a promise to not only be with them, but to return again.
It was kind of like dropping my son off at school. No doubt it was a bittersweet moment for both of us - probably more bitter than sweet to hear either of us tell it. Still, there was a purpose and a promise to return. School is in session. We are both teachers and students. What can we learn from Jesus today? What will we do to educate the rest of the world, until our Father comes to pick us up?
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