New Location for this blog

I have things mostly set up. I may continue to tinker but I can't/don't want to spend much more time messing with it. It is up and running.

Please update your bookmarks and links if you have one to my blog.

www.bpnblog.theobloggers.org

Well, I am moving...

...my blog, that is. Ha-ha! Scared you.

My new blog on theobloggers.org will be up and running soon. After I get settled in my new place and straighten things up, I will provide a link so you can come on over and check it out (and update your link to my site, if you have one).

I will at some point transfer most of my posts from here to the new place.

Politics, part 4: Pre-Election Day Thoughts

Whether you vote or not tomorrow, I hope you pray (and consider fasting) for whomever wins.

If you don't know what to pray for concerning our leaders, Paul says it to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:2, "for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

"Hot Topics! Get your hot topics right heeyah!"

Death Penalty: I hope no Christians are rejoicing at the pending death of Saddam Hussein. We should weep for the evil he has committed and for his soul. God has said over and over that whomever takes innocent life must be put to death. He told Noah and his family in the days of the Patriarchs (Gen 9:4-6). It was a part of the Law of Moses (right after the place where He says, "Thou shalt not kill", keep reading people; it's called context--Exodus 21:12ff). And even the Apostle Paul said that the goverment has the job of punishing evildoers (Romans 13:1-5), and that governments "don't bear the sword for nothing". Surely, he means they will use the sword to spank the evildoers. Apparently, Paul wasn't on board with Jesus.

Abortion: I was wondering today about those who support abortion rights as a form of birth control. If someone who is for abortion for others and herself, would she grieve over a miscarriage. I have known many women whose pregnancy didn't go to term. They grieve. If your view is, "it's not really, or not yet human life" how does that affect the loss? Or is the only difference that one is wanted, and the other isn't. I bet they would grieve anyway, in spite of their views.

Homosexuality: I must confess and repent because I watched some of the American Dad cartoon last night out of curiosity. It is a miserable, ungodly cartoon that I don't recommend. You teens probably love it. Be careful. The dad is a bigoted Republican, but last night his eyes were open to the fact that Homosexuality is not a choice (because he wanted to be gay, and realized "you can't choose to be gay or not be gay"). And he decided he could like gays as long as they were Republican gays. He gave a heartfelt speach to the RNC about his experience and all the Repubs were amazed to learn that homosexuality is not a choice. Sad. Some of the trash on TV is just trying to entertain and get a laugh. Others obviously have an agenda and are indoctrinating our kids with funny cartoons.

With any addiction, we give up choice along the way. Many who are proud, selfish, or jealous might feel like and think, "this is just the way I am and I can't change." I believe that without the power of God and His Spirit, it's true, we can't change, overcome, or defeat any addiction. Sin is addictive. It ruins even our Free-Will at some point, if we allow it to.

You don't tell an alcoholic, heroin addict, or a homosexual, "it's choice, your are free to change, just get over it." They need a lot more than that, including realizing what they are doing is wrong. The question is not, "is homosexuality a choice or not?" but "is it right or wrong?" And with any sin, there must be confession, repentance, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit to overcome the temptation.

I will shut up now. I have said too much. But I felt the need to say it. Keep in mind that the other political party is not the problem. Satan is. Homosexuals and Pro-abortion folks are not our problem. The Devil is. Iraq and Iran are not the problem. Our problem is sin. Our enemy is not flesh and blood but the "rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Gazing upon the Beauty of the Lord

I want to take an interlude from politics (or maybe I am finished with it) to offer some readings. Thanks to my Sister who recently reminded me to read Psalm 27, I got to thinking about this.

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
Psalm 27:4

"My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek." Psalm 27:8

Here are some other readings to add and I keep thinking of "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe and the old hymn, "Face to Face."

Exodus 33:12--34:7
Isaiah 6
Ezekiel 1
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
John 14:8-14
1 John 3:1-3

When was the last time you gazed upon the Lord's beauty?

Politics, part 3: Confusing our Roles

I am Brian and I approve of this post...

This is where I will really confuse you, or at least sound confused. I am stuck in the middle, and won’t come down from the fence. I realize it is very non-political to refuse to choose one of the nicely organized sides but I don’t agree with either one.

When it comes to war…I am neither for it nor against it. On second thought, I could probably win a campaign talking this way. Let me clarify:

I feel that as a Christian, my life should be based on love, mercy, forgiveness, etc. and I should act these things out in my daily life. War, which usually involves revenge, taking human life, etc., is not what I should be about. So, I am against being involved in war. If I am forced to enlist, hopefully I can do something without shooting other people. I feel uncomfortable supporting a war with my vote, as well. As a disciple of Jesus, I cannot in good conscience participate or support war.

But here is where I differ from some political parties and most pacifists. I am not against war. I believe God has established governments and they have responsibilities. Part of the responsibility to keep peace may involve going to war. I will not protest war, or vote against war. That is a part of what governments do. It's their God-given job.

Also, Biblically speaking, God uses war to accomplish His purpose. He has throughout time. We don’t know for sure, but He might be up to something even now. Even if our leaders have bad motives or intentions, God might be working. I do not believe in Holy Wars but God used Babylon, Assyria, Rome and other other "unholy" nations to accomplish His Will throughout time.

He even commanded his own people to wage war at times. If war is inherently always sinful, then we have a problem with our God. And running from/dismissing the OT doesn’t change what happened. And believing in two different gods, or a God who changed his mind about war after the cross is not intellectually or exegetically honest.

I feel similarly about capital punishment (death penalty). I would be embarrassed if Christians were marching in the streets supporting the death penalty. That isn’t our MO. At the same time, I believe in the paradox that says, “we don’t truly respect human life if we allow murderers to live”.

I wouldn’t vote for it. I couldn’t serve as a judge or on a jury that must decide the penalty for a murderer. I couldn't flip the switch or inject the needle but I do believe God has ordained governments to punish the wrongdoer. That is the job of governments.

This concept of a Christian Nation creates quite a conundrum. The government has a responsibility to do certain things that as a Christian, I don’t feel I should be party to (no pun intended). At the same time, I have no right to tell the Government not to do what God has called them to do. I wouldn’t want them doing that to the church.

The Church has one responsibility and the Government has a very different one. I don’t think we should confuse or combine the two.

If you are totally lost, at least read Romans 13:1-7 before attacking my views. I realize this may be solely a matter of conscience so read Romans 14-15 while you are there. I am not attacking or judging you or your family who are Christians and serving in the military or as judges, politicians, or policemen.

Politics, part 2: Three statements I don't like

"I didn't vote for Him/Her."
So what? God says to honor, submit to, and respect the government and government leaders/officials. The attitude behind that bumper sticker seems to be disrespect and rebellion. Do you think the first Christians really supported the political views of Caesar? Whether it was Nero or not, when Paul and Peter wrote about this issue, they said, "honor, submit, respect."


"If you don't vote, you have no right to complain."
Wrong. As a Christian, I have a responsibility, even a mandate (to use political jargon) to speak out against wrong and to stand up for what is right. But where am I commanded to vote? What principle, precept, or command says that I am not a good disciple of Jesus if I don't participate in elections? I have been told by Christian friends that "honor, submit, respect" means I should vote. Forgive me if I don't agree with your exegesis. I don't see it or understand it. I will not judge you for voting, but you shouldn't judge those who choose to be salt and light in non-political ways only. Sure, it is an opportunity, but don't make it a Christian duty (more thoughts on voting later)


"Vote your values". (Chronicle article)
I appreciate Focus on the Family and similar groups for their intentions, efforts, etc. but I feel uncomfortable with their methods. As much as I am opposed to homosexuality, I don't see how a constitutional ban on Gay Marriage, or even gay relationships helps anything or anyone. I don't believe in boycotting, use of force, or politics to accomplish God's Will.

Chrisitianity, Holiness, Salvation, etc. cannot be forced or legislated. If we do that, it means absolutely nothing. I fear what we are saying is, we want things our way, and we are going to use political power to get it. And I also think our own fears lie behind this mentality.

Wouldn't it be much easier if all sin were against the law? Then we wouldn't be persecuted. Then it would be so much easier to be a Christian. But, if things (by things, I guess I mean laws) change and homosexual marriage and abortion (I confess to feeling differently about abortion, since it is forced on the innocent) become even more acceptable, legally and socially, being a Christian will be much more difficult than it already is. Jesus told his followers to shake the dust off their feet when people rejected their message, not to bully and coerce them to comply.

Have you ever noticed that God never promises government backing, but emphasizes the unavoidableness of suffering and persecution?

My question is: Are we still going to stand up for right and against wrong even if the laws don't go our way?

Why don't we use all the energy taken by electioneering, campaigning, boycotting, marching, protesting, writing letters, calling our congresspeople, and on and on....and instead spend some time waging a spiritual war? Why don't we spend that time in prayer?

Why don't we use our time getting to know a homosexual couple and show them the love of Jesus and explain clearly why we believe what we believe? If they think we are closed-minded and intolerant (and many will), is our next step really to vote against them?

I appreciate your comments. Keep Romans 14-15 in mind as we discuss. I am sure someone will point out some flaws in my arguments (no surprise) and I welcome the help.

Politics, part 1: You just have to laugh

Signs are popping up everywhere. I removed three from the church yard recently. I didn't want to get in trouble for "supporting" one candidate and lose our tax-exempt status. Of course, the cars driving by probably assumed we like the other guy since I was removing signs.

Some signs make me laugh. I didn't realize at first that one sign actually had two last names on it. I almost wanted to vote for the guy just because I thought the name was Colosimo Soos. There is another multiple name sign in our community with three names. The third one is "Barabas". I chuckled to myself, imagining a throng of voters crying out, "Give us Barabas! Give us Barabas!" My wife didn't find that amusing for some reason.

I love the Maxine comic (grumpy old lady) and someone recently emailed a few of them. Here are her thoughts on politics:

"They hold elections in November because it's the best time for picking out a turkey."

"How's this for a political platform: Don't lie through your teeth!"

"Voting is like choosing your favorite mosquito out of a swarm."

This is a cartoon from our community paper:
The scene is Moses holding the two tablets just after receiving the Law. A man in the front row of the crowd asks, "Did he say anything about Tree Ordinances?"
If you know how picky some towns can be about zoning ordinances, what you can and cannot do, and how you must do it when it comes to cutting trees, putting up a sign, etc., you can appreciate that cartoon.

As Election Day nears, I will post some more serious thoughts on Christians and government. I have thought a lot about it in recent years. Bible study and some personal experiences (living overseas especially) have caused me to think differently than I used to.

They will probably be inflammatory and heretical. I know you can't wait.