Posted by
Liana
at
2:18 PM
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. - James 1:2
I will not lie, last night close to midnight, my eyes welled with tears... not at the speeches of one candidate or another... but in the further realization of JUST how broken this world is that we live in.
My friend Sarah has such an amazing spirit that she's summed up quite well, and in a more half-full approach, my own sentiments. My own sentiments that surly this should be a wake-up call to the church and to any of us who have been luke-warm and less than passionate about the issues around us. This should be a wake up call that it is time to get involved and be the light in all the darkness this world holds. My sentiments that we should respect authority, pray for them, and pay what is due "to Caesar." With that, know that they are NOT who is the ultimate authority, nor should they ever be looked at to solve our problems, nor be our savior!
While we watched the electoral votes come in, I told Mike that I somehow had a sense of peace about this election, no matter what happened. We know God has a plan for us, for our nation, and will use even the difficult times to shape us as individuals and a community.
A few entries from favorite blogs of mine:
I ask you to join me in prayer for our nation. This is our most powerful weapon and this is what we can do over the next four years!
We can also make sure that the bans and laws in place, stay in place. Learn the name of your congress Representative and your state Senator's. Keep their numbers close by and call anytime this issue presents its self.
A touching story from author Heather Paulson
Change we can believe in? That’s yesterday’s news. Today, the real change begins: the change within each of us. - The Simple Dollar, No Politics Edition
I have a new sense of peace and hope today. Mainly, I am relieved that this election is now past, and we can move forward with our own change... One Day At A Time.
6 comments:
"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things have been created through and for Him." Colossians 1:16
(I enjoy your blog! But I wish you allowed OpenID comments as I have a Wordpress blog.) :) November 5, 2008 at 4:27 PM
(I'll have to check into openID comments... see if those can be integrated) :) November 5, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Bless you in finding photographers/teachers who agree with your political views or do not voice their opinion at all... there are lots of them out there who are amazing! November 5, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Linda, perhaps you'd like to point to the specific areas of Liana's post which you have accused her of insulting 'those that don't agree with' her. Based on the link in your previous comment to an earlier post and your comments here, it appears to me that you have very staunch views of your own and you feel threatened or insulted when someone doesn't share them. You, like Liana, have the right to feel what you feel and to believe what you believe. If the feelings and beliefs that each of you hold strongly too aren't shared it doesn't decrease their value or validity.
So you feel insulted. Ok, one of the definitions of an insult is a feeling indignation, which is defined as treatment or circumstances that cause one to feel shame or to lose one's dignity. Do you feel as though Liana's position and statements have caused you shame or a loss of dignity? If so, then you may want to grow a thicker skin and find peace in your stance. Liana has done nothing but share her heart and beliefs. I'm sure that if you were to speak with Liana and get to know her you'd see that just because she may not hold to the same convictions as you she would treat you with no less respect and dignity than anyone else. Yet, without even knowing her beyond what you read in this blog, you've determined she isn't worth the respect you believe hasn't been afforded you. That is the greatest shame here.
As for your reference to the post on Sojo.net: well, I found it to be judgmental, offensive, and filled with anger. I don't agree with much of what Dr. Dobson or Rev. Wallis wrote. I feel that the Reverend wasn't very reverent in how he chose to respond to Dr. Dobson's letter. Admittedly I know less about Rev. Wallis than Dr. Dobson, but from the research that I have done it is obvious that these two men share different passions in their ministries. I myself feel more drawn to the aspects of faith that more closely align with Dr. Dobson. However, I have read some articles about and interviews with Rev. Wallis and I do agree with some of his perspectives. If you and Rev. Wallis share the same passions, then I think that is wonderful. We may all worship the same God and seek to glorify His name, but that doesn't require us all to share the same ministry. The apostles had very different backgrounds and paths to the one true Savior and each was sent about his particular ministry. They too didn't agree in every way with each other, but in the end God was glorified and His church lived on.
I hope that you can be fruitful as you fight for the causes you're passionate about, just as I hope that Liana continues to be passionate about the things she holds dear. The church will be much more productive as we learn to love on another despite our differences and as a result of our shared faith.
With that said, the Bible is the Word of God; those that want to ignore scripture as an inconvenience need to ask themselves if they truly are followers of Christ or rather believers in some amalgamous faith. I'm not judging anyone's salvation, I just often have a hard time squaring some people’s beliefs with scripture, but then again I am just a simple guy with a love for the Lord and a few Bible translations and the Holy Spirit to guide me. The Bible that I read, which is not the original Greek text for all those who like to insinuate that if you don't read it in the original Greek you have no right to speak about scripture, contains some very difficult truths which I have a hard time living up to. However, difficulty in living up to or understanding something does not negate its truth. Our passion for certain aspects of the Christian faith does not make the other aspects less worthy of our passion. If Rev. Wallis wants to stamp out poverty, then God bless him. If Dr. Dobson wants to protect the sanctity of life, then God bless him. Linda, if your ministry is different from Liana's, then God bless you as well. Liana, I know that God is blessing you, keep up the fight and the faith! You may not garner the business of those who will hold your convictions against you, but God will bless you as you hold to the beliefs to which He has led you. November 6, 2008 at 1:22 AM
As a side note, I don't disagree with Mike's point that the Sojourner's post may come off as judgmental or filled with anger, but I think it is a good example of how worn down Christians feel because they are misunderstood for their political beliefs, that they feel compelled to react in this way. Not that it is right, but I think that many people have reached their breaking point. (clearly I have because I hardly ever post to blogs :-) ) November 6, 2008 at 2:42 AM