I wanted to write this to you before we know the outcome of the U.S. elections. It has been quite a ride, following this campaign. I have noted with interest (not joy or dismay) how strongly Americans – including some Christians, leader and average Joe alike – feel about particular candidates.
I think being a missionary for fifteen years in Asia pretty much ruined me for putting too much stock in the outcome of an election. Measured in terms of bringing real change, I don’t have a lot of expectations either way for this election. Christians in most Asian countries (expect for perhaps Korea) are such a small minority, they never – I mean never – give a thought to the evangelical vote. They live in ungodly, idol-worshipping or anti-Christian cultures, with all the trappings therein, and that is that. They pray and they vote (if they can), but usually the choices of candidates consist of a “lesser of evils” at best. Yet, God works in these nations. His work is not primarily through the political process.
I believe we SHOULD vote, and we SHOULD pray for our leaders, and we SHOULD be a vocal advocate and activist for Godliness in our government as much as we appropriately can, but we also should realize that true transformation of society does not come from the top down. It originates in the human heart, the very bottom of the power pyramid, and it works its way up through a person, to a family, to a community and then to a nation. It is then only maintained as human hearts stay centered in Jesus Christ. To try to fight for it any other way is to miss the point of the Gospel.
Billy Graham was always an advocate of personal transformation first. During his illustrious career that began in 1949 at a crusade in Los Angeles, he served as the ex-officio “Pastor in Chief” (TIME Magazine’s title for him) for and confidante of every American President since Harry Truman. While he was always a spokesman for godliness in government, he also frequently went on record as saying that politics will never change a nation back to God. Only prayer and the Gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to do that.
Unfortunately, there are some in America who are placing undue expectations on the Presidential candidates. I do hope the right man is elected and that he provides moral and sensible leadership to this nation. However, to expect that one man or one party can do the work our country needs is ludicrous. After the post-election party fireworks have dimmed, and real world problems start closing in on our neighborhoods, we will be disappointed if that is where we have placed our hope.
No leader but Jesus can change society, because no leader but Jesus can change the heart of a human being and help people live different lives and make better choices.
So, I voted and I’m praying. I hope you have done and are doing the same.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Iran News - Not what we hear in the Media
The world is a complicated place!
I just finished reading an article in the September-October issue of Missions Frontiers Magazine (http://www.missionfrontiers.org/) about what is happening in Iran right now.
Over one million Muslims have come to Christ in Iran in recent years, this despite – or perhaps caused by – the oppressive authority of the Shiite Cleric controlled government. Additionally, millions of Iranian young people, reacting against the same oppression, now view all things American as good! Ice cream, Barbie dolls, and KFC.
Sadly, ten million more are seeking refuge from their pain and frustration in illegal narcotics from their neighbor, Afghanistan.
Here in the U.S. the only news we get about Iran, from our government leaders and the news media, is talk about their nuclear arms program and the possibility of a military strike to stop it. The picture we get is that the entire Iranian nation is hell-bent on annihilating Israel and the United States.
Now I read that a million Persians have found Jesus, that 40% of the nation watches illegal Christian satellite television, and that ten million more young people – one in seven Iranians! – are so disillusioned by current realities they are shooting heroin!
I’m thinking – we Americans really have no clue about what is going on in the world. This should be national news! Why? Because it is important information! A military strike on Iran would mean we could kill many of our friends – new-to-the-faith brothers and sisters in Christ. At best, we would re-establish in the minds of millions of Iranians that “Christian” America truly is their enemy.
Unfortunately, the powerful Islamic elite, who have their hands on the nuclear trigger in Iran, are not Christians and are not friends to the west. So, what to do?
Like I said, the world is a complicated place. All the more reason to seek God and seriously intercede for people all over the world in these challenging times.
I just finished reading an article in the September-October issue of Missions Frontiers Magazine (http://www.missionfrontiers.org/) about what is happening in Iran right now.
Over one million Muslims have come to Christ in Iran in recent years, this despite – or perhaps caused by – the oppressive authority of the Shiite Cleric controlled government. Additionally, millions of Iranian young people, reacting against the same oppression, now view all things American as good! Ice cream, Barbie dolls, and KFC.
Sadly, ten million more are seeking refuge from their pain and frustration in illegal narcotics from their neighbor, Afghanistan.
Here in the U.S. the only news we get about Iran, from our government leaders and the news media, is talk about their nuclear arms program and the possibility of a military strike to stop it. The picture we get is that the entire Iranian nation is hell-bent on annihilating Israel and the United States.
Now I read that a million Persians have found Jesus, that 40% of the nation watches illegal Christian satellite television, and that ten million more young people – one in seven Iranians! – are so disillusioned by current realities they are shooting heroin!
I’m thinking – we Americans really have no clue about what is going on in the world. This should be national news! Why? Because it is important information! A military strike on Iran would mean we could kill many of our friends – new-to-the-faith brothers and sisters in Christ. At best, we would re-establish in the minds of millions of Iranians that “Christian” America truly is their enemy.
Unfortunately, the powerful Islamic elite, who have their hands on the nuclear trigger in Iran, are not Christians and are not friends to the west. So, what to do?
Like I said, the world is a complicated place. All the more reason to seek God and seriously intercede for people all over the world in these challenging times.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
My Vote in November
The current economic crisis is slowly bleeding what is left of our national wealth and morale. Unfortunately, no one wants to make the necessary changes that will bring real solutions; we only want a bailout, a quick fix to jump-start the economy and get the money flowing again.
The political campaign is doing little to bolster public confidence. Some are calling for Sarah Palin to withdraw because of inexperience. Others complain that John McCain is too old and too outdated. Barak Obama is vague and unpatriotic. Joe Biden can’t keep his foot out of his mouth. President Bush is a lame duck.
I disagree with much of the rhetoric in the media these days, but one thing troubles me deeply: After all the bailouts, speeches and promises, I am not sure that anyone in national leadership can really lead this country!
And I will tell you why.
As a nation, “we the people” have become ungovernable! We can’t govern our own private lives, so how do we expect a leader – be it a President, a Representative, or a Corporate CEO – to govern or guide us? We have become a nation of spoiled children expecting sugar daddy politicians and credit-ready bankers to take care of us and make our lives easy.
Well, life isn't easy anymore and we still don't get it.
Every time I read the newspaper I cringe. Wall Street is to blame, big banks are to blame, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae executives are to blame, the President is to blame, Congress is to blame. Some say we have too many regulations; others that we don’t have enough. We are united by only one thing: Everyone wants someone to fix the problem quickly, so we can all go back to the way things were. Then, there will be an investigation, and we will fix the blame. And you can be sure all the fingers will point at someone else.
Is anyone prepared to really make changes - at the grass roots, personal level - where change MUST happen?
Twenty years ago Jack Kemp said that “democracy without morality is impossible.” We can argue until the cows come home about the specific definition of morality – and I am sure, in our great American tradition, we will. The truth, however, is that moral prudence isn’t hard to know. Ninety percent of it is common sense and common decency. Sadly, too many people seem to have lost contact with both of those qualities.
We can also argue about who really is to blame for America's economic problems, and, again, I am sure the arguments and discussions will go on forever. In every case of financial insolvency, however, from high finance on Wall Street to home mortgages on Main Street, an individual made a decision about how to manage his or her responsibilities. No one put a gun to anyone’s head and forced them to invest in high risk portfolios, offer risky loans, or borrow money they could not afford to pay back.
Every mortgage holder can read and do simple math. It is not rocket science to calculate a monthly budget. It does not require a college degree to understand the importance of saving for the future. This is common sense. At least it is common in most prosperous nations.
Unfortunately, in our culture’s amazing ability to live irresponsibly and shift the blame, we have failed to manage our money and now find ourselves in debt over our heads, waiting breathlessly for another bailout.
Our current crisis is the result of decades of self-serving living. We have wanted our piece of the American pie so badly that we did whatever it took, however irresponsible or short-sighted, to get it. The American Dream, that wonderful, tranquil hope of a better life – that was originally born of hard work, responsible living, and delayed gratification – has steadily eroded into a nightmare of selfish, narcissistic, me-first, give-it-to-me-now hedonism.
No one – including the Democrats, the Republicans, the big banks, and the players on Wall Street – is to blame any more than the “man on the street.” We are all culpable! Whoever does not manage his own life, pay his bills, work his job, and stay out of unmanageable debt has contributed to this mess. If we are spending more than we are earning and indulging our baser instincts (for more power, more money, more stuff!) rather than acting like responsible adults, we are to blame too. When we fail to manage our own lives, and then in crisis turn that responsibility over to legislators, attorneys and bailout experts, we have forfeited our future.
It is time to stop shifting the blame, and expecting somebody in Washington or New York to fix our lives! John McCain cannot do it. Neither can Barak Obama. Let’s not kid ourselves. Our political leaders, conservative or liberal, cannot undo the collective mistakes of 300 million people, no matter how much money they pump into the system or what new laws they pass.
However the bailout unfolds and whoever you vote for on November 4, you would do well to cast a vote for common sense at home, and make a personal decision to do better these next four years!
The political campaign is doing little to bolster public confidence. Some are calling for Sarah Palin to withdraw because of inexperience. Others complain that John McCain is too old and too outdated. Barak Obama is vague and unpatriotic. Joe Biden can’t keep his foot out of his mouth. President Bush is a lame duck.
I disagree with much of the rhetoric in the media these days, but one thing troubles me deeply: After all the bailouts, speeches and promises, I am not sure that anyone in national leadership can really lead this country!
And I will tell you why.
As a nation, “we the people” have become ungovernable! We can’t govern our own private lives, so how do we expect a leader – be it a President, a Representative, or a Corporate CEO – to govern or guide us? We have become a nation of spoiled children expecting sugar daddy politicians and credit-ready bankers to take care of us and make our lives easy.
Well, life isn't easy anymore and we still don't get it.
Every time I read the newspaper I cringe. Wall Street is to blame, big banks are to blame, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae executives are to blame, the President is to blame, Congress is to blame. Some say we have too many regulations; others that we don’t have enough. We are united by only one thing: Everyone wants someone to fix the problem quickly, so we can all go back to the way things were. Then, there will be an investigation, and we will fix the blame. And you can be sure all the fingers will point at someone else.
Is anyone prepared to really make changes - at the grass roots, personal level - where change MUST happen?
Twenty years ago Jack Kemp said that “democracy without morality is impossible.” We can argue until the cows come home about the specific definition of morality – and I am sure, in our great American tradition, we will. The truth, however, is that moral prudence isn’t hard to know. Ninety percent of it is common sense and common decency. Sadly, too many people seem to have lost contact with both of those qualities.
We can also argue about who really is to blame for America's economic problems, and, again, I am sure the arguments and discussions will go on forever. In every case of financial insolvency, however, from high finance on Wall Street to home mortgages on Main Street, an individual made a decision about how to manage his or her responsibilities. No one put a gun to anyone’s head and forced them to invest in high risk portfolios, offer risky loans, or borrow money they could not afford to pay back.
Every mortgage holder can read and do simple math. It is not rocket science to calculate a monthly budget. It does not require a college degree to understand the importance of saving for the future. This is common sense. At least it is common in most prosperous nations.
Unfortunately, in our culture’s amazing ability to live irresponsibly and shift the blame, we have failed to manage our money and now find ourselves in debt over our heads, waiting breathlessly for another bailout.
Our current crisis is the result of decades of self-serving living. We have wanted our piece of the American pie so badly that we did whatever it took, however irresponsible or short-sighted, to get it. The American Dream, that wonderful, tranquil hope of a better life – that was originally born of hard work, responsible living, and delayed gratification – has steadily eroded into a nightmare of selfish, narcissistic, me-first, give-it-to-me-now hedonism.
No one – including the Democrats, the Republicans, the big banks, and the players on Wall Street – is to blame any more than the “man on the street.” We are all culpable! Whoever does not manage his own life, pay his bills, work his job, and stay out of unmanageable debt has contributed to this mess. If we are spending more than we are earning and indulging our baser instincts (for more power, more money, more stuff!) rather than acting like responsible adults, we are to blame too. When we fail to manage our own lives, and then in crisis turn that responsibility over to legislators, attorneys and bailout experts, we have forfeited our future.
It is time to stop shifting the blame, and expecting somebody in Washington or New York to fix our lives! John McCain cannot do it. Neither can Barak Obama. Let’s not kid ourselves. Our political leaders, conservative or liberal, cannot undo the collective mistakes of 300 million people, no matter how much money they pump into the system or what new laws they pass.
However the bailout unfolds and whoever you vote for on November 4, you would do well to cast a vote for common sense at home, and make a personal decision to do better these next four years!
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