Obama's Speech

A little excerpt from Barack Obama's speech last night:

"We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country. The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than for those plagued by gang-violence in Cleveland, but don’t tell me we can’t uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals. I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination."

Aside from the jabs thrown at President Bush and Senator McCain [some justified in my opinion], Obama's speech contained familiar pieces from past Dems such as former Presidents Carter and Clinton. He spoke to the hearts of blue-collar and blue-turned-white collar workers out there. His ideas are strong and well received. There is a lot of work to be done.

Now here's where the rubber meets the road.

Obama got a few things right last night: our leaders in Washington are stale, the war in Iraq has gone on way too long, and we are losing jobs overseas. But he also got a few things wrong. The many new programs he mentioned would require taxpayer dollars. I don't know about you, but after paying for a war, I'm skeptical that neither he nor McCain could move Congress to do something worthy.

Besides, those of us who are old enough to remember the oil problems of the late 70's and early 80's, how can I believe that our Congress will initiate programs to move beyond oil? Both Democrats and Republicans are to blame. I'm tired of rich politicians thinking they know what is best for me and my family, while they cruise around the country in their personal planes.

If Americans are ready for "Change", and many of you say you are, then vote in November. Get rid of ALL [Democrats and Republicans] members of Congress that are old and stale, and vote in new folks who are ready to make a difference.

CNN: SWAT Team Mishap

From CNN: Mayor wants federal probe after SWAT raids house, kills dogs

While he was being held, Calvo said, he told police he is the town's mayor, but they didn't believe him.

Berwyn Heights has its own police force, he said, but Prince George's County police did not notify the municipal authorities of their interest in his home or the package.

"They didn't know my name. All they knew was my wife's name. They matched that to the registration of the car," Calvo said. "It was that lack of communication that really led to what has really been the most traumatic experience of our lives."

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One of these days an innocent child--or children--will be injured or killed, due to one of these warrants, because of the lack of intelligence gathering and communication. It only has to happen one time and the courts will take away this type of warrant.

I personally own a pure bred black lab and they are not a threatening dog. Pit bulls, yes. Labradors? No. Sorry folks, the Prince George's County SWAT team is at fault here.

The Shack, Brennan Manning, and Me

Amidst a spiritual crisis in my life, my wife asked me to read William P. Young's book, "The Shack". At the same time, I was blessed to attend a conference led by Brennan Manning, author of such books as, "The Ragamuffin Gospel" and "Ruthless Trust".

To make a long story short, two years ago I believed God wanted me to become a youth pastor. I prayed. I researched. I spoke with family and friends. The journey was going my way. The lights were green. I knew God wanted me to...

But the path became more and more cloudy; cluttered with "what ifs" and "how tos". I stumbled and while feeling alone and abandoned, I resorted back to the same 'ol life. No one had an answer. I prayed. And with each prayer came silence. Soon, I gave up. Did God even care anymore? Why did His signs stop? Why did the path to ministry suddenly come to a halt?

Needless to say, church became mundane. The preaching, from different pastors, was dry. I tried reading the Bible, but I was disheartened. My prayers became stale.

Fast forward...
"The Shack" tells the fictional story of Mack, a person who suffers great loss and finds redemption through meeting the Trinity: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The story examines God's love through the pain and how He is always present. Eventually, Mack comes to terms with his loss, restores his faith in God, and comes to fully love his family.

Young does a good job portraying God as a loving, sovereign being who understands our pain, loss, and love. Young paints Jesus as God in the flesh and King, while he characterizes the Holy Spirit as a part of the triune God [a little difficult to explain, but worth the read].

Yes, there are parts of the book I didn't quite grasp. For instance, the book doesn't spend time on God's justice [Heaven vs. Hell] or Satan. Instead, it focusses more on love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. However, I wasn't disappointed that Young chose the aforementioned. I could definitely relate to Young's character, Mack: The feeling of loss, being alone, and disappointed with God.

Combined with Manning's message [a loving God] and Young's book, I finally broke down and spoke to God with a heart filled with grief and longing. I felt like the prodigal who went on his own way only to realize that I need God now more than ever.

As Young mentioned is his book, Mack is restored, but his life isn't perfect and he still has his down moments. Brennan says we are to love like Jesus, not as we should be, cause we will never be as we should be. He [Brennan] believes when we die, we will be asked by Christ one question, "Did you know that I truly loved you?"

I've stopped running after something I am not: A perfect role model for all to see and hear. God knows that and He still loves me.

Here are links to Brennan Manning's website and The Shack.

Peace be with you...

Items to Ponder

I mentioned some time ago that I was done with politics. The political machine, here in the United States, has become filled with folks who don't hold true to their party nor beliefs. So, I'll be brief:

What has happened to the Republican party? They're spending tax dollars without regard, losing their character [not practicing what they preach], and forget that people are paying over $4 a gallon of gas and milk. Heck, bread is almost $3!

But let's not forget our friends, the Democrats. They are eating their own like a black widow. They can't grasp national security, want to increase taxes, and they too forget that we are getting raked at the grocery store.

Here are a couple of items of concern:
1. Remember the oil embargo? Remember the long lines at the gas stations? Thirty years have passed and we've done very little regarding fuel alternatives. Does it make you wonder?

2. The Iraq war has cost this country in both dollars and common sense. I support our troops, but Congress is not giving the military the support they need to carry onward. We have concerns in Africa that are just as important, if not more than Iraq. Women and children are being slaughtered every day due to the violence there. What are we waiting for?

3. Obama vs. McCain. This country is in need of a huge overhaul not only at the top, but in other areas such as our federal agencies and Congress. We need people who will step up and do what is right, not for personal gain or glory, but the country as a whole. What does this mean for McCain and Obama? Both need to be firm in their beliefs and stand up for what is right. Change is good IF it is for the right reasons and not to appease a particular political party or special interest group.

May God help us...

My Little World

Yes, it's been awhile...
So here are a few ramblings:

1. Go Georgia Bulldogs! - 'nuff said.
2. The Shack - A really, really good book that I wish the theologians would just leave alone. As a work a fiction, it is just that - fiction. More on this later.
3. The new house - Still unpacking boxes... Did we really own this much stuff?
4. Church - Good news for those who have been praying over us, we are now joining Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.
5. My youngest son - has accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. Yea!!!

Summer is going very, very well.