This Changes Nothing

I am a Christian, and I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, Jesus is not the God of America, and the United States is not a Christian nation. To make Jesus the God of America is to make Jesus too small. To make Christianity the religion of the nation makes every citizen of any other religion or citizens who confess no religious faith second-class citizens. It would impose a religious test on elected officials (an unconstitutional de facto reality in most cases already). It would deceive us and the world into thinking that every war we fight is a Christian crusade. The United States is and ought to remain a non-sectarian republic.

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—	On Glenn Beck and the Restoring Honor Rally (Part I) by Valerie Elverton Dixon 08-31-2010

This makes me soooo happy!

The Faith Of Our President | Religion Dispatches »

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In re: this, I have to wonder what Republicans would have to say to a president who was baptized and became a member of a church only late in life, who told his closest religious advisor, “I don’t believe the American people are going to follow anybody who’s not a member of a church,” who covered up his unusual religious background, and who — despite his “deeply held religious faith” and acts of public piety — was described as “a very fervent believer in a very vague religion”?

Would they not say, “Hello, Mr. Eisenhower?”

Jesus was not clearing the road so I could ride victoriously through life. He was becoming the road that would carry me through all the garbage, falls, failures, and disasters that were the inevitable results of my existence. In trying to make myself loveable, I had been distancing myself from true love. In pretending to be a leading candidate for the religious life, I was abandoning the life of grace. In seeking to be a good Christian, I was deserting the truth that there is no gospel for “good” Christians, because the Lamb of God was nailed to an altar for those who are not good, and who are no good at pretending to be good.

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—	Excerpted from Mere Churchianity by Michael Spencer. Copyright © 2010 by Michael Spencer.

Well done! (h/t Newsweek)

Things I’m Buyin…

On a follow up to my previous post of “Things I’m Not Buyin’” here are a few of the things that do capture my heart, attention, affection (note - buyin’ in this sense does not mean I believe all of these things can be bought:-)

Jesus (His life, his death, his resurrection and subsequent work)

My family (blessed to have been married to Christina for 15 years with 2 awesome boys)

My family (aka my mom, brothers & sisters, our three dads (yes three) and our life growing up together)

My friends (there are many that I consider friends, there are a few that are my inner circle)

Eating right & good food (Thai, Sushi, Indian, Greek, Mexican - my mouth is watering)

Travel (At home & abroad)

Good music (see my Pandora profile)

Apple

Good books

Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)

My Job (I work with some great people and have a boss that cares about people)

All Arizona Professional Sports Teams and the Arizona Wildcats

San Diego

Grey’s Anatomy

Chopped

The Colbert Report

The idea that people are not labels, but are image-bearers of a creative God.

Generosity

Grace, Forgiveness & Redemption

Trader Joe’s

There are many more, but I want to hear the things that you’re into…

Is Obama a Christian? Is Obama a Muslim? How do you know? Jesus said people will know His followers “by their fruit” and if they have “love for one another”. In a land where we are free to worship how/who we want, should we be guessing at other people’s beliefs? Why is there such a fascination over this and why do people keep claiming Obama is a Muslim when he contends he is not and has said he is a Christian?

What do you think?

Oh, this is a tear jerker. Would that I could be a husband like this!

Things I’m Not Buyin’…

The Dallas Cowboys

Glenn Beck (or Goldline)

Cold Weather

People who use their “Christian faith” to gain position, wealth and power

Sarah Palin

The “Sinner’s Prayer” as a prerequisite

Crocs

Microsoft (Yes, I tried Bing)

Dispensationalism (now, I’m really in trouble)

The earth is only 6000 years old

The New York Yankees

Jason Mraz

99% of Praise & Worship Music

Fox News (you’re beginning to see a pattern right)

Proof-texting (especially from the Bible and/or The Constitution)

Spongebob Squarepants (& yet my boys love him)

Celebrity-based “reality” TV

Holiday Inn (even the Express version)

People who use fear to gain position, wealth & power

Humidity

Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and other cheaters (Lance & Tiger could be next)

Racism

SB1040

Faith is a force and our words are the containers of that force (aka Word of Faith theology)

Christian bumper stickers (Especially “Christians Aren’t Perfect…Just Forgiven” - barf)

Windshield repairmen at the car wash

There’s more, but I wanted to leave room for the things you’re not buyin’…

(PS - did anything surprise you here? Anything make you mad? I hope not, forgive me if something did. I love having friends who disagree with me:-)

Really loved this! Chipotle Black Bean burgers (from Morning Star) with guacamole, salsa & cilantro. Butternut squash, tossed w/cinnamon, margarine spray, maple/agave syrup. Pita chips with homemade tzaziki.

On Glenn Beck and the Restoring Honor Rally (Part I)