Presidential Primaries

I have voted in two presidential elections. Both times casting my vote for the Republican candidate, George W. Bush. I'm concerned, okay, frightened that the Republicans have failed to really address some of the key domestic issues that consume the American people. Issues like health care, jobs, the economy...although some of these are not traditional Republican banners, it seems that an increasing number of Americans are finding these the most pressing issues of their day. A war half a globe away or key issues like abortion are not so important when you can't afford insurance and health care for your middle class (that's right) family. How can you one be focused on some of those issues when the economy continues to suffer? My fear is that the Democrats, although they might not be able to deliver, are at least talking about issues that hit home with so many Americans. This election will be one for the record books!

Over the Rhine

I recently got 2 Over the Rhine Cd's. They are amazing! The vocals, the song writing, the arrangements, all heavenly. Discount Fireworks is a career spanning "Greatest Hits", and The Trumpet Child is their most recent offering. Both are worth the price of admission. The songs penetrate the soul unlike most music on the radio today, in an age of American Idol garbage. Over the next few weeks I will probably share some thoughts about a few of the songs that have either struck a chord or brought a smile to my face. In the meantime, you can check them out on the web at www.overtherhine.com.

Carry My Burdens

I just read Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." What would our lives look like if we really put this verse into practice? I'm not sure if we can carry every one's burdens, but certainly there are certain friends, family, brothers, and sisters in Christ that we can be their burden carrier. After I read this verse, I thought for a few moments about the people in my own life who carry my burdens and I theirs. It made me realize that it is in some of these relationships that I have most deeply experienced the grace and love of God. I think that is what is meant by the second half of this verse.

Faith like a Friend

Have you ever noticed that conversation with an old friend is so easy and comfortable? I visited a church in Augusta last week and got to reconnect with an old friend. It was amazing how our conversation just kinda picked up were it left off a couple of years ago, the last time we saw each other. It reminded me that our relationship with God is similar. We can go long stretches of time without spending time in prayer or Bible reading, but when we do either it's a very natural and comfortable feeling. Like we haven't missed a beat. It is regrettable the time we let slip away when it comes to friends and God, but isn't it wonderful to know that the intimacy is there to press the pause button so that life can continue.

Frustration

A friend had a car wreck yesterday that really put a dent in her week (no pun intended). As some of us gathered at the scene of the accident we were all reminiscing about our own wrecks. We were reliving our situation as her situation played out before our eyes. It reminded me that the act of corporate worship is about reenacting the drama of God's history with humanity. The details of the story include creation, sin, redemption, unfaithfulness, salvation, and faithfulness. I have been asking myself if I do this in my daily worship of God or if I, like so many others, am simply going through the motions. The wreck also made me realize that as a community of faith we share in each others joy and pain in a unique way...kinda like we did yesterday at Hill and Oak.

God says one thing

As I took Claire to preschool this morning a song by Bill Mallonee came on my iPod. The title is Crescent Moon. One of the lines says, "Life is coming to grips with what you're worth, when God says one thing but your heart says another." I think we can be our harshest critics in life, especially when it comes to any shortcomings in our relationship with God. We stumble and struggle with sin and our heart tells us that we are worthless and unworthy of God's love. The truth is, we are unworthy. That's what makes grace so incredible. As God's children he looks at us with love and compassion and mercy even when we mess things up so bad that we can't see the light at the other end of the tunnel.

Does that mean that Christ promotes sin?

In Galatians, Paul talks about the way the Law points out our need for Christ and grace. Verse 17 intrigued me yesterday as I read it. If in growing in our faith we discover that we are in fact sinners who still struggle with the taint of darkness in our hearts we cannot conclude that Christ promotes sin or evil. In fact, Christ stands in direct opposition to sin and evil. "Does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!" Sometimes I think we become so enamored by the wickedness in our hearts that we confuse our struggle with sin as God condoning our sin. The very opposite is true. As we grow in faith, we see better the depths of our sin and our need for redemption. Then we can join Paul in "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."