"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
I will be the first to admit that I did not vote for President Obama. Unless he changes to a pro-life position in the next election cycle, I do not plan to vote for him the next time either.
However, I like the man. I like his commitment to being as good a husband and father as he knows how to be. I like his challenge to men (especially young black men) to step up and be real men, honorable and respectable men in their families and communities. I like his commitment to civility. I admire his ability to face obstacles with confidence and courage.
President Obama has a difficult job. He has a few flaws in his political philosophy that could cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent children over the next few years. He faces terrorists and an unstable economy. Who knows what else he will face in the next few years?
The president needs our prayers. He needs our respect and our willingness to help him. He needs good advice and advisers. He needs sound spiritual counsel as he faces problems we can only imagine.
I want to follow Rick Warren's example at the inauguration this morning. (On a side note, I loved that Mr. Warren prayed in the name of Jesus in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Arabic so that no one would misunderstand the object of his faith.) I want to pray for him to be the best president possible. I'm committed to doing it, too.
The Christian Chronicle has published an outstanding editorial about respecting and honoring our political leaders at www.christianchronicle.org/article2158683~Giving_respect%2C_honor_to_leaders. I would recommend for every Christian to read the good ideas conveyed in the piece.
Showing posts with label Barrack Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barrack Obama. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
"I Want to be President"
While watching the news about Barack Obama's upcoming inauguration with me this morning,Christopher announced, "I want to be President!" Maybe someday...
Friday, December 19, 2008
Shamefully Good Living
President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Rick Warren to pray at his inauguration next month. On NPR this morning, I heard Mr. Warren described as "controversial" and "outrageous" because he considers homosexuality and unnecessary abortions to be sinful. He was attacked for believing the Bible.
Over the years, Rick Warren and the Saddleback Church have led the way in caring for AIDS victims, promoting adoption, and helping orphans. He has been a proponent of treating those with whom he disagrees with civility and honor. Mr. Warren and the Saddleback Church have tried to be faithful to biblical faith in Christ while showing kindness and compassion to the people around them, even if some of those people were their enemies.
Now, he is maligned as a hateful nut.
This is a common burden for Christians. How many times have we heard...
~Christians care about babies before they are born, but couldn't care less afterward?
~Christians are right-wing, racist homophobes?
~or some other similar accusation?
How should we respond when we are attacked in such ways?
First, we must not allow social intimidation to force us to back down from loyalty to Christ and his standards. It's better to look bad while standing with Christ than to look good apart from him. He is more important than our popularity.
Then, we need to live in such a manner that those who slander us will be embarrassed. The apostle Paul wrote, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us" (Titus 2:7-8). The apostle Peter echoed Paul's instructions when he wrote, "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.' But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander" (1 Peter 3:13-16). We need to be living such genuinely good, kind, and generous lives that such slander will look foolish and petty. It's our best defense against unwarranted attacks of this nature.
(For another good perspective on this controversy, please see Albert Mohler's comments at www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=3023.)
Over the years, Rick Warren and the Saddleback Church have led the way in caring for AIDS victims, promoting adoption, and helping orphans. He has been a proponent of treating those with whom he disagrees with civility and honor. Mr. Warren and the Saddleback Church have tried to be faithful to biblical faith in Christ while showing kindness and compassion to the people around them, even if some of those people were their enemies.
Now, he is maligned as a hateful nut.
This is a common burden for Christians. How many times have we heard...
~Christians care about babies before they are born, but couldn't care less afterward?
~Christians are right-wing, racist homophobes?
~or some other similar accusation?
How should we respond when we are attacked in such ways?
First, we must not allow social intimidation to force us to back down from loyalty to Christ and his standards. It's better to look bad while standing with Christ than to look good apart from him. He is more important than our popularity.
Then, we need to live in such a manner that those who slander us will be embarrassed. The apostle Paul wrote, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us" (Titus 2:7-8). The apostle Peter echoed Paul's instructions when he wrote, "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.' But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander" (1 Peter 3:13-16). We need to be living such genuinely good, kind, and generous lives that such slander will look foolish and petty. It's our best defense against unwarranted attacks of this nature.
(For another good perspective on this controversy, please see Albert Mohler's comments at www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=3023.)
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Punished With a Baby?
"Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate" (Psalm 127:3-5, NIV).
Recently, presidential candidate Barrack Obama was explaining his support of abortion. Mr. Obama said that if his daughters were to become unexpectedly pregnant, his response would be: "I don't want them punished with a baby."
Mr. Obama and I have completely opposite views on this issue. He sees babies as punishment. I see them as gifts from God. He would encourage the needless killing of his grandchildren. I would encourage his daughters to keep them or to place them for adoption.
The Contact Church of Christ has a pre-natal and post-natal program to teach new mothers how to care for their children. New mothers can receive necessities like food, diapers, maternity clothes, baby clothes, and cribs in the program. Mary Lasarsky runs the program. More information may be found at http://www.contactchurch.net/contact_life. Christian Services of Oklahoma can help with adoptions at http://www.christian-adoption.org/. If no adoptive parents are available, my wife and I would be willing to go through the adoption process again to provide for the child.
Children do not need to die in such situations. Christians are willing and eager to help everyone involved.
children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate" (Psalm 127:3-5, NIV).
Recently, presidential candidate Barrack Obama was explaining his support of abortion. Mr. Obama said that if his daughters were to become unexpectedly pregnant, his response would be: "I don't want them punished with a baby."
Mr. Obama and I have completely opposite views on this issue. He sees babies as punishment. I see them as gifts from God. He would encourage the needless killing of his grandchildren. I would encourage his daughters to keep them or to place them for adoption.
The Contact Church of Christ has a pre-natal and post-natal program to teach new mothers how to care for their children. New mothers can receive necessities like food, diapers, maternity clothes, baby clothes, and cribs in the program. Mary Lasarsky runs the program. More information may be found at http://www.contactchurch.net/contact_life. Christian Services of Oklahoma can help with adoptions at http://www.christian-adoption.org/. If no adoptive parents are available, my wife and I would be willing to go through the adoption process again to provide for the child.
Children do not need to die in such situations. Christians are willing and eager to help everyone involved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
