Of The Christian Right & Tea Party Fear
My friend Paul Webster wrote the following as a guest post. Thank you Paul!
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Politico has a fascinating article about the Christian Right’s (C.R.) concerns about the tea party movement. In it, Ben Smith describes un-ease among some Republican stalwarts who speak for the C.R. because the tea partiers are stiff-arming traditional conservative social issues, namely the sanctity of life and the defense of marriage.
I liken it to the kid who wants to make all the rules of the game because it’s his ball only to have another kid produce a newer ball and, who by the way, doesn’t have to play right in front of the house where mom can check on everything. So the first kid keeps his ball and pouts as he watches all the other kids he used to boss around running off to the big field with the second kid.
The Rise of the Modern Day Levite – Bringing The Arts Home To The Church
A facebook friend sent me the following message a few days ago:
Hi Randy,
I’ve been pondering for a while the place of the creative arts in the Body of Christ. I feel that the arts are a way to communicate the heart of God to those who don’t know Him and to those who are yet to know Him. My hearts to desire to see the arts returned to a place of honor as a way that God shares His message. I’d love to see a community where the artist connect and a place where the churches/organizations can connect with an artist. Anyway, just a bit of what’s inside. It would be great to hear your thoughts on the matter.
Blessings, J
This reminded me of my conversation with Dennis Jernigan back in 1995:
The first time I hung out with Dennis was at IHOP (the all night pancake place … not the all night prayer place) after we had both appeared on James Robison’s Life Today program in 1995. It was that conversation that turned my heart toward the arts and praying for the “modern day Levites” (artisans, worship leaders etc.) to return to prominence in the Body of Christ. Dennis is the one that coined that designation. I started praying that they would not continue to be shunned as “extra,” … or weird … but embraced as a necessary manifestation of worship, communication and communion. And, I think the Lord is answering those and millions of other prayers along the same lines.
Cindy & Meghan McCain Pose for NOH8 Campaign
Well, I added the little widget over at the top of the sidebar and this topic was one of the first two suggestions of topics to blog about so … here we go! (more after the jump.)
Cindy and Meghan McCain joined the NoH8 Campaign this week and two things came immediately to my mind. 1) They both have striking eyes. 2) I heard nothing about it except on a few gay blogs.
Beyond that, I have no doubt that the McCain ladies are well intentioned toward those who identify as gay … not so much toward social conservatives. Their participation isn’t any surprise to almost anyone who follows politics closely.
The symbolism of Meghan’s holding an elephant indicates that she believe she represents the next generation seeking to mold the Republican party into a pro-gay party through gay activism that stigmatizes those in support of traditional marriage as oppressive “h8ters.” I think this is a fairly large mistake on her part because it isn’t true (hate did not motivate Prop8) and will undermine her position within the party. I think almost everyone knew she and her mom believed this way and tolerated that disagreement but now she has joined in falsely stigmatizing her socially conservative Republican peers … not a good move.
It appears obvious that they don’t see the transcendent nature of marriage as being an unalterable symbol of God’s love for His Bride, the Church, like I do.
Maybe someday I could have a chat with them at the Big Republican tent.
Fall of The Berlin Wall – 20th Anniversary – Where Were You?
John Boehner writes for Big Government Blog:
The fall of the Berlin Wall marked a resounding victory for freedom and human dignity. On this day 20 years ago, a long-standing symbol of division and oppression crumbled under the weight of a revolution inspired by leaders whose faith in God and commitment to freedom changed the world. Years in the making, that movement dismantled the Soviet bloc in a matter of months, erecting in its place a number of young democracies that our nation now counts among its staunchest allies.
I was living with my Aunt at the time. I had moved to Texas seeking a “change of scenery.” I remember the sunlight coming into her kitchen as I sat there and listened to the news. When the wall actually fell, I remember watching the news and weeping with joy watching the Germans rejoicing.
It was a great day in world history. Where were you when the Berlin Wall fell?
This comment was originally posted on FriendFeed
An Honest Defense of Carrie Prejean
A friend dared me to title this post “But I DON’T WANNA Bigger Tiara when I get to heaven!” I was very tempted but … it wasn’t really an accurate description of what follows.
Let’s talk about Carrie Prejean.
She’s charismatic. She knows what she believes and says so. She was put on the spot and while she fumbled a bit, she said it like she sees it. She isn’t intimidated by the Media Hit machine. She is gorgeous and intelligent … I like her.
What I don’t understand are Christians equating what she did as some sort of “stand for God.” If I hear that she is a “modern day Esther” one more time I might resort to drumming my fingers on my desk so as not to say something stupid. I also have read quite a few comments about how because the “reward” she lost (the Miss USA crown) as a result of sticking to her guns on marriage will lead to a “larger reward” in heaven.
Really? God is going to give her a larger reward because she stood up to Perez Hilton (video)? With all due respect to Carrie, she is being persecuted because of her stand on marriage … not for preaching Christ crucified.
It’s not the same thing.
When I think of Christians getting a “larger reward” in Heaven, I think of the martyr Stephen, the martyred apostles, disciples and saints through the years. I think of the murdered Christians of Darfur, the Indian Christians being killed right now, the Chinese Christians being run underground and imprisoned. I think of Mother Theresa and other amazing Christian leaders throughout history that helped millions, helped abolish slavery, helped the underground railroad or to help German Jews in WWII … among a MYRIAD of phenomenal testimonies. Again, not a criticism of Carrie but the truth is she is selling a book, doing national speaking gigs and gaining fame and notoriety … not taking a vow of poverty or smuggling Bibles into Iran.
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