brent(inWorship)

I am not sure what the response will be to this post…but here we go…

My friend @edfromct posted a link to an article via Twitter tonight. A town hall meeting was held in New Hampshire and it was attended by President Obama. No biggie, there are protestors at most all political events. So what was the deal? This man was carrying a 9mm pistol. Strapped to his leg. And it was legal. He was allowed to stand in the open with a 9mm strapped to his leg, while President Obama and others were discussing health care reform.

Here is the link to the article…

First of all, this is not a discussion over gun control. If you want to make it that…fine. but that’s not the point here.

This man was exercising his legal right to own and bear arms and to do that in a legal manner and he respected the weapon and did not to use it in an illegal way. In this day and age, we obviously have concerns over the misuse and danger of guns. But I am very grateful that this occasion did not turn out to be another blunder by our government officials. No doubt he made a bold statement today. But, it was treated as nothing more than that.

Don’t get me wrong. Our President and others need to be safe, but we cannot take freedoms away (as our country is doing) in hopes of controlling a person or persons from doing something dumb or dangerous. I am actually very grateful that this man was allowed to do what he did. He proved his control and maturity. He exercised his legal rights. It gives me a vote of confidence in the officials that regulated and protected this event. This speaks volumes to me.

What bums me out is the attitude of the media involved. Take this comment from the live reporter on MSNBC…

“You’re saying a guy has a gun in the open – where we already know there are concerns about every president’s safety, but certainly this president … and the guy’s just being allowed to stay there? Is that right”

This is an attitude that SCARES ME! This reporter felt it was better to control and restrict, illegally, a person for actions that might or might not happen. And to this reporter, that kind of enforcement seemed appropriate, even normal.

Whether you agree with gun control or not, is not the issue. If guns were not allowed, than this man would not have the right to do what he was doing and would have been arrested or removed. BUT, guns are legal, so we need to be cautious of becoming a people that feel, we know better, and in turn begin restricting freedoms, even if they are legal.

I am disappointed with the direction our country is going. And I refuse to blame only Obama or the Senate. It goes all the way to the chairs and couches of every house in America that chooses to take on this attitude. And so often we mask these issues of control with a fuzzy pink bow and say it is “for our protection”. Our country is no longer in the business of “protection”. It’s in the business of “fix – it”. The need to “fix” our problems is a control issue. We are not a country of control, but of freedom. Once we stop protecting our freedoms, we move on to “controlling” our rights. I am sure seeing a lot of this. The story today, gives me hope that some are still interested in freedom and not control.

Every Wednesday I write about a “hot button”. A hot button is something that leads people to defend and judge. It often leads people to anger and frustration. I won’t necessarily have answers, but I will have talking points. That’s where it begins.

How do we change a political system? Have you ever thought about that?

Well, we can vote, we can speak out, we can hold rallies.

But, here is the problem. Everything we stand for is somehow tied into being either a republican or a democrat. So, we seem to make choices based on that and not on what is best. I’ve said it many times before, we more often vote against something than for something. The most recent Presidential race was not a race for change, it was a race against a status quo that started way back in the Bush administration with bumper stickers and TV ads and hate mail. Unfortunately , we are now seeing the effects of voting against something and not for something.

Our country is in an economic crisis. What would have been the best thing for us to do? Logically, vote people into office that are wise with money and concerned over keeping our government out of capitalism. We didn’t do that. Democrats voted for the new “hope” and Republicans voted against him.

Now, hear me. I am not blaming this on Obama. I am blaming our situation on everyone who plays part in it. Every Congressman, Senator and Administrator. And, I blame us for allowing this to happen. We are not voting for the right people. And unfortunately, we have a government that is out of control. We have a group of men an women who are not interested in keeping government out of the lives of the American people. We have a government that is interested in profiting to continue programs and agendas. We have a government that is more interested in how we look to the world, than who we are to the world. We are no longer a free country, but a country looking to control it’s freedoms.

How does it change?

We vote for what is best, not what is new or hopeful(more on that in a moment). We don’t vote against anyone. And, we don’t vote based on party affiliation. That has to stop. The idea that a Republican is a Christian and a Democrat is a baby killer is a dead issue. Parties are not the issue. people are.

Also, we get involved. This is our government, not theirs. We are all the same and we all have the same responsibility. If our government is screwing up, I am screwing up. Get involved. Whatever it is. First and foremost. EDUCATE YOURSELF! We are seeing a total lack of ignorance with the Swine Flu Pandemic. And the media is soaking up every second of it.

Now, for “hope”. “Hope” is the last word I ever want to hear attached to our government. It was completely inappropriate and manipulative for this last campaign to be labeled as “hope”. How awful that we place that much power and responsibility in our government. And how awful of us for buying into it and releasing our responsibility to do our part in this country. The government is not here to control or change. WE ARE! Let’s get it done.

I read this article tonight and immediately a couple thoughts came to mind.

The “Camera Phone Predator Alert Act” had been introduced to Congress. Essentially the writers of this law are in hopes that Congress would require all phone cameras to have an audible sound while taking pictures. So as to reduce the risk of “voyeur’ style photos.

From a technical standpoint, I don’t know how this is possible to regulate. Why wouldn’t someone just mute the phone? Would phone manufacturers be required to keep camera tones unaffected from the mute button? I just don’t know how this would happen.

From a political standpoint, this makes me sick. We are now going to waste time, money and resources trying to make this law, and then trying to enforce the law. You’ve got to be kidding me! Don’t get me wrong. I understand why the lawmakers want to do this, I just think they are missing the point.

Which brings me too…

From a spiritual standpoint, I am saddened. I don’t believe the answer is to create another law to try and legislate morality. We continue, as a people, to go after the effects of an issue and we do not tackle the issue itself. How are we as a church reaching out to our communities? Is there an impact going on, that is showing a reduction in crime, divorce, suicide? Can we even hope for this kind of change?

I am optimistic that change can happen. Not because I am capable, but because I know God is capable of changing anyone’s life. Change doesn’t come by adding a sound to sin. Change comes when God challenges sin head on and exposes it Himself. But that only takes place when we, as the church, are willing to get face to face with those struggling and show them the God that has that power. Because He has demonstrated in power in each of us.

So, if we ever have a chance to vote on a law like this. I’ll pass. I’m not interested in masking the sin. I am interested in dealing with it. Face to face.

Tomorrow begins a new day in America. Hope? maybe. Change? maybe. A lot of the same? Probably. But I would be lying if I said that those statements are not made based on my own opinion. They are. Really, what do I know? What do we know?

Tomorrow is historical. It is an amazing statement that our country is willing to accept and to forgive. It really is.

Tomorrow is a time for prayer and opportunity. It is NOT a time for opinion.

The last 8 years have been full of opinion. From all sides. But something that really disappointed me about the last 8 years was the absolute defiance of some who chose to never get off their butts and get to work for our country. There was a bumper sticker floating around that read, simply “1/20/09″. Maybe you’ve seen it. What a lazy and entitled view of living in this country! You mean to tell me that there is nothing that can be done to be valuable and prosperous citizens in this country because someone may have a strong opinion about who is in office???

Here’s what I saw the last 8 years. Failure for many to find common ground and care for each other in the midst of opinion. Now don’t get me wrong. I know many that did and have proven to be loving and caring people. But clearly, our countries image is one of bickering and hating.

So, what can the next 4-8 years bring??? Unfortunately, a lot of the same. But…not from me!

I am going to be praying. The bible commands me to pray for my leaders. It doesn’t say I have to agree. It says pray. Pray for wisdom, health, strength, integrity. But, I will not be praying that Obama does what I want, because my opinion is mute. I will be praying that Obama seeks God, in all he does.

Change? You bet!!! But guess what. It’s not found in Obama. It’s not found in our politics. Change will be found in people that choose to live differently than the last 8 years. Change will be found in neighbors caring for each other and communities seeking good. Change will be found in being a different people than many have chosen to be.

I hate to say this, but Christians tend to fall down party lines. Well guess what. A Democrat is in office. So what are you going to do? Blab your opinion? Or prove to that Democrat that you love God, love people and want the best for this country. And how are you going to do it? Get off your butt, shut your mouth and get to work.

Opinion is pointless. Prayer is a necessity. In all of it. God still reigns and He is our Hope. Period.

Am I angry? Not really. I am determined. I’m just done with political opinion…including my own.

I don’t have much to say about the election. I am happy about some things and unhappy about others. I will continue to live for God and not for man. I voted and I am pleased with who and what I voted for.

There will be turmoil and critique at all times. I have no doubt of that. But I would hope that of all things we would differ on, that all of America can come together on this. This week is history and special.

ht:human3rror

When Christians react to elections with despair and panic, they [demonstrate] that their faith is in the wrong place…Salvation is not something that Caesar holds in his hand, whether to give or withhold.
— Douglas Wilson

ht:Joshua Blankenship