Wednesday, November 5, 2008

A little inspiration and a spiritual/political rant...it is okay if you don't read it all.


I was cruising through Flickr last night looking for a little inspiration for a senior shoot with one of the boys from LUMY. He is a drummer, so I was searching for some

concepts that I could put into action with him when I ran across a certain photo stream. There are less than 50 photos, but almost all of them are interesting to the point of me looking at all of them individually. The name of the person whose stream it is, is Cale Glendining and you should see what he is up to...it made me think of time and color and exploring some of the ideas that I haven't yet. I hope you find something worth looking at here.
On to the things on my mind...

I haven't turned on the news yet this morning, but I am fairly certain, based off of facebook status' alone, that the world is up in arms about us electing Obama to the seat of President of the United States of America. I woke up early this morning on my own with my head just reeling. I have been feeling so much conviction about the responsibilities of the body Christ. What is our purpose and how does that play into all of these politics. Andrew and I teach our students, with conviction, that they can change the world...because even if it is in one persons life, you are changing the world for somebody when they see Christ for who He is and not for the name that has been placed on Him by society. So I feel that since this is my blog, and thank God for freedom of speech, I would charge you with the conviction I feel. That is this, we, the Christians in this nation need to rise up and take responsibility for the issues that we can change. I cannot make one bit of difference in this world when it comes to trying to get better health care (unless I pay for it) but as a believer of a hope and a future, I can teach the Love of God to all the young men and women I encounter and hope that they will see the purpose they have. I believe this will make the difference in their lives to see that we can effect the choices that they make. This will have a spiral effect if people are teaching the TRUE GOD to people rather that the deformed version. By true, I mean the one that called us to make disciples of men. Not just showing up until they make a "decision" but sticking around to make sure that they understand what that means and what all it entails. If people are so worried that one man can change things so much socially, we need to understand that as a body of Christ we are way bigger than 1 man and if our voices ring out in ONE accord, we can make a huge difference in the social issues and let them, in government, deal with my health care...and Lord let them do so. I cannot speak to the other issues at hand and I don't claim, by any means, to be politically brilliant, but I can speak to what I know and that is this...We have a responsibility too, and if we neglect it, we are responsible for the downfall of this world as much as anyone else. The Lord never said that serving Him would be easy, he even tells Jeremiah, "go where I lead you and speak to who I tell you to...I WILL RESCUE YOU!" I guess the thing I keep hearing is, "if we are soo worried about the abortion issue, (and this is most assuredly the one that people have been voicing their opinion about) then why aren't we personally taking action rather than just going out and casting a vote? We don't have to have a law to make a young woman understand that it abortion is not a good idea, but beware...once they have decided to have that baby, they are going to need support, insurance, baby sitters and a whole heck of a lot of love...are you ready to give to that too?" If life is so precious, why aren't we (the body of Christ) letting people know it?
I know I don't normally posts things like this, but I just felt like my words needed escaping.

Let me be clear so as to avoid ranting comments...I, personally, know there is so much more to this president elect than the social issues, however, I am responding to what has been spoken to me by the people I encounter.


Has anyone seen "Head of State" with Chris Rock...I will end on a funny note to lighten the mood. As Chris Rock says at the end of every speech, no matter how wrong it is it made me laugh every time (because it is so messed up).
"God Bless America, and no place else!"

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here, here, Sarah! I don't think I've ever encountered someone who saw the political situation so similarly as me. It is OUR job to help with the social issues our country faces, not just cast a vote and be done with it. More than anything, though, I am glad you have taken such a thoughtful and heartfelt moment to explain how you see things. It is our individual thoughts that make us so special!

Chris said...

Hey Sarah, I love the thoughts. I too feel that Christians have resorted to feeling like polotics is the only way to make some thing happen, but it is people who make the church, not polotics.

You have great thoughts and very encouraging to all of us to get off our butts and do something to make a difference.

I really liked your quick example of abortion. Doing it on an individual basis, and especially not stopping at the choice, but carrying it through to completion!

Great thoughts! I cannot wait to offically meet you in a few weeks.

I am Joanna's husband.
Much Love and Peace,
Chris

Chris said...

P.S. Sorry for the bad spelling :-)
I am lost with out spell check.
*Politics (twice)
*officially

Tramfrau said...

I don't disagree with what you're saying, I'd just like the opportunity to add a bit. We (the body of Christ) ARE letting people know about how precious life is - but we're being drowned out by the clamoring of the media and "pro-choice" advocates. (I hate to guess at whether we're truly out-numbered or just not speaking out loudly enough.) But it is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and our responsibility as Christians to vote Biblically. Casting a vote IS taking action, and electing leaders who espouse Biblical values is crucial. Without that, your freedom to be doing anything in the name of Christ will soon be gone. Yes, we most certainly should be going out and telling others about Christ and then following up on that; but we should be walking it, talking it, living it, and voting it as well.

omamarge said...

If you have a baby you dont want, I will take it!

LaTisha said...

I couldn't have said it better myself! Bravo! And for the record... being a 6th Grade Abstinence Education Coordinator, I know that there is ALOT that we as individuals can do as far as abortions are concerned. It's a matter of the will and the heart. Don't let society or politics detour you from the moral delima at hand... God gave us free will/free choice, and we still have a voice and can make a diffence... it's up to us!