Jim Denison’s article about the Presidential races (reprinted below) was spot on. We’ve been blessed to have been able to live in the USA for so long, where being a Christian has always been easy. Now that things have gotten tougher, with persecution and the non-Christian media and society, we must all the more stay strong, keep the faith, and be lights in the darkness. Had Andy Stanley preached that Denison essay the naysayers would’ve said he needs to stay off politics and stick to the Gospel, yet that’s exactly the point of the article.
Donald Trump won Florida, Illinois, Missouri, and North Carolina last night. And Bernie Sanders won Missouri, delaying Hillary Clinton's march to the nomination. Six months ago, who would have imagined either outcome?
I attribute Donald Trump's success to five beliefs: (1) immigration and foreign trade are costing us jobs; (2) Muslims hate and threaten us; (3) the religious liberty of Christians is in peril; (4) President Obama is a weak leader who doesn't believe in American greatness; (5) politicians have failed us. Trump's supporters view him as a strong, non-political leader who will build a wall against immigrants and keep Muslims out of America while renegotiating foreign trade and guaranteeing religious liberty for Christians.
I attribute Bernie Sanders's success to two beliefs: (1) the "one percent" are ruining our economy for the rest of us; (2) America should increase the government's role in providing health care, education, and social services. When George Stephanopoulos recently asked Sanders if he wants to turn America into Denmark or Sweden, the senator replied, "And what's wrong with that?"
These political narratives and the circumstances that produced them have created the most polarized political climate America has seen in decades. How would Scripture advise God's people to respond to these strident, chaotic days?
One: Preserve your witness. Guard your words: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice" (Ephesians 4:31). We are to "show perfect courtesy toward all people" (Titus 3:2), especially our leaders (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:17). Christians are to speak the truth, but in love (Ephesians 4:15).
Two: Fulfill your call. I am convinced that God is calling more Christians into public service than are answering his call. New York Times columnist David Brooks suggests four questions we should ask about our calling: (1) Is this problem big enough? (2) Am I uniquely positioned to serve? (3) Has God or nature thrust this problem into my path? (4) Does it keep me awake at night? We need more leaders like Joseph and Moses. How does God want you to engage in public service, to his glory and our good?
Three: Keep the faith. Whoever becomes president, God is still King. He is not subject to our politics. He declares: "At the set time that I appoint, I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars" (Psalm 75:2–3). Job was right in confessing to our Lord, "No purpose of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2).
So preserve your witness, fulfill your call, and keep the faith. Our country needs Christians to be salt and light, more than ever. G. K. Chesterton: "We do not want, as the newspapers say, a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world."
I attribute Donald Trump's success to five beliefs: (1) immigration and foreign trade are costing us jobs; (2) Muslims hate and threaten us; (3) the religious liberty of Christians is in peril; (4) President Obama is a weak leader who doesn't believe in American greatness; (5) politicians have failed us. Trump's supporters view him as a strong, non-political leader who will build a wall against immigrants and keep Muslims out of America while renegotiating foreign trade and guaranteeing religious liberty for Christians.
I attribute Bernie Sanders's success to two beliefs: (1) the "one percent" are ruining our economy for the rest of us; (2) America should increase the government's role in providing health care, education, and social services. When George Stephanopoulos recently asked Sanders if he wants to turn America into Denmark or Sweden, the senator replied, "And what's wrong with that?"
These political narratives and the circumstances that produced them have created the most polarized political climate America has seen in decades. How would Scripture advise God's people to respond to these strident, chaotic days?
One: Preserve your witness. Guard your words: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice" (Ephesians 4:31). We are to "show perfect courtesy toward all people" (Titus 3:2), especially our leaders (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:17). Christians are to speak the truth, but in love (Ephesians 4:15).
Two: Fulfill your call. I am convinced that God is calling more Christians into public service than are answering his call. New York Times columnist David Brooks suggests four questions we should ask about our calling: (1) Is this problem big enough? (2) Am I uniquely positioned to serve? (3) Has God or nature thrust this problem into my path? (4) Does it keep me awake at night? We need more leaders like Joseph and Moses. How does God want you to engage in public service, to his glory and our good?
Three: Keep the faith. Whoever becomes president, God is still King. He is not subject to our politics. He declares: "At the set time that I appoint, I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars" (Psalm 75:2–3). Job was right in confessing to our Lord, "No purpose of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2).
So preserve your witness, fulfill your call, and keep the faith. Our country needs Christians to be salt and light, more than ever. G. K. Chesterton: "We do not want, as the newspapers say, a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world."
Monday I worked until six and drove straight home. Helped clean to make the house presentable for the contractor. C cooked the baked enchiladas again, making extra to take to a family with a sick child. Watched the Voice as we worked, then Seinfeld as I finished up on the computer. M drove to the grocery store for Ceil.
The accident had the Johnson Ferry Road and Roswell Road intersection near me shut down for another 6 hours. Usually during rush hour Roswell Road backs up a half mile at that intersection both ways. Today it will be at least double that. My street is over 2 miles from Johnson Ferry Road, so I plan on coming into to the subdivision using a back route. Roswell will probably be jammed as well.
Worked past six last night. I was in no hurry to get home due to the nearby accident supposedly clogging traffic, so I stopped by two thrift stores and Kroger. Found a nice pair of expensive boots.
Traffic wasn’t bad and I made it home at 7:45. Earlier Ceil had a contractor at the house giving her a quote. M was at his Bible Study and C was walking Barney with Noelle. Due to the wreck our internet and cable were out all evening, so there was “nothing” to do. I changed clothes and went through emails. Ceil came home and made another grilled chicken salad. I did the dishes and we were both in bed by ten.
That Johnson Ferry Road / Roswell Road intersection is busy, but luckily there are available detours on all four sides – all with red lights:
NE: from the Roswell Road light at the Arbys through the Dicks Sporting Goods shopping center to the light on JFRD.
NW: from the light at Dicks into the Target Shopping Center over to Providence Road, then left to Roswell Road.
SW: from the Roswell Road / Providence light across into Merchants Walk, past Whole Foods up to JFRD.
SE: from the JF light at Wendy’s onto East Cobb Drive past the post office to Roswell Road.
Wednesday: Another busy day at work. I’m making some headway on my part of the new high speed off road vehicle. Dialysis is out sick again, and Mr. Challenger is still out with his new baby.
At Sunday afternoon’s race a high schooler showed up in jeans to watch his friend. He wasn’t registered, but at the last minute rolled up his pants to mid-calf and kicked off his shoes and ran the race barefoot – and came in second place. My legs are very sore from Sunday’s race, though I need to get moving.
Will GT beat Houston? My prediction: GT gets out to a first half lead, then loses the lead in the second half. As the clock ticks down the game will be close. GT will miss some second-half foul shots and will need to make their shots in the last minute to win the game. I’d hate to work in the sports information department at Tech and have to write the article making it sound great to be in the NIT.
Back in the old days TV shows used to have a moral. These days TV shows have no morals. There are plenty of other places besides NP where kids grow up too fast. I still recommend Anna’s Veritas and Matthew’s Legacy Community Academy, which this fall moves to the church located behind the Andretti Speed Lab. NP bigwig BilI Willits sends his daughter to Legacy. I know the headmaster and several teachers at the Johnson Ferry Christian Academy. Of course all those schools hold informational meetings for prospective parents/students.
It’s fun to play along with Win Chuck’s Dinner. I may be able to make it respectable but still lose. Never been on sporcle.com. Might have heard about it. SI just released their top 100 moments in sports history: www.SI.com/100greatest
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