Those who read this blog know (I hope) that I suffer from a deep and debilitating addiction. Constantly I battle against this force of nature which, if I am honest, has controlled me as long as I can remember. My addiction has a name, it is Karen, she is my wife. But not just a wife, a tr-athlete, my tri-athlete. At the weekend Karen and a friend competed in a triathlon and Karen made a big progress in all of her times. I am immensely proud of her and deeply jealous. She does what I want to do.
After doing great things as a tri-athlete at the weekend Karen took time off from swimming, running, and biking, to condemn my “Obama tendencies”. I think that she means that I appear to waver from the true blue Republican line. Perhaps. But I contend that where you are on the political spectrum kind of depends on your point of reference. As far as I am concerned the sun rises and sets with Karen, but compared with the mileage eating swim dog that is my wife, Attila the Hun was a tree hugging leftie.
What I really think is kind of summed up in this article from newspaper here in the
And what about those circumstances. Own any shares? Even if you think you don’t you probably do. Know what a “hedge fund” is? I don’t, and I never gave my money to one. But my guess is that you, like me, have some dollars tucked away in a hedge fund that is in the process of being partially or completely liquidated. If you have money in a mutual fund probably some of your money was in “investment vehicles” that had about the same chance of success of you being dealt blackjack at a card table. Kiss goodbye to those dollars. You are probably wondering what is happening in the world in this financial crisis, who isn’t? Let me give you my unifying theory of why we all need to think A LOT about what is happening around us.
It turns out that you and I, along with everybody else, were indulging in very risky bets with our money that we did not understand. But, don’t feel bad about that, because neither did anyone else. What is happening now in the stock markets (and at least 50% of the households in
What is a
First, to state the obvious, we need to learn anew that God is our “shield, our very great reward” (Gen. 15:1). No more, no less. We (I know I was) were seduced with dreams of retirements of ease as if that was a suitable reward for life.
Second, as
So let’s end on a positive note for a
What is happening right now is that the world is seeing the practical consequences of sins of hubris and arrogance. Yet even they can be forgiven and God too will show us the way to make do with less.
November 4th, 2008 at 6:21 am
I have read the article from the Telegraph.co.uk paper. We truly must rely on God for his saving grace through Jesus, from “all of our sins”, especially in regard to area of “illgotten gain” ie., (living off of credit cards to finance purchases). My husband and I represent “mainstream middle class america”, financially we might be considered a little better off then average. During 2005. We had a brief time where all credit cards were at Zero Balances. All we had was the mortgage on the house. At the time we borrowed against our mortgage to “buy” a 5year old minivan. We struggle to pay bills. I have been pretty much unemployed for several months. I used to do temp work for clerical agencies. With our oldest son going to a local community college, and one child in Jr. High, I know my faith has been “stretched” this year. I am grateful, I believe God has been working in me in this area of trusting in his provision. I just recently have started working again, at a lower pay scale with fewer hours. The potential for increase will come with time. I know that when I put Christ in the equation my outlook is much better. Anyhow today is election day. Lets see what God has planned. My prayer is that people will turn to him for direction regardless as to who is elected. I have to get ready for work.
Have a Great Day.
November 4th, 2008 at 9:59 am
You wrote: “If we vote in Obama we are taking a groundbreaking risk but, given the circumstances, maybe it’s worth it. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/10/28/do2806.xml”
I don’t think the article really tries to make a case for either candidate, but rather an analysis of why it appears that Obama will win. In short: he’s not a Republican, whereas George Bush is, and John McCain is.
In general, the American electorate blames the party in the White House for economic problems, and punishes accordingly. There is some logic to this, but of course it ignores the bi-partisan avarice and corruption of the legislative branch, as well as the greed of the public.
Mr. McCain is certainly a Republican, and seems to have both heroic aspects as well as feet of clay. In contrast, I think the article accurately portrays the near-worship of Mr. Obama that is trendy in certain quarters. He is eloquent, and bright, and likable. He seems to have great potential. However, I think that a person’s actions and history yield more insight into who they are than the things that they say. I have doubts about Obama based on the long-time associations in his past that were continued until it became expedient for appearance sake to discontinue them. Who is he really, deep down? We may be about to find out. Worshiping a false messiah is not without its risks.
I thought the ending of the article was actually somewhat cautionary and worth noting:
“The reverence with which Mr Obama is regarded by most of the American media, and by much of the American elite, is such that, when I see him on television, I look — so far in vain — for the stigmata on his hands. This feeling is entirely appropriate, for what America seems to be preparing to embark upon is the most massive act of faith. Not since 1960, and the election of Jack Kennedy, has so much disbelief been suspended by so many in such a massive cause. If it does indeed translate into an Obama victory on Tuesday, further prayer may well be in order. Not long after Gold Diggers of 1933, I seem to remember, came The Grapes of Wrath.”
Note the end of the article
November 4th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
You are right on the article, the key point is really at the end. What a leap of faith we will take with Barak Obama if that is the choice of the nation.
November 4th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Oh, and another thing, dont you think the media reaction to Obama and many citizens reaction to him speaks to their perceived need of a savior. That should first give is hope as Christians. We face a nation in need of a Saviour and we have one to offer. On the other hand, it also shows we could do a better job of offering up the power of our Lord Jesus Christ as a practical solution to our everyday problems.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:14 am
With changes taking place at a quick pace in America and worldwide, I believe people will start to look to “spiritual leaders” and the church for answers. I base this statement on what I know to be true from the 70’s. That was the time my mom became a christian. Her decision to follow Christ, instead of Church Leaders greatly affected how our family progressed spiritually. With long gas lines, sugar going to I believe $6 for a 10 lb bag, and society opening up more to what I would call “humanism” a major shift people’s faith in the government as their provider and protector deminished. Now we live in such a global world with rapid change, upheavel and uncertainty, my heart tells me to stay close to Jesus, and be available to share God’s message of acceptance, provision, and most importantly salvation. I don’t have time to really review what I wrote. I have to get ready for work. Have a great day. (By the way Doug, Steve is my husband - just in case you didn’t know. We are blogging together). He is a avid weight lifter and health conscious person. I was into excercise and health concerns in the past. My goal is to start focusing on those areas again myself. I am busy training at my new job. So once that settles down, I will focus on health again. I know I just blabbing. I’ll sign off.