Electing a President (Part 2)

Helping the Poor

It is estimated that 12% of Americans live in poverty. That means that a single person makes less than $10,400 a year and a family of four makes less than $21,200. That means that if you make minimum wage and work 40 hours a week and work 52 weeks you will make $10,400 and be in poverty.

Now my first job out of college was working a vending route at Pepsi. I made about $425 a week. So that means I could have had a family of 4 and not considered impoverished. That 425 was before taxes and without insurance. I made about the same my next job as a youth minister in Lawrenceburg and I can tell you as a single guy with no room-mates living in an ok apartment (next to the ghetto if lburg has one and a great view of the cemetery)times were tough. Money was tight. So I can't imagine 12% of people living in poverty being able to survive in America. Of the 12% in poverty seniors make up 1.2% so the other 11% are 65 and younger.

So here is my thought. To live in poverty in the US is horrible. No one should be impoverished in a country that is so blessed. In a country where most of us have so much even if we think we don't we should never have people this poor. The big question is why are people in poverty? What is our responsibility as a government to help people get out of poverty? What is our responsibility as a church? How do we accomplish this? As Christians are we asking the government to do what God called us to do? Is the government having to do what the church is refusing to do?

I am not a believer in income distribution. It has never worked in any government system over a long period of time. I am also a believer in a benevolent government that helps it citizens to have a better life and a helping hand to have the opportunity to get ahead.

I can't help to think that the church as advocated its role in helping the poor and so the government is now asked to do what we don't. In the early years of America the church started and maintained the education system, the hospitals, the welfare department, etc. Today not so much. Many that bear a religious name are no longer associated with the church.

As Christians we have a responsibility to help the poor. It is what Jesus did best. Are we doing it? Why are some Christians the most opposed to the government helping the poor? How does this issue impact how you vote?

Electing a President (Part 1)

Well it is political time as we get 20 days till the election so I thought I would throw out my 2 cents worth. First I am a about 50% Libertarian and 25% Republican and 25% Democrat with a strong Federalist philosophy. So that is my bias.

Abortion
This is a topic that many people hinge their entire vote on. So let us look at the record. There are 9 supreme court justices. Currently 7 out of the 9 were appointed by pro-life presidents. So why has Roe v/s Wade not been over turned? What makes you think that the next president will select the justice that tips the balance and over turn this? Do you really think that 9 out 9 by pro life presidents will overturn this?

If you are basing your vote only on this issue then you are a fool. Sorry but the facts don't lie. Tonight in the debate McCain says abortion will not be a litmus test and Obama basically said he will only appoint a pro choice justice.

I personally am pro life but believe this should be a state issue and not a federal issue.

Free Book

Thom Rainer is the author of Simple Church and many other books. His new book is called Essential Church? and is aimed at how do we keep our 20 and 30 year old's connected and active in church. The cool thing is that this book can be downloaded for free by going here.

Year Book Yourself

This is a great waste of time that you will want to share with all your friends. It is called Year Book Yourself. Below are some of me and my favorite years.

1952, 1956, 1958, 1960



1964, 1968, 1970, 1974



1976, 1978, 1980, 1982



1990, 1994

Sunday Colthes

Every Sunday morning I go to church and put on my Sunday best. I have always wanted to know what makes Sunday morning so special that we have to wear a coat, tie, dress, or the like. What is it about that magical hour that makes us all dress up? Why is it that 7 hours later we can worship God wearing jeans? I have been trying to discover the theological reasons for this. I know it must be scriptural for it transcends denominational lines.

1. It is the reverse of sack cloth and ashes. In the Old Testament to show signs of repentance you would tear your clothes and put on sack cloth and ashes. But being New Testament Christians we must do the reverse. So we put on skirts, dresses, ties, coats, etc. Sunday is the first day of the new week so we put on our best clothes to show God how holy we want to become that week. We feel fresh, revived, and ready to be the perfect Christian. 7 hours later we have had a fight with our wife over being late for church, watched football and enjoyed the beer commercials, took a nap instead of visiting the hospital. In just 7 hours we basically realize that we have sinned and that God knows we are not holy so we wear jeans and pray for grace.

2. Soiled Garments. Every self respecting Christian eats out on Sunday. You go to church, give mom the day off, and go out to eat. You enjoy a good meal, condemn the waiter for working on Sunday, and then you spill salsa on your clothes and you can't wear them again that night. So we throw on our jeans and polo.

3. The Angels Dressed Up. Luke 24:4 ...two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. You see this was on a Sunday morning. So here is the Biblical example. They dressed up in dazzling robes not dingy ones. Now later on in Luke 24 we find 2 men traveling and they meet and ate with Jesus. Everyone knows that you don't travel in your Sunday best so the Sunday night meeting with Jesus must have been informal. They were likely wearing there every day robes not there dazzling robes.

Discipline

If you don't know I have adult ADD. I have a very hard time concentrating and often find myself trying to do 5 things at once while thinking about 6 other things. I am never still in that I am always moving my toes, legs, rubbing something with my hands, etc. I get bored quickly and look for something else to stimulate me. So I have to work very hard to get things done.

I can begin reading and find myself surfing the web for something that I normally can't remember 3 minutes later then spend an hour looking at blogs, sites, etc.

I find that I do better when I have a schedule, a list, and the like. So I spent part of Labor Day making out my reading list. I like reading but if I don't have clear cut goals I get side tracked, distracted and the like. I am trying to read Knowing God for the 4th time. I am on chapter 4 today. I just have a hard time getting into this book. But I am determined. I should finish it on September 30 (chapter a day). This is how I normally read, one chapter a day in about 4 books. Would do one at a time but can't concentrate that long on one book.

If anyone else has tips on how you deal with this let me know.

History in the Making

There are a few times when you know that you have lived history. Today is one of those days. We are seeing history in the making. Either Barack Obama or Sarah Palin will make history. Obama will be the next President marking the first African American to hold this office or Sarah Palin will be the first woman Vice President.

Last night I watched Obaman accept the democratic party nomination and couldn't help think that 45 years ago he wouldn't have been able to attend the same school or eat in the same restraunt with me. Today he may be the next leader of this nation.

Palin could hold the same job as other men and make less just because she is a woman. Now she may become the VP.

We are living history and one day we will be telling our grand-children about this election. Our nation will never be the same come January 20, 2009.