What? Are you kidding me?
So, you're a youthful, popular, history-making, visionary (?) presidential candidate. Who do you pick as your running mate? A guy who's been in the Senate longer than most of your "fans" have been alive and who can't quite keep his feet out of his mouth.
Sure, Biden ads credentials to the ticket...but that's what cabinet posts are for. I can't believe that Joe Biden is really the best Obama's team can come up with.
This decision tells a lot about his judgment...and it's disappointing.
Just a little rant for a Saturday morning...
M@
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
perspective
This is an email I received from a friend. His name is left off on purpose. It was a good challenge to my perspective on the world...
**************
The question I'm most often asked by friends or those who hear me speak are about the politics of the Middle East. They go like
this:
"I know you just talked for an hour about Jesus and how his Kingdom is growing – and that's very nice – but what we want to know is what do you think about our troops being in Iraq? Should we withdraw them or leave them? And while we're at it (they say in a soft voice, looking around to be sure no one is listening), who will you vote for – McCain or Obama?"
Second most asked question I get these days is about Iran's leader – Ahmadinejad. "So....what do you think about HIM? Pretty crazy huh? I think he has nuclear weapons already. Probably going to bomb us, or at least Israel. What do you think we should do?" (As if I know). :)
Questions then range from Sudan (Darfur and the so-called "Muslim-Christian" war there), to the Hezballah, Hamas and the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
In some ways, I totally understand. I'm the "Middle East expert"
dude. I know some of these people. I've been in and out of the Arab world since 1983. Lived in Beirut for 12 years. I've immersed myself in the lives of these people for a long time. I do understand them.
What I don't understand is our fascination with the politics of earth. I get several emails a week from friends who know me well, asking what I think about this or that article or email from some other friend that they received. Usually (almost always actually) these emails which they are forwarding to me, are alarmist in nature. "The Muslims are taking over." "Beware of the REAL agenda behind such and such group." They are full of fear and suspicion.
And these are the ones I get from believers. Lovers of Jesus.
People of another Kingdom. I think the emails are generally innocent, sometimes even well-meaning. They're not mean or nasty.
They're just not the point.
This may surprise you!
1. Iran probably has the largest and fastest growing church in the Muslim world? Shi'ite Iranians are turning to Christ in huge numbers.
2. Likewise, there is a significant move of God in northern Iraq among the Kurds.
3. Sudan has an incredibly strong and growing church among Muslims – even in Darfur.
4. The Hezballah of south Lebanon and the Shi'ites they represent have always been the most open to the gospel of all the peoples of Lebanon. Remember back in the early 90's it was they who gave me permission to speak in Mosques about Jesus.
5. The Hamas continuously invite Brother Andrew to speak to them about Jesus – hundreds at a time.
Let's not lose focus. Ahmadinejad is a puppet in God's hands. God will raise him up and lower him as he wills. Sadam was nothing to God. The Hezballah have been and are currently being used by God to fulfill his purposes in South Lebanon. And as much as I and many of you think the Iraq war was a bad idea, God has used it to open up a nation to hear his Word!
Jesus is the answer! Not Obama or McCain. Not troops in or troops out. And even the worst of the terrorists can never stops the plans of the King of Heaven!
Let's stay on track – don't get sidetracked into idle and silly arguments this election season that don't really matter. Do vote for the ones who you know and trust – do be involved. But know that politics is only a temporary salve to the great issues of our day. The only solution is living within you and I. The powerful Spirit of the living God.
**************
The question I'm most often asked by friends or those who hear me speak are about the politics of the Middle East. They go like
this:
"I know you just talked for an hour about Jesus and how his Kingdom is growing – and that's very nice – but what we want to know is what do you think about our troops being in Iraq? Should we withdraw them or leave them? And while we're at it (they say in a soft voice, looking around to be sure no one is listening), who will you vote for – McCain or Obama?"
Second most asked question I get these days is about Iran's leader – Ahmadinejad. "So....what do you think about HIM? Pretty crazy huh? I think he has nuclear weapons already. Probably going to bomb us, or at least Israel. What do you think we should do?" (As if I know). :)
Questions then range from Sudan (Darfur and the so-called "Muslim-Christian" war there), to the Hezballah, Hamas and the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
In some ways, I totally understand. I'm the "Middle East expert"
dude. I know some of these people. I've been in and out of the Arab world since 1983. Lived in Beirut for 12 years. I've immersed myself in the lives of these people for a long time. I do understand them.
What I don't understand is our fascination with the politics of earth. I get several emails a week from friends who know me well, asking what I think about this or that article or email from some other friend that they received. Usually (almost always actually) these emails which they are forwarding to me, are alarmist in nature. "The Muslims are taking over." "Beware of the REAL agenda behind such and such group." They are full of fear and suspicion.
And these are the ones I get from believers. Lovers of Jesus.
People of another Kingdom. I think the emails are generally innocent, sometimes even well-meaning. They're not mean or nasty.
They're just not the point.
This may surprise you!
1. Iran probably has the largest and fastest growing church in the Muslim world? Shi'ite Iranians are turning to Christ in huge numbers.
2. Likewise, there is a significant move of God in northern Iraq among the Kurds.
3. Sudan has an incredibly strong and growing church among Muslims – even in Darfur.
4. The Hezballah of south Lebanon and the Shi'ites they represent have always been the most open to the gospel of all the peoples of Lebanon. Remember back in the early 90's it was they who gave me permission to speak in Mosques about Jesus.
5. The Hamas continuously invite Brother Andrew to speak to them about Jesus – hundreds at a time.
Let's not lose focus. Ahmadinejad is a puppet in God's hands. God will raise him up and lower him as he wills. Sadam was nothing to God. The Hezballah have been and are currently being used by God to fulfill his purposes in South Lebanon. And as much as I and many of you think the Iraq war was a bad idea, God has used it to open up a nation to hear his Word!
Jesus is the answer! Not Obama or McCain. Not troops in or troops out. And even the worst of the terrorists can never stops the plans of the King of Heaven!
Let's stay on track – don't get sidetracked into idle and silly arguments this election season that don't really matter. Do vote for the ones who you know and trust – do be involved. But know that politics is only a temporary salve to the great issues of our day. The only solution is living within you and I. The powerful Spirit of the living God.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
road rash and suckers...
While preparing to have an important meeting Saturday evening, I got the phone call that parents dread. Kim stepped into my office, relaying the message: Izak is on his way to the hospital in an ambulance. There's been an accident.
One of my persistent challenges is what I call "adrenaline management." It's a place when one of my family is in danger and I get an injection of about 8000 cc's of adrenaline. But this time, I didn't do too badly in the face of this crisis.
I learned that you actually can squeal the tires of a minivan - for those of you who questioned the capacity of a minivan to drag race when needed.
Getting to the hospital, I gave the registration lady (who was very kind) 45 seconds to get what she needed before I proceeded to my son's room. She made good use of the time and pointed me in the right direction.
As I walked into the room, I see my son, strapped to the board and head immobilized. "Hi, Daddy! I got to ride in an ambulance!" And then he continued his very interesting conversation with his nurse and the paramedics who carried him in. The nurse chuckled as she recounted his first words while coming into the ER - "They have automatic doors!" He loves doors...
After a thorough inspection by a great doc, a ct scan to double check, Izak was released. The flying watoozee he did over his handle bars on his bike will be remembered by those around him, but not by him.
Later that night, as I was tucking him into bed, we did our nightly routine of processing the previous day - favorite part, not favorite part, and silly part.
Izak's favorite part of today? Riding in the ambulance.
Izak's non-favorite part of today? Dropping his sucker and seeing it shatter. Really? Is that the worst part of your day? Yeah, Dad...that was awful.
Ok then...he'll be ok. And Dad will, too.
My not-favorite part of that day? getting that awful call.
My favorite part? seeing God provide. He had his hand on my boy, and protected his body. And He provided an amazing family for Heidi and me. As I got to the hospital, a couple from our small group was already there - they altered there dinner plans and rushed over as soon as they heard the news. And throughout the evening, friends popped in to love on Izak and pray with us...just to stand by. That's part of the incredible gift of a church family. And I could not be more thankful.
M@
One of my persistent challenges is what I call "adrenaline management." It's a place when one of my family is in danger and I get an injection of about 8000 cc's of adrenaline. But this time, I didn't do too badly in the face of this crisis.
I learned that you actually can squeal the tires of a minivan - for those of you who questioned the capacity of a minivan to drag race when needed.
Getting to the hospital, I gave the registration lady (who was very kind) 45 seconds to get what she needed before I proceeded to my son's room. She made good use of the time and pointed me in the right direction.
As I walked into the room, I see my son, strapped to the board and head immobilized. "Hi, Daddy! I got to ride in an ambulance!" And then he continued his very interesting conversation with his nurse and the paramedics who carried him in. The nurse chuckled as she recounted his first words while coming into the ER - "They have automatic doors!" He loves doors...
After a thorough inspection by a great doc, a ct scan to double check, Izak was released. The flying watoozee he did over his handle bars on his bike will be remembered by those around him, but not by him.
Later that night, as I was tucking him into bed, we did our nightly routine of processing the previous day - favorite part, not favorite part, and silly part.
Izak's favorite part of today? Riding in the ambulance.
Izak's non-favorite part of today? Dropping his sucker and seeing it shatter. Really? Is that the worst part of your day? Yeah, Dad...that was awful.
Ok then...he'll be ok. And Dad will, too.
My not-favorite part of that day? getting that awful call.
My favorite part? seeing God provide. He had his hand on my boy, and protected his body. And He provided an amazing family for Heidi and me. As I got to the hospital, a couple from our small group was already there - they altered there dinner plans and rushed over as soon as they heard the news. And throughout the evening, friends popped in to love on Izak and pray with us...just to stand by. That's part of the incredible gift of a church family. And I could not be more thankful.
M@
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
da Bears...
I can't believe that the Bears aren't even on the rumor radar in this Favre thing. Even if it's not that #4 would end up in Chicago (boy, the Packers would surely send him a strong message by sending him to QB purgatory...or worse), then at least I'd love to see the Bears mentioned (even just mentioned) as a landing place for Simms when he's booted from Tampa to make room for #4. Not that Simms would be a great answer, but it would tell me that the Bears management was scrapping for something on the QB dog-pile. But no...they seem to feel good about the intense QB battle waging in training camp between two clowns who have already proved that they can't handle the snaps from center.
It's good to be a Pats fan;-)
M@
It's good to be a Pats fan;-)
M@
grand haven visit
Last Sunday morning, Heidi packed up the kids and headed to West Michigan to begin our GH vacation. On Monday morning, a crazy man who loves me drove me to Milwaukee to catch the ferry at 6am - we left Lake Villa at 4:15am...that's why he's crazy and must love me! Thanks, Jamie!!
After cruising across Lake Michigan, I caught up with the vacationing F5...what a time we had. Every day, we swam for hours in the pool at Aunt Sarah's and Uncle Dave's. What a great oasis they have in their new home!! The kids loved...loved...loved every moment. And it was great to catch up with my family a bit. Thank you all for having us!
Today, we drove home...made great time...about 4 hours.
I don't know that the trip included much rest...but that's what the whole F5 thing is all about...;-)
Great to be home...
I'm thankful for a wonderful family to visit. I'm thankful we have the ability to drive there and see them like this. I'm thankful for kids who are growing up enjoying extended family.
M@
After cruising across Lake Michigan, I caught up with the vacationing F5...what a time we had. Every day, we swam for hours in the pool at Aunt Sarah's and Uncle Dave's. What a great oasis they have in their new home!! The kids loved...loved...loved every moment. And it was great to catch up with my family a bit. Thank you all for having us!
Today, we drove home...made great time...about 4 hours.
I don't know that the trip included much rest...but that's what the whole F5 thing is all about...;-)
Great to be home...
I'm thankful for a wonderful family to visit. I'm thankful we have the ability to drive there and see them like this. I'm thankful for kids who are growing up enjoying extended family.
M@
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