Here are some things on my mind this Friday morning:
- Now that the political conventions are over, so is the partisanship… Hah! It was even funny typing that.
- Religion is being tokenized more in this election cycle than any in my lifetime.
- I also can’t remember a time when so many bloggers, scholars, preachers, etc. have played the, ” I’m just voting the way Jesus would, ” card. It’s one thing to believe that (perhaps, OK). It’s another to use it sanctimoniously to shut down debates you’re afraid you’re losing.
- Whenever we say we speak for Jesus, we need to be certain we’re right. Putting words in God’s mouth is no small matter.
- With all this Jesus claiming going on, someone’s got to be wrong. In fact, we’re probably all incorrect at one level. Perhaps it would be best to say, ” This is how I believe the values of Jesus might express themselves in policy. ” That’s better than, ” Jesus is for ___________ (my chosen public policy). Why? Because Jesus so seldom commented on 21st century American government policy. The one time he seemed to be asked about anything resembling it (paying taxes to Caesar) he hardly offered a manifesto.
- Applying Scripture to policy may be OK when done with humility and civility. Equating Scripture and policy equals blasphemy.
- If Apple goes $100.00 higher in price with an iPad or iPhone, they will begin to jump the shark.
- I unfollowed someone who is actually a friend for the first time on Twitter this week.
- Spell-check really needs to add “unfollowed” to it’s dictionary.
- Google+ still confounds me.
- That awkward moment when Mitt Romney accepts Nicki Minaj’s endorsement on camera–and acts thrilled–while wondering, “Who’s Nicki Minaj?”
- Two of my favorite young gun preachers are Stephen Furtick and Matt Chandler.
- Two of my favorite old gun preachers are John Ortberg, Bill Hybels, and Erwin McManus.
- There was a lively exchange between Christians on or from the West Coast and those in or from the South regarding SEC’s alleged dominance of college football. It’s obvious who was right
- It’s so easy to prove SEC mediocrity and BCS bias it’s pathetic. Just consider last year’s interconference BCS championship game. Or, you can look here for further reference.
- Watching oneself preach on video remains one of the most humbling experiences one can have. Actually, humiliating might be a more appropriate term.
- I hardly watch any TV anymore. Now, I need to work on cutting down my time online.
- The kids’ school does an event called, “Breakfast with dad,” when kids go early to school and eat breakfast with their dad. I think that’s great–especially because so many of the things schools do are during the day and many fathers cannot attend. It’s this morning, so I know it’s going to be a good day.
What’s on your mind this Friday morning?
As a Southerner and a Tennessee native I find the article about the overrated BCS steak specious. It ignores SEC’s losses during the season and assumes that USC is the obvious champion every season if they could just get out of their own way. If USC played 3-4 of the top-tier SEC teams every season then they could blame bias. Strengthen your own conference then crow that you don’t get respect for one-loss seasons.
Enough ranting. I appreciate your comments on politics. It’s silly season.
I like lots of what you write. Keep it up. Your blog roll is golden.
This Friday’s Stream of Consciousness features political conventions, overrated SEC football, and Nicki Minaj. http://t.co/lnAfmWfM
great blog, I need to get over here more often and read your musings. I agree on the politicizing of the gospel and attempting to throw Jesus in the mix when he never much cared for the politics of his day. Although he would call a spade a spade and that is not politically correct today to call your president a white washed tomb. Apple is becoming annoying, kind of government like in its attempts to ban rectangle touch electronics. They need to shut their face and keep making great products, the more they tear down others the more the demonize themselves. Dont know much about college football other than its typically more exciting than watching the pro’s. We have given up TV 2 years ago, still watch some via internet, probably too much. Its time the government gave benevolence back to the church and the church started investing in people instead of properties, millions go into new buildings while dollars go into people. I should be golfing this morning as per normal Friday routine, but today is a day spent with my wife and boys and that is true living in HIS kingdom here on earth.
Sometimes, I feel as though I wish the two major American political parties would leave God out of their rhetoric because then it might seem a little more honest with their modus operandi and goals. Am I a cynic or what when it comes to America politics?
In all seriousness though, I do believe God is waiting for the day when all political parties and all the other ideologies of this world will kneel down at the feet of Lord, Jesus.
Grace and Peace,
Rex
Friday Stream of Consciousness – 45 | New Vintage Leadership http://t.co/qy82ao35