Yesterday was the first annual National Running Day. I just found out about it today, but I did “participate” yesterday with my normal training.
At least there’s always next year (only 364 more days!).
How and how often do you exercise?
I stayed up late last night to watch “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Even though I enjoy old movies, for some reason I had never seen this Frank Capra classic (except for the climactic speech and collapse scene).
If you’re unfamiliar with the story, young “Boy Ranger” leader, Jeff Smith (played by Jimmy Stewart), is chosen by the governor of his state to finish the term of the Senator who has recently passed away. Smith is chosen in an effort to satisfy populist demands as well as provide an easily-manipulated stooge for the corrupt political machine of the state.
The wide-eyed, idealistic young senator arrives in Washington ready to play the part but soon finds himself at odds with his senior senator and other colleagues. Upon discovering that they are about to capitalize on a corrupt Public Works bill, Smith works to expose and defeat the political machine. Refusing to accept a bribe to compromise, he must utilize the filibuster to persuade the Senate and rally the people of his state to his side.
Several things about this film resonated with me: the fresh-faced idealistic optimism about our country and its government; the understanding of the necessary quid-pro-quo of politics coupled with a distaste for its abuse; the ultimate triumph of one man willing to stand unwaveringly by his principles.
I find myself caught in a quandary between optimism regarding our ideals of our system and pessimism over the reality of it. Though the senior Senator in “Mr. Smith” compromised with a corrupt political boss, there is no question that legitimate compromise is the very nature of politics. Still, something within me riles at leaders who say one thing then use compromise as their excuse for doing the opposite.
No doubt many of our elected officials face the same dilemma: idealism vs. realism. It’s a no-win situation. If they bow to the reality of compromise in order to accomplish a truly bi-partisan goal, they are crucified for giving up their principles. If they stand by their principles and refuse to cooperate with those on the other side of the aisle, they are branded as right (or left) wing extremists.
Until I’ve reconciled this conflict in my own mind, I’m trying to be a little more understanding of the Congressmen who daily face it on a deeper level than I ever will.
Here are a few quotes (mine and others’) from my sermon this past Sunday: “Country Club Christianity.”
“My Brothers, do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons.”
James 2:1
“The way we behave towards people indicates what we really believe about God.”
Warren Wiersbe
“Look at everyone through the eyes of Christ. If the person is a Christian, we can receive him because Christ lives in him. If he is not a Christian, we can receive him because Christ died for him.”
Unknown
“We must see others through the eyes of Christ. If you view others as an American, you will have difficulty loving certain nationalities because of what they have done to your country. If you view others as a white person, your perspective of others will be ‘colored’ by your experiences and social environment of your background. Only when we view others as a Christian can we treat them with a Christ-honoring, grace manifesting love.”
“We are most comfortable around those we are like. But to ignore the needs of those different from us is to deny the grace of God.”
“A church of ‘cliques,’ ‘classes,’ and ‘clans,’ is not a church that will magnify the grace of God to an unbelieving world.”
“Christian love means treating others the way God has treated me. It is an act of the will, not an emotion that I try to manufacture.”
“Country Club Christianity” (Sermon preached May 31st, 2009)
“Whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them.”
Jesus
When I consider your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; What is man, that you are mindful of him and the son of man that you visit him?
Why do I do things I know I will regret?
*Why do I go in convenience stores? I know I will come out smelling like I have been deep-fried in tobacco smoke.
*Why do I watch Keith Olbermann? Reagan was a “lousy” president? Nice. Glad to see civility is on the rise. And besides, we’re not supposed to quote dead people?
*Why do I think I can go in Wal-Mart to buy two items? Can’t be done.
*Why do I eat that third Oreo? Well . . . ok. Forget that one.
So, what do you do that you question later?
Yesterday, the Senate confirmed President Obama’s very pro-choice nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius. Along with the expected Democratic vote there were several Republicans who voted for confirmation:
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Collins (R-ME)
Gregg (R-NH)
Lugar (R-IN)
Roberts (R-KS)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Some of these do not surprise me – they are not social conservatives and never have been. Personally, however, I am highly disappointed in Senator Sam Brownback. I am pretty sure I know why he voted this way, but I’m still disappointed. He was one Senator I had a modicum of respect for as being truly principled.
The sad thing is what his vote does. It goes beyond confirming Sebelius – she would have won without his vote – it is the destruction of confidence.
What does this say about his record as pro-life? Convenience or principle? And what about future votes? What is he willing to sacrifice on the altar of expediency?
His sacrifice of principle for politics also casts a shadow over the Senators that did vote against this confirmation. Did they vote this way because they are sincerely against abortion or because it is politically expedient? I applaud their vote and want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it becomes more and more difficult.
It is time for our elected officials to do more than pay lip-service in the fight against the evil of abortion. Until they do, their conservative constituents would do well to stop sending them back to Washington. Until they do, they might want to shelve any aspirations for President.
“I beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1-3
Unity! It is essential to the life of any church. Our fellowship has been greatly blessed with an unusual spirit of love and unity. Despite all sorts of differences, we have put aside pettiness, criticism, and conflict for the cause of Christ.
Yet Paul reminds us that we must “endeavor to keep” this unity. It is like the vegetable gardens many of us will soon be planting. It takes much work and constant vigilance to keep the weeds out. The weeds of conflict grow from the seeds of selfishness.
How can you “de-weed” your garden? You can:
1. Focus on the good in others.
2. Refuse to speak evil of another person.
3. Keep your love relationship with Jesus right.
4. Realize that the world doesn’t revolve around you.
5. Take the opportunity to serve someone else.
How many Ben Franklins does it take to make a trillion dollars? Click the bill and scroll down.
And if that’s not depressing enough, click here to see the national debt.
From a sermon by Dr. Katherine Ragsdale, recently appointed as the sixth and newest president of Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA (Emphasis mine):
“When a woman wants a child but can’t afford one because she hasn’t the education necessary for a sustainable job, or access to health care, or day care, or adequate food, it is the abysmal priorities of our nation, the lack of social supports, the absence of justice that are the tragedies; the abortion is a blessing.
“And when a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to a safe, affordable abortion – there is not a tragedy in sight — only blessing. The ability to enjoy God’s good gift of sexuality without compromising one’s education, life’s work, or ability to put to use God’s gifts and call is simply blessing.
“These are the two things I want you, please, to remember – abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Let me hear you say it: abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.”
This opinion piece from US News & World Report argues that “in a recession, abortions are not a bad choice.”
Abortions a blessing? Sound fiscal decisions? Does this shock us?
It shouldn’t. Consider the arguments used for slavery prior to the Civil War:
The Governor of South Carolina declared, “Slavery is not a national evil; on the contrary it is a national benefit.” He went on to say that slavery “has exalted the white race itself to higher hopes and purposes, and it is perhaps of the most sacred obligation that we should give it the means of expansion.” Pastors preached sermons in its defense. Extremists called for the reinstatement of the slave trade. No longer just a right, or a necessity, slavery had become a moral obligation that had blessed the South and the slave. It must be defended at all cost.
Slavery was firmly established on economic self-interest. From the traders who first brought the slaves to the New World to the slave-owners themselves, “American slavery was prompted not by racism but by the pursuit of profit.”
Throughout the decades of slavery, the pro-slavery forces argued that the South must have slavery in order to survive economically. Eventually, the economic argument became a cornerstone of its defense. As the defense progressed from “right” to “blessing,” so too did this line of reasoning.
The “abortion is a blessing” rhetoric is not new, but I expect it to intensify. The battle against abortion is far from over. In fact, it may have just begun to escalate.
*UPDATE: Rev. Ragsdale has removed the sermon from her personal site, but it can be read in its entirety here. A certain faux-conservative news-anchor that blasted a pro-life advocate for suggesting that ANYONE was pro-abortion can . . . well, you know.
HT for pic: Medical Pastiche
