Jun
17
Every once in awhile I think to myself, “It sure would be nice to get a few more comments on my blog.” Be careful what you wish for, eh?
Y’all plumb wore me out yesterday. Whew. But it’s a good kind of worn out. And while I’m completely overwhelmed by all the insights you shared, questions you asked and issues you raised, I feel blessed.
As is very apparent by your comments, many of you are much more qualified to offer your opinions on this stuff than I am. You know what you’re talking about, and you know how to express it eloquently. Political discussion zaps me of energy in no time flat, but it clearly energizes many of you.
If you want to write related posts on your own blogs in the coming days/weeks, I would be more than happy to link to them.
Okay. I’m going to say 3 things and leave it at that for the day. But don’t worry–God isn’t going to let me drop this one. It’s an opportunity for Him to get mucho glory, and I’m convinced He wants me to snatch it right up.
1. I can’t possibly hope to change the minds and hearts of those who don’t accept Jesus Christ as the only Way, Truth and Life. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. If Christ is not your personal Savior, then most of what I say will seem like pure and utter foolishness to you. We’ll just go ’round and ’round and ’round. I’m talking mostly to my buddy, Andrea (Ahn-DRAY-uh), here. I so appreciate his thoughtful comments, and I’m thankful He doesn’t mind me praying for him. I have a hunch that many of you are joining me.
2. Because I can’t change a non-believer’s heart on my own, any political posts I do are going to focus primarily on fellow Christians. Call it preaching to the choir, but truthfully, I’m more concerned with how we, as followers of Christ, conduct ourselves than with the conduct of those who don’t believe. If you fall into the latter category, I wholeheartedly encourage you to stick around and engage whenever you feel led. We want you here.
3. My focus is NOT going to be on President Obama and where/how I disagree with him. My focus is NOT going to be on which laws should be passed and which shouldn’t. My focus IS going to be on what the Bible says our responsibility as Christians is as both followers of Christ AND citizens of the United States of America.
Please feel free to continue yesterday’s discussion. I’m thrilled that some of you who might not have a big platform, so to speak, have the chance to express your views and share your heart. You’re some bright folks. And I was SO impressed with everyone’s respectful attitudes and willingness to engage in meaningful discussion without personal attacks. Well done, friends!
And now, some pics from our Whirlwind East Coast Tour.
Niagara Falls. Stunning. Breathtaking. Huge. “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?” (And the monks? I took many pictures of the monks.)
The Liberty Bell. (The monks were there too. I took more pics.)
The First Family (and friends). I’ll have Gabe blow it up for you later–or some of you computer whizzes can do it yourself.
The Lincoln Memorial. Pretty sweet place. I loved learning about President Lincoln when I was younger.
Feeding giraffes. One of my favorite things to do in all the world. Seriously. When I grow up, I want to work at a zoo and take care of giraffes. When I’m not working at the library. And writing books. And traveling the globe. And loving on my grandbabies. And discussing politics online.
And on that note, I’ll leave you with a teaser. Our Zoo Trip Plans have changed dramatically since we last talked. Before I get into that, we’re tentatively planning to be at the Binder Park Zoo (Battle Creek, MI), the Brookfield Zoo (Chicago) and the Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago) next week (next week!). Details soon if you’d like to meet up!
And my Zoo Party Posse has started working on name tags (and goody bags for the kiddos), so if you’re planning on coming to the Big Bash on August 1, RSVP ASAP!
And the dramatic change? I’ll tell you tomorrow. Let me just say that it involves this. Sigh.
Happy, Happy Birthday to my father-in-law, Rock Taviano! Love you, Rock-o!
Happy Wednesday, friends! And thanks in advance for keeping the discussion edifying!
I think it’s a bit entertaining to get on here and see people being so charmed with the thinking of people “outside of our country”. I’ve had very thorough discussions online, a few that were hours long, with Andrea. The circle goes round and round.
I’d suggest thinking over the obvious…..that you’re trying your darndest to be an agnostic (atheism disproves itself), preferring not to be accountable to any moral code that is above your discretion, and that you choose to discredit the fact that one day this life will end.
If you don’t know what you believe in, you have to understand just how that appears to those of us (crazy people) that follow the Bible literally. If you want to mess with the evolution vs. creation stuff, that one’s been over for a while. If you can, go watch the Expelled DVD by Ben Stein and then enter that huge convo.
Hi again, Katie.
You raised the possibility that Christianity COULD be the only way. I find that very, very, very interesting.
What would you do if it were?
Katie, while I respect your viewpoint, may I ask where you think we come from? Where does our intelligence come from? Where do our emotions and consciences come from? Where does the precision of the universe come from?
I ask because I truly am interested to know where those who follow evolution believe we came from. Please enlighten me on your perspective.
I also wanted to add that I think it’s great that we can all have an open honest talk about this. The truth is there are billions of people in this world – there isn’t one “truth” out there or absolute. Most religions established religions have been around for a LONG time – so who’s to say what’s the right thing to believe? It doesn’t serve any of us well to get defensive of our beliefs and hold tighter than ever – what are we scared of? Is Christianity the only way – I don’t think so, but i could very well be wrong! Should we all be Jewish instead – maybe? But how can you know for sure? I think the best way to serve ourselves in this life is to be open and willing to learn all we can about being a good person. Isn’t that the point of all of this any way – to treat each other well and be good, decent people? the rest should fall into place! Intersting stuff from everyone!
@ Andrea De Togni – THANK you for saying this more delicately than I can. I find it hard to believe and scary that people try to follow the bible literally. It was written by people – it was edited, words/stories were fought over, etc. A guide at most, but not a literal way to live life. This is unfortunately why there is so much hatred and intolerance of homosexuals, childfree by choice individuals, and so many others. I’m not saying that all Christians are judgmental and intolerant of those that aren’t “saved” but this literal interpretation of words from the “book” certainly don’t help.
It’s so interesting to hear a different prospective, Andrea. Thanks for injecting some real history into the discussion. Interestingly, as science progresses and we learn more and more about past generations and happenings, much of the bible will ultimately be dispelled by scientific facts. Evolution will HAVE to be the only thing taught in the classroom, as it will be the scientific proof that we have. Out of curiousity, what is taught in schools in Italy? Is the creation theory mentioned or just evolution? Do they teach sex ed as only absinence or do they talk about safe sex, etc? So cool to hear about how things are done outside of our little box that is the USA!
Thanks again for offering a differing opinion!
~Katie
71 comments yesterday? Though they were about “politics,” I dare to say that was 71 folks talkin’ God, and I like that!
Yes, Ashley, we have a place to stay–thanks! And I’m pretty sure we’ll be there on Wednesday, June 24. I’ll let you know for sure before the week is up.
Well said Marla, can’t wait to follow your next whirlwind tour!
I want details on Binder Park – the kiddos and I will probably drive up to join you… do you have somewhere to stay?
@Gabe: do you think that all the popes, all the priests and all the believers, here, where Christianity actually was developed (!), think that “the word in the bible can be manipulated” because of the fact that they don’t take it LITERALLY?
99% of the popes were Italians. Protestatism, 50% of American Christians, plant its roots here. Even in UK, where Protestantism is more present than Italy, the Bible is not taken LITERALLY. Almost never.
Not taking it literally does not reduce its validity. What “they” think is that the Genesis is just an allegorical figure, a way to explain complex things to simple people. The apple SYMBOLIZES the sin, there wasn’t actually a rib taken from the man, but it symbolizes that it’s the same flesh, the Eden didn’t actually exists but it’s a symbol for eternity.
Does it make it non valid? Not at all! It just gives you a more correct interpreation.
Do you eat figs? Mark 11:14 “Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.”
Have you sold all your possessions?
Mark 10:20-21
‘Teacher,’ the man said, ‘I have obeyed all these since I was a boy.’
Jesus looked at him lovingly and said, ‘There is one thing you lack. Go and sell everything you have and give it to the poor. Then come and follow me.’
Matthew 19:23
‘It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven.’
(this is actually a wrong translation. the “camel” in fact was instead a big rope)
Obviously the fig is just a symbol, because then Judas will hang on it, and the rich parabol is just a way to say “do not be greedy”. But if you take it literal, be coherent, take it literal ALL, not just what suits you.
Again, not to convince you: just to show you some things that, from an external point of view, are seen as very incoherent and misinterpreted.
Happy Birthday, Rock!!!
Marla, the Lord’s let me see some major giraffes, Buddhist monks, waterfalls, rainbows, and first families this past week (I hope you figured out that I’m speaking figuratively here… haha!) and I am SO thankful to see He’s LITERALLY done that for you! How awesome. How completely, utterly awesome. I pray He keeps outdoing Himself in your life. I adore you!
@Andrea If that’s the purpose of life, and we believe there is life after death, then one of us is stuck up the creek without a paddle. That’s just how simple it is. To get through this life might seem like a beautiful thing, but the truth is that we’re not guaranteed a certain amount of “happy” days. That’s why I’m thankful Christ chose to die on the cross for more than just this life. One day this life will pass.
Calling ourselves Christians isn’t the answer. That’s even more obvious after hearing most Christians in Italy don’t believe God’s Word is literal. A God whose word can be manipulated isn’t a god after all. Our lives are changed because of the cross and nothing else. You can’t understand that change at the moment, and will have just as hard of a time trying to get us to “agree” that salvation isn’t to be shared.
Hey, given your love for feeding giraffes, you might want to plan on some time at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs too. TONS of giraffes, lots to feed, and the only “mountain” zoo!
@Karey: no, never heard about that title. I looked for it and unfortunately it’s not sold in Italy and it has not been translated (I do read in English too…but currently I have A LOT of books already bought to read…:-) pretty ‘booked’ for some ten thousands pages
)
I’m however pretty aware of the decadence of the Roman Empire (we study that at school). If you are saying that the Empire fell because of the corruption of moral values, it’s basically a nonsense (ask an historical person, not a Christian),since you are ignoring political and economical factors. And we studied that, because well…we are Romans in the end. To infer what happen THERE with here….it’s a lot of a stretch. Different society, different politics, different beliefs, families, powers…everything.
European culture derived from the Roman Empire, then mixed with the Nordics (nordic religion) to create the British, and then mostly British created the America. So after all you’re descendant of the Romans…which has not falled, since we (and you) are still alive.
Curiously what you call “immorality” we call “awakening”. Not that I want to authorize all “immoral” things, but I’d like to imagine it this way.
- status 0 (boring): where we were 50 years ago. Extremely high morality showed, no sex no drugs no “pleasures”, basically plain and modest life
- status 10 (extreme): now, when everything is accepted, any deviation, everything is experimented
- status 7 (balance): when we set a new human, free from extremes religions, free from moral constrains but still connected to a strong INTERNAL ethical drive
Looking forward!
You know for all the times that I have visited Niagara (seeing as how I lived up there for a year) I never saw a monk! I saw a lot of Muslims? I don’t know what they were – but I saw a lot of those!
I appreciate you! Just thought you should know!
Have you ever read the Mark of The Lion series by Francine Rivers? As I read the series, I found such parallels between the impending collapse of the Roman empire and the path of the US. It also deals with the relationship with Christ, forgiveness, grace, and even persecution of believers. I can by no means call myself a scholar on the Roman empire, but I saw so many common elements in the subtle evolution towards immorality. I fear our nation is on that same path because we, as a nation, are trying to be so open and understanding…
I hope you read the series. It will break your heart and bless your soul. I’m challenging myself to reread the series this summer. Andrea – it would be interesting to know your reaction to this story, too. It’s another perspective on the open-mindedness of culture and where that eventually leads. I love hearing the other side of the story, and I would like to hear yours…
The purpose of my life: To enjoy life while glorifying God and serving Him. Happiness + SO MUCH more.
I love that pick of the white house…there’s so much going on. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo?? whoooowee!
Wow Marla, a post dedicated to me
I have to repeat that I do not think that what you say is utter foolishness. It’s just a different view.
Once for all: reason for life is happyness for ourselves and for the others. I think that all of us, believers and non believers should agree on this.
You chose a path (or maybe God chose a path for you), which is through Christ. I chose a different path. Both of us are happy in our status, no one need to be saved, to be convinced, or changed. Agree on this?
However, while you think that I am…incomplete…not in the right light…not happy as you…any of these defintions… because “I do not have Christ in my life”, I think that SOME of the Christian beliefs are, well, not psychologically healthy for people. Bear with me, it’s just a very harsh definition.
You are imperfect because you have some unhealthy principles (in MY view) and I’m imperfect because I am not with Christ. Can’t we live together even with differencies?
Rift valley was close ( I BELIEVE ) where I was at !
While he’s blowing things up, see if Gabe can figure out who’s on the roof of the White House. Maybe they’re secret service snipers!