Hi Guys,
Though I'm not a supporter of any wars, there are defense mechanisms that balanced men (and women) should have in place should the contingency arise. Sure, it's tempting for me to rely upon (and exult in) a presidential candidate of my ethnicity accomplishing as much as Obama has in the race. Truly a historic moment for America, with its tawdry history upon "ideals," while historically committinng among the worst sins known to man. My excitement rests in the expectation that perhaps the "change" spoken of can finally chisel some action toward the betterment of societies everywhere... and not just in America. You might not know this Colin, that Moses in the Bible was a man of color (African descent) who was led through the wilderness by another man of color (African descent): both being descendants of "Cush." It's not that it's not known by scholars, it's just not taught in institutions of higher learning and generally among the congregations anywhere who call themselves Christians. What does that mean for us today? At once, everything and nothing. “Everything” because it is a sign that any populace is willing to shed the sins of their fathers and live life with a future and a hope. "Nothing," because in a democratic society, the exercised right of the voter to "vote," should be upon the issues alone and not the background of a person's skin or gender. Afterall, don’t we all desire to just live peaceably and without illegal restraints?
My point is that perhaps the entire world needs to have new (young & fresh) eyes to see things by on our journey
together through this global wilderness we find ourselves in. Besides "common sense" tells me that Hobab was not going to let his daughter (
Zipporah) wonder aimlessley in the wilderness for 40 years... even if she was Moses' wife! Just common sense to me... would to God Christian churches and congregations anywhere regardless of faith based adherences would TEACH AND APPLY this history to contemporary circumstances and relationships to each other:
Numbers 10:29-34 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
30 And he [Hobab] said unto him [Moses], I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred.
31 And he [Moses] said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.[/b]32 And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.
33 And they [together] departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.
34 And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.
On another note, I had to literally laugh when I saw this thread. Not out of humor alone, but because of the truth (and reality) that religion and politics DO invoke the deepest concerns of everyone involved in it. Which is why I say to my dear friend and Cuz. Ted:
Ted, you know as much as I do the squabbles people get into when such are discussed. If I may, my encouragement though is leveled to the spiritual reality that we ALL are called to witness our beliefs (first privately & then publicly). Like you, I respect veterans (both living and departed). My pic with Hillary though at the White House when I was an official guest back in '97 does not necessarily infer that I'm now her supporter on any part of the ticket in 2008. If the Democrats resolve this tug of war by the time their convention convenes, then I support it too. But then, I'm non partisan... for real! My efforts are better exercised through these discussions to massage the mindsets of folks in general, rather than casting my personal ballot. I learn a lot more that way than merely pulling a lever or clicking an option at the polls. I laughed (in a positive sense) because I've already gotten myself in enough trouble on any of Boomer's sites by bringing "spiritual" concerns into a public forum. Yet I will speak when it is deserving to do so.
Ecclesiastes 9:15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
Ecclesiastes 2:16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
The above basically has everything (and more) to do with the human (imperfect) element than by Divine Design via an Intelligence far beyond ours. God merely allows this stuff to happen to coach us into excepting our poverty to correct things on our own. The Living God is only in the process of vindicating his sovereign right to rule where His Son already stated that he came for everyone to have life and that more abundantly. Which is why I would encourage you Ted as my Christian brother to exert the same effort in prayer for global concerns rather than speak about things that concerted prayer will prevent (
[b]given that it is already God's will already that no one be assasinated.). The Scripture merely reflects our tendencies in spite of Divine Will. It (scripture) is not an edict with our concerns in mind, but a reflection of what Mankind everywhere is striving for and should become. Hence, God forbid anyone, most certainly Obama, should be assasinated. My prayers for his protection (intercession) are focused to promote this world's populace, and not just the special interest groups, corporations, lobbyists, states, communities or even ethnicities of anyone with the power of governmental influence. My prayers are focused on the same things as you and I have already spoken about personally by phone over the past six years... but not recently with regard to the race for 2008.
Isaiah 59:15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
Sad to say... and that is the human element prophesied long before you and I were ever thought of by our parents...
... which brings me to my affectionate Nephew D.Slam! (Don!)...
I read what you wrote and agree from a spiritual standpoint. There is no argument there. I'm overjoyed that over the last six years that I've known you remotely, you have matured into a man that is more like my brother than my Nephew! Go figure fella!
Don, I believe that what I've written here will be appreciated from the standpoint that you are now seeing the responsibility a person takes upon him [or herself] when answering the call to action [and not merely change]. I was overjoyed to read your comments (and examples) when stating your position on the issues. I apologize if I've misread anything since from where I sit it's all good! Since coming to Christ in 1982, my life has been dedicated to such expressions without the intent of stepping on anyone’s toes. Yet like that which so many of us “do,” only to find out personally that they are forgotten corporately. The God I serve never forgets anything we do in His Name, except our sins which any of us commit. To me, that is Grace personified (among His other attributes of love, wisdom, power and justice). I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been a member of the Boomer Community… and I ain’t just playing drums or whistlin’ Dixie!
John 16:1 These things have I [Jesus] spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?.
I Love You Guys... regardless of who wins the U.S. presidential election in 2008. For me, it [this truly] ain't over till it's over - and this is no game by any stretch of the imagination. So I guess I’m speaking about Life in general (as we know it), and not a forum for debate among political (or religious) proclivities. I’m glad we’ll always be friends so long as we present ourselves “friendly.” [Proverbs 18:24]:
Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
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