Christian=Republican?

I hesitate writing this because it opens me up for some, if not a lot of, criticism. Something I have been struggling with for a long time is how many in the Church, especially among evangelicals who automatically identify themselves as Republican no matter what. I also understand that mainline protestant churches generally identify as Democrat. Catholics are a mixed bag. I believe this is something that is very dangerous for both the church and the state. I understand for many people that their identification often centers around the issue of abortion and/or gay marriage. While these issue are important to many, when voting solely on these issue you can purchase a whole litany of other positions that you may not agree with that may or may not be Christian and/or Biblical. A trend I have noticed is that when a person is born again the next stop is changing or renewing their voter registration. I have touched on the hot button issues of abortion and Gay Marriage but what about monetary and fiscal policy, the role of the government in social services, use of the military. Unfortunately in this day in age the Republican party has been see as the party carrying the mantle of the Church and they have exploited it to the Nth degree. I used to be the person that I just described, I believed in the Republican party based on some of my beliefs and those around me within the church. Upon closer examination I realized that the party did not represent a large part of what I believe in. But the thing that drove me away was not any particular issue, which there were, but how much they tried to exploit my belief in God and Jesus to gain my vote. Many of the people who ran on "moral" and "family" values lived lives that did not reflect that, it was just an easy platform to stand on that they never had to deliver on. They may have said they would outlaw abortion and prevent gay marriage to represent thiers beliefs, but I saw no fruit of the spirit coming from within in them, no love, compassion, or fire for justice (not revenge). They were used the support they gained from the hot button issues to do a litany of other things that many of the people who voted for them accepted because, "they reflect my values." I reject that.

Now I am a registered Independent, my voter registration says so, that way I pick the candidate or party that best reflects, as a whole, what I believe in and want to see accomplished, sometimes it is a Republican, sometimes it is a Democrat, sometimes it is neither(by the way I a big advocate of a legitimate third party to fix this problem) . I now judge candidates like I judge pastors. Not by the words that come out of their mouth, although they matter, but by the genuine love that comes from their heart and the actions that it produces in their life and others. Are they about reaching out to more people and helping them or are they about a narrow agenda that serves only a few and alienates the rest.

I NEED MY FIX!!!!!!!!

My name is Mark Guenther and I am addicted to Fantasy Football. I started playing in a league with friends 3 years ago and did so poorly that it became my obsession to redeem myself. I even went so far as to name my team Redemption for the next season, where I went from dead last to second place, losing in the final. Last year while having the second best team as far as overall performance, I was unlucky enough to have the second most points on a given weekend, only to play the guy with the most points that week, multiple times. I was robbed! This year I will hopefully be vindicated and win my first championship. To those considering whether or not to try Fantasy Football. I can only offer this advice, if you want to spend your Sundays and Monday nights glued to your TV, computer or cell phone and have your feeling of self worth determined by whether or not Peyton Manning called a rushing play for a TD rather than a pass, go ahead, try it. If not stay away and preserve your sanity, your marraige and your interest in church on Sundays.

P.S: No matter how much you pray for victory in Fantasy Football it will not be granted. Believe me I've tried. That is why I have now decided that Jesus will draft for me, I am sure that was covered by grace too. Right?

It can happen to you!

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for homeless people even if they contributed to their own situation. I cannot comprehend what it would be like to not know where you will sleep, if or when you will eat. To be without clean clothes or have access to regular showers. Additionally the amount of ridicule that you receive from most everyone you encounter. I have often wanted to voluntarily make myself homeless with no access to money or help of any kind other than what I can come up with myself, just to gain that perspective. Unfortunately there are number of people who are finding themselves homeless who most people never would expect to be in that situation. Among these are women, the elderly, and veterans . This is unacceptable in a nation as wealthy as America. I admit I have not done nearly enough for the helping the homeless and am going to really take a look at how I can make an difference with this problem. Below is a link to an article of an elderly woman who now lives in her car with her 2 dogs and how this is not as uncommon as you might think.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/05/19/homeless.mom/index.html

Run for Mercy

Many people say a goal is a dream until you write it down, so here goes. It is my intention to run the Charlotte Thunder Road Marathon on Saturday Dec 13, 2008 to raise money for Mercy Ministries. Although the event that I run is subject to change due to training schedule, injury and other logistics, I WILL be Running For Mercy. This is a real stretch of faith for me, I have never run anywhere close to 26.2 miles but I believe that the cause is worth that stretch and that faith will see me through. Additionally I will be seeking individual sponsors who will pledge $ amounts per completed mile that will go to Mercy Ministries for whatever they choose, hopefully to put towards their future Charlotte location. Here is another stretch of faith, I want to raise AT LEAST $10,000 for Mercy. All prayers for strength and health, as well as sponsorship is greatly appreciated. There I've said it. I am now committed, it is official!

Come and Join the Winning Side

Desmond Tutu is one of my favorite people, he was the Anglican Archbishop to Cape Town, South Africa during the struggle with Apartheid, he has also won the Nobel Peace Prize.There is a short story about him that I have read many times and told to many people. Everytime I read or tell the story it gives me chills, it is that powerful. Here is the story:

A demonstration against apartheid had been forbidden to take place out on the streets, and so they had moved it into the church. But the police came into the church together with the crowds, hovered around the edges in a threatening manner.
And Tutu addressed the police directly, pointed at them, and said, “You may be powerful, but YOU are not God.” He said, “you have already been defeated.”
And then he stepped forward and with the cheeky smile that he’s so well known for he said, “so, since you’ve lost already, why don’t you come and join us, come and join the winning side.” And the policemen kind of slinked away and left them to their worship service.

Do you know what happened? They were defeated! God is always on the side of justice even when the odds seem to be against it.

Seven Deadly Social Sins

I am a person who believes strongly in the idea there are two different sides to the Gospel that Jesus taught, Personal and Social, which when both are applied the true message of Christ is realized.

As a person who was raised in the Catholic church I was taught the Seven Deadly Sins which some Christians know and others have never heard of. These are seven Sin types which lead not to physical death (although they can) but spiritual. If you don't know what they are here is the list:

Lust

Gluttony

Greed

Sloth (Laziness)

Wrath (Anger or vengefulness)

Envy

Pride

These all seem obvious as dangers, even if you have never seen this list. However, Mahatma Ghandi, although not a Christian himself, clearly was in tune with many Christian values. He came up with the Seven Deadly Social Sins which lead to the death of the soul of society. They are:

Wealth Without Work

Pleasure Without Concscience

Knowledge Without Character

Commerce Without Morality

Science Without Humanity

Religion Without Sacrifice

Politics Without Principle

I think our society not only has broken each one of these fourteen sins but we have made it our M.O. However, we only seem to be working on the personal sins all the while our society is walking off the edge of a cliff. This is an area that must change, if we are to hope for any sort of real change in ourselves and our society I believe that we must strive to overcome each of these 14 items.

What do you think?

HOLY COW

I recently sat down and composed a list of things I would like to do before I die, (Sabrina had watched The Bucket List on the plane ride back from Europe) it ranged from rather meaningless i.e walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to significant accomplishment- run a marathon. While I know I will likely not satisfy all of these goals (marathon) I got to check one item off the list recent. I went to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. I wanted to go to Opening Day but the tickets were pretty steep, so I went to the 3rd game of the season. Keep in mind that Chicago in April can be hit or miss weather wise. Well it was a miss. It was upper 40's no sun and the wind was blowing in. My hot chocolate was a chocolate shake by the time I finished it. I was with my dad and we both silently thought whether the other would mind if we left before the game was over. We made it to the top of the 9th ( which allowed us to sing 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame'). The Cubs looked like they were going to win and we were turning to ice cubes. After all of that we got to see the first win of the season, the Cubs are in first place. I hope I can go again sometime when the weather is better. Cue the Music!

Go Cubs Go, Go Cubs Go

Hey Chicago what do you say

The Cubs are Gonna Win Today

Next on the list... Packers Game @ Lambeau Field

What is on your list?