Separation of Church and State?

Today's sermon was from a series Pastor Brad is doing based on questions from the congregation. The question for today was, "How do I reconcile my faith with my need to be a patriot/citizen of a government?" Seriously great question...one I have had for myself for a while. Can I be obedient to my God and obedient to civil authorities without compromising myself? I have always had disdain for governments, finding them to be the "enemy", justifying my hatred of politics because I thought being obedient to government laws, taxes, and politics made me unholy. Pastor Brad has me thinking otherwise

1. In Romans 13 (1-4), we are asked to be good citizens because governments are part of God's design to help preserve order and keep the effects of evil from the majority of humans. We need good governments to create a good environments.
2. Governmental structures can't create righteousness, but they can help reflect and uphold it. Basically good laws can't make anyone good.
3. Christians are citizens of God's kingdom first, but that kingdom isn't of this earth. While we are on earth we need to consider ourselves ambassadors. Ambassadors are supposed to be the best representatives of their home countries, while living in a different host country. We need to be true to our home customs and beliefs, while living within the laws of a foreign government.

As good as these points are, it still didn't tell me whether to vote Republican or Democrat. It seems like both sides try to play to the faithful. How can it be that 80% of white evangelical voters are Republican, but 80% of black evangelical voters are Democrats? They each pick different issues to drive their faithful into a frenzy...for the conservatives, they push Pro-Life and the rights of the unborn. The Dems like to enflame passions around economic rights and equality. Which is more scripturally correct? Both are. But which is more important for the majority of the people? That should be our method for evaluating issues. Using the entire scripture and not just snippets to justify our argument.

So isn't it important to make sure God is on our side? Whether it is about the Iraq War, or abortion, we believe we need to have God on our side to be right. Winston Churchill said it best when asked that question...his answer? It is more important to be on God's side.

Here is another test...which side is best in representing humility and respect? Wow, tough question...at this point, neither side seems to be putting Titus 3:1-2 to heart. Paul (while imprisoned by the Romans) writes to Titus to "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peacable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men."

So ignore all the noise from talk radio and cable news network talking heads. They have already decided what they want to believe...no amount of arguing will change their minds. They make money by catering to people who already believe the same way. All sides have their media outlets so don't get too worked up by the noise you hear and see. Do what is right, honorable, and what you believe is what God intended in every situation. Too often that will be a toss-up, but don't use your best judgement, use the tools provided to you...scripture, your brothers and sisters, and your Christian leaders. And of course...prayer.

God wants to make sure we have a safe haven of order so that we can be what he wants us to be...children of His. So exercise your voice and vote.

Chow!

My Face is now in the Book

Well, now as a middle-aged guy it feels strange to have a profile on Facebook, but it was necessary to sign up to see my buddy's wedding photos. That is my story, and I will stick to it. Secretly I have been wondering about places like MySpace and Facebook, and now I am deep into it. The boomer in me wanted to stick strictly to "business-oriented" networking sites like LinkedIn, but I have also been envious of those laughing and sharing fun, friendly stuff on their social networking pages.

At first I thought I would just put a profile quickly together and that would be that...nope, I started visiting my new-found friends' profiles, taking quizzes, posting photos, adding links, etc. I was hooked. Don't even get me started on posting messages on the wall. I haven't poked anyone, gifted anything, or goosed my buddies...yet. I am afraid that if I get started I will never stop.

It is fun. I can't believe what I have missed out on all these years. It is also strange to have your kids, their friends, and your nieces and nephews as "friends". I guess I will have to get used to it. I will have to be careful to not try to appear too young, but I gotta tell you it makes you feel young at heart...and cool!

Okay, call me an idiot, but you'd better confirm me as a friend if I send you an invite!!

Chow!

Bears 1; Hunter 0

Many of you don't know that I enjoy spending time outdoors, communing with Mother Nature, and killing as many of her forest creatures as I can. No, that isn't entirely true, but I do enjoy the sport of hunting. 

I just returned from a week "off the grid"...no mobile phone, no laptop, no e-mail. The first couple of days were nerve-wracking as I adjusted to the unconnected life. After the 3rd day, I could relax a little, and by the end of last week I was weaned off the instant communications that haunt my business life. It didn't take long for me to get back in the swing of things as I started my drive home...once my mobile phone found a strong signal, it downloaded 139 e-mails and 10 voicemails...sigh.

The hunt was for spring Black Bear in Montana. The bears are supposed to be coming out of hibernation ravenous, but this year winter refuses to release its snowy, cold grip on NW Montana. Where we usually hunt in t-shirt and shorts, there was still feet of snow, with more forecasted. It was cold, windy, and no place for slumbering bruins to wake up to. Spring bear hunting is for those who want the combination of the challenge of finding a large bear and those that want that perfect pelt or coat. After hibernating all winter, the bears grow a long, full coat to show off in the spring. 

We had a good group of hunters at the lodge. Two Norwegians came the furthest to make a hunt. The rest of the group had two people from North Carolina, 1 from Alabama, 1 from Indiana, and two from the Boston area. 9 of us total. Only 2 hunters scored on bear, and both were different color phase black bears. One was blonde, and the other red. That area of Montana is known for having all the color phases of black bears, so a great opportunity for a unique trophy.

One of our hunters and guides were almost made into trophies themselves. A pair of Mountain Lions made a stalk on one of the Norwegians and his guide. They found themselves trapped between a large male (about 90 lbs), and a female (about 70 lbs). The female was on the trail behind them, attempting to push them towards the male in an ambush position high above the trail. They were able to scare them off without having to injure either of them. When they walked out of the woods, they could see where the cougars had tracked them in the snow earlier in the day. After that story, I jumped at every twig snap and suspicious sound.

One of the best parts I enjoy about hunting is just seeing wildlife. We saw countless deer and elk, large flocks of wild Turkeys, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats, and even a Beaver! Montana is loaded with wildlife; we even saw a pair of Golden Eagles, a pair of Bald Eagles, and nesting pairs of Osprey. One evening on our drive back to the hunting lodge we decided to count the elk and deer...1078 deer and 139 elk in a 40 mile stretch of Montana highway. It helps to have the sharp eyes of the guide with you, but the sheer number of deer was staggering. Many were lucky to have survived the brutal winter, and it showed. Gaunt, small, and tired looking deer. The snow on the ground made it difficult for spring growth to appear, and the deer were willing to risk getting clipped by a fast-moving car to feed on the shoulders of the highway.

I saw only 1 bear all week on the second-to-the-last day of the hunt. It was a trophy for sure. It was a very mature boar, chocolate brown in color. He was feeding on a cliffside above me about 600 yards. The shot required sniper skills due to the angle, the distance, and the 20 mph cross wind, but I had the rifle to make that shot. I had a steady rest, but my windage and elevation calculations were off, and I missed by a foot. The bear was startled as the bullet struck the rock next to him, and he bounded up the mountain to safety. I had hoped he would come back out the next day in the same location, but no such luck. As they say, that is why it is called "hunting" and not "killing." I know Lori and a few people from work were cheering for the bear all week, so there are some happy people. I felt fortunate to be able to enjoy a week climbing up and down hills, eating food someone else cooked, and enjoying some wilderness without the distraction of work. 

I have been invited back to hunt this fall. The fall hunt is very different as the bear are fattening up for the long winter on Huckleberries. They collect in large numbers high up on the mountain tops beyond the timberline feasting on the juicy sweet berries. The hunters ride horses and mules to the top and glass over the collection of bears, and make a stalk on their desired trophy. Anyone want to join me?

Chow!