Warren to Pray at Inauguration

Rick Warren will be praying at the Inauguration. I'm sure he is taking some major heat from Evangelicals (and I know Obama is taking heat from the gay & lesbian community!). If anyone cares, I say "Go for it, Rick!" & "Kudos to you Pres. Elect Obama!" Let's raise the conversation in this country from the hate-mongering and idiotic, overly simplistic TV spots to a true dialogue of intelligent people about the norms and mores of a culture and what that means.

I'm sure I will never be invited to anything at the White House, but if I was, I would be honored to serve whomever was in office.

I have a lot to say about the "gay issue" but not yet. The bottom line of the whole thing is that Jesus loved the prostitutes and tax collectors and simple fishermen. He was offended by the religious men. Maybe we "Evangelicals" think a bit too highly of ourselves.

The Book of Ezra and Christmas

It’s not very “Christmassy” but lately I’ve been reading the book of Ezra. What strikes me about this great OT book is the tenacity and diligence God’s people show in trying to honor God through re-building the Temple. They face adversity, opposition, and even outright persecution, but they keep pressing on.

There are a lot of connections we could make to our situation today, but one I’d like highlight this week comes from chapters 4-6. In this section the ruling nation of the day (Babylon) has several changes in the Kingship. Those opposing the Israelites try to use this opportunity to get the new king to put a stop to their plans. Yet the Israelites quietly work within the governmental system to not only maintain their plan, they use it to gain more momentum and even funding.

Here’s my quick takeaway: Governments change and shift. They do not define us. The letter after the name of the President does not define my faith or me. During this Advent season, my eyes are focused on the “Coming King” Jesus. That is the point of Advent – to celebrate Jesus coming (2000 years ago as well as His continual coming in us and future coming in glory).

This Advent season, don’t get muddled up in the stress of buying the right stuff or going to the right parties. Keep your mind focused on what we are celebrating…not how.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

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