Community

I live in a red county in a state that is blue thanks only to it's proximity to the capital. I sponsor the Diversity Club in a school whose population is 94% white. I sponsor Young Democrats in a school where the 8-10 students who dare attend through the boos and hisses of Carhartts in the hall must also hide their membership from their parents.

On November 9th a handful of them came to our meeting in room 315 with heavy hearts and a million questions. They read comments from classmates on Twitter that made my stomach churn. I did my best to give hard, honest answers and reminded them to consider their privilege as I often have to remind myself. Then from the same tear-soaked face that had just earnestly said "I'm scared" (rendering me more helpless than I've ever felt)  came a light bulb, "Why don't we have a community meal for everyone who is scared and hurting?"

So, on Saturday that is exactly what our town of just over 400 will do. We will come together and break bread reminding ourselves that though the world is big and the troubles overwhelming we must begin with our community and grow from there.

If you are in Floyd on Saturday I hope you will join us at Plenty! from 11:00-2:00 to be together in love. Everyone is welcome.

Election Reflection

Monday night in small group we talked about some of the world's perceptions of Christians. Words like: cult, ignorant, judgemental, holier than thou, unwilling to listen, unwilling to befriend non-Christians were thrown around. The next question was: Is there truth to these perceptions? And an overwhelming yes came from all of us. One of our fellow small groupies said "We are called to be set apart and we are. But not for the things we should be. It would be one thing if we were set apart because we were known for being kind, loving, and giving. But that's not how we're known."

I didn't realize it on Monday night but Tuesday would prove to be poster day for all of those negative things we listed. I saw them on my newsfeed one after another. A facebook friend of mine even stated that statements like those made on social networks is why she stays away from organized religion. And who can blame her?

For one thing, it seems people need the welfare system explained to them. And for another, tough shit if people take advantage of it. Should we do away with the whole system because a small percentage may work the system a little? Let me ask you a question, have you never taken advantage of a situation you've found yourself in? It's not an excuse but it points the finger back at you which is the only place your finger should EVER point.
 The welfare system and unemployment are in place to help those in need. And frankly it has to be because the "church" isn't doing it's job of reaching out. Everyone wants to cry "socialism" but without taking it to that extreme why are people so afraid to GIVE?

As a Christian I believe that what I have isn't mine to begin with. It belongs to God. And what would God want me to do with my money? Hoard it all up and keep it from those in need because I'm paranoid that someone might not need it as much as I think they should?

As Christians how do we look when we post things like "I work every day so that those on the draw can have an iphone, a new car and fake nails." (I've seen that from PLENTY of "Christians"). Is that how we win those people to Christ? Judging them when we have no idea what their life is like? Judging them based on their looks or the car they drive or because they're unable to find work.

If all of the scare tactics about coal actually come to fruition some people may find themselves in the position to have to be on welfare or receive unemployment. The harsh reality is that most of us are only a layoff and a couple of overdue bills away from needing help. And how would we feel if people judged us.

As Christians we are called to live like Christ but I'm not sure most "Christians" know who that is. I know I haven't always known. I posted a quote from Jon Cusack a while back on pinterest. When asked who his hero is: "Let's go with Jesus. Not the gay-hating, war-making, political tool of the Right, but the outcast, subversive, supreme adept who preferred the freaks and lepers and despised and doomed the rich and powerful." We have turned Jesus into just that, our political tool.
In response to those bracelets everyone used to have what would Jesus do? I don't claim to know everything he would do but I do know he would love. Because that's what he does. And Jesus probably wouldn't ask questions when people said they needed help. He wouldn't be skeptical or try to judge them by the kind of phone they had or if they smoked a cigarette. He would probably just help. 

I believe Christians can be a part of any political party and have a wide range of convictions. I also understand that Christians come in all shapes and sizes and with different interpretations of the Bible. But I also hope as Christians we are all trying to strive to be like Christ and not like what we think "Christians" are because to be frank I'm not too crazy about what that looks like these days.

Thoughts on Politics

I always have brain-waves when I can do nothing about them. I had such a great idea for what to blog about regarding the election on my way to Panera this morning. And now that I'm here....crickets. I will try to recall it as it came to me but if it sucks just know it sounded so good 20 minutes ago in my head.

Disclaimer: I am still undecided about who I will vote for. There is still a lot of politics left before November. Sometimes, I'm left wondering if I will vote at all in this election. But I will, too many people have fought for that right for me to ignore it.

I am no politician. I, of late, have tried to stay neutral except for really funny things that Stephen Colbert tweets, I often retweet. But that's just humor. Not political debate. In the midst of the Republican National Convention my twitter and facebook newsfeed has been blowing up with Christians supporting Mitt Romney. A couple of years ago, I probably would have been one of them.

Mitt seems like a nice enough guy, a genuine family man. I like that. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy. But what I struggle with is what my Christian facebook friends begin to believe. "Mitt Romney can save this country." And sometimes even a step further: "Mitt Romney can save this country from the likes of Barack Obama who is anti-American." Oh dear says I.

One of my friends told me one night "Just because you are a Christian, you are not required to like Tim Tebow." Agreed. And in the same way "Just because you are a Christian, does not mean you are required to be a Republican."

I find it difficult to discuss politics with some Christians, I used to be one of them. My dad still is. As Christians, once we realize that opposing beliefs don't have to be threatening then it is much easier to entertain two thoughts at once. You don't have to accept them both but you should respect them both.

Neither Mitt Romney nor Barack Obama can save this country. No politician can. This is not a one-man job. Our country is in a bad spot and it's going to take some time to fix. For either candidate. There's not some magical formula you can put into a computer and "fix America." For one thing, it may take a little compromise. Something that neither party seems willing to do.


I don't want to bash either candidate but for a moment I will bash disrespectful followers of either candidate. Barack Obama does not have the capabilities to single-handedly ruin this country. Our forefathers were brilliant political minds and our system is set up to prevent that from happening. I don't like the fear factor that people play. "If you vote for Barack Obama, America as we know it will end." Oh the dramatics.

My plea is that we all be respectful to one another. I believe that all Christians vote, to some degree, according to their convictions. But my convictions may not be the same as yours. Abortion and gay marriage are not the only issues. Though, most Christians would argue that. Please stop with the "if you vote for Barack Obama you are against America too." Or on the opposite end of the spectrum: "If you vote for Mitt Romney you are narrow-minded."

I love a good debate, my husband and I do it often. Not just arguing but taking a stance, one way or another just for the sake of debate. I am open to hear you out on why you think one candidate is better than the other but if you can't do it without bashing the other (or the people who are voting for the other) then I don't care to hear it at all.

I realize this is so simplistic. I promise I have a stronger political background than this but this is my feeble attempt at peace. I know that the candidates are not being nice to one another (which is just embarrassing for both of them) but we can be better. Let's set an example for them. Be respectful of others and their beliefs and convictions. They may be different than yours but they are no better or worse.

I told you all, it sounded so much better in my head in the car. But I hope something resonated with you. Be nice. There, that's all I needed to say.

Illegal Immigrants?

I am prepared to make some enemies with this post but bring 'em on! In case you are living in a hole, despite your best efforts you are probably aware that we are in an election year. As much as I like to think I can stay out of it, it seems the hot button issues always pull me in. I am usually someone who can choose a side relatively easily and argue it to the death. As my husband well knows. He and I debate gay marriage, abortion, illegal immigration, unionization, animal rights, etc. We each have our own opinions about these issues but I like to think when we are done he always switches to my POV. Maybe he just tells me that so I will hush. Regardless, it hones our debating skills even if we don't agree with the side we are arguing.

What is proving to be one of the larger issues in this year's election seems to be surrounding the topic of Immigrants. President Obama has recently stated that he and his administration will stop the deportation of illegal immigrants who were brought to the country as children but who now are law abiding residents. Is this just a ploy to get votes? Perhaps and many think it will work. But ploy or not I give the President an "amen."

Before I rant, I will say that I am not a researcher of the issues surrounding illegal immigration. I call things like I see them. I am not incredibly well informed on the subject but I will tell you the way I see things based on the information I have. This is my opinion and while you may not agree, I do hope that it will at least get you thinking about it.

I recently read a post over at The Acorn Underfoot on the subject of "unwavering nationalism" as she called it. Her post about the nationalism in this country definitely got my wheels turning. It has recently began to dawn on me just how wrong we have it. Somewhere along the way we became the nation that believes because we are American we are inherently better than those other nations. That God should "bless America." Hell, I have that very sign on my front porch. Why just America? Why do we not say God Bless everyone? (like tiny Tim would say God bless us every one) *light moment*

As Americans we have been bred to believe that this land is "ours"  and that all of the jobs are "ours." That's a sorry excuse for laziness. To say that because I'm an American I deserve these things even though someone else may work harder for it or dare I say deserve it more.

Historian is a really generous word for what I consider myself but I will give you a little lesson. In case you were born with 100% Native American blood running through your veins then at one point your relatives were immigrants. And what now gives us the right to cut off the borders? If people believe our country is the land of opportunity and want to live and work here then who are we to say, "No, you can't. You should have come a couple hundred years ago, now it's too late." Why do we get to decide that. My, how high our opinions are of ourselves as Americans.

I would love to talk to a Native American or two and ask them just how many "illegal immigrants" they allowed into THEIR land so many years ago. If this land belongs to anyone it certainly is not me or my ancestors.

I want to end by contradicting everything I have said. Okay, not everything.  I love America (there, that's the only contradiction)  but I'm not blind to our faults. Or to just how easily it could be me who lived in a country I was unhappy in and desperately wanting a different life for my children. It scares me sometimes to see just how far we haven't come in our American elitism mindsets.

I am completely prepared for the fact that someone much better informed on the issue could comment on this and rip me to shreds. In which case I would cry and delete this post out of shame haha But just think about it from a different point of view than just "I" and "my jobs" and "my land."

Bill...I love you so, I always will

My sister and I first heard this song on Gilmore Girls and now we like to sing it to each other. However, today I am singing it in reference to Billy Graham. I have always known about Billy Graham growing up in church. I knew of him as a famous preacher..and that was about it.
But I have just finished reading "The Preacher and the Presidents Billy Graham in the White House" by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy. And have found that he is so much more than that. He is the man who is believed to have spoken face-to-face to more people than anyone in history. That is amazing to me, especially considering this man was preaching God's word. In over 185 countries this man has reached hundreds of millions of people. However this book goes so much further into the humble, considerate, amazing man that is Billy Graham. I wish I could know this man.


Billy Graham befriended eleven Presidents in a row, the authors point out that nothing like this has ever been done by another man in history. These men were from all walks of life, Democrats and Republicans and he was able to become close personal friends with seven of our former Presidents. I am so amazed at how he was able to remain neutral on hot-button topics in an attempt to keep from being drawn into partisan politics. Had he been vocal on every issue coming and going he would have likely driven one party away and because he didn't he was able to reach that many more people. This book means more to me than any other I have read (with one exception). The importance of keeping politics out of church and not becoming so caught up in petty partisan debates. I have been so guilty in my past of taking such a strong stance on one topic or another and while I still may feel strong personally, it is not my job to try and persuade others. As the book said Billy was God's servant, not his lawyer. It is not our job as Christian's to argue whether gay marriage is right or whether or not abortion should be legal. It is our job to tell others about Jesus and stop getting hung up in all the political hoop-la.

This book made me laugh, cry, think, and I learned so much about my faith and about politics. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in either. I was able to learn more about the presidents that Billy ministered to and gave me a new respect for many of them, especially the Clinton's. My horizons have been broadened and even some of my opinions changed.

Jesus never fails.