Since I've taken some steps to increase the potential visibility of this blog, I decided over the past weekend to make it more navigable and catalog every post in some form or fashion, especially the posts which pre-date the label feature's availability.
Speaking of labels, please note the one entitled "essential posts." If you read no other posts on this blog, I'd appreciate you taking the time to read these, even though several are fairly lengthy. There are currently five posts in this folder.
You'll also find I've clarified my About Me info and even dropped a picture of Amanda and I in the profile so you'll know there's a real human behind this. It should also be easier now to follow this blog with the Subscribe feature in a prominent location.
So please enjoy and let me know if you have questions!
Monday, January 05, 2009
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Real problem or teapot tempest?
This story greeted me this New Year's Day morning and I just have to ask for opinions on this, regardless of perspective.
Let me put a framework on this first.
If we'd asked the late George Carlin to offer the invocation, it would have probably been bleeped often and sounded like an atheist's plea for the Christians to shut their pieholes, but it would have been inclusive of those who do not share the Christian faith and no one would not have asked him to sway from his bent. Or if they had, he wouldn't have listened.
Yet, there is an expectation - in some circles - for Rick Warren to "tone down" his expression of his faith by not naming the name of the One in whom he professes to have faith and whom he encourages others to call upon when he delivers the Inaugural invocation 19 days from now.
Sure, I think having Warren present is an attempt on President-elect Barack Obama's part to do what he said he would do election night - and that's try to be the president of those who did not vote for him. Millions of evangelicals did not vote for Obama, for a myriad of reasons. He should be given credit for acknowledging them. It sure beats the alternative - ignoring the millions who voted red instead of blue.
So all this said, is it fair for those who are not fond of Warren's expected presence on the dais on Jan. 20 to expect him to exclude Jesus Christ from his prayer? Should he be mindful of the fact that not everyone in this nation professes faith in Christ and offer some form of generic, all-inclusive prayer? Or, should he stay true to his faith and not waver one iota? Please opine!
Let me put a framework on this first.
If we'd asked the late George Carlin to offer the invocation, it would have probably been bleeped often and sounded like an atheist's plea for the Christians to shut their pieholes, but it would have been inclusive of those who do not share the Christian faith and no one would not have asked him to sway from his bent. Or if they had, he wouldn't have listened.
Yet, there is an expectation - in some circles - for Rick Warren to "tone down" his expression of his faith by not naming the name of the One in whom he professes to have faith and whom he encourages others to call upon when he delivers the Inaugural invocation 19 days from now.
Sure, I think having Warren present is an attempt on President-elect Barack Obama's part to do what he said he would do election night - and that's try to be the president of those who did not vote for him. Millions of evangelicals did not vote for Obama, for a myriad of reasons. He should be given credit for acknowledging them. It sure beats the alternative - ignoring the millions who voted red instead of blue.
So all this said, is it fair for those who are not fond of Warren's expected presence on the dais on Jan. 20 to expect him to exclude Jesus Christ from his prayer? Should he be mindful of the fact that not everyone in this nation professes faith in Christ and offer some form of generic, all-inclusive prayer? Or, should he stay true to his faith and not waver one iota? Please opine!
Added thoughts to 2008
Last year (it feels good to say that) wasn't all bad. My Eeyore-ish tendencies will lead one to think this, so let me clarify.
In April, I took Jadyn to her first rock concert almost 300 miles from home by myself. We did just fine. And, in June, we visited family of mine I hadn't seen in going on 20 years and some of whom neither Amanda nor Jadyn had met. On this same trip, I also discovered that Amanda's best friend growing up treats me like she's known me all her life, too, and that's a blessing beyond description.
In 2008, I think we all learned more about our capabilities and Amanda and I are probably getting closer to sensing what it is we should really be doing. So that's not a waste at all.
So far in the new year, I'm trying to focus on seeing the silver lining - or at least reverse the negative lens through which I see things. Even though I'm really tired at this writing, it's working. Let's hope it continues to do so. Happy New Year!
In April, I took Jadyn to her first rock concert almost 300 miles from home by myself. We did just fine. And, in June, we visited family of mine I hadn't seen in going on 20 years and some of whom neither Amanda nor Jadyn had met. On this same trip, I also discovered that Amanda's best friend growing up treats me like she's known me all her life, too, and that's a blessing beyond description.
In 2008, I think we all learned more about our capabilities and Amanda and I are probably getting closer to sensing what it is we should really be doing. So that's not a waste at all.
So far in the new year, I'm trying to focus on seeing the silver lining - or at least reverse the negative lens through which I see things. Even though I'm really tired at this writing, it's working. Let's hope it continues to do so. Happy New Year!
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