A Change Is Gonna Come – Part 2

I do believe Barack Obama when he speaks about change coming.  Let’s be honest, he’s made a lot of promises.  He’s carrying the hopes and dreams of a lot of people on his shoulders.  People are expecting change to come and I hope that he’s able to deliver it.

Regardless though, I’m excited about change that is gonna come.

Assuming Obama’s first term as President is not a complete disaster.  He’ll more then likely be president for the next 8 years.  And by that time the Republican party will have to make some serious changes in their approach to politics if they want to reclaim their lost seats of power.

That’s one thing I think this election proves.  That people are tired of the same Republican party and tactics that have given us George Bush, Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, James Dobson, The Moral Majority, Right Wing extremism, Conservative Christians, and most importantly of all THE CULTURE WAR.

I’m hopeful that Change is gonna come to the Republican party and they will be forced to rethink their policy and politics.  And I think this will be good for them and good for America.

I’m even more hopeful that in the next eight years The Church, The Body of Christ, Christian brothers and sister across America will continue to struggle and wrestle with the best ways to live out our faith, the best way to be the hands and feet of jesus, the best way to be Kingdom people.  People that bring the life, liberty, and freedom of God’s Kingdom to the sick, the hurting, the poor, the oppressed, those on the outside and underside of our communities, our country and our world.  And Yes I believe the church is changing.  And Yes I understand people are very scared of that.  But I believe change in the church is a good and necessary thing.

So I’m very hopeful today and I willingly choose to believe the best is yet to come for America, for the Church and for the World.

It’s been a long time coming…   But Change Is Gonna Come.

Atheist Advert – All Aboard….

Check this out.  A group in England is going to roll out an atheistic ad campaign on buses.

“There’s probably no God.  Now stop worrying and enjoy your life”

First – I think it’s funny on a few different levels.  I’ve never really seen an atheist ad campaign before.  and I love the fact they said, “There’s PROBABLY no God.”  They at least have the decency to approach the issue with a little honesty and humility.  

Should we be worried?  (About the atheist ad that is)  Yes…  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think the atheist are taking over.  I’m more worried about the point their really hitting at with this statement, God = Worry in your life.  So forget about God and you can enjoy life.

That’s sad.  But it points out a very true perception about how we communicate God to people and maybe more importantly how some of us choose to walk out our faith.

Completely incomplete

I came across a good post today that I can completely relate to.  Here it is check it out…I’ve copied and pasted my favorite parts from the post here.

It has a great quote from LIFESTORIES by Mark Hall lead singer from (Casting Crowns) whom I really love…

“When I’m not living for Jesus daily and show up at church after squeezing out life on my own terms all week, I’m needy when I walk through the doors.

• I need the greeter to make me feel welcome.
• I need my friends to sit by me.
• I need my soloist  to sing my favourite song.
• I need the pastor to be engaging.
• I need the small group leader to love on me and do cartwheels when I enter.
• I need the small group leader to call me when I’m sick.

I am so needy because I’m not complete when I get there, and when I’m not being completed by my walk with Jesus, I unwittingly demand completeness from people.  I raise the bar of expectations, and people don’t meet my needs because it is impossible for people to do so.”

Mark then goes on to contrast that to walking daily with Jesus.

“When I faithfully pursue God, spending time with Him in Bible study and a spirit of unceasing prayer, then I’m completed by Him.  He indeed is all I need.

When I walk into church, I see people like He sees them.  In other words, I recognize and acknowledge that I’m an instrument.  I walk in and want to sit by others as a ministry.  I want to help greet visitors.  I want to make sure somebody called those who were sick.  Why?  Because a life of praise comes from understanding that this life is not about us.  It’s about something bigger than us.  It’s about loving God and loving others, the two greatest commandments.”

I completely relate to that.  There are times when I walk into church and need others to be on their game…I need their encouragement, I need their smiles, their handshakes, their laughs, their hugs and pats on the back.  I need their worship to be true and uplifting, their speaking/preaching to be thoughtful, encouraging, challenging and God breathed.  Now I realize that’s not really fair…but that’s reality.

There are other times when I feel on my game…  And I do feel that need to jump in and help others and get involved.

That’s one of the great things about being a part of the body.  When one part is weak another is strong…  We can’t always be on our game and when we’re not it’s nice to be able to count on people to help lift you up, strengthen you and bring you out of funk or something.

Next time you walk in the church doors or really any door this might be a good thing to think about.  What do I need to do?  What is today about?  Am I full or empty?  Complete or incomplete?  Should I focus on receiving from others, receiving from God?  Should I focus on giving to others, giving to God?