Bookshelf

Gentle viewers, please forgive the long delay since my last post. Life continues to snare me in the busyness that comes with working and trying to live life. The book club that I am a part of had our 2nd meeting (1st to discuss a book) this past Sunday so it got me in the mind of doing a book post on what I have recently read, what I am currently reading, and what I will be reading shortly; if anyone is interested.

Recently Read:

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

The Elves of Cintra by Terry Brooks

Empire Falls by Richard Russo

Currently Reading:

The Ambition and the Power by John M. Barry

The Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo

For One More Day by Mitch Albom

Upcoming Reads:

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The Reagan Diaries by Ronald Reagan

Invasion of the Politicians

In little more than a year, our nation will gather to elect the leader of our nation that will guide us through four, possibly eight, years. I thank God that we have this opportunity to participate in our democratic government and have a voice in deciding who our earthly government is; however, God will always be our ultimate authority no matter whether we are citizens of a democratic or totalitarian state.

I was reading a news article today that focused on Senator Obama's speech at a church in New Orleans and felt his reference of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount was newsworthy. I am glad that our presidential candidates are willing to public express their faith in Jesus Christ. I pray daily that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide them in the path that God has set forth in his Word. I know my dream of a completely positive presidential campaign has a very little chance of coming true but one can dream.

The reason I bring up Sen. Obama's speech is that it was in a church. It was a political speech setting out reasons why he should be elected president and also attacking others' failures and other political statements. I have no problem at all that he voiced his opinions on a variety of a topics. I am thankful that he is open and honest about his views on the issues that affect our nation since he desires to be our next president.

My concern is that his speech occurred in a church, a place consecrated and dedicated to the holiness of the Lord. Now before you say "You're just saying that because he's a Democrat," let me say that this is something that I have wrestled with in my heart and mind for a while. Republicans are just as guilty of this as Democrats. Obama is specifically mentioned because his was the speech that was in the news today. Why do ministers and pastors allow their houses of worship to be used as a political soapboxes?

These type of speeches completely turn the point of a place of worship on its head. Instead of focusing on the One who created us, we're focusing and in some cases, yes, even idolizing those political figures who present speeches from the pulpits. The pulpits are for the Word of God not the Word of Man.

Pastors have a responsibility to speak the Word of the Lord which of course involves preaching the morals and standards that God has set forth in the Bible. I do not consider that political. These are the ways the Lord has set forth for us to live our lives. I know some ('some' being a general term, not representative of a number) pastors make political statements endorsing a candidate or a party. I am thankful that my senior pastor does not make these kinds of endorsements from his place of leadership of our congregation and community. He merely asks us to follow Jesus and seek him in all our decisions, voting or otherwise. This is the way that pastors should act, not endorsing any form of political agenda, but preaching the Bible and God's purposes.

Why do we become offended or uneasy when our pastors make political statements, yet turn a blind eye when politicians come in our churches stumping for votes? Not only is this a personal question, but one for our nation. Churches and other houses of worship are forbidden from making political endorsements or risk losing their tax-exempt status from the federal government; however, there are no repercussions for a politician coming to that same church and giving a political speech. I see that as an endorsement, but maybe that is just me.

Am I the only one that feels this way? Or is this something that bothers many Christians? If so, why aren't we speaking up? Does it bother you that one day your sanctuary hosts the Holy Spirit of the Living God and the next day hosts Mr. X, state senator up for re-election?

Fiction Can Be Fun

Just starting the blog and this had been rattling around my brain as a fun way to start it out. Also it's definitely something that I would do.

It's always said that "life is stranger than fiction" and that is certainly true quite often; however, sometimes fiction contains extremely unique, intriguing, and memorable people.

Here is a list of the fictional characters that I consider as a favorite or find worthy of reflection on their brief but powerful "lives." They come from all realms of fiction from literature to television to film to plays. Identify them all and congratulations. You know me quite well or you cheated and used Google. Either way you learned something. For those friends of mine who correctly identify the work that each character is associated with you will receive a prize for your efforts.

Dale Cooper
Eglantine Price
Buffy Summers
Emerson Eells
Professor Roderick Childermass
Leo McGarry
Jack Ryan
Sister Mary Clarence
Buck Williams
Samwise Gamgee
Charlie Pace
Jack Bauer
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet
Norma Desmond
Margo Channing
He-Man
Myra Eells
Willy Loman
Claire Bennet
Jonathan Barnavelt
Florence Zimmerman
Daria Morgendorffer
Veronica Mars
Sydney Bristow
Frodo Baggins
Harry Potter
Christopher Boone
Mama Rose
Kyle [Trager]
Mrs. Lovett
Josie McCoy
Janie Johnson
Fosca Ricci
Peter Petrelli
Leland P. Fitzgerald
Jessica Fletcher
Phoebe Buffay
Sweeney Todd
G[a]linda Upland
Allanon
Anthony Monday
Aslan
Patty Hewes
Mame
Doctor Dolittle
Harrison Bergeron
Benjy Compson
Elphaba Thropp
Margaret Lanterman
Captain Giorgio Bachetti