Lately I've been hearing all kinds of hullabaloo about the cross in the desert. Insert talk about separation of church and state. Just today I was driving around and on the radio I hear a blurb about federal lawsuits that have been brought by atheists regarding the wording of the presidential oath of office. You guessed it, they are howling over the inclusion of the words, "So help me God." So often when I hear any kind of discussion about the separation of church and state, the argument is given that we can't have any religion at all. Because, wait for it, who would decide which religion we'd all have to use? There are just too many religions out there, so we can't have anything at all so the argument goes.
As usual, my brain has been spinning, and I've come up with a few thoughts. The people who ask what they think is THE killer question (that supposedly leaves all religious adherents scratching their heads with no possible answer) obviously don't know much about the religions of the world. Sure, they know the differences... Christians worship God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit as the triune God. Muslims worship Allah. Buddhists mediate... a LOT! Atheists supposedly abhor worship of anything that presents itself as higher than them. Hindus worship EVERYTHING! Sounds pretty conflicting on the surface, I'll grant you. Even in the realm of Christianity there are vast differences, some more trivial, some striking at the very essence of what is within the very bounds of Christianity. So are the religious nay-sayers right? Is it impossible to make a call as to who determines which religion America allows?
I say abso-stinkin'-lutely NOT! What I believe is sorely missing from this discussion is the fact that while there are indeed major differences in all the various religions, there is also much common ground between them. All the religions I've listed above all place great value on men and women living lives of honesty and integrity. Kindness is a virtue in them all. Respect for others is valued. It's not okay to destroy another's property. Selfishness is bad. Sexual promiscuity is looked down upon... or worse. There are many, many areas of common ground. How about focusing on the areas or commonality? After all our nation managed to do that very thing for nearly two hundred years until one woman (a CRAZY woman at that!) pitched her hissy fit in our Supreme Court and drastically changed the complexion of public education for the whole nation.
I only wish we could get to the heart of this issue. It seems that what the (very) vocal minority is actually advocating is not merely an irreligious America, but an amoral United States. They just don't want any religion in which THEY are not the ultimate authority; God, if you will.
So what do you think? I for one am getting pretty tired of talking to and questioning the people I see saying these things on TV. They never answer back! (chuckle) But here in The World According to Me, I can get some answers perhaps? I think I just might be liking this world! So tell me: Is there not enough common ground among religions to focus on? Must each and every vestige of religion of any and all kinds be erased from our culture?
Friday, May 21, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
But What About?
I suppose you can't possibly live here in the good old U.S. of A. without hearing about the latest oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In the months and years prior, there was already much debate occurring as to whether we should be doing more or less drilling in our own country. Most of the opponents of opening new lands for drilling protested on the grounds that it would be detrimental to our natural environment. And now that this has happened in the Gulf, all you hear is, "Umm hmm, I told you so! If we drill for oil, we'll face catastrophes untold. It'll kill all our animals. Only heartless, greedy, very bad people drill for oil."
I don't hate animals, and I try my very best to never be heartless, greedy, or very bad. But I have a few questions for all the environmentalists who are vehemently opposed to drilling. First of all, are they saying that they wish we'd just keep buying oil that is produced in other countries? Are they comfortable with all the drilling that takes place in the Middle East, South America, and other places? If so, that strikes me as being rather hypocritical. Is it okay to destroy their natural environment? Do they not care about the natural environments of those places? I for one do not trust each and every one of the foreign oil producing countries to be more concerned about the environment than we are in the U.S. I do not believe for one minute that they are more committed to safety, or being ecologically responsible. My husband has worked extensively with refineries in Ecuador, and I can tell you most assuredly that some of the sights he has seen down in the Amazon Basin would scare the ever-living daylights out of the tree-hugging crowd. He is working to take our American know-how to clean up their oil production. And this story could be repeated all over the globe. Why do we want to place foreign natural habitats in peril? Why not do the drilling here where we have the technology to do it in the safest, most ecologically friendly way possible?
My second area of concern is this: Do the green folks really want to live without using any petroleum products? Here is a partial list of products made from petroleum products. It includes items that touch our lives every single day; some trivial, some life-saving medications and devices. Are environmentalists willing to tell a cardiac patient that she will have to do without the heart valve replacement that she needs to live because if she does get it, there is a chance we might have an oil spill and some trees and birds might be harmed? That seems like a heartless, greedy, and very bad stance to take.
Along that same line, as far as I'm concerned, if they're going to crucify Sarah Palin for advocating drilling for oil in our lands, then the nay-sayers have some very serious life-style issues to contend with. They ought to be foregoing showers using soap and/or shampoo, brushing their teeth and wearing deodorant, and they ought to traveling by horse and buggy. No cars. No bicycles- the tires are made of rubber after all! No airplane travel. The only water travel they should be engaging in should involve canoes and paddles. They probably should just skip the whole traveling thing since then they'd be deforesting our woodland areas. They should just stay holed up in their houses... But wait- opponents of oil consumption shouldn't even live in houses- too many things tied to petroleum products! Forgive me if I doubt their true level of commitment to doing away with all oil production.
Folks, I could go on from now until the third Tuesday in June with more questions. But I'll save us both that agony! I know I've been tongue in cheek regarding a very serious matter. Even though I've presented my thoughts in a light-hearted manner, I am in earnest regarding the questions I've asked. I firmly believe there's a lot more to this business than pelicans, beaches, and Dawn dish-washing detergent (which is made from petroleum- irony of ironies!). May we choose wisely as we care for our planet and the people and creatures in it.
I don't hate animals, and I try my very best to never be heartless, greedy, or very bad. But I have a few questions for all the environmentalists who are vehemently opposed to drilling. First of all, are they saying that they wish we'd just keep buying oil that is produced in other countries? Are they comfortable with all the drilling that takes place in the Middle East, South America, and other places? If so, that strikes me as being rather hypocritical. Is it okay to destroy their natural environment? Do they not care about the natural environments of those places? I for one do not trust each and every one of the foreign oil producing countries to be more concerned about the environment than we are in the U.S. I do not believe for one minute that they are more committed to safety, or being ecologically responsible. My husband has worked extensively with refineries in Ecuador, and I can tell you most assuredly that some of the sights he has seen down in the Amazon Basin would scare the ever-living daylights out of the tree-hugging crowd. He is working to take our American know-how to clean up their oil production. And this story could be repeated all over the globe. Why do we want to place foreign natural habitats in peril? Why not do the drilling here where we have the technology to do it in the safest, most ecologically friendly way possible?
My second area of concern is this: Do the green folks really want to live without using any petroleum products? Here is a partial list of products made from petroleum products. It includes items that touch our lives every single day; some trivial, some life-saving medications and devices. Are environmentalists willing to tell a cardiac patient that she will have to do without the heart valve replacement that she needs to live because if she does get it, there is a chance we might have an oil spill and some trees and birds might be harmed? That seems like a heartless, greedy, and very bad stance to take.
Along that same line, as far as I'm concerned, if they're going to crucify Sarah Palin for advocating drilling for oil in our lands, then the nay-sayers have some very serious life-style issues to contend with. They ought to be foregoing showers using soap and/or shampoo, brushing their teeth and wearing deodorant, and they ought to traveling by horse and buggy. No cars. No bicycles- the tires are made of rubber after all! No airplane travel. The only water travel they should be engaging in should involve canoes and paddles. They probably should just skip the whole traveling thing since then they'd be deforesting our woodland areas. They should just stay holed up in their houses... But wait- opponents of oil consumption shouldn't even live in houses- too many things tied to petroleum products! Forgive me if I doubt their true level of commitment to doing away with all oil production.
Folks, I could go on from now until the third Tuesday in June with more questions. But I'll save us both that agony! I know I've been tongue in cheek regarding a very serious matter. Even though I've presented my thoughts in a light-hearted manner, I am in earnest regarding the questions I've asked. I firmly believe there's a lot more to this business than pelicans, beaches, and Dawn dish-washing detergent (which is made from petroleum- irony of ironies!). May we choose wisely as we care for our planet and the people and creatures in it.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Meet My New Heroes
So back to BSF... This week I have been pondering the dedication and service of Joseph of Arimethea and Nicodemus. They're the guys who went and asked Pontius Pilate for the body of Jesus when He was crucified. It's something that I've known for years and years, but never given much thought to- until now, that is.
These men were there when Jesus' supposed followers were for the most part scattered to the four winds. When the disciples thought it was all over and done, Joseph and Nicodemus were there. They were willing to risk status, dignity, possible exclusion from their families, probable excommunication from the synagogue. Despite the cost, they still bravely made their way to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.
But why? The only answer that makes sense is a deep, profound sense of love and devotion. At the time, Jesus was dead and gone. There had been no last minute miracle. No parting of the Red Sea, no walking on water. Sure, there had been some strange signs, but if anything, the earthquakes and darkness only served to bring more fear and alarm. But on they went, risking what they'd spent their whole lives to earn- the respect of their fellow members of the Sanhedrin, success, acclaim. Willing to throw it all away to serve a dead man.
What a sense of conviction I feel! They were not expecting anything from Jesus. They weren't doing what they did in hopes that Jesus would be willing to do something for them in return. The only thing in it for them was knowing they were serving a man whom they wanted to honor. In short, they were not obedient because they were seeking the blessings obedience accrues. They were looking for what they could do, not what they could earn. Forget all the spiritual quid pro quo mentality I so easily find myself gravitating toward.
How often is there disappointment when the answer to my prayer is not what I'd hoped for? I must confess that all too often my mind immediately turns to thinking of how I've followed His Word and how I cannot understand why it's not all adding up. Lord, please forgive me. I say I love you, I say I'm devoted to you, I say all sorts of things... But when the rubber meets the road, I'm not Joseph or Nicodemus.
I really do not have any witty, charming way to wrap this all up and put a big, pretty bow on it. It is what it is. Sigh. But if desire is the first step, I'm taking it. I want with all my heart to be more like Joseph and Nicodemus. I suppose getting this lump of flesh moving in the right direction is the next step. Definitely easier said than done, but I'm still striving!
These men were there when Jesus' supposed followers were for the most part scattered to the four winds. When the disciples thought it was all over and done, Joseph and Nicodemus were there. They were willing to risk status, dignity, possible exclusion from their families, probable excommunication from the synagogue. Despite the cost, they still bravely made their way to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.
But why? The only answer that makes sense is a deep, profound sense of love and devotion. At the time, Jesus was dead and gone. There had been no last minute miracle. No parting of the Red Sea, no walking on water. Sure, there had been some strange signs, but if anything, the earthquakes and darkness only served to bring more fear and alarm. But on they went, risking what they'd spent their whole lives to earn- the respect of their fellow members of the Sanhedrin, success, acclaim. Willing to throw it all away to serve a dead man.
What a sense of conviction I feel! They were not expecting anything from Jesus. They weren't doing what they did in hopes that Jesus would be willing to do something for them in return. The only thing in it for them was knowing they were serving a man whom they wanted to honor. In short, they were not obedient because they were seeking the blessings obedience accrues. They were looking for what they could do, not what they could earn. Forget all the spiritual quid pro quo mentality I so easily find myself gravitating toward.
How often is there disappointment when the answer to my prayer is not what I'd hoped for? I must confess that all too often my mind immediately turns to thinking of how I've followed His Word and how I cannot understand why it's not all adding up. Lord, please forgive me. I say I love you, I say I'm devoted to you, I say all sorts of things... But when the rubber meets the road, I'm not Joseph or Nicodemus.
I really do not have any witty, charming way to wrap this all up and put a big, pretty bow on it. It is what it is. Sigh. But if desire is the first step, I'm taking it. I want with all my heart to be more like Joseph and Nicodemus. I suppose getting this lump of flesh moving in the right direction is the next step. Definitely easier said than done, but I'm still striving!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Well, here I am! A beautiful Sunday afternoon, and I'm busy accomplishing all kinds of things. That's my idea of a heavenly day! One of the things on my to-do list was to get back into the blogging world. I used to blog at homeschoolblogger.com, until alas, one day I was locked out. Grrr. I have missed blogging and cyber journaling. So here I am. I hope to set my techie husband on giving this blog some life. Some oomph. Some pizazz. But in the mean time, I can still share and blog, right?
To start off this year in Blogland, let me give you a quick rundown of my 2010 thus far. As of May, this year is shaping up pretty nicely I must say. We're experiencing more and more healing financially speaking. We're in the groove homeschool-wise; yahoo! We've been back at Second for over a year now, and that feels so very wonderful to be in an environment that encourages me to grow and expand spiritually. I am oh so thankful for a vibrant body of believers! Speaking of spiritual growth, I've also begun attending BSF. My sister has been telling me for years that I should go, and she was right! I have been challenged to really dig into God's Word and study in depth. Love it! I can't wait to study Isaiah in the fall. Isaiah has always been one of my favorite books in the Bible. While it speaks of horrific judgment from God, He never leaves them in that state. He is always, always, always about restoration. Yes, He is a just God who will not forever turn a blind eye to sin, but He is also a loving God who always desires to set us aright. Even in judgment His purposes are ever redemptive. How I love Him!
I could just go on and on here- there is so much to tell! However I will save some for later. I look forward to being back here on a much more frequent basis! Until we meet again...
To start off this year in Blogland, let me give you a quick rundown of my 2010 thus far. As of May, this year is shaping up pretty nicely I must say. We're experiencing more and more healing financially speaking. We're in the groove homeschool-wise; yahoo! We've been back at Second for over a year now, and that feels so very wonderful to be in an environment that encourages me to grow and expand spiritually. I am oh so thankful for a vibrant body of believers! Speaking of spiritual growth, I've also begun attending BSF. My sister has been telling me for years that I should go, and she was right! I have been challenged to really dig into God's Word and study in depth. Love it! I can't wait to study Isaiah in the fall. Isaiah has always been one of my favorite books in the Bible. While it speaks of horrific judgment from God, He never leaves them in that state. He is always, always, always about restoration. Yes, He is a just God who will not forever turn a blind eye to sin, but He is also a loving God who always desires to set us aright. Even in judgment His purposes are ever redemptive. How I love Him!
I could just go on and on here- there is so much to tell! However I will save some for later. I look forward to being back here on a much more frequent basis! Until we meet again...
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