glocks out

This is a playlist of random videos about Christianity or something similar.

It appears as if Obama has this nomination in the bag. Next step of course is securing a VP running mate. I'm going to discuss here both party's possible veeps as I see it. Bear with me because I'm definitively not privy to all the behind-the-scenes party people and most of the non-national politicians, and most of the national ones as well. I'll probably voice a hypothetical match more than a name.

John McCain has this whole "maverick" image in the bag, regardless of its reality. He may need to have a running mate who can help shore up his "conservative" credentials. McCain has enough independent appeal, but he's still trying to win over the "conservative base." His pro-life voting record is secure, even though he doesn't make a point of talking about it (and some say it's just pandering when he does because he's allegedly pro-choice in conscience[1]). Even though he really is a conservative, he needs someone who people actually associate with the term. To combat the "historicity" of Obama, it would do well to have a Hispanic man who is outspoken on the immigration issue (because conservatives love the Hispanics who oppose immigration and blacks who oppose affirmative action).

Obama has a problem matching up with anyone because he has his own mythology about him. He is a monolithic politician. When he gets associated with anyone, his mythology is damaged. If he is married to a Washington politician, he loses his outsider image. He also has to gain in the working class white independent segment. Although he's done well in the South, it's still unlikely he'll carry these heavily Republican states. The one he needs to win is Florida. One name going around has been Jib Webb, Governor of Virginia. This is a good choice (possibly) because he's a white southerner, and a governor with executive experience. Another name has been Bill Richardson who is a Hispanic Governor from New Mexico who can have a strong counter-argument to the conservatives on the immigration issue considering he's leading a border state. While McCain and Obama have a similar stance on the immigration issue, it will still be a big issue this year because of the economy. Richardson also have foreign relations work under his belt as he was an ambassador. So those two are my initial guesses because they both fit in area that Obama is weak, yet they're both Washington outsiders.

I'm sure more developments will come up int he following weeks to make more sense of this.

1 This brings up a question. A lot of politicians say "I believe ____, but I don't make it a point to vote that way because I want to represent ____." Does this mean these people do not trust their own conscience?

Giving the American interpretation of Romans 13 to Iraq:

1 Everyone must submit himself to Saddam Hussein, for there is no authority except that which God has established. Saddam Hussein has been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against Saddam Hussein is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For Saddam Hussein holds no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of Saddam Hussein? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For Saddam Hussein is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. Saddam Hussein is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to Saddam Hussein, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for Saddam Hussein is God's servant, who gave his full time to governing.

Romans 13:2-6

For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity. The course of conduct which they follow has not been devised by any speculation or deliberation of inquisitive men; nor do they, like some, proclaim themselves the advocates of any merely human doctrines. But, inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities, according as the lot of each of them has determined, and following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing, food, and the rest of their ordinary conduct, they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life. They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers. They marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table, but not a common bed. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonored, and yet in their very dishonor are glorified. They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and bless; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honor; they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred. (Epistle to Diognetus 7:3-9)

In Matthew 5 and Luke 6 we see that we are called to love our enemies. In 1 Corinthians 13 we're told what love is.

Be patient with your enemy.
Be kind to your enemy.
Do not think yourself better than your enemy.
Do not be rude to your enemy.
Look out for your enemy's concerns.
Do not be easily angered by your enemies.
Hold no grudges against your enemy.
When your enemy suffers, find no pleasure in it.
When your enemy is joyous, share in that joy.
Protect your enemy.
Trust your enemy.
Have hope in your enemy.
Finally, always love your enemy, to the end.

I've started my 21st Century Christian Fellowship series at my blog. Follow along and give me feedback.

I think I'm going to post one or two sections to my 21st Century Christian Fellowship on my blog every day until I'm done. Which means I need to focus on writing. http://destroyideas.blogspot.com

Nathan came into town this weekend and we hung out in Brandon's garage along with Chad and Brandon (of course) playing music and talking about the Church and worship. On Sunday morning we all played worship at Southwest's high school group, except Josh played instead of Chad on drums. Normally it's just Josh, Brandon and myself.

Nathan used to play with Brandon and Josh for a few years and I took his spot when he quit to get married. I have played with Nathan for years in other worship bands and my last band, Mote. It was awesome playing all together.

When we got to the church, Scotty was like, "you are in Relevant Magazine." Yeah. I am in the latest issue. I've been in so many magazines and newspapers it isn't an exciting thing anymore.