A little bit of ranting never hurt nobody!

 
:::a few random musings...and rants:::

So, here's me...leaving church on Sunday. Walking leisurely to my car...smiling to myself because of the wonderful message I just heard by the director of this organization and the nice conversation I had with this about-to-be-married guy. It was a great day of corporate worship...one of those types of days that you keep humming the last song you heard for the next week and a half. As I'm walking to the car, I notice something sticking out of the side of the front door. Sadly, I was pretty much sure of what I was going to find...this had happened a few times before round about this time last year...and I was right. Someone had placed a political flyer on my car. And not just on my car...no. As I surveyed the parking lot, I saw that every vehicle had been violated in the same way. (don't worry, last year someone had the nerve to pass one out to me as I was walking in the door...glad that didn't happen again)

You know, dear reader, I'm not afraid to express my opinion on things political, and if you've been a visitor to my site for any given period of time, you also know that my attitudes have...ahem...evolved, so to speak in the last couple of years. This is a forum where I feel I can express those thoughts because it's an appropriate place to do so. But, when I go to church to worship my Lord, I don't like being peppered with political dogma, especially unsolicited and on private property! I could care less if you're with the Christian Voters Network, or Ballots for Jesus or whatever other name you want to place on yourself to make you feel more self-righteous about what it is that you're pushing down our throats. I happen to be a free-thinking, very well informed voter who can't wait until tomorrow morning to make my voice heard. But I don't want to hear about it in my church parking lot from your stupid flyer. If I wanted to be told how to vote and what to think, I'd go to Dobson's church!

I think my pastor put it best when he talked about the election last year from the pulpit (don't worry...I know you're thinking, "wait, isn't he contradicting what he just said?"...have patience, my constant reader). This was all he said (paraphrased):

"This year's election is a very important one. And I am not here to tell you how to vote, who to vote for or what to do on election day. I am only asking you this: Vote your Biblical Worldview."

Short, simple and eloquent. Straight to the point. You see, a place of worship should be safe...safe from dogma and politics, safe from closed-minded thinking about the issues, safe from the attitude that if you don't vote a certain way you're somehow not as holy as the next person. It should be a place where I can come before my Holy God and offer up my worship to him with others who have been touched by His love the same way I have. It should be a place where I can leave my burdens with my brothers and sisters, a place where we can pray with and for each other. It should be a place where there can be brokenness, confession and forgiveness without harsh judgement for past deeds long ago forgotten by our Creator because they were already paid for with His blood. It should be a place of singing and rejoicing, a place of humility and awe, as we stand in His presence and worship Him as one. It's not a place for a political rally, a sit-in, a campaign stop (I really hate that one). Please leave your politics at home. If you want to discuss the issues with me, first of all, read up...become an INFORMED voter. Get to know about the candidates and the issues...ALL SIDES. Don't take someone else's word for it, no matter how annoying his voice is (yes, another Dobson slam). Think about the impact your vote will have on you, your family, your community and your country. Once you're informed, pray, pray, pray, pray, PRAY about it! Get into the Word, see what He has to say to His bride about what matters the most to Him. Check your Biblical worldview with the worldview of the issues involved. Again, don't let others tell you what to think or how to vote. Then, call me. Let's go to lunch and talk, or chill out over coffee...whatever. Let's discuss the issues as clear-headed adults seeking wisdom from a perfect and holy God, always asking Him to guide our thoughts and our hearts. That's how the political process should work among Believers. Radical, I know. And I am serious, if you want to discuss this further, drop me a line, and I'd be glad to chat with you.


thing number two

I'm really excited about home churches. Radically Biblical...who woulda thunk it!


thing number three

Still waiting to hear back from you guys about your Ultimate Road Trip CD. Looking forward to your responses.


thing number four

Band season is almost over. Indy, here we come!


That is all for now. Thanks for reading.

Peace out, yo.
posted by Stacie @ 9:04 PM