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Dear President Elect Trump – Please Be A Good President!
Dear Mr. Trump, Congratulations on being elected our nations president! What an accomplishment considering that you had no prior political experience and the main stream media wrote you off. I’m excited to hear the fresh new ideas you have for America coming in as a non traditional political figure. Now that all of the pleasantries are aside, let’s talk turkey! First of all, no one has to tell you that there are a whole slew of folks who simply don't like you. Maybe they fear you or they feel threatened I don’t know but I know one thing, they think you are the devil with a combover.…
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While you wait on Trump, build a house and plant a garden
Our nation is experiencing a new place, and we are waiting for the "new normal" to sort itself out. Trump won, and whether you were for him or against him, if you are a citizen of the United States of America, he will soon be your president. If you are a Christ-follower, God's Love Letter tells you what to do: "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (Romans 13:1). Paul was writing to Christians about their attitude and actions toward one of the most brutal and unjust governments in history–Rome. So we know what to do, but what…
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Can’t We All Just Get Along? 3 Quick Observations From A Peacemaker!
If you know me, I’m a peacemaker and I really don't care for confrontation so when I hear about protests going on about Trump’s victory I’m a little troubled by it. I thought for blogging purposes I would share 3 quick observations of what I believe is challenging for a person like me who asks the question – can’t we all just get along? It appears that the losing team is throwing a hissy fit. I may be wrong but it seems to me that the protesters are simply throwing a big hissy fit about losing. In life, when we lose we can be sore losers or…
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“Locker-Room Banter”: A Teachable Moment
The candidate for the US presidency who has received the most enthusiastic support from evangelicals made the following comments, which were leaked recently from a 2005 conversation in which he was talking with a member of the media: "I moved on her like a [vulgar use of term for female dog], and I could not get there, and she was married. And all the sudden I see her and she's got the big phony [vulgar word for breasts], she's totally changed her look." "I'll admit it. I did try to f***her. She was married … and I moved on her very heavily." "I'm automatically attracted to beautiful women — I…
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Trump v Hillary: Caught between two godly ethics scholars
I envy my friends for whom the coming November vote is simple: Hillary will do more harm than Trump. Therefore vote for Trump. They don’t understand all the agonizing and hand wringing. I can’t seem to break through the tension. Recently a very respected and brilliant evangelical theologian, Wayne Grudem, wrote an article in Townhall, “Why Voting for Donald Trump Is a Morally Good Choice.” With great interest I read it. Grudem acknowledged that Trump is “egotistical, bombastic, and brash. He often lacks nuance in his statements. Sometimes he blurts out mistaken ideas (such as bombing the families of terrorists) that he later must abandon. He insults people. He can…
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When You’re Feeling Stressed about this Election
“Why are you concerned about this presidential primary?” I ask. “Because," a friend said over dinner, "someone I don't trust may gain control of our military might, our nuclear codes–someone who seems easily offended and vengeful.” “Because," another said, "I’m afraid I’m losing my homeland. It’s changing right under my feet.” “I wonder,” said another, “what are people thinking?! They don’t appear to care about issues and substance. They seem charmed by the personality of a Pied Piper.” Yesterday I was speaking to another friend who confided that it was getting to the point where she didn’t even want to let her thoughts go to the…
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Managing Our 2016 Expectations
Back in the saddle of weekly activities, 2016 is already barreling along, the stock market and the weather jerking around like a bull in the Houston Rodeo. (Or…maybe that should be a bear?) Whether we write down our goals and vision for the year ahead or not, we all have this picture of the way we'd like things to be. And then life happens. Here are some reminders to think about, pray about, as we try to live on purpose when life starts bucking around: We hold our expectations with open, God-trusting hands. Like Nehemiah, we may long to see certain outcomes and ready strategic plans for the moment when…