Sorry ahead of time for my disorganized writing for it is difficult for me to put my thoughts on 'paper' when I can hardly think straight.
I am so unsure of political opinions, but I think that I may have too cynical of an outlook, but maybe I don't. On the topic of government one popular verse is: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar," but the 2nd part is a little less quoted "and give to God what belongs to God.” So I'll pay my taxes, but, well, everything is God's. My whole life is. So I dedicate my life to God, a daily struggle to walk the narrow path as my priorities askew.
What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. Psalm 33:12
-Well this is referring to the Jewish nation as they were God's chosen people, but are we a Godly nation? Should we strive to be? Do I distance myself from the political realm and focus on my own small life? Do I actively attempt to bring a Christian view into all the mayhem, regardless of the seemingly impossibility? "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 And so I answer my own question. Do not give up, persevere. Though things may not go as I expect, God can use my efforts in ways unimaginable. But then I need to keep my focus on God, not on the world. Focus on the people, God's children. And so my mind is boggled by the largeness of my country, my state, and even the city. How can I, less than 1 in a million, do anything. But then I remember God, God is unimaginably grand, unmeasurable. But I find this verse a good guide on how to lead my life with things on a grander scale.
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. -Proverbs 29:2
*We have been groaning for awhile, so what does that say?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Pledge
I am mostly writing this as an attempt to think things through, as may be the case with future posted or unposted blogs. I have recently had a change in perspective of a lot of different things. I used to be, well, not mainstream America, but not Jesus-centered. I have attempted to correct my lifestyle and daily pursuits but am struggling.
Among these struggles began with the simple and redundant Pledge of Allegiance. "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." This monotonous task driven into the heads of all American children represents exactly what the name implies, a promise to be faithful to the USA. And may I quickly note how it says "and to the Republic for which it stands," not democracy, which is what I mostly hear people say. But back on topic, should I be honoring this tradition of respect towards America. I mean it does say, 'under God' which in itself has been a controversy over the years. I would agree and disagree with the statement. America is under God in the sense that the whole world is under God, a world that is under watch and control by our Glorious creator, but we are not under God in the sense of following God's will as a nation or at the very least, as a people. The predominant thought on my mind is that of war. If I am to purely put my faith in God as the God of Peace and try to live as Peacemakers, then how can I support a nation that goes to war killing thousands of people. Two articles that I found online speak on the subject with two different conclusions, though not necessarily the ones you might expect.
http://www.orlutheran.com/html/chrwar.html
http://www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/863821murphy.html
I have been typically leaning towards the 100% pacifism, but not condemning those who serve in our military. So should I get hung up on this issue or focus on the positive efforts of our nation to allow religious freedoms and human rights and keeping God in such things as the Pledge. So now, undecided I go to school 5 days a week, standing up awkwardly during 2nd block as I try to solve my dilemma in the two seconds before it begins. Sometimes I recite along strongly envisioning a country who is completely 'under God,' doing his will, other times I stand silently waiting for a decision, or other days I recite along with no fervor and with a little disgust. Disgust at my inability to make up my mind, and disgust at the selfishness of our country, the one that we pledge allegiance to, the one that gives liberty and justice to some.
Among these struggles began with the simple and redundant Pledge of Allegiance. "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." This monotonous task driven into the heads of all American children represents exactly what the name implies, a promise to be faithful to the USA. And may I quickly note how it says "and to the Republic for which it stands," not democracy, which is what I mostly hear people say. But back on topic, should I be honoring this tradition of respect towards America. I mean it does say, 'under God' which in itself has been a controversy over the years. I would agree and disagree with the statement. America is under God in the sense that the whole world is under God, a world that is under watch and control by our Glorious creator, but we are not under God in the sense of following God's will as a nation or at the very least, as a people. The predominant thought on my mind is that of war. If I am to purely put my faith in God as the God of Peace and try to live as Peacemakers, then how can I support a nation that goes to war killing thousands of people. Two articles that I found online speak on the subject with two different conclusions, though not necessarily the ones you might expect.
http://www.orlutheran.com/html/chrwar.html
http://www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/863821murphy.html
I have been typically leaning towards the 100% pacifism, but not condemning those who serve in our military. So should I get hung up on this issue or focus on the positive efforts of our nation to allow religious freedoms and human rights and keeping God in such things as the Pledge. So now, undecided I go to school 5 days a week, standing up awkwardly during 2nd block as I try to solve my dilemma in the two seconds before it begins. Sometimes I recite along strongly envisioning a country who is completely 'under God,' doing his will, other times I stand silently waiting for a decision, or other days I recite along with no fervor and with a little disgust. Disgust at my inability to make up my mind, and disgust at the selfishness of our country, the one that we pledge allegiance to, the one that gives liberty and justice to some.
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