Take a moment to read through this MSN article: Obama Faces Down His Patriotism Hurdle.
As I was reading through it all last night - and after watching him respond to the behavior of Reverend Wright, I saw something that I've never seen in a United States President.
I saw and someone actually stand and state that they would like to re-define PATRIOTISM!
Wow - that got my attention. I'm not even sure the Church is trying to do that.
The Patriots are one of America's Favorite Champions!
Red, White, and Blue Define our flavor of pride!
We stick our boot in people's ass' who mess with us.
In a world wide survey asking the question, "Are you proud to be [insert nationality]?" It ranges from 1 (not proud) to 4 (very proud), here were the results:
Country | Score |
|---|---|
USA |
3.73 |
India |
3.67 |
South Africa |
3.55 |
Canada |
3.53 |
Slovenia |
3.46 |
Spain |
3.28 |
Denmark |
3.27 |
Italy |
3.25 |
Sweden |
3.22 |
France |
3.18 |
Finland |
3.17 |
Belgium |
3.07 |
Netherlands |
2.93 |
Germany |
2.75 |
Average |
3.26 |
No one in the known world is more identified with pride in regards to their "Patriotism" than the United States of America.
Does this need "Change"?
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If Obama has done anything well in his campaign - he has established an identity with the word "CHANGE". No one could argue that "Change" isn't a great mission statement for a presidential campaign in the United states in 2008.
Take a look around with me and tell me what you would like to see changed in America based on the following topics:
- Religion & Christianity
- Poverty
- Racism
- Social Justice
- Abortion, Homelessness
- Debt, Materialism
- Pollution & Waste
- Our Economy
- War and National Relations
- Health Care and Disease
- Education and Leadership
- Criminal Justice
- Freedom of Speech, Art, Porn, ...
- Marriage & Family
- Sports & Entertainment
- Media and Marketing
.... But Patriotism?
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What presidential candidate - who really wanted to win would even begin to change the United States of America's ... Patriotism?
Patriotism - in my opinion - is the most important social issue in America and is most what needs to be re-defined and changed in the church - if we're ever going to see Kingdom Level Change in America.
That's a bold move!
Proverbs 16:18 is pretty popular and well known: "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Just look at history and every great nation that ever existed.
So if we're the most proud nation on earth - then what's coming around the corner for us? You don't even have to be a prophet of God to fortell that one!
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Regardless if you like Obama or not - everyone knows what his campaign is about: CHANGE!
When I read the MSN article last night - I went to sleep thinking,
"He may be going down, but he's serious about "change". His identity isn't in the colors "red white and blue" - he wants to take patriotism to a whole notha level."
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I'm not voting for Obama. I'm not voting for Clinton. And, unfortunately, I'm not crazy about John McCain either.
It's the first time in my adult life that I don't want to vote because I don't like having to pick amongst the best of the worse.
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Some of you may find yourself in the same situation. If so - I recommend that you take about a week and pour over "Jesus For President" by Shane Claiborne.
I've read most of the Stanley Haurwas books and John Howard Yoder material - and while I'm not in the same category of politics as these guys - I did find Claiborne's material much more practical in regards to how to live in the Kingdom of Heaven - while being a citizen of the United States.
I gained some better insights on how to approach voting this year in the last couple of chapters.
I developed a greater since of clarity in regards to what I can do to bring about "CHANGE".
It doesn't make since to me to make fun of presidential candidates. It doesn't help anything for me to sit on the sidelines of my life and hope someone else makes a difference.
I have a responsibility to do what I can do where I live as I am able.
I agree with Obama - Patriotism needs to be changed - But I know that if the Church isn't going to do it - It isn't going to happen.
Jesus himself will most likely not change America until the church changes.
If Jesus isn't the Remedy - then i don't know who is. If the Church won't let him save the world through her love, then i don't know what will change the world.
