Yes, We Can, but Did We Really?: My Obama Thoughts

I love the Obama family.

I am a huge fan of President Obama as a person.

His rise to the presidency was almost supernatural.

It's like a storybook tale.

But tales are illusions.

Here's the real story.

Barack Obama was the better candidate of two weak candidates presented to the American people in 2008. Barack Obama and John McCain both lacked serious executive experience, with neither having at least a governorship under his belt or a clear, rational plan for the economy. Obama had not been in the Senate (or politics for that matter) long enough; McCain lacked the charisma needed of any leader.  Obama’s record did speak clearly enough on many other matters outside of the war; McCain was a moderate posing as a conservative. Both had major weaknesses. 

What were my options?

1.     Don’t vote at all.

2.       Vote for the lesser of two evils.

3.       Weigh the pros and cons of each candidate, focus on the positive and run.

I went for #3 and got behind the Obama campaign.

Where was the appeal for me, the eager independent constituent who excitedly supported the Obama campaign?

1.       The Saddleback Church Civil Forum was my turning point. His performance sealed the deal for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL7FRNDkELM

2.       He taught Constitutional Law.

3.       His family was Kennedy-esque (shallow but true reason).

4.       His international background.

5.       My president doesn’t have to be my pastor…I have one of those and he’s pretty good.

6.       My president isn’t my Messiah, so I don’t have deep hopes in him or her…I’ve already found the Real Deal.

7.       No real rumors or scandals.

8.       His was the first rally I had ever attended and it was INCREDIBLE.

9.       I was enamored with the idea of an immigrant’s son of biracial heritage being the face of the United States (it still gives me chills and makes me proud of my nation all over again).

10.   I was tired of the war(s) and he seemed to be also.

11.   He stayed true to his liberal self, not attempting to be a centrist or moderate or conservative.

12.   He spoke my language (he used high vocabulary and colloquialism like “hoodwinked…bamboozled” which brought back to my favorite movie, “Malcolm X”).

13.   He didn’t make shallow, crowd-pleasing faith claims.

14.   Michelle was going to make an incredible First Lady.

15.   I really believed that he was like Jimmy Stewart in the movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”. I believed Washington was going to change.

Where was his larger appeal to the American people?

1.       The eagerness to be absolved of the nation’s history of discrimination.

2.       Obama’s rhetoric and record all pointed to the end of military initiatives around the world, namely Iraq and Afghanistan.

3.       Bush’s tarnished international image.

4.       The shortcomings of Bush’s domestic and foreign policies.

5.       Union power.

6.       Dynamic, intelligent speeches.

7.       Youthfulness.

8.       Handsome family.

9.       Humor.

10.   No real skeletons in the closet.

11.   The other option lacked #6-9.

So am I disappointed?

Somewhat.

Why?

After the electric campaign, I was ready  to get down to business. I wanted all of his energy to go towards reviving our economy and keeping us safe, but his race/ethnicity, perspectives on Islam and his historic victory all became unnecessary distractors. On his end, I believe that he tried to start too many projects at once. I couldn’t keep up. It was as if he was trying to be Lincoln, FDR, JFK, Johnson, Carter, and Clinton all in his first year. And at this point in time, both critics and supporters alike have come to realize that Senator Obama and President Obama are two different people.

Do I regret my vote?

No.

Would I do it all over again?

Perhaps.

Will I support Obama in 2012?

I’m still working on that one.

A Brief Defense of Political Correctness

Political correctness is not the avoidance of the truth or a dodging of reality. It is a sign of peace where strife historically existed. For instance, I self-identify as “African” or “black”. I personally don't feel the need to call myself African-American. I was taught that Africa is a great and mysterious and powerful continent; that I came from the kings and queens and warriors of that great continent; and that black is beautiful...and I believed all of it. "African" and "Black" work for me and will work for my children. Yet when I hear someone who is not black refer to "African-Americans", I know that person is making an attempt to be honorable, knowledgeable, and peaceable. It is an attempt to end (or at least reduce) the hostility amongst the races in our country. One of the places where disdain was preserved for decades was in name-calling.

Nigger. The word that captures centuries of humiliation and shame.
Jigaboo. The most ridiculous word I have ever heard in my entire life. It's so old and odd that I didn't even know I was being insulted when someone used that word to be cruel to me.
Coon. Really?
Spade. Good Christians don't play cards so I was lost with this one until I was older (note the sarcasm...no attacks, please).
Darkie. That's rather childish, to say the least.
Boy/Gal. The Southern accent adds to the intensity for some reason...well, we know the reason.

And I am sure the list could go on.

The same can be said for the indigenous people of the United States.

Why do we tolerate using their sacred names and images for entertainment and marketing?

Jeep Mandingo? No.
Jeep Zulu? No
Jeep Jew? No.
Jeep Cherokee? Yes.
Why?

Washington Blackskins? No.
Washington Yellowskins? No.
Washington Whiteskins? No.
Washington Redskins? Yes?

Why?

Black tribal figure running around on a field? Never?
Yellow Asian railroad working running around on a field? Never
Red native figure running around on a field? Yes?

Why?

In keeping with the sports theme, one might suggest that the Minnesota Vikings is a good example of why one can use all cultural images in the same manner. But one has to ask, "What is the history of the descendants of the Vikings in the United States verses the descendants of other cultures?"

And the discussion could go on...

It is in the name of peace and even healing that we take the time to sensitively refer to any marginalized group in the United States that has suffered at the hands of a misguided majority (i.e. blacks. women, the Irish, historic and recent immigrants, the disabled, the poor, Hispanics, Catholics, Muslims, migrant workers, etc.).

Are there extremes in political correctness?

Perhaps. But "extreme" is a relative term.

What about when political correctness clashes with religious conviction?

Where sin abounds, grace doth much more abound.
Be angry, but sin not.
Be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.
Our hatred for sin does not give us license to be obnoxious about that sin.
Jesus handled sin very differently than many of His followers today.

We are all created equal, but our experiences in the United States are not equal.

With all of the grace and peace and love and healing and reconciliation and respect that is attached to political correctness, I remain confused as to why Bible-believing Christians (of all races) are the firsts to attack it.

Perhaps I am ill-informed and/or naive, but I am certain that without political correctness, it would still be acceptable to call little black boys "jigaboo" at the locker in between classes.

And that’s something for which we should all be grateful.

Marketing Jesus

God is the All-Sufficient and Self-Sufficient one who He needs the help of no man.

He enjoys working through us, but does not really need us.

Let me make my case.

It is one thing for the church creatively express itself; it’s another to use that creativity for numbers or notoriety. When we point someone to Jesus and the truth of His Word, we tend to leave off the not-so-glamorous parts like being mocked, misunderstood, and often times the member of a lonely minority group. We fail to mention the fact that God is unfathomable and mysterious with a rationale very different from our own, hence answers (if any at all) and outcomes very different from what we expected or imagined.  We minimize the fact that salvation does not make one exempt from life’s problems and does not give one a free ticket out of humanity’s brokenness.

Or we use scare tactics (another blog for another day).

One way or the other, we tend to falsely advertise.

I am not out to scathingly criticize the church.

  

I love the church.

Zeal for His house consumes me.

Yet, I have asked myself as of late why don’t we introduce people to His cross and then tell them about their own cross(es) they will have to bear? 

When did I/we become Jesus’ well-intentioned, but unrequested, unnecessary PR department?

A person comes to true repentance upon recognizing their miserable and helpless estate compared to His infinite beauty and worth. They experience the superior greatness and fullness of God in Jesus. They are convinced that Jesus is who He says He is. This is the rock upon which to build a lasting faith.

Repenting of one’s sins for any other reason will prove disappointing and possibly disastrous.

Jesus told his followers to count the costs.

He told his followers to die.

He told a rich kid to give up all of His wealth.

He spoke of martyrdom.

He chose unlearned fishermen as His disciples.

He called salvation a narrow road that only a few would find.

He gave His followers open doors to leave.

Horrible marketing.

But here we are.

Here I am.

New.

Redeemed.

Sanctified.

Filled.

Healed.

Delivered.

Free.

Hopeful.

Hope-filled.

Faithful.

Faith-filled.

Loved.

Love-filled.

Not by the might of psychology nor by the power of suggestion, but by His Spirit.

Jesus is God’s best.

Jesus is God.

God is good.

A man must taste (and even perhaps see) this for himself.

The glory of God in Jesus.

No packaging.

No additives.

No preservatives.

Sons are born.

Birth isn't attractive...but it is at the same time.

Evangelism brings about disciples and sons.

The church is where sons are born and wounded soldiers receive healing.

The church is where a valiant King gives loving direction to His loyal subjects.

The church is where a holy God is adored and manifests Himself in a special way.

God doesn't need a cool house.

He wants a clean house.

He doesn't want fans.

He wants sons.

And that speaks for itself.

Facebook, Darwin, and the Will of God

I was about to sit down and eloquently rant about the role of Facebook and other mass social networking sites in creating social illusions, isolation, and eventual degeneration. Literally minutes before writing, I see an article (on Twitter no doubt) entitled, “Facebook users better off socially, Pew study finds”. This article discusses the findings of a recent study by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project. According to the study, avid Facebook users have stronger, real-life support systems and are more likely to be engaged in political and community activities. This goes against all of the anti-Facebook, pro-intimate social networking sentiments that have been aired recently as well as what I have seen and heard personally. In talking straight facts, Facebook has seen a decrease in accounts in the United States and Canada—by the millions! So how does this reality of decreased usage and (assumed) dissatisfaction co-exist with the supposed virtues of increased Facebook usage? Easy. A poll cannot measure the quality of an answer, its level of intensity, nor the authencity thereof.

Here is my humble take on my formerly most cherished site—listen a bit to Charles Darwin.

Now, according to the unspoken rules of my religious camp (to which I am fiercely loyal), I am to never give Darwin credit for anything on this planet. For some, the mention of his name is almost grounds for suspicion as to whether or not spiritual regeneration has truly taken place in one’s life. I mean, how could the sanctified mind ever agree with anything that Darwin suggested, right? That’s for another blog! 

Back to social networking.

Some days, my friend list is like my library—the books are there if I need them, but if not, I am just glad they are there for my enjoyment. Other days, I want to treat it like my closet or attic during spring and fall cleaning. But people are neither books, clothes, or boxes.The survival of the fittest has always stood out to me as a Darwinian notion worth paying attention to. Before Facebook, a person actually had to put forth serious effort to maintain friendships. Buying stamps, paying extra charges for long distance calls, persevering through the tedious process of sending photos as an e-mail attachment, driving hours just to visit—in realities as such, only the strongest relationships maintained a constant presence in one’s life and had a decent chance of surviving and growing. That is not the case today (for the most part). It was almost like God and time and life all teamed to correctly place people in one’s life.

Almost. 

For the most part, Facebook unfortunately places all of your “friends” (my, how that word has changed in a generation!) on the same relational level with equal access to your life. Even the creative brains behind Facebook realized this and developed Facebook groups (of which I have created several and will create more for the purpose of a more natural interaction). Yes, there are options of blocking individuals from your news feed and also the simple messaging, but even these have their limitations and downsides.

To be fair in my critique, Facebook has reconnected me with special and brilliant people, and it is a blessing for those of us who live far from friends and family. Living in another country has certainly made me very dependent on and grateful for Facebook. I have had very meaningful interactions on social networking sites. But as life goes on and my “friends” have exceeded the 1000 mark, I have to ask myself why this feels so unnatural if it is so beneficial. 

Do we have a built-in "people limit" in our lives that we violate by overusing social networking sites?

Blogging and tweeting (I mainly retweet) are in different categories than facebooking (against my better judgment, I use this "verb"). The limits and boundaries are clear and safe. I use blogs for creative expression and Twitter to follow news and inspirational leaders. Their purposes are clearly defined and categorized in my mind, but Facebook is not, and perhaps that is what scares me the most. Then again, no one stuck a gun to my head and made me sign up for Facebook and no one is forcing me to stay. It is ridiculous to blame the lad Zuckerberg for my social woes and concerns.

Perhaps I am the problem. 

Perhaps I have made Facebook something that it is not. 

Perhaps I am projecting my own deficiencies on poor Mark and the gang.

Perhaps I need to choose to be human and stop demanding that a site act like man.

At the end of days, when I have to given an account for my time and talents, will Facebook have been a factor in my “Well done” from the Master? 

Did it add or subtract from my doing the will of God? 

Was I distracted from the voice of God because of the 1004 voices on Facebook? 

Did it positively impact my role as a father and husband? 

Did it keep me on track with the call of God? 

Did I grow? 

Did I sow? 

Did I regularly exhibit the fruit of the Spirit? 

Was my flesh fed?

Is someone's life better because of my presence of Facebook?

How does God feel about how was time is spent? 

What is the return on God’s investment in my life because of Facebook?

These are the questions upon which we should make a personal judgment call about Facebook.

I yet wrestle.

What's my real name?

Jacob wrestled.

Humanity wrestles.

I wrestle.

The account of the patriarch Jacob wrestling with an angel is perhaps one of the most engaging stories of the Bible. I try not to always make the Scriptures about me; I try not to personalize everything I read in the Bible, but I cannot help but read this story in Genesis 32 and imagine myself as Jacob.

God gave Jacob a promise.

God gave humanity a promise.

God gave me a promise.

Jacob does not understand why life is turning out as such IF, in fact, God has given him the assurance of His goodness. He is perplexed...but he keeps moving. He does not let confusion and apparent contradictions paralyze him. Yet, as he moves forward by faith, a mysterious figure picks a fight with him.

Here is where it gets personal…

I often feel like life is picking a fight with me.  Not necessarily in a malicious, dark sense because strangely, when I am still, I can sense something otherworldly in the fight.

Don’t get me wrong. 

My life is good and I certainly don’t have a fraction of the challenges and hardships that others around the world face, but I still feel like the puzzling mysteries of life are systematically seeking me out for yet another match. Like Jacob, I am sometimes perplexed at the reality that my path does not appear to be leading to the promise God made. 

But I keep moving.

And I wrestle.

Life is filled with complicated realities, and we must embrace the mystery and complexity of those realities.

And we must wrestle.

We cannot oversimplify.

We cannot escape.

We cannot ignore the obvious truths.

Divorce is complicated.

Aging is complicated.

Infidelity is complicated.

Joblessness is complicated.

Abortion is complicated.

Poverty is complicated.

Democracy is complicated.

Sexuality is complicated.

Depression is complicated.

Racism is complicated.

Doctrine is complicated.

Parenthood is complicated.

Addiction is complicated.

And as the list goes on, we must decide not to run, but to wrestle instead.

So, in the narrative, Jacob wrestles and prevails.

He recognizes the POSSIBILITY that something good could be in the fight. He refuses to let the struggle go until he receives SOMETHING…ANYTHING! He is not going to wrestle in vain.

Well, he didn’t beat the angel…

It was a stalemate…

But he prevailed because he persevered.

The voice of God ended the match.

The voice of God ends my matches.

He didn’t get his questions answered.

I didn't get my questions answered.

He didn’t receive the tangible evidence that God would fulfill a promise.

I too walk by faith and not by sight.

Generations later, a follower of Jesus called John had a vision that was recorded in the book of Revelation. After several prophetic experiences, he declares on behalf of Jesus, “To the one who conquers…I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.”

Jacob received a new name.

Humanity will receive a new name.

I will receive a new name.

As I write and teach…

As I love and cry…

As I debate and grow…

As I walk and see…

As I sort and embrace…

As I travel and settle…

I wrestle.

And I will keep wrestling because this new name excites me to no end!

Inspiration: Genesis 32, Revelation 2