2009 January 24

To all who forwarded me the email about Obama being sworn in with the Koran …May you be forced to carry a bigger Bible than Lincoln’s every week to church.

Hey, this post is about calling us as followers of Christ to be centered on love. To some that sentence sounds diluted and compromised. So in plain words this is what I am saying: We do not demonstrate our love for Christ by hating others. This includes those who appear to be disobedient to our Savior’s teachings. But let us be humble, for many times, it is us who are disobedient as well.

In less than a week since President Obama was sworn in office, I received several emails and comments of what he had already overturned. None were true. First, let us remember that many of us are Christians, first, all else, second. Further, for those of us who claim to be truthful, let us be be more diligent about pursuing the truth before pressing “Forward” or speaking out loud.

Lastly, though it may surprise some, I did not vote for President Obama (so this should not be interpretted as rubbing it in), but I respect him for many reasons. I am inspired that an African American is the President. It not only means so much to all minorities, but it means so much to non-minorities as well. I appreciate many of his positions and disagree with a few and am skeptical about some others, however, this always been true of everyone I’ve seen occupy such a seat. Regardless, I am, as I always have been, proud to be an American. May God give us all wisdom, courage and grace. The Lord is my judge, yours too, may He continue to give us mercy.

Reflecting on Rick Warren’s Invocation

Here’s what I know: Although I’m working on it, I’m too snobby to appreciate a guy like Rick Warren. Anytime, you sell so many books and appeal to so many people, and you’re not the humility of Billy Graham or the self-sacrifice of Mother Theresa, I usually only see you as a fear-mongerer like some or a car salesman like others (see how I am exercising wisdom by not mentioning names in negative light?).

Warren does not inspire me with his prophetic wisdom like a McLaren, nor dazzle me with his intelligence like a Scot McKnight. I am not mesmerized by his speaking ability like Tim Keel nor envious of his creativity like a Rob Bell. I could go on and on but you probably get it.

So why do I like Rick Warren? First, the Purpose Driven Life was a good book. Though I could have gone without the 40 Days of hype that surrounded it, at least it was a worthy book for thousands of churches to read together (yes, in addition to the constant reading of the Scriptures). Though I’d like to say Jesus Creed or Secret Message of Jesus or New Christians, in the last 10 years, I cannot think of another book that so many millions can read together. It is my opinion that we could have gone without the various accompanying journals, workbooks, and boxer shorts, I appreciate that Warren isn’t churning out multiple books a year. Third, for a guy who makes a lot of money, he doesn’t look or act like it. I only wish to say this is refreshing and will bite my tongue on any comparisons.

The next set of reasons has to do with his influence. I know many pastors that are very influenced by Warren and Saddleback and he uses his credibility well. His concern for many world-crises like poverty and AIDS has changed the minds of so many from disregarding such things “social gospel” to carrying the gospel torch and calling such things part of the work of the church.

Lastly, the fact that a conservative pastor like Warren has such a relationship with President Obama is amazing! (Yes more amazing than Falwell and Flynt which I wish people would remember. The only thing that can top this is if Dobson and Pagit become friends). At risk of sounding naïve, the inaugural invocation is not as spectacular to me as it may be for other people. I’m just inspired that Obama wanted him.

As far as the actual prayer, I thought it was as good as it’s going to be. I liked that he used his everyday, common guy personality, that he didn’t come out in a Hawaiian shirt (that he hasn’t worn in 3 years because doesn’t want that to be his signature), and that he didn’t come out pretending to be Billy Graham. He prayed as a man asking for God’s blessing on the President, the people that follow him, and the world at large. This is a good thing and I hold a great deal of respect for this man.