1.    President Obama…that is how he should be called now and for always.  [This would be different than people referring to Mr. Bush.]
2.    I can respect the President and the Office of the President while at the same time disagreeing with his policies and worldview.
3.    I believe that disagreeing with the President (regardless of who it is) does not automatically make you a hysterical wacko.  Hysterical wacko points of view make a person the hysterical wacko.
4.    I pray that President Obama leads our country with wisdom far beyond his years, as our country and world are in the midst of perilous times.
5.    Certainly, I can state that, on some level, politics do not matter, as it does not thwart the Kingdom of God.

There.  That’s that.

I have a question for people to consider.  What do we want our government to do?  Do you want the government to provide everything that you need?  Like your house payment, car payment, education, health insurance, retirement, etc.  On a very small level, that sounds great, because the words “universal” or “free” have been attached to these issues.

Allow me to define “free”.  Free will actually be somewhere between 50 and 70% of your paycheck.  Just ask the adults that worked throughout the 70’s.  If they were moderately successful and turned a profit, they got hammered in taxes.

Now, I am not an economist, political scientist, or public servant, but I am a thinker.  If the government were to “take care” of everything we need, wouldn’t that cause a few problems?

Problem #1: Mediocrity.  In a system where the government takes care of everyone by crushing the small-businesses, large corporations, and upper class via massive taxes, mediocrity is actually promoted.  Think about it.  Why dream about being a doctor, entrepreneur, etc if, in the end, about 70% of your hard earned money will taken from you to prop up someone who, either as a result of a truly bad situation or terrible life choices, is “less fortunate”?  It makes more sense to be average.

Kingdom Impact #1: I don’t have a chapter and verse for God saying that wealth is a result of spiritual obedience (thank goodness), I do know that God entrusts all of us to be stewards of our resources, of which money is but one.  I believe that some Christians have been given stewardship over a great amount of monetary resources because they are genuinely motivated to give away their resources to help spread the Kingdom of God.  This could take the shape of direct funding missions in local churches, starting non-profit organizations (Nashville Rescue Mission comes to mind), or any other myriad of options.

When people with large monetary resources are hammered with taxes to meet needs of people…a few things happen.  The hands and feet of God through genuine Christian charity and ministry become the hands and feet of government agents with a secular agenda.  Resources are not necessarily used in our communities.

Problem #2: Freedom is limited.  Some people in our country seem to be okay with this.  Please travel to another country.  Use Google or Wikipedia if you have to.  As Americans, we truly have very little idea how free we are.  The very right for so many people to lash out at elected officials or celebrities, choose where they live, do for a living, and send their kids to school (or keep them at home for school) HAS BEEN PAID and WILL CONTINUE TO BE PAID by the BLOOD OF MEN AND WOMEN on the BATTLE FIELDS. [Personal side rant: If you disagree with that..I am sorry, but learn history.]

We do a terrible disservice to our relatives, friends, and nameless heroes when we throw away freedom because we do not want to bear the responsibility of making tough decisions with our lives or money.  If the government is responsible for your health care, won’t they be in the position to tell you when, where, and what kind of care you can receive?  Just investigate a little about British or Canadian health care systems.

Furthermore, restricting freedom is a slippery slope.  We live in a country that debates, in the court system, whether or not “under God” should be allowed in our Pledge to the Flag, restricts high school graduates from invoking Bible verses or praying during commencement speeches, etc.  While these actions may not be completely spread throughout the country, they are alive and well in parts.

If someone or some group has an issue with the Pledge or whatever, use the means outlined in our Constitution.  Don’t just hijack the system to fit your agenda.

Kingdom Impact #2a: Limited freedom, especially in the realm of expressing Christian truths, is something that I think about often.  We see in countries worldwide that are opposed to the spread of the Gospel that many, many people are confessing Christ as Lord.  When the Church is threatened or even persecuted, she flourishes as the Lord blesses.

However, is it wrong to desire a country that does allow the integration of one’s faith with one’s public life?  Let’s be honest.  You don’t read in the paper or hear in the news or read on the Internet that small religious groups’ views are being threatened.  It’s generally Christian views that are the target of so much animosity.  There seems to exist an antagonism to the Gospel.  Where have I heard that before?

Kingdom Impact #2b: Regardless of the level of freedom, we as believers in Christ MUST be well-versed in what we believe, not just how to share the Gospel.  BOTH…let me say again to avoid confusion…BOTH are important.  We do live in a free country where people can believe all they want to believe or nothing at all.  As ambassadors of Christ, we must know how to represent Him to all kinds of people (2 Corinthians 5).  Christians must be able to rightly handle the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15) in times like these.

That may be a lot to digest or not a lot.  You may disagree.  There are a handful of issues that President Obama has addressed with which I wholeheartedly disagree.  That will be for later blogs.  The above is more of an over-arching theme.

Oh.  I personally believe that the US government exists to provide the rule of law, protect her people and borders from domestic and foreign attackers, and provide her people life, liberty, and pursuit* of happiness.  Everything else…well, that’s another blog.

-jmj

*pursuit does not equal guarantee

As a minister, though not for a large season of life, I have had moments such as both of those mentioned above.  However, I have yet, to my recollection, ever had one of those nights where I woke up, was thinking about something related to church/ministry, and could not go back to sleep.

Which brings me to the present.

As I sit here (on Micah’s couch…or at least in his house, eating an organic pop-tart), I can not go back to sleep.  As I have posted, I am in my second week of J-terms, which is a one-week intensive class.  That generally is a recipe for little sleep, a fair amount of work, and a tired mind at the end of each day.  This week is no exception.  Today, I was in class for 8 hours, the library for the next 4 hours, ate supper at 9:30 and fell asleep sometime after 10.

Then I woke up.

This coming Sunday and Wednesday (Jan 11 and Jan 14) are big days in the life of ministries for which God has entrusted me.  I don’t mean that to say that I am doing great or large things at all.  God has brought families to Gallatin Campus and confirmed in their hearts that our church campus is the place, for this season of their lives, where He wants them to be.  It’s great.  It’s humbling when you think about it.  Why our campus?  Why in Gallatin, TN?  But those are questions for another time.

What I woke up thinking about is the fact that the two days mentioned above are important because of schedule changes and people are going to doing some things for the first time.  Couple that with the fact that some people that had been serving in one area, no longer are, and we still have some needs for adults to serve.

Worrying.

We all do it.  Not even the calmest, most collected among us can escape it.  We too often try to do things in our own strength.  Failure usually finds its way to our doorstep not too long after that.  These past few hours, I’ve been reminded of two passages that speak to worrying.  First, the words of Christ:

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

In Matthew 6:25-34, Christ tells His followers “not to be anxious” about their lives or tomorrow.  While we certainly have things that concern us, garner our attention, and yes, cause us to worry, we must stop, and remind ourselves that obviously, God our Father is aware of the situation.  He knows the resolution, and He knows what we NEED.  I think it’s fair to say that often we worry about the frivolous matters of life and care little about the bedrock of our own spiritual stability.  We become enamored with trivial matters of life and yet, wonder why our lives feel empty, purposeless, and fleeting.  If not us, then certainly we know people who feel this way.  Christ COMMANDS His followers to not worry, to not be anxious.

Now the words of the apostle Paul (Philippians 4:4-7):

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Here, Paul echoes the words of Christ, urging the believers in Philiipi to not be anxious.  I find it very interesting the progression that Paul sets up in this passage.  (1) Rejoice in the Lord always…(2) Don’t be anxious…(3) Make your requests known to God…(4) the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds.

We often hear about the peace of God that passes all understanding, which it does.  But I can’t remember hearing that it is connected to rejoicing in the Lord and making our requests known to God.  Now, it might be couched in terms like “giving it over to Jesus”, which is, I guess, somewhat accurate.

But Paul seems to emphasize something greater: We always have reason to rejoice in the LORD.  Always = Always, for those of you that need scientific or mathematical proof (like me).  In those moments in life where we struggle with that rejoicing, boldly approach the throne and be open before the LORD.  It seems from the words of the Bible that when we do that, following God’s Word, worrying will give way to a peace that no one can surpass nor often explain.

Where does that leave me now?

I know I shouldn’t be worried about falling asleep in class tomorrow, that’s for sure.

-jmj

The work load was appropriate for a 3 hour course load, and I still have some work to do to complete the course. The structure of J-terms allows for time after the week of lectures to finish the work.

That leads me to the J-term I just started…about 2 hours ago. The professor is much more dynamic, and there is a real comparison as the subject matter is similar to the last class (missions). However, in the 2 hours we have been in class, we have looked at the syllabus, taken a 10 min break, and been given an assignment to work on in class, but will not turn in or discuss as a class, it is just for our own personal/spiritual improvement.

While I like the assignment (and the time after it to blog), I am somewhat of the type of student that would rather hit the ground running…this is because (A) I like to learn and (B) it goes by faster that way.

Couple this with the fact that I am quite drowsy after getting very little sleep and driving into Louisville early in the morning, and a “non-credit assignment” does not excite me. I’d rather sleep. Or eat. Or learn.

However, if this professor is giving breaks at this rate, I’ll be fine. My previous professor kept us the whole time, gave an hour for lunch and only 2 7-minute breaks per day.

It ought to be good. J-terms are always a war of stamina, straining the best of attention spans, mental use, and sleeping patterns.

Boy, I can’t wait until next week.

I have another J-term. With yet another “interesting” professor whom I have had before.

—————–

On a side note…I love it when it rains. It is a reminder of God taking care of His creation. When it rained yesterday, very hard, it reminds me, as it does every time it rains, that just as God cares for the Earth, how much more so does He care for us as yet another measure of His mercy and grace.

-jmj

With that said, I’m warming up to the idea of making resolutions. I am still working on them, so I’ll be sure to put them up (as I know that all of you are waiting with severe expectation).

One of them had something to do with exercising more…and well, I’m feeling the effects of being resolute!

Happy New Year!

-jmj

This entire week I am staying in Louisville, KY with Micah and Philip Revell as I take a week-long class on Major World Religions. It’s quite interesting.

Oh…if only Gallatin had a J.Gumbo’s!

More to come soon.

-jmj

To some people, tomorrow is the end.  All of the political “mess” is over.  To others, tomorrow could be the beginning of the end.

While I very much enjoy politics, discussions of the issues, and history, I do recognize that many other people do not share that same interest.  Furthermore, I believe that a person can be categorically “uninterested” in matters of politics, while still being wise in that same arena.

This leads me to make a few comments on the election, the potential future of our great country, etc.

1. Clearly, from a Christian worldview, regardless of which man is elected as President of the United States, this does not thwart the sovereign plan of God.

2. Also from a Christian worldview, no human is perfect.  No human leadership structure is perfect.

3. I find it interesting that through the lens of Scripture, we find no prescription for capitalist governments.  What we see, again not as a prescription but a consistent presentation of monarchies and dictatorships.  [NOTE: I am a huge fan of capitalism because it is large branch off of the tree of freedom.  Let's just be balanced.]

4. While there are a littany of issues that ought to concern followers of Christ (hunger, homelessness, genocide, abortion, etc.), in my opinion, Christians should approach issues from a “whole-life” stance.  This would include standing for the unborn baby, the elderly adult during the waning years of life, as well as the many, many Americans with special needs, as well as seeking to find means to meet the needs of those who are hungry, sick, without a home, jobless, etc.

5. Being “whole-life” might cause people to rethink their stance on the death penalty.  [NOTE: I do find it interesting people who are passionately pro-abortion and passionately anti-death penalty.  What's the difference?  Why are we as a country more willing to kill an unborn, "unplanned" or "unwanted" baby...which my father was the product of rape in 1945...and yet we as a country will fight legal battles for decades to stave off the execution of confessing serial killers? For that matter, many in our culture seek to give animals citizenship status, such as dolphins.  Also, next time you go into a vet clinic or pet store, see how many "life" references you find.  Are blurring the definition of human life?  Are we elevating animals' status or are we denigrating humans to mere animals?]

6. Thanks to Joe the plumber and the myriad of intellectually honest Americans who have digested Senator Obama’s economic strategies, the issue of socialism has arisen.  While many argue for a “redistribution of wealth” out of a desire for fairness, many argue against that same plan out of the notion of fairness of opportunity.  I have a few related observations related to this specific issue:

6a. Which strategy is more given to the Church performing her mission?  A government that seeks to meet the needs of people by using tax dollars or a government that allows people to have the freedom to spend/donate their money to charitable organizations (religious or otherwise) to carry out the task tax-free, thus allowing more funds to be administered in the meeting of needs?  Basically, what should be used to meet people’s needs, tax dollars or tithe dollars?

6b. Which strategy is more given to the United States Constitution, the basis for our government?  Which strategy honors the words of the Declaration of Independence, which states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” As I have been raised in public schools and multiple universities, “pursuit of” and “guarantee of” are actually quite different.

7. When will people, ordinary Americans and our elected officials, gain a better grasp on fiscal responsiblity and that frugality allows people and a country to be better prepared?  In other words, when you save and spend less than you receive, there is a good chance that you are ready in times of crisis.  This is true of one family’s budget as well as our nation’s budget.  [NOTE: If American people were allowed the freedom to pursue happiness and prosperity and not be guaranteed mediocrity, the government's bureaucracy would have less to "worry about" and thus a larger drain on our economy.  This would be where the charity of followers of Christ and local churches comes in to play.] [NOTE 2: If the government would be firm on protecting the rights and freedoms as outlined in our country's Constitution to ACTUAL AMERICAN CITIZENS, this would reduce a noticeable segment of our nation's expenditures.  Again, if compassion is needed, organizations/local churches exist to dispense compassion.  Also, what is so wrong and not compassionate about enforcing our nation's laws?]

8. Whatever happened to personal responisibility?  The death of personal responsibility, and for that matter a healthy “shame”, to reference Glenn Beck, has seemingly lead to a massive influx of morally bankrupt leaders, governed Americans, and American culture.  What is wrong with fessing up?  What is wrong with calling people to be accountable for their statements, beliefs, views, agendas, etc.? [NOTE: Personal responsibility would, in my opinion, require people to seek out education, try to better themselves, realize that there are people that are deadbeats and down right evil, work hard, risk failure, learn from mistakes, and plan ahead.  In my opinion, too many people have simply chosen not to do the above, settle for less and be "taken care of".  Furthermore, too many people have fallen to the idol of materialism.]

I have, and will continue to have an interest in politics.  Politics will NEVER meet the true need of all people which is salvation through confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Furthermore, no one man, either nameless person in a nameless corner of the world or the President of the United States can change or thwart the sovereign will of God.

-jmj

Well, sometimes, those events in life don’t turn out the way you planned them or imagined them.  Maybe the big game goes bust and you get blown out.  Maybe that first date goes sour or you get “cancelled” on.  This particular camping trip was along the same lines.

All started well, as Robert and I built the fire while Stroube and Eric set up the tent.  We got the fire going through less than survivalist means…we used matches.  We roasted hot dogs and began eating out of our individual bags of sunflower seeds.  Just as we considered desert, the Plague of Perry County came upon us.  It must have claimed several people over the course of the years as we passed nearly ten graveyards (totalling about 100 gravesites, though we definitely didn’t pass by many houses).

One of us four, he who shall remain nameless (though it truthfully was not me), became very sick.  When I say very sick, I don’t mean high temperature, I mean a 4 hour spell of vomitting/dry heaving and intestinal warfare.

This led to the second adventure of transporting this person, who was at the point of severe exhaustion and dehydration to the Decatur County General Hospital.  You should, at this juncture envision a glorified vet clinic.  The four of us hopped in a car, and I enjoyed a cool experience – driving 20 miles over the speed limit with the hazard lights on.

A couple hours later and a discharged patient returning to the campsite to pick up everything else by headlight, and we left for home at 3 am.

Needless to say, for the four of us we are definitely going to remember this trip, and we hope to return to Mousetail Landing State Park, if nothing else, to redeem the past trip we just took.  I just hope the Plague of Perry County does not find us.  That is of course, unless I want to lose at least 8 pounds like my friend did.

If you’d like a brief glimpse at a few of the quotes recorded from the trip, go to Eric’s blog.

-jmj

PS: Everybody is feeling better, and only our friend in question got sick.

I’m getting into the whole camping, survivalist, live off the land “stuff” lately.  I have always enjoyed the outdoors, so this might be the rekindling of that fire, I guess.  Also, I am excited about the time away with Robert, Eric, and Stroube, and if you know those guys, well, add in fire and you will get adventure all the time!

What’s more, Traci and I just got back from a couple of nights away in Townsend, TN, near Pigeon Forge.  We were in the mountains, and as it rained, there was an awesome fog around the Smokies.  I absolutely love the mountains.  I love everything about them.  They are tall, rugged, difficult, imposing structures.  They boast snow caps and brightly colored trees.  There is a mysterious element about them.  Plus, I like how they just jut right out of the ground. BOOM!  There’s a mountain.

Stories from the Man-Cation to come.  They should be interesting, if nothing else.

If I don’t post for over 2 weeks…go look somewhere near Mousetail Landing State Park near Linden, TN.

(2 weeks to allow for me to come back on Monday, not post for like a week, and you not feel that worried about a dead, rotting Michael carcass, when in fact, I am at home, just not posting.)

-jmj

Which leads me to a sidebar comment on the season opener for The Unit.  Clearly, this show is one of the most underrated/underappreciated shows on television.  In a very crafty way it weaves together the lives of some of the most elite special forces operators in the world (US Delta Force) and the lives of their families.  I agree with Moon Pie, I forgot how much I missed the show.  What I noticed in the show last night were three-fold: (1) There are many Americans, especially US soldiers, that understand the existence of evil in the world, the threat that evil desires to impose on the world, patriotism, and sedition (“Betty Blue, hog tie him or kill him…fielder’s choice” – Jonas Blaine).

While I know that the show is fictional, though highly based on the life of one the US Special Forces operators that helped start Delta Force, it, in my opinion, offers an insight to a slice of the real world that many either don’t realize exists or don’t want to think about honestly.  Example:  There are evil people in the world that must be dealt with, and sadly, there are very few options as to what “dealt with” really means.

If you want to see a reality-based, fictional account of what some of the most elite, sacrificial men and women of our US military do day in and day out, watch The Unit.  It is beyond entertainment…there is an aspect of humility that I get to watch a sweet military show about men and women doing unbelievable strategic missions, while there are men and women ACTUALLY getting shot at, losing their lives, being away from families, etc. so I have the opportunity to live freely.

As for The Amazing Race…quite possibly the best and most interesting reality show that does not grossly highlight the worst aspects of the human race.  Watch it.

-jmj

I find myself as I go through life as somewhat of a “non-celebratory” birthday guy.  Not that I don’t like people or mingling with people…mostly family, because I enjoy that.

What I really struggle with is the dreadded opening of presents/gifts and my reactions.  By nature, I’m pretty reserved, unless it’s while driving, playing sports, or talking politics…just ask Traci.  But when you open a present that someone has given me, I feel as though my response must match the gift.  Brand new shirt – “Thanks.”  Gift card to Best Buy – “THANKS!”  Socks – “Hey, socks.  I need those.”  The problem is, I pretty much respond the same way regardless of what it is.  “Thanks.”  I feel bad for the giver and awkward that I can’t act the correct amount of excited without feeling like a fake.  That’s got to be a syndrome.

An interesting thing happened the day before my birthday when Allen Hamilton called me.  He wished me Happy Birthday, and to this day I have no idea how he knew.  He asked me a question that I’m sure I’ve heard somewhere before, but I can’t place the first time I heard it.  He posed this thought to me, “Are you where you thought that you’d be in life at 27?”

That’s such an interesting question.  It helped me process my life by virtue of maturation in all areas (spiritually, family, occupationally, educationally, financially, etc.) with regard to my age, not just a level of complication.  It reminds me of something that my dad would always tell my sister and I…”Don’t peak too early.”

So mark it down, in a mere 358 days, I’ll have to ask myself that same question and find out if I have indeed peaked too early.

-jmj