Do I Really Have Economic Policy Convictions?

Politics has often intrigued me. To say that I have political aspirations would be a great overstatement. (Although I used to have them.) I have always tried to maintain a grasp of the candidates and major issues. I am trying to understand more about the way things work in our country and around the world. I want to be better equipped to interact with people in semi-intelligent conversation.

This past weekend I had a great visit with my dad. He has served in two different offices over a period of about 12 years. I must say that during those days, I grew tired of small town politics. But I did see in him a passion for doing the right thing for the good of the community...and not afraid to stand up for it.

I have a preferred candidate in this year's election. But when my dad asked me what I thought, I told him that I was troubled by what I have been observing. Like most other people, I have found myself speaking with as much or more conviction about economic and strategic differences as I was about core values.

Yesterday, it smacked me right in the face. I was listening to Dave Ramsey and was confronted with the truth. Myself, like most in America, are speaking with great conviction about economic issues with little or no personal understanding of the subject. Yet, that is the focus of most conversations today. When, in reality, what I know as absolute truths from God's Word have become back burner issues.

Last night on TV, I saw a U.S. Congressman speaking from the floor of the House. He was reading Benjamin Franklin's speech to the Continental Congress. Maybe we have missed it. If we, like then, could focus on the core values of upon which we were founded...upon real convictions that can be confidently held through mutual faith in God and the Truth of His Word...we might be more apt to come to more productive solutions about the other issues over which we spend so much time waxing so passionately.

Sure, I have an opinion about economic policy. I even have them about foreign policy strategy. And I am praying that we elect leaders who know a whole lot more about economics and foreign policy than I do. But there some things about which I confidently hold covictions...issues about which I have read what God says.

I think I'll be more careful about what I speak about so passionately.

If Satan can get us to focus on our opinions rather than the Gospel and our convictions, He wins the battle by distraction. People with different core values, whether in politics or in the church, will never effectively reach consistent solutions on everyday issues, no matter how major.

Football is Back...But How's Beanie?

Gosh, was this weekend the greatest for a football fan. It started on Thurday night with a dead heat until half-time at the South Carolina game and some national spotlight for Charleston Southern (a Baptist School) at the University of Miami. (Obviously they lost.)

One of my favorite local H.S. teams, the Byrnes Rebels won in a tough game in Atlanta Friday night and our own school (Wren) pulled out a comeback win over rival Palmetto.

Saturday, my Buckeyes romped. But my favorite game was the ECU win over Virginia Tech (Sorry Pastor Phil). What an exciting way to win with a special teams punt block against the master of special teams, Coach Beamer. It hurt Saturday night to watch the Clemson Tigers get so dejected on national TV. North Greenville got to play Saturday night at Liberty. (Great exposure in an incredible environment.)

Sunday, there were games...and the NFL doesn't even start until next week. UK took it to Louisville. And then Monday, even the Rutgers game was exciting. And UCLA's new QB started so rough with 4 first half interceptions...only to win in overtime. And if that was not enough, my two sons had a 4 hour live fantasy draft on Monday morning and another one on the internet with some friends last night at 10 p.m. It seemed like ESPN's College Gameday was a perpetual program.

So what is my point? I'm not sure I have one. But after every commercial on the halftime shows and pregame shows and postgame shows promised (and never delivered) an update on Ohio State's Chris 'Beanie' Wells' foot injury...I just want to know if he is expected to play in 12 days at USC (Southern California)?

I wander if that is how people feel about Christians and our church? Is it an endless supply of 'stuff', but they still are left with the question they started with?