Friday, March 31, 2006
Full Disclosure
The GOP is about to put the kibosh on 527's just in time for the mid-term elections, trying to limit the influence of people like MoveOn.org. I think the whole idea of campaign finance reform is a waste of time - it was initiated after Watergate in order to "clean up" politics, and it has been about as effective as the War On Drugs.I have a different approach - remove all limits on campaign financing but mandate full disclosure of all donations, direct or in-kind. Many politicians are in this pocket or that pocket anyway, I say let's be completely honest with the system. If labor wants their guy in Congress and they're willing to bankroll him for $100,000 then let them, and let his potential constituents know that labor is backing him. If his constituents object then they'll let him know at the poll, but if they're union members themselves then it will work to his advantage. If Goldman-Sachs wants their man in Congress then let them pony up whatever they want to invest in a Congressman - and let the voters know who is investing in their Congressman. If they object then they'll let him know at the polls, but if they're part of the banking and finance industry then that can work to his advantage.
Bottm line for me is this - these artificial rules presuppose an ignorant public that needs to be protected from itself. I believe the public should be dealt with honestly, that all the pertinent information should be presented to the public for their informed consent. If the public then chooses to make an ignorant decision then they will get the leadership that they deserve, but at least the process was honest. That's my objective and my thoughts, what about you?
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Word For The Week
If you ask a person on the street, "Who is Jesus?" you will hear any number of answers – "A good man," "a prophet," "a teacher," "an angel." People have misunderstood the person and work of Jesus Christ since His incarnation. Joseph initially thought that He was some other man’s baby. Herod the Great thought that He was born to overthrow him. Herod Antipas thought that He was a sideshow entertainer to amuse him. Some people thought that He was their free lunch, while others thought He was one of the prophets reborn. People, left to themselves without revelation from God, have always been wrong about Jesus. So when Simon Peter answered Jesus’ inquiry correctly Jesus declared that it was by God’s revelation alone that Peter correctly spoke. Peter accepted the revelation that was given Him as evidenced by his proclamation, "You are the Christ." Peter did not say, "You could be the Christ" or ask "Are you the Christ?" Peter boldly confessed, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." This faith, this bold assurance is the rock upon which Jesus builds His Church.
The church that makes a difference has to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God – God incarnate. Yes, He was a great teacher. Yes, He is our example of how to live a Godly life. Yes, He will return and every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord. However, none of these was the primary purpose of His advent. The reason for Jesus’ incarnation was to save us from our sins. If there was no sin problem then there was no need for a savior. Indeed, if we were not lost then we had no need of being saved. Mankind’s problem is not that he is primarily weak and has momentary lapses in judgment. Man’s problem is that he is totally depraved and intentionally rebels against the will and character of God. Sin is man shaking his fist at God saying, "I’ll do what I want! I’ll do it my way!"
The Bible teaches that we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory and that our sin separates us from God. Our sin merits death but God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners He gave us the gift of Jesus dying for us – Christ took our place. He paid our penalty, the righteous One died for us, the unrighteous, to bring us into relationship with God, so if we confess Jesus as Lord and put our faith in Him we shall be saved. The Bible teaches that each of us who receives Jesus and believes in Him has been given the right to become children of God. In order for any of us to make a difference for God's Kingdom then we must begin by submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Of course, if God's Kingdom is not what you're looking for then you can go about your business - move along, move along.
The church that makes a difference has to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God – God incarnate. Yes, He was a great teacher. Yes, He is our example of how to live a Godly life. Yes, He will return and every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord. However, none of these was the primary purpose of His advent. The reason for Jesus’ incarnation was to save us from our sins. If there was no sin problem then there was no need for a savior. Indeed, if we were not lost then we had no need of being saved. Mankind’s problem is not that he is primarily weak and has momentary lapses in judgment. Man’s problem is that he is totally depraved and intentionally rebels against the will and character of God. Sin is man shaking his fist at God saying, "I’ll do what I want! I’ll do it my way!"
The Bible teaches that we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory and that our sin separates us from God. Our sin merits death but God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners He gave us the gift of Jesus dying for us – Christ took our place. He paid our penalty, the righteous One died for us, the unrighteous, to bring us into relationship with God, so if we confess Jesus as Lord and put our faith in Him we shall be saved. The Bible teaches that each of us who receives Jesus and believes in Him has been given the right to become children of God. In order for any of us to make a difference for God's Kingdom then we must begin by submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Of course, if God's Kingdom is not what you're looking for then you can go about your business - move along, move along.
May the LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who wants you to become His child,
May He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who wants you to become His child,
May He turn His face toward you and give you peace.
