No other gods

My recent political decisions has, among other things, risen quite a concern with those whom I've spoken to. While I don't walk around offering my opinion unsolicited, when asked who I will vote for, and I say "no one" and when asked "why" I tell them "because I don't believe it's my place" WAH!? As the sign outside the Baptist church, and the guy on the radio said-if Christians don't vote we will face the consequences. Hhmmmm. I live in a society which feels that this country is only valuable if it lives by, pick a version, Biblical standards. Most people I come across seem to be Americans who are Christian. This concerns me. Many feel it is our duty to protect our country by making sin illegal. Of course, this is all based on which sin they are most concerned with. In a statement, I believe Christians are not meant to be part of what is going on in the land beyond sharing the gospel and loving their neighbor. I believe the Bible is explicit about the idea of God's people and their roles on the earth. I also believe when Christians decide their job is not in the government, they may start doing a better job in the Church. Far too long has the government been covering the slack of the Church. Here's where I find my evidence:

1. The Israelites were given the priests and had their "government" set before them by God. The leaders were chosen in the way God deemed proper. Then, the people demanded a King "just like the other guys" until God finally relented. Despite His warnings....they just had to be like the other guys. We can look throughout history and see how this has essentially done the people of the Lord no good what so ever.

2. Not even the Messiah was brought in as a political/military leader. THE SAVIOR OF ALL MANKIND WAS NOT A POLITICIAN! Isn't this amazing. It was, rather, someone who focused on behavior, relationship, teaching, loving, healing, listening, feeding...etc. etc. Obviously this can't be done through political/military rule, not sufficiently anyway-because I bet God knew what He was doing.

3. We are commanded to not only take the word into the world, but the disciples were also told that if someone did not listen, shake the dust from their sandals (obviously none of this is in quotations). There is not one mention of "go into a town and demand laws to form a sinless nation". Perhaps because God knew that wouldn't work?

4. We are commanded to be set apart. I don't believe this simply means don't use naughty words and watch nasty TV (and go to Church every other night of the week). If one studies the "Old Testament" and sees where this concept comes from, it's quite apparent that the people of the Lord are meant to be concerned with living for him, not being concerned with what's going on on the outside.

5. Just because a law legalizes something, doesn't mean the believer has to do it! Therefore, it stands to argue that just because laws get passed doesn't mean one's faith has to suffer. We are going to change people's lifestyles simply by passing some law, it just means they'll live it/do it differently......but they'll still live it.


6. Once we begin taking the way the rights of people in a "free" country, we head down a road which will lead to our own rights being taken away. If you begin saying that voting based on religious ground is acceptable, once the Christian is no longer the majority, guess what? Don't come crying when you have to wear a scarf, or can't wear a cross.

7. If you want the government to stay out of the Church, don't put the Church in the government. Just as the government forefathers which so many people like to quote (although they rarely really can) were not all quite the brand of Christianity many of the evangelicals would believe in and/or approve of...neither are all of the politicians...so why on earth would you put your faith in their hands? The Church has a job, and it's not in the government.

8. Even if it leads to losing our "rights"...the fact is, we are not promised rights, we are actually told to praise God when persecuted in Jesus name. Evangelical Christians in America have been spoiled beyond belief. This isn't for lack of energy. They've managed to prosecute, kill, chase away, and force change from virtually any group who believes something slightly different than their version. (again, even some of their beloved forefathers would fall into this by today's standards). We are the majority because we have forcefully made sure of that.

9. It's what the forefather's wanted. For those who just can't get over what the founding fathers intended....they intended to be able to worship as they pleased....(see # 7) (and not pay taxes on sugar)

My list could go on, but I won't continue for the moment. Mainly because I'm quite sleepy. I do believe we are commanded to follow the laws of the land, and I am not saying I am in hope of losing my ability to worship when/where I want.....but if I lose that right by man...that won't change what I do. Goes both ways.

The next victim

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/lahore-cultural-capital-to-taliban-territory/378300/0

I am saddened. I said for the last few years I never belied Lahorees could allow the Taliban (or the like) to have any control over them. They like their hookah, movies, shopping, and arts too much. Yet, the last few months there has been story after story of the recent attack on the souls of such a wonderful city. I am taken to a place of curiosity as to how/why this could be happening, as in the past people have managed to let the strong minded know they are not interested in this dirty, nasty brand of their religion. What has changed? Have doors opened thanks to the "democracy" which brought in the bandits and thieves of the past (and, er, um, wife murders). Is this what happens when a "dictator" is taken out office, is it time to ponder if a military leader in a dangerous state isn't something to consider. Or, perhaps it is the rising cost of living and the inability for the basic necessities to be obtained by an even greater number of people than before? Is it the desperation of a society who has been facing constant power failure, job losses (due a lot to decreasing global interest) and new detachment from a society (the U.S.) which they felt for at least a short amount of time could offer some assistance? Or, is it a generation which became so materialistic and more concerned with which concert or fashion show is next they forgot the people in the land they live around and are now being slapped in the face by those who are both morally opposed, and some I assume are jealous. (let's face it, there is a HUGE amount of people belonging to the moral police who themselves would make satan look like mother Teresa).

Whatever the reasons to why things have gotten to the place they are, I believe they are not too far gone and the people of not only Lahore, but also Pakistan, can turn their country around. It will take the politicians, police, and the elite getting their heads out of the ground and call a time-out on the corruption world series in order to put the country and people first. It will also take the military realizing that what part they did play in all the training in the past (which they've admitted too) has turned around to bite them on the ass. While the people committing these atrocities now are not the same folk, they are most likely being trained (brainwashed) by those directly or indirectly associated with those of the previous movement.

Since Afghanistan offers a perfect and very real understanding as to what can happen when you think the craziees have the right ideas, I believe at least SOME people in Pakistan will indeed take up martial arts, guns, stones, whatever it takes to protect themselves (see article)-however in a country which has won trophies for their protests/riots it could lend to unimaginable and inevitable deterioration of a country already on the brink of disaster on other fronts. I miss Lahore, but I regret I'll be missing the Lahore I USED to know. To all those stuck there, and to all those who have no idea they are about to be pistol whipped....my prayers and thoughts are with them.

Supposed lightweight

If you have the USA network on for even 5 min a day you see the constant advertisment for the show about the chick who was divorced and is moving on with her life. I don't recall the name of it, but it's got Debra Messing as well as a large well-known cast. Seeing these commercials, and being remindng about just about every other broken heart movie....I'm noticing a pattern, and realizing I as usual have a very different take on a particular concept. Healing from a broken heart is a personal matter. People have different scenarios in life which lead to a saddness they never believed htey could feel. Perhaps it's a death in the family, a break up with a partner, or the loss of a child.....most will say they never thought they'd feel that kind of pain-and for a moment or more thought they'd never feel better. Of course, eventually most people do heal. Some take longer than others, but they get there. What's interestng to me is what seems to be the blanket understanding of what "he/she's finally able to move on" means in regards to a breakup/divorce. I wonder why the point at which many will feel someone has healed from such an occurance it's when that person is now dating again. I realize this may not be how people in real life believe and it's a misrepresentation in the name of entertainment....but I lean on the side that this representation is fairly accurate. Why is this? Is it that inherant belief in most people that we all have to be with someone to be happy or normal? Perhaps they are judging life as a whole based on their own lives....and they would not feel whole or healed until they were with another person.

I really started to think about this tonight as I was listening to a fairly new album by a Pakisani band "Fuzon" for the first time. I had been wanting to hear it since I read about it while still abroad, but never got around to it, and online is now the only chance I have. As the first song wound it's way through my mind I REALLY missed Pakistan and my life there. The lead singer has (compared at least to American singers) a very distinct sound, and as he gently delivered word and melody my mind was taken back to listening to their first album with my family and various experiences where such enjoyment was taking place. All in all I do alright with my newly permanent status, honestly more because of the complete change in scenery and nothing here to specifically remind me of anything-but listening to what I find to be a really great album I realize I'm not quite where I thought I was and perhaps I need to take time to get to where I'd like to be. I do know, however, it won't be dating which tells me I've "moved on". I think perhaps being able to fully enjoy one of my many favorite Pakistani bands, or watch one of my many favorite Bollywood DVD's and enjoy it pain-free will tell me I'm set. However, I will ALWAYS await excitedly every week for my weekend conversation with my ex mother in law....I pray to never move on from those.