A Post for All Parties. Politics: Love/Hate

I haven't said much about my politics, but I do not feel I should share the party I have chosen over this media as of yet. Ask me in person, and I will gladly tell you how I feel.
We all have different views on things, and goodness knows, we are all wrong in one way or another. Let's face it. Not one of us has all the answers, and none of us should. It seems that it is better to be proved wrong in a group of friends, than alone and always right. A person should always be open to the fact that he is not perfect, but neither is anyone else.
In politics, I have noticed an incredibly immovable, closed minded attitude in almost anyone you talk to, besides those who "don't care" (which is really their way of not getting into conflict. They probably care). The reason is, I think, is because the government is directly related to all of us. We all feel what our government does, whether they hire our family members to fix roads, or they take our homes and land, whether they give us money and food to live, or they tax us 50% of our income. We all like to think it's all about us. The things the government does should be all for and about us, right? We the people!
Yet, do we have to be malicious? I have heard people say they "hate" a certain politician. What in the World? They literally "hate" people they have never met and all they have heard about a certain person is what the media puts out, and they deliberately slander that person in public. I may not agree with certain people, but I would never say I hated them. "Out of the heart, the mouth speaks" and hate is a strong word. Whether it be Sarah Palin, Joe Biden, or Al Franken, let ours words not carry us away. We don't hate these people. We may disagree with them. We may think they are "stupid" as we so indignantly say. But I've heard the phrase "I hate Bush." too many times for comfort.
I was raised with the fact that to "hate" means to "want to kill." It's a vile term.

We should love instead. Love is stronger, and Justice, in a way, is Love as Law being carried out. Because our Founding Fathers loved the American people around them, they established democracy, rules, law enforcement, and courts. They wanted their people to be safe, and because of the morals they stood by, they believed the people would be kept safe. Because the Lord loved us first, He gave us free will, Fellowship with Him, and the His commandments, so that we may be safe on this sin filled world.
Now, sadly, everyone is wrong about something. Certain things which are truly wrong, are not "wrong" to other people. In their point of view, nothing is wrong which is not a crime. This is a skewed view. Most will admit, Lying is wrong. Cheating is wrong. Stealing is wrong. Murder is wrong. But what about Jealousy, Bitterness, Hate, Sex outside of Marriage? The Bible says we shouldn't have any of that, either! Those things are what trap many of us.
Nobody is perfect (besides Jesus). No actress, teacher, Mom, Dad, or politician ever was or will be. We all deserve to be hated. We all say stupid things. No one is completely right.
During the next four years, and the rest of our lives, let us all keep open minds and hearts to the possibilities of people and the future. Pray for our Leaders. Pray for Our Friends, Pray for our hearts.
Don't Hate.
Love.
The Lord has us in His hands.

Adventure

The picture is of my new backpack. Sweet, huh?

I took a trip to Bainbridge Island last weekend to visit my good friend Mary. It was such a glorious weekend. There is something about being close to water that stirs my heart. I believe it's in my blood, coming all the way from the vikings, of course. Although rivers and lakes are just fine, something about being close to a sea voyage creates a feeling inside of me. The smell of the air. The waves. The constant clarity of weather and wind. It's like adventure is always going to happen.
I think it always does.
It's amazing what creates a lust for adventure. One small trip just makes me want to go farther and deeper into the unknown. Even getting a new bag makes me want to pack for trips and take it around with me all the time, just in case I get swept up. If I had to go on a great journey right this moment, could my bag take me there and back again? I like to think so.
And what would I need?

My skinny metal Bible
Another book of some sort... maybe two
My pencils and sketchpad
My favorite Starbucks Tumbler with golden deer and filigree as the print.
A knife. Always.
A journal I write in, so I will have something fantastic to read on the train.
An Ipod. A little modern, but a necessity.
A guitar. I couldn't get along without that.

Really, I think I would be okay with just that, but it's missing something.....
Oh ya,
People I love.
They won't fit in my bag.

I often wish I could just get up and go. I want to start walking, and only stop when I can go no further. This is a romanticized freedom that airs of the 60's, I know. I do know. Not much good came of it in many cases, but who doesn't want the freedom and adventure? Sadly, out of adventure and experience, lack of foundation and friendship would whither the soul.
It is no good to see something beautiful if there is no one to see it with.
It is no good to be alone.

Jonathan: the Lone Ranger

I was reading my Bible recently, specifically 1 Samuel 14. This chapter begins with Jonathan bringing his armor bearer to peer over at the Philistines. After looking over and having a little tet-ta-tet with the Philistines and the Lord, he basically says "Let's hunt some Orc!" He and his armor bearer, going alone into the Philistine garrison, begin to take men out by the dozen! All because the Lord had given them to him. There was great confusion in the camp, and sooner or later the Israelite scouts got the drift that a fight was going down, and Jonathan was wailing on everybody!
"So the Lord saved Israel that day,"- 1Samuel 14:23

This Passage tells me two things about Jonathan:
1. He was an awesome swordsman. obviously.
2. He was in good fellowship with the Lord, unlike his Father at the time. He knew that the Philistines could be taken since he had the Lord right there to make the attack.

Thinking on David, Jonathan always just seemed like the best friend, the co-star, the Heather Burns to Sandra Bullock and Meg Ryan. Equal, yet less important to the story. But here! You get to see that he was the Hero, the voice of reason and man of power at one point.

In these cases, I like to identify myself with the one who fought the armies alone. Through our lives, we will have to listen to the Lord to battle our armies alone, meaning we will need to be in constant communion with the Lord. Jonathan knew what the Lord wanted, and he pulled it off because he had God to back him up. Well, guess what, so do we! A good battle makes things more interesting, let's get out and fight!