The Cooking Priest

I enjoyed this story

Eight Bundles of Joy?

What a weird, bizarre story. I think one of the saddest things about the whole story of this family is that Ms. Suleman based her life decisions on her own insecurities, without seeming regard for the consequences. She already had 6 children. She now has a total of 14. She is not working and unmarried. How is she going to financially care for so many children? How is she going to be there emotionally for them, so that each one of them will feel the love and care that children need?

The children are small and face a great risk of future health implications. The expectation that the government will continue to pay for the upbringing of children that she voluntarily chose to have, irresponsibly, also perturbs me. It is one thing to become pregnant within the context of a stable relationship or involuntarily. It's quite another to make a conscious choice to bring eight lives into this world. It's sad that one person's self-centered obsession can have such an effect on so many people.

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History is HIS (meaning God's) story

Tomorrow is the inauguration of our 44th President Barack Obama. The new president carries the expectations of millions of Americans seeking change. He is riding a wave of optimism and idealism in a country desperate for a reason to hope. The ascendency of a black man to the most powerful office the world holds special significance given the long and terrible history of racism in this country: through slavery to Jim Crow to the Civil Rights movement, and even through today. When he takes that oath, Barack Obama represents a new page being turned in the American narrative, a new chapter in a story being written now.

Despite the political and policy differences, I think that Obama has a chance to be great. He has a the opportunity to achieve great things in a moment of crisis in American history. Winning a landslide election, he will wield great power and rule with a strong mandate. He has the intellect and political intuition to govern in a popular, centrist, and judicious way. He understands that despite the historic nature of his election, he must tackle real problems immediately.

For all the things that President Obama has going for him, he must remember his place in history, and maintain the humility to continue to seek for wisdom and guidance from a source from above. I am greatly encouraged to read that he is seeking a church home in Washington. Visiting Nineteenth Street Baptist Church (which is actually on 16th St., for you Washington area residents), soon to be President Obama received a special message from Pastor Derrick Harkins.

Pastor Harkins used the story of Esther to encourage the President-elect to recognize the special position he is in and to encourage him to be like Esther who had the attitude of seeking to do God's work, even at potential the cost of her life.

I just love the book of Esther. It holds particular significance in our time, as Christians have the temptation to retreat further and further from the "culture" of society. Esther 4:14-16 says

(Mordecai speaking)
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

God's work will be done, whether we are on board or not. It is our unique privilege to use what we have been given in our gifts, profession, and position in this world for His glory. As we look forward to a new President, I hope and pray that Barack Obama will heed these words and recognize the special position he is in. I hope that he will seek justice and love mercy. To use his intellect and to seek the wisdom of God. Barack Obama carries responsiblity for leading and the burden of a nation with many problems. Let us pray he will have the strength and wisdom to be a good steward with the opportunity he has been given.


** UPDATED 1/23/09**

Some thoughts on the inauguration prayers by some prominent Christian thinkers

AMEN to this prayer for President Obama!

Rock On?

I read this story from the Washington Post.

Now, I'm not trying to make any judgment in regards to culture, or the justice of corporate punishment. One thing I don't get: If adultery is so serious, that you would stone someone to death over it, why would you give someone the opportunity to escape?