To Read

http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/124929-democrat-republican-make-case-for-middle-class-vote-on-election-day

Is Sara Palin the Reason so Many Women are Involved in the Tea Party Movement?

Actually, the answer is: taxed enough already. Women control the household accounts and we know when spending is unsustainable, threatening the very fabric of our families, or our country as the case may be. As one Tea Party rally sign aimed at big government succinctly put it, "My kid isn't your ATM." (article by Tammy Bruce, The Guardian)

Actually, I think that the answer is that women are easily swayed by emotion.  The Tea Party movement focuses on issues that hit close to home and affect all conservatives.  However, more often driven by logic, men are more apt to focus their efforts on involvement in the established Republican party.  All political issues are important and, in many ways, emotional.  Tea Partiers, especially women, must be careful to justify their emotion with logic.  Is there a good reason to have a Tea Party?  Perhaps.  I am not convinced, but I am not completely opposed.

In The World But Not Of It: Christians In Politics

Should Christians be involved in politics? Yes.  Each believer's involvement will differ; for some this means running for public office, for others this means being an informed citizen and actively voting.  Falling somewhere in between, I am interested in how politics affects everyday life and would like to work on a campaign someday.  I want to help make headlines, but not be the one in the headline.  In many Christian circles, politics are treated as either evil or too earthly.  True, governments are secular establishments that are easily corrupted.  However, we cannot avoid or ignore their significance to the world in which we have been placed.  American Christians have an even greater obligation to be politically active.  Our democratic Republic is a unique and precious gift from God.  This nation was founded like no other.  There is nothing like America anywhere else in history.  American government is of, by, and for the people.  This is a tremendous responsibility, but one we must embrace.  Some Christians reject political parties and affiliations.  This is because they fail to understand that politics is merely a system, and it is our responsibility to operate within it according to Scripture.  Remember, in John 17, Jesus does not ask the Father to take His people out of the world, but to protect us from evil. (V15) Also, Christians are called to "Go unto all the world," and Washington DC is part of this world.  (Matthew 28:19) I am a Christian before I am a Republican; however, I am a Republican because I am a Christian.  America operates on a two-party system.  Therefore, if I can align myself with a party without compromising my faith, I will have the greatest impact.  While many Christians and conservatives are currently doubting the GOP, I do not believe it is "time for a third party."  I will maintain my membership as long as my party maintains conservative views on primary issues, such as abortion.  Also, third parties rarely have success.  Therefore, the most practical and effective response is to become involved with the established Republican movement, doing two things: first, we must work to secure as many Republican victories as possible.  Second, we should address any secondary concerns and strive to bring the party back to its roots.  For the answers to today's tough political questions, Americans must look back to the Christian principles upon which our Nation was founded.  This founding is a special gift from God that we have tossed in the closet and forgotten.  God has blessed America, and I pray He continues to do so...and that He has a reason.

Journal Entry from Saturday, October 2, 2010

(The following is a summary of an entry composed last weekend when I was sick and had slept in late.)

Outside my window, the homecoming game is being played, cheered, and chanted.  After sleeping in till noon and feeling mildly better, I am contemplating heading down for the last half.  I was awakened by the parade sirens and, after grabbing a cup of coffee, climbed back into bed with my Bible.  As I began to read, the national anthem began to be sung down on the field.  Of course, I had to pause and listen to one of my favorite songs...When it was over and the crowd cheered on the start of the game, I was struck by how truly incredible the last few moments had been.  Here, at this small Christian school in the heart of the Midwest, a crowd had gathered for an afternoon of fun with family and friends.  Presumably, most in attendance would claim Jesus Christ as their savior and did not think twice about prayer before the game.  As the Anthem was sung, I wonder how many realized the freedom they were exercising at that moment.  Like Norman Rockwell's WWII posters, we are experiencing Freedom from Want, Fear, of Speech, and of Religion right here today.  To begin with this is an amazing gift from the Lord.  It is a privilege to be an American.  Also, we should not sing of the "land of the free and the home of the brave" lightly.  Many men have died for us to enjoy simple activities like reading our Bibles without fear.  I was struck by this simple blessing the other day when a friend and I stopped at a bench to pray on our way to chapel.  After an hour of leisurely walking, sharing our hearts, and sipping coffee, we paused for a few minutes before parting and prayed for each other.  Not only does much of the world not enjoy this liberty, but we were doubly blessed to be in a place where passersby were not even shocked to see us praying together.  Recently, I have been increasingly struck by the blessings of being a student here...I complain about prices and rules and so many other things that just don't matter in big scope of life.  What does matter is that I enjoy the freedom to study the Bible and other subjects I enjoy without fear of persecution or pain.  Therefore, I will strive to engage this privilege to the best of my ability.