"Walk this way!"

Have you ever noticed how people walk? Just sit down in a mall sometime and watch the crowd walk around you. It's really quite entertaining.  I thoroughly enjoy this past time.  I walked into an office building the other day behind a fairly attractive lady.  Pretty face, well kept person, and yet she walked like a duck, feet splayed out at almost a 45 degree angle.  Some people walk like camels, bobbing up and down as they walk.  Others walk as though they are carrying a brim-full glass of water, barely moving and yet getting where they need to go at a brisk pace.  Others slouch while they walk and still others are so straight they make the military look like slouches.  You oughta try this sometime.  Go to a mall and sit on one of those "old-man" benches.  Sit back and watch - then, be prepared to be amused.  No, you probably won't laugh outloud, but you will most certainly snicker a little.  Then, remember two things: first, I told you so; second, aren't we all just a little weird?

Other Worldly?

Here is evidence from a modern thinker that I believe sums this up precisely. We have scriptural evidence and thought regarding the "other worldliness" of Christians, but C. S. Lewis sums this up quite nicely in Mere Christianity. "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this." (p. 134) Yep, that's weird. Except, after you've been through what we have just gone through, you might be more apt to agree. Mom Donovan being on the other side makes that side just that much more real. I know, some might say that thinking this way is just a crutch to prop ones self up after a loved one's death. Perhaps that is the case. On the other hand, I believe this to be the case - that there is another side and that we must prepare now to inhabit it then. Hence, the weirdness. Then again, what if my faith is right and your doubt is wrong? What if there truly is a Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun? I will be fit (by faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and by His very Word) for Heaven and you, should you choose to doubt, will be fit for Hell. Hmmm? Which is better? A good, Godly life now, a life lived to help others, or an evil life now, a life lived selfishly? I believe I prefer the better side. I also cast my lot with Heaven. Weird? Yep! But it sure makes this life a lot more tolerable.

the political process

Please note the title - everything is in lower case. That's what I think of the whole process. But, here's another thought. I'm a fairly staunch Republican. As much as I hate to admit it, almost every time I go into the booth, I vote nearly 100% Republican. It's not that I'm a single lever Republican. I look at every choice and choose the one I think is best. I don't want someone in who doesn't agree with me or whom I don't agree with, either way.

But, here's the gotcha - I've grown up the same way most staunch Democrats have. I grew up in a home that was conservative. We have strong beliefs regarding the way the country should go and so, consequently, believe we're absolutely correct. We pray that way. Yep, we pray that God will put our guy in office. But, God is neither Republican, Democrat, or even an independent. Yes, He is concerned about what is right. But, the question I'm left with is, are we (Republican or Democrat) more "right" than the other group? Hmmmmm? See, we're all weird that way. We believe God chooses sides. Therefore, our prayers will make him put the right person in office.

See what I mean? We're weird; yep, that includes you and me. We're all weird. While I've heard some fairly poorly presented arguments on the opposite side of the aisle, I can tell you, as much as I would hope the inverse is true, this is not always the case. Sometimes I want to renounce all ties with "my party". Actually, recently, I have about convinced myself to be independent. The only thing that keeps me linked to the Republican party is that I can have a vote if I am within. If I step out of it, I am no longer able to let my little voice be heard in the political process, in the primaries at least. So, for now, I remain ... weirdly Republican.