Happy Birthday, US Constitution

Today marks the 221st birthday of the Constitution. While the document has been fought over, debated, maligned, defended, & even ignored, it is still a fine piece of work.

And it is worth protecting at all costs.

There is no single most important word or phrase in the document. It is, in total, the essence of liberty. Our Founding Fathers were so adamant that liberty be protected that they set limits on gov't, knowing that power certainly corrupts leaders & breeds hostility towards free men. Thus, the Constitution defines our principles & framework, but never our laws. Our laws live up to the document's principles, not the other way around.

The Constitution is clear that we value liberty so much that we are willing to allow bad things to happen to us all, just to make sure a bad wrong doesn't happen to an innocent person at the hands of an over zealous gov't.

So here's to the 221st birthday of the Constitution. May we always protect it, since it can't protect itself.

Americans United Blog, article by Sandhya Bathija

Palin & Hillary Together On Stage --- SNL

Politics aside, this is just funny. And if I didn't know this were a skit, I would almost believe it is Palin. She has the look & the voice down pat.

I had a conversation with a liberated believer via email last night. In other words, this is a Christian who has realized what liberty in Christ is all about & has decided to leave Fundamentalism behind.

Rule Book Theology is no more; freedom & liberty is now the safe harbor. Instead of Christ being an Ogre wielding a Holy Stick of Justice, Jesus is now a Loving Shepherd who nailed the sins to the cross.

What a thought.

Then I found an old link to a college friend of mine named Ed Stetzer. Ed is =THE= expert in church renewal for the SBC. Good guy.

Anyway, here is the article of an interview with Chuck Swindoll & Howard Hendricks where they discuss the Religious Right. Here's how Swindoll defined the problem with legalism:

"When we get into areas that are not set forth in Scripture, either in precept or even in principle. These may be such things as length of hair, tattoos and other body piercings, skirts or pants for women, makeup or no makeup. Those are not scriptural issues. Sometimes these issues are cultural, and you do have to address them when you are in that particular culture. But I think legalism begins when you do or refrain from doing what I want you to do or not do because it’s on my list and it’s something that I am uncomfortable with."

Then he gives some advice we all should take seriously:

"The problem with legalists is that not enough people have confronted them and told them to get lost. Those are strong words, but I don’t mess with legalism anymore. I’m 72 years old; what have I got to lose? Seriously, I used to kowtow to legalists, but they’re dangerous. They are grace-killers. They’ll drive off every new Christian you bring to church. They are enemies of the faith. Other than that, I don’t have any opinion! So, if I am trying to force my personal list of no-no’s on you and make you feel guilty if you don’t join me, then I’m out of line and I need to be told that." (emphasis mine)

I know that's right. Confront the inconsistencies & they yelp like a puppy. You can read the entire interview on Ed Stetzer's piece here in pdf.

Really Thirsty

This weekend I have traveled better than 300 miles to watch 4 soccer games with 2 of my kids. I have spent a total of nearly 10 hours in the hot, GA sun. Yes, it's been fun. Lost 2. Won 2. Had a blast.

And, for some reason, this Sunday morning took a lot of me --- more so than usual. This particular church is one I've filled in for them before, but it just drained me.

Right now I've been home for about 2 hours, already had a shower, & downed about 5 bottles of ice cold water. And I'm still thirsty.

I had a passing thought about how the woman at the well must have felt when she asked Jesus to give her some of that water he was talking about that she could drink & never be thirsty again.

I also thought about this video while at one of the games today. No, this is not me nor any of my kids, though my youngest has the second best goal I've ever seen in my life ... that's another story.

Any who ...

This is the goal that tops 'em all, indoor anyway.

Highly Conflicted

The "mommy blogs" of Christian Conservatives seem to be highly conflicted about Palin.

On one hand they like her Pro-Life stance, especially as evidenced by the birth of a Down's Syndrome baby that was intentionally brought to term.

However, there is the concern from the "mommy blogs" that the prominence of her position would undermine their witness concerning subordinate roles for women & their conviction that mothers should remain in the home & nurture their husbands & children.

Then I see Richard Land (SBC Ethics President --- such an oxymoron, IMHO) & Dr. James Dobson are all in a lather about Palin, falling all over themselves to lavish praise.

Now let's remember: Land & Dobson both say that a woman's place is in the home, acting the role of June Cleaver if at all possible. I don't think Palin needs the gig as VP: I'm sure there is enough income she can bring in doing in-home laundry & ironing, right, Ricky & Jim? Both were opposed to the Equal Rights Amendment. Dobson even said he would NOT vote for McCain if he were the nominee.

Wee-bit inconsistent, no? Is Dobson telling a fib? Sure looks like it.