Saturday, November 3, 2012

Kopper, Clergy, and Election Day


Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)

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    Since scratching the surface accelerated after being with Eugene and my covenant brothers in Montana back in October 2011, I'm even being inspired/indigested when Kopper takes me out for our morning walks.

    Though any comparisons are absurd - like a BB gun compared to heavy artillery - I resonate with Solomon and Elihu in dependence upon Him for more: "I don't know much about anything, yet I am supposed to lead...[The Lord was delighted: 'Since you asked for wisdom and not for...']...Alas, it turns out it is the spirit in a man, not age, and the breath of the Highest One within him that lends understanding...I am filled to the brim with words...Like a new wineskin, I am on the brink of bursting from the pressure..."

    Because I'm just scratching the surface, I don't pretend to know more or as much as anybody else about anything even while convinced I've gotta keep scratching for his answers/antidotes for how we've messed up our world, country, and churches.

    So I'm not asking for confirmation, contradiction, criticism, or even communication.  I'm just trying to encourage some thinking on how we can be more a part of His redemptive solutions than continuing our assistance/accommodation with the enemy's advances.  I'm having a hard enough time working/figuring out my own salvation let alone yours.

    Anyway, Kopper, as usual, took me out for a walk early last Sunday morning and several inspirations/indigestions/interrogatives overwhelmed me related to how clergy like me have distanced ourselves from Him:

    1. Did Jesus dress more like working people or Pharisees?

    2. Do you think Jesus was as "into" liturgy as the Pharisees with all of their rituals+ceremonies=rites?

    3. Did Jesus "fence" people from intimacy with "holy stuff" like the Pharisees?

    4. Did Jesus respect sects, segregations, and separations within the Sanhedrin or anywhere else?

    5. Did Jesus hang out more with everyone than the Pharisees?

    6. Was Jesus more intimately involved with the poor, pariah, put-down, and all of the below than the Pharisees?

    7. Are today's clergy and their idolaters more like Jesus or the Pharisees?

    I think, and I may be wrong, the answers to the previous rhetoricals provide clues to what's wrong with our world, country, and churches.

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    Lord,

    Tuesday is a big day for Americans; happening every four years as we have the privilege and exercise the responsibility of voting for someone to lead our nation.

    For good, bad, and ugly, our nation has shaped most global affairs for over two centuries; and while we think it's been mostly for good, You are the Judge.

    We have wanted to be one nation under God by consistent creed and often deed; as witnessed by the houses of worship saying, singing, and praying about it in every corner of the country.

    We have invited, welcomed, included, and loved more colors, classes, and cultures into common citizenship than most others; and we have been more than less united in our passion for everyone to experience/express life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

    Yet, we see as we increasingly sense a drifting from You and the consequential, as warned, removing of graces from exceptional to ordinary: "If you do not return, I will come quickly and remove your lampstand."

    The cause and cure of our crumbling come from the wise: "Living according to God's instructions makes a nation great, but sin colors those who commit it with disgrace."

    Our nation's falling from Your graces is directly related to removing You from the focus and filter of government, law, commerce, classroom, church, and family; and, just as surely, our recovery is related inextricably to respecting Your pre-eminence above all: "If My people who are known by My name will humble themselves, pray, follow My commandments, and abandon any actions or thoughts that might lead to further sinning, then I shall hear their prayers, forgive their sins, and restore their land."

    So we want our votes on Tuesday to be only for those who reverence You as Source, Starter, Sovereign, and Savior.

    For Yours alone is the Kingdom, power, and glory forever.

    We know You will help us, Jesus, as we pray to be and do everything - even vote - in Your name.

    Amen.

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    The voices from the left and right keep saying this is the most important election in our lifetime.

    I don't know about that; but I think how we vote has eternal consequences if you know what I mean.

    In short, America, you better start blessing God afresh or...

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Blessings and Love!

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