These are the words of Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakahn, on Barack Obama, February 28.

You are the instruments that God is going to use to bring about universal change, and that is why Barack has captured the youth.  And he has involved young people in a political process that they didn’t care anything about.  That’s a sign.  When the Messiah speaks, the youth will hear, and the Messiah is absolutely speaking.

We are living in very challenging times right now.  People are looking for answers on the economy and world peace.  Every time I hear Obama speak – I do not hear any answers.  I do hear a man who is very good at speaking… he is slick and polished without any substance.  When he speaks I don’t hear the Messiah… I hear an empty suit.  I’m not thrilled with McCain right now either.  He needs to step it up in my opinion.  I also believe that non of us need to sit back and ignore what is going on… no matter how bad this election season disgusts all of us!

As for the youth vote, I have talked to of a couple of parents lately who have children of voting age who are voting for the first time.  Their children have come to them with questions about this election.  They have each challenged their children to educate themselves on the candidates to determine for themselves which candidate “most likely” supports their ideas, opinions, and values.  From what I have heard – these young people decided for themselves to choose someone who is NOT being proclaimed as the “Messiah”.

Obviously, I am supporting McCain.  No, I don’t agree with everything about McCain.  The most recent thing is this Bailout vote.  (The markets lost 18% of its value this week.)  In addition to Obama’s policies, I’m very nervous about Obama’s radical affiliations.  There are too many to ignore.  As a Christian, I have attended many churches searching for a place where I can serve.  I listen and ask questions about the beliefs and values of those in leadership.  Obama sat under Rev. Wright for 20 years and not once heard those kinds of comments from him?!  I find it hard to believe.  Look for yourself into this guys life he has a trail of questionable associations… poor judgments… I don’t want that kind of person as my leader.

In the next clip, anyone can mess up when speaking (I know that I’ve done it) but this one is pretty hard to stomach when so much of his life is in question.

What I am asking of those in leadership is to be honest with me… honest with all of us.  Quit spouting off half-truths and quit being liars.  Both sides.  Shoot straight.  Tell us what you really believe and stand for on all of it.  That’s what “grass roots” America really wants… but is “grass roots” America really what you are fighting for?

My time has been a bit divided with my thoughts as well.  The news about the election and the economy gets overwhelming.  My mind is made up on the election (I’ve already cast my vote!!) and as for the economy I don’t support this bail out.  The Senate just passed the $700 Billion Bill.  Now it’s in the House’s lap.  One Senator said this was not for Wall Street but rather for Main Street.  Whatever!  Does this mean that the loans are going to start flowing once again?  I don’t think so! (I’m very skeptical – at best!)

You see there I go with my thoughts once again… I didn’t sit down to write about this.  I can say I am on a track now to be focused on our finances like never before.  We are so close to being on the right side of the tracks as far as finances goes… there are a couple of hurdles still yet to make…

But I’m not wanting to talk about that either.  God is good.  I may have some fear over the election, the economy, and finances – but I know God has a plan that is being lived out.  His plan is being worked out globally and His plan is being worked out in your life and mine.  That is so mind blowing to me.

If a man or woman is called of God, it doesn’t matter how difficult the circumstances may be. God orchestrates every force at work for His purpose in the end. If you will agree with God’s purpose, He will bring not only your conscious level but also all the deeper levels of your life, which you yourself cannot reach, into perfect harmony. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, September 29).

I’m trusting God to bring out those deeper levels and allow my thoughts to be effectively communicated for His purposes.  God is so good to us all.  We need to trust Him more than ever through these tough times that we are all facing at this time in history. 

One more hyper-thought… with all of the attention on the election and the economy let’s not forget we have men and women fighting for our country overseas.  We have others preparing for war.  We really need to remember to pray for them and for the leaders of our military.  Pray for God’s peace to rule in their hearts in these troubling times.  I’m asking God to give our leaders wisdom… may God’s purposes prevail.

… the only baggage that you can bring. It’s all you can’t leave behind. (U2, “Walk On” Bono).

I love the opening to the song “Walk On” by U2.  I was listening to it today while burning up some of that cheap fuel I bought last Saturday!!  The words just captivate my heart… it’s a captivity that leads to freedom. 

Think about it:  Love is not easy… yet Paul says it’s the greatest of all gifts. (1 Corinthians 13).  I guess in the context of this verse love is the ONLY baggage you can bring… when a believer in Christ dies the only baggage allowed is love.  Love is the only thing you can’t leave behind.

I realize this song is dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi.  She is a political prisoner in Myanmar.  As for her faith, she is a Buddhist.  She has been a political prisoner under house arrest because of her fight… dream… of democracy for her country. 

Because of this song I pray for her and people like her.  People who are held captive for what they believe.  It’s people like her who have a quality inside them that bars, prison, and persecution can’t hold. 

That quality is LOVE.  The truest form of this love is a gift given by Jehovah -  The Lord God Almighty.  This love was lived out and expressed in it’s deepest form in a man named Jesus Christ.  The man who came to bring freedom to all men and women who would believe in him.

For God so loved the world – how beautiful are those six words.  I sit here so late at night thinking almost imagining this love – in a way I’ve never known before.  This kind of love gives and gives and gives.  Seventy times seven this love gives… love is not the easy thing / the only baggage you can bring / It’s all you can’t leave behind.

You see – I have this thing.  If you keep up with things here at focus, you will know something of this thing.  I desire peace… not just some mamby pamby passive peace… I’m talking a strong victorious kind of peace.  Peace must be found.  I must not allow the love of God who fills me be tarnished by all of the opposing feelings, thoughts, and attitudes that try to win me over.  I know it’s not the easy thing.   And the fight must be waged on a spiritual level. 

Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me.”  Love is not the easy thing.

I know I have posted this song recently.  I hope you will take a moment if you haven’t already to think about the lyrics here.  They are posted below the video…. if you don’t want to watch the video and just listen and read them… think… pray… whatever God leads.  For me they are inspiring and I hope they are for you too.

And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage that you can bring…
And love is not the easy thing…
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can’t leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it’s a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back
Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on
What you got they can’t steal it
No they can’t even feel it
Walk on, walk on…
Stay safe tonight

You’re packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been
A place that has to be believed to be seen
You could have flown away
A singing bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom

Walk on, walk on
What you’ve got they can’t deny it
Can’t sell it, or buy it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight

And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

Home… hard to know what it is if you’ve never had one
Home… I can’t say where it is but I know I’m going home
That’s where the hurt is

I know it aches
How your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

Leave it behind
You got to leave it behind
All that you fashion
All that you make
All that you build
All that you break
All that you measure
All that you feel
All this you can leave behind
All that you reason
All that you sense
All that you speak
All you dress-up
All that you scheme…

Let’s get on with it already. 

I’m so ready – I am going to vote early.  I will not be waiting 49 more days to vote. 

I’m watching the news tonight and I think I have reached my limit…

Although – I can’t get enough of those Palin’s!!!

So, I will be watching the news afterall.

Thanks John McCain!

Vote

Is he a Muslim or Christian?

I’m a conservative that votes Republican unless I can be convinced otherwise… That hasn’t happened – yet… The VP pick by McCain sealed the deal for me for President… Not that it wasn’t already sealed - it’s just now it’s been sealed with some excitement! 

I watched the Democratic National Convention and heard once again “Beautiful Day” by U2 playing in the background.  (Just how many campaigns have used this song?) Whatever I was paying attention to on the screen was lost at that moment I could hear The Edge’s guitar.  Whatever had my attention was lost to the background music of U2.  The power of U2 over me…

Today, I decided to start searching the Internet looking for connections with Conservatives and the Republican Party to U2.  It’s rather difficult to find.  I know Bono met with Bush in 2005.  I found a blog in the process called @U2blog.com.  I found a blog there where the writers states,

Ironically, Bono sat next to Senator Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast and has met with not only him, but also Senator McCain earlier in the year. (Although I can’t seem to find a photo of Bono with McCain. Odd!)

I always shake when I see Bono make an appearance with those in American politics… especially those on the Liberal side of things. 

After I see him in the photo-ops, I tend to put U2 on the shelf for a bit until I get over it.  Dang, I just put “The Unforgetable Fire” in the CD player in my Jeep!  I understand Bono’s obsession with the “social issues” that draws him to the liberal side of American Politics… at least so it seems.

I did a search for “U2 fans for McCain 08″… I came up with something much different… I came up with many sites proclaiming U2 fans for Obama… one of which is actually on Obama’s campaign site. 

Is there anything out there that links Conservatives with U2?  Is there an interest by U2 fans for McCain?  Let me know if there is anything out there… if not, (Joel) can get it started.

The power of U2 over me can’t sway my vote.