Sunday, November 2, 2008

The Faith of Barack Obama

The Faith of Barack Obama by Stephen Mansfield. Published by Thomas Nelson.

I had the opportunity to read this book recently. It's written by Stephen Mansfield, an accomplished writer and speaker, especially when it comes to historical biography. The book explores the theology of Obama and since this man may be leading our country next, I was glad to have a chance to read a fair-minded piece about who the man really is.

The book starts with Obama’s family heritage and offers perspective on how his heritage has shaped him and his beliefs. Mansfield then examines key times in Obama’s political career where allowed his faith to become part of his public life. He began talking about how it informs him in matters of leadership and policy. It discusses how Obama’s faith is one that has connected with a large core of Christians who have been born into and lived through a postmodern world.

The Faith of Barack Obama is an informative, easy and very interesting read. It speaks to the relevant issues that face the church today, no matter what candidate you support. If faith is going to be part of your vote this year, then you should read this book. It may not change your mind but it will offer a clearer picture of who Barack Obama really is.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Life and Death

my friend cindy jokes that i was on "bereavement duty" this christmas. attending 2 funerals in 7 days definitely got me thinking.

first i realized how thankful i am - like really seriously thankful - that i KNOW where i'll spend eternity and that i have a Saviour who died for ME, so that i can live eternally with Him.

i remember when my mom died; i really didnt know where she was and that was horrifyingly unsettling for me. sometimes it still haunts me a bit. my friend cindy lost her brother suddenly on NYE day this year and when she called me with the news, she cried because she had no idea where he would be spending his eternity.

so now i'm thinking about the people i love who may not have made the most important decision of their lives. i want them to decide freely to accept the gift of Salvation - and if it were up to me, they would make that decision TODAY.

i know that God gives my friends FREE WILL, just like He gave it to me. and i know i will always be beyond thankful for my big brother and my little sister and her husband. they all invested in me and "got up in my business" more than i really cared for. but had they not done so, i may not have made the decision that changed my life and my heart forever.

i'm praying that my Heavenly Father will make a clear path for me to have real conversations and that He will spur me on to not delay. thinking about it makes me a little nervous; i'm guessing my friends will feel awkward or nervous too.

what's a bit crazy is that more than being nervous, i have this sense of anticipation and even excitement. God is BIG and if He can change my heart and open my eyes to His love and His truth, then anything is possible!

besides, the God who created me and my friends loves these wonderful people more than i ever could. His love is truly unconditional, everlasting, eternal and beyond human comprehension.

i want everyone in the whole world to know that!!! for today, i'd be ecstatic if my friends would know and embrace this life-changing truth. until they do, i'll keep praying!

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17)