Author: Wick

All that to say, Mrs. Anderson…..I salute you. And your hobby. I’ll still make fun of it sometimes, because hey….Soy Joy bars? 6 Hour Energy Drinks? But you can point right back, cause I eat ’em. And because it saves us money for coffee and diapers…and that ain’t bad…:)

So perhaps you were able to catch the interviews with both candidates, facilitated by Rick Warren this past weekend. I missed it myself, and missed the second showing also, but was able to read the transcript online.

It seems both candidates are purpose-driven. 🙂 In all seriousness, I think this public conversation did offer a lot to an American people who are used to being “sold” candidates, and forced to pick through 30 second rebuttals, etc. But I still think we were being sold stuff. By all 3 guys.

There were some good things to note, however:

– Whatever is needed to face the issues we are facing, it’s going to take effort on the part of EVERY American. No time for pointing fingers.

– Obama said that anyone making under $150,000 a year is middle class. Rick Warren said people who make that in HIS area are considered poor. Wow. I’m more poor than I realized. Thanks guys.

– McCain is like the grandparent who keeps telling the same stories over and over again. And he’s willing to go to the gates of hell to find Osama….impressed?

– Both candidates admit evil exists. Both say we need to defeat it. Obama was the only one to mention God in that process. McCain seemed to go off on an anti-terrorism tangent. I wonder if that’s symbolic of anything in evangelical America today?

– (learned a bit from the interview happening, and a bit from Larry King’s interview of Warren last night) Rick Warren has a lot of important “friends”. His comment on the interview was something like “I happened to have two friends who are both running for president….they trusted me to have a conversation publicly with them, etc”. At which point, Larry King says “you ARE a good friend, Rick”…and Rick acknowledges his friendship with Larry. Wow.

Someday maybe I can be Rick Warren’s friend.

In other news, Addie’s 2nd birthday celebrations went splendidly. It’s the main reason I haven’t posted since Friday, not to mention preaching yesterday and painting a nice ole’ ladys gazebo. Thanks to all who celebrated with us, and all who sent their love. It was nice to have so much family in town, stayin’ with us…and eatin’ more cobbler than God intended. And I still rock at Euchre.

So in my routine, “checking the top stories”, etc…this morning. I noticed this story about what was happening at Saddleback Church in California this Saturday.

Do I admire the fact that Rick Warren’s message (Purpose-Driven, etc.) has been so well received (or sold), that it’s impact has drawn both Presidential Candidates to submit themselves to Him/His followers for a special interview time?

The old “What Would Jesus Do?” when you look at the growing political/evangelical influence this man is gaining. Is God using Him, or is God using Him despite Him? (hopefully you can see there that I obviously believe God IS using him)

It’s obviously a good move for both candidates. You KNOW this book has been a best seller, especially in the USA, and anyone with a library has a copy…whether they’ve read it or not, and whether they like it or not. (or at least they’ve been given a copy at some point, and decided not to keep it)

The people who LOVE the book (which seems to be millions), will probably pay VERY close attention to the author when he’s mentioned in the news. (or random blogs) As a candidate, it’s a pretty good bet that allowing yourself an interview with this man will give a chance for millions of people to recognize that:

If you’re Obama – “see, I care about poor people just like Rick Warren does, and even though your junior highers and grandma’s are telling you I’m a Muslim, I’m obviously not! I’m hitching my cart to Rick Warren’s horse! Vote for me!”

If you’re McCain – “see, I’m an evangelical (and everything THAT means) who’s hip enough to realize that James Dobson is nothing compared to Rick Warren. I’m hitching my wagon to his horse! Vote for me!”

Do both candidates seek to get the stamp of being “purpose-driven”? Or maybe one of ’em will totally surprise us by disagreeing with Rick Warren……..not likely.

Thankfully, we can all watch it on CNN at 5pm that night.

Footnote: I know…you probably love the book. It’s okay. Millions of people can’t be wrong, right? I like the first line of the book, “It’s not about you.”

Although, I do think it’s interesting that Warren wants to “mobilize over 1 billion Christians to attack 5 Global giants – spiritual emptiness, corrupt leadership, poverty, disease and illiteracy.”

Purpose-Driven Christians need their purposes, I suppose…5 is a nice, achievable number. Although I think he could’ve stuck with 4. My daughter can’t read, and she’s doin’ alright.