A New Landscape

Regardless of your political leanings, you cannot deny that yesterday the landscape of American changed. For one thing, for an African-American to be our President Elect says to me that while racism is still a problem in our country, it alone does not define who we are. The images change, the boundaries shift, and what was once impossible is now a fact. I am proud to live in a country where people can have their say, and through that collective power can make dreams become reality.

I was most impressed last night with the speeches of both men. John McCain was eloquent in his concession speech and exhibited the character of a statesman, one who puts service over self (and affiliation). The Associated Press has the text printed here.

President-elect Obama's speech was a powerful blend of story, recognition of supporters, and rallying call. Fellow Methoblogger David Camp has the text posted here. I understand Obama's primary speech-writer is 26 years old? Tens of thousands stood in Grant Park to listen closely to his words.

Last night was a reminder to me of the power of the spoken word. Yes, we live in an image age, but the spoken word can define people and situations, create new possibilities, and move people to respond. As one of those who weekly lives in the world of the proclaimed word, these excellent examples are inspiring. Now I pray that we will do as both candidates encouraged -rise above partisan bickering and work together to find solutions to our country's problems.

Toxic Assets

I heard on the radio today that the Treasury Secretary, with his $700 billion dollar billfold, will now begin the job of buying off the toxic assets of the banks. What was that? “Toxic assets?” Is this just some more mumbo-jumbo? I guess it is easier for the President to look us in the camera and tell us the government is spending our children’s tax money to buy toxic assets, rather than telling us we’re actually getting “bad debts.”

Then it struck me. This economic crisis, like most crises, is causing more people to turn to their spiritual roots. You know how that is. No one wants the Church to be present in the public section - until everyone suddenly realizes they need God after all. But anyway, maybe Secretary Paulson and his minions see the spiritual significance of this time and plan to lead the way with an old fashioned spiritual soul-cleansing!

The Church has known for centuries the importance of fasting, self-denial, simple living, and contemplative prayer in order to make room for faith to grow. We even have prescribed seasons for such (Lent obviously, and Advent, surprisingly to most people) so that we are spiritually trimmed and ready for the big celebrations of Easter and Christmas. Those spiritual practices and seasons have been put in place to help us remove the toxic assets from our lives.

Maybe our toxic assets aren’t the exact same as those the banks have out for the yard sale right now, but we’ve got them. We have added behaviors, attitudes, guilts and “things” to our lives that are acting as poisons (toxins) to our soul survival.

We have picked up too many toxic thoughts. We bought the idea that being beautiful was an asset. But then Madison Avenue and Hollywood defined beauty as a starved and stark 18-year-old model with flawless skin, thus poisoning the self-image of girls and women all over the country. We added the concept that “more is better,” from “Biggie Burgers” to “Mega-whatever.” So now, even with “more than enough” of entertainment, food, techno-gadgets, and connections, most people don’t feel they are living a happy or satisfied life.

Yep, time for some soul-cleansing. Time to get rid of those toxic assets that are slowly killing us. But we'll really have to work our Congressional members to get them to pass another bail-out bill, cause the price of this one is going to dwarf the $700 billion current one. Oh, that's right, I forgot. The price has already been paid.

Playing to the Audience

If I were to hire an associate pastor tomorrow, should I look for one to "shore up" the weak parts of my pastoral abilities, adminstrative skills, or theology so that I can appeal to parts of my congregation that might not be so pleased with me? Or, would that be pandering to my constituency?

This analogy is not the best, but maybe it illustrates why I have never understood the "veep-stakes," - how the selection of the "right" vice presidential candidate is so crucial.

Don't get me wrong, the selection is important - I want someone selected that gives the assurance to me that the VP can fulfill the most important job description of that job - take charge if needed with a minimal interruption of the goals of the administration. Also, the quality of the person chosen and the manner of the selection reveals a lot about how the presidential candidate will exercise leadership.

But, those things aside, the blatant catering to our supposed interests and concerns just irritates me.