Living in the Now

Okay, so I know this will probably be a bit different than you would imagine from the title, but I wonder what Jesus would be doing if He were living right now. I ask this question because my sole purpose in life is to try and live the life He intended for me to live. I think when most people answer that question is comes back to having something to do with the organized church. Not so much for me.
I want to be more about living as I see Jesus lived, getting in the midst of the arguments of the day, helping those who need it, and certainly by living and loving those who are close to me. One of the main things that has been on my mind lately is about what Jesus taught and spoke about. It seems most of it wasn't about the "bible", or even the Torah that they had back then. It seems to me that He spent a lot of time tackling the big issues of the day like taxes, govornment oppression, how to treat others, and the religious system of the day.
I wonder what it would be like if we, as a Church (notice the capital C), decided to think about our govornment and our taxes and how our political system works in the context of what is best for the nation and even the world. I wonder if we quit paying people (lobbyists) to do our fighting for us, and instead cared enough to get involved oursleves, what would happen? I wonder what would change if we were as concerned about homelessness and hunger as we were with how to spend our stimulus checks on vacation?
I think it's great to spend time in the bible, reading and learning about what God intended for us. I think there are great minds that do this all the time, and I love to hear them speak and enlighten me as to the depth and richness of the bible. However, if that doesn't change me and my life, if it doesn't compel me to look deeper in the systems around me and question, then what good is it? If we decide to blindly support our govornment based on one scripture, but then don't question certain oppressive practices. . .are we really living like Jesus?
This is a lingering thought for me. . .so I'm sure I'll have more coming soon. . .

Phatkat ><>

Quick and General Thoughts on Politics

Okay, so I've been talking to some different people about the political race lately, and I keep saying the same things over and over, so I thought I'd get it off my chest here, and then I can be done with it. . .like that will happen!

Anyway, here's my thoughts on the two political parties, cuz let's face it, there really are only two. Anyway, my heart's desire for how I believe things should work probably lies with the actual platform of the Republican party. I say their actual platform because I don't see any Republicans actually standing for what they are supposed to stand for any more. I do think less govornment is better, I do think less taxes is better, I do believe we have a right to bear arms, I do believe life begins at conception (actually I think it begins before that, but that's another post! Anyway, I love their basic beliefs, yet I strongly oppose how I see this party acting or not acting on those beliefs.

The Democrats hold a closer place to my heart in their desire to see social justice. This fact alone is their sole redeeming tenet of belief in my opinion. I also really appreciate people who will not just speak about something, but will get out there and do something about it. I often times don't agree with how they do things, and I rarely agree with the fact that they use the govt. to do it. However, I think they have a better mindset of everyone working together for the betterment of all. Again, though, I rarely see this portrayed accurately by our current crop of legislators (read the legislators as big fat whiny blood suckers who hold their hands out to any special interest group they can).

Okay, here's my real thoughts on it all. I really don't like any of our choices politically. My opinion is that as a person seeking the kingdom of God, that means someone trying to bring about on earth what God intended for us in the beginning, we should be taking care of the social ills of society. If the true followers of God would stand up and care for the wounded and afflicted, we would not need the horrific social programs that drain our economy and provide hand-outs instead of true help. Every true follower of Jesus should be looking around their own city, state, and country to find the problems that need to be addressed. After that, since we live in such an overly blessed nation, we should also be finding ways to care for the poor and afflicted around the world.

If we were to do this, there would not be a need for large govt. and legislators trying to pass laws and institute programs that don't really help us move forward. The govt's. job would then be to organize the army, defend us, and maintain basic infrastructure. No more, that's it. Keep your crazy politically devious minds and fingers out of our lives. Of course, they way I see it, this can only happen when people realize who God created them to be, and then actually live that out. Unfortunately, I will agree with anyone who would say that the church as a whole has not been doing that lately. . .a lot of great people doing good things, but somewhat too little, too late as I see it. We need a revolution in our thinking and our living. We need to actually turn to the historical Jesus, and earnestly seek Him, and then truly live as we were made to do. . .

Of course these are just my thoughts, what do you think? Please reply and let me know.

Phatkat ><>