Do you have to be a Republican to be a Christian?

It's unfortunate that political agendas have tainted the atmosphere of the Christian Church. (Church, when capitalized, means the people, not the buildings.) I have heard that people who vote Democratic feel uncomfortable going to most churches here in America. Here is the problem: many Christians have accepted the lie from the Republican party that they care about the cause of Christ. Truth is, they don't. Neither does the Democratic party. Both, however, will sweet-talk anyone who is part of a larger, voting group of people, in order to gain their allegiance. The the only true reason, in my opinion, why most of our politicians even go to church is to make us believe that they like it there, that they support our beliefs. Most of them don't. Both political parties are primarily about one thing: power.

Furthermore, Republicans and Democrats have far more in common than we think. Both of us desire one thing: a better world for our children and grandchildren. The difference comes from our ideas about how to attain that goal, and, possibly, what that future will look like. In fact, I believe that we really need each other. Whenever the Democaratic party does something nasty, the Republican party is there to point it out and make sure it doesn't go un-checked, and vice versa. We balance each other. Without that balance, I believe we'd all be in a lot of trouble.

It's easy to get all riled up, though, when we believe the freedoms of our country, the safety of our children, or the moral atmosphere in which our children must grow up is at stake. Here's the key, and (not surprisingly) it can be found in the Bible. People are not the enemy. The enemy is brokeness: separation from God, the belief in lies instead of in the Truth, self-love.

Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

So, if you have ever felt judged by Christians because you are a Democrat, please let me offer you my deepest apology. Please forgive those silly Christians who think Jesus was a Republican.

Remember: Don't look at Christians, look at Christ.

Get Your Questions Answered/Pick The Discussion Topic!

If you have found the comments on spirituality interesting and have a topic in mind that you would like to see addressed, just submit a comment to this entry and let me know what question you would like answered or what issue you would like discussed. I try to post every comment I receive, even if I don't agree; however, if a comment contains offensive material, I reserve the right to ignore it.

The Origin Of Life

Where did we come from? How did we get here? What is the origin of life? Here are the only three I've ever heard. (If you've heard of others, please pass them along.)

Theory One, Evolution: Now, I'm not about to debate this entire quandry at this time; however, though the evolution 'answer' is the most popular these days, it doesn't explain the orgin of life. The process of evolution is simply the way things change over time.  It doesn't even touch how those "things" got there to begin with.  Here's a joke I once heard that helps explain why:
A group of scientists went up to God and said, "OK, God. We don't need you anymore. We've discovered how to make life! Now man can finally do everything that you can do. You're out!"
God: "OK, so you say you've made life. Show me how you did it."
Scientists: "Alright, we will! You just take some dirt and--"
God: "Get your own dirt."

Remember, there's a natural law that states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. It is simply being converted into another form. So where did we come from? Where did these "particles", that some scientists say slowly caused the Big Bang that hurled us into existence, come from? Evolution completely ignores the beginning of the story.

Theory Two, Aliens: Believe it or not, there are people out there that believe that aliens planted life--our DNA--into the premordial soup that later, through evolution, became us. Have you seen that movie--I think it's called "Red Planet"? That was the theory put forth there. Anyway, again, it doesn't solve the problem of the origin of life. Where did the aliens come from? The problem is still the same, just more complicated.

Theory Three, God: I used to watch Matlock all the time--Andy Griffith playing an Atlanta lawyer who solves a bunch of crimes. It was great! Anyway, he once said on there something I'll never forget. He said, "Sometimes, to solve a mystery, you have to go with the only possible route, even if it seems the least likely." People don't like to admit the possibility that there might be a God. It seems so childish--like believing in fairies or elves. But, as the only possible explanation for the origin of life, it just might be worth setting aside our preconceptions and negative stigmas and giving God another look.

Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good..."

Christian Music

Have you ever happened across a Christian rock station and, out of curiosity, listened to a few songs? Did you find yourself wondering why the singers sounded so excited about a God they couldn't even see? In fact, most of them sing with as much fervor about God as secular artists sing about love or sex. Weird! And some of them are actually pretty good. I mean, don't these people know that choosing to sing about strictly Christian themes severely limits their fame/fortune potential? Of course, Christians could all be suffering from some kind of personality disorder. But then, if that were true, it's doubtful that the Christian system of belief would have lasted as long as it has--being run by a bunch of intellectually stunted, emotionally needy people.

Consider this alternative: Maybe, just maybe, there's something to sing about.

I'd Like Some Peace, Please!

This is my article published by Focus on the Family's Single Parent Edition in the September 2005 issue. (This is the orginal, un-editted version as I submitted it.)


I’d Like Some Peace, Please!
By Susan Thomas
January 22, 2005

I just wanted to spend a few minutes reading! But how could I? Every time I began, one of my children would come to me with a need. I was interrupted again and again to get drinks, pick Play Dough out of the carpet, turn on the computer, find a lost doll, or to scold for misbehavior. I think I read the same paragraph five times! Every time I sat back down I became more frustrated. I finally wanted to scream, “I just need to get away!”

I was single and had little income, so I wasn’t able to pay for a babysitter. But, thankfully, I had a friend who had once said, “Anytime you need to get some time to yourself, just let me know. I’ll watch your kids.” I picked up the phone and dialed her number with desperate, trembling fingers. Please be home!

“Hello? …Are you OK? …Yes, I’d be happy to! …Just drop them off. See you soon!”
FREEDOM! I impatiently herded my children to the car and grabbed my book.

“Mommy, I need to go potty!”

“Hold it! You can go when we get there!”

We were off! I ran a stop sign and an “iffy” yellow light on the way. Finally we were there, the kids were unloaded and I was on my way! Where was I going to go? It didn’t really matter. It was enough that I was alone. Should I watch a movie? No. Work out? No way! Maybe I would just go to my favorite coffee shop, indulge myself in a grande mocha and read my book in the study area. It would be peaceful there this time of day – with only an occasional hippy or senior citizen walking through.

Soon I was there and sitting in a large, comfy chair. I took a sip of the steaming liquid – almost too hot to taste, really, but it didn’t matter. I had time for it to cool off naturally – but it wouldn’t go cold! Not this time! I squelched an evil laugh. I opened my book and read that familiar paragraph again – but then I read the next one and the next!

I read for several minutes without interruptions, but then something strange started to happen. I began to find it hard to concentrate. Even though I had gone to all the trouble to get away and to find peace, I still felt all knotted up with anxiety and anger inside. Maybe I just needed to focus on relaxing. I took a deep breath and rubbed the back of my neck. Concentrate, I told myself. “… she gazed deeply into his luxurious, blue eyes,” I read. But again, after a few more paragraphs, I found my mind being rudely invaded by thoughts like, “There’s so much laundry to do”, or “I hope Gracie doesn’t wet her pants”, or “I better savor every moment of this, cause it’s not going to happen again in a long time!” But the more I tried to stave off the bothersome thoughts and suck every ounce of joy out of my break, the harder it was to actually enjoy it. I did manage to read several chapters and I did enjoy my mocha and the quiet. However, when I got back home with my children, within minutes I found myself just as frustrated as before – and now I had used up my free babysitter! The kids went to be early that night – again!

What’s wrong with me? I wondered hopelessly. Oh, No! Maybe feeling like this is chronic! Maybe I’ll be a tired and cranky mother forever! And I began to feel very sorry for my children. I felt like a failure as a mother and as a person. If I didn’t even know what was right for me, how could I know what was right for them? And I was all they had! Poor, poor children! Why did God curse them with a mother like me? And then I did something I hadn’t done all day. I prayed. God, I know you love them, but then why don’t they have a father? Why do they only have me? Why don’t I have the patience to handle this stage of my life? The angry questions tumbled out and tears flowed freely. I don’t know how long I prayed, but after a while I found that my questions and demands had somehow changed to requests and petitions. Lord, please help me be a better mother. Please give me the peace that you promise. Please give me the patience to deal with their needs and keep me from reacting in anger when I have to sacrifice for them. Please …just be there for me. I need You.

And suddenly the peace that had eluded me all day long was there! My soul – that had been empty and weak and shriveled with thirst – was suddenly full! And there was joy! The tears came again, but this time they were unthreatening and full of God’s comfort. God – the Creator of the heavens and the earth – had heard me! Maybe He had been trying to get my attention all day. Maybe He just wanted to show me that Peace can’t be ordered up at a coffee shop or found in a book or in quiet moments. Maybe He wanted to show me that true peace can only be found through conversations with Him – and that I didn’t have to get a babysitter or “get away” in order to reach Him. He had been there with me – through all the spills, the reeking diapers, and even when I had to fish that Lego out of the toilet. Why didn’t I just call on Him during every single episode instead of trying to shoulder it all by myself? Now I knew that He would be there for me – listening for my cry and offering to carry my load of frustration away. Even a husband couldn’t do that.
The next time I had the opportunity to “get away” I still jumped at the chance. But this time, after having allowed God to shoulder much of my frustration, I wasn’t quite so desperate and wound up. And, when I sat down with my steaming Chai tea and my magazine, I first said a little thank you to the Lord. I spent several minutes just praising Him and letting my soul be filled again with His presence and His peace. Then I sipped my tea, opened my magazine and enjoyed every single peaceful minute of it.

10 Theoretical Statements Christians and Atheists Can Agree On

1. We cannot "conjure up" God. If there is a God--a Supreme Being of some sort--we would not define His characteristics any more than we get to decide what the stranger moving in next door is going to be like. God defines Himself.

2. It is wrong to try to convince ourselves to believe in God. If there is a God who is all-powerful and interested in humanity, He would be able to communicate with us. He would be able to prove His own existence to us. We don't have to pretend to believe in a God that has no real power to connect with us on an intimate level.

3. If there is a God that is all-powerful and all-knowing, we, as limited beings that exist within time, would never be able to comprehend everything about Him. We would only be able to understand what He enables us to understand.

4. If God exists and if God is perfect, He would also be changeless. Perfection cannot be improved upon. Therefore, God would have no need to change Himself (i.e. His nature.)

5. If God is perfect and if God loves us, nothing we could do would ever make Him love us any less and nothing we could do would ever make Him love us any more. If perfect love exists, it would be a changeless love.

6. If there is a God who made me and who is all-knowing, He would know my innermost thoughts and desires. I would be, in some way, accountable to Him. He would want to have some kind of influence in my life. He must, therefore, also be, in some way, accessible to me.

7. If God is truly good, He would be extremely grieved by the evil that is so prevalent in our world. He wouldn't be able to sit by and do nothing; He would have to do something about it.

8. If God is truly perfectly good, there is no way I, in my imperfection, could ever be with Him or figure out how to reach Him. If there is a way, He must have provided it. I could not come up with it on my own. It would be foolishness to think that, in a relationship between a perfect being and an imperfect one, the perfect being would expect the imperfect one to do all the work, make all the decisions and figure out on its own how to attain perfection. It would be like asking your newborn baby to build a vehicle out of the junk in your garage, get behind the wheel and drive to Malaysia. It's just not going to happen. We can't reach God--no matter what we do (or don't do). He has to reach us.

9. If a relationship with God is possible, the start of that relationship and the maintenance of that relationship would be strictly between God and the individual. In other words, no one else--not a pastor, a friend, a family member or a religious institution--could handle the responsibility of maintaining it. You are not spiritually accountable to anyone but God (unless you choose to be).

10. For the biblical account of the origins of the earth and humanity to be true, they cannot contradict proven scientific facts. If God set up the world and nature and science, His account of it, if taken seriously, would help explain things, not cause greater confusion.

I believe that there is something inside each of us--placed there on purpose--something that drives us onward. Regardless of our spiritual beliefs (or lack thereof) each of us is linked by this unnamed mystery--the mystery of longing. Sometimes we long for things we can name--love, security, strength... Other times we long for what we cannot name--a faceless thing or being.

I invite you to join me as I explore some of my own longings and share some of the answers that I have found. We are all on a journey. Won't you journey with me?