Kudos!

Allow me a brief moment to extol John McCain's running-mate selection. I obviously don't know much, but from what I can tell, if America wants "change" this is it. Sarah Palin is described as a "maverick" conservative, and that's what we need. She is a member of the NRA, she just gave birth to her fifth child---born with down syndrome, and she has a 90% approval rating among the Alaskans that she governs. This is a great pick...it is sure to garner supporters from the far right, and also former Clinton supporters who refuse to support Obama. Great move.

Simplicity

Over the past month, I have stumbled upon a simple truth time and time again. A truth so life-changing, and so revolutionary that so many have refused to believe it from age to age. Belief in it is dangerous, and claiming it is scandalous. I shudder to think what would happen if a substantial group of people decided to claim it and live it, but I'm becoming more and more convinced that it's true. Ready, here it goes:

There is nothing that we can do to earn God's love. It is unattainable, and unreachable. No level of piety can be achieved to trigger it. But yet he gives it, freely. No amount of good can increase the amount of love that he offers. And no amount of stumbling can decrease it. He simply loves us---more than we could ever be loved.

I told you it was scandalous, just think about what it means!

It means that church attendance has no bearing on how much God loves us...it is not applicable.

Piety...not in the equation

Personal sacrifice has no effect at all on the issue...God simply loves.

It's a tough pill to swallow isn't it?

Now, clearly this conversation isn't intended to suggest that church is stupid, or that we should shed our inhibitions and live la vida loca. But I think that our view of what Christianity is and how to live the life is a bit skewed.

We have the idea that church teaches us how to know God. When in actuality, knowing God teaches us how to find true community!

We think that doing the right thing will make God happy with us, but God is already happy with us! God leads us down the path of righteousness, but the path of self-righteousness does not lead us to God.

God is not out to change our actions. He wants to change our hearts.

I'll admit, I'm exasperated. I'm exhausted at trying to live 'for God.' So I think I'm going to give up. Instead of gritting my teeth and trying to power my way through the pressures and temptations of the day, I may just allow God to give me grace to handle those situations. It is his to give. I'm unsatisfied with the cycle : Get up, fall down, go to church, ask for forgiveness, and repeat. I want to be a part of the story. I want to be swept up in the romance. I want to know God.

This is Only a Drill

So it appears that Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, is now open to the idea of drilling for oil off of the U.S. coast. This is at least a step in the right direction, but be warned, this shift in opinion is only a vehicle to deliver to the world some great new legislation. Here is a big-picture look at a couple of things that the Democrats are sure to push (and the Republicans will probably be dumb enough to go along with).

'The Windfall Profits Tax'

Arguably the worst idea in history, the proposed Windfall profits tax is intended to punish oil companies for making 'too much profit.' It's not difficult to reason through all of the reasons why this is a bad idea, all you have to do is take a step back and look at the big picture.

First of all, who does it hurt when oil companies are prevented from making a profit? The answer is, you. A corporation is an entity made up of people. In the oil businesses the beneficiaries of the 'record profits' are the stock holders. These very stocks, are likely in your 401k. So if the oil companies lose money, you lose money.

Secondly, who is going to pay these taxes? Again the answer is, you. The oil companies will simply pass the extra overhead on to the consumer, resulting in higher prices at the pump.

Thirdly, the windfall profits tax is likely to cause a widespread fuel shortage. If the government places a cap on the amount of profit that an oil company is allowed to make, then why would that company waste its time in trying to sell the gasoline? It's common sense. Oil companies are not out to do consumers a favor...they are trying to make money, and rightfully so. What does lack of supply create? Long lines at the pump, and skyrocketing fuel prices. The windfall profits tax is one of the worst ideas I've ever heard, and it does nothing to fix the problem, it only makes it worse. If this is included in any package to drill for oil off of the coast, it will immediately negate the positive effects that drilling would provide.

Releasing Oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

This is nothing more than a quick fix at best, and a national crisis waiting to happen. With our dependence on foreign oil. The availability of our strategic petroleum reserve has never been more important. Thanks to our tense relations with OPEC countries, we never know when our oil supply could be cut completely. The lack of a petroleum reserve would leave us vulnerable to our enemies in the worst way. It's a terrible idea.

Nationally Mandated Speed Limit

Another plan that has surfaced is to enforce a national Speed Limit of 55 mph. Again, looking at the big picture, you can see all of the negative effects that this would have on the economy. Slower speeds means slower transit times for goods across the country. It means instant slowing of the economy. It means that truck drivers have to spend more time out on the road, making transit more expensive for businesses.

Drill Only, or Do Nothing at All

If we allow such a plan to pass, we do so at our own peril. The free market will solve the energy crisis in America in due time. We should drill now in order to remain competitive against foreign oil, but we should not make any other concessions to fulfill politicians' personal interests. Call, write, and email your representatives...please.

The Unlikely Birth of a Conspiracy Theorist

Get ready, I'm going to proudly dive right off of the deep end. This morning, I was privileged enough to catch an interview with Jim Marrs, a famed conspiracy theorist. He was on the radio, promoting his new book, The Rise of the Fourth Reich: The Secret Societies That Threaten to Take Over America. The first thing that I heard him say was that the Nazi's were responsible for stealing King Solomon's treasure. That through the years, they have used this powerful wealth, consolidating themselves into gigantic, multi-national corporations, with an end to take over the world!!! Immediately, my interest was piqued.

After World War II, the "former"-Nazi's dispersed throughout the world, creating over 700 corporations. These corporations have since merged, in many cases, creating the aforementioned global corporations. According to Marrs, the Nazi-influenced underground has an end to cast a veil over the truth, influencing globalization, wars, and calamities. They have promoted their cause primarily through the media companies they control; including newspapers, television, and books.

Now, do I believe any of this stuff? No, not really. But do I think that something is off in the world? Something is afoot that defies explanation? That somehow, someway, the world has taken an irreparable turn that has caused us to shift our society from something Jeffersonian to something more...Orwellian. Think about the ways that life has changed for us since 9-11, a tragedy that caused us not to defend our way of life, but to relinquish it. It's one thing if we are simply defending our country from global terrorism, from those who seek to kill us indiscriminately on the basis of our religion and our way of life. But what if we are simply playing into the hands of a power that is so much bigger and more threatening. A power that wants us to relinquish our freedom, drop our guns, and trust the government with our privacy. We know longer live in the land of the free, but in a place with The Patriot Act, the Department of Homeland Security, a presidential candidate declaring himself a "Citizen of the World", and a Europe united under one sovereign government. It's a little scary to place such power in the hands of those who care so little for us.

I'm not sayin'...I'm just sayin'. Think twice before supporting any agenda that places us at the mercy of our government, especially when the government should be at the mercy of its people.

Blogs are Dumb!

They really are, but I refuse to let that stop me. Welcome to the internet event of the year: the impromptu grand opening of my blog. I know. The name is dumb. The idea is dumb. The blog is dumb. If you're okay with that, read on.

First Things First: The Obligatory "About Me" Segment

My name is Mitchell. Since 2005, I have been married to a beautiful lady named Heather (if you're reading this [you probably aren't], I love you). In January of 2008 we were blessed with the birth of our son, Miles (if you're reading this [you definitely aren't], I love you too). We're a family...and nothing on earth is better than having the opportunity to share my life with them.

I am a worship-leader at a church in Warner Robins, GA. Meaning, I play "music" with a guitar; and "sing" a combination of words and notes, on a stage, in the front of the church. But really, my craft is simply trying to create a situation where people can have an experience with God...initiating a response to him in all of his goodness. I'm also a company-computer-guy. There's nothing really inspiring to say about that.

What are my hobbies, you ask? Dabbling, mostly. Two weekends ago, I put together a model X-Wing. A couple of months before that, I built a computer. Last week, I played "Forza Motorsport 2" on my XBOX 360. This week: I'm watching the Olympics ("USA! USA!"), and looking at motorcycles on the internet. Next week, who know what I will be into. I lead a very frantic and expensive life.

I'm a big fan of Jesus, family, politics, history, technology, sports, video games, and geeky pursuits.

I'm not a big fan of government programs, bad grammar, and sleep.

Last night, I watched National Geographic Insider (Inside a Cult), and Mythbusters.

This morning, I listened to talk radio, Coldplay, and an Erwin McManus message.

Last week, I read The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.

You get the idea. I want to experience everything. I want to know everything. I want to breathe in, breathe out, and truly live this life that I love.

Second Things Second: A Purpose Paragraph

This blog is both topical and pointless. I intend to write about nothing in particular, only all of the things that I think are important. But overall I hope to launch a conversation. I hope to better understand the world around me and the people that inhabit it. I have plenty to say, and plenty that I need to hear. So feel free to insert your opinion, and join in the exchange.

Third things Last: A Much Needed Conclusion

Thanks for stopping by! For more information about me, check me out on Facebook (how do I create a public link for my Facebook page?). For more about my music, see Myspace. But for a conversation about life, culture, politics, faith, family, etc. you are in the right place. Set this as your new homepage!!!