Agabus (mark adams)

South Carolina residents — and the simply curious around the world — have watched Gov. Mark Sanford’s lovelorn saga unfold, the central character spewing an odd script that would seem more appropriate for a soap opera than state government. … Constituents are scratching their heads at their governor’s soul-bearing declarations that he considers his Argentine mistress his “soul mate” but is trying to salvage his 20-year marriage.

“I just think he needs to shut up,” said Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a social worker and one of the few lawmakers not calling for his resignation. “I don’t want any more details of his love life. He needs to stop being public with his angst and talk to a counselor.”

via Sanford’s revelations befuddle many - More politics- msnbc.com.

Conservative values in America suffer terribly when its most vocal proponents live lives completely contrary to those values. It is becoming very difficult to say with a straight face that the Republican Party the party of family values. Newt Gingrich: divorced several times, committing adultery while prosecuting Bill Clinton. Rudolph Giuliani, once a serious contender for the GOP ticket, living with a mistress in the governor’s mansion. Arnold Schwarzenegger: pro-choice, pro-gay unions. Senator Ensign. Governor Sanford. Etc.

I do not say that a man has to be perfect. (No one is perfect; everyone will dissappoint on some level.) But if we do not at least try to live to a standard, what point is there in propounding family values?

Worse is what will be lost. The GOP has defined itself as the party of family values, yet its constituent members tear at the family at every opportunity. At some point, the general public simply going to turn a deaf ear to conservative values. Why carry all the guilt, when you can do just whatever you want anyway? In a word, if you’re going to sin, sin. But if your going to live for God, stop sinning already.

When the GOP aligned itself with the religious right (and vice versa) many years ago, it gained a powerful ally. The religious right gained nothing. Rather than less government, Republicans enlarged government, increasing the power of a bureaucracy to intrude upon the privacies of citizens. Rather than reduce taxes, Republicans increased the government’s debt obligation — all debt is a future tax. Rather than protect family values, Republicans, under George W. Bush, acquiesced as “family” became whatever one group wanted it to be. Abortion? Still legal, still prevalent. Public education? Still an abysmal failure, still expensive. The war on terrorism? Now, a war on citizen rights.

After losing the executive and legislative branches (and soon the judicial), Republicans are scrambling to “define” themselves. (This is code for changing the party platform.) The GOP search for a spokesperson is farcical. After several prominent Republicans disgraced themselves, the party is leaning toward Newt Gingrich, a man whose infidelities rival those of Bill Clinton. Don’t Republicans know what is at stake? How can the party stand for family values, while its leaders engage in all types of immorality?

What the religious right needs to understand is that being “right” does not make a man or woman right. It is my view that the religious right either needs to form a third party, or dissassociate itself from the political system altogether, instead embracing issues on a case-by-case basis. I prefer the latter — that the religious right become a “voice crying out in the desert.” Consider that John the Baptist’s religious mission was simeltaneously religious and political, re: his charge against Herod. Untainted by political machinations, he simply spoke the word of God. He did not form a religious party.

Only Jesus can change the world. Not a political party.

Not blogging. Working at Mt. Hope Bible Camp, and that just about consumes all of my time. After then, I will be preparing for a series of shows, playing original acoustic folk music (visit GospelDays.com). There’s a lot I would like to blog about. I’ve been pouring over the scriptures, praying intently, and learning each day from my experiences from camp. But there’s no time for blogging, not yet. I expect to be blogging again in July.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday called for creation of a limited Palestinian state for the first time, saying it would have to be disarmed. Netanyahu made the call during a major policy speech about his Mideast peacemaking intentions. ”In any peace agreement, the territory under Palestinian control must be disarmed, with solid security guarantees for Israel,” he said.

via Netanyahu accepts limited Palestinian state - Israel-Palestinians- msnbc.com.

Let us pray…

For notes on this show, visit http://gospeldays.com/?p=177.

I’ll be playing this Friday at Orchard Valley Coffee, performing original material. Come to the show and bring a friend.

Fri, 29 May 2009 — Orchard Valley Coffee, An acoustic folk music show, showcasing songs about life and love. This show will feature non-religious music. Starting at 07:00 PM @ 349 E. Campbell Avenue., Campbell, California
More information �

Visit GospelDays.com.

Warning: Somewhat disturbing.

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