...US voter

Ok, I've held off from tossing my hat into the political discussion ring on my blog... until now.  Let me begin by saying that I really wish we could start all over with the candidates.  I really don't like my choices.  It's kinda like going to a restaurant and having the server ask me if I'd like blood sausage or haggis with my meal... uhhh, neither?  

Anyway... so after watching the first debate (twice) I am convinced, more than ever, that while neither candidate instilled much confidence in me, Obama just doesn't have the answers.  The first 40 minutes of the debate centered around the domestic economic situation.  Neither candidate really had much to say.  But, I must say that Obama's responses were completely empty of useful content.  "Change," yes we know you want change.  But HOW, exactly do you plan to affect change, Senator Obama?  You want to change the root of the domestic economic problem heh?  What, exactly, is your plan?  I noticed that, at one point, the mediator attempted to nail Obama down to answering the HOW in his plan of "change."  That was the first time I have ever seen Obama at an obvious loss for words.  He fumbled his answer (or lack thereof) like a clumsy Jr. High football player in his first game of the season.  

I'm not super excited about McCain's response to the economic situation, but at least he HAS a specific plan, or the beginnings of one.  It seemed as though Obama hadn't put ANY thought to the issue prior to the cameras turning on.  I will concede that neither candidate hit a home run on this issue since neither candidate really had enough information to confidently propose a definitive plan of action.  I give half of a point to McCain for at least stating a plan.

The next 50 minutes of the debate concentrated on foreign policy.  This is where Obama just scared the hell out of me.  Senator McCain took Senator Obama to school!  It actually seemed as though Obama was getting educated on legitimate foreign affairs.  Obama was speaking philosophy when McCain was speaking reality.  Obama talked about what he wanted, McCain talked about what was needed.  I felt like Obama was reciting and defending an event from a college textbook when McCain had actually experienced the event and could speak directly to it, from his personal experience.  The differences were obvious and so was Obama's lack of experience.  I'm not for doing things the "same old way," but Obama has no clue as to HOW to affect the "change" he desires and with the volatility of the world, specifically the middle east, this is just not an option.  I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it when McCain suggested at Obama's response to Iran, "So let me get this right, we sit down with Ahmadinejad and he says 'We're gonna wipe Israel off the face of the earth. and we say 'No you're not?  I don't think so."  Then McCain went on to put Obama in his place as to what Henry Kissinger did or did not say, who is a 30+ year friend of McCains'.  Senator Obama, you just look liked a fool, when it comes to international affairs.  Point to McCain.

I've decided to dock Obama a point for distasteful disrespect.  Did anyone else notice that Senator Obama began referring to Senator McCain as "John."  Not just once, as two cordial debaters might do as an indication of a personal relationship with each other.  Rather, this was an attempt at stripping McCains' dignity and equality as a Senator.  Poor behavior Senator Obama!  Deduct one point from Obama.

One thing that jumped out to me, and probably most everyone who was watching, was the distinct difference in the candidate's pubic speaking abilities.  They're POLITICIANS, they are both adequate public speakers, but Obama is definitely smoother and more well spoken. McCain trips over his words and searches for what he wants to say and how he wants to say it a bit more.  It definitely takes more energy and discipline to listen to Senator McCain speak.  But, here's the catch; I'd rather have a President who takes a bit more time searching for the right words to say, even stumbling over his delivery a bit, than a President who is smooth, well spoken and always ready with a witty response but whose message is devoid of substance or depth.  I feel as though everyone is swooning over Senator Obama's oration skills, like a ship full of sailors chasing the siren's calling.  We all know what happened to the sailors.  I'll give Obama half a point for at least sounding good though.

Tally:

Obama: -.5

McCain: 1.5

In my mind, the win goes to McCain in this debate.  I look forward to the others and I will attempt to be as non-biased as possible in my analysis of those too.   

...grandson

I learned this afternoon that my grandfather is not doing well. The day after I last saw him (about three weeks ago) he was diagnosed with colon cancer following a colonoscopy. He went under the knife this morning to remove what they believed to be a limited amount of cancer. But, what they found was not what they expected. He has numerous lymph nodes in his sower abdomen that are very swollen (presumably cancer) and there are other cancerous areas the surgeon could not get to. It's in his system... Not good.

So, this has me thinking about my theology on healing. Allow me to backtrack here; about a week ago our church was asked to pray for a little South African boy who has been fighting brain cancer and it's effects. We began praying for him about 8 months ago (at least), when he collapsed while he and his parents were visiting Orlando, FL. He fought hard while surgery and treatment were initiated there in Orlando before he healed well enough to be sent home to S.A. Since then, our church family has been in prayer for him and his family, but no specific word his condition had been communicated to us (at least not to my knowledge). Then this last Wednesday we were informed that he took a turn for the worst. The church was asked to pray, and pray we did. But, I took a long pause as I soaked in all the voices lifting up their requests to heaven.

This is where my grandfather's cancer and this little boy's story connects.

As I was surrounded by people praying that our God would heal this little boy, I couldn't bring myself to pray for his healing. One thought stopped me... and I don't know the correctness or incorrectness of it yet. I don't really think there is a correct or incorrect side of this thought anyway.

"God, either miraculously heal him, totally and completely, right now... or just take him home to be with you. He's a kid and has been fighting this horrendous battle for long enough. So, take care of it once and for all right now, one way or the other."

My grandfather is 86 years old, has been in full-time pastoral and evangelical ministry for more than 60 years, has visited about a 100 countries in ministry (give or take), seen countless hundreds, if not thousands, come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, has loved... lost... and loved again, has seen all of his children and grandchildren come to the Lord, and has eleven beautiful great-grandchildren.

"Honestly, God, either miraculously heal him, totally and completely, right now... or just take him home to be with you. At his age, there's no need for him to fight this horrendous battle that will most likely leave him with less , physically, emotionally and mentally, than what he has now. He's fought for the Kingdom all his life. So, if he's done fighting for the Kingdom, let him take his armor off and come sit with the King."

I love you Papa...

... Budding Photographer

I have decided to begin offering some of my choice photos for sale.  I've been interested in this for quite some time now, and just offered some of my work in a local art and photography benefit auction.  About half of my work was successfully auctioned for a minimum of $15/piece.  I will be tagging them with a watermark then posting them on this blog, the the individual prices.  The far majority of my subject matter is natural landscape.  Everything from scapes of our National Parks to unique views flowers and spectacular sunsets.  The photos will have come from places such as Mt. Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, Alaska, Las Vegas, San Diego, Pasadena, my back yard and many other locations.  It may be a while before I get everything set up, but when I do... enjoy!