Some thoughts on the fourth of July

I don't consider myself a particularly patriotic person. I mean I do have respect for the USA because it does seem to be the best form of government possible in the absence of the promised presence of the Holy Spirit. And I'm a person that believes we should do things in service to the country simply because it is our country.

I think it's interesting that there are some who seem to constantly criticize the government because it cannot do anything right. And there are those who seem to believe that the government cannot do anything wrong. I am a theologian not a political scientist so this could be wrong...or maybe I should just form this in the form of a question since I'm really not trying to say that I know this for sure.

Why does it seem like liberals have no hope and conservatives have false hope? When I think of liberals, I think of people that always find the negative, always seek to criticize. And, conservatives can criticize too but they like to ignore any problems that are present. Am I totally wrong on this?

Intersting article

The pope recently reached out to the church in China in a letter. As I've said in this blog before, he's already going to visit the country but he first communicated a theological message. I find this article interesting that the reaction isn't outrage and anger, at least none that they're aware of.

choosing between two goods

I used the gospel for this weekend to preach about how difficult it is to choose between two goods. It is difficult to know which is the greater good. I used two examples: giving your children education in music or sports or contributing to a charity. Or buying a new iphone or buying groceries to donate to a food shelf. Sometimes the greater good is clear. Other times, it's harder to discern. The question that guides us is what God wants us to do.