My soul was fed rich gospel-food this Good Friday morning by this prayer, from The Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan readings and devotionals:

Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
cast off that I might be brought in,
trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend,
surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain heaven’s best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed,
athirst that I might drink,
tormented that I might be comforted,
made a shame that I might inherit glory,
entered darkness that I might have eternal light.

My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,
groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
bore a thorny crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
expired that I might for ever live.

All praise to Jesus. From the cross, he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34), so that we, his children, would never have to utter those words of desolation again.

Well, the day is finally here. For many, election day represents hope and a brighter future. For others, it represents sweet relief. Last weekend I got to go home to Colorado to visit family, and even though I was only there for a total of about 40 hours, I somehow saw over 70 hours of campaign commercials. As a battleground state, Colorado has the opportunity to enjoy all the perks of campaign over saturation, and I was ready to get back to good ol’ predictable, un-battleground Texas.

Like many, I am going to stay up to watch election coverage tonight, anxious to hear the results. Voter turnout this year will likely be among the highest in American history, a telling sign of the passion of the people. As I write this, Facebook is filling up with posts about long lines at polling places across the country, which is truly a great thing. People are passionate about their values and they want their voices heard. But perhaps we should take a step back. I am not the first to say that we cannot seek salvation from the Government. We should not look to our chosen candidate and declare that all of our problems will evaporate if they win. Perhaps that is obvious. However, it is equally important for us to accept that if (God forbid) the other guy wins, the world will not spontaneously combust. It seems as though many voters truly believe that the Mayan doomsday-2012 prophecies will be confirmed if their candidate loses and the other guy is allowed to destroy our country. Bottom line: God is still sovereign, even if we elect a dud.

Maybe none of it matters though. This editorial, posted a few days ago, reveals a few harsh realities about our election system (its worth a read). America is unique among the democracies of the world:

“Here’s what doesn’t happen in other democracies: Politicians of one party do not set voting schedules to favor their side and harm the other. Politicians do not move around voting places to gain advantages for themselves or to disadvantage their opponents. In fact, in almost no other country do politicians have any say in the administration of elections at all.”

Maybe thats depressing to read. True, its kind of a downer to realize that our elected officials work overtime to gerrymander the system to their advantage. But even that does not escape the sovereignty of our God. He declares of himself,

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’” (Isa 46:9b-10)

Our world is broken, and it is foolish to think that we can fix it with better foreign policy or a more sophisticated economic plan. But it is equally foolish to think that the other guy could possibly thwart the purpose of God in the world. God will not be overcome in this election, no matter who wins. I’m not saying don’t vote. We should vote – it’s incredibly important. Our national values are on the table and we should make our voices heard. But, no matter what happens, God will still be God tomorrow, and his grace everlasting. There is a reason for praise, no matter what happens today.

Maybe you’re still depressed. So watch this: Rom-Paign-U-Bration Celebra-Jam.

Sitting Vice President Aaron Burr shoots and fatally wounds former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton (1804). A notable exception to the “Leave it to Beaver” comment.

Winston Churchill once said that “democracy is the worst form of government… except all the others.” The assessment is never more accurate than during presidential election years, which seem to conjure the worst of the worst in America. And while I’m sure that elections of past generations also brought forth feisty debates, I can’t help but think that what we’re seeing in America today makes politics of bygone eras seem more like disagreements from Leave it to Beaver. This campaign season has raised the bar. During monday night’s presidential debate, Republican pundit Ann Coulter posted this tweet in response to Governor Romney’s assessment of President Obama’s foreign policy. Almost instantaneously, the internet exploded. People of all political affiliations and backgrounds were taken aback by the comment, surprised by Coulter’s hurtful word choice. True, the tweet was offensive and insensitive, but shouldn’t we expect this type of thing by now?

The vitriolic nature of political discourse in America shouldn’t surprise us anymore. Both sides of the aisle are guilty (check out some of the hateful comments left on former Bush press secretary Tony Snow’s obituary from the AP – and beware, the language is salty). Many defend Coulter’s tweet, as apparently almost 1,500 users have selected the post as a “favorite” at the time of this writing (and these are surely some of the same people who were continually incensed by regular criticisms and insults regarding President Bush’s intelligence). Coulter’s remarks from Monday night hurt people and likely alienated many undecided voters. Outrage flooded twitterfeeds and blogs nationwide and the fire of America’s political hostility was fueled.

Early Tuesday morning, a response to Coulter’s tweet was published online, written by a Special Olympics athlete and global messenger. One would expect anger and venom to come from someone for whom Coulter’s words would have been especially painful. Instead, the author ends his letter by signing, “A friend you haven’t made yet.” The thoughtful response to a few thoughtless words has gone viral and has brought Ann Coulter’s callus remarks into stark contrast.

How are Christians to interact with the political arena? By recognizing that through the Gospel, we have been set free from hostility. Because of the peace that we have with God, the dividing wall of hostility between people has been torn down. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul declares that believers “were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness” (4:22-24). That transformation comes as a result of understanding the Gospel, which Paul has spent the first three chapters discussing. The “knowledge of the Son of God” (4:13) Paul is referring to leads to life change, and part of that life change defines the way we relate to people. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (4:29). Sure, there are people out there who think that shouting down a political opponent is the right thing to do. They have convinced themselves that this type of thing is helpful for those who disagree and need  enlightenment. Well meaning Christians have justified abrasive and callus rhetoric by asserting that it is surely unloving to simply remain quiet about certain things in the political and social realm. However, Paul, offers that believers should not “grieve the Holy Spirit of God… Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (4:30-32).

Christians are called to define their relationships by the Gospel. Regardless of political party, affiliation, or position, the standard is the same. Consequently, engaging the ever more volatile political process can be challenging. Some certainly argue that members of the opposition cannot possibly deserve compassion, respect, and love. But the love of Christ, which has overcome the enmity between a Creator and a rebellious world can surely overcome the hostility between a democrat and a republican. We live in a broken world. Ann Coulter’s tweet from Monday night shouldn’t have come as a surprise. But the response of Christians to that type of hostility should surprise the world.

The internet has blown up a bit today over a statement made last night by Richard Mourdock, a Republican candidate for an Indiana U.S. Senate seat. While making a point about abortion during a debate, Mourdock – apparently an evangelical Christian – articulated the view that pregnancies resulting from rape are “something that God intended to happen.”

Christianity Today has the story:

“I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize life is that gift from God,” Mourdock said. “And I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.”

It’s hard to believe that anyone would really believe what Mourdock seemed to say, that rape itself is intended by God. And in fact, even he doesn’t believe it. He later clarified: “What I said was, in answering the question form [sic] my position of faith, I said I believe that God creates life. I believe that as wholly and as fully as I can believe it. That God creates life. Are you trying to suggest that somehow I think that God pre-ordained rape? No, I don’t think that. That’s sick. Twisted. That’s not even close to what I said. What I said is that God creates life.”

Obviously this whole issue is challenging. Any theological statement regarding the purpose of God in something as hideous as rape must be sensitive to the devastation and pain victims of rape face. Most of us who are likely to comment on this topic on a theological or political level will never deal with the topic on a pragmatic level. Additionally, many would struggle to tolerate, even for a moment, the notion of a good, just, and loving God willing or pre-ordaining something so fundamentally unjust. In the excerpt above, Mourdock himself ultimately recoils from that insinuation. “That’s sick. Twisted,” he says.

But if that truly is sick and twisted, what are we to make of these words?:

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” (Acts 2:22-23)

While the crime of rape is as heinous and evil as most of us can imagine, it pails in comparison to the heinous evil of the crucifixion of the Son of God. And Scripture is quite clear – as we just read – that God did indeed pre-ordain the death of his Son. Furthermore,  that pre-ordaining is neither sick nor twisted; rather, it is grace. Because if God hadn’t, all of us would deserve the fate due to rapists.

Rape is horrible. Pregnancy on account of rape seems brutally unfair. But if God pre-ordained and used the horror of the cross, surely we must concede that he can pre-ordain and use these lesser horrors?

A couple weeks ago, Justin Taylor posted this video on his blog. It tells the story of a couple who live in an “at risk” neighborhood in Chicago, and how they see an opportunity to do ministry 24/7.  As a pastor, it can be easy for me to slip into a mindset which divides my time between the programming I help to organize, and the preparation for those events. I sometimes catch myself operating as if ministry only takes place on Sundays and Wednesdays, and the rest of the time is for getting ready for the two days a week that I actually do “discipleship.”

Im not apologizing for taking time to be prepared to preach the Word, but I am challenged to recognize that ministry isn’t limited to any schedule or time-slot. Jesus’ call to make disciples of all the nations (Matt 28:19) is not supposed to occupy a wedge of our schedule, but should be a defining characteristic of our lives. Watch the clip. Then recognize the challenge and opportunity we have to do life alongside people for the sake of the Gospel, 24/7.

Last week, I posted about the gospel. And I posted about politics. So it must be time to post about the gospel and politics. Ha ha.

A great read is Jared Wilson’s Gospel Wakefulness. While the book really isn’t remotely political (Wilson focuses on the gospel and its place in our affections), he relates how his own increasing love for the gospel re-oriented his political zeal:

In the week of Thanksgiving 2000, my father-in-law and I sat in my living room for several days and did what many others around the world were doing: watching men and women on the television examine punch-card ballots in a little room in Florida. FoxNews was on practically non-stop at my house. I was captivated by hanging chads. My energies were invested in the outcome of those votes. Was my man going to win? Or was the United States of America going to suddenly betray all that was decent and holy by electing the other guy? This was how my politically-entertained mind thought.

This was before gospel wakefulness.

For those unfamiliar, gospel wakefulness is Wilson’s way of describing an all-consuming, abiding, soul-shaping love for the gospel. It involves setting aside any lesser loves in light of this single, greater love. His words: “Gospel wakefulness means tasting and seeing that the Lord is good. It means losing the taste of worship for anything else.” That includes losing a “taste” for politics:

Politics used to engage me, firing me up on all cylinders. I was always up for debate, always willing to duke it out – always willing to take anything and everything political quite personally. But I have lost my taste. I haven’t stopped caring, not really. But my hopes for the future of this nation, its government, and all that it touches and reaches – for the very world itself – are not placed in who’s in what office or what laws get passed (or don’t get passed). My hope is in the kingdom that is eternal and unshakeable.

Let us remember, those who pledge allegiance to the kingdom of heaven before we pledge allegiance to any flag, country, or political ideal, that politics and elections hold no power to save, redeem, or renew. Only Christ’s kingdom does. Let our affections rest in that kingdom – and in the gospel announcing it – above all.

Last week I posted a few bits on the meaning of the word gospel. My thoughts were hardly exhaustive. Mercifully constrained by the scope of my post, I left a lot unsaid. In truth, the depths of the gospel are too great, and its implications too profound, to be exhausted by a lifetime of blog posts. This morning, Ray Ortlund addressed one of the fruits of the gospel  my post neglected: the way the gospel reshapes human relationships. While the entire post is worth reading, here is the essence of it:

Faithfulness to the gospel is also treating one another as God in Christ has treated us.  It is not that hard to sign a piece of paper or take a vow that we stand for the gospel.  Again, that’s a good thing to do.  But it is far more demanding to bear living witness to the gospel by denying the demands of Ego and treating one another with the grace God has shown us in Christ.

When the gospel actually sinks in, we change.  Winning no longer matters.  Getting in the last word no longer matters.  Payback no longer matters.  We now perceive such things as contemptible, compared with the display of God’s grace in Christ.

Unbelieving people are not impressed by our official positions on paper.  They will not pay attention – nor should they – until they see the beauty of the gospel in our relationships.

Pray with me that we would be so captured by our desperate need for it, and so powerfully awakened by its glories, that the world would see the beauty of the gospel in our relationships.