Man of the Year

Barack Obama is the name on the tip of everyone's tongue whether your going to say "What does Obama stand for?" or "I am currently watching Obama make history," he is the most talked about man at this time in our lives and possibly one of the most talked about black men in history. Now before I start this political rant let me just say I am voting for Obama.
Now this is not a discussion of Barack's health care plan, his philosophy on how to improve our economic decline, or his thought on the war in Iraq and our need to pull out (that's what she said, thought I'd make the joke before you did.) This is about the notion that many of Americans are voting for Obama in order to make history by placing an educated black man in office.
I can't deny that my first inclination was to vote for this man because the idea that an educated black man had finally come to a place in which he could run for office and win intrigued me. But as time goes on and Obama continues to define his views as more than just the cliche of "change," I find myself trusting him as a person with this country and its citizens. So, I offered up a challenge to my parents and my friend Ken. If John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama were running at the same time who would you vote for. Now I understand that they lived in two different times but if I think about it I believe many of the things they stand for are similar. The answers I received were all "If I had to choose I'd pick Obama."
Okay, so Obama beats J.F.K., but thats a different generation of people (Ken is 50.) My generation is much more torn between Obama and McCain, you may question "Why Jordan?" well I'm glad you asked. In todays world racism is disguised, hidden behind PC terms and city lines that seperate Compton from Beverly Hills. African Americans that lived through segregation have more of a connection to the historical aspect of this election. The words of Dr. Martin Luther King are coming true.
Because racism is seemingly a thing of the past to this new generation (i.e. I can go to school with white people, drink from the same water fountains, and pee in the same bathroom) the Obama wave hasn't struck us as hard. We understand the significance of this event but we're more focused on whether or not Obama's plans for health care will really come through and help heal an ailing nation.
That being said, the fear I have is for Obama's safety. If something happens the nation will be a scary place. Take the beating of Rodney King and the LA Riots, or the death of Martin Luther King and the riots that followed that incident. Those all happened in a time in which racism was more apparent in everyday life. In today's day and age, where racism is seemingly a hush hush topic, I can only imagine what will happen.
My hopes and prayers are with Obama and McCain we will see what happens after the election. GOOD LUCK AND VOTE SMART!

30 DAYS

I don't know if anyone has seen Super Size me but the guy who did that now has a new television show called 30 Days where he takes people with strong viewpoints and places them on the opposite side, in hopes that they will learn something from the situation. This show is fun, its entertaining, and its also offers a very interesting look into the lives of Christians.

Last night I watched 6 episodes (3 of which were strongly based on Christians in a secular world) ILLEGALLY on HULU.com (I know it's wrong don't stone me) and I was appalled when I saw men and woman who claimed to be Christ followers condemning other people. I watched and laughed and at times was offended but it wasn't until I finished the final show that I realized there are Christians all over the world condemning others to hell, telling them that they are doomed to burn in a fiery pit because of their beliefs, sexual preferences, or opposing religious ideals.

The Bible is very clear on its viewpoints a lot of the time. It addresses Homosexuality, Incest, Lying, Cheating, Stealing, Committing Adultery, Murder, the list goes on and on but it also addresses judgment:

Luke 6:37-38
Do not judge and you will not be judged, do not condemn and you will not be condemned, forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and it will come back to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over into you lap.

We all commit sins:

Romans 8:23
for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

And to the best of my knowledge sin is sin, lying is just as bad as, cheating, stealing, murdering, etc. the punishment may be different but you have sinned in the eyes of the Lord and that, sin, is the sole reason we as humans lost our privileges with God in the first place.

Condemning others is the responsibility of God, not you or me, so when you speak be careful because if you plan on condemning someone else for their sin you are risking your own condemnation.
ADDITIONAL VERSES:

PSALMS 4:4
In your anger do not sin; when you are in your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

LUKE 6:41
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

I'm back!

O MAN I BLOG NOW! Evan told me I should and then Mikey G convinced me, its their fault if at any point in the time while I decide to diddle with this I make you think, make you passionate, or offend you! Sorry before hand and welcome to my thoughts. Perhaps I will post goodness tonight, I've got a lot to say right now and I'm itching to speak.

P.S. I think I made this manly for my homies in PA who now are all over the world because I miss the deep conversations we had along with the good times, great memories, and extensive experiences with Christ.