An Unnamed Talk Radio Host

Today, as I was driving back from Albuquerque (I was gone four hours for a 1/2 hour orthodontist visit), I was listening to a talk show and I was so surprised at how differently I think than I did about five years ago. I was in such disagreement with the words of the host. I didn't really disagree with a whole lot of the content but with his acceptance of only those who agreed with him. I kept hearing callers say, "You're a great American, God bless you." If I called in and didn't agree with the host I am sure I wouldn't get a "God bless you"! Do we have to believe a certain way to be called a great American and to be blessed by God?
What makes a great American? Maybe it is someone who is going "against the flow" of what Christians normally think a great American is. Maybe it is the soldier in Iraq or, better yet, my Moslem doctor.

I think maybe it is someone who is really willing to give up personal rights and freedoms for the good of someone else. If that is a great American, than I think a lot of the people characterized nowdays as "great Americans" couldn't be termed that any longer. They are willing to fight for freedom (or having others fight for them) but are they willing to give up the right to tear down another person because of political disagreement?

It is so relieving to know that I don't have the answers and I don't have to give them.

A Note About my Links

First of all, I want all of you to read my brilliant husband's writing so I am including his blog on my list. I also want all of you to see my brilliant friend's art so I am including her blog on this list (Misty). I want you to see some of the things I think about so I am including my friend Helen's on my list--she is also brilliant but on things I never thought I would understand. I want you to see what I work on during the week so I am including a website that I am building with my dear friend, Kathy. I have also included the blog from Greg Boyd, a great thinker and theologian, (one of the only theologians I will read) and one more link to "off the map".



I used to be afraid of things that I didn't understand. I guess the favorite word now is cognitive dissonance. I didn't want to think about things that could create that in my mind. Now I think it is kind of fun to find things that create it--it almost gives me the feeling of driving down a hilly road really fast or of riding on a roller coaster. It is scary but exhilarating. (Hey, this thing has a spell checker--good thing cuz I can't spell exhilarating.)

Blogging

Wow--I love to write and I love to be on the internet. What a great way to journal. My intention in doing this blog is to:

1) Create some great dialog
2) Put up some great journaling
3) Talk to people
4) Make a place for me to share weird stuff. (like: I hate the word weird--I can never remember how to spell it.)
5) Share some great links to other blogs.

Okay, I think that is it for now. I want to see what this looks like.