Random Ramblings #17: Orlando, Hank Williams Jr., Steve Jobs, DADT and Pastor Nadarkhani

Every Friday we’ll take a break from topical posts and will post some random personal thoughts.

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A Cuppa Joe – Random Ramblings from a Fellow Struggler

I’ll be en route to Orlando this morning, looking forward to speaking at an Exodus Regional Conference. The fellowship at these is always strong and encouraging, so I know it will be a shot in the arm. I’ll be speaking on three critical parts of Peter’s life: his calling, testing, and failure/restoration. Your prayers sure would be appreciated, as I really want these messages to build up the people who attend.

Speaking of speaking, singer Hank Williams Jr.’s recent words have gotten plenty of traction. In an interview on Fox he compared President Obama’s recent golf round with Speaker John Boehner to Hitler shooting a round with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Insuring that he never be accused of diplomacy, he went on to refer to Obama as “the enemy.” I love passion, I’m bored with hyperbole, and I sorely miss William F. Buckley, whose criticisms of this Administration would have had all of Williams’ heat but truckloads of witty phrases to dole it out with.

But plenty of 50ish guys like me weren’t into Buckley’s conservatism. In my day, countless young men took LSD, dropped out of college, butted heads with their dads, went vegetarian and had live in girlfriends before settling down. Most of us went on to become unremarkable men, and one of us went on to become Steve Jobs, Apple’s recently deceased CEO and Co-founder, who leaves behind an estate of over 8.3 billion. He took LSD, dropped out of college, butted heads with his dad, went vegetarian and fathered children with a couple girlfriends before settling down.

8.3 billion. He and I are the same age. Don’t ask.

Which reminds me that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is a thing of the past, openly gay military service is a thing of the present, and the long range effects are a speculation for the future. There may be none. Hope not. We can hold a Biblically based position on homosexuality without denying the honor of lesbian and gay men who’ve served and in some cases died for America. Honor to whom honor is due, Paul said.

Honor’s also due to Pastor Nadarkhani, a 32 year old minister in Tehran who converted from Islam to Christianity 13 years ago and now pastors a group called the Church of Iran. He was arrested two years ago for apostasy and sentenced to death, though an appeals court has overturned the sentence and sent him back to his local courts for a life or death decision. Please, please remember him this weekend, and his family. Our prayers for him count, and what he’s facing makes me ashamed of the inconsequential things I’m currently stressing and complaining about.

God grant you a stress and complaint free weekend. Good being with you.