Perspectives

Being in Washington D.C. is certainly an amazing experience! I have seen and heard many new things that I have not been exposed to before. My perspective of the world is being broadened and enhanced.
Yesterday, Press Secretary Dana Perino came to our conference to be a guest on CSPAN, which was being broadcast live from our conference. (You can go to CSPAN's web site to see this episode of CSPAN Journal Live as well as one from the day before.) I really appreciated Dana being a part of this conference when she has so many other things to be responsible for in these last days leading up to the transition of President Bush leaving and President Elect Obama coming into office. It was good to hear from another perspective for a change. While there has been some great "common ground" moments at this conference, the majority of what has been presented has been from a very Leftist perspective. There are some Rightist positions presented, but the voice of the Right seems rather quiet compared to the Left.
I have always been more of a Centerist, but it often feels as if the voice from the Right is not welcome or accepted in this crowd. I have been hearing very strong voices speaking out against many things, but especially President Bush. Dana Perino gave some validity to my own views and thoughts regarding many of the comments being made. She also held a strong presence and poise that was commendable considering some of the questions being asked of her. The students from the conference were invited to ask her questions during the CSPAN show. You can hear those questions and Dana's answers on CSPAN's web page.
We also heard from Ted Kopel, who brought in a very strong opposing view to Dana Perino, but he had some very good things to contribute to the conversation taking place this week at the conference. There has been a lot presented about the news media, its influence good and bad on political views and outcomes, and about the types of media being used to obtain information such as TV vs. Cable news, blogs and the internet. One of the things being encouraged over and over again is for the students to broaden their perspective by reading materials presenting the opposing side from their views and to enter into civil, listening conversations with others who do not think the same way that they do. Surveys have shown that people 18-35 get the bulk of their news from late night talk shows, Saturday Night Live or other talk show programming and radio. We have been encouraged to read and listen to more legitimate news from all perspectives.
Yesterday afternoon my small group went to visit the Embassy of the State of Kuwait where we met Fatima Nazar, Cultural Attaché. She spoke with us about her country and we heard her perspective of America and the foreign affairs between America and Kuwait. Fatima was very gracious and incredibly pro-America. There was no political party posturing, just incredible enthusiasm regarding the relationship we have between us, and Kuwait's tremendous gratitude for the way that America came and helped to liberate them during the Gulf War. She stated many truths about bi-partisan realities. Regardless of which side you are on, according to Fatima, our government works and works well. Nothing is perfect; no one can fix everything within a four to eight year term of presidential office. No one can control what will come tomorrow. No matter how great you are perceived to be, failures and disappointment are inevitable. Grace and forgiveness will go a long way toward enhancing unity within the political arena of the United States of America in these troubled and strongly divided times.
My hope is that my perspective and views will be challenged and strengthened through this experience. Without a doubt, there is much work to be done to bring us to better stability as a country. My prayer will be that God's will would be done through our newly elected President and that I will be ever mindful and watchful to find my role in it.
~Angie

At the Reflecting Pool with Professor Jennifer Lane and fellow student, Lewis Robinson.

Coming Together

I caught a glimpse of hope today as I listened to USA Today columnists Bob Beckel and Cal Thomas share their vision for the future of politics. Each has very strong views about current issues at hand and the political means to bring change to these issues. Beckel is a Democrat and a self proclaimed Liberal. Thomas is a Republican and a conservative. Each have spent many years verbal combat with the opposing side, trying to convince the other that they should come to their way of thinking. They should by all appearances be arch enemies, but the truth is, they are very close friends who care deeply for each other and respect one another. They shared today about how they decided to begin a process of coming together to sit and listen to each other and to truly seek to believe that each are shooting for the same goal in regard to the issues at hand; they simply have different ideas of how to approach them.

They have written a book together called "Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That Is Destroying America". Touring together and presenting their ideas and vision to political leaders and civilians alike, these two friends are trying to generate a movement toward a new kind of political arena; one where all can come together and discuss the issues at hand and work together toward a common good. It was inspiring to listen to them and to think that we could be moving into a new era of politics that will finally move out of party bashing and standoffs, and instead will get the job done through respectful compromise.
It was truly amazing to hear each of these men talk about their own convictions without holding back from stating fully what they believe in and in the same speech acknowledge the short comings and failures of the party to which they belong. I have renewed hope that we as a nation can and will begin to move into a new era of working together, respecting others views without shrinking back from our own, and finding the means to get the job of creating change done. With the dawn of a new presidential administration upon us, there is a strong sense of renewed hope for the future of our nation. What remains to be seen is if this will be a reality fulfilled. The hope for a strong leader is prevalent, but the need for a functional relationship between the House and the Senate as well as between the congress and the president will be the key for successful change. Thomas and Beckel stated that relationships need to be built between individuals from opposing parties for this change to begin to occur. We can make the choice to move toward common ground as well, choosing to enter into relationships with people who do not subscribe to the same ideals and political views. Creating stepping stones to common ground is a good start. It is my desire to begin to take time to pray for a movement toward common ground and seek God's plan for me in this process.
Hoping in Him,
~Angie

Choices

I arrived in D.C. yesterday afternoon and settled into my apartment. Today was an intro to the conference throughout the a.m. followed by a bus tour of D.C. through the rest of the day. We visited many of the monuments including the Vietnam wall, the WWII memorial, Iwa Jima memorial, Jefferson and FDR memorials, and my all time favorite, the Lincoln memorial.
The history represented here and the lives depicted in art form is breath taking. Standing in front of the Lincoln statue brought tears to my eyes. I have always admired President Lincoln. His fight to free slaves and keep our country united was not a popular fight, but he chose to engage the fight anyway, ultimately losing his life because of the choices he made. He stood for what was right and for what was good even when it became very messy and things looked hopeless. Freedom was gained because of his willingness to do what was right. I wonder if Lincoln ever in his wildest dreams imagined that the fight he choe to enter into would one day allow an African-American man to become president of this country?
Sometimes the choices I am making are not the popular choices, but I step into them anyway, trusting that the Truth that I am choosing to live in and act out of will bring the ultimate good to the circumstance or relationship. Like Lincoln's choices, sometimes things get pretty messy. Ultimately, through God's mercy and sovereignty, Truth reigns. Patience and perseverance bring the peace and health needed, and God honors my willingness to be obedient to His call by bringing health and redemption beyond my wildest dreams.
Sometimes engaging in the fight is an easy choice, sometimes it is a painful act of faith. I will continue to pray for God's strength to make the hard choices when He asks. I have found that it is pure joy when I am living in step with His plan and purposes for my life. His ways are not my ways, and thankfully I am learning that His ways always bring the best for me!
~ Angie

Blind Curves

In less than 32 hours I will be boarding a plane to D.C.! I have known that this trip would be a possibility since March of 2008, and now it is here. I am tremendously aware of the incredible gift that this is, and yet it feels a bit unsettling. Kind of like a blind curve. You can see that is coming, but there are no clues to give you a sense of what is around the corner.
While I know that I can expect the usual tourist sites and historical aspects of D.C., there is a strong sense of the unknown. Traveling into a city to live for eleven days, riding the public transit system, finding my way around in very unfamiliar territory is, at best, intimidating. I have to put all of my trust in the people who have created the conference that I am attending; believe that they will give me the information that I need to make it through each day. I have not yet met them face to face, only via email. Letters to instruct and guide me through my preparation for the time when I will meet them face to face. Choosing to trust that they can lead from their wisdom and experience brings comfort and peace into the unknown.
Ok, so there is a familiarity about this. Very familiar. Trusting One whom I have yet to meet face to face, that is knowledgeable about the territory I am traveling through. Hmmmm....
Gratefully stepping into the adventure set before me; even the blind curves.
~Angie

Through the Sludge

Well, I made it through the fall semester and maintained my sanity! I have said every semester that I will do my best to stay focused on what is before me without being consumed by it. I am not sure that I have learned how to do that yet. As much as I want to remain calm and centered, I continue to find myself feeling overwhelmed and overloaded. While this is true, truer still is the reality of how God continues to meet me in my neurotic times and gently reminds me that this is His journey that He has invited me into, and it is He who will ultimately work it all out. Once again He brought me to a place of humility and quietness where I had to lean heavily on Him to make it through. Once again I am reminded of how very far He has brought me and how carefully He has orchestrated my steps. As always, it is Him through me.
My sweet husband, Bob and my dear friend Patti Messner put it into words for me what I have been living in these past five months. I have been in a class that has been a bi-weekly assult on my spirit. One of my professors made it very clear that Christianity and belief in God were ridiculous and foolish fantasy and magical thinking. Having lived enough life to have filters for these commentaries was enough to keep my heart embracing the truth, but I was angered by the fact that there were 50 other young people in the class without those filters. They sat through these past five months hearing garbage being presented as fact without the benefit of hearing truth to counter the lies. My heart breaks for the confusion that was stirred up in their hearts. I have prayed for them often. Patti pointed out that I have been walking through a field of sludge that I can't go around. This field is the only way to reach the goal that is in front of me; a degree in social work and whatever God has planned for me through the process and beyond.
In twelve days I will be getting on an airplane and flying to Washington D.C. I am still blown away by this amazing gift that God has given to me! While I have had to prepare physically for this trip, gathering real winter clothing, scarves, gloves and shoes; I have also found myself with a strong thirst for spiritual preparation as well. I have spent most of the last 22 years surrounded by people who love me completely, who live passionately for our sweet Savior, and share openly their own journey of faith with God. Being in school has majorly limited my ability to remain in these safe places on a regular basis. I dearly miss the conversations that help to keep my heart and mind focused on the Father and His amazing character. I have found myself feeling very weary from the pace of life that I have been living, and yet there is no rest in sight at least not for a few more months.
Sunday I sat in service at Open Door Fellowship and was bathed in the truth that I have been missing. Singing Third Day's "King of Glory" and proclaiming at the top of my voice the majesty of our Lord, Jesus Christ, filled my heart. And yet I am still thirsty. I am glad to be thirsty for Him. I don't want to ever know what it is to not long for Him or to not desire to seek Him.
As I leave for D.C., I am very aware of my need to take Him with me. The need to sense His presence is great in my heart, and I want to go in His power and strength, not my own. Throughout the last couple of days, an old song from the '80's came into my mind and I have not been able to shake it. I want to share it with you:
By My Spirit - Leslie Phillips
Chorus:
Not by might, not by power
But by my Spirit says the Lord
Not by might, not by power
But by my Spirit says the Lord

Verse 1:
Sometimes fears can hide your vision
The loss of purpose chains you down
You think I've forgotten all you're dreaming of
But how could I forget the one I love
And it's...
Not by might, not by power
But by my Spirit says the Lord
Not by might, not by power
But by my Spirit says the Lord

Verse 2:
I can see your heart is tired
And your courage has worn thin
You wonder how long you will have to hang on
But when My love comes in, you'll be strong again
And it's...

Not by might, not by power
But by my Spirit says the Lord
Not by might, not by power
But by my Spirit says the Lord


Bridge:
These mountains will be removed
I'll build my temple in you
And what I've promised shall be done

Not by might, not by power
But by my Spirit says the Lord
Not by might, not by power
But by my Spirit says the Lord


Thanking my God that I am not the one who has to hold it together or pull anything off. It is truly Him through me.
~Angie