Sometimes Christians are the worst people

I have had this pastor on my mind for a few days. After hearing parts of a sermon he gave  ”Why I hate Barack Obama” Mark Arum of WSB 750 replayed some of it this past weekend. It has deeply upset me, that someone who calls themselves a believer can stand upinfront of others he is trying to lead to a relationship with Christ and say that he prays at night that “Barack Obama would die and go to hell.”

Regardless of Obama’s poicies or even live choices he has made, nothing he has done has warranted this prayer from this man. Even if one would say he was evil (which i don’t) the bible would say pray for your enemies, pray for everyone’s salvation. Love one another, your neighbor etc. I am deeply troubled by this man preaching this about anyone, let alone our president. Though i an Obama supporter politically, i do pray God would lead him in leading our country. For God asks us to pray for our leaders.

So i pray now for Stephen L. Anderson to realize the true word of the bible and understand the love and grace that is poured out through our relationship with God. I pray that God can change him so he could be someone who could lead people to God not down the “religious” path that is hurtful and excluding. The “religious” path that so many people are mistaking God for, and not the church.

I just hope what this pastor has talked about hasn’t turned anyone away from the grace of Christ. Because Stephen Anderson isn’t a good representation of the body of believers.

Here is the link to the sermon i am referring to Click Here here is the link to the church he pastors Click Here.

95 Hours

There are only 95 hours til I get married.

As for the wedding we are good to go. just couple things left to set up before Saturday. Today i met with Tim Harman and we are really excited for him to be our photographer. Amy is getting her roots done today, actually as i type this now. We are a Joseph and Friends.

The question i seem to keep being asked every few hours by someone is “Are you nervous?” Honestly i am not i have been thinking about i guess you would call it reflecting on our life coming up. Watching the movie Marley & Me this week sort of summed up alot of the thoughts i have been having. I do wonder if when we are 5, 15, 25 years down the road if i will be looking back at my life and wondering what if. I sure everyone does this when they get older regardless of their relationship status. I have though a lot on this and decided i am sure i will look back and wonder what would have happened if i didn’t leave SSR, or didn’t let her speak first, or go through and buy the ring and give it to her. All i know now is that i have no regrets of my past. I have NO regrets of today. I am more excited in what God has in-store for us. I don’t know how to formulate the words.

While i have learned some basic “guy” emotions and random thoughts don’t go away. I have learned that it feels as if i would forget to breathe or how to eat if i lost Amy. I know I know that is LAME and WEIRD. But i never thought i would love and other human being with as a fervent heart as i do with her.

So with job change, moving, Africa, agent appreciation day, and getting married all happening in 4 months, i would have to say 2009 has been by far the best year in my life. I have grow so much closer to God in my relationship with him. Watched my fiance, develop her relationship with Him too. It is all a little overwhelming. Also knowing that in a mere 94 hours i am going to stand in front of most of the people who have helped shame me into the man i am today, and say i will love, hold, and care for Amy for the rest of my life.

Sometimes you fit in when you don’t think you do.

As I am moving on to this new part of life, a part filled with a wife, new job, new place to live. I cannot help to look back and see where I have come from. Lately it seems like a lot of people from my past have been popping up either in my mind or in person. I have been thinking about the different seasons of my life that has brought me to now.

I guess this is normal when you are preparing a list for people to come to your wedding, or your thinking weather you should go to the 10 year high school reunion or not. I think we all stop and think back from time to time. For me there were only a few people there to help me along the way, and God brought them into my life at the perfect time each time. I didn’t always treat them kindly but they were there, unlike some of the people who have helped me along the way, there were these teachers I had starting really in the sixth grade that really seemed to take an interest in my well being. An interest in my life, mind, and ability. Namely, Ms. Mangano, and later Ms. Cohen, they were sent from heaven in my opinion. At a time where I was most impressionable and susceptible to a lot of bad influences, these two people dealt with my short comings and flaws to help me harness my abilitiesy and make be better for it. 15 years later I look back and I am so grateful for them. What if they didn’t care, what if they didn’t like me, what if they were just mean to me cause I was a lot of trouble like a lot of the other teachers were to me? Who knows I could have gone down a very rough path in life, a path where I may not have found Christ. I may not have graduated even high school. I probably definitely wouldn’t be 25 days from marrying Amy.

So I write this especially for Ms. Mangano and Cohen, to say thank you. Thank you for standing behind me and encouraging me when no one else was besides my mom. Thank you to all teachers who have this kind of impact in their students lives. Not just to teach them the material but to show them something that will stay with them for the rest of their life.

Amy is scheduled to go to school in the fall to become a teacher herself, there is a special place in my heart for teachers. Especially Ms. Mangano, Ms. Cohen, and Coach McKay.

Moving Parts

Had a wonderful weekend, yesterday didn’t do much of anything, honestly it was wonderful. So today is 33 days until I get married, not a whole lot left to do. I am so excited to get married. Sometimes it is hard to believe and still seems like it is so far away. We have finished out pre-marital mentoring, and now I just need to get my tux fitted and some odd and ends then we will be there. Outside 

of that, I have moved and put in a resignation at the company I work for. I know a lot of you have asked, “Why would I leave a Job like this in this economy?” Honestly the only answer I have is I truly believe God is leading me on a path away from Solid Source. I have loved working there and learning the things I have learned. But it is time to move on. I would be a fool to stay when I and others believe God is saying move on. At least this way I leave on my own terms and not forced out the door.

The timing seems a little weird, I know. But even though I have 11 days left at Solid Source and 33 till I am married I am not worried. I am standing firm in what I have done and I am letting God move me in the right direction and into the right position. I have been on 12 interviews, and submitted over 100 resumes in the past two weeks. I feel confident everything will work out like it always does.

I haven’t updated my blog in a while. I have been contemplating where I should steer it. The good thing about the trip to Africa, leaving Solid Source, Getting Married, finishing Agent Appreciation Day, and searching for a job is that I haven’t had the time to dive into the politics. I know what’s going on but I am not brewing over it all day.

So for now, I am continuing looking for a job, finish everything for the wedding, and continue getting excited for what God has in store for both Amy and I in our lives ahead. Cause in a couple years, this transition will be the best thing for me. And the stress of not having a job will long be forgotten.

I bless the rains down in Africa!

 

From March 12, 2009 to March 23, 2009 I am going to trave to Africa. Ndola, Zambia to be exact I am traveling with a group called Wiphan. The hold that area to help support Widows and Orphans. Solid Source Realty, the company I work for has purchased a school and began a feeding program for part of the area. We are traveling there to film, serve people, worship God, and let God lead us. We are filming to show our agents what we have done with their dues. To show them how great God is. So I will be writing and posting some pictures etc while I am there. So stay tuned as I show you all the details etc of the trip. Below is where we are going i will put up more information so you can intercede on our behalf.

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Better than last valentines day.

Everyday the wedding is becoming more and more closer and real. I know I gave her a ring and I proposed and I knew that was for us to get married. But the more I think about it I get a little more excited, scared, happy, and frightened.

Excited, cause I know I have made the right decision with the right girl, that God has brought to me.

Scared, cause we all are a little or should be a little scared about the things unknown. We know a lot of marriage now, we have listened to sermons, read books and talked to people. Even with all of that at least for me there is a little scared.

Happy, cause it never fails to bring a smile to my face everytime I think about her or someone brings her or our wedding up. Happy because I have never thought I could be loved by another human this much let alone love another human that much myself.

Frightened, mainly because I am afraid I might not be the most wonderful husband and father all the time. Each day I am becoming more and more confident that God can have us get together God can whip my ass into shape to be the man of her life and the man of the family.

So I guess this is an early Valentines blog, but I would have to say that the past 386 days more wonderful and completely unexpected that I could have ever thought. My life went from where to go drink Friday night to what can I do to may Amy smile. From what games me and the boys are going to play to what can I make for dinner to make Amy happy. I thank God everyday for bringing me through my past so that I could be with Amy.

Thank You Jesus!

Today is two days before Christmas. Two days before the day that we represent as the day Jesus was born. Two days before God sent his son to be come a savior. This year is a special one for me. This year God changed everything for me forever. I remember last year where Christmas morning I sat at home watching a movie til some of my friends got done with their families so I can have some company. I am not saying I don’t have a great family, it’s just I was one of the few without my own family. So my sister got to get up and see her children excited cause of Santa and my other sister too. My mom got to spend her 18th Christmas with her husband (my dad). I was laying on the couch watching superman, I said a little prayer, “God I know you are in control and I know you have a plan, I just hope I can have my own family.” As in an act of foreshadowing 18 days later I stopped and said a little prayer, “God please let me know if she is the one. God grant me the patience and calmness with this one she seems special, and I ask you to be apart of this.” Fast forward 345 days later, I wake up this morning to get ready for work, I squeeze my fiancé and giver a kiss and wish her a good day at work. In those 345 so many things have happened but I see how God has answered my prayers from last Christmas and this past January. He brought me someone who I am starting my family with and he is a part of our relationship. I never thought I could or would have someone so beautiful, smart, logical, realistic, loving, caring, humble, woman as I have found in Amy. Plus the fact that we both are seeking Gods path is truly amazing. I have so much to be thankful for, but I want to thank you God for giving me something I have wanted since I was a little boy. The chance to have a family, and be the husband and father my father wasn’t. The birth of a family of my very own. So Merry Christmas and thank you God for you have done all of this and brought the two of us together. I love Amy Buschor, and I will continue to love her after she becomes Amy Hoover.

Oh what a year 2008 was.

He Was a Teacher!

I have been watching the news lately of the election coverage. So i have been breathing Palin, Obama, McCain, and Biden. I am addicted and one of the arguments that have been swirling around that has bothered me. It has been them saying that Jesus was a community organizer, and he was capable of leading. Trying to say that Obama is able to lead, and that Pontius Pilot was a governor. Now come on you are going to compare the leaders in this election to the Savior of the Jews and a Roman leader. Seriously, comparing Obama to Jesus. I mean the guy is a good speaker and has a good presence. But he isn’t God’s son, he isn’t saving the world.

But beyond that Jesus wasn’t really a community organizer, he was a teacher. Read the bible he went around talking to people and teaching them lessons with his countless stories and examples of how things should be. He did miracles and was humble. Very humble. He didn’t own anything, he didn’t make money. He was not an organizer, he did more to disrupt the society and establishment of how things were in that land. He was there to teach those disciples who he was, why he was there, and how to find him. Not to restore jobs and improve the economy of the area. So even though i am not the biggest supporter of Obama. I don’t think it is a good thing to say Jesus was a community organizer to prove why Obama should be elected. Jesus was a teacher and his teachings are still growing and impacting millions of people now.

Sometimes I am embarassed to Be a Christian!

So I have been looking around for a good topic to blog about for the past several days. Outside of the political world I haven’t had much to talk about. For some reason I don’t want to write a lot of political stuff. So I was just browsing some of the news sites I read from time to time. I came across a new item that is coming out soon called (are you ready for this) “Guitar Praise.” When I read this I thought it was a joke. Nope it isn’t a joke at all it is real. Guitar Hero with praise music for $100, hey I can plug into your trendy Mac as well.

Yes that is a knock off of Guitar Hero for us Christians. I mean what is more arrogant than the freakin Christian marketers just ripping off stuff, not making it new in anyway except adding some stupid Christian music. I know I know some of the music is good, but for the most part the corporate Christian music is worse than the Top 40 stations on the mainstream. Why do we feel we need to not be original, not think for ourselves to come up with good ideas. Not use a successful idea from someone else steal it and add the word God, Jesus, Church, or Praise to make it “Christian.” I wouldn’t be surprised if the Devil himself (Family Christian Stores) had a hand in creating this crap.

I mean we have so many problems as believers to not be thought of as arrogant, selective, judgmental, mean bastards by the world. Now we create this crap along with the “Christian” mints, “Christian” pot holders, “Christian” crack rock, and more. Just because you put a cross on something doesn’t make it “anointed” by God. It definitely doesn’t make it cool or awesome. Example Bible Man, Bible Man, Bible Man! These things makes us look like elitists, I know you should have an alternative to the violent themes of the “superheroes” on TV. You know what why not come up with something for your child, and not rely on the poor marketing of cheap toys with crosses on them so your child can be ridiculed by his peers. Wait you probably home school the poor child.

Look I don’t want you to think I don’t like things that are for the Lord, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Those things don’t try to look like, sound like, or pretend to be the “secular” thing.
Example, I like Todd Field’s music, now he doesn’t take non-Christian songs and changer the lyrics to make himself more appealing. No he writes what he wants or is lead to. That’s why I like him. Veggie Tales, I know it is for kids, but it was very original and it was well written. They both Todd Field’s and Veggie Tales are “Christian” things, but they are original and real. Not reformed like the potato head Christian products that just slap a cross on an item and double the price to sell in the “Christian” store. I mean you are loved more by God for shopping at the “Christian” it’s like showing up at church twice on Sundays. (though the crappy revelation movies are quite a riot, I mean if you absolutely nothing to do)

I have heard all the objections to what I have said. I know I might have offended you. I know. It’s just Jesus didn’t come to earth and hang out at the Jehovah Java all day with his Christian friends and go shopping at the LifeWay Christian Store for his music. No he was with the hookers, murderers, tax collectors, liars, adulterers, and more. In fact the people he had the worst taste in his mouth for was the people outside the temple like in John 2:12-25. So why do we feel the need to make ourselves separate from others with our trendy little “Christian” only stuff. When if we were original it would minister to people.

My Letter to the Next President!

Recently my church did a series called “Letters to the Next President” the pastor (Andy Stanley) talked about what the bible would say to the next leader of our country. He ended up forming three letters from different stories about leaders in the bible and how they led in hard or difficult times. North Point also created a website for the general public to write their own letters to the next president. Not a specific person but to the one who ends up getting elected. Well I almost wrote one a few different times but for one reason or another I decided to not. Well this afternoon I did write one and I have put it below. I encourage you to write a letter. I mean he probably isn’t going to read but you never know. You don’t know how maybe God could inspire you and it could speak to the write person even if it isn’t the next president.

Dear Mr. President,

I know I have said I know what I would do that would fix the situation and I know how I would act as president. Even when I was a high school kid I wanted to actually have your job. After growing up I now realize I wouldn’t get the votes, but I would still like the job if I had the opportunity. Moving on I would like to say I know that what I see as an American watching news, reading blogs, and forming my own opinions that I do not know what you know just from the very nature of your position. So I know I would say I would do things a certain way, I pray that you can seek counsel from God and your staff to do what is right not just what makes you popular. Now I know Andy Stanley said that and if you were going to read these letters his would be the first ones and you wouldn’t make it to this one. I also highly doubt that you will make the mature correct decision for the people. I just pray that you will. Now I know you will get into office with the first 90 days of your campaign planned out and it will be what rallied you in, in the end. You will then probably take office realize what you wanted to accomplish will not be as easy to do and you will “distract” us from the goal you laid out. I already am, ok with that. I am bouncing off the letter Chuck Colson of the Nixon administration said and ask you to start your day with a devotional and scripture. I totally agree with him, have your quiet time with the creator before coming out and ruling the “free world.” Though I sort of envy your job, I do not envy your time of taking office. There is a lot of things changing in this nation and you are going to be in one of the strangest times of office.

So I pray that you do seek God, and I pray that you are humble enough to REALLY put the needs of the American people before yours.

Sincerely,

Joanthan Hoover
Amercian Citizen