FredMcKinnon.Com

The election is over.  Obama was declared the winner, as I’d suspected over the last few weeks.

As I’ve been praying over the last week especially, I realized something.

What I hate about America ….

I hate about  ….

ME.

OK – so “hate” is a very strong word.  I confess, I used it on purpose.  I bet that title grabbed your attention.  I hope so.  The word may be appropriate, though.

Just what am I talking about?

It all came to me last week during prayer time.  We were together, repenting for all the sins of our country.

“God forgive us, as a country, we are  ___________________” (insert your sin of choice)

Greedy.
Materialistic.
Immoral.
Captured in Idolatry.
Swept away by entertainment.
Selfish.
Deceptive.

The more we “repented” of all those sinful things we hate about our country … the more I realized that I often have all of those sins in my own heart.

And I realized that the condition of our country, sadly, is a magnification of the condition of the Church.

This must change.

As for our election … my thoughts are simple.

I didn’t vote for Obama, but not because of the color of his skin.  It was for policy issues only.  But now he’ll be my President.  I’ll pray for him.  I hope that he’s successful.  I do not wish harm or anything bad him, and it breaks my heart to see some of us doing just that.  As if we can’t wait for him to fail. C’mon folks.  This is our country we’re talking about.  It’s not a game.

As for the race issue – all I can say is that I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible leaps we’ve gained as a country.  It’s a historical day and I’m proud to have witnessed it.  America is truly a place, as Obama said in his speech last night, where “all things are possible”.

Let us come together as Americans, in unity.  Let us change the face of our land, not by party or laws, but by the actions we live. Let us be “transformed” instead of “conformed”.  (Romans 12: 1-2)

In closing, I’d encourage you to check out a great post by Brad Ruggles called “History in the Making”.

Your thoughts?

PS:  I TRULY DO LOVE AMERICA!

Hey Everybody – it’s “FreePlay Friday” where I can get personal and talk about whatever I want – even if it’s not related to worship, worship leading, music, etc.  And I’d ask you to get involved and throw your random ramblings in here as well!

Here’s the bottom line for this Friday, October 10 2008.  I’m gonna throw out some quick points and let ya’ll get the discussion going.  I’ve not felt good this week – at all.  All week I’ve been feeling kinda weird.  I’ve had this tight, “butterflies” feeling in my stomach, like I’m anxious or worried about something, but I’m not aware of anything.  Nobody in our home is resting.  The kids are all waking up in the night – which is VERY uncommon.  Joy hasn’t slept well in weeks.  I tend to sleep OK, but don’t wake up rested and have non-stop dreams all through the night.  Nothing that seems significant.

Over the last few days I realized I’ve been running a low-grade fever since Tuesday.  I suspect that has something to do with it.  I’m trying to exercise (I’ve played a good bit of raquetball this week), and though I don’t feel like it, I’m trying to be disciplined in prayer and Bible Study.  Unfortnately, this thing that’s “on me” leaves me pretty apathetic on the spiritual front as well … so whereas I need to be digging deep and praying in the Spirit, I find myself just lethargic.  So pray for us.

Enough of that.  How ’bout a few ramblings:

1.  Economy.  It stinks.  I was not in favor of this ridiculous bailout, and I can’t see that it’s done much good.  I couldn’t believe Obama’s comment in the debate “if small business can’t get loans, they can’t make payroll”.  What ever happened to not HIRING more employees until your business can AFFORD to pay them?

2.  Politics.  Heck, part of me wonders if I’ve watched too much TV, and that’s why I have this great uneasy feeling.  I don’t like the way things are shaping up at all.  Granted, politics is a hot topic – but honestly, I am sitting back and watching the likely potential that our country is about to take a non-stop turn into socialism that will ultimately bring this great country to it’s knees.

3.  Sports.  UGA Bulldogs are playing Tennessee this weekend.  Go Dawgs.  We need a win – a BIG win.

So what’s going on with YOUR LIFE?

(today’s FreePlay Friday graphic was generated by ME … haha, thanks to “cooltext.com” … no FreePlay Friday graphics were submitted this week – if you’d like to make a graphic and have your blog pitched right here, just email me a “FreePlay Friday” graphic! )

Hey Everyone, it’s “FreePlay Friday” (view all “FreePlay Friday” Posts) … the day where I post whatever I want, on whatever topic(s) I want, with no regard to whether or not it does (or doesn’t) apply to the main theme of this blog, which is worship, worship leadership, church life, and music. What makes “FreePlay Friday” so much fun is that I want YOU to participate by either commenting on my topics or by entering your own, totally random “FreePlay Friday” thoughts in the comments section of the blog. So all you hundreds of RSS Readers need to just click on over now and finish the post on the site so you can participate. (please?)

Family:
Not much to report this week. I have an incredible rendition of “Old McDonald” that I captured on my “Voice Memo” application of my cell phone this week – Rebekah was singing at the top of her lungs in the car.  I can’t seem to get it exported in a format I can use online, though.  My Dad (Bill McKinnon) had knee replacement surgery yesterday and is recovering in the hospital in Macon, GA.  How ’bout praying for him.

Blog:
Celebration yesterday – passing the 200 RSS subscribers mark.  If you didn’t comment, I’m asking everyone to go here and leave their name, city, state, country, how you subscribe, and what your favorite topics are.

Politics:

I don’t go there often on this blog.  But it’s “FreePlay Friday”!  So here goes nothing …

I watched Obama last night.  Have no doubts about it, this is one of the most charismatic, inspirational, well-spoken, inspiring communicators of this era.  When I heard him speak at the DNC in  2004 I said to myself, “better watch this guy”.  I can say with assurance that Obama won’t be getting my vote in November; however.  I could list a bunch of reasons … even if I lay the religious issues aside, I just don’t like the idea of “the government” being responsible for us.  I don’t like the thought of the government paying for my eduction, penalizing me when I succeed (taxation), etc.  As for taxes, no candidates meet my preference – a flat tax across the board.  I am strongly opposed to having “tax brackets” based on income.  I can’t vote for a Pro-Choice candidate in good conscience, either.  I realize the Presidency is about more than one or two issues.

As for McCain – I like him.  I wasn’t so excited at first, but I’m more excited.  Last night I was applauding his class when he released the congratulatory ad last night.  I’ve moved one of our extra “TV’s” from Rebekah’s room into my studio/office today as I’m all caught up in the flurry of this magnificent “secret” of who the VP nomination will be.  His campaign directors are brilliant – they have taken the day after the DNC and Obama’s massive spectacle last night and DOMINATED the news cycle.

But all of this aside – as I watched last night, I couldn’t help but pause and pray.  I thanked God for Obama’s nomination.  I’m proud that our country has progressed enough to nominate an African American (a TRUE one, Kenyan father, American mother!) to the highest office of the land.  That speaks volumes for our contry.  There is speculation that McCain could nominate a female VP in the next hour.  That speaks volumes for  our country.

One thing is certain.  We have our issues, our problems .. sure.  But I am PROUD to be an AMERICAN, and I thank God for it.

So … what are YOUR THOUGHTS on the political climate this election cycle?  Let it rip!