Iraq + The Special Olympics : "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Bush has apparently finally said "We're not winning, we're losing" in regards to a Iraq, in an interview with the Washington Post. I don't want to lose. I want to win. But I've always wondered - what exactly is winning? I'm mean literally. I really don't know, and don't think the President has ever fully explained it to the American people. Apparently it wasn't simply ousting Saddam, or holding free elections, or any of the other good has come out of the war - are we not winning simply becausewe haven't said what winning is? Is it all semantics?

I'd like a benchmark - when will I know we won? What should I look for? I too want our boys home, and want them back victorious - but I don't think ANYBODY has defined what that would look like. So as it stands victory means no more violence in Iraq and everybody has a pony. I'm not asking for timetables or deadlines, I simply want someone to tell me, "When you see x, y, and z, start getting your ticker tape ready."

Grudge Match...

There was a short video story on MSNBC today about a young boy who's letter to Santa was marked "Return to Sender" by the Post Office. The letter was returned and the boy's Mother and Grandmother had a cow. Turns out the other two brothers' letters made it through, and Santa sent them one in return. It then dawned on me the lengths we go to continue the dumbest lie ever told. Ole' St. Nick. Think about it, to goes so far that every year, a government organization goes to great lengths to fabricate the idea of sending letters to the guy. Obviously, billions of kids + .39 stamps = xmas bonuses.

I've made it known to my wife that I don't like the idea of telling our son about Santa when he gets to that age (he's still a baby). Why? One, as a Christian, I think the idea of Santa hurts the true meaning of Christmas. I'm not even getting into all the "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" schtick (as I'm guessing even those people still do the Santa thing). But the point is, in a kid's mind, Jesus (especially a baby version) will NEVER be able to compete with Santa. . Think about which is more compelling, The story of a baby born in a barn 2,000 years ago, who came to give you eternal life, that you've never had physical contact with (explain THAT to a 5 year old), or the guy who shows up at the mall every year, asks you want you want for Christmas, has his elves in the north pole make it for you, and then on Christmas Eve flies around the world landing on your roof with his sleigh pulled my magic reindeer, one who's nose glows red so they can see in the snow, jumps down the chimney to give you a bright shiny Playstation 3? Jesus never had a chance against this guy. It was a sucker punch from the get-go. Where's the war on Christmas taking place? Well nowhere really, it's all BS, but a mild skirmish is happening, and we brought it on ourselves. But everyone believes that their kids "get it" and "understand", thanks to their brief, obligatory "And remember, Timmy, toys are fun but really, Christmas is about giving like Jesus did." Kids don't buy it. They are too busy HotWheeling around with their new iPod.

I guess I just don't understand where it all came from. Why do we dumb down, augment, and amend Christian holidays with Fat Men, and Giant Egg Laying Rabbits? Is Jesus not enough? Can he not hold an 8 year olds attention. Maybe we just suck as parents at telling his Story.

Surprised?

I was talking to my dad a couple night ago over the Dallas Cowboys game (don't get me started...). He mentioned reading an article from the Eagle regarding Sam Brownback's presidential candidacy for '08 which stated a disdain, and perhaps fear, for having another "Born Again" President. I can understand my dad's frustration with the comment. "What's so wrong with that?!" he wondered. But I can also understand the Eagle's concerns. That's what being a moderate is all about :)

Primarily, should we as Christians be surprised when the world condemns us for being "Born Again", or looks at us weird, or anything? No. We shouldn't be, because Christ told us it would happen. He told us we would sound crazy to people who where "perishing", and we probably sound even crazier with all the weird lingo we make up and use with each other.

So then, should Christians wear this in proud defiance as a badge of honor? No at all. I think this trips some folks up. I've seen many people who were speaking the truth, but the let the whole "They'll hate me for it anyway" cloud their judgment and compassion. Meekness and humility should handle that awkward pride of being an "outcast" (among a majority of other outcasts?)

Secondly, Were the above not applicable, Christians in politics have in general not given much for the people to look forward to. The key is not in being a Christ-CENTERED politician, but a Christ-LIKE politician, one who's very character exudes that of Christ; not one who simply points to Christ as an example, but IS the example himself. If this were to happen, we might find that although the MESSAGE of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, the ACTIONS of it may not be.