He Leads, I follow (Harrison Farr)

He Leads I Follow

• Pre-Valentines "Fireproof" Night
  

  Rebekah and I are going to a friend's house next Friday for a pre-Valentine's Day Fireproof movie night. If you haven't seen this movie, I encourage you to do so...like right now! Not every marriage has divorce looming on the horizon, but if this movie doesn't inspire you to become a better spouse, I don't know what will.

  When we watched it for the first time, it was a great time for both of us and it really brought us closer together. I've never screamed at my wife like Caleb did, and Rebekah's never flirted with a doctor, but the message of being right with God so you can be right with your spouse came through crystal clear. We've both recommitted ourselves to each other.

  So go watch it!

  
  
  
• When the rain falls
  

  Contrary to the sunny warm weather we experienced this last weekend, I had a certain hardship this past Sunday that terribly tried my belief in hope. Not my hope in God by any means -- in fact, the situation bolstered my hope in that area -- but my hope in humanity suffered. Hope in even the humanity that has been called our of darkness by God. Details are not important, but the hardship is something I feel I share with other people. I am not alone.

  In the struggles of life, no issue seems too great or places a heavy burden on my soul that I cannot immediately counter with a Bible verse, a teaching, a prayer. But this weekend was different. I was down. I was more than down, I was oppressed and depressed. Nothing seemed to comfort my weary soul, and no path seemed bright enough to take. What's more, as I continued to think about it -- my mind is always battling my heart -- I couldn't help but go from angry, to sad, to depressed, to angry, to frustrated, and back to sad again. I felt like I was in the depths of despair, deep in the belly of a whale, waiting for the clouds to lift.

  It's only now, after a day or so of not dwelling on it or wallowing that I can finally peel back the layers of dirt and grime to see what really happened. And, in the end, I realize I was justified in my depression. The situation did warrant a plague of the heart. Admittedly, I wallowed too long, but the issue burdened me and tore at my heart strings...and rightfully so.

  Thus, I can only claim the following verse as my own for that dark period. This verse and this situation I will likely never forget, but the comfort of the Savior is more than enough to allow the forgiveness to bubble forth and those bright shining rays to pierce the cloudy sky. For He makes everything work together for good, in His time.

  2 Timothy 1:12 says:

  For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

  It truly is in the Lord's hands.

  
  
  
• Co-hosting Inauguration TwitterBall
  

  I've recently become involved with The New Republicans, a group of young people who are seeking realpolitik over partisanship. Most recently, I was appointed Communications Director and, once the leadership team is finalized, will be taking an active role in getting the word out and getting new people to join. It's a great group of people to work with, and an exciting movement to be a part of.

  One of my first duties is co-host of the Smart Girl Politics Inauguration TwitterBall. I'm a new user at Twitter myself, but I figured out most of the details. But a TwitterBall? That was a new one to me. Turns out there is this great site at www.tweetchat.com that lets people use their Twitter accounts for chat/discussion.

  Anyway, so I will be co-hosting at the ball. Whatever your feelings about the Obama administration are (and I admit not having the most rosy feelings myself), this is actually going to be a place for Republicans to really get together and discuss the future of the party. Below is an invitation (everyone is invited!):

  

  Some great guests are lined up too: Saul Anuzis, Chip Saltsman, Amanda Carpenter, Sharon Day, Michelle Malkin, and SE Cupp.

  So I invite everyone to be there. If you see me there (@harrisonf) say hi!

  
  
  
• Andrew Wilkow's Guide to Media Perception
  

  If you have spent time in Washington:
  Conservative - You are part of the problem.
  Liberal - You have experience.

  If you don’t have time in Washington:
  Conservative - You have no experience.
  Liberal - You represent change.

  If you have wealth:
  Conservative - You are greedy and a cheat who had advantages in life.
  Liberal - You are successful and your life story is an inspiration.

  If you don’t have wealth:
  Conservative - You are low class.
  Liberal - You are disadvantaged.

  If you went to college:
  Conservative - Your academic pedigree is scrutinized.
  Liberal - Your degree speaks for itself.

  If you didn’t go to college:
  Conservative - You are un-educated.
  Liberal - You are an artist/activist.

  If you own a business:
  Conservative - You are a profiteer.
  Liberal - You provide jobs to the community.

  If you are working class:
  Conservative - You’re just a (insert job title or trade).
  Liberal - You are a proletariat who finds strength in numbers.

  If you believe in the wisdom of the constitution:
  Conservative - You are narrow minded.
  Liberal - You are a civil libertarian.

  If you believe in individual freedoms:
  Conservative - You have made peace with inequality.
  Liberal - You are for choice.

  If you take to the streets to voice your opinions:
  Conservative - You are a thug.
  Liberal - You are a demonstrator.

  If you are religious:
  Conservative - You are a fundamentalist.
  Liberal - You are spiritual.

  If you are serving in the military:
  Conservative - You are a mindless killer.
  Liberal - You wear the uniform of your country.

  If you are popular:
  Conservative - You have blind sheep followers.
  Liberal - You are leading a movement.

  If you are attractive:
  Conservative - You are shallow and empty.
  Liberal - You are stunning and a trend setter.

  If you are un-attractive:
  Conservative - You are just ugly.
  Liberal - You are too intellectual to be concerned with your appearance.

  If you enjoy an outdoors lifestyle:
  Conservative - You are a hick.
  Liberal - You are earthy.

  
  
  
• Great Supper Thoughts
  

  Pastor Rushing gave a great thought-provoking sermon this evening that spoke to my heart. The whole ride home, my heart was aching almost physically concerning what he preached. The text is Luke 14:16-24, which I've included below:

  Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’”

  First, let's identify this supper picture-story. The "certain man" would be Jesus Christ. He's invited everyone to a great supper and it's ready. Those who are invited, but refuse, are the people of Israel namely, but also all those who refuse to even acknowledge the teaching of Christ. The lame and blind people are the worthless sinners (all of us) who don't deserve the supper, but are invited anyway.

  There are two important things about this passage that really hit me. First, those excuses. The first one, about a piece of ground being recently purchased, is a bunch of bologna. I mean, who purchases a piece of land without seeing it first? And those oxen. Who buys oxen without having tested out their strength first. I'm no farmer, but that just sounds a little absurd. And finally, the worst for last, getting married. I can tell you from experience that when you're first married, unless you're filthy rich, you don't refuse a free meal.

  Anyway, there is a common theme among all those excuses. They are all viable excuses. There is nothing sinful about them or the actions they detail. They may not be legitimate or tasteful, but there is nothing wrong with them from a literal, legal standpoint. Those excuses are like our daily activities. When we don't pray in communion with our Father and when we don't read our Bible, we use the necessities of life as an excuse. We put off the essentials of our eternal spiritual life for the essentials of our temporal life. And let's be honest, they aren't essentials either. That trip to the grocery store for ice cream? That can wait. Or that television show or movie you've been wanting to see? It's not important.

  I have so much trouble with this in my life. It's so easy for me to put off daily scripture reading for other things. It's so easy to say, I'll start that first thing tomorrow. But I'm wrong. My excuses aren't sinful, but they aren't putting what is most important first.

  Secondly, the passage is a simple call to missionary work. We don't all need to go to China or Africa (although they could surely use our help), but we our missionaries in our own communities. We should go down the streets and on the highways of life, picking up people along the way and bringing them to Christ. You were a sinner once too! All too often, we are pulled from the miry clay and set on the rock that is Christ Jesus, only to look down at those drowning in the miry clay and judge them. Pastor Rushing said it perfectly: there are a lot of ugly people in this world. It may not be a physical unattractiveness, but their lives are ugly, their sin is ugly, their heart and mind are ugly. And so were we...

  As you can see, this message really hit home for me. I don't make resolutions for a new year -- never have kept any that I tried to set -- so I decided to make myself a promise for the new year. I'm going to try to be better at (1) prayerful meditation and Bible reading and (2) finding people who I know need the Lord. Both of these things are out of my comfort zone. I've got lots to do during a typical day. But when I make time for Christ, He makes time for me. And finding people who need Christ. I know lots of 'em, but I need that supernatural courage to say something. May the Lord bless our efforts this year.

  
  
  
• New for 2009
  

  Doesn't "New for 2009" sound so exciting? Well, I can't really call it that, since I've been planning this for a little while now, unsure of when it would go up completely. Anyway, if you've visited harrisonfarr.com recently, you'll notice some design changes. That's cute and everything, but I've also added a "Social" link on the top navigation bar that takes you to a page where you can find out more about me. It's got a link to my Twitter and Facebook profiles, a link to my Flickr gallery (Thanks everyone who sent money for my birthday and Christmas! I love my new camera!), as well as to my shared Google Reader page showing blog posts from around the web that I think are interesting.

  So that's my little self-promotion moment. Now back to reading! I've got a couple posts ready for Freedom to Read (harrisonfarr.com/f2r) that I've almost finished.

  Happy New Year!

  UPDATE 12/30/08: I didn't like having an entire page just for social links, so I added everything to the right-most sidebar. I think that works better.

  
  
  
• Is the season over?
  

  You would think that with Christmas 2008 four days behind us, that the season would be considered "officially" over. But not in my house. And I'm glad for it.

  First, our Christmas tree, lights, and decorations are still up. When everything is lit and there is the warm glow about the place, it just gives me such a happy feeling. Prone to saying July 4th is my favorite holiday, Christmas is probably my real favorite if for only the warmth it provides my soul.

  Second, I still have a gift to give (and maybe receive)! My parents have been sick with a terrible cold/flu/infection that just won't go away. So they advised that we steer clear of their house for the holidays -- although we had a delightful breakfast with my brothers and Rebekah's brother -- to avoid extra sickness. The self-imposed quarantine should be lifting shortly, and our present to them should make it through in the coming days.

  I suppose it will be time soon to take off the ornaments, unstring the lights, and pack everything away (in color-coded red tubs of course!) until next year. But I guess this Christmas was such a warm and fun one, and certainly unorthodox, that I just want the feeling to end. It probably won't though. I've decided that I'm going to make a more concerted effort at communicating with my family and friends. That feeling of kinship and friendship brings me sincere happiness, and that's a season that won't ever get packed away or thrown out.

  So...hey everyone! Love ya!

  
  
  
• Merry Christmas to all
  

  Understandably, I'll be taking a little vacation from blogging for a couple days. But I wanted to wish readers a very Merry Christmas this year. Christmas is, by far, my most favorite time of year because I thoroughly enjoy celebrating my Savior's birth. To do so with family and friends is even more enjoyable. I've already rubbed elbows with lots of people so far, and the next couple of days will be filled with even more people.

  So Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

   

  
  
  
• Prop 8 Battle is Getting Ugly
  

  The following is a wrap-up of various incidents that have occurred because people against the passage of Prop. 8 can't respect the will of the people:

  • Almost immediately, No on Prop 8 supporters protested at Saddleback Church and various Mormon churches throughout the country, specifically targeting people and groups associated with the Yes on Prop 8 movement.
  • Two Mormon churches received letters with a white powdery substance inside (later determined to be non-threatening).
  • One Mormom church was vandalized when a Nazi banner was hung across its walls. Various other churches have been vandalized, as well as the properties of known Prop 8 supporters.
  • Pastor Jim Franklin of Cornerstone Church in Fresno and Fresno Mayor Alan Autry were specifically targeted with death threats. Police are now staying closely with both men and their families. Later, after Pastor Franklin invited protesters to speak at his church, the man who made the threat phoned in that he wouldn't bother the pastor or the mayor any longer.

  All of these events are disturbing. What doesn't make sense is how much homosexual individuals have fought so hard against hate crimes, only to see so many of their own commit such hateful acts. What we are seeing here, however, is the battle between good and evil. It couldn't be any clearer. While I don't advocate hate crimes or treating homosexuals as anything less than a human being, the line between what is right and wrong was clearly drawn in the Bible, and is clearly drawn today. Beyond that, the majority of Californians have spoken (again) and it is time to move on. This is not just a battle of what one person thinks over another. It is not trying to stiffle the rights of a homosexual person.

  Marriage is an institution of the Bible and should always remain such. And as an institution of the Bible, marriage is between one man and one woman -- even when those in the Bible didn't even follow God's plan. In fact, I wonder if the civil part of marriage is even necessary. I am married to my wife in God's eyes first, and the law second. Mark 10:6-9 says:

  But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

  
  
  
• Is bankruptcy so bad?
  

  I've been a little disturbed by the recent events regarding the automotive industry. First, the Big Three (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) all wanted a few billion dollars to save their companies from going bankrupt. Then, they asked for more money. Then the House of Representatives, led by Ms. Pelosi, said OK, we'll give you such-and-such. Then the Senate Republicans were like, nope ain't gonna happen.

  So now, everybody is blaming the Senate Republicans for saying no. But is it worth it to continue spending more billions on a specific industry when the root problem is not in auto manufacturing but in housing and credit markets. It's called capitalism for pete's sake! Risk and liability are all part of the system.

  Anyway, I'm not going to rant about what they should do. I'm just wondering what is so terrible about declaring bankruptcy. The Big Three would get special government protection from creditors and have more wiggle room to restructure their companies. Isn't this what Congress is looking to do anyway? Wouldn't a bankruptcy declaration do essentially the same thing? Ya, it doesn't give away billions in cash, but it lets the companies refocus their attention back to what Americans want -- which is NOT big tank-like SUVs and other gas-guzzling machines.

  Several companies have emerged from bankruptcy on better footing: Delta Airlines, PG&E, and Texaco for example. I think a lot of people figure that if we throw a lot of money (can you fathom $15 billion?) at a situation, it will naturally fix itself. Wrong.

  
  
  

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