Teaching my son to think...

Let me start off by saying I hate politics. It has become a dividing subject in my family. My family dynamic breaks down like this: My mom - fiscal conservative, social liberal. My dad - well...he is surely not leaning right. My baby brother - he is gay so he avoids the right. My older brother - die-hard southern baptist that doesn't have a left bone in his body. Then there is me...former student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, extreme right leaning youth minister type that has completely changed my views on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If defined I lean left, but I prefer the "leave me the hell alone" stance.

In a past life, also known as marriage number one, I became a father to an awesome little boy. That little boy is now 12 and has begun discovering his identity. This is a pretty cool thing to observe as a dad. However, it troubles me when I see things happening to him that happened to me. Growing up southern baptist I was taught to regurgitate the company line in regards to politics and religion. I was taught to never question and that the democrats were HORRIBLE people. But my views and opinions have changed. I now ask questions and get the facts before I draw a conclusion and anything. My son's mom is still stuck in the grasp of the conservative and narrow-minded rhetoric. This poses a problem and internal struggle for my son.

We were sitting in the living room and an Obama for President commercial came on. He says "Oh geez...not Obama. He is so stupid." My ears perked up. I am not necessarily an Obama supporter but it intrigued my why a 12 year old would think our President is stupid. I asked him that question and his answer was "I don't know." So why would he say that? Because that is what his mom says. I asked if he had asked her why and he said no. So we had a talk about politics. We discussed the platform of each party and basic beliefs. I told him that he needs to form his own views and opinions about the world we live in and not just adopt someone else's. I told him that his mom and dad have differing views and opinions on politics and religion and I wasn't going to tell him which is right and which is wrong. I want him to be able to use the intellect he possesses, ask questions, and make his own decisions and draw his own conclusions. I want him to think. Keep coming back...it works if you work it.

His grace is sufficient...but not for Christians...

Grace, grace, God's grace, 
grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 
grace, grace, God's grace, 
grace that is greater than all our sin! 

I was always so confused by the concept of grace. At least the grace that was taught to me at church confused me. Grace is defined as an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency. Is grace conditional? CAN grace be conditional? According to most "Christians" the answer to that question is yes. That is the part I never understood. 


In my opinion, it is not truly grace if it comes with conditions. Anytime I try to wrap my brain around how God sees humans I start by relating it to how I feel about my son. If he screws up and begs me not to punish him and decide not to punish him I have shown him mercy. If he screws up and instead of punishing him I give him $100 even though he didn't deserve it...that is grace. I was taught that God sent his son to die for us....BUT you had to "accept" the gift or it wasn't yours. I used to be a champ and defending this aspect of faith. If I gave you a gift, let's just say I wrote you a check for $1000, and you never cashed it did you truly receive the benefits of my gift? That was always my argument for why some would go to hell...cuz they never "cashed the check". But here is my snag now...while the phrase "the gift of grace" is thrown around quite often...I am not sure it is accurate. A gift does imply that you must accept it to truly have it. To me, that isn't grace. 


Here is another analogy that I consider more accurate for grace. Let's say my son has racked up a HUGE debt with a credit card company. This debt is so large there is no way he can pay it off and the creditors are nipping at his heels. He makes a $20 payment here and there but the interest compounds and the debt just keeps growing. I love my son and don't want to see him in financial trouble even though he is in that position by his own doing. What if I called the creditors on his behalf and paid his debt outright. Paid in full. Is this transaction complete without my son doing anything....yes. Does he have to call them and tell the creditors that he wishes to "accept" the payment I made...no. Would I do it because I want my son to now worship me everyday and tell me how awesome I am as a dad....no. I would do it because I love him. Would I tell him that I did this for him BUT...if he doesn't "accept" it then I am going to throw him to the creditors...no. Grace is something given even when undeserved...expecting NOTHING in return. 


Keep coming back...it works if you work it....