Hope, Change & Koolaid Gravy

It's official -- Barack Obama is officially the President of the United States. Apparently a fair number of my fellow Canadians believe he will do a smashing job as Commander in Chief. They may even be looking for a potential Obama-like leader among our own political players.

*crickets*

(Not that we don't have good leaders -- we do. They're just not rock stars. And I'm thankful for that.)

I know people on both sides of the political fence in the States -- those who are thrilled Obama is in and Bush is out and those who are not sure what an Obama presidency means and that Bush was a good leader. Many in the media and in Hollywood also hold to the former point of view, with a generous portion of BSD on the side. Or in the middle. It's hard to tell -- it's sort of like the gravy on your plate at Thanksgiving in that it seeps into everything.

Now I'm for allowing people to voice their dissenting opinions. And I'm not denying that former President Bush, like all of the men who held the office before him, has made mistakes. But I do hope and believe, really, he did the best he could under circumstances which would try the mettle of any man. I also hope the bashing of Bush will abate over time (though I'm not certain it will). In a way it amazes me how much hatred and spite and mockery has been heaped upon this man. Again, I'm not saying people are horrible for chuckling over gaffes here 'n there or, again, acknowledging mistakes and missteps. I am saying, however, it is not right or decent to treat an incumbent or outgoing president the way George W. Bush has so often been treated. It's sad, really.

But there is why it does not really surprise me, either:

Matthew 5:10-12 (The Message)

10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

God bless you, former President Bush. And God bless you, President Obama. May you both walk in His will for your lives.

Some Favourite Things

So last year I bought The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene not only because I want to lose some weight, but also because I realize my husband and I need to change our overall eating habits. This book had some delicious looking recipes so I picked it up and finally began reading it a little while ago. So far, so good! I'm impatient to get to the 'lose body fat' part of it, but I appreciate Bob taking the time to lay a good foundation on how weight loss works and why 'slow and steady' is really the best way to go. And it really is about a lifestyle change.

Speaking of food, Mr. Scribbler and I have also enjoyed watching Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares (the bleeped American version) and Gordan Ramsey's other show, The F Word (the 'f' word being 'food', not the other one he is way too fond of). Mr. Scribbler enjoys the former in particular as it reminds him of the time he spent working in the restaurant business as a cook (and it is pretty entertaining). I like both shows as they are piquing my interest in cooking real food as I've become too much of a 'heat and go' cook myself. (If anyone has some good cookbook (or web recipe web sites) suggestions, let me know via the comments section!)

I've also been enjoying some discussions as of late with fellow Christians as to different doctrines, church programs, youth ministry, culture and the like. It is, for present lack of a better word, neat. And stimulating. It's not taking the place of faith -- it's helping firm up why behind my faith. Granted, some things are just not going to be known by us this side of heaven but God never told us to check the brains He gave us at the door, either.

What are some of your favourite things so far in '09?