I was sitting down for lunch today and realized with all the CNN coverage in front of me that its that time for presidential races.  I’m sure many of us have already begun to listen for possible names (Clinton, Obama, etc) and I hear that Kerry decided not to run.

Now that I’m having a child I take this presidential process much more serious.  I’m voting for the people who will make a future for my little girl.  Their choices on our war, environment, and economy will affect my child when she is my age in big ways.  And as a Christian I’ve always been disappointed in the choices we have to support as a faith.  They speak the right words, but their just words that seem to fizzle with time.  I kind of lost faith after John Ashcroft stepped down from Attorney General.  His father was a president of my college at one time and I have deep respect for John.

This year I hope to support someone who supports my views of our world.  I want to see an effective, progressive, open, honest public dialogue on issues of faith and politics.  Someone who as a proclaimed believer seeks to put in to action the red letter words of the bible spoken by Jesus.  For so long the Christian faith message has been reduced to only two hot button social issues - abortion and homosexuality.  I want to see a candidate who is supporting critical moral and biblical values such as fighting poverty, caring for the environment, advancing peace, promoting strong families, and supporting a consistent ethic of life.

For decades, leaders of the Religious Right have attempted to convince Christians and the American public that people of faith and strong moral values have only one option when it comes to voting.  This narrow view continues to overshadow the majority of Christians in America whose faith motivates them to care deeply about a range of ethics and values.  Our nation is hungry for an open dialogue on moral values and its role in the public square.  God is not a Republican or a Democrat, and candidates should be measured by examining an array of social and economic issues.

Well that is what I think!

Categories: faith, life
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While “iced in” with my wife this week we took the opportunity to leave the house and see some movies.  I saw three movies – two I love and would own – one I wouldn’t see again (Good Shepard).   I loved “Children of Men” and “Blood Diamond” both which speak about our world.  Children of Men met my expectations.  I loved the story and it really made me think about our future as a world.  It probably set the stage for the next movie, which was Blood Diamond.  The movie was about the chaos and civil war that enveloped 1990’s Sierra Leone.  The movie focused on the diamond industry and our effect.  It really made me think.  It made me pray.  I don’t often pray for countries (something I’m sad to attempt) but I’m working hard to change that – opening my heart to world issues.
I prayed for three regions.  First, Iraqi and the mess we made.  Second, those affected by consumers need for more (diamonds, oil, etc).  Third, I prayed for Darfur.  Every day, the 2.5 million people chased from their homes in Darfur face the threat of starvation, disease, and rape, while the few lucky enough to remain in their homes risk displacement, torture and murder.

I fear if we don’t pray and act we will see a “Children of Men” world.  A world destroyed by man, war, and disease – people fleeing to the only places livable.  I encourage you to pray.  You may not be able to stop driving your car or have no idea where your diamonds come from – but you can pray.  You can ask God to intervene and we can write our congressmen. 

Categories: life
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Okay, so I’ve allowed too much time to pass since I’ve posted.  Since we just emeraged from our homes after some ice in Austin I thought I would take the time to write.  I don’t have a well working computer at home, normally I use my offince pc for posting. 

Summer and I spent the last three days buried in our home with Brodie.  It was a wonderful three days.  Now we didn’t stay home the entire time.  We ventured out to eat and see a few movies.  I won’t let a little ice scare me (I live in the northeast for three years!).  But it was very cool how Summer and I never fought.  We never got on each others nerves (well she didn’t get on mine) and we had a general good time.  I love being married.  It’s like being with your best friend all the time.  So my best friend and I just spent three days with nothing to do having a good time.

Four months and I will have more time with Summer and baby (name unknown).

Categories: life
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I have cried few times in my life. When my parents split up, two days after my grandfather died, and when I exchanged vows with Summer. They aren’t “alligator” tears, but they are real. Today I learned I was having a little girl. Yep, you heard it right - WE ARE HAVING A GIRL!

An ol’ friend from college this week enlightened me that I will never be the same after a little girl. The day she crawls into my lap, smushes my face between her small hands and says these four words “daddy, i love you!” I will go to pieces. I’m sure the words to follow those words will be “can I have…” What can I say but yes.

Categories: baby mccool
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