G.H.W. Bush

Last night, I had the privilege of hearing former president George Herbert Walker Bush at Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse. While I have never been overly impressed by Bush Sr., I was tremendously impressed on this occasion with his insight, clarity, and comfortable manner. His primary call was to “get involved in public service”…to do something instead of sitting on the sidelines! He challenged us to serve by taking some one problem in the world and making it our own. He stressed that this call to serve does not necessarily mean running for office, but it certainly might involve it. All of us need to seriously consider contributing in this way. Service to our state can be rendered even in small ways, like losing a few pounds (per Governor Daniel’s plea), or in more involved ways through community groups and neighborhoods. Whatever the manner of service, it will always cost time, energy, and perhaps money on our part. President Bush’s speech last night reminded me of my grandfather’s call to public service when he was inducted into his high school’s hall of fame – he emphasized the price that is paid in service. It is amazing how God truly does use leaders like these to govern us and call us to serve Jesus Christ.

Jesus himself came to serve and not to be served, and we need to listen to those that God has raised up as his public servants when they remind us of our responsibility to sacrifice this way. While we as Christians must be committed to serving in the church, that is not enough. To often, we as Christians content ourselves to let others solve the world’s problems while we focus exclusively on the church. It is true that the world is helped as we serve in the church, but it is also true that the church is helped as we serve in these other areas. Jesus is King over all, community, state and nation, and he calls us to serve in those forums as well. So, listen to your leaders God has put over you (or former leaders) when they call you to serve. Get off of the sidelines in the world and give of yourself to others. In so doing, you listen to Jesus Christ.

Additionally, Bush said one of the things he misses about being President is all of the protesters all over the place. He recalled driving into San Francisco one time and seeing one lady, who he described as the ugliest lady he had ever seen, just outside the presidential limo with a placard saying “Stay out of my womb!” to which he immediately said, “NO PROBLEM, lady, NO PROBLEM!”

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A couple of other random items:

It is truly a blessing to be a Protestant on Fridays in this Lenten season. Roman Catholics are, of course, not to eat red meat (mammals or birds) on Fridays at this time of year. However, there is great internal debate as to what water animals are acceptable. What about capybaras, beavers, geese, puffins, reptiles, and other marine animals? Apparently, at various times there have been exceptions granted for these who spend much time in the water. In some places it is rumored that muskrats are acceptable Friday fare. When one bishop was asked about this, he said that anyone willing to eat muskrat is already “doing penance worthy of the greatest saints”. Please pass the steak.

And finally, you know we live in a culture of excess when there are two rival leagues competing to be the official sanctioning body of Rocks-Paper-Scissors. The Wall Street Journal reports today that these two bitter foes host annual tournaments, with one offering a $50,000 grand prize.