Missionary Broadcasting.com

The news of John McCain’s vice presidential pick buzzed through the office this morning and brought all productivity to a halt. Conservative and liberal alike huddled in a single cubicle to watch the announcement live on CNN.com. Not a single word of criticism was uttered, as nearly every Alaskan has a unified love for our humble, no-nonsense, genuine-Alaskan Governor. Sarah Palin has a nearly 90% approval rating in this state for good reason. She has brought honesty and integrity to a state government notorious for corruption, forsaken many of the ritzy trappings of the governorship to set an example for fiscal restraint and taken on both Republicans and Democrats in Alaska politics only for their own benefit. Is she perfect? Absolutely not. She is a politician only Alaska could breed - the kind that hates politics and loves getting things done.

Palin is at home on commercial fishing boat, in a bush plane, on a moose hunt or in negotiation with the most powerful oil executives in the world. She displays the larger-than-life independence that has made Alaska great, and every one of us (Alaskans) understand it; no matter where we stand on the issues. Simply put, we are ecstatic not because we agree with every political decision she will ever make, but because we believe she will represent the best of Alaska on a world stage. This decision is great for Alaska, and we can’t wait for the wider public to get a glimpse of her values and lifestyle. Congratulations Governor Palin!

Much of our online activity of late has been made up of brief comments and links on the four social networking services that make up our FriendFeed. This service aggregates all of one’s internet publishing, placing it into a single, fairly straightforward feed and making it possible for visitors to keep up with what one is doing, reading, viewing or writing on a literally minute-by-minute basis.

I will be placing the above “widget” in a prominent place on this site as soon as I have the opportunity to think it through. Until then you may view our FriendFeed at any time by visiting FriendFeed.com/MissionaryBroadcasting.

It is becoming increasingly more difficult to read some fundamentalist blogs without becoming fatigued with the almost constant quotation of three particular evangelical pundits. I have read, listened to, and reviewed the ministries of each of these men in an attempt to give them a fair shake. To be honest, they are obviously intelligent and seemingly Godly people. Still they reject, sometimes mock, and often readily oppose the beliefs of many I consider to be the finest Biblical thinkers of our day. While they are pragmatic, generally [generally] conservative evangelicals, they almost universally reject what they have decided are “old” methods of outreach and (often stridently) denounce personal and ecclesiastical separation.

During a day in which access to the teaching of truly great Biblical scholars is more available than ever, these lesser men gain continuing acclaim. I wonder at, and am dismayed by this seemingly new phenomenon, fearing it is a result of our perhaps being lesser men ourselves; we young fundamentalists. Thus, one question arises daily: what would our fore-bearers in the fundamentalist movement make of this habit of embracing, promoting and praising those that actively oppose the principles they spent a lifetime fighting for? Many of us have lost all understanding of their fight, having spent more time analyzing their faults and seeking so desperately not to repeat them that we have betrayed both the heart and principle of their struggle.

Am I making too much of all this? Perhaps one day in the past I would have said yes, but the problem has become too obvious. It has left me wishing I could say more, but too well aware that reckless negativity could be the result. That is why I am deliberately avoiding the “whom” and “what” of the story until (if ever) I am able to express it with the grace and tact it deserves.

After reading articles and having conversations with Christians that are overwrought about the potential dangers or opportunities of the upcoming election I am becoming weary. Time and time again I hear how terrible it will be if a certain candidates are elected or not elected, ballot measures are defeated or not defeated and issues are brought to the forefront or not brought to the forefront. Can a believer in Christ really be in total reliance upon Him and at the same time have such anxiety over the political process?

After leafing through a piece of material that was particularly melodramatic a few evenings ago, I began to develop an outline in my mind. I wondered why so much time and effort had been spent in printing brochures, developing massive public relations campaigns and organizing people of faith to advance a political agenda, when I was seeing little of the same passion in reaching the lost for Christ. Here are a few of my hastily written thoughts on the subject:

Never, never rely upon politics. Always, always preach the gospel.

• God’s word never returns void. Political talking points always return void.
• The gospel appeals to men’s souls, which are ever-present. Political ideas appeal to logic, which is rarely present.
• Witnesses deal with individuals. Politicians address the masses.
• Salvation is absolute and complete. Legislation is compromised consensus.
• The Bible stands the test of time. Men’s ideas fade and change.
• Ministries rely on the power of God. Political movements rely on the momentum and initiative of men.
• Truth cuts to the heart. Political speech lingers on the surface.

There is no hope for our nation or our neighbors in political leadership or legislation. We must never place our trust in the movements of our day! Christ is the hope of mankind and no person, no society, no creature will be changed for good without Him. As we have been left in trust with the gospel, let us labor most fervently to proclaim it. Our political zeal should be miniscule in comparison to our zeal for the ministry of the word. May God help us all to fulfill our part of His great commission.

After a few stressful months at the office with little opportunity for time off, we decided to take a break last week and drive two and a half hours down the Parks Highway to Denali National Park and Preserve. Deborah and I have enjoyed several previous visits, but realized recently we hadn’t made the trip in nearly five years. The girls had a great time, and were especially interested in seeing “da wiver” (the river; see below). They had three opportunities on the way, as we crossed the Tanana and Nenana rivers and concluded our trip on the banks of the Savage River. They were very impressed with each sighting and kept asking for more.

Our Denali 2008 photos are now posted in the Gallery so you can take a look at some of the scenery we enjoyed. There are also a few pictures of Deborah, Hannah and Elisabeth taken along the way. Wind and rain kept Stephen mostly bundled in his stroller, but if you look closely you’ll likely see him (his blanket) in the background on one shot near the Savage River. Let us know what you think!