Thoughts on meals, media, momming and more
Did you want fireworks? There were plenty of them during the first Republican presidential debate! In case you’d like to re-live the highlights because you need a good laugh, or you just missed some of the action, I’ve got ya covered.
*cover photo credit: DonkeyHotey, Flickr
I know, I know. It’s been too long since my last blog post. ::slaps hand::
Let’s just say I took a summer blog-cation. Ok? But what better way to knock me out of my summer blogging slumber than tonight’s first GOP debate for Election 2016! Today feels like Christmas. I’m so excited. #nerdalert
Never have I seen such a cast of characters in an election.
Tonight 10 of the 17 (17?!?!?!?!) Republican presidential candidates will take the stage in Ohio for the debate set to air on FOX News at 9 p.m. EST/ 8 p.m. CST, and my bet is that it will be very entertaining (oh, and hopefully informative too). I’m expecting the unexpected, but also definitely expecting egos to be on parade. But hey, at least Trump doesn’t have to worry about former Gov. Rick Perry’s hair “trumping” his, since Perry lost out on making it onto that Ohio stage.
All joking aside, lately I’ve been reading a good deal about the presidential candidates on both sides of the political aisle. Before you watch (And you should watch! Come on, kids. Let’s be informed voters, please.) tonight’s debate, get familiar with what’s been happening in the election arena the past couple of weeks with the articles linked below:
So when will it be the Dems’ turn? Glad you asked! They released their debate schedule today, much to Bernie Sanders’ and Martin O’Malley’s dismay. The fun for the Democratic presidential candidates begins in October.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” – Matthew 5:43-44
Jeremy Courtney and his organization, Preemptive Love, are doing that exactly. They have taken this Bible verse literally, and they are changing our world. They are bringing literal healing to Iraq – a place that so badly needs healing, and peace, and love.
***If you are just coming across this blog post, I encourage you to go here to read Part 1 first, and then come back.***
Today Jeremy, Ann Voskamp and Jennie Allen held a live stream discussion about what ordinary people like you and I can do to help the Iraqis who have literally lost everything at the hands of ISIS.
You can view their discussion below:
Jeremy has been in Iraq for 10 years in the thick of that country’s violence, and death, and pain, and yet his passion for Iraqis shines through his eyes. He seems unshaken by the scariness of it all. Today he said, “There are worse things than dying.” And let me tell you, he is living that truth out boldly.
As Jeremy and Ann spoke about Preemptive Love’s work in Iraq, the Bible verse above came to mind. I just kept thinking, “YES. THIS is the Gospel. This is the Good News. This is why Jesus came and this was His message.”
Ann and Jeremy are living out Jesus’ words in Matthew. They aren’t just loving the minorities who have been persecuted by ISIS; they are loving ISIS. Let that sink in for a second.
They are loving their enemies.
At one point Jeremy said something about Ann and the attitude she displayed during her recent visit to Iraq that’s also true of himself, “I’m made in the image of God, they’re made in the image of God, and I’m going to help all people made in the image of God.”
It’s true. No matter how much we may want to hate them, the people that make up ISIS are God’s children too. They are beautiful in His sight, and they are in need of forgiveness, and healing , and love just as much I am.
I pray more of us can learn that lesson and live it out. Oh how different this world could be if we did!
So you want to help, but what can you do?
If you’re moved to get directly involved with Preemptive Love, go here to inquire with them as to their staffing needs.
If you’d like to empower an Iraqi woman by making a donation toward a small business grant for her, go here.
If you’d like to make a general donation to Preemptive Love’s work in Iraq, go here.
And of course, the most important thing we can all be doing — pray.