So on this Black Friday day, I wonder how many people will buy gifts that will count?  Okay so admittedly, what I think counts might be different than what other people think.  So be it.

The stores were packed today  and if it was on sale, it was bought by someone.  And while my comments may border on Scroogedom, I do wonder how many of those things bought today will have any value beyond a few weeks or a couple of months.

Don’t get me wrong, I do like to receive gifts just as much as the other person.  I do like to buy gifts for other people and seeing their reactions.  But shouldn’t our giving strive for something a bit more substantial than the next pair of jeans or the latest toy fad?

So before you go all nutty let me say that I have received and given plenty of jeans and toys over the years.  Don’t miss my point.  There is nothing inherently wrong with those things but what if we all primarily purchased items that promoted learning, family togetherness and the pursuit of God-focused ideas?

Noticed I said primarily.  I still like chocolate, remote control cars and toy guns.  Barbies…not so much.

I’ll leave you with a few ideas.  For the younger kids, books of course are good and ones that are God focused are even better.  We bought The Big Picture Story Book last year after hearing about it on a podcast.  It is GREAT.  A quality printed kids book that portrays God accurately.  We also bought this Illistrated Bible a while back and it is also good.  Beyond those, how about games that you can enjoy as a family, activities you can do together or even skip most of the presents and GO somewhere and create memories that could last a lifetime?  Maybe if more people made an effort to make gifts count we wouldn’t have to see people get trampled on every year.

Okay so everyone is doing posts like this these days so I thought I would throw my hat in the ring.

Honestly I am really tired of the whole process.  I’m tired of being told what to think.  I’m tired of being told we need change. I’m tired of hearing about mavericks.  I’m tired of hearing slick speeches and tired of hearing everyone twist words.  I could really do without special TV commercials and I could give up hearing pontification with little substance.  I’m tired of the news only telling me about their favorite candidate.  I’m tired of endorsements.  Since when did the latest Hollywood star or your favorite newspaper ever change your mind anyway?  And most of all,  I’m tired of people who call themselves Christians act like God suddenly is not in control and that the outcome of this election will be a surprise to him.  Ridiculous.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be involved in the political process.  We should.   But let’s get this dog and pony show over with already.

I have to admit that I have become bored with the whole campaign process.  It didn’t use to be that way for me.  I used to love politics.  But it has become way too long, too much money is wasted and too many people are thrown under the bus and stepped on.  Neither side is really interested in having discussions about issues. 

The whole process is about power and control.  Nothing more, nothing less.

So here is the moment of truth.  Who do I like?  Well if you are a close friend of mine you will know who I will vote for but I like neither candidate.  How did we end up with these two guys?  Amazing really.  I’m really disgusted that these two tickets are the best that we can do.  I reject that reality and leave hope that one day we will have candidates the are much more qualified.

As for next week, I will vote for the ticket I dislike the least.

For a much better biblical approach to the situation, I give you John Piper.  You might not agree with all his points but I guarantee that he will make you think.