We don't like Ike - let's pray for a change!

'We like Ike!' - that was the slogan that once helped President Dwight D. Eisenhower to take the White House by a storm caused by waves of public support in 1952. I am very old - approaching 47 - but far too young to remember this. But as an educated History teacher I've learned my lessons. And I sure hope and pray that the same is true for the American people today - caught in an election with slogans about winds of change, threatened by an economic disaster and beaten up by hurricanes - such as Ike.
My God, what's going on? I live on the other side of the Atlantic - the problems seem so far away. And most American families will live their lives as if nothing serious is happening to them.
Hurricanes have always been there. And our global economy has weathered some storms before. Leaders will rise and fall - nothing's really new - except maybe for the size and the frequency of the disasters and challenges.
In the meantime I am praying for the people of America. For the families that are isolated, for people caught in the winds and the waves. I am a Dutchman and I know about the threat of water, but thanks to God not by personal experience -yet. Let's do what we can and let's ask our Lord to silence the storms once again. And let the body of Christ on this side feel the pain of the body on the other side. My prayers are with you, friends! Trust in the Lord, keep the faith - Jesus is still the Lord of the winds and the waves.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. Ephesians 4

This blog entry is my reply to the news here.

What's wrong with Condoleezza?

I was expecting a very smart move. John McCain, Republican presidential hopeful, was surely going to surprise us with a brilliant running mate... Condoleezza Rice, of course! But wait a minute... I've just heard that he's now running with Sarah Palin! Sarah Who?
I haven't made up my mind about the US presidential elections yet - don't have to, being a distant Dutchman - but I am honestly impressed by Obama. Don't understand why he didn't select a strong female dance partner for this ball, but maybe he wanted to compensate his lack of experience in foreign affairs by asking an expert in this field (Joe Biden) to join him. Unfortunately Condoleezza wasn't an option for the Democrats... But my goodness, why on earth is John McCain dancing, excuse me, running with Sarah Palin? Okay, she's smart and beautiful, she's a mother at home and a governor in Alaska too. And let's not forget one major qualification: she is pro-life. Let's wait and see. But I still can't believe that McCain didn't ask Condoleezza Rice to become his strong, smart and beautifuly coloured female vice-presidential nominee.