The Shape of Things

Yesterday was the first of what I am sure will be many debates between the countless (eight) candidates vying for the democratic presidential nomination.

I haven’t paid attention to the views on the most of the candidates, but I did have a chance to view this speech by Barack Obama: Reconciling Faith and Politics

His comments about us living in a pluralist society got me thinking. If you believe in Jesus Christ as your savior, can you also believe we live in a pluralist society? Let me try and unpack this for you.

On one hand you have Jesus Christ saying the following in the book of John

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

On the other hand the theory behind religious pluralism:

In its strongest sense, religious pluralism holds that no single religion can claim absolute authority to teach absolute truth.

Obama’s response to his opponent’s claims in the 2004 Illinois Senate election that “Jesus wouldn’t vote for Barack Obama” was the following:

I answered with what has become the typical liberal response in such debates, namely I said that we live in a pluralist society and I cant enforce my own religious views on another and I was running to be the Senator of Illinois and not the minister of Illinois.

So what are my views on Obama’s stance on Faith and Politics?

Obviously his statement was a very well crafted political stance on a tough issue. He said it with conviction and I was really pumped up after hearing it. I was saying to myself… this guy is a strong Christian. But the more I studied the issue and really thought about it, all I see is another politician who is very gifted in public speaking. He was right down the fence, but he made it sound like he was on everyone’s side.

No thanks Barack. I like my leaders to stick there neck out… take a risk. Someone like Jesus Christ.

As I sit at Christina’s in Turlock I can’t help but ask the question: Where is Steve?

The simple answer is Dallas Theological Seminary. The long answer is one of the great young men of the central valley in California left Turlock last fall to educate himself in Dallas Texas… the same place that his long distance mentor Chip Ingram went to. 2006 will be known as the year of the exodus for me… I left Turlock in March, Aaron in July, Steve in August, and Tom in September. You could also throw my wife in there… Aug of 2005.

Steve, Tom, and Aaron were the 3 guys in our wedding party. So when I return to Turlock for the first time (11 months) since I got married and none of those guys are here it feels quite strange.

The one constant that I still have is my great friend Marco. I can’t really explain to you how much Marco means to me. He is one of those guys that you know cares about you. He wears it right on his sleeve. You know when you see a baseball player really digging deep trying to make a double out of a single. That is the best word picture I can come up with in regards to Marco’s attitude towards our friendship.

As I was sitting on the plane waiting for everyone to sit down I looked outside and saw something that I had never seen before. 4 fire trucks, 2 police cars, and a hearse. I was immediately drawn into the situation. Who could it be? Who is this important? After a few minutes I could see the casket… covered in an American Flag. Red, White, and Blue.

I can’t really tell you why but my mind went straight to my Dad. My Dad was in the Vietnam war. I was feeling quite afraid that “what if my Dad had died in the war”. Then I was getting mad that we have troops in Iraq. But then I started thinking that unless my Dad was brave enough to go to war I might not have this comfortable life.

Pro-War? Anti-War?

In Seattle at this point in time its seems to be very popular or hip to be Anti-War. I guess my feelings is that it is as subjective a topic as anything else. I would tend to say I am more against the current war in Iraq… however I am in favor of the war in Afghanistan, the pending war in Iran??? I haven’t decided my views on that just yet.

Tomorrow my wife and I will return to California for the first time as a married couple. We met in California, dated for 6 years, got engaged, and also had our wedding there. We have waited 11 months before returning mainly to follow God’s command to leave, cleave, and weave. I am referring to Genesis 2:24 which Roy Chapin quoted during our wedding ceremony.

Honestly it has been quite hard leaving behind Hilmar Cheese Company, Monte Vista Chapel, and many good friends. We have found a church here in Seattle, but I still do have reservations about joining the church. We are finding that Genesis 2:24 is easier said than done.

I feel so blessed to be married to such a wonderful person, there is nothing like the sound of my wife talking to family in the other room. I could listen to her for hours. I will admit though… it was quite strange when we first moved in with each other. I found out how selfish I really was/am. I also found out that Kelly leaves the kitchen cabinets open all the time… and Kelly found out that I drink all of the juice in the house before she has a chance.

I have found a bit of success in my career in the IT field. Recently I was promoted from SysAdmin II to Sr. SysAdmin. There are quite a few really smart and talented people around me that I owe for allowing me to grow into role. It was also a bit of luck, in that the person directly above me left the company to work for Microsoft. I guess I am hard working and lucky…

Finding friends in the northwest has been quite interesting. I actually had 2 really close friends move from Turlock to Seattle within 7 months of me moving here. I am sad to say, that I am not as close to them now as I was back in Turlock. Maintaining friendships is also something that is easier said then done.

After years of being in the tech industry and not having my own domain (how absurd) I am pleased to launch shaneschnell.com

I plan to keep the content fresh, thought provoking, and consistent.

For Christmas my wife got me tickets to see the sonics and blazers. We took the bus down to Key Arena tonight to see the battle of the 2 worst teams in the western conference.

They were handing out posters and towels outside the arena for free. Of course I had to had one… I threatened to hang up the poster in the living room of our new house… that didn’t get very far.

The game was ok, Rashard Lewis had a great game. It was also nice to see Brandon Roy come back to Seattle. He is quite the player… should get rookie of the year no problem.

We walked home from the game. Took about 40 min or so. Now my legs are sore… I’m getting old.

This past weekend I had the privilege of taking my wife to one of the nicer hotels in the northwest… Salish Lodge and Spa

We both left work early on Friday to beat the eastbound traffic on 90. The room was great… dinner was ok, but the best part was just getting away from the daily grind and being able to relax together. We try to get away every 2-3 months, our next trip will probably be to Vancouver B.C.

God transcends time. God created the universe. He is the architect of all that we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell.

When Moses asks God what his name is… God simply says: “I AM WHO I AM”

So simple, yet so powerful. You can’t put God in a box… you can’t describe him. Tough to wrap your mind around is it not? At least it is for me.

Exodus 3:12-14

12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’

Saturday morning was possibly the best weather we have had this year in Seattle so the wife and I decided to check out a new park… Seward Park.

We walked around the entire park… about 2.5 miles, and it was absolutely beautiful. My wife kept saying how she couldn’t believe that we had never been there before. We had fun picking out our favorites dogs… mine was a well behaved golden lab… my wifes was just about any dog with 4 legs.

I am certainly blessed to have been given such a wonderful wife.

Proverbs 18:22