The Lesser of Two Evils

During this political season I've been pressured relentlessly to vote for either McCain or Obama. Funny thing is, I bet both of their VP candidates would make better Presidents than them. The main argument I get is the lesser of two evils argument. "Vote for McCain because Obama is a baby killer!" "Vote for Obama because McCain will croak in office." (prob true). I just don't see how a bad opponent qualifies somebody for office. Or the argument that a vote for a third party is a waste of my vote. That is probably true because the U.S. has polarized itself so horribly. I miss the days of Thomas Jefferson. When we had Federalists and Democratic Republicans. I am a Federalist at heart my fellow Americans. One who is morally conservative, fiscally liberal, and against social injustice. I propose we re-form this party. I just hate BS and that Washington is full of partisan BS'rs. I don't want to vote for the most liberal senator of his generation morally because he is young, black, and a good orator. Because those are the only three qualities that are keeping him in this race. I don't want to vote for a moderate war hawk who has made a career at being the political middle man. I never agreed on the war dude. You scared the American people into supporting the republican war by telling us we were going to get WMD'd at school. I'm just tired of these two sides not representing how I feel and being my only choice. Choosing a lesser of two evils is CHOOSING EVIL! So I'm not voting this election. But maybe I'll vote if I find out one of the candidates is terminally ill. Than maybe that no BS governor from Alaska will become president. But I doubt she has any leverage in the Good Ol Boys club of Washington D.C. So I urge you to stop supporting politicians. Support servants! Why does being a senator have to be a career? Don't raise or lower taxes. Spend our current tax money better. That first starts with the money glut called foreign entanglements. We dole out Trillions to wars, councils (UN, NATO), aid, subsidies, and bad investments. When are we going to stop policing the world. It just doesn't make sense to be in Iraq on false pretenses when my brothers in Africa are being killed for their faith and tribe. Lets stop pissing the rest of the world off and actually try and build a good relationship with world powers. From what I can see, the top 3/4 world powers don't like us a whole lot. Even the people of the 4th(UK) don't like us a whole lot. So this election vote for a candidate that represents all of you and not just a part of you. Don't vote for McCain because he'll try and reverse Roe v Wade. He might add to a lot of other social injustices making himself a whole new problem. Don't vote for Obama because he is going to "Change" things fiscally. When the man doesn't mind that doctors literally vacuum the brians out of partially born babies. If we had more people who voted for a candidate that represents their whole self we would have a better country. We can't change Washington. The people we elect has to. Both of these guys are the things I want to change in Washington.

In The Midst of Trial

I have come to a point in my walk to where I see God's hand in the present. Right now I am definitely being broken. Though I am being broken I have never felt stronger in a time like this. Yesterday I found out that an elder from my home church had a heart attack. He is a great example of a legit Christian man in my life. He is also my childhood best friend's dad. So basically he is family. I also hurt my ankle playing footy at the school. It feels a lot better today. Sig, the man who had the heart attack was downgraded from ICU to home care. Things are looking up. There is a third issue which is to hurtful and two personal to let all of you know about. I feel as if today was a big step forward with that situation. I hope it turns out well. If you have a TRUE friendship with me I will maybe let you know but just don't ask about it. I have good friends at home and good family in Sandy to talk to about this pain I feel. Yahweh is with me in this time. He wants me to react with praise and this is what is happening. My biggest spiritual pet peeve is when Christians run from God when life gets hard. We curse the one who saved us for a hang nail. God is praiseworthy in all situations because he is perfect. I am done battling God. In all humility I am guilty of my own pet peeve from time to time. This seems to be a constant theme in my life. My friend John told me last year that he prays a dangerous prayer. That God would give him trials to persevere through to make him a better man. I challenge all Christians to pray this prayer. It has become a part of my devotion. Though trials are painful they will transform you into the likeness of Christ more rapidly than the man who runs from trial. Anyone who is close to me understands how amazingly hard, yet good this year has been for both my family and me. But the focus in mind always has to be the glory of God and what that looks like in every situation. I guess you could read James or Job and feel the same way. I figured that I would put a personal face to the principle that lies in the beginning of both those books. That the man who perseveres has reacted to God's trials in a righteous way. May God Bless Sig and his family. May he also bless my family. May God Bless her. May God bless my 4 friends who live with me and have all been there for me this week. Oh and may God curse sucky cleats which easily allow my ankle to roll. I love you all and hope that when life gets hard you turn to God and ask for his undying grace.

In Him
Gabriel

Oden: The Blazers Future

I went to the Portland Trail Blazers game vs the Dallas Mavericks game tonight. We won 108-105 and it was a stellar performance by a non-playoff team. The Blazers improved greatly this year. I'm giving most of that cred to two players, Brandon Roy and Greg Oden. Brandon had an amazing season coming off of his Rookie of the Year performance last year. He became a sophomore All-Star this year which is rare in the NBA. He led the team to a much improved season. Next is Greg Oden. When we drafted Oden our hearts lept for joy in Portland. When we heard he was injured and would miss the season it was like our family dog died. The talk that Oden brought to Portland and all the fans is what transformed this team this year. We sold out the Rose Garden 26 plus times this year! Greg will be back next year and I can't wait! LaMarcus Aldridge comes in at third and completes the big 3 in Rip City. With these three guys and possibly picking up a franchise PG or SF this off season I see a bright future led by Greg Oden. This town misses the the franchise center days of Bill Walton. Greg we are extremely glad to have you and I hope we make championship toe rings for you because your hands will have too many.

Recieving Bad News

I noticed a weird pattern in my life this last weekend. When I receive bad news that directly affects me I first don't react. Than I start acting like a little witty jerk. My friend dies, family troubles, don't get leadership position, whatever it is. It's a good thing that I have a friend who will pray with me about it. Thank God for other believers. But really! It bothered me because I wasn't conscious of my attitude while I was being a jerk. I noticed after seeing the reaction of my friend's face after I made some perverse comment. Thank you Jeff! Part of the problem is I don't do super well with rejection. But neither do most human beings. I am just pissed at myself for not being conscious of my attitude. Usually my friend Lucas will tell me if I'm being a DB or not. Or Paxton maybe. Here's the thing though. I can deduce these actions to sin. My problem with sin is that I sickly love it while I'm doing it and hate it after. I would rather Obey God than have to ask for his Grace. Thank you Jesus for your Grace! I know I need God's Grace every single day but when I'm not conscious of sin that bothers me. Why can't I react to bad news righteously? Heck sometimes I don't even react to good news righteously (gloating/bragging). Now that I look back to all my bad news situations I follow up with this bitter attitude that really says F*&k You. Sorry for the language but that's my attitude. I have some apologizing to do. I'm sorry to the friends who had to deal with me not getting R.A. I'm sorry to the friends who had to deal with my attitude because of my family issues. I'm Sorry Jesus. Have mercy on me, a sinner.

Spring Break Bonanza

I had the opportunity to fly out to Ohio and spend Spring Break with A Discipleship Training School (DTS) for Youth With A Mission (YWAM). The students were on outreach week so I went with them to work with handicap patients and to the Dayton projects to feed and pray with the needy. It was an amazing experience. My sister Tara and brother-in-law Shane run the DTS. I learned a lot about what it means to be created in the Image of God and how God created us all equal but born into different circumstance. I'm really blessed in my circumstance to be an unpersecuted white male living in the richest country in the world. I basically have it easier than any people group of all time. The whole experienced has encouraged my soul and I loved it. I had a couple first experiences. On the trip I went to Ohio, Minnesota, and Kentucky. I've never been to any of those states. I like Oregon a lot better than all three of them. I also had my first white castle...they are nasty. Overall spring break was pretty bad ass. If you know me ask me about it.

Life to Date: Sunset On The School Year

I am stressed beyond belief but calm as can be. The end of the 07/08 year at Multnomah is interesting. I found out Friday that I didn't make the RA team and was a little disappointed but not surprised. I will hopefully get to move into a house with a bunch of my friends from school for the next school year. This year has been hard. My relationships have been rough. This semester's classes are tough. I need the summer! I am interning this summer as a pastor which is an amazing opportunity for what I want to do. I'm teaching about the book of Ephesians in a sermon series. I'm tired of being where I'm at currently and need some change. School is lackluster this semester because of my living situation and my few good classes. I like a girl but don't have much time to get to know her. I might as her on a few more dates though ;) Oh Lord Jesus free my soul and continually redeem it as this period of my life enjoys a beautiful sunset into a new day.

I'm sick and have no energy

there is an illness going around Multnomah and I'm caught in the middle of it. I think i might have given the illness to the first girl to have it. It's decimated the guys and now it's the girls turn on campus. This sucks, I have a fever.