Conquering Vertigo

A Pastor's letter to President Bush, Part 2

In this multi-part series, we're making a couple of risk-free assumptions. We're assuming:
• I've emerged from my sabbatical and am working again as the pastor of a Christian church.
• President George W. Bush has chosen me as his pastor.
• Mr. Bush values my counsel so deeply that it informs his decision-making processes.

The last one, of course, is the kicker -- in other words, what I say potentially has the power to change both his actions and perceptions. With that in mind...

Mr. President, through your confession of "Jesus as Lord," you have embarked on a life-long journey of growth and change. Some people call it discipleship, others call it sanctification. Here at our church, we describe this as practicing the habits Jesus practiced, valuing the things he valued, and making the choices that conform us to His character. To help you get started, I've customized a four-week course.

Week One:
Memorize this: we believe what we do, not what we say. Your words are still important, but no matter how eloquent and heartfelt, or contrived and stumbling, they will never reflect your character and purposes with the unerring precision of your actions. What you do and don't do -- the choices you make, the actions you take, the things you leave undone -- tell me who you are. The homework for this is: While you're in Crawford or Camp David this week, make a list of the things you've done and not done as President. Then open your New Testament and read Chapter 4 of the book of Ephesians. When we meet together next week, be prepared to compare and contrast your actions and decisions with the instructions for Christian living found in Ephesians 4.

Week Two:
Other people see truths about us that we might not know or are trying to hide. Confronted with the cognitive dissonance and psychological tension of hearing that others see us differently than we see ourselves, our strongest temptation will be to dismiss, downgrade or even demonize the other viewpoint. But consider this: I don't hear your thoughts, I see your actions -- and as we just learned, your beliefs are communicated through your actions. It's possible that my outsider's view of you may bring a new truth to your understanding of yourself. The more clearly and accurately you see yourself, the better able you are to make choices that reflect Jesus' values. Your homework for this unit is: First, choose six people outside your current administration -- mostly non-Republicans -- to give you feedback. Examples of ideal respondents would be former Fed chair Alan Greenspan, newsman Ted Koppel, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Ask the six people to describe to you how they experience you -- what they think of your character and beliefs, whether or not they trust you, and why or why not. Listen carefully and explore what they think and feel about you. Accurately record the information and bring it to our next meeting. Also, read Luke Chapter 4 this week.

Week Three:
Current reality -- we can't reach our goals unless we understand our current reality. One of the main reasons people don't reach their goals is that they are confused or deluded about their starting point. Also, we can't change course until we know the difference between where we are and where we want to be. What is your current reality, Mr. President? This week's lesson builds on last week's lesson, since other peoples' observations help us understand what is true about us. Your homework for this week is three-fold. First, read all of your campaign speeches from 1999 and 2000 and pull out the statements that describe what you promised to do and how you promised to behave as President. Next, turn these statements into a bulleted list and then compare and contrast them with your actions over the past 7 years, PLUS the feedback you received during Week Two. Here are two examples you can use in your finished homework: While campaigning, you promised to "be a uniter, not a divider." What is Ted Koppel's candid opinion about that? Do other people believe you have presided over the most partisan (divided) period in modern politics? Example Two: You promised an administration full of integrity. What does it mean that people in your administration have lied and have broken laws? Third, read and meditate on Matthew Chapter 5.

Week Four:
The fruits of the Spirit. One of the bedrock principles of the life of Jesus is that what is true inside shows on the outside. Others will know we are Christians by the love we show, not by us saying we're Christians. This week's lesson is to examine Galatians Chapter 5, particularly the fruits of the Spirit, and compare and contrast with the fruits of your Presidency. Please write an essay about your responses -- and your adminstrations actions -- regarding the following things, and compare and contrast your actions with the fruits of the Spirit: The Iraq War, Katrina Aftermath, Campaign Trail rhetoric, Global Warming, the collision between Science and Ideology in your administration, and your torture policies.

I look forward to our meetings, Mr. President, and am convinced that as you pursue discipleship in Christ courageously and diligently, you will wind up being the kind of President you promised to be.

posted by Woman In Love @ 11:06 PM