Hi. I'm kinda eavesdropping and cutting in here, but with this being a public post..well, I suppose it's expected.

Brad, I agree with your point in the original post..although (and I have TREMENDOUS respect for you and loved your message a couple of Sundays ago..and one of your video posts in NewSpring.cc blog was so powerful I knew I had to get my children involved in Fuse--I want to tell you this so that you know where my heart is toward you and you don't take my next comment wrong) with the position of leadership you hold and the multitude (yes, multitude!) of teens and young adults who follow your lead..well...lemme share an example I saw at my baby sister's graduation the other day:

There was a man a couple of rows in front of us, and his daughter (maybe 10-12 years old) was next to him. She was being a kid and playing around a little..but when the National Anthem began to play, she stopped and held her hand over her heart. Then she looked up at her dad, and nudged him..and motioned that he must have forgotten to put his hand over his heart. A hardness came over his eyes, and he shook his head 'no'. He stood there cold and stiff through the song, and refused the Pledge of Allegiance afterward.. My heart broke for the girl, because she's being taught by her father to be cold and rebellious. I asked God to reach into that man's life and do a work in him...but even more, that He will keep the girl's heart tender and show her a better example to follow.

Brad, you are that example..You are an inspiring speaker and the kids will follow your example.

I agree that politics are not the answer. And I love your 'bullet train' analogy! But what kind of country will we live in if we all become cold and rebellious and grow to despise our nation and its leaders..?

I seriously hope you know that my heart toward you is not to criticize..just to remind you who you are to our children. Not a god, but a leader and an inspiration! Tell them politics aren't the 'answer' but that we need to make our voices heard in this democracy so that our country doesn't go to hell in a hand basket. The media and many of the high-ranking politicians would like everyone who stands for anything good and decent to think that they're the only one so that we will feel outnumbered and keep our voices quiet..Let's know that they won't be our salvation, but that we should be heard! :)

Keep goin' and keep doin'..cuz you're an inspiration to those who don't have one!

love your thoughts... love your heart... and believe me... i love your kids... "cold and rebellious" is not my posture... and i hope you dont feel that is what i communicated--- i dont believe that to be the theme of my original post--- if that is your interpretation than i have missed my mark---

I value freedom... and i value sacrifice... i value my current blessings and the democratic system in place.... I am a patriot... BUT THIS IS SECONDARY TO MY ULTIMATE ALLEGIANCE TO CHRIST...

The aim of this post several months ago (in season w/ our world) was:

1) To call Christians to really question themselves and their motives... their dollars... their vigor... and their voices in the political climate of the day...

and

2) create some conversations between Christians (in families or otherwise) that really pressed down on their heart and what was @ the heart of politics. What has ultimate reign and priority in each of our lives? Why does it seem that more 'christians' are openly passionate about a political figure/system/party than they are about a RISEN SAVIOR... Why does it seem that more 'christians' are adamantly against certain political figures/parties/policies instead of being ADAMANTLY AGAINST SATAN AS A WHOLE...

so to compare my blog to a man not covering his heart @ an event isn't a fair juxtaposition... Unless of course... He wasn't covering his heart b/c to do so would be to make the stars and stripes Preeminent in his heart... so he decided to abstain...

My fear is that many 'christians' have placed faith in a political system...
and whether their mouths preach that reality or not... THEIR ACTIONS SPEAK VOLUMES...

Thanks for your reply..I worried that I came off as one of those people--you know 'em..

I appreciate the clarification. :)
And thanks for all you do for the children!

..to clarify..I don't think you have a cold or rebellious streak, but was trying to explain how our hearts (being evil) need only the slightest nudge of permission..especially the teenage ones..

if i was chasing cool this might apply--- sadly ... many are damned by politics and the hopes of freedom in a system or philosophy.... Salvation comes only in a man and in God's economy through that Christ...

Maybe you weren't chasing cool, but you were using profanity as an attention getter. You said so yourself in the post. It is just my opinion, and Ed Young's, that this devalues your message and your image as a pastor and leader. I partially agree with your post--some people do place too much faith in politics--but your word choice distracted me. I just can't get over this whole trend of pastors using profanity--even to make a point. Be creative with language, not ordinary. And I think Ed's blog was directed at pastors using profanity at all, not just when they are "chasing cool."

i am fairly sure that "Damn" is the exact word... and the exact definition i wished to communicate--- it was perfectly placed... i appreciate your efforts here... but you are barking up the wrong tree... my usage and those in his video are on their face completely polar-

Awesome Post! If the people who promote politics poured that money into reaching people for Jesus Christ this country and world would be flipped for Jesus! I vote Jesus Christ, keep making Jesus even more famous! Thank you!

Best. Political. Post. Ever.

Not to detract from the value of this post, but I thought it was interesting that you used an "antimetabole" in the title of a post regarding politics, because I just read this article earlier today:
http://www.slate.com/id/2199536/

that's on the money bcoop! catchy title too - it made me click.