The Idol and the Avatar: Barack Obama, the second socialist politician from Illinois to elected President of the USA, borrows some mojo from the first.

"The president addressed Congress the other day. I don't know which was scarier -- the speech, or Congress cheering him on. He invoked Lincoln. Whenever a president is going to get us in serious trouble, they always use Lincoln." --Victor Milson, space adviser to the U.S. president, reporting ominous news from home to his friend Dr. Heywood Floyd (who is in the vicinity of Jupiter); from the film 2010: The Year We Make Contact.

The experiment known as Boise Liberty House began several months ago, when I was looking for a place to rent with some other Christian men. Fortunately, providence arranged for me to meet up with Steve, Ray, and Dan, and now we all rent a house together in Boise. We have worked out the details of day to day living and housekeeping responsibilities, using lessons I have gleaned from stories about the early settlers of Plymouth Plantation. Each pulls his own weight in sharing chores.

It is very economical, as my share of the rent is only $250 a month, and though I share a bathroom and kitchen, I have everything I need, and even use of a large workroom on the property. The best part, however; is the social interaction. It is exciting to come home to other men where we can expect lively discussion and debate about theology, Bible doctrine, and philosophy about the proper role of law and government. These things are ever new to us, and as we grow in our Lord and are given understanding, a type of momentum is building which is exciting to witness, as it works itself out in our daily lives. The discussions reverberate beyond our house as well, as Dan recounts the conversations he is having with his girlfriend and others.

We have not been without our disagreements, especially as I expound my belief in predestination, but our Lord has tempered our spirits, and we live in relative harmony with one another. Our numerous group conversations have convinced Dan of the virtue of the Christian Exodus strategy, and of sound reason with respect to how our Christianity ought to rule every aspect of our lives. As iron sharpens iron, these discussions have sharpened my wits and caused me to verify my own intentions in light of the Word. Materials from Will Grigg, Bill Denman and Lawrence Vance, have also been invaluable in tutoring me in my Christian walk.

Sometimes Dan and I go out on the streets to witness to people, with the Way of the Master. We’ve had some people react negatively, but generally the experiences are positive. At one point, Dan was talking with a couple guys on the street, and I came along, pretending to be a stranger, and started arguing with him so others could overhear, “So you are saying that God is in complete control of all things! What if I don’t agree with that?” He defended his points effectively. Another time, someone returned one of the tracts that we had handed out, saying “You dropped this.” “You’re a liar!” I responded, and then led into the point that all men are liars, and we all fall short of God’s perfect standard of righteousness.

If I have learned anything, it is this: Without Christ, and the truth of God’s Law and Biblical principles, our cause is lost. It is incumbent upon us as Christians to disciple one another in the context of shared life experiences, and not to simply bludgeon each other with facts unsupported by love.