George W. Bush and Oprah

This week I saw George W Bush plugging his new autobiographical book on Oprah. Normally Oprah rather annoys me but I actually heard he was going to be on and purposely watched it because I always sorta liked him. I was really impressed at how he handled himself. Mostly she was really polite to him but she didn't really 'get' him I don't think.

George handled himself really well. He said he did his best, he didn't care what people said, he was flawed but he loved his country and tried to do right by her. He said he tried to treat people the way he wants to be treated and that's why he doesn't go criticizing the current  Pres. He said; "Believe me his job is hard enough he doesn't need me criticizing him." He said he had no desire to be back in the limelight and wrote the book so people would know why he made the decisions he did.

Then he said something that shocked her. He said all the criticism he received and the jokes made at his expense didn't hurt at all compared to when it was done to his father. She just couldn't believe this. Then there was a mini interview with George senior and his wife who both also said it was harder to see their son trashed than taking it themselves.

I always said, I'd rather HAVE the baby than be in Ryan's shoes watching someone I love suffer through tremendous pain. (Just don't ask me during hard labour, I might be ready to tag out then...)

It was very significant to me that Oprah didn't get this. Obviously there is no one in the world she loves more than herself! She's an billionaire, she's famous, she's called a wonderful giving kind person all over the world and yet she doesn't know what it's like to want to suffer instead of watching someone you love suffer! Odd.
He also told her that while politics were a part of his life they did not define his life. Again Oprah said "Really!" That leads me to believe that she defines herself by what she does. I felt like I was learning more about Oprah than George!

Not that all that really surprises me. Oprah is very new age. She thinks you can make your own future and think positive and do good so you have good vibes. She doesn't really believe that at heart we're all the same, sinners.

I feel sorry for her. With all her millions she can't buy the knowledge that's been gifted to many Christians. The knowledge that without God's will our will is totally depraved. We can't and may as well not try to do it alone. The knowledge that without the faith and the work of the Spirit good works are empty.

This is a good reminder for me too. Recently my mom said to me "When you do something good do you know why it feels so good? Because then you know that God is working in you." Wise words from a wise lady! That means we shouldn't take pride in our works but in our God who powerfully works them in us by His Spirit! Isn't PRIDE one of the seven deadly sins....?

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.