a thought about McCain and this "Country First" business

During the Republican National Convention last week, many people raised signs that read "Country First." McCain talked about it during his speech last Thursday, how he puts America first because America "saved" him. (Did America actually "save" his immortal soul, or merely prolong his mortal life on Earth until the inevitable comes?) McCain said that he refused to leave the Hanoi Hilton before others who had been there longer than him, simply because they were fellow Americans. The audience clapped and cheered as he talked about how he has - and will - always put his country first.

I have to ask: Is "Country First" something that should be not only shouted from arena floors, but also practiced in public and private lives? Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world." If we are to live as citizens of Jesus' kingdom, is it permissible to say, "Country first?"

I don't need to ask Obama into my heart. I just need to ask America.