Michael is a second generation Christian of Italian ancestry. He is married to his lovely wife, Laura [who appears regularly at www.icardi.wordpress.com], and they have been married for over 3 years. They reside in Falls Church, VA, which is a suburb of the eastern Metro D.C. area, just within the “infamous” Beltway. Currently their household contains just a lovable, hyper and easily excited chocolate lab, who will be 3 in December. Bailey Lindbergh Icardi [his AKC registered name] has been with the family since he arrived in Tallahassee from South Dakota in March of 2006.
Michael and Laura are in the process of becoming members at Covenant Life Church (www.covlife.org) in Gaithersburg, MD. They will be transitioning with a team from that church to a church plant in the Arlington, VA, area which is much closer to their house and provides better opportunities for developing relationships. Michael agrees closely with the theological position of Covenant Life, which is “essentially reformed”. This stays true to the 5 points of Calvinism (TULIP) [though Michael still is not completely a full-blown TULIP follower], but believes in a continuation of the sign gifts and a differing focus on the sacraments.
Michael has a Masters in Public Administration with a Specialization in Emergency Management from Florida State University, where he also graduated with his Bachelors in Arts in International Affairs with a focus in the Middle East and a certificate in Emergency Management.
During his scholastic pursuits, Michael and Laura lived in Tallahassee, FL. There they attended Four Oaks Community Church (www.fouroakschurch.com) and Michael began the “reformed conversion”. Joining Michael and Laura, both of Michael’s parents, Laura’s sister and Michael’s brother graduated from or are currently attending Florida State University. Michael is a hardcore Seminole fan and watches every game, without exception. Few things evoke a more passionate response than Seminole athletics.
When time allows, Michael and Laura enjoy vacationing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, playing tennis, finding disc golf (www.pdga.com) courses and the occasional round of traditional “ball and stick” golf.
Michael’s love of politics, government and all things controversial occurred at a young age. The opportunity to take part in TeenPact (www.teenpact.com) only fanned the fire. Through TeenPact, Michael was able to travel throughout the country learning the ins and outs of government, leading a group of other students in Kentucky, campaigning in Kentucky, visiting D.C. and participating in a mock election cycle, and many other activities. This fire and passion burns deep, especially in the way he views Christians and politics.
His desire is to see the Church rise up as the leader in communities that it was designed to be. He wants to see the people of God put aside the things of the world and follow the commands of Philippians 2, seeing others as more important than ones self. Michael yearns for a country where government is not the answer to the question, but where the Church and its people reach out in love with spreading the gospel as their desire, but doing so in ways that minister to the felt needs of the populace.
Michael sees government in a limited sense, a constitutional one. Through this blog he hopes to present clear, well-researched point of views that challenge the readers to think about their lives, how they take action, what they believe and how it lines up with the Constitution, and ultimately, for those as believers, the Bible.
