I Voted

I voted today. It's at times like that I remember just how special this grand experiment in democracy really is. People of all ages, all races, civilian and military alike lined up and worked through the process to make their voice heard in our political process. No one pressured anyone. There wasn't a hint of scandal. The poll workers were efficient and friendly. The room broke into applause when a first time voter signed in. It was grand. It was glorious.

It was America.

Yes, I know it is fashionable to push away from any hint of pride in the place of one's birth. And for some that is couched in Christian piety. The feeling I get is that we aren't supposed to care about what happens in elections because our allegiance ultimately is to God. Funny, Jesus had no problem figuring out the duties of a citizen. All that "render unto Caesar..." stuff didn't seem that complicated.

So sorry. I love America. Days like today thrill me.

For me, it is an immeasurable blessing that God placed us here at this time in history among these people. I live and work alongside those who have placed their lives on the line again and again so that my family might stroll up to the voting booth and drive away with a smile. Some who lived here have given that "last full measure of devotion."

I may disagree with the way you vote (or have voted if you are an early bird too), but I hope we can agree that though flawed, God has shed His grace on our America.

Pray that God's will is done.

Pray that we're willing to do it as much as it is up to us.

May God Bless America again.

Questions

So I'm cleaning up my office. I pause there for the NewHopeians who read this to recover from the shock. And no, that doesn't just mean I'm moving the books around.

And I find a book, or rather "The Book of Questions."

The stated goal is "an enjoyable way to find out more about yourself and others and to confront ethical dilemmas in a concrete rather than in an abstract form."

There are 200 questions in the book.

Questions like:

#22 "If you could use a voodoo doll to hurt anyone you chose, would you?"

#26 "If you could end hunger in the world but to accomplish that you would have to murder one innocent person, would it be worth it?"

#136 "If you knew the child you were carrying would be born severely retarded and would most likely die before the age of five, would you abort it?"

This is obviously not a party game sort of book.

But you know what? Neither is the Bible.

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Mark 8:36-37

When I thought about that verse today, it was as if God led me to consider what my actions are in light of Who He is and what He values.

Life.

I can vote my pocketbook, or I can vote God's heart.

So here's a question. Call it number 201, but for me it is number 1.

If you believed a candidate would be better for your pocketbook, but his election would cost the lives of additional thousands, even millions of babies, how would you vote?

Just wondering

I've been reading Galatians this week in preparation for Sunday's message. Reading it and rereading it. Paul's passion for the believers in Galatia to not short themselves but receive all of the freedom the gospel brings just seems to leap off the pages for me. As is said in the South "He means that thing." (IOW it is a conviction at the root, not a preference that could shift with changing circumstances.)

For some reason my thoughts jumped to all those who fight to have the Ten Commandments posted in the public square.

Shouldn't we be asking for the sermon on the mount to be placed there, or at least the Beatitudes?

Or do I need to go back and read Galatians again?

Maybe I'll just play some music.