Two very different men are running for President of the United States: Barak Obama and John McCain. There are "multi-many" predictions about who is going to win and what precentage each has in any given poll.People have strong opinions about each candidate and their running mates. Due to various factors actually unrelated to each man's competency to be elected to this highest office in our land (like race and sex and media coverage), this election cycle has probably been one of the most intense of any ever. Add to that mix the dire predictions about our economy and numbers beyond my ability to comprehend, there is more than a little fear going around. Then, it seems the "Russians are coming" into the western hemisphere for war "games" for the first time since the "cold war" ended. More fear is going around!I used to say that if so-in-so were elected, I'd move to Australia but given the state of Australia that's probably not a positive option. So it would be easy to be stuck in fear - like Peter was (Matthew 14:30-31) - looking at the waves crashing at my feet and taking my eyes off the One Who put the stars in place. He can certainly control and rule and overrule in the affairs of men made from the very sod He made (Gen. 2:7)!A recent email reminds me of the truth that no matter who wins the election there are some unchangeable truths for my heart:- The Bible will still have all the answers for living God's way.
- Prayer will still work. God will still be listening!
- God's Holy Spirit will still be at work restoring hearts and changing lives.
- God will still show up when His people worship.
- Faithful pastors will still preach God's truth.
- God's people will still have reason to praise Him!
- Jesus' work on the cross will still work to restore hearts and lives broken by sin.
- God's love, grace and mercy will not change.
- Jesus will still be the Friend Who sticks closer than a brother.
- God's purpose for His creation will still be working out according to His plan and the earth will be filled with "the knowledge of the Lord" as surely as the water covers the sea (Habbakuk 2:14).
So, yes, it does matter that serious Christians vote their conscience in this election, but we must remember that God is still on His throne no matter who wins!
I am not confused about whether Mormons are Christians. They are not. The "gospel" they have is no gospel at all. Years ago in college I knew a Mormon guy. Part of what he had factored into his life was to spend two years as a Mormon missionary "evangelizing" for his faith - you know, one of a pair of guys with bicycles wearing suits.Yesterday Mitt Romney was in the news for withdrawing from the presidential campaign 2008. If nothing else, he certainly understands economics. Crunching the noses of delegates and the numbers of contributions must have convinced him to retreat to fight another day.As "being restored" believers there is a lot we could learn from the Mormons. We need their evangelistic zeal. We have the Truth (John 14:6), and we handle it lightly. Most of us don't factor into our lives two intentional years of being a missionary. We also need their clean-cut family values. Look at the Romney family. Of course, they may have "cleaned up" for the presidential campaign run, but I don't think so. They have lived in the public eye for a long time. I saw an interview with the Romney sons. It was quite clear that they genuinely enjoy each other. Once again, we have the Way but as being restored believers we don't model Him in our family relationships like we should.We have the Life! We walk in a world screaming for meaning and life and restoration. Living and sharing that Life takes time, energy and even sacrifice. It takes being willing to live and love others in ways that show them Jesus!"Restoration" and "Restoration Heart" are simply words or titles unless we live and model God's restoration to a broken world!
