Election Re-cap.

It's finally over. The pharmaceutical commercials are back, my mailbox is only filled with the regular junk mail and the yard signs are starting to come down.

It's been quite a year. Last night was also quite a night. Weather you were crying tears of joy or tears of despair it's a night we will all remember.

We watched the results with our good friends the Updykes. We ate cake, knitted baby things and played with Jude as the numbers came in. It was a fun evening with friends, friends who voted completely different from us. We voted Obama, they voted McCain. We laughed alot and even discussed a few important issues.

Despite our differing political views we hold many things in common. We have similar ethical convictions, spiritual beliefs and values. Where we differ is how to change/uphold certain issues within our government. The evening there weren't any heated conversations or slanderous comments against candidates. We treated each other with respect.

We had to leave right before they announced Obama as the next president (Jude was sleepy, I was sleepy). But we did watch the speeches before we went to bed. McCain's concessions speech was graceful and humble, I could see his disappointment yet I still think he will be supportive and respectful of Obama as the next US President. Obama's speech was inspiring. I believe he is a man that loves this country and truly does want positive change.

I am praying that everyone can put aside their differing political views and truly becoming the UNITED STATES. I pray that we can learn to be respectful of each other and to be supportive and respectful of our new president.

I think that our election evening with the Updykes is a beautiful picture of what it is to be American.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” (Rom 13:1,2)

RESPECT

Yesterday at church we continued in the series Ecclesiastes: What Are You Made Of?"

It was a great sermon and impacted me in various ways. But I wanted to expound upon one particular comment made by our pastor. He was talking about preparing for the presence of God. (not like heaven but preparing our lives for experiencing the fullness of God.) One of the points he made was about respect. How so many children today are disrespectful toward their parents and they in turn grow up to be disrespectful adults. And that cultural disrespect crosses over into the current presidential election. We say, "Obama is an idiot" or "McCain is an old geezer" which is disrespectful to these two men that are actually doing something and want to serve this country. Yes, I have been guilty of disrespecting the presidential candidates and I want to apologize.

Everyone deserves respect and God shows everyone the same respect and so should we. That includes our friends, family, neighbors, every race, religion, and sex... that includes our presidential candidates. You don't have to agree with them but you should show them respect.


Here is the scripture we studied:

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 (New International Version)

Stand in Awe of God

1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.

3 As a dream comes when there are many cares,
so the speech of a fool when there are many words.

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.

Political Blog

You're not going to see me write alot of political blogs because everyone has their own opinion and I think alot of people get too riled up about politics, especially on the internet. Anyway I've chosen my candidate as I'm sure you've chosen yours so I don't want to talk about their platforms, agendas or flaws.

But I do want to talk about voters, Christians and "God's will".

I've heard alot of people say, "I'm praying that the will of God be done in our country." Which in and of itself is great, if that is truely what you are praying for. Personally, I am going to vote for Obama (I've done my research and made up my mind and you probably won't get me to debate the issue so don't bother) but ultimately I am praying that God will enable to right leader for our country to rise above the others. (weather that be Obama or McCain). I will probably be disappointed if Obama doesn't win but I will accept that God has choosen McCain to run this country for now. If you are a Christian and truely want the will of God I think it's wrong to say, "I'm praying that the will of God be done in our country BUT if a certain candidate becomes president then obviously the will of God hasn't been done." Basically, you're saying maybe we didn't pray hard enough because surely God wouldn't want that other candidate to be president. Which translates, "God's will should be what I WANT".

I think God is big enough to handle our country's silly election. Granted it's run by sinful men and there will alway be conflict and strife but the laws weren't made to "Christianize" or "moralize" everyone they were made to maintain some sort of order in a sinful world.

That brings me to another point which we can discuss later but for now think about this... I am morally ProLife but think that abortion should be legal?

Just a few things to think and pray about...