More election thoughts ...

Well here we are on this west end of the political conventions. From the statistics it is apparent that many wanted to hear the keynote addresses of those running for President and those chosen for VP. For us as Christians, we must stand for values. We openly acknowledge that no one is perfect. All of us are a story in progress. The important part is the direction on the heart. God calls people who are imperfect to leadership. He loves and shows favor to people who openly declare their allegiance to Him.

Proverbs 28:12. When good people come to power, everybody celebrates, but when bad people rule, people stay in hiding.

So how do we decide who is 'good' and who is 'bad'? We can always find 'bad' in a good person, and 'good' in a bad person. Matthew 15:11 says, What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’” So from this we can conclude that words are very important.

Unfortunately, in our culture you can not take everything at face value. You must look at the context of what people say. In this day and age we are fortunate to have the internet, UTube, GodTube and many others. You can look up speeches, voting records, appearances and all sort of other valuable things to help understand the context of a candidates 'words'. So all we have to do is google Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, John McCain and Sarah Palin. Look at what they believe, where they go, who they support, what they stand for, what they vote for, what they vote against, what they say in speeches, and etc. Most of the text of their speeches can be found on the internet.

So what kind of things are important to God? For some it would seem like the most important thing is the absence of war. But that doesn't hold water. As horrible as war is and while it should not be the first option, it is a nation's right to defend it's liberties, defend the defendless, promoting justice and the checking of evil. So what else is important? The preservation of life for children and orphans, the sanctity of human life, (more babies have been killed in America from abortion, 50 million, than all the causities of American war combined) longevity of marriage between a man and a woman, generosity, compassion, good and faithful stewardship -- in wealth, in ecologly and the environment, (but remember, we are to worship the Creator not the created), teaching people to fear and honor God, teaching absolutes, learning the different between right and wrong, and moral values -- for a short list.

In this political race there is a stark difference in what the candidates believe. As Christians, we must not get caught up in being members of a certain political party. Our identity is in Christ. We must stand for candidates who stand up and honor God. We have a obligation as citizens of this earthly kingdom to vote. We must vote values. There is a Biblical mandate to be salt and light to our nation.

Just this past week on CNN James Carville, a Democratic strategist said, in speaking for all Democrats ... "that things like being pro-life and teaching creatism are things the Democrats do not find attractive!" I would like to say to Mr. Carville that I (and a lot of other born again Christian think these issues are very attractive) and I would think God finds these issues very attractive as well! I plan on voting for candidates who are concerned about issues that God says are important. I hope you will also.

Values are important. Who we stand for and who we vote for says a lot about our on world view and belief. Washington reflects the values of the majority voters in an election. There is no excuse for not voting. And yes, it is right to vote for God fearing candidates!