Drive Carefully!

Well, it's official. Winter has begun in lovely Rochester, MN. No, it's not because of the weekend-long snowfall we've recently enjoyed (it's still early enough in the season that I actually enjoy it!). And, it's not the fact that my wife has switched out her extensive summer wardrobe for her "Man, it's still cold" winter wardrobe. The telltale sign that winter has officially come are the number of cars I see that have skidded off the road, or into the highway barricade.

That's right; Minnesotans sure know winter, but it takes a yearly reminder, it seems, to say, "Hey, you can't drive like that anymore" (and not for another six months, typically). Thankfully, I'm still new enough in town that I don't trust my instinct. I putter along like a nervous teenager, or an aging senior. But, I'm sure, like many of my Northern brethren, I will grow overconfident with each passing winter, and end up in a ditch somewhere.

Isn't that the way God works in our lives? We get a little overzealous, start to think we've got this thing figured out, and He allows circumstances to remind us, "Hey, this is My show." And, I don't know about you, but I'd much rather He pilot my life than keep bouncing against the guardrail!

My prayer is that you and I will "trust in the Lord with all our hearts, not relying on our own understanding," but, rather "think about Him in all of our ways, that He may guide us on the right paths;" that we "not consider ourselves to be wise, but fear the Lord and shun evil" (Proverbs 3:5-7). My prayer is that you and I will be so grateful for His care and providence over our lives (1 Peter 5:7-8) that we would never turn to the right or to the left (Joshua 1:7), but would follow faithfully His Word. The true disciple is the one who follows His Lord, even when he can't see through the snow.

The storms will come, whether you're in wintry Minnesota, or tropical Florida. The question is, will we confront them "sober and alert," ever vigilant to keep the faith, or will we succumb to that danger ahead, and all around?

Wait, wait...

Previously, I wrote of Christian girls "settling" for unbelieving boyfriends/spouses (since one will beget the other). As I've further considered this phenomenon, I fear I may have neglected one particularly affective component: the role of the father.

As a father, I have been reminded, already, that if I neglect my daughter, she will seek out that affection from the first one to show it. As fathers, it behooves us to rescue our daughters from this dastardly trap, by placing our affections squarely where they should be; on our families and mission, not on our own selfish interests. That includes working hard at our work, even if it is a "ministry." Let us not forget; Christ Jesus called us to Himself before He ever led us to serve His church. We must be the church, first and foremost, and that begins in our homes.

Please understand; I'm not advocating that these young ladies, then, are somehow exempt from their poor choices. I'm certainly not a proponent of the current trend to blame anyone else, save for one's self and their own sin nature. What I do want to be careful to note, however, is how easily my sin can impinge upon those I love, or profess to love, since love is best evidenced in action, not in words alone. We're reminded in Mosaic literature that the curse will extend to even the third and fourth generations of our family. We should be careful, then, to honor the Lord God in rearing our families in love.

Just Be Patient!

I'm scared. I"m scared for the number of Christian girls I know, or have known, who are mixed up in relationships with unbelieving guys. What gives? Why does this seem so prevalent and reoccurring? I'm sure I'll come off as an old dote in this, and will probably garner more negative feedback than anything, but, some things beg to be said, in the hopes that my true concern shines through, and defenses aren't automatically put up.

And, I'm not preaching here, people; far from it. I've just seen too often, and too close to home, what such relationships can do for a great Christian girl. My heart breaks at the prospect of such long-term relationships getting started on such unequal footing. I suppose it's easily enough done; guy shows girl interest, girl enjoys said interest, girl gives guy a chance. Guy may even make assurances of a walk with Christ, but, if there's one thing I know about being a man, it's that we'll do anything to "get the girl." We'll say stupid things, do stupid things, make up things; whatever it takes.

I'll never forget what my father-in-law said to me when he officiated my wedding. He said, in so many words, that guys enjoy "the hunt." And, it's so true; we are validated when we win someone's heart. And, girls--I'm no expert here, but...--girls seem to find validation in being accepted. In a way, both guys and girls are seeking approval, and we'll jump at the first "nice" guy or girl who will give it.

All I'm saying is this: I'm tired of watching people I care about settle. I don't know if we grow impatient for affection, or that we want to believe someone knows the Lord so badly that we convince ourselves that they do; I don't know. What I do know is that it's a recipe for disaster, and the Lord truly does have our best intentions at heart when He says not to be "unequally yoked." Our faith is tested when we decide whether we'll "seek first His kingdom," and if we'll truly believe that "all of these (other) things (joy, happiness, companionship) will be added" to our lives. The truth is, "He will supply all of our needs," including relationships, "according to His riches in glory."

For anyone who's reading this, know that I write this with all love and affection. With a daughter now of my own, I can think of little else that is more heartbreaking than the prospect that, one, she wouldn't know the Lord, and, two, that she wouldn't trust Him for providing the perfect mate.

You're worth waiting for, and so is he (whoever he is).

Your Christian Vote - Part 2

It is election season (if you haven’t noticed) and we find often find ourselves struggling with voting for the right person. Very often we see ourselves presented with two candidates, neither of which represents our views. Both of the candidates have so many things you disagree with but one is in agreement in an area you feel is more important than the others. So, knowing that one of the two is likely to win we plug our nose, close our eyes, and vote for “the lesser of two evils.”

Is this necessary? Most people in our country aren’t aware that there are more than two choices for President this year (and most years). Wouldn’t it be a waste of a vote to pick someone who doesn’t show well in the polls and would be lucky to get 5% of the total votes? What is a faithful Christian to do?

It is our responsibility as citizens of this country to choose our leaders. If our government is bad we have the option to vote those people out of office at the end of their terms.

"Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature ... If the next centennial does not find us a great nation...it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces." -James Garfield, 1877, 20th President of the United States

To vote for the “lesser of two evils” is to tolerate poor decision making simply because one makes slightly better decisions than the other. To vote this way is to tolerate recklessness because one is slightly less reckless than the other. It is to tolerate corruption because one is a little less corrupt than the other. If we continue to vote for the lesser of two evils, we continue to vote for evil; even if our goal is to simply slow down the evil.

We continue to vote for the lesser evil candidate hoping for him to change this country. But when his path is down the wrong road to begin with, what hope do we have for change. Isn’t this a picture of that cliché definition of insanity, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.”

Christians often vote for the republican candidates who claim they are pro-life and promise to work toward the end of abortion. But republicans had been in control for six years and did nothing to overturn Roe v. Wade. The republican president did nothing to deny funding to abortion clinics. We blindly accept over and over their promises and when they do nothing we vote for them again because at election time they call themselves “pro-life.”

If you were given the choice to vote for Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler, or a Christian who promises to uphold the biblical values set up by the founding fathers but is unlikely to win, who would you vote for? Both of the major candidates do offer some good things, giving money to those with little, funding the education system, and a strong military, but we already know their pitfalls. In this extreme example, the lesser of two evils idea doesn’t work. Why is it different now when we are presented with two candidates who have shown that they will not uphold Christian principles or even the Constitution of the United States? Especially when we have other good candidates to choose from?

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." -- John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the United States

Christians believe (or should believe) that God is in control of this world. Nothing happens without God guiding or allowing it to happen. Barack Obama or John McCain will not sneak under God’s radar and change God’s plan. Everyone who comes to power comes because of the will of God (1 Samuel 2:6-8, Romans 9:17, Romans 13:1 1 Peter 2:13,14). As Christians, we aren’t supposed to try and manipulate the system with our vote for someone who will offer us a couple of snacks so he can get into office and then ignore the will of the people. We are to be faithful to God in all things, even against insurmountable odds. God is faithful to do His will; we are simply to be obedient.

Despite major public opposition, both major presidential candidates voted for the country to go several hundred billion dollars more into debt. They promise us one thing, but when it comes down to listening to their constituents, they don’t think we are smart enough to be listened to. If they hear us saying we want abortions to go away and promise to work toward that end, what makes us think they will actually do what we ask when the time comes? They haven’t listened to us in the past.

It is time for us to start voting for what is right, not simply to avoid the worst case. We should be obedient to God, and let Him handle the results. Vote for the person who best represents your beliefs. Don’t let fear guide your vote; if God desires to put an ungodly leader in control, He will still be with His people. Inform your conscience by investigating all of the candidates, give loyalty to God not to a political party, and vote for the person who you believe will lead this country with the fear of God, not the fear of men.

Gideon took on an army with just 300 men while God brought the victory.

A young shepherd boy named David trusted God to take care of an entire army as he stepped forward in faith with a sling and small stone.

The disciples were told to take the gospel to the ends of the earth; a few men to millions of people over millions of miles. They were simply obedient to an apparently impossible task and God brought about the results.

It is time American Christians stop playing on the defensive side of the ball and start voting for the right candidates. Many people would love to vote for the best candidate, but they are afraid they are throwing away their votes. Where are we putting our trust? In our single vote, or the God of the universe who rewards faithfulness? God changes nations through the faithful obedience of a few, not through the pragmatic scheming of the majority.

2 Americans 7:14 if my people who are called by my name, will get a majority together to vote pragmatically for a man who may pass good laws, then they will change the hearts of the people and heal the land.

OR

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Let’s have faith in God to orchestrate the actions of men to bring about godly leaders as we humbly repent of our sins and act in faithful obedience in all areas of our lives to our biblically informed consciences.