Choose some well respected men..........

“Choose some well-respected men from each tribe who are known for their wisdom and understanding, and I will appoint them as your leaders.’”

Deuteronomy 1:13 NLT

http://bible.com/116/deu.1.13.nlt

I have watched every political debate so far this year between each of the parties presidential candidates. I am a deeply political person. I love my country and all that it CAN be. I am gravely concerned. We have lost touch with where we've come from and where we are going. We are polarized against each other and our wonderful nation is deeply divided. I truly believe all our candidates, republican and democrat, have a heart to help people in our country. But, our government has gotten so big that when we see obvious, necessary, changes, we can not move. Our beauracracy has grown to the extant we can't change. The men and women running for our highest leadership position do not have the power and skill to change all that needs changed because real change is not easy. True leadership takes action that's best fort he country, not best for their political future.

I am fearful for our nation. I am fearful we can not lead or find real leaders with wisdom and understanding. I am overwhelmed with the lack of real leadership qualities for our political leaders. We have "actors" trying to fit our leadership mold and have no one to make the thoughtful, tough decisions. 

So, what do I do? 

Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray!

Dear Lord, we need you! We need you to intervene. We need you to raise up great leaders that know you and have the strength, power, and ethics to lead this country. We need you to rescue our country from the evils attacking us from all sides. I love you so much Lord and know I have nothing to fear because you are here to protect me. You have always protected me and watched over me and I am humbled by your love! Come Lord Jesus! Amen!

Our Nation will fall

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15 NIV)

I'm getting so I hate politics. Most people are way ahead of me on this. I have always admired politicians and there dedication. Just like most modern day heroes, the image they portray is not always perfect. Politicians, actors, actresses, athletes, and business men are not perfect. They are just as sinful as we are. They succumb to temptation and the lures of fame and fortune add extra pressure. Most can't handle it. I have always looked on them with pride, not anymore. Republicans and Democrats alike are, more often than not, self-centered, egotistical, leaders. 

The political leaders of our nation seem to be more corrupted by power. Money has become more of an influence than people in our democracy. The price is the failure in our economy and more importantly the character of our nation. We are not a nation for the majority. We are a nation of the minority and special interest groups. We have removed God and faith from all our institutions. We have made it wrong to profess our faith. I'm dissappointed we can not overcome this.

The good news? The nations of our planet, the kingdoms, will fail. They are going to be turned over to  my savior. He will eventually rule all nations and kingdoms. I can't wait and dream of that day. Praise God protects his people even now, during all the times of turmoil, through all the evil and immoral leadership. Thank you Lord for your love and grace!

Compromise!

Psalm 133

A song of ascents. Of David.

 ¹ How good and pleasant it is
   when God’s people live together in unity!

 ² It is like precious oil poured on the head,
   running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
   down on the collar of his robe.
³ It is as if the dew of Hermon
   were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
   even life forevermore.

WARNING< I'm sorry. I'm going to get political.

The news is filled with lack of unity in our country right now. Everyone agrees there is a problem. We are spending more money than we are taking in and that can't work forever. Republicans and Democrats can not figure out how to COMPROMISE.  I can solve this problem of raising the debt ceiling. First of all I am a conservative. That's probably not surprising to most of you. But I am ticked off at the Republicans for not COMPROMISING. We need to raise taxes. We can't balance the budget without raising taxes. AND Yes, that will have to affect the small business owners and wealthy more than the middle class. We might have to add a national sales tax. Yep, these things are bad for the economy. But, it is worse to see our debt continue to pile up. AND we have to continue some entitlements to help the people who CAN"T help themselves.  We need to continue to invest in infrastructure and the military needs to continue to protect us against the lunatics of this world. BUT, we also have to cut out some waste. I'm only 9 years away from retirement but something SERIOUS needs to be done with medicare and social security.It is not working and it is going to kill this country. We need to stop sending so much money overseas to help out the rest of the world so we can dig ourselves out of our Debt hole. We need to live within our means. We need a balanced budget amendment. We need to force our representatives to stop spending or get more revenue. That is as simple as it is. FIX IT!

What ever happened to real negotiations where people gave up something to get something else. What ever happened to unity of purpose in order to fix serious problems. God wants us to work together. He loves unity. We can do it but we need to change our mindset. You can't win all of the pie. You might have to give something to get something. I really think the LARGEST MAJORITY of people would agree with me and are absolutely sick of DISunity.

Lord Help Us!

God is not running for Office!

Psalm 4 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁶ Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
   Let the light of your face shine on us.
⁷ Fill my heart with joy
   when their grain and new wine abound.
 ⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep,
   for you alone, LORD,
   make me dwell in safety.

It's January and we are full of so much hope for the new year. Now that our politicians have had their time off, they are back to work and ready to save the world., at least that's what they tell us.  They are absolutely sure they have all the correct answers. David knew that men were not going to bring his country into prosperity, God was.  God is the only one that can restore us to true prosperity. Our Country has  drifted so far from God. Before prosperity happened, David knew he was safe. He could lie down at night and sleep knowing God was in charge. Without God at the center of our Nation, we can not begin to enjoy the blessings. We can not dwell in the safety of his arms.

Our nation still has a huge unemployment problem. Many in Dekalb County and the nation have given up on work and don't show up on the improving unemployment numbers. My advice to them, don't give up! Go to sleep at night and put your trust in the light. You will be guaranteed prosperity through the savior. He will prosper you in ways you can not imagine. You can trust him when both republicans and democrats disappoint. He is not interested in the next election, he is interested in you!  His Love abounds. His Grace is sufficient.

Dear Lord, Thank you for loving us through poverty and prosperity. Please help those who are suffering right now. Give them strength to rely on you. Give them the peace they need to rest at night. Give them the patience to wait on the Lord. Thank you for your Blessings. Thank you for your Grace. You are an amazing and powerful God and we Love you with all our heart. Amen!

"My Fellow Americans......."

1 Thessalonians 2 (The Message)

 ^3-5..... Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you. ^6-8Even though we had some standing as Christ's apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren't aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.

The Apostle Paul would never make it in politics.  He wasn't after crowd approval. He made sure his message was truthful and free of errors. He didn't have mixed motives or hidden agendas. He didn't use flowery words. He never tried to throw is weight around. He wasn't aloof or patronizing, or condescending.  He was a loving and caring individual.

It doesn't matter if your democrat or republican, conservative or liberal, or any other political persuasion, I think most people would agree our system of politics has it's flaws.  If politicians would just follow this small passage from God's word we would be so much better off. I might be naive, but I really think politicians start out with noble goals and honorable convictions.  Somehow along the way they change.  They say power corrupts. I certainly think we can see that is true with our politicians.  Look at how many of them fall from power in less than noble ways. Our society is very complex socially and economically.  I think it is so obvious that no one side, no individual ideology is correct 100% of the time.  I wish politicians could just admit when something doesn't work.  They have all sorts of ideas.  When one of them doesn't work like they thought I wish they could just admit it.  Can you believe the President (either now, past, or future) calling a press conference and saying. "Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen, I just want to start off by saying I'm sorry.  Last year we tried to stimulate the economy and well, frankly what we tried didn't work.  I just want you to know we won't give up and we are willing to try something else and to continue to do that until we find out what works.  I will be in contact with the other party and we will try some of their ideas, since ours didn't work. Please accept my humble apology. I will continue to work for you and do what ever possible to help this country , even if it means I have to swallow my pride."

 I am not pulling punches against the Democrats who happen to be in charge right now.  I am just as critical of the republicans who seem bent on just trying to destroy the credibility of the democrats.  They haven't been to humble either.  They haven't helped to solve our problems, just divide us. Wasn't their a saying "United we stand, divided we fall!" What ever happened to really getting together and COMPROMISING?  Can't we swallow our pride long enough to try to work together regardless who gets the credit or the blame. Can't we just elect people who have the same convictions Paul did?  I want to see leaders who don't speak through a smoke screen, that don't have hidden messages, that care more abotu people than getting re-elected. Re-read the passage.  Wouldn't that be a great platform for a politician!  I would vote for them with no second thought regardless of their party!