Election Reflections

This morning I was pondering the election results, feeling disappointed in the outcome.  I was doing some things around the house and thought I'd listen to Pandora.  Guess what song came on first thing? 

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

Here are the lyrics.

What a great reminder!  MY hope is not in any government official, leader, or country.  MY hope is in Jesus! 

If you do not have this wonderful hope, you can! 

Have a day of blessings!

Join me on Election Day over at Laced With Grace

I have shared some thoughts on Two Things to Remember on Election Day over at Laced With Grace today.  Please join me there!

Have a day of blessings!

Audio book: How Should Christians Vote?

With the election coming up soon, the title of this book caught my eye.  How Should Christians Vote? is written by Dr. Tony Evans and read by Mirron Willis. 

Does it matter how you vote if you are a Christian?  Should you vote with one party or another just because you always have?  How should you answer when someone asks if you are a Republican or Democrat?  These questions and others are addressed in this book.  The author makes the point that we need to pay attention to what the Bible says about government (and there is a lot).  The author's opinion is that as a Christian you need to vote based on what the Bible says, not based on anything else.  I liked his use of the football game analogy at the end regarding the two teams on the field plus the officials.  He makes a strong point as well throughout the book for the value of human life. 

To be honest the narrator was hard for me to listen to.  He did okay but did not add anything to this book in my opinion as some I have listened to in the past have done. 

This was an alright book.  It gave me some things to think about and consider. 

This book was provided for my honest review by the christianaudio Reviewers Program

Have a day of blessings!

Thoughts on the day

Did you watch the Inauguration? Caleb and I viewed bits and pieces of the events this morning with Caleb commenting on everything (especially when they said Washington, DC or showed the White House since Daddy went there a few months ago!) He got out his cymbals too to play as he heard the bands. Caleb was full of facts to tell Daddy when he got home about what we'd watched. Of course the shortened version of the entire day was on the national news tonight.

I read a few blogs today that shared thoughts on today's events. Two that I particularly appreciated were: Kiki's Corner and A Magnolia's Heart Beats titled "He Reigns."

I wondered how much money was spent on the festivities including the fancy lunch today. I wondered how all the people who were there afforded to attend the festivities from all across the country when things are so financially tough for so many.

I will be praying for our new President and his family as they adjust to their new life. I will be praying for the Bush's as well as they get settled in "normal" life. I am thankful he was our President and thankful for his service to our country. So many are rude and disrespectful to him now which makes me sad.

Everyone says how they'll remember this day forever. What will you remember about this day? Does anything stick out for you?
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"Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 'I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.' " John 8:12

Remember to pray

I received a reminder to pray for President elect Obama in one of my comments (Thanks Amanda!) Also tonight I received an email from Max Lucado urging everyone to take a few minutes to pray on Inauguration Day, January 20. You can visit the link (click above on Max Lucado or in my side bar) to find a prayer guide and more information.
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"But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom.”James 1:5

I voted!

We went up to vote this morning. I guess I timed it right as I was hoping because we didn't have much of a wait. They had three tables set up where you get your ballot. The lines were divided by last name. There were a couple people ahead of us at our table but no long lines for me. Caleb sat under the voting booth and looked at his books while I filled in my ballot! He got an "I Voted" sticker too and slipped my ballot into the machine.

Go vote if you haven't yet! It is a freedom we have and should be thankful for this privilege we have in our country.

Also if you have children and want to participate, my friend Sarah made up a little election for kids that makes sense on their level.

Check out this blog

I found a link to this blog when I was visiting Charlotte. It is called Power of Prayer. It is focused on prayer for the upcoming election. Just wanted to pass it on to you to check out!


There was a new post about the Presidential Prayer Team link. It has specific prayer requests for each week.

Just wanted to share. I'll write later about our weekend and the Walk.
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"The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him." Proverbs 15:8

Focus on the Family

Today's message on Focus on the Family is very moving. Listen if you have a chance.

Dr. Dobson speaks with Gianna Jessen, an abortion survivor, as well as Jill Stanek, a life advocate. I read the book about Gianna many years ago. This is a very powerful discussion.

Here is the ad if you would like to view it.
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"Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16

Thinking about the election... and a song

Earlier today I wrote a post concerning the election. I came to edit it tonight, and it wasn't saved in it's full form. My husband said sometimes second drafts are better. I won't be discouraged about this!

I know we are all concerned about the election, and I can't count the number of times I've read it is the most important election in history. There are so many things at stake really. I wonder how this election will change history. I wonder if voters are educating themselves on the issues. I wonder how those who are voting in their first election are responding to all the hype and attention. I've read from several bloggers that they aren't commenting on the election which is their choice and I respect that. I have a couple things on my heart, though, so while I'm not trying to start some debate, I also feel I can't just be quiet and not say anything.

Many states will be voting regarding the definition of marriage. Recently in the celebrity news blurbs on the back of our daily newspaper I've seen two "big names" (Steven Spielberg and Brad Pitt) each donating a hundred thousand dollars opposing Proposition 8 in California. Also today I read an email that Google was opposing Prop 8. Because of this, one man is choosing to use a new search engine. All of this got me thinking: What can I do to make a difference? I don't have a hundred thousand dollars to give to a cause I support. Should I ban Google as well? It would be easy to use a new search engine, no problem. But there are a lot of other functions of Google I use from this blog to a bunch of the other blogs I read. Where do you draw the line on supporting companies that openly support lifestyles that are contrary to God's truth? For example, I know of some companies that have recently been in the news for their support of gay "marriage." I can refuse to support those companies, but how do I know that a product I buy 100% doesn't support things I don't support? If you have thoughts on this, please share.

With all the differing viewpoints that bombard us each day, I'd like to share a few things that I've found to be beneficial. First, I think we need to pray. I received an email, you may have received it too, that asks Americans to stop and pray about the election for one minute at 8 p.m. each night. I clearly believe we need to cover this election with our prayers and need to be praying continuously. I think it would be so powerful for millions of Americans to make a commitment to stop what they are doing at this time each night and say a prayer. Will you think about joining me in this? I set the alarm on our cell phone as a reminder to stop and pray.

Marsha has posted an election prayer guide. I printed this out today and think it will be a useful tool.

Third, I'd like to share a song by Casting Crowns called "While You Were Sleeping." You can read the lyrics and about the song through this link (it is song #7 if you want to scroll down). I found it on God Tube for you to watch as well. The lyrics really make you think about our country and the direction it is headed.



Finally, today in our daily Bible readings I was greatly encouraged and wanted to share this with you as well. My heart has been heavy after reading a blog post about the election and this person's reason for selecting the candidate for which he'll vote. His logic makes no sense to me and what concerns me is if he has these thoughts as an educated Christian, what are others thinking and basing their choice upon? The first verses were Philippians 1:27--2:17. This encouraged me to have faith and not give up. The second one was Proverbs 24:11, 12. I liked the version from The Message too. When I read this I immediately thought of those unborn babies killed in abortions. I am no Bible scholar and I think this passage is probably referring to those who are unjustly accused of wrong when they are innocent. But it made me think of the babies; they are innocent. It touched my heart to read verse 12. God isn't going to listen to our excuses. We do know the babies are being killed. Are we doing anything about it? This can be applied to many areas. We know the things that are going on that are against truth. What are we doing about it? It was God's perfect timing that those were the passages in today's reading. I felt it was His truth speaking to my heart.

We as Christians we need to take a stand. We need to be bold and not apologize for the views we have. We need to hold to truth. We need to present that truth and not be scared we'll offend someone. We need to share the hope we have in this crazy, messed up world. We need to shine like stars. We need to keep our faith in God, trusting that everything is in His hands.

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"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." Philippians 2:14-16