Thursday, October 28, 2010

Don't Forget to Vote

This Tuesday is the mid-term election. There are those who are saying this is the most important election cycle in the past 100 years. The accuracy of that statement may be suspect, but the importance of this election cannot be overstated.

Many surveys indicate the economy is the most important issue this election. I disagree. I believe the moral fiber of our nation is at stake. We have become a post-Christian nation due to the apathy Christians have shown in the electoral process since the 1960's. Think about it. Had we voted with conviction back then, things like school prayer and Bible reading would have remained in our schools. I know the courts made the decision to eliminate these things, but who appoints the judges? The people we elect! Since then we've experienced Roe vs. Wade and a plethora of laws designed to remove God from civic life.

It's time to take our privileges as Americans seriously. Vote. Connect with civic leaders. Let those who are doing the right things know, and let those who are not know that their actions are being evaluated.

Our daughter Bekah recently had a choir concert at school. The choir director selected several spiritual numbers for the various choirs to sing. I made sure to thank him after the concert for his stand. He blessed me when he said that the day he can't do that he's out. He is a believer and is committed to sharing his faith within the boundaries established by his superiors. But share he does! I know he was glad to hear of our support.

So let's get out there on November 2 and communicate our collective conscience. The moral fiber of our nation is at stake. You will make a difference when you vote. And you will make a difference if you don't. To abstain from voting is to say that you approve of the anti-God agenda being forced through Congress. No matter what the liberal media says, this is a nation that was founded "under God." Let's keep it that way!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Spiritual Horticulture

My son, Jonathan, is very talented. He is a welder by trade. He is one of the rare individuals who knew when he was young (sixth grade to be exact) what career he wanted to pursue. He is certified to use four or five different types of welding machines.

But Jon has another talent that has come to light over the past couple of years and has taken us all by surprise. He is a gifted horticulturalist. Jon can grow just about anything. He has acquired an amazing amount of knowledge about various plants and flowers. He put together several amazing flower beds around our home and our garden this year was more productive than anything I've ever done. Jon puts in many hours of work in caring for his hobby, and he receives great enjoyment in seeing the end product. When a particular flower blooms, he takes dozens of pictures so he can share the fruit of his labor with friends and family. I'm glad my son has this hobby and that he receives so much joy from it.

Here's a question to ponder: Are we spiritual horticulturalists? Do we put loving effort into our spiritual growth? Do we nurture our development? Do we produce fruit that others can enjoy?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22