Why do we vote? Isn't God in control choosing whatever person is to be the leader of a country? In a country where leadership is not controlled by inheritance: ie, father/mother to son/daughter....how is a leader brought into leadership? There has to be a way for a person to come to that position of leadership. There are Christians that think that they do not need to vote for President of the United States...that it is not "our home." There are Christians who determine that God will choose whom the President shall be, so aren't we just thwarting His authority by voting anyway?

I agree, as a Christian, that the United States...even Earth...is not our home. Our true home is with our Lord and Savior Jesus. But if we are still living in our human bodies, and have not yet attained our final home; we have been planted by God in one country or another. I think as stewards of the country that God placed us, we need to do what we can to be good stewards of that country by making good choices--to the best of our abilities--for that country.

I believe that GOD will choose which man is to lead this country. In the Bible, at times, God chose great leaders; other times, He allowed some really sorry leaders. We do not live in a society where son follows father into the position of leadership. So, some means must be used for a person to be chosen at all. In the Bible, choices were made by the use of lots. For example: Acts 1:21-26 "Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his ressurrection. So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, "Lord you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs. Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles."

Is voting not just a varied way of casting lots? I think each Christian has a duty to vote. Each should pray to God, "Lord you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen."


Here are a number of reasons that I believe a Christian should vote: (DefendChristians.org)

1. Voting publicly recognizes that we submit to the authority of the political system in our nation as established by God. Romans 13:1-7

2. Voting recognizes the equality of all people and their right to speak and be heard. James 2:1

3. Voting is one way that we can obey God's command to seek the good of those around us and our nation as a whole. Philippians 2:3

4. Voting shows that we care deeply about who our leaders are as we are urged to offer prayer and intercession on their behalf. 1 Timothy 2:1,2

5. Voting is a simple yet significant way we can do something about politics in our nation. ‘All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing, Edmund Burke. Psalms 34:14

6. Voting makes a difference in the same way a grain of salt makes a difference, and that is how we are to influence our society for good. Matthew 5:13

7. Voting is a privilege not to be taken for granted. Those of us who reap the benefits of living in a democracy should play a part in upholding democracy.

8. Not voting is a form of voting, as it will influence the outcome. We need to take responsibility for our actions, as well as our lack of actions. I Peter 1:13

9. Voting is part of our stewardship to use all the resources we have been given in ways that honor God; to waste a vote is to squander a gift.

10. Voting is Biblical. Jesus commands us to fulfill our responsibility to the civil authority. Matthew 22:21

*Source: Adapted from Let F

The Greatest Commandment

I borrowed this from my friend, Marian's blog...I loved it so much.

Marian, I hope you don't mind.

1st Week of Highway Patrol Training

Matt came home last night after his first week at highway patrol school...actually, it was only 3 days this week, since he started Wednesday. He was prepared for it to be tough, but he said it was much harder than he had thought it would be. Three guys have already dropped out. He said it was grueling physically. At one point, they had to stand at attention for two hours straight (a couple of people fainted). If you felt faint, you could sit down; but, if you did, the instructors ragged you about it. There is this huge dude leading their physical fitness part. When doing push-ups, once they had bent their arms with face to the floor, he made them hold it for several minutes...and they had to do it over and over. They were doing a run (can't remember length of the run) and ds's calf cramped....he did not stop, though he did slow down some. A trooper hollered and asked why he slowed...he answered that he had a cramp...but he persevered and continued on. The instructors get right in their faces and holler at them...also cursing at them and calling them names. One will do it, and then the others will feed off of them. Major intimidation. When they go eat, they have to line up in formation, and march in like they are in a drill....doing some kind of sharp turn-thing with their feet every time they have to turn. It is very intense. I think one of the hardest things (not including the physical part) for ds has been not to show emotion...and not to laugh when these instructors start to hollering at someone. Now you have to understand, Matt is a bit of a goof, and full of fun...so some of this stuff strikes him funny, even if he is the one getting the unwanted attention. At any rate, it's going to be a long 7 months!

If anybody reads this, if you lift him in prayer, his mama would really appreciate it!

Shopping

Matt and I went shopping for things that he will have to take with him to the highway patrol academy next Wednesday. Things like: 9 pair of brief underware (had to buy all new, because he wears boxers!); 8 crew neck white undershirts (he has always worn V neck, so had to buy all new); 6 pair black cotton socks; 8 pair white crew socks; shoe shine kit; medicated or talcum powder; vitamins; a white laundry bag; rain coat; a black hoody (with no markings on it); a black toboggan (with no markings); brown work gloves....all that adds up to a goodly amount of money. Add 3 nights spent in a hotel in Raleigh; gas to and from Raleigh 3 times; gas to Yanceyville and back twice for interviews (most of these trips during the gas hike); and a trip to see some officer in Greensboro....it has cost a pretty penny to get him into this class.

I had him stop by Hobby Lobby (could I resist when I was going right by there!?) When we came out, we say Mitch and Ellen drive up. Matt called him, and he came over and visited while Ellen went on in the store. They hadn't seen one another in months. He and Ellen are planning to get married in the spring, they think May. I am so glad. As Dave says, "that baby needs a mama and a daddy" speaking of their baby boy. May God bless them in their relationship.

I need to keep my eye on Him

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain
I sing because I’m happy,I sing because I’m free,For His eye is on the sparrow,And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain


Now....I must remember to keep MY eye on Him!!!!

Great weekend!

The Women of Faith conference was held in Greensboro this weekend. Oh, what a treat!
Patsy and I hadn't preordered tickets, and when I mentioned several weeks ago something about going, she (and I) didn't want to pay the price of the tickets at $75.00 apiece...especially since at that late date, we would probably be up in the rafters. About a week ago one of my church friends asked if I had tickets for it, and I explained the able to her. She said that she had a conflict and wouldn't be able to attend....and would sell her pre-bought $45.00 ticket for $40.00. Another person in the church had a set, too, that we could buy. So, we bought them!!

The theme this year was Infinite Grace. Mary Graham, the president of WOF, who usually does all of the introduction of the speakers, was taking a break (was there, but not active.) Lisa Welchel, who played Blair Warner on The Facts of Life, filled in for Mary.

Patsy and I arrived around 6PM for Friday night's program that began at 7 PM. We were the first to arrive in our assigned section. It wasn't long, though, until Nancy, the woman who had ordered all our tickets arrived. She had a gift of hand cream and hand sanitizer for each of us. Soon, others from my church arrived; Kathy, Melinda, Rita, Margaret, Trudy, Joan and Donna, then a little later, Sheila, Mickey, and Debbie. The Women of Faith Worship team opened the program with several inspirational songs. Lisa then introduced each speaker with most of them giving just a small foretaste of what they were going to present to the audience at a later time. They included Patsy Clairmont, Marilyn Meberg, Sheila Walsh, Allison Allen, Sandi Patty, Nicole C. Mullen, Louise Duart, Natalie Grant, and Anita Renfroe. Longer presentations were given by both Sheila Walsh and Natalie Grant...with her sing several songs and Sheila expounding on her topic....praying. She voiced how pray does not have to be a bunch of pretty words, or formality...but one just needs to talk to God...that's all He wants for us to do...just talk to Him. Around 10 the program wound down. Our group gathered in a closing prayer offered by Donna.

Saturday morning, Patsy and I headed out, stopping by McDonald's for a bit of breakfast.


Patsy Clairmont was her usually ball of energy and was a delight. Marilyn Meberg gave a moving talk on abandonment. Braving traffic and parking, we finally arrived back at our seats. Patsy Clairmont was the first to speak. She was her usually ball of bursting energy. I just knew I would remember what each one spoke about...but for the life of me, I can't remember her topic.

Marilyn Meberg gave a wonderful, humor filled talk on the sad subject of abandonment. We each have felt this despairing emotion whether the abandonment was a voluntary abandonment or an involuntary one. She ended with the reminder of the One who would never leave or forsake us...no matter what.

Allison Allen preformed several sketches that were written by Nicole Johnson.

Sandi Patty's talk about our wrapping ourselves in layers though our lifetime...layers of guilt, pain and shame...and allowing God to remove those layers to allow us to become the women God planned for us to become. Plus she belted out sever wonderful songs.

Nicole C. Mullen...what can I say!! She, alone, was worth what we paid to get in! She sang Redeemer; Black, White, Tan; Witness; Come Unto Me and Brainwash...may have been more, but that's all I can recall right now. Talk about an energize powerhouse! She sang with her entire being... a theatrical singer/dancer. Team NCM joined her for several numbers. Great job!

Anita Renfroe actually only spoke on Friday night. She sang her The Mom Song ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM )a wonderfully funny whatmomssayallday to the tune of William Tell Overture. She also did a funny one called Before I eat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygWO30gdpK4

Louise Duart, a talented impressionist told her story of how God used a broken dream and a broken marriage despite the fact that at times it seemed He had perhaps forgotten her. She laced her entire program with great impressions of George Burns, Joan Rivers, Carol Burnette, Edith Bunker, Hilary Clinton and Cher...among others.

The evening was closed with song by Natalie Grant.

All-in-all a great weekend. Looking forward to next year's WOF conference.

He received the call

For the past seven months, Matt has been working on applying to the NC State Highway Patrol. The process takes such a long time (I've decided that they are giving a lesson on patience ;( ).Once he contacted them, he received a huge packet of forms that he had to fill out and send back. Once all the packet material was processed and references checked, he had to go to Raleigh for two tests; a written one, and a physical fitness one. The scores on both of those were combined and averaged...he scored a 160 out of 200 points. Then he waited...and waited...and waited. After a bit more time passed, he received a call instructing him to return to Raleigh for a polygraph test. A bit more time lapsed, and he was contacted and scheduled to have a one-on-one interview with a trooper (a Sergeant) in Yanceyville. This was a fairly long session, and more questions asked similar to what was on the polygraph. This officer called our house and interviewed Dave per phone. Dave asked him what he thought Matt's chances were, and the guy answered that he thought Matt would make a good trooper. Another wait ensued, when he was given another one-on-one interview with another trooper (this time a 1st Sergeant.) Both of those went well. After that, he was instructed to return to Raleigh for a medical physical. Next came a psychological evaluation. This involved a questionnaire of 900+ questions along with questioning by a psychologist. After that...wait...wait...wait...

Today the waiting ended. He received a call from headquarters telling offering him a position in the next class to start November 12, and was told that he would be assigned to Dare County once his training was complete. Did he want to accept? He answered yes.

I am so proud of him. It has been a long hard road. Originally out of approximately 600 applicants, 59 were to be chosen for the class. To be one of the 59, one had to pass each test, pass all interviews, and pass the polygraph. Of all that passed everything, the average grade scored in that very first test was considered. The ones that scored the highest were to be the ones chosen. Today, the officer told Matt that because of state budget cuts, the patrol was only offering the class to 48 applicants rather than 59....that they would only be filling retiree positions and not instituting any new positions (one reason they couldn't offer him anyplace closer to home.) So out of 600 or so people, he was chosen to be one of 48.