As I re-read the following paragraphs, I became depressed even though I wrote the text. However, the bottom line, God is in charge. I have victory in Jesus as to all believers. We have joy even in the middle of elections. This world is not our home, yet, while here, I belive our Lord expects us to be bold and take an unapologetic stand on God’s Word. We are not to be jerks, be rude and obnoxious, but we are not to cave on Truth.
Last night I watched the Texas Republican Debate. I had an afghan near me and time and again I put it over my head. The three front runners acted anything but presidenti
al. They screamed, talked over one another, and were totally rude. I am a total conservative at virtually every level, but I was embarrassed, ashamed, and disgusted. Trump, Rubio, and Cruz were like third graders fighting on the playground. Kasich was like the nerd eager to hang out with the cool guys wishing he had what it took to get into the fight.
A rich man never has to act like he is rich, he just is. A strong man doesn’t have to knock things over to prove he is strong, he just i
s. A wise man doesn’t have to talk about how wise he is, he just exhibits wisdom. The weak and insecure are the one’s who scream.
Carson was, “Mr. Cool,” and though it is apparent in the media today few actually paid much attention to him. “Everyone has equal rights, but not extra rights.” Then when he referred to the “Fruit salad of our lives,” he stepped even further above the frey. It took a while, but CNN and FOX finally figured out his reference was Matthew 7:16, ‘by their fruits you will know them.’ The “top rung” of candidates may have some good vines, but the fruit produced last night was rotten. In no way could I vote for a liberal or socialist, those platforms are entirely in opposition to God’s Word, still, I am frustrated with the conservative choices.
Listening to “the people” in my community and those interviewed on television, most are as disgusted as I am. However, apparently, there are millions that are basking it it all. The media loves it and seems to be able to sort it all out. I totally ‘get’ differing ideas, but I can’t grasp that men who believe they can lead and represent the United States, host, and negotiate with other world leaders can act like adolesent scrapping children. I ‘get it’ that it is going to take a bold, unapologetic conservative leader to begin to turn this old ship around, but these men need to mature a great deal before they are ready to do so. Every screaming soundbite was inappropriate and will be used by the opposition in the final campaign.
More than thirty years ago there was a major conflict in the Southern Baptist Convention over the conservative/moderate camps in oppositoin to the more liberal Baptists. The outward issues were the inerrency of the Bible, women pastors, and to a lesser degree the gay movement. There were other issues, but these were the outward expressions of the opposing camps. I traveled with conservative leaders as the singer to a number of events. We drove, we flew, we walked, etc. I sang many songs and led a lot of choirs. I really didn’t know what all was going on, I simply loved to sing and share Christ with my music, but I observed and learned a great deal.
As I traveled I began to witness absured behavior in both camps. These men were hateful to each other. They had to have their way. Leaders would be on the platform debating the issues and church members and zealous new believers had to watch the spectacle. Young pastors who came with great antipcation, eager to meet the leaders of this “Great Commission” organization left dejected and I know of some who left the ministry. I was shaken, but had I not been mature enough in my faith to be secure in Christ and in my calling, I would have walked out and never returned. These godly leaders, acting ungodly, “hurt a lot of children.” I often said, “The liberals think the conservatives are idots and the conservatives think the liberals are lost.”
Again, I “got it” that there were differing ideas, but to act as they did turned me totally away from convention participation. The unbelieveing media, newspapers, TV, and radio, observed all of this foolishness and had a hayday. I was embarrassed and I haven’t attended a national SBC event since.
Back to the election, I’m not throwing in the towel, and I will vote. However, regardless of who the Republican candidate is in November, he will recieve my vote. I will pray without ceasing for our country, for my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and for you and yours.