I can’t wait for November 4th! I’m tired of the debates, the commercials, the stealing of signs, attacks of people who don’t agree with anyone’s sides and the tension within the family that politics usually always brings.
Right now I care very much for the issues and who wins for President, but my life won’t stop if things don’t go my way and won’t be too ecstatic if things do go my way. Life will continue, and as a Christian, as much as I hope for the best, biblical prophecy warns that things will only get worse for the Christian and for the world - preparing the way for Christ’s eventual return! People in alarming numbers will continue turning their back on God, rejecting Christ and worship the idol of man himself. Man serving only selfish desires while ignoring biblical principles for God’s human creatures. (Romans 1:18-32)
Doom and gloom? Where’s the joy? The joy is this - that I belong to the one called the Almighty God! I have peace in knowing that Christ is my Lord and Savior and that I will share His message to as many as possible! I possess life eternal (1 John 5:11-12) and what awaits me past this life (2 Peter 3) (John 14:1-3) is so incredible that even the bible can’t describe it (Revelations 21:1-2). I have no fear of not being with God because He promised that once you accept him as Lord and Savior, you will never lose your standing with Him - you are sealed for the day of redemption! (Ephesians 4:30)
So with that, my perspective is put everything in its proper place: do my civic duty and vote for whom I believe will serve our country best as well as the issues. I’ll pray for all those involved and be happy with whatever outcome because no matter what, God is still in control!
Update: Please check out Pulpit Magazine’s thorough breakdown of Romans 8:28 as it pertains to this election! Thanks to Lois for the link! Also check out fellow blogger La Shawn Barber’s post on similar topic simply titled “Eve.”
Amen! Nothing should steal our joy in Christ except our own sins, and then only until we confess and remind ourselves of God’s forgiveness.
If McCain loses, God is still in control and Jesus is still the unchanging rock.
If Obama loses, his followers will have lost their Messiah, but we’ll still have ours.
By: Neil on November 3, 2008
at 2:39 am
[...] Posted on November 2, 2008 by Neil Election burnout - Some good thoughts on that here. Nothing should steal our joy in Christ except our own sins, and then only until we confess and [...]
By: Random thoughts « 4Simpsons Blog - Eternity Matters on November 3, 2008
at 2:44 am
Amen, Carlotta!
- great perspective…
Once again, you’ve expressed my thoughts exactly. Such a joy to read your blog
Another post written today which also reflects a similar concern of mine is found at Pulpit Magazine today (I hope it is OK to include a link):
http://www.sfpulpit.com/
~The Election in Light of Romans 8:28
by Nathan Williams
I’ve heard many Christians talk of being ‘fearful’ about the outcome of this election.
Fear not! “…for the joy of the LORD is your strenght” - Nehemiah 8:10
As you said, I thank God that He is still in control!
When we wake up November 5th and are still on this earth (if the Lord so desires) we should continue to pray for our elected leaders no matter who they turn out to be.
By: Lois on November 3, 2008
at 11:58 am
I have learned not to get too deeply caught up in a candidate. It is all in the Lord’s control which I will blog about either Wednesday or Thursday.
I took a break and stopped watching most political news as of last Wednesday. When I have the TV on I will take a very quick peek at Fox News, but from then on it is old (old) movies, Old TV shows like Bill Cosby, Leave it to Beaver (a childhood favorite) and PBS classical music galas.
The kitchen radio is usually tuned to a contemporary gospel music station. During the chatter segments, people are pushing Sen. Obama. So I changed the station to straight classical music or a Christ centered teaching station.
There is voting talk at the Christian teaching station, but my family likes what they are hearing and the talk on voting is from a biblical perspective. So you know what that means - voting Christian values which leads to not voting for Sen. Obama. The other voting adults in my household are for him. So I know they are being deeply challenged.
There is no early voting in PA. The political activity that I continue in is in a chatroom of a local pro Obama urban talk radio station. A few of us black non Obama folks have been standing our ground through all the nasty name calling and two or three folks did listen and maybe tomorrow they will not vote for Sen. Obama.
So I am spending this last election night evening watching Bill Cosby reruns and listening to a lot of classical music and of course praying.
By: Bev on November 3, 2008
at 12:10 pm
You’re so right Neil and thank you Lois!
Thanks for sharing that link also Lois, which I’ll add on this post for others to follow. Pulpit Magazine goes more in depth with excellent scriptural references!
Bev, you are so right about not getting caught up. I grabbed one of my friends and told her “let’s go watch a movie that will make us laugh!”
It was quite a funny site seeing two 50 something year-olds walk in to the movies without kids to see the Beverly Hills Chihuaha. It turned out the me shedding tears for those dogs had my friend cracking up harder than the actual movie! I didn’t know the movie was going to have some sentimental moments in it so me boo hooing over those talking dogs was quite a site! But I loved it! Nice diversion from all the heavy stuff seen on TV, the Internet and newspapers lately!
By: Carlotta on November 3, 2008
at 2:10 pm
We have absentee voting for any reason here in OK. We have in-person absentee voting start on Friday. Today is the last day to vote absentee in person at the county election board. I was one of the first 50 people that voted Friday morning. Whoever wins the election (hopefully it will end tomorrow night). I will be just fine either way.
I was out of the media loop for most of this because of being a caretaker for my very sick father. After he died there was too much vitriol for me to watch. I just wanted peace and quiet. I would read blogs if I did anything. After hearing both candidates give a speech or two I heard all I needed to make a decision. I may jump in on Wednesday to hear the losing side scream voter fraud, bad or rigged machines, voter intimidation, etc. I won’t watch long because it will be predictable.
For those Christians who solely depend on our government for their future and security are really in dire straits. The government do good at times with legislation. We must trust the Lord regardless of what our government does. At some point we could very well have a government that will viciously persecute Christians that stand up for their faith. What will those Christians do if they are looking to the government as their source?
By: Pamela on November 3, 2008
at 2:11 pm
Amen Pamela!
You’re right about whichever side loses, there will be a bunch of cry babies the day afterwords.
Christians shouldn’t be in that bunch, but we know many of us do make the mistake of putting their trust in the government rather than God when it comes to politics.
Hopefully, many will remember and then turn back to God for their complete peace of mind.
Glad you found your way of dealing with this election madness too!
By: Carlotta on November 3, 2008
at 2:53 pm
The idea that our public school administrators are unbiased observers in this election is a farce.
TODAY in our town, a prop 8 sign that was too close to school property was destroyed by two Conejo Valley Unified administrators. It was caught on camera.
http://beetlebabee.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/school-board-vandalism
There’s no way they can say that they are unbiased in this debate. The ferocity and cruelty shows through. This is who runs our schools. This is the face of tolerance.
The beauty though? The Baptists came through, took the repaired sign and gave it a home. The owner is thrilled. Hooray for the Baptists! and hooray for good old Christian unity.
By: beetlebabee on November 3, 2008
at 8:11 pm
Acts such as the one you described Beetlebabee are more reasons for me wanting this election to hurry up and end!
But the real question is - WILL it be over after the elections? Many school administrators have showed their true colors during this campaign and I’m wondering win or lose, just how things will change!
By the way, that was a very nice sign!
By: Carlotta on November 3, 2008
at 8:23 pm
you know, I think it’s been a blessing to see the true face of what is out there. It’s been there all along and we didn’t know it.
Now we know it. What are we going to do about it? For me, I’m going after the tolerance laws that gay rights groups use to indoctrinate our kids. I’ve had my eyes pried wide open on this issue. I can’t go back to that blissful slumber of “all is well in zion.”
By: beetlebabee on November 3, 2008
at 11:48 pm
Beetlebabee,
I’ve seen plenty of No on 8 signs destroyed as well. And I don’t know if you should be so proud to state that you are going after schools who teach tolerance and respect for any group. I can’t believe that anyone this day and age would have the guts to admit something like that. But hey, this is America. You have the right to say what you want.
Maybe while you are at it you can go against tolerance laws that indoctrinate kids on religion?
By: Kevin Kaatz on November 4, 2008
at 9:55 am
Aren’t we all burned out on this election by now?
Hey Kevin -
Speaking of “tolerance” and “respect,” what about utilizing such attitudes towards the thousands of years original definition and meaning of marriage?
With the passage of Proposition 8, you are not getting any rights taken away. The CA legislature has given homosexuals all the rights they need through the passage of dozens of civil union bills.
Proposition 8 RESTORES the original definition of what marriage genuinely is - the union of one man and one woman.
By: Christinewjc on November 4, 2008
at 10:21 am
beetlebabee you’re right, what an eye-opener this all has been! I personally have learned a lot in the process and debates of gay-marriage. I’ve learned a little about our constitution - the fact that separation and church and state was never in it! I had bought into the lie that our forefathers were mostly atheist/agnostics. I’ve also learned how to communicate the differences of the civil rights as opposed to gay rights and how these gay rights are interfering with our rights as individuals and parents. That has even more, but oh what an eye opener on so many things! Win or lose, Prop 8 has been a real educator on politics and life in America!
Kevin, I stand with those like Christine and others who believe that Prop 8 is the restoring of the original right of marriage - between a man and a woman. Those four judges only made life miserable for you and others to have to go through the rollercoasters of seeing all these legal processes. I guess you’d feel it was worth it if Prop 8 fails.
You keep claiming it’s taking your rights away, but these are “rights” you should have never had to begin with! If this passes, then California is going to have to deal with the next group who doesn’t wish “intolerance” due to THEIR rights not being established. Cousins wanting to marry one another? Polygamists? Pedophiles?
The Christian will only sit back and at that point watch the homosexual try to defend why they should have their rights but no one else should. The homosexual will then become the new “intolerant” group.
By: Carlotta on November 4, 2008
at 10:57 am
the best part of this experience has been where i’ve realized that we really can help our society be better. whether or not prop 8 passes– we all need to work together to make families stronger. all families.
thank you for your site and your courage.
gender matters. children have a right to a mom and a dad.
http://prop8discussion.wordpress.com/category/children-have-a-right-to-a-mom-and-a-dad/
and
http://prop8discussion.wordpress.com/category/separate-but-equal/
By: prop8discussion on November 4, 2008
at 11:18 am
Thank you Prop8discussion!
I really like the work you’ve put into your site as well. I’m going to have a permanent listing for marriage after this election is over, in which I’ll also include your blog.
I agree and am with you on continuing to do what we can to strengthen all families!
By: Carlotta on November 4, 2008
at 11:45 am