My Endorsement For The Election

I have a few really good friends that call me sometimes in the evening and ask, “Are you watching the news reports about the election process? Can you believe these choices for candidates? Who are you going to vote for?” Some of you have asked me who is my favorite candidate and what I believe about the others… Quite frankly, you won’t hear me talking about it much. If you want to know what I believe, read the Bible. I base my vote on my convictions and I hope you do as well. And if you want to know who I am endorsing this year for president, keep reading…

Now, before you get your shorts in a wad, I want you to know that I am not going to tell you whom I suggest you vote for in the upcoming election. But before I finish this blog, I will make an endorsement… an endorsement that I hope will not upset you. If it does – tough. You have your choice; this is mine. Before I do that, however, I’d like to say a few things we must remember as we approach November. First of all, I want you to know that I am not anxious or worried about this election. Regardless of what you might think, there is no more reason to be alarmed about this election than any other election in the past. God is not surprised at what is happening in the country or around the world. Neither is He nervous or worried about who will be our next president. He hasn’t called a cabinet meeting with the angels to try and come up with a plan that will enable us to survive. He doesn't have a “Green” team studying the effects of global warming and pollution from SUVs and how He can keep the world spinning until Jesus returns. God is still in control of this “mud-ball” called Earth. And He is also in control of this country called the United States of America. In fact, I believe the Bible shows us that He is very much involved in even the political affairs. He has a hand in determining the outcome of our election process. Paul wrote in Romans 13:1, “…there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.” Therefore, if we believe the Bible, God has this whole thing under control. And regardless of who will hold the highest office in our great country for the next term, God will continue to work out His plan for the United States as well as for the entire world. Understand something: The President may be a powerful office, but God is more powerful. No president, no individual senator or congressman, in fact, not even the entire House of Representatives and United States Congress together with the Supreme Courts Justice can do a single thing or prevent a single thing from happening unless God allows it to happen or makes it happen through them. Solomon clearly stated in Proverbs 21:1 that “A king's heart is a water channel in the Lord's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses.” So where does that leave us? Shall we sit on our hands and do nothing? Absolutely not. We must work for the peace of our country – beginning with peace between our friends and neighbors and God. For ultimately there is no peace without knowing God. And while we may have a lot of Christians in our nation, quite frankly we’re not a Christian nation. At least that’s not our testimony. That’s why it’s important that we let our voices be heard. Take a stand for the precepts of God; stand against evil and injustice; pursue peace among all people; and represent our Lord Jesus Christ in this world by being ambassadors of His grace and love. Probably the most powerful thing we can do for our country is to pray. Pray for the election process, that many believers will take part and let their voices be heard. Pray for those who are running as candidates for every office, locally as well as nationally. And whether or not we agree or disagree with whomever is elected, as believers we should not talking bad about the ones who will take office. Remember Paul said that we must submit to the governing authorities… I’m not saying we should not take a stand against evil, but there are ways to do that through due process. When 2009 rolls around and our new president is sworn into office, some of you will be happy and others of you will be upset. Be aware that as a Christian, you are not an ambassador for any particular political candidate. You are an ambassador for Jesus Christ. Let your response to those around you show that your faith is in God, not in the president, regardless of whom he or she may be. Focus on sharing the love of Christ, the message of His saving grace, and the hope of His sovereignty. In other words, act like Christ, not like a smug winner or a scornful loser. Don’t get caught up in meaningless debates and political banter – be an advocate for the peace of Christ. He is our comfort. He is our hope. He is our strength. He is our success. He is our victory. He is our king. And there is not doubt that

He is accomplishes what His Word foretells. He is bringing all the kingdoms of the world and the kingdom of heaven under His eternal rule… This is a great time in which to live my friends! As the song says, “Don’t worry! Be Happy!” We are living in the time just before God establishes His eternal and everlasting Kingdom!” When will that happen? Ultimately, Jesus said that only God the Father knows. But the signs are all around us… The time is near. And because of that, during this election or any other election, we have nothing to fear!

So my endorsement for this election and for any subsequent elections that take place before the final and ultimate Kingdom of God is established, is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, OUR Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! If you thought I was going to endorse one of the political candidates, sorry to disappoint you. I will participate in the election process, but my candidate is Christ. All that I do is for Him. Everything I believe is in Him. He alone is the hope for our nation, not a political party. For Him alone will I be a promoter! I am His advocate! He called me to give my life for that purpose. And regardless of which person occupies the office of President of the United States, He will still be in control and my eternal allegiance belongs to Him alone. I am a member of His party – the Family of Faith! What about you?

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Not Another Canned Performance

What a wonderful day! Church, we are so tremendously blessed to have such a spirit-filled, gifted and talented praise, worship, and music ministry team! What an incredible blend of voices and a beautiful portrayal of the resurrection of our Lord we experienced yesterday...Two words describe you all -- YOU ROCK! So many times when we hear or see a worship presentation at Christmas or Easter, all we see is a 'canned' performance put on with special sound tracks, lights, enhancements and all the 'fluff'. Nothing wrong with that I guess, if that's what you enjoy... But there always seems to be something missing... the emphasis is on the performance instead of the praise... forced smiles, grimaces, hand motions, etc... One thing that was truly evident this Sunday - we did not experience just another 'canned' performance. And the professionalism, talent, heart, truth, and the spirit of worship blew us all away!

What a great job by the 'live' band. Colby and Tyler are such 'fresh' and inspiring additions to the team. You know guys, the Spirit that plays and sings from all of you is so overwhelming at times, it's almost as if the melodies emanating from the stage are gushing forth from heaven! I'm not kidding! I realize that I'm probably a bit biased, (a wee bit don't you think?) but I know I'm not the only one that feels this way. Thank you for allowing God to use your gifts and talents in such an unselfish manner. It's obvious that you are doing what you do for the glory of God.  Oh yeah... and the sound and lights team ROCK as well... Way to go guys! Way to pipe out the voices and instruments in such a balanced, clear manner. I've been in a lot of places where you could hear the background vocals of the music track being played so loudly you couldn't tell if anyone was even singing 'live'. In fact, they could have been lipsyncing or mouthing the word "watermelon" and no one would have known because the recorded voices on the accompanyment CD was all that was being heard. And people walked away from the performance thinking "what a great job those guys did". But really all they experienced was a "cranked up" sound track and a cast of people putting on a charade. In other words - "another canned performance". The Mountain View Team can't be accused of that... People leave the church overwhelmed by the raw emotion, purity, and professionalism of a LIVE presentation, not a MEMOREX rendition. not only thinking, but knowing you all have once again managed to "raise the bar" of excellence! Sound team - thanks for amplifying the voices and blending the music in such a way that each person's voice is heard. I'm sure God enjoys recorded music too, but a canned performance somehow falls short of worship "in spirit and in truth", don't you think?  Keep it up guys! Great job!

PS - I'm certain  I'll receive calls and emails about people who have left the church being offended over this post because of the way things may have been done in the past - TOUGH... send them to someone who is interesting in your whining. 

Thank you Lord for your blessing and your grace... Thank you for your favor and preservation...  Your grace still amazes me.

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Consider the Reality of the Cross

Consider the reality of a cross. It basically consists of crossing and fastening two crude, strong, wooden beams together at a single point. The cross wasn’t made for decoration, but for execution – literally, for putting to death criminals that had been sentenced to die. We often forget that fact. The cross to us has become a common fixture in our culture. We don’t kill people on the cross anymore so it doesn’t have the same effect on people as it would have during the time of Christ. It’s more of a symbol to us – a religious trinket. We incorporate the cross into our jewelry – necklaces, rings, earrings, pins, etc. We print it on posters and pieces of vinyl that we stick to the bumper of our car. What was once such a gruesome sight has no been accepted as harmless… I wonder, “In the sanitized way we consider the cross, have we lost the true meaning of what it really is?”

Again, I ask you to consider the reality of the cross. Let your mind wander back to some 2000 years ago. On a hill, surrounded by observers, mourners, soldiers, and people from all walks of life, see Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, hanging there. He is struggling to breathe. Blood drips from his brow… from his chin… Streaks of blood, some old and dry, some fresh and glistening, evidence of the torture he endured. Innocent blood, holy blood, the Lamb’s blood, spilling out as payment for someone else’s sin. His body is racked with pain as his muscles cramp and spasm. Why? For what reason is he there? He’s paying a debt he did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay. He’s taking our place – my place, your place, our place on that tree. The Bible says that everyone who hangs on a tree is cursed. And there is Christ, hanging on a tree – on a cross, fashioned out of two crude, strong, wooden beams. He became a curse for us. Even before we were ever born or thought of, he took our place. Before we ever had a conscious thought or knowledge of sin, he bore upon his back the sin we would eventually commit. The sin that would manifest itself in our lives – the evidence of the curse.

It’s so amazing when you consider the reality of the cross. Such a simple, crude instrument of torture and death, yet such a beautiful reminder of the grace of our Lord. Today, be reminded of the reality of the cross. 

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Are You A GPS?

It is amazing how God designed the family of faith to function in much the same way as the human body. Collectively, as believers, we make up the family of faith - the body of Christ. Each of us represents a different body part. One might be a hand and another a foot. Then there is the eye and the brain. We all have different functions and none is more important than another. And it is when we work together that we are able to carry out the plan and purpose of God. We need each other. Sometimes we think we can operate independently, but that’s about as intelligent as the foot saying, “I think I’ll go for a walk today by myself and leave the rest of the body at home.” Only when we are experiencing life together are we able to experience the full potential Christ has placed within us. I remember standing outside one evening about 7 or 8 years ago with my son Hunter, gazing into the night sky in search of the middle star on Orion’s belt. I found the star but Hunter was having trouble picking it out. I gently took him by the shoulders, turned his body in the right direction, raised his head, and pointed my finger across his shoulder directly at the star. When he looked in the direction I was pointing, he was able to see the star. It most likely would have been impossible for him to do that if we hadn’t been working together. But as I oriented him in the right direction, he found it without any problem.

In much the same way, it’s only when we are following the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit that we will discover the ministry God wants to accomplish in and thru our lives. He orients our focus on the glory of God as He equips, prepares, refines, and grows us in His grace. And as He is working in and thru us, He constantly focuses our attention on the completed work of Christ on the Cross. And whenever we’re struggling to find our way, struggling to discover His plan & purpose, the Holy Spirit gently takes us by the shoulders, lifts our head and points our focus towards the all sufficiency of the resurrected Savior. And it’s thru our relationship with Him that we find the means to meet our need. In the same way, as we meet others along the road of life who are struggling, it is our privilege to we come along side them, take them by the shoulders, lift their head and point their gaze towards the power and provision of Jesus Christ. Ministry isn’t about you and I meeting the needs of others in our own power and provision. It’s our lives being infused with the power and provision of God as we reach out to minister His love and grace in a world lost in darkness, searching for hope in all the wrong places… So… Are you a GPS – “God’s Pointing Servant” – for others on the road of life, pointing others to the all sufficiency of Christ? How many shoulders have you turned today? How many heads have you lifted? How many folks have you pointed to the cross? 

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