Just about as far back as I can remember, I've been told that there are two things you don't talk about publicly... religion and politics. So I guess a preacher who continuously talks publicly about God, talking about politics would be just a tad out of bounds, wouldn't it? Too bad... I'm going to talk about BOTH anyway.
Just about the time I think our elected officials have set the bar too high, (or maybe too low would be more accurate), to reach again, the 6 o'clock news comes on and sure enough... they've outdone themselves again. It must be something in their biological makeup, something in their genes that equips them for a career in politics. The reason I think that, is because I'm pretty sure nobody could LEARN to act like they do... it almost HAS to be some form of genetic anomaly.
Like the guy in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Geoffrey Rose, who was running unopposed for a seat on the city council. He gets a roll of registered voters and hands the list over to an 18 year old Eastern Michigan University freshman. Mr. Rose asks the kid to contact these folks and help him get out the vote. Now remember, Mr. Rose is running unopposed. The freshman, named Frank Houston did a great job. He contacted a huge number of those registered voters and encouraged them to get out and vote. But instead of asking them to cast their ballots for Mr. Rose, he encouraged them to vote for him and write in his name, opposing Mr. Rose. Yep... you guessed it... the kid won... by a landslide.
When contacted by the press AND a rather disgruntled Mr. Rose, the newly elected 18 year old freshman just smiled and said; "Mr. Rose didn't ask me to get them to vote for him, he just asked me to get them to vote".
Now you've got to admit, this kid sounds like he BELONGS in Washington, doesn't he? Eighteen years old and already registering solid marks on the "sleaze-o-meter".
It's no wonder we end up with some of the legislation we have. I realize that there are an awful lot of laws still on the books from a long time ago... but not all of them. Here are a few.
It's against the law to step out of an airplane while it's in the air over the state of Maine.
Goats cannot legally wear trousers in Massachusetts.
It's against the law to drink milk while on a train passing through North Carolina.
An Oregon law prohibits citizens from wiping their dishes; they must be allowed to drip dry.
Here's a good one: It's illegal to ride an ugly horse in Wilbur, Washington.
And my all time favorite on the list: Corrupt practices or bribery is against the law for any citizen EXCEPT Virginia political candidates!!! They're exempt!!! C'mon!
The simple fact of the matter is that we have no one to blame for the mess in Washington, but ourselves. WE are the one's who put them there. Do you remember that "of the people, by the people, and for the people" part?... Yeah, it's STILL in effect, but we've elected all manner of unscrupulous people with very little character who have gradually become a collective body of Godless heathens looking out for themselves rather than for the best interests of the people. But WE CAN change that. That's the beauty of democracy. Every elected official CAN be replaced.
And since I said at the outset that I would talk about politics AND religion, let me tell you why. THEY'RE CONNECTED! The church of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ AND our government are connected.
One of the primary reasons for the slide of our government is because the church of Jesus Christ has also gradually slipped. It has moved from a place of relevance and importance in our society and culture, to a place of insignificance, relegated to the periphery. And here again, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We have remained silent and sought compromise far too long. Rather than possibly offend anyone, we will just accept whatever is said, whatever is done, and politely do our best to get along. And just from a purely personal perspective, I believe enough is enough. We've ridden that old horse to death and look where it's gotten us.
When the church of Jesus Christ wakes up, stands up, and speaks up, things will begin to change. Not only will God, and His church return to their rightful place in our society, our government will find it's way and assume the direction this country's founders intended.
It's going to be up to US. The church should set the direction of our government... NOT the other way around.
Please pray for the church of Jesus Christ in America. If we can just be who and what God intended for us to be... If we can just find our misplaced courage to speak up against "any high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God" (including ridiculous laws passed by our elected officials)... If we can all just figure out how to submit to the headship of Christ and depend upon His leadership and direction, America will be just fine; don't you think?
Now then... I feel better.
Maybe we should ask Frank Houston what HE thinks about HOW we ought to go about it... but then again, It's Just A Thought.
Have a blessed week.
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