"What" I am Voting for VS "Who" I am supporting

So "what" am I voting for? Notice I did not say "who".

People most often ask which candidate are you voting for? Yes, I agree that a candidates name is on the ballot, I concede that. There is also a party that I must choose to vote.

While these issues are part of our system they do not describe "what" I'm voting for!

Within our system there appear to be two major thoughts. There are progressives and there are conservatives. The "what"  on each persons mind often entails a mismatch of thoughts. What one person determines the meaning of each position is up for grabs. If I had to choose a label then I'd have to choose that I fall into the conservative category. (Isn't a category a place old cats go?)  Sorry! :-)

That really does not define my position. It's simply a broad category.

So "what" does that mean to me personally?

1. Secure Borders
2. Balanced effective Financials
3. Debt Retirement
4. A welfare system that encourages personal growth and integrity
5. Free Trade
6. An effective way to handle immigration
7. Freedom to worship and practice or faith openly.
8. A Tax system that if Fair and Loopholes closed.
9. A system that limits the power of the federal government.
10. A system gives more right to the States to make policies that make sense to them
11. More power for cities and counties for issues that apply to them
12. More....

Ah, but those statements do not entirely indicate "what" I really believe or support.

Each major issue has many proponents and opponents. Each must be thought through  carefully and prayerfully.

Is there room for flexibility? Is there a point to which I must stand firm? 

I am convinced that these issues are not necessarily determined by "who' I vote for or "what" party I side with but "what" guides my choices.

So in reality, as a Christian, I am to be faithful to the God who saved my by His Grace. His principles are to be my principles. Some of my big list above may have Biblical significance. Others may not. This gives me insight on "what" is important and where i can be benevolent and able to compromise.

I'm not really voting for a candidate or necessarily a party. The "what" is truly what I believe and what I can substantiate from my source of truth. 

I Love Grace!

Today at our Adult Bible Fellowship Dr. John Hannah came to a point where he spoke about Ephesians  2:8.  It got me thinking. To tell the truth I kind if lost what he was saying at that point and may be telling much of the story he may have told.

The King James Bible says "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God"

Is this  "Grace" which we don't deserve or by any works we can do to get it. Is "Faith" the vehicle by which we get "Grace". Is Faith something we can manufacture or churn up? 

It seems to me that Grace and Faith are gifts given by God. I like the NIV Version that I think is truer to the original text. It says 

New International Version (©1984) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" This indicates that works will not save us.  Further more, Grace is appropriated by Faith that is also a "Gift" from God. In other words, both "Grace" the "Gift" and "Faith" the "Vehicle" to receive it are given by God freely. If either was a requirement" we would have reason to boast. In Roman's  chapter 7 the apostle Paul regrets that he often succumbs to the flesh and dosen't do what he wants to do. Sounds like you and me if we are honest. But I love what he says at the end of the chapter. Paul clearly states that he is a great spiritual failure. Then he asks a powerful question. "Who can separate me from the love of God?. In Romans 8 comes a most amazing answer. Nothing! Nothing! Read it all! Nothing! I love what Phillip Yancy says in his book "What's so Amazing about Grace". Allow me to quote "There is nothing that can do to get God to love you more." Then he goes on to say the same thing but  differently. One that is harder for us to grasp. "There is nothing you can do to get God to love you less. Wow! Really? Even if I sin, screw up, etc? Yes, Yes, Yes. That's it! It has to be! There is nothing I can do to please God. Jesus did it for me! So I am not misunderstood, this is not a license to sin. Obedience is an expression of his total love for us. Our heavenly father is pained for us when we sin. He knows we have set a block to our communication with Him. He never leaves us but we try to hide from him when we succumb to the flesh. We don't gain the favor of God by good works. We simply glorify God by our good works. Actually I'd like to say "heart" instead of works. We "want" to glorify God. We work not gain His favor but because we want to raise up his name because He loves us unconditionally. Works to gain God's favor are a waist will never please the Lord. Works from a pure heart glorify our Father.  It's a loving response to His Grace. It is not an attempt to get what we already have. Accountability Groups are always in danger of getting the cart before the horse. Not doing something won't gain God's favor. God doesn't need our paltry works. We glorify God when the intent is to glorify Him for what he has done for us. When are we most likely to change? Isn't it reasonable that we are most likely to change when we focus not on our behavior but on our relationship with the Father. Seems to me we should acknowledge our frailty (Romans 7) but "focus" on (Romans 8). Which focus is more likely to change us and to glorify God? Isn't it far better for us to focus on what God has done for us though the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. I Love Grace! Cliff Weaver

Ability to Dialog

It should be no surprise to you when I suggest that  our nation is strongly polarized Right and Left.

Many might be surprised that I suggest this rift might often be needless.

Many principals articulated well and discussed with open minds will find areas we can all agree on. 

Most issues are complicated and have many facets. In the majority of cases we can find some things that we can agree on. Some say that what we usually call "no brainers" are often "brainers" when we really look at them carefully. 

We should examine both the pros and cons of an issue. Is the issue really important? Is it in my interest to debate this issue. 

What is the most effective manner to initiate dialog on an issue.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Do your homework! Know the basics of an issue.
• Listen for understanding First
• Ask questions regarding your true understanding of the speakers position
• Focus areas of Commonality or understanding.
• Concentrate on those issues first
• When it comes to areas of difference articulate your position with strength and grace
• Articulate your position well.
• Ask questions as to understanding of your assessments. 
• Be open to being wrong
• Find areas of weakness in your argument. 
• Do more research
• Be willing to change, modify or strengthen your position.
• Be honest with yourself and with the one you are debating. 
• If applicable set the stage for future dialog. 
• Persever! Practice pays rich dividends.

Abortion - A Charged Debate!

 Abortion - How Should we Respond as Christians?

No issue is as charged with strong convictions as abortion. As we develop strong convictions we often lose clarity and good sense on both sides of this issue. 

For those of us that oppose abortion the danger is making enemies of those who are faced with abortion as an alternative. We may find it difficult to be Christlike in our behavior and attitude. Please understand I am not directing my consideration at our belief or our resolve but the manner of our response . 

Often people facing abortion may be hurt, afraid, confused, uneducated, unloved, lack the knowledge of alternatives and facing the guile of family or institutions. Yes, indeed they may have made foolish choices but fear is often the overwhelming factor.

Whatever the reason, the procedure without adequate education and medical care can be archaic. Even life can be at stake. None of us should ever want that. After all we believe God is a God of second chances. Abortions "will" happen for all kind of reasons. Abortion after rape is at least understandable even if we oppose it as an alternative. While abortion simply for birth control may be beyond my grasp it is the norm for others without a Christian moral compass.

For the Christian there is overwhelming reason  to oppose abortion. However we should be able to articulate our opposition clearly with strength, compassion and caring. 

There is much more to be said about abortion. Is it a legal issue? How has the Church responded to the issue? How should be Church respond today. Maybe we will touch on some of these issues in a later blog.

Right to Life

Interesting!

The NAACP website featured an online petition -- also posted on the liberal site MoveOn.org -- asking the Justice Department to bring federal charges against Zimmerman in the February 2012 fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin.

"The most fundamental of civil rights — the right to life — was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin," the petition says. "We ask that the Department of Justice file civil rights (criminal) charges against Mr. Zimmerman for this egregious violation."

The same agency that pushes for "Choice" when it comes to abortion wants to use the "right to life" - "The most fundamental of civil rights" as a method to convict George Zimmerman.

I'm not taking a position on George Zimmerman here. It's the hypocracy of the very people that suggest they are defending civil rights invoking the right to life? Really?

60,000,000 babies aborted, what happend to their right to life.

Ignorance and Speech

Someone sent me their quote of the week and it got my political mind in gear. It was a quote of the late Malcolm Ford.

“ It's so much easier to suggest solutions when you don't know too much about the problem.”
Malcolm Forbes (1919 - 1990)

How well that fits in the political arena. So often we hear trite, silly or outright false opinions from people  who should do a little homework before they speak..

Most issues are broad and cut both for and against our opinions. We should at least have done a modicum of research before we utter words about a particular issue. It makes me remember the scripture  that says “a fool is wise in his own sight”. Words without significant thought are usually foolish at best.

Neither political party is absent from this statement. Even our current legislators are guilty of speaking of that which they know little.

Seems to me that words should be measured as to their accuracy. Words should mirror body language. Words should convey a position well. Words should not create tension or combativeness.

Your opponent will more likely respect you if your words are accurate and articulated well with respect. Your opponent  may be brought over to your view if you communicate well and articulate your positions with accuracy and understanding of the subject.

Yes it is easier to suggest solutions to problems we don’t understand. However we have lost respect to those who do. I consider that a poor trade off. Don’t you?

A Prayer By Mike Huckabee

Dear Lord, we are a nation in trouble and we won't blame political parties or politicians for our growing desperate economic and moral condition. We acknowledge that we, your people, are to be salt and light, and have failed to be your presence before our friends, family, and nation. We ask for your forgiveness of our selfishness and sin, and ask that you will speak to our leaders and intervene in the direction of our nation. We pray that we will show mercy and compassion to the poor, the unemployed, those who fight illness, and those who are discouraged. We ask that you will bring mercy and compassion to our country, which has become impoverished in spirit. Bless our nation and its leaders. Give wisdom to our President, the members of our Congress, our nation's Governors and legislatures, our mayors, and others whose decisions impact all of our lives. We thank you for your goodness and grace to our country. We accept your will for our future.

Amen!