[I recently submitted the post below as a Letter to the Editor in several regional newspapers. Therefore, this post has been updated and revised to reflect the wording as it appeared in the Papers].
Concerning the recent national election, let us give praise and thanksgiving to God:
Praise God for the election of an African-American to the highest office in the land. Race-relations have been forever altered. As a husband and father in an inter-racial family, I take great pride in being part of such a wonderful democracy. Though I did not vote for Obama, I still rejoice and pray that our country has taken a giant leap forward in beginning to blot out the heinous sin of racism.
Praise God for the election of an intelligent and competent leader. Many of us have profound disagreements with President-elect Barach Obama, but an astute individual will recognize that he is a natural leader with a sharp mind. His leadership abilities are great gifts given to him by a very great God. Pray that he will use them to promote justice and peace.
Praise God for the opportunity for the Christian community to stand against the renewed onslaught of the abortion movement. No senator, and no President, has been more radically pro-abortion than President-elect Obama. The Christian community has the privilege of standing firm in the midst of great difficulty. It is times like these that determine the depth and quality of our faith. I pray that we will be found as having the loving resolve required for such moments.
Praise God for the opportunity to teach our children true faith from false faith. I admire so many things about President-elect Obama, but sadly his faith is not one of them. Our children will be reared under a president who "sounds Christian" in many ways, but whose true beliefs and policies counteract the very faith he claims. With gentleness and respect, we can teach our Christian children to develop spiritual discernment.
[Note: this was deleted when I submitted it as a Letter to the Editor] 5. Praise God for the time to reflect on the true priorities of our faith. For far too long "conservative Christianity" has been lumped together with Republican politics. This election cycle we witnessed an 'evangelical' backlash against this Christian entrenchment. However, the former error was simply and inexcusably compounded with an intentional entrenchment into the politics of the Democratic party. Evangelical Christians now have the opportunity, and the time, to reflect on those issues that should be part of our Christian activism and those issues that should not.
Praise God for the knowledge that God is fully in control. There are no surprises in heaven, and God waits on no angel to speed Him the news of election results. We are experiencing the newest chapter of a book He wrote from eternity past, and should be excited that we have the privilege to be characters within this grand story.
Praise God for the ability to be free from excessive concern about earthy politics. Our true King sits on the throne of heaven and He demands our total allegiance. My emotional and spiritual well-being is not tied to whichever political party controls the government. Heaven is my true home, and one day I will forever be part of that perfect kingdom.
Today, God is to be praised.
Pastor Josh Gelatt
Indian River Baptist Church
...an astute individual will recognize that he is a natural leader with keen insight.
ReplyDeleteI must be obtuse, because I have yet to recognize his natural leadership and insight. Is he eloquent? Yes. Is he intelligent? Yes. Does he exude charisma? Very much so. But what has he led? He hasn't even finished his freshman term in the Senate. He has proven to be a capable and canny campaigner, but only time will tell if President-elect Obama is a leader and bridge-builder.
Whatever insight he has is opposed to mine. He has pledged to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act, and he is in favor of repealing the Defense of Marriage Act. There's no insight there.
Like you, I praise God this morning because He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
I have already begun to pray for President-elect Obama, and I pray that he will become a natural leader with keen insight.
Very good thoughts Josh. It's encouraging.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know if you feel that John McCain actually is Christian, while Obama just sounds Christian. If so I would just like to know how you know this?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteI have no idea if John McCain is a Christian or not. My post about President-elect Obama was not intended to imply anything about McCain.