I Voted As Though I Were Not Voting
I would like to speak to you today about the fabulosity of the early voting system.
Seriously. Why have I waited in long lines all these years when all I had to do was make a three minute run to the courthouse? Since Luke and I will be out of town next week, I voted today and to say it was carthartic would be an understatement. Somehow, circling in that dot released all the aggravation that has been building for the last 37 months this campaign has been in high gear.
Now that I have cast my ballot, I’m officially over it.
It’s so easy to get sucked in to the madness until we calm down and realize one basic thing: The government is not our salvation. The USA and her President will not preserve our lives. Jesus Christ is the One who came {not Barak Obama or John McCain} so we can have life and have it abundantly. Oh I wish, OH I WISH, I could get Luke’s Sunday sermon off the cassette tape and into this computer because y’all, he nailed it. If I do say so myself my man BROUGHT IT on this very topic. I was so proud of him I could have exploded. If any of my homies out there would like to bear witness, please say amen in the comments.
Anyway, I’m rambling. Imagine that.
I really do not anticipate addressing politics on this blog anymore (because I’m so, so sick of it!) but in saying that, I have to point you to the single most fabulous piece written on the subject I’ve read to date. You have just GOT to see it for yourself. In fact, if you read it, why don’t you come back and tell me what you thought. Did you gain some fresh perspective? Did your blood pressure lower a few clicks? I promise. It’s that good.
And here’s a teaser. I have a really cool surprise I’m preparing for you from the author of that article.
We are going to have a blast with this one.
Thank you for that perspective. I have been getting a bit bent out of shape over all of this but you are correct. “some trust in chariots and some in horses (ie. government) But We will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
Thank you oce again
~In HIS Keeping
Mrs. B!
Amen, Sister! I love your blog.
~r
Oh, this was good. Both your post and Piper’s. I’m not sure which has frustrated me more: the politicians or the Christians wringing their hands. Has no one read the book of Daniel? Or Isaiah 45?
God is sovereign. Period. He is not flummoxed by who is or isn’t elected President. Sometimes “evil leaders” are even part of His plan.
The only thing that has “stressed me” is all the mudslinging and commercials. I am going to vote. I know that no matter what the outcome, God is God. And that’s all that matters to me. Now I believe it may get a bit tougher if we have one candidate over another…but that’s the way it is with anyone in leadership. I only think of leadership of Saul (in his later years) vs. that of David.
Thank you for this article. You’re right…it’s a keeper.
:-) Susan
Great post! Thanks for directing us to Piper’s article. That hit it on the nail! I agree with “mocha with linda”, it seems that Christians are fretting over this so much. Every Wednesday night in my ladies class someone turns the subject to the election. Inside I am asking the same questions…Have you read Daniel? Do you not see that God has all this in His hands?
God is sovereign! He knows the plans He has for us and one day we will be in His presences living out that plan to the fullest if we are His children.
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN! I have never been more blessed by a sermon! Every word he preached was true! I was so glad my mom kept Andrew in the nursery so I could really pay attention! I believe the Lord new I needed to hear it!
LOVE this post, Lisa!!! Thank you!
Oftentimes I believe the greatest gift God has given us besides salvation and His grace is hope. Eternal hope. This world will pass away, but God reigns forever!
Here are some points that were my favorite:
Love this: Marriage is for making much of Him.
My thought: LIFE is for making much of Him.
But as we deal with it, we don’t give it our fullest attention. We don’t ascribe to the world the greatest status.
Even the best cannot replace what we were made for, namely, the full experience of the risen Christ (John 17:24).
There are losses. We mourn. But not as those who have no hope.
And Christ will be ruling over his people with perfect supremacy no matter who is elected and no matter what government stands or falls.
And Amen!
Great post, loved the article
I posted my thoughts on the whole president thing here http://whateverloribehr.blogspot.com/2008/09/suffering.html
I love John Piper. Sometimes we get so caught up in this world that we forget the life waiting for us beyond it. I think I’d be caught up less if I didn’t have children.
As a mother, it’s hard not to worry… especially since two of my children have not yet made a profession of faith. *I* can understand God’s absolute sovreignty in difficult times, but can my children?
Personally, I’m done with the election. Here in OR we vote by mail and my ballot was mailed off the day after I got it. I washed my hands of it early, and now I’m just annoyed by all the advertising.
Ok, I’m off to read that fabulous article.
I think you’re going to be missing something by NOT having to stand in an endless line to vote with lots of grumy people fighting about politics. Where is the fun in just a short walk to a courhouse to cast your vote in peace?
I will definately add an Amen. Bro. Luke was right on with his sermon. I know I needed to hear it, as I have heard several others say. I wish you could get it on here somehow. There would be a lot more amen’s!
Thanks Lisa,
I had read J. Piper’s post earlier this week and loved it too. It does put it all into perspective, doesn’t it!
-Karen
Bro.L did do a great job Sunday. It is hard for me not to shout AMEN!! on Sunday mornings. I know coming from COG I am used to shouting when ever I am moved. I just want to say how I appreciate how “your man” preaches his heart out EVERY Sunday morning and lays it on the line. I always leave with plenty to think about! I thank God to have the privilege not only to sit under his leadership, but to be friends with such a wonderful and uplifting Christian family. Ya’ll really do make our life better!!Thank you for that.
We love ya!!!
Oh that was just so good! Vote as if you aren’t, what a statement. 2 of our family has already voted, 2 more to go.
Oh, John Piper’s post was wonderful!! All the things that we’ve been saying among ourselves, but so much more focused and clear; totally on the mark!
AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!! I haven’t read the article yet, but will in a min and will let you know what I thought! I noticed throught the comments that it was written by John Piper, so it must be good!
Oh, how good it was to read that! I just (as in 5 mintues ago) but in my early ballot! I too, am DONE with the election season. It was great to hear Piper’s message! Thanks for sharing!!!
My man Luke brought on Sunday. I am so glad he finally turned it on. He was on fire. I was sayin’ amen, oh me, and “ouch my toes”.
As I limped to the alter to pray I said a lil’ thanks to God bringin’ us a pastor thats not afraid to preach what the Lord gave him.
nsgcfs
I loved that article. I’m stealing (if I call it blog-lifting, it would sound less heinous) your title and the link to the article for my post tomorrow. I would love to hear a copy of the cassette of Luke “bringing it”! Great post . . .
J Pippy got it just right…as usual!
Xandra
I’m on the Canadian side of the border… our elections are very different… we started after the US and completed before.
I believe our entire process was done in less than 2 months. I’m not certain this is better… just different.
This presidential campaign has just about done me in, and I’m 58 years old, so I’ve been through a few of these.
Like you, and everyone else out here, I’m so, so weary of the mudslinging. I hate this negative campaigning and I’ll be so glad when it’s over.
I’m not thrilled with our choice this time, but let me tell you, I’m terribly afraid that our next president is going to be the one who thinks it’s OK to kill unborn babies.
That’s about as political as I get. I’m pro life. Period. And the stuff that’s happening on Wall Street cannot come remotely close to what’s happening in clinics all across this country.
Oh dear. I think I just got political, in cyberspace! Arrgghhhh!
I am so with you…so ready to be done with it. The air is thick with fear, from both sides. I have become entangled with it at times. I know He is our real hope and I want to rest in that! Thanks for your reminder!
Luke did bring it Sunday! That was such an awesome message! I have told everyone who will listen to me about it! I said Amen aloud so many times people were turning around to see who the chick was that kept amening the preacher!
One more like that one and I might just commence to “pew jumpin'” …….broken foot and all!
p.s..I am so completely jealous that you got to vote early! I wish we had actual “early voting” here! I have tried my best to think of a legitimate reason to cast an absentee vote just because I still have visions of the last presidental election when I stood outside in line in the freezing cold forEVER!
I TOTALLY AGREE, LUKE DID AWESOME. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT SERMON ALL WEEK.
HE JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER EACH WEEK.
I AM SICK OF THIS ELECTION TOO. I WILL BE GLAD TO SEE IT PASS.
Luke’s sermon was awesome.
He spoke about how we want God to bless America yet we are so desensitized to the immorality going on around us. That hit home for me and I have since been convicted over some of the stuff I let in my home through television. I have thought to myself…”It’s just a T.V. show…..”
Through this sermon I realized that we as Americans and Christians have to stand up for what is right in the eyes of God in ALL areas.
We are so blessed to have a pastor who preaches God’s truth. (Even when it doesn’t tickle our ears!)
I love the whole political thing!!! But the article was spot on and one to live by. Since I love to debate, I really need to ponder on this. Unfortunately, sometimes what I consider a good, clean debate may be unnecessarily offensive to to others.
AMEN!! AMEN!! Bro Luke was awesome and I am so proud he spoke the Word!! I needed it, longed for it and am sooooo thankful for his obedience to GOD!! One more AMEN!!!!
Wendy
I just have to say HALLELUHAH to Luke’s sermon. I really needed that! As you know I have been stuggling with several issues surrounding this election. I had prayed and prayed for clarity with no answer, until Sunday! I left church with an unburdened heart and a clear head. God spoke to me through Luke. Please pass my thank yous on to him. I realized how jaded and desensitized I have become. Tolerance and acceptance are two diffent things entirely. I love you and Luke and the work yall do for the Lord!
Love the stuff you’ve been posting on the election/current events. God has really helped me regain perspective when I was starting to get stressed by it all. (That wasn’t good for a hormonal pregnant mama who’s trying to stay all serene for the sake of the baby boys inside. ;))