2010

Don't you wonder what it will bring? 2009 wasn't such a great one was it? We had a year of unremitting bad news, it seemed like.  Well, bad news isn't so unusual but how we deal with difficult times is where we show our true colors. It seems to me that the Apostle Paul had the proper perspective in dealing with difficult times when he wrote, "we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3b,4) It seems that 2010 will certainly provide Christians the opportunity to develop plenty of character; so we have every reason to believe that there is, indeed, hope. Many of us are unhappy with the way that the political landscape is unfolding in our country and I just want to point out that the future of the United States is in our hands as responsible voters. If you are unhappy with the way things are going in this country, then I encourage you to begin now to become involved with the political process. Identify individuals who hold onto the principles which you believe represent the best for America and then work tirelessly to get them elected. Tip O'Neill once said that "all politics is local" and the political climate that exists in our country right now should prove Speaker O'Neill's observation to be spot on. A community organizer now sits in the seat of the President of the United States. It doesn't matter whether I think that he belongs there or not. What does matter is that each one of us realize that the leaders of our country come out of our own neighborhoods, our own families, our own churches. Be on the lookout for people whom you are willing to follow in the years ahead and then do all that you can to work for their election. And remember that, "there is no authority except that which God has established."(Romans 13:1b) So we need to bathe our country and her leaders in prayer so that the path which is pleasing to God will be opened up once more.