After Election Blues?

After election blues? Feeling defeated?

"...until Christians really practice their faith, study the issues and vote based upon faith instead of secular values, we are in danger of subjugation to the same practitioners of tolerance that we have seen in Cambodia, Spain in the 1930's, Russia and China in the first half of the 20th century, and France in the 1780's." ____ Robert Herness

Been watching the news and feeling a little defeated lately? Don’t be. Ours is still a great Nation. But, can we keep it? Changing political parties can’t do it. Marching and rioting in the street won’t do it. Looking to false messiahs and ignoring our growing financial and moral problems make it worse.

For good or bad, our Nation is the sum total of each individual’s behavior. Unfortunately many Americans not only tolerate today’s popular sins, but shamelessly embrace them. Willing victims of those who seek to prove sin is normal and acceptable. Nowhere is it more apparent than in the area of sexual perversion and so called "Gay Marriage."

There is nothing gay about political leaders and news media championing the sin of homosexuality—or any sin. Well-known church leaders who go on national TV and are reluctant to call sin sin, shame the Body of Christ in particular and nourish the secular public’s moral corruption in general.

"The drive for same sex marriage is not simply about same sex marriage or the moral legitimization of homosexual behavior; it is also about the de-legitimizing of Christian morality. But the Christian moral system is no minor part of Christianity, any more than the heart or lungs are minor parts of the human body. Overthrow the Christian moral system and you will have overthrown Christianity itself. Therefore, those who are pushing for the institution of same sex marriage are ipso facto pushing for the elimination of the Christian religion." ____ David R. Carlin, Jr., sociologist and author

As a nation, we have excluded God from our homes, from our schools, from our public and private institutions. Those actions have consequences. And now we suffer a self induced judgement.

Since adopting the secular values of "go ahead you deserve it" a majority of our governing bodies: city, state, federal, along with many individuals are basically financially bankrupt. "If it feels good do it" values of secular morality have given us a high divorce rate, shattered families, millions of abortions, growing drug and alcohol abuse, and a sexually transmitted disease pandemic.

The seeds of secular morality have produced a growing crop of fear, despair, loss of hope, and anger. Although overall U.S. crime has trended down 20 percent, violent crimes have increased 25 percent. Like a fourteenth century plague, the spirit of anger now spreads across our nation and the world.

All and all, not encouraging. Is there no hope for our children, grandchildren, for us? How does America get back on the right path? Whom shall we follow? Where are we to put our trust? Who shall rule in our lives? Who will be king?

"Jesus, as Lord and King of the Universe calls us to the realization that He should have absolute dominion over our lives. He should be Lord of our physical, emotional and spiritual being.
"...He should be the Lord of our family, friends and relationships. He should be the Lord of our learning and education, our recreation and reading, our Face book page and Internet use. He should be the King of our Sunday, we coming into His presence, gathering at His throne. He should also be the King of our Mondays through Saturdays as well." ___ Father Jim Lee, St. Michael’s Parish, Olympia, Washington

We can reverse the path of destruction we are on. That is the good news. It is up to us. As Christians we need to practice our faith, to publically acknowledge there is right and wrong, good and evil. Politically we must study issues and candidates. Educate others. Vote our faith-based values not secular values.

America needs men and women with strong Judeo-Christian convictions and the intestinal fortitude to stand up and speak out for those convictions. But never in anger nor resentment. It is our heart condition that is important. It is our attitude toward one another as well as those holding positions of authority. Not everyone, however, may be in a position nor be called to be active in the public arena. But we are all called to pray, to be an example.

With all the 24 hours a day distractions in today’s world our Christian faith and daily life can become two separate things. Church and worship on Sunday, the rest of the week our mind can become preoccupied as though God doesn't exist. It does not have to be. That too is the good news.

We need to develop an ongoing awareness of our Lord’s presence. To come to God each morning and ask for His encouragement and direction. Then heed St. Paul’s call in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. We don't need to drop to our knees or close our eyes. It can involve a formal prayer or quiet meditation as brief as a few seconds, but consistently throughout the day.

Secular values did not get America through an agonizing civil war. Secular values did not give hope to struggling families during economic depressions and financial panics. Secular values did not sustain earlier Americans through death dealing epidemics and two major world wars. Prayer, Christian values, and spiritual strength did. And it will again. It is, however, up to us.

"The potency of prayer hath subdued the strength of fire; it hath bridled the rage of lions, hushed anarchy to rest, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains of death, expanded the gates of heaven, assuaged diseases, repelled frauds, rescued cities from destruction, stayed the sun in its course, and arrested the progress of the thunderbolt." ___ St.John Chrysostom (347-407), Archbishop of Constantinople

___ Michael E. Odell