Don't forget to vote

Tuesday is primary voting here in SC. Please go out and vote!!!! Don't just vote, educate yourself. This is an important election. When choosing your state level candidates, please consider (or ask them if you don't know) where they stand on reforming the foster care system. Are they going to stand by the Governor's new law to expedite the adoption process. How are they going to help these children and the families caring for them.

There are thousands of children in this state affected by this everyday. Just this week our family has been greatly affected by this.

Vote and stand up for those that can't stand for themselves!

I try not to talk about political issues too much. The two main reasons for this: 1. I usually need to do more research to make sure I know what I am talking about and 2. I don't want anyone to mistake my opinion as that of our ministry or our church.

However, I have to share this. Today I read an article about a law that is being proposed in our state (SC). It's not like we haven't had enough attention with actions of our Governor and recent comments made by our Lt. Gov. This new info is over the top. State Rep. Mike Pitts wants to ban the use of federal currency, paper money, in SC. His plan is that we go to only silver and gold coins. Though I understand his reasoning and agree that our current economic structure/national debt needs help, I can't help but ask, "what are you thinking?" Better yet is he thinking?

He even says in the article that he knows the bill won't pass. Why then sir are you wasting our time and money. There are plenty of things in our state that need reform and could use your time and energy. How about turning your attention to our education, welfare, or foster care systems?!?!

The Bible is clear that God intends for us to respect those in authority over us and that includes government officials. I do support our Governor and Lt. Governor and pray that God gives them wisdom and that they will follow His leading. It doesn't mean, however, that we are supposed to idly sit by and let them waste our time and money though. One of the privileges of being an American citizen is our right to vote and have our voice heard. We need to make sure that our voice is heard at election time and that we choose our leaders wisely.

My challenge to you (and my self) is to get more involved in the political process and make sure that we are supporting candidates that hold our same views and goals. Don't just go out on election day, do your homework! If I lived in Rep. Pitts district that choice would be a no brainer!

Consequences to follow

As a supporter of Mark Sanford, I was disappointed when the news broke last week about his affair. I must say that I respect the fact that he released this information on his own rather than waiting until he was forced to address it. Yes, often we hold people in the public eye to a higher standard. I don't necessarily agree with that, but we do expect more from our leaders and icons than we expect from ourselves.

This incident just goes to show that no one is immune from making mistakes. It also shows that no one is immune from grace. Regardless of the standard we set for others and the repercussions we think should be placed on them, Grace is the ultimate standard.

The night that this news broke, my devotion happened to be about repentance and consequences. In 2 Chronicles 12 we see that King Rehoboam has turned his back on God and is ruling in his own power. The King of Egypt rises up to destroy Israel. Rehoboam realizes that he and his people are going to die as a result of his disobedience. In verse 6 we see that he is sorry for what he has done and says that the Lord does what is right.

King Rehoboam wasn't trying to get out of his consequences, he simply saw that this was what was due to him. He didn't admit his fault to get out of anything. As a matter of fact, the Egyptians continued to attack. However, no one was destroyed and Rehoboam went on to rule, this time trusting in God.

Many times we admit our wrongs in an effort to get ourselves out of trouble and usually this tactic does not work. We can't cry a few tears and bat our eye lashes and get out of everything (despite the fact that many of our parents have perpetuated this belief in us). People get hurt and bridges are burned as a result of our bad decisions. However, grace still abounds and it is by grace that we are given the opportunity for a second chance.

Romans 5:20 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more,

Romans 5:20 (The Message)
All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. (Emphasis mine)

As believers, regardless of our social status, we are held to the highest of standards, Christ's standard. Because of this we can expect that we will face much more scrutiny for our actions as we have seen with Gov. Sanford. This means that we have to be even more careful of everything that we do and count the cost of all of our decisions. It is of utmost importance that we live our lives above reproach.

Luke 12:48 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
But the one who did not know and did things deserving of blows will be beaten lightly. Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.

Guard your heart and count the cost! There will be consequences to follow.

Inaugaration Part 2

Reese seemed to be as interested as I was in the inauguration. The funniest thing happened when President Obama was taking the oath of office. Reese was listening intently to the chief justice. When he stopped speaking Reese seemed to be repeating after him just as President Obama was. This happened with every part of the oath. Reese must think that he is the President now that he has taken the oath of office as well.

As this was happening in front of me, I couldn't help but laugh and think of it's significance. This truly was a door of opportunity opened up for Reese. In the past biracial children have been looked down upon. They are often whispered about and made fun of (as if they had any choice in their ethnicity). Looking at my biracial child I realized how much of an impact this could have on his life. Being a biracial man, President Obama just showed my child and every other biracial child that they are can be or do anything they work hard for. The key to that is working hard. They have to work hard not because they are biracial, but because they are human.

One final thing stood out to me about the ceremonies. During his address, President Obama made a couple of statements that I want to leave you to think about. "To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy." "In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned."

The Presidential Inauguration part 1

In some sense, I am a fan of history. I did not enjoy History classes in college (what is the point of taking Western Civilization if you aren't a history major?), however, I find American history and SC history fascinating. This is probably why I was very interested in watching the inauguration and all of the coverage surrounding it. No matter who you voted for, this was an exciting part of American history. Each inauguration has it's own historical value, but this was stood out to me for several reasons.

Some of the things that stood out to me were because they were funny and others were serious. I couldn't stop thinking about Malia and Sasha. Those two girls are absolutely beautiful. When I saw them walking down the steps to be introduced I was overwhelmed with the need to stop and pray for them. Not because I think that they or their parents are evil, but because it hit me that they are going to be thrown to the wolves so to speak. These young ladies will be living in a fish bowl, on top of that, there may be times that there safety is at risk, and I can only imagine the stress that they may face over the safety of their dad. I prayed that God would protect them, their hearts, their families, and give their parents the wisdom that they need to raise these girls.

I must say that I was moved by the letter that the Bush girls wrote to the Obama girls. It was so poignant to close the letter with this line, "So here is our most important piece of advice: remember who your dad really is." I would like to add to that that they remember who they are. They are beautiful daughters of our Lord and King. No matter what the media may say about them or how they may change in their time in the White House, they will always be beloved daugthers of our Lord!

One final note about the Obama girls... Malia is a girl after my own heart. I couldn't help but laugh as I saw her taking pictures of everything.

Another funny thing that I noticed was the first President Bush's hat. That was awesome to see all of those important people dressed very sophisticated and then to notice President Bush's fur lumber jack hat in the corner of the screen. Thanks for the comic relief!

Speaking of the platform, it was incredible to me to think of all the power that was represented there. To think of how those people have effected this world for the last 30 something years. (I know it has been at least 30 years since Carter was President when I was born.) Former VP Quayle and his wife Marilyn hold a special place in my heart. Quayle was the first presidential nominee I ever voted for. Oh the memories... my first election in a tiny elementary school in Jefferson City, TN. The power on that platform reminded me of how incredible it is that we live in a country where we are free and empowered to help those less fortunate than us. Whether those politician represented your vote or not, think about how incredible it is that you even had the opportunity to speak up.

There are some more things that I would like to share, but I have a stinky baby awaiting me. Please come back for part 2 of my take on the inauguration.