Terri's BlogChristian perspective on today's issues.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD IT COULD BE

(Someone ought to write a song with those words, lol, but few are old enough to remember that one.)
Strangely, very strangely, instead of my God-time with coffee this morning (10/27) I opened my email. I NEVER do that. Why would anyone start their day with TV news, Facebook, or reading their emails, when time with God in prayer or in His Word is so much more peaceful? However, I know some of you do that and I’m not condemning you, I’m just admitting that my constitution isn’t that strong. But I digress.
Two things came together this morning: one was a text, and the other was in my email. So, this wasn’t a coincidence, it was a God incident.  The text came as a reply to one I had sent last week to my friend Dan, with whom I attend church. Dan is a power lifter and he’s been at it quite a while, which would be very obvious the moment you saw him. I had wished him luck in the International Power Lifting World Championships held last Sunday. (Three hundred and eighty-five lifters from all over the world. Stay with me, there’s a point coming.)  His text back to me included videos his wife had taken of his three lifts. He had won the World Masters in his age and weight group: 75-80 years, 250 pounds. Yes, you read that right, and no, he’s not fat. He also set a World Record in the bench press.  That, ladies and gentlemen, takes a lifestyle commitment. He ended his text, as always, with “God is good”.
The email I opened this morning is called The Pastor Post-It, a brief devotional my pastor sends out once each week.  The following are a couple of excerpts from his message: “Politics…there, I said it. Now I feel as if I should go and wash my mouth out with soap.”  He went on to say, “…there are a few morally sound folks who desire to clean up the political garbage pit. God help them.  And here is my opinion on how we may help them: Live out a genuine Christian life, regardless of what it costs you. Stand up for your convictions without condemning others. Point out the needs of the last, the lost, and the least, without pointing fingers of blame. Forgive those who transgress against you, as God has forgiven you. And PRAY! 2 Chronicles 7:14 includes an approved method of influencing our country as directed by God.”
As I said earlier, I believe these two correspondences were not a coincidence, but a God incident.  Let me put them together as I feel He wanted me to learn, and to pass on to you.
Dan has a strict regimen, I’m sure. I know he PRACTICES. And because he’s strict about it, he’s successful – world class successful.  HE LIVES IT.
Now, re-read the Life Principles from the Pastor Post-It.  If we PRACTICED these principles, using a strict, daily regimen, we could LIVE them.  Then “what a wonderful world it could be”.  Amen?
Between Dan and my pastor God gave me a powerful, life-lifting message (puns intended). I’m going to list and print out the life principles and put that list on my coffee maker (Won’t miss seeing it there.)  Then I plan to pick one and practice installing it in my life that day. The next day I’ll pick another one, and so on. I will make it a regimen so I will eventually live the life God wants for me.
I’m going to end this with an admonition, one I got from Pastor Scott’s sermon this morning.  Our country’s culture is influencing our Christianity, instead of our Christianity influencing our country’s culture. Read that again.  I hope it was a realization that angers you as it did me.
It’s time for Christians to stand on our faith.  It’s time for us to stand FOR our faith, to stand FOR GOD.
Voting time is here.  We need to vote as Christians:  what we stand for and believe in.  We need to vote for what could make an Eternal difference in our nations people.  And we need to PRAY! Fervently!   2 Chronicles 7:14 says “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
Lord, we need restoration.

Mike Jared
TCM Board member