Vote Your Values

Over the past few months we have been bombarded with political ads telling us way we should or should not vote for a certain candidate. Usually these ads tell us very little about what the candidate stands for it only tells us why they think we should not vote for the other candidate.

Then there is the debates. We have had three opportunities to see the two presidential candidates debate the issues with one another, but this usually turns into just another political ad telling us why they think we should not vote for the other candidate.

There are so many issues out there that people are concerned. The economy, health insurance, jobs, these are just a few. And though I believe  they are important issues, I do not trust any man or woman with my future. I chose rather to trust God with my future.

As a Christian I chose to vote my values. I chose to stand on the principles and standard found in the Word of God and cast my vote for the candidate that most closely aligns with those values. Now I understand that no one is perfect and no matter who I vote for they will probably make mistakes along the way. But I would rather vote based on my values as a Christian and leave the economy to God. After all He knows best anyway and He has never let me down.

Maybe some of you have already participated in early voting, I did just this morning. If you haven't voted yet, watch this video and VOTE YOUR VALUES!

A Hunger and Thirst for God

Since I have started training for my marathon, I have really enjoyed running. I wake up most mornings looking forward to my run. My running schedule this week should have been as follows:

Monday - 5 miles
Tuesday - 8 miles
Wednesday - 5 miles
Friday - 16 miles

But since I was unable to run on Monday it left me to run 5 miles on Tuesday. I then came down sick Tuesday night and Wednesday and therefore did not run on Wednesday. I also did not run make it up on Thursday as I was still recovering from being sick.

All of that said I was not looking forward to running this morning, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I knew that if I put it off I might not get back to it again.

Was it easy to get up and run this morning? Certainly not! Were there times during the run that I wanted to turn around and go home before I had finished the 16 miles? Absolutely. But I did not quit! I finished the 16 miles and I am glad I did.

This got me to thinking how many times our walk with God might be the same way.

We miss a few days with God in His Word or communicating with Him through prayer and even though we know it is the right thing to do and we will be better off for it, it's hard to get back in the habit again. The longer we go the less hunger for God's Word we become.

I want to be like the person described in Psalms 42:1-2 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?

Stay hungry and thirsty for God. And if it's been a few days, don't quit. Get back in the Word!