Rock The Vote

“Rock The Vote” is a movement that was established 20 years ago to inform and involve young people in American politics. This non-partisan, non-profit group uses technology, popular culture and the entertainment industry to reach this growing demographic of voters. Until its inception in 1992 there had been a decline in voter registration and participation in 18-29 year olds, but RTV boasts involving millions of young voters in the political process since the 2004 election.

Truthfully, every voter has the potential to “rock the vote.” Each of us has a responsibility to be informed and know the issues. Some helpful websites are www.virginia.gov (or whatever your state is!) and www.usa.gov. These sites will direct you to their Board of Elections where you can find out where and how to register and where you go to vote. You can also enter your address and find a sample ballot with each office, each candidate and a link to their website, and also the list of referendums. Along with the political party websites, www.gop.com and www.democrats.org, partisan sites and local media sites (television and newspaper), there are also private sites such as www.govguru.com and www.politicsdaily.com that also have interesting information.


Not only should we know the issues but we should also know the candidates. Our choices now will affect our children and grandchildren and it's important to have strong leaders.Former President Ronald Reagan said it well: “Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation.” With the political posturing and negative campaigning that's so popular, it's hard to know what/who to believe, but we can learn a lot by asking some simple questions, such as:

• What is their record of service? 
• Do they vote strictly along party lines or do they vote according to what is in the best interest of their constituents? 
• Are they present for all (or most of) the voting sessions? 
• What are their core beliefs? 
• How have they behaved when their character has been tested? 

There will be MANY issues that arise during an elected official’s term so their character is important. As Will Rogers remarked, “We only get to vote on some man; we never get to vote on what he is to do.” 

The Christian voter has at least two other responsibilities. The first is to know if/how an issue is specifically addressed in scripture, and our stance should line up with His Word regardless of how unpopular it may be. The second is to pray for those who govern us and to remember that God is Who is ultimately in control and He can use anyone to accomplish His purposes, Christians and non-Christians alike.

A great example of how God used a pagan king is found in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23. God moved in the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to release His people from captivity and allow them to return to Jerusalem. An interesting fact that is often overlooked in this account is that God told the prophet Isaiah about His plan for Cyrus. Isaiah recorded that God would “stir up one from the east” and call him in His service (Is 41:2). God also referred to Cyrus by name and even called him His “anointed” (Is 45:1) and said “I will raise up Cyrus… He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free…” (Is 45:13). Even more interesting? God gave Isaiah this message before Cyrus was even born – over 100 years before his reign!

We can never underestimate the sovereignty of God and the plan He has for His children. He desires that we seek and follow Him, regardless of who governs us. Issues WILL arise, but we can claim the promise God made to King Solomon: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron 7:14)

There is sin in our nation. In reference to the National Day of Prayer Franklin Graham said, “I want to see our nation humble herself, confess sin before God, and ask for His forgiveness. If we, as a nation, did that, we would see healing come to our country.” Christians have a responsibility to lead the way and agree with the Old Testament prophet Daniel who prayed, "We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and rebelled; we have turned away from Your commands and laws (Dan 9)." Daniel was a godly man but he was willing to intercede and confess the sins of his people.

We also need to pray for our leaders... for them to be men and women of character and principle. For their hearts to be transformed. For wisdom, knowledge and discernment. For their safety and the well-being of their family. For the Lord to put godly people in their paths as advisors and support staff. For their courage to stand up for what is right, regardless of what is popular. To guard against greed and immorality. To remember that they serve the public and not special interest groups ...

This week I heard a great address by Dave Earley, a professor at Liberty University. His theme was prayer and he continually asked the audience the following questions:

• Do you believe God can do things bigger than you?
• Better than you?  
• Faster than you? 
• More long lasting than you?

These are rhetorical questions, to be sure, but do we believe these things on a scale as broad as our government and the political arena?

God most certainly CAN change our country, but He's looking for a few good men (and women) who will be faithful to storm heaven with prayers for our nation. Then GOD will rock the vote!

Some noteworthy sites:
www.nationaldayofprayer.com
www.christianvoterguide.com
www.prayandact.org

9-11 Anniversary

Few days in American history have shaken us as much as September 11, 2001. Images of the two airliners crashing into the Twin Towers, smoke billowing from the windows, dust rising as the buildings collapsed in New York City... fires raging at the Pentagon in Washington DC... fiery blazes from the crashed United Airlines Flight 93 in rural Pennsylvania...

Then we watched determined first responders dressed in full gear rushing down crowded streets, frightened survivors struggling to learn what had happened, grief-stricken families hearing heartbreaking reports...

Those images evoked a feelings that covered the full emotional spectrum: horror, shock, relief, confusion, sorrow, joy, disbelief, anger... You name it, we felt it that day.

Nine years have now passed and many security measures have been enforced, all of which are designed to help us feel safe. But in a world filled with evil, injustice and uncertainty, how can we fight our feelings of despair?

En Gedi

David experienced a similar time in his life as he was running from King Saul in the barren Judean wilderness. Those desperate feelings found their way onto the page when David penned Psalm 142.

He envisions his enemies hiding and setting traps for him, of being chased and feeling all alone. He was faint of spirit and felt that no one cared. There was no place of rest for him and in the eyes and estimation of the world, his situation seemed dire at best.

Saul's army was large, heavily armed, blood-thirsty and determined. David was outnumbered, tired, depressed, hungry & thirsty. In his desperate cry to the Lord he poured out his heart, but even in his cries he acknowledges that God:

• is merciful (v1)
• listens (v2)
• knows David's way (v3)
• is his refuge (v5)
• is his provider (v5)
• can rescue him (v6)
• is good to him (v7)

In the last verse, David asks God to deliver him, but not so he would feel safe or could go back home. David asked God to deliver him so he could PRAISE HIM and testify of His goodness to him.

Praising God in the midst of a trial is often difficult. When we're in the throes of grief, uncertainty, tragedy, or confusion our natural response is to focus on the problem so we can find an answer. But many problems in life don't have answers, or don't have answers we can see. How then do we refocus our minds from problem-solving to praising?

I've found these steps to be helpful in my life:

• Humble myself before God. Remember that He is with me, He is sovereign and He is all-knowing. He alone knows the full scope of my problem and He is in control.
• Pray and trust Him with the problem. No matter how overwhelming it may seem, He will use it to work out His plan (Romans 8:28). As I pray, I remind myself that Jesus is praying for me too (Romans 8:34) - how amazing is THAT?
• Ask Him to teach me. I want Him to show me all the lessons I need to learn so the trial isn't wasted on me (I don't want to have to repeat any lessons).
• Call on friends. No matter how alone we feel, God has put people in our lives who will pray with us and for us, and there are friends who are blessed when they help us. Don't be a blessing robber!
• Thank Him for my deliverance. He has my deliverance path already planned so I ask Him to give me the strength, insight and wisdom I need to move forward.
• SING! Psalm 22:3 tells us that He inhabits the praises of His people, so put some worship music on and SING!

Our nation did some of these things in the aftermath of the Sept 11 tragedy because people tend to turn to God during a tragedy. But when time passes and life gets back to a semblance of normal, God is forgotten.

May that NEVER BE! We can let the anniversary of this tragedy remind us to be a people focused on God. Let’s continue to pray for those who lead us, those who defend and protect us, and especially for those who are affected by tragedy of any kind. When we’re able, let’s freely give and lovingly serve! And when tragedy comes our way, and it WILL, remember that as Christians we are always secure in Christ (John 10:28), and we are NEVER without hope.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." ~2 Cor 4:16-18 NIV