Health Care Reform and Obama

I know I'm treading into dangerous ground here. After reading tweets and facebook statuses of many of my friends, etc. I want to remind you that God is still in control.

On Election Night in November of 2008, I wrote a blog. I revisited it today and felt that it would be good reading for you again. I've edited it to reflect the vote on Health Care Reform.

DC Talk covered a song by REM on its 1997 release "Welcome to the Freak Show." The words to the song state that "It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine."

Last night, the House of Representatives passed a health care reform bill. It has many conservatives up in arms over the language, etc. of the bill.

Many in our neck of the woods and in other parts of the Bible belt will be disheartened over the outcome. Some will be ecstatic that the bill passed. Others will treat it like it's the end of the world. For me, I feel fine. :)

Why? First, My hope is not in a man. My king is still on the throne tonight and will be on the throne. In fact, My God is my health care and he needs no reform (see Isaiah 53:5).
No president has been or will be the Savior of America and neither is President Obama. Secondly, God is the one who appoints our leaders. Romans 13:1 (NKJV) states "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." God's not suprised. He is still in control.

We may not like the outcome or the decisions of our leaders, but there's nothing we can do to change that right now.

So, I urge you to do several things.

1) Pray for the elected officials - 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT) "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. 2 Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity." We must pray for God's mercy upon them. We should pray for wisdom and that God's will be done.

2) Cast off worry and fear - Worry and Fear are not tools of a political party. They are tools of the enemy of your soul. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) states "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." Don't worry....God is still in control.

3. Use Restraint Please - The liberal media has bashed Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin. The conservatives have been outraged by their unfair treatment. However, there are many on the conservative side or in the religious right that are just as guilty. Every time one forwards an e-mail about Obama or Biden that are filled with unsubstantiated rumors and half-truths, that person is guilty of practicing the same unfair treatment. I would take that a step further....it is called spreading lies and gossip....both which are sins. I urge you to get the facts before you push send on your e-mail. Remember: Just because it is on the web or in an e-mail doesn't make it true. There are several websites out there to check rumors....I personally use Truthorfiction.com It is very valuable. :) Name calling and personal attacks are not of God.

The real change we need in America is not a shift in political parties. The real change is that we need to turn back to the faith of our founding fathers. That is the only way America is truly going to change.

2 Chronicles 7:14 "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 heal their land."

My Prayer

God has been stirring my heart the last few days. This song has become my prayer. I want the world to know that I burn for God.



Lyrics to Toby Mac's Burn For You
I'm a brand new man, I'm a conscious man
I'm a man who's burnin' for you
The mistakes I've made have been chased away to the bottom of the ocean blue
I'm a brand new man in a foreign land, I'm a man who's feelin' that fire
And it's all so clear when I'm standing here at the peak of my desire

So won't you move me like you used to
I want the world to know I burn for you

I feel revived again, I am alive again
(Burnin' for you) You got me lifted and lifted you lift me up
I feel revived again, I'm energized again
(Burnin' for you) You got me lifted and lifted you lift me up

Woke up in a sweat, those ghosts in my head
Had a grip, but I slipped on by
It's a whole new day as the darkness fades
And the sun's climbing in the sky
I concede, my love, that I need your love
I'm before you, a broken man
And it's only you, no substitutes who can renew this soul again

You got me higher than Kilimanjaro
Got me believin' I can "save the day"
I'm up and running like their ain't no tomorrow
I'd rather burn for you than fade away
I'd rather burn for you than go my way

I'm a whole new guy with a whole new vibe
Changed inside - more flame in the fire
Can't stop, won't stop praying for desire
Like the bunny on the screen feel so energized
Old shell gone without a trace, new face
No more shortness of breath, new pace
Live life now without the taste of fear
TOBYMAC, Double Dutch now let the smoke clear

Steering Through Chaos

Scott Wilson has written a compelling new book for church leaders entitled "Steering Through Chaos." In this book, Pastor Scott helps leaders navigate the tough waters of transitions.

Scott states "It is possible to thrive in the midst of transition. To do this, though, you'll need to have a clear vision of God's calling, excellent communication, relationships of affirmation and authenticity, and tenacity."

Pastor Scott discusses crucial elements that each leader must have when steering through chaos including vision, timing, authenticity and more. Many books on church growth or leadership that you read are nothing more than a business model. The thing that separates the church from corporate is the reliance on the Holy Spirit. Pastor Scott in his chapter on Corporate Prayer states "When a church operates solely on business principles, it is relying on the giftings of the pastor, the strength of its marketing, and the willingness of its people to support an inspiring leader's decisions." This book gives you great leadership advice, but does not neglect the most important thing...a reliance on the Spirit of God.

Not only will the reader hear the story of Pastor Scott and the Oaks Fellowship, there are also profiles on other great leaders like Dean Rizzo and Greg Surratt strategically placed throughout the book.

I echo Craig Groeschel's words...."I wish I had this book years ago." This is a must read for every pastor and church leader.



You can purchase the book here!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I read this today on evotional.com (Mark Batterson's Blog) and thought it was worth reposting. As people drink and be merry, remember the real reason we celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Evotional.com

Today Matters

Pastor Jimmy said this morning "If you want God to use you tomorrow, then you have to spend time with Him today."

That is a powerful thought. After being challenged by that statement today, I picked up my copy of John C. Maxwell's book Today Matters. After thumbing through it and reading a couple of the quotes/stories I highlighted. I found this quote from John Wooden, former UCLA Basketball Coach.

On the subject of practice, Coach Wooden stated "What you do in practice is going to determine your level of success. I used to tell my players, You have to give 100 percent every day. Whatever you don't give, you can't make up for tomorrow. If you give only 75 percent today, you can't give 125 percent tomorrow to make up for it."

Wow!

I'd like to change the word of that first line of the quote.

"What you do in PRAYER is going to determine your level of success."

God, help me to pray the way and the things you want me to pray.

Be Blessed!

Last two Christian Music Videos of the Week

These are the last two Christian Music Video of the weeks from our Totally 80s series.