We joined!

Sunday we joined a fantastic church.

I've been to my fair share of churches all over the country. I've visited the deep southern Baptist churches in South Carolina, with paper fans next to the hymnals. I've been to reverent Episcopalian churches with liturgy readings, real wine passed around in one large cup, and organ music. I've been to Catholic baptisms and Presbyterian lock-ins and everything in between. The only church that I've ever enjoyed as much as our new home church was Santa Cruz Bible Church. Loved that.

Now, granted, I know it's fine and dandy for people to worship in different ways. But for us, this church is just perfect! I'm still awed by the genuine people, incredible music, and the BIBLE being consistently opened, read, taught, and applied. L-O-V-E that!

I was even more astonished when the pastor broached the "difficult subjects" in church. A lot of pastors wouldn't touch election topics with a 10-foot pole. Or they might take the easy way out, with a vague prayer and no solid leadership.

But not our pastor.

He brought up three major voting issues.

First the lottery. Did you know this is the 6th time since 1990 that we've voted on the lottery? Now it comes with a tacked on promise of college scholarship money... bwa ha ha ha. As if we'll fall for that. This has failed 6 times for a reason. It is bad news.

As our pastor put it, "I'm not going to tell you how to vote, but vote AGAINST Amendment 3!"

Next up, he talked about an act that will prevent adoptive and foster care children from being placed in homes with homosexual couple and other individuals who are cohabiting with a sexual partner.The sanctity of marriage is under attack. From our pastor: "I'm not telling you how to vote, but vote FOR Act 1." Amen, brother.

Now for the biggie: Abortion. Yes, it's the horrid topic that no one likes to talk about. Why? Because the liberals like to call it "women's rights," as if that somehow masks what is actually taking place, and Christians just get sick to their stomachs. And we should. But we should also do something! Every one has a voice. Together we are the body of Christ. We can't possibly stand as one unless everyone is willing to do their part. No side liners in this game.

"First they came for the Jews, but I did nothing because I'm not a Jew. Then they came for the socialists, but I did nothing because I'm not a socialist. Then they came for the Catholics, but I did nothing because I'm not a Catholic. Finally, they came for me, but by then there was no one left to help me."

– Pastor Father Niemoller (1946)

Yesterday we studied Matthew 18. The littlest ones are the concern of our Father. Again quoting our pastor,"What must God think when Christians vote against His eternal principles?"

On January 22, 1973, five men in robes, in a judicial system gone wrong, legalized abortion. Since then 50 million babies have died. Because of five men. This was not a vote by the people. (And, by the way, Norma McCorvey, known under the pseudonym Jane Roe, never actually got an abortion. In fact, she is now a fierce pro-life advocate who founded the Roe No More ministry .)

The next president will be appointing supreme court justices during the next four years. Right now 5 of the 9 justices are over 70 years old. This may be the only chance we have to overturn this law.

Vote based on principles. Get out of your circle. Talk to people who may not agree with you. Be loving, respectful, but passionate and knowledgeable about the topics. Educate others about what these candidates stand for. Get out of your comfort zone a little. If each one of us could change one person's thinking (and their vote,) we could redirect this nation. Lives truly are at stake here.

Regardless of the outcome, God is in control.

I'll get off of the political bandwagon soon, but this has been on my mind. And where better to vent than my own blog? :-)

This is not a debate. This is not open to criticism. These are simply my thoughts on my blog. Take it for what it is.

A friend of a friend wrote this. Funny, witty, English professor post on the same topic. :-) Enjoy!