Electing Our Next Four Years

After two years of campaigns, phone calls, television ads and debates, we are finally at the final countdown to the presidential election.  Whew, FINALLY!  That is all I have to say!  Ok, not really.  I do love to "talk"... so with 11 DAYS to the election, here are a few non-partisan thoughts.

1.  Ignore all the commercials, mailings, and telephone calls.  The campaigning and debating is usually quite biased, and does not tell the truth, just one group's perspective.  I usually throw out all of the literature and hang up on the automated messages.

2.  Do your own research.  Check out non-partisan voter guides (such as the ones found at http://votesmart.org and http://www.presidentialelection.com and the one I use - specific to my state - http://michiganfamily.org)

3.  Focus on the candidates that are supposed to represent you in the US House and Senate and the State legislature, and all the "little" things.  These people are the ones who will make the most difference in the coming years.  (And yes, you CAN leave the box for President blank. . . no one will even know)

4.  Pray, asking God for mercy for our nation.  Mercy is showing compassion when punishment is deserved.  Our nation is in turmoil and our people are slaves to sin.  We deserve terrible leadership, four years at a time.  Only through His mercy will we have great leadership that puts the good of the nation over any other agenda.

5.  Most importantly... No matter who wins this election, you should give them your respect.  God has placed them in this position of authority, and you may as well get used to the fact that God's will WILL be done, whether you agree with it or not.

Some scripture passages relating to government:

ABOUT A NATION
Proverbs 29:18
Ecclesiastes 10:17
Proverbs 28:2
ABOUT LEADERSHIP
Proverbs 11:14
Proverbs 29:14
Proverbs 16:12
Proverbs 29:4
Proverbs 2:21
Proverbs 29:2
ABOUT BEING GOOD CITIZENS
1 Peter 2:13-17
Romans 13:1-7
2 Chronicles 7:14

An interesting read:  
The Biblical Basis for Christians in Politics and Government  http://whateveristrue.com/heritage/ticipate.htm