God, Please Bless America

I stayed up and watched the whole thing...then, I cried myself to sleep. I have never been so deeply affected by a political vote. I am young in the scheme of things...this is the first election/campaign I have followed, and had what I would say is an educated opinion on. I read, researched and watched everything I could get my hands on. I have kept my opinion to myself and within my home for the most part. I am posting this blog for the record; so it will be in my blog book...to mark the moment and the emotions that I feel at this time: defeated, scared, worried, pessimistic, enraged, shocked, worried, baffled, annoyed, nervous, worried, anxious, saddened...worried.

I hold on to the hope that this was not actually a vote for Barak Obama but rather a vote against George Bush. There can be no doubt that he let the American people down. I wonder if we have just let ourselves down. I fear that God has finally removed His blessing from this country that has taken Him out of nearly everything. I pray that as my children grow up in this land of the free, they will never have to experience the kind of health care, I personally experienced in Russia. I pray they will never have to live the way I saw people living while I was there and that they will never feel the hopelessness I saw on the faces of the people in Siberia.

So, I'm getting it together...getting into His word and remembering that He is in control...He knew long before now where this country would go...I am an American but my citizenship is in Heaven..."but our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Phil 3:20-21

I will follow McCain's example and I will submit to the office of the president recognising that he is the authority that God has established...I am reserving judgement on respecting him. I am preparing myself for the persecution of Christians that has begun and is strengthening in this country...I am gearing up for the continued breakdown of Christian morality, the acceptance of what we like to call "alternative lifestyles," the continuation of infanticide, and the government's continued stripping of MY rights to pray in school, to pledge under God, to believe and learn about creation as a theory along with the miraculous BIG BANG! Today when I went to the Bible, I came to a passage I have read many times and it can be used and interpreted many ways to suit whoever is using to state their cause...I leave you to read it and pray that the Lord will speak to you no matter on which side of the fence you are standing...God, Please bless America...Amen.

Romans 12-13

Living Sacrifices

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Love

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 13

Submission to the Authorities

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love, for the Day is Near

8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.