Marty's Election Guide for Any Election in America

Don't Vote for Republicans, Democrats, Greens, or Independents

2010-08-03T15:22:00.000-07:00

Link to any chapter in the book.

Start any day of the month with the day that corresponds to the day of the month.

Vote for Jesus: Who's Your Candidate?

Introduction to the Internet Version: Don't Vote for a Republican or a Democrat: Vote for Jesus

Original Introduction: Vote for Jesus

Day 1: Begin at the Beginning.
Day 2: Does the Candidate Seek Wisdom as a Hidden Treasure?
Day 3: Remember Not to Forget.
Day 4: Does the Candidate Speak the Truth?
Day 5: Is the Candidate Faithful to His or Her Spouse?
Day 6: Does the Candidate Avoid the Things God Hates?
Day 7: The Private Life Counts. (What about Privacy and Politics?)
Day 8: Wisdom Declares Her Value. (How Can You Tell if He/She is Wise?)
Day 9: Has the Candidate Accepted Wisdom's Invitation?
Day 10: Beware of Many Words.
Day 11: Choose to be Upright.
Day 12: Choose Truth over Talent.
Day 13: Walk with the Wise not the Fleshly.
Day 14: Sin is a Reproach to Any People.
Day 15: Anger Does Not Give Birth to Wisdom.

Shortest Inaugural Address Ever

Day 16: Build on Righteousness.
Day 17: Tell the Truth. Do Justice.
Day 18: Keep an Open Mind.
Day 19: Be Tactful in the Halls of Power. Be Refreshing in the Use of Power.
Day 20: The Political Leader's Role.
Day 21: God Overrules Rulers.
Day 22: Riches and Power Require Responsibility.
Day 23: Beware of Your Own Heart's Desire for Power.
Day 24: How Does the Candidate Speak for Life? (Is Abortion that Important?)
Day 25: The Importance of Good Counsel.
Day 26: How will the Candidate Help Citizens do Their Part? (Wisdom with a Sound Track)
Day 27: Does the Candidate Understand the Limited Role of Government? (Making a Life or a Living?)
Day 28: Righteousness Endures
Day 29: A Treasure Chest for Political Leaders
Day 30: The Danger of Having too Much or too Little
Day 31: Open Your Mouth.

Appendix A When the Election is Over: What Do We Do Then?

Appendix C One Issue Politics and Every Election

When the Election is Over: what do we do then?

2010-08-02T18:27:00.000-07:00

When the election is over, here's three things to do that will give you peace and perspective.

Thank God that the election is over.
Trust Jesus for the future.
Pray for your new President, Senator or Congressional Rep.

Appendix A

Proclamation for National Day

of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer

President Abraham Lincoln

WHEREAS, The Senate of the United States; devoutly recognizing the Supreme authority and just government of Almighty God in all the affairs of men and nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation.

And Whereas, it is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.

And, insomuch as we know that, by His Divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People. We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God.

We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!

It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do, by this my proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting, and prayer. And I do hereby request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.

All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope, authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the Nation will be heard on high, and answered with blessings, no less the pardon of our national sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering Country, to its former happy condition of unity and peace.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty seventh.

Abraham Lincoln,

President

William H Seward,

Secretary of State

The Senate resolution requesting the president to proclaim a day for "national prayer and humiliation" was introduced by Senator James Harlan on March 2, and adopted on March 3, 1863.

One-Issue Politics and the Next--Actually--Every Election

2010-07-31T20:07:00.000-07:00

Originally projected to be the third appendix to the book that you have read if you have followed this blog, was the following article by Dr. John Piper.

I want it to be the penultimate post for this blog. (hint, there is one more post election entry to come).

Appendix C

One-Issue Politics, One-Issue Marriage, and the Humane Society

January 1, 1995, (Dr. John Piper)

Investigating dog life in Minnesota has solidified my decision to vote against those who endorse the right to abortion. So then what is my response to the charge of being a one-issue voter?

No endorsement of any single issue qualifies a person to hold public office. Being pro-life does not make a person a good governor, mayor, or president. But there are numerous single issues that disqualify a person from public office. For example, any candidate who endorsed bribery as a form of government efficiency would be disqualified, no matter what his party or platform was. Or a person who endorsed corporate fraud (say under $50 million) would be disqualified no matter what else he endorsed. Or a person who said that no black people could hold office—on that single issue alone he would be unfit for office. Or a person who said that rape is only a misdemeanor—that single issue would end his political career. These examples could go on and on. Everybody knows a single issue that for them would disqualify a candidate for office.

It's the same with marriage. No one quality makes a good wife or husband, but some qualities would make a person unacceptable. For example, back when I was thinking about getting married, not liking cats would not have disqualified a woman as my wife, but not liking people would. Drinking coffee would not, but drinking whiskey would. Kissing dogs wouldn't, but kissing the mailman would. And so on. Being a single-issue fiance does not mean that only one issue matters. It means that some issues may matter enough to break off the relationship.

So it is with politics. You have to decide what those issues are for you. What do you think disqualifies a person from holding public office? I believe that the endorsement of the right to kill unborn children disqualifies a person from any position of public office. It’s simply the same as saying that the endorsement of racism, fraud, or bribery would disqualify him—except that child-killing is more serious than those.

When we bought our dog at the Humane Society, I picked up a brochure on the laws of Minnesota concerning animals. Statute 343.2, subdivision 1 says, "No person shall . . . unjustifiably injure, maim, mutilate or kill any animal." Subdivision 7 says, "No person shall willfully instigate or in any way further any act of cruelty to any animal." The penalty: "A person who fails to comply with any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.”

Now this set me to pondering the rights of the unborn. An eight-week-old human fetus has a beating heart, an EKG, brain waves, thumb-sucking, pain sensitivity, finger-grasping, and genetic humanity, but under our present laws is not a human person with rights under the 14th Amendment, which says that "no state shall deprive any person of life . . . without due process of law." Well, I wondered, if the unborn do not qualify as persons, it seems that they could at least qualify as animals, say a dog, or at least a cat. Could we not at least charge abortion clinics with cruelty to animals under Statute 343.2, subdivision 7? Why is it legal to "maim, mutilate and kill" a pain-sensitive unborn human being but not an animal.

These reflections have confirmed my conviction never to vote for a person who endorses such an evil—even if he could balance the budget tomorrow and end all taxation.

* * * This article is from AGodward Life, Book I: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life by John Piper (Sisters, OR Multnomah Publishers, 1997), pp. 279-280. Used with permission.

Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way, you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction, and you do not make more than 1,000 physical copies. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by Desiring God.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.

Vote for Jesus: Day 31

2010-07-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

Day 31 Open Your Mouth.

Proverbs 31

1 The words of King Lemuel.

An oracle that his mother taught him:

2 What are you doing, my son?

What are you doing, son of my womb?

What are you doing, son of my vows?

3 Do not give your strength to women,

your ways to those who destroy kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine,

or for rulers to take strong drink,

5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed

and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

8 Open your mouth for the mute,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,

defend the rights of the poor and needy.

______________________________

Here, collected in Proverbs published under Solomon’s name are the words of a non-Israelite woman to her son. We know nothing else about King Lemuel who passes his mother’s wisdom on to us. But the presence of these words in the canon of Scripture is extraordinary.

“… the origin of the passage makes it a prime example of the international character of the wisdom material collected in the book of Proverbs. Like Solomon himself (1 Kings 4:29-34), the sages of Israel belonged to a world of international learning.”⁶⁰

Lemuel’s mother seems to have had two concerns for her son’s future. One, that as a king he be free of adulterous relations. Two, that he be free of a debauched life of impaired judgment. Both of these she sees as inappropriate and destructive to one who is called to rule.

Leaders must have a clear head. Politicians who are known for clouding their mind with alcohol or drugs are unworthy and untrustworthy as leaders. Beyond this unworthiness and untrustworthiness, verse 5 indicates that their pattern of life is dangerous to the people they seek to lead.

When people drink or otherwise cloud their thinking with foreign substances, they forget the rights of others. When that forgetfulness is in the hands of a politician with power, the danger for abuse is even greater. “Oppressed people” need leaders they can trust. They need leaders who delight in rather than disregard the law.

The second half of verse 5 says that when a ruler moves in these paths, adultery and substance abuse, the rights of the most vulnerable in society are perverted. This is why we need not only competent men and women, but morally good men and women.

The ruler is not above the law. The temptations of power are great. This is why the Israelite kings were warned not to multiply wives (or mistresses) to themselves (Deut. 17:17). And the history of Israelite kings demonstrates the wisdom of that counsel (see 1 and 2 Kings,1 and 2 Chronicles). He must remain focused on his job not his mistress. The task of a governor in any government is the restraint of evil and the protection of the righteous. Verses 8 and 9 tell us part of what this means.

The “mute,” and the “destitute,” (v. 8) the “poor,” and the “needy” (v. 9), need defenders who will open their mouths and judge righteously. A leader who is intoxicated with what power can bring him, in the way of illicit relationships or behavior, is not able to build a government that looks out for the most vulnerable in a society.

Ask God to help you navigate the murky waters of political spin and rhetoric so that you can discern the character and motives of your potential candidate. Swim through the rhetoric and look for the values that are consistent and biblical.

Don’t lose heart in searching these things out. You too must open your mouth for the mute, the destitute, the poor and the needy.

Prayer:

“Merciful God, marvelous Savior, we need elected officials who will model for the nation a fervent devotion to their spouse and who will live within, not above the law. We need men and women who will not use their positions of power for personal gain. And we need leaders who will not cloud their own judgment by over indulgence of any kind. Lord, when leaders get involved in these things, the rights of the afflicted are perverted. Protect our country, city and state from such leaders.

Give us men and women who truly want to make a better society. Help us as voters to focus on the larger picture of what is best for the country long term and not just on the pragmatic here and now. Your will is always best. In every situation in life, there is a right choice, a choice that more closely reflects Your ideal. Help us to see it, to choose it and to live it out. Give us wisdom, Lord, and make us a nation that brings honor and glory to You and joy to the peoples of the earth. Amen.”

Questions:

Who are the most “mute” (having no voice in decisions that effect their lives) in your culture?
Who are the most “destitute, poor and needy” (having no resources to enter into the American dream) in your culture?
Which candidate has the best ethic to deal with these issues?
Which candidate’s platform and policies make the most long-term sense for all Americans?
Does the candidate’s rhetoric sound like a plan or a pander to special-interest groups?

A One-Vote Oddity

Folly or Legacy? (Continued from page 118)

Seward had some difficulty making the case for the purchase of Alaska before the Senate which finally ratified the treaty by a margin of just one vote on April 9, 1867. On the misty afternoon of October 18, 1867, at the city of Sitka, on the desolate Alaska coast, amongst the firing of Russian and American cannon, the Imperial Russian flag came down over Russian America. The Stars and Stripes was raised up the 90 foot flag pole, and "Seward's Icebox" became the property of the United States.

An army garrison was established at Sitka and acted as the region’s government until 1877. In 1884, Congress passed an “Organic Act for Alaska,” which established the first civilian government. It wasn’t until 1912 that Alaska was given the full status of a territory—45 years after the purchase!

One vote brought a territory twice the size of Texas into the United States. One vote added 20% more territory to the United States of America. It was called “Seward’s Folly” but it has resulted in one of the greatest investments every made in the history of the world. Seward was right. It took a generation for the country to recognize the greatness of what he saw in 1867.

Folly or Legacy?

Sometimes the answer can only be seen in the next generation. But that is all the more reason to elect men and women who have the force of character and vision to stand by their convictions. Vote for leaders who will not be controlled by the jokes told about them in the press. Vote for leaders who have a vision of what is right and will stay on task. Vote for leaders who see a future brighter than today.

Footnotes

60. Richard Bauckham, The Bible in Politics, (Louisville, KY: Westminster / John Knox Press, 1989), 43

Vote for Jesus: Day 30

2010-07-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

Day 30 The Danger of Having too Much or too Little

Proverbs 30

5 Every word of God proves true;

he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

6 Do not add to his words,

lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

7 Two things I ask of you;

deny them not to me before I die:

8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying;

give me neither poverty nor riches;

feed me with the food that is needful for me,

9 lest I be full and deny you and say,

“Who is the Lord?”

or lest I be poor and steal

and profane the name of my God.

______________________________

God’s word is flawless in its revelation of reality. Every word of it proves true and is therefore a protection (“a shield”) to those who take its Speaker to heart. The aim of God’s word is to point us not only to the truth, but also, to trust in the One whose word we read—that we would take our refuge in Him. There is a reminder here of David’s words in Psalm 20:7:⁵⁸

7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses,

But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.

The writer, in this case, Agur the son of Jakeh (v. 1), speaks for all of us in our common need. Since His word and He are perfectly trustworthy, we do not add to His words (v. 6), nor do we neglect His word (v. 7ff). For this reason, the believer asks two things of God (v. 7). The first is that falsehood and lying would be removed far from his life. “Keep me from lying and keep liars from me.”

The second thing that we should seek to be free of is mentioned in the second line of verse 8, “… give me neither poverty nor riches;”

“Keep me from having either too much or too little.” Why? Verse 9 is going to give us that answer, but look at the last third of verse 8.

… feed me with the food that is needful for me,

Jesus taught the same thing in the Lord’s Prayer. “Give us this day our daily bread.” Give the bread, the sustenance that I need today. Jesus and the writer of Proverbs are telling us to seek what we need from God today and trust that same God for tomorrow when it comes. Why live this way? Why live a life of frugal dependence, (neither rich nor poor), upon God? Verse 9 gives the answer.

9 lest I be full and deny you and say,

“Who is the Lord?”

or lest I be poor and steal

and profane the name of my God.

This is our perennial problem. When people have too much, they move in patterns of independence from God and pride in their achievements rather than thankfulness for God’s provision. They say, “who is the Lord?” (v. 9) not only with forgetfulness but with disdain. And when people have too little, the pattern for many is to steal and profane the name of God with wickedness.

A just society works for a balance between these two alternating tendencies in the heart of man. To paraphrase Derek Kidner, the two requests converge on one goal. First, a concern for character (8a); and second, a concern for the circumstances that endanger character (8b,c, 9).

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote that a society that could tolerate unemployment of masses of people was a society that was post-Christian. I think Bonhoeffer is basically right. We should be concerned about the plight of those in our society who are marginalized through an abusive heritage, tragedy, death, divorce, abandonment or racial discrimination.

Electing men and women to the high and difficult task of encouraging our nation to this delicate balance—of creating an environment that allows the best and restrains the worst in our character, is our responsibility and privilege. Enter into every election season with a prayerful heart. It is the will of God that you do so.

Prayer:

“Lord, I fear that I am sometimes more American than Christian in so many areas of my character. I am more material than spiritual, more earthly than heavenly-minded, more self-centered than other-centered. I need to be free of fruitless pursuits. I need to pursue You and Your righteousness with the confidence that You will add all things needful besides (Matthew 6:33-34).

Help me to yield the whole of my life to You. Help me to trust You when my whole culture screams that trust in You is worthless. The culture is wrong Lord. You are the One true constant in the universe. Your love endures forever and Your mercies never cease. Make my heart pliable to Your Spirit and make me, like Francis of Assisi, an instrument of Your peace in the world. Amen.”

Questions:

Are you learning to be content with God’s provision? (cf. Philippians 4:11-12; 1 Tim. 6:6-12)
Are you helpful or disdainful of the poor? How has this been demonstrated lately?
What can you do to help your church be more responsive to the needs of the poor and oppressed in your area?
Have you spent any time praying for wisdom in the selection of your candidates? Why not spend some time doing that right now?

A One-Vote Oddity

An Attempt to Limit Presidential Power

The founders of the country and the writers of the Constitution knew first hand that government can be burdensome and corrupt—because they understood the nature of man. Therefore they built into our system of government a delicate and purposeful set of checks and balances to the various functions of government (Legislative, Executive and Judicial).

Inevitably, those balances would be challenged by the changing situation of the country and the malleable personalities of those in office. Such was the case in 1789.

The Constitution was clear. The President could make certain appointments after the senate had given “advise and consent.” But could the President dismiss appointees without the “advise and consent?” The Constitution was silent. Many in the Congress greatly feared Presidential power—executive privilege. Some senators feared that if the President had the ability to dismiss those that they (the Senate) had approved, that a future President with less character than Washington might abusively fire those appointees who turned out not to agree with him. Madison opposed them.

James Madison of Virginia claimed that if the Founding Fathers (of whom he was one) had intended to give this power to the Senate, they would have expressly included it in the Constitution. But since they did not do this, the right of removal was part of the general grant of power to the executive … Moreover, Madison argued, the President had the responsibility for the administration of the executive branch, and if he could not dismiss the head of a department without the Senate’s approval, the President would be “no longer answerable” for what might occur in the branch of government he headed.⁵⁹

When the issue came to a vote in the Senate, it deadlocked at 10-10. The vice president cast his vote breaking the tie and the measure went down to defeat. Actually, any measure ending in a tie in the Senate is automatically defeated. If a single vote had changed, the measure would have passed 11-9.

Pick men and women for office who know how to think well. They may be casting votes that last for decades. This one has.

Footnotes

58. New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

59. Lindop, 14.

Vote for Jesus: Day 29

2010-07-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

Day 29 A Treasure Chest for Political Leaders

Proverbs 29

2 When the righteous increase,

the people rejoice,

but when the wicked rule,

the people groan.

4 By justice a king builds up the land,

but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;

a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,

all his officials will be wicked.

14 If a king faithfully judges the poor,

his throne will be established forever.

16 When the wicked increase,

transgression increases,

but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

18 Where there is no prophetic vision

the people cast off restraint,

but blessed is he who keeps the law.

______________________________

The twenty-ninth chapter of Proverbs is a treasure chest of counsel for those who aspire to political leadership. Do you want the people you lead to rejoice in your leadership? Pursue the increase of righteousness (vs. 2). Does the ruler want to strengthen the nation? Then he should root out graft and corruption (vs. 4). Does the leader desire a fair and equitable society? Then he must understand the rights of the poor and appoint judges who will not show favoritism of the rich (vs. 7, 14) Does the leader want advisors that he can trust? Then he must not listen to falsehood (vs. 12).

Without being simplistic, the writer of Proverbs boils down how the health of a nation proceeds in two lines.

When the wicked increase,

Transgression increases. (vs. 16)

How does wickedness increase in the land? Wickedness increases in any country, in any city, in any town, when the voices of the people of God are either silent or silenced. What happens when the people of God and in particular, the pulpits of the churches are silent about sin? The same thing that happens when government puts muzzles on the freedom of speech of the people and message of God. Verse 18 makes it clear enough.

Where there is no prophetic vision

The people cast off restraint,

but blessed is he who keeps the law. (vs. 18)

Isn’t what is happening in our country in the first decade of the 21^st century a perfect illustration of verse 18? When states and municipalities are considering redefining marriage, when abortion is “on demand,” when public officials lie and steal, when corruption and graft and nepotism are common, when corporate greed rules our corporate offices, when citizens justify their tax evasion skills and steal time on the job from their employers to play video games and do personal business, when sex is a commodity to be sold rather than a celebration of God’s gift to a man and woman in marriage—aren’t all of these, large and small, evidence that the “people have cast off restraint?”

Go back and read the chapter again. There is much to chew on. Ask God to show you those area’s that you need to confess to him concerning where you have cast off restraint. Tell him you want the blessings that come with keeping the law. Make up your mind that you will not be silenced on the job, in your home, in your places of recreation, concerning what is right.

Someone has said, “Ninety percent of life is just showing up.” Tell God you want to show up. Tell God you want to report for duty in the service of righteousness.

Then go out and work and vote for those candidates that you believe, after doing all your homework, will give the nation the best and brightest leadership. Make sure you hold them accountable to do what they say, and stand for what you believed they stood for when you voted for them. God will bless you for it and you will be a blessing to the nation and the world.

Prayer:

“Lord, help me to be faithful to You. Make me an asset to the nation because of my faithfulness to Your word and ways. Give me a discerning heart so that I will pursue Your will with tact and passion, diplomacy and rigor.

Lover of Righteousness, give us men and women who will give more than lip service to righteous conduct. Give us men and women to lead our country, or states, and our towns in ways that will give joy to those who follow You. Help us to see through all the political hype that every candidate seems to generate and pick men and women who will handle the demands of leadership in ways that are pleasing to You and that serve as role models for our children. Amen.”

Questions and suggestions:

Make it your daily prayer that the righteous would increase in the land.
How can you help worthy candidates step forward on the great issues of our time and declare their positions with courage and compassion?
What can you do to surface the real views of your potential candidates?
Have you considered writing personal letters and asking for responses? Have you considered going to a forum where real questions can be addressed, etc.?

A One-Vote Oddity

In 1973, The Vote Was 7-2. In 1986, the Vote Was 5-4. In 2012?

In the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, a Texas law banning abortion was struck down making abortion legal in all 50 states. By a vote of 7-2, the ruling in that original case made abortion legal through the second trimester of pregnancy. Another less known case that same year, titled Doe v. Doe, made abortion legal all the way up to birth and is relevant to the partial birth abortion debate of the present day.

In 1986, the Supreme Court ruled on a Pennsylvania law requiring doctors to tell patients of the possible detrimental physical and psychological effects of abortion and to provide information related to agencies that could help if the patient opted to give birth. By a 5-4 vote, the law was struck down.

Abortion advocates counted the vote as a success, but abortion opponents rejoiced that the margin was only one vote. Right-to-life supporters were also encouraged by the language of the dissenters.

Chief Justice Warren Burger called the ruling in the Pennsylvania case “astonishing” and suggested that Roe v Wade (which he had supported in 1973) should be “reexamined.” In another dissent, Justice Byron White, joined by Justice William Rehnquist, described the 1973 decision as “fundamentally misguided” and urged that it be overturned. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor echoed this philosophy when she said that Roe v. Wade had proved “unworkable.”⁵⁷

Both the advocates for abortion and those opposed to abortion drew the same conclusion from the shrinking margin of support for Roe v. Wade: a one vote shift in the Supreme Court could make abortion illegal again. Proverbs 24:11 shows us the path of our responsibility:

Deliver those who are being taken away to death,

And those who are staggering to slaughter,

Oh hold them back!

Think about the make up of the Supreme Court when you cast your vote. It may be the most important thought you have.

Footnotes

57. Lindop, 122.

Vote for Jesus: Day 28

2010-07-27T21:36:00.000-07:00

Day 28 Righteousness Endures.

Proverbs 28

2 When a land transgresses,

it has many rulers,

but with a man of understanding and knowledge,

its stability will long continue.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,

but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,

but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

______________________________

The Apostle Paul recorded the following words to the Corinthians in about A.D. 56 and they are just as true and relevant today. Speaking of the Old Testament Scriptures of Israel he wrote:

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. … [He repeats almost the same words, five verses later.] Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. (1 Cor. 10:6, 11)

How does the history of Israel after Solomon reveal the truth of verse 2? Consider: The kingdom divides into a northern half called Israel and a southern and smaller kingdom called Judah in 931 B.C. The northern kingdom was idolatrous and forgot the Lord and abandoned worship and the pursuit of righteousness. The southern kingdom, Judah, continued on as the heir of the promise through the descendants of David and Solomon.

In just over two centuries, northern Israel, for its sins, had nine dynasties, each, after the first, inaugurated by an assassination (see God’s comments in Hosea 7:7; 8:4; 13:11). In three and half centuries, Judah, for David’s sake, had only one.⁵⁴

All told, the northern kingdom of Israel had nineteen kings over the span of 210 years, and all of them “did evil”⁵⁵ in the sight of the Lord. Contrast that record with the southern kingdom of Judah. Judah because of periodic revivals, sometimes led by the king himself (Josiah and Hezekiah), the southern kingdom endured for 345 years before God disciplined the nation and sent it into exile in Babylon for its unfaithfulness to the covenant. Now read verse 2 again.

2 When a land transgresses,

it has many rulers,

but with a man of understanding and knowledge,

Its stability will long continue.

The northern nation of Israel fell into idolatry and abandoned the pursuit of God. It had many rulers over a short span of time and all of them were wicked.

The southern kingdom of Judah, was preserved by two things: One, God’s promise to David, that his kingdom would endure (2 Sam. 7), and two, periodic revivals led by both prophets and kings who understood and applied the teachings of Moses. It was a flawed kingdom to be sure. All human government will be this side of heaven. But this much is clear. A few men with a biblical passion for justice, the pursuit of righteousness, and for God Himself staved off God’s judgment of the nation for 135 years.

Could a few such men and women help our country to stall God’s judgment on our country? Remember, these things were written for our example. Let’s learn from the examples recorded for us in the pages of Scripture. Let each of us seek to be an individual who seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). And let’s pray that God would raise up leaders like Josiah and Hezekiah,⁵⁶ men whose pursuit of God was imperfect, but passionate. For the glory of God, for the good of our country and for the joy of all people everywhere, go out and vote for (and work for) the best candidates you can find.

Prayer:

“Lord, verse 2 is such a clear echo of Proverbs 14:34 (Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.) I need to be one who brings no disgrace to You, my family or my country. Help me to pursue Your will every day of my life. Lord, I want Your will to be done and Your kingdom to come in all its power and glory and justice. Would you help me to do all that I can personally and in my community to promote righteousness? Help me to stand for You and Your will, even if no one will stand with me.

Raise up men and women who will stand for righteousness. Raise up men and women who will lead our country with power and conviction about what is right and what pleases and brings honor and glory to You. That path is always the right path for society. Help our leaders to see that path, embrace it and lead the nation to it. Amen.”

Questions:

Is there any sin you have become aware of as you have studied these passages that you know is hindering your walk with God? Confess it now and receive His forgiveness. (see 1 John 1:9)
Does the candidate impress you as one who delights in righteousness?
Are there any points in the candidate’s stated positions that would invite God’s judgment if enacted into law or became public policy?
Does the candidate pursue understanding of complex issues?

A One-Vote Oddity

Seward’s Folly or Seward’s Legacy?

In 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward started negotiating with Czarist Russia before the President had given him permission to do so! Seward was a supporter of territorial expansion of the United States. He saw the acquisition of new territory as part destiny and necessity. He believed the nation needed to be able to protect itself from sea to sea and that required an expanded western coastline.

Seward offered the Russian government roughly 2.5 cents an acre or $7.2 million. The Alaskan purchase was ridiculed in Congress and in the press as "Seward’s Folly" and "Seward’s Icebox." Some called it “President Andrew Johnson’s polar bear garden." Seward was undaunted. He forged ahead, believing that the purchase was a wise investment for the nation. He became the butt of popular jokes in the press throughout the nation. When he was asked what was the most significant act of his career he replied, "The purchase of Alaska! But it will take a generation to find that out."

He was right. Despite a slow start in convincing citizens to settle in the new territory, Alaska began to increase in population and with it, exploration. Gold was discovered in the 1880’s, and then in 1898, the great Yukon River Gold Rush started and rapid population growth soon followed. New settlers found the environment both beautiful and harsh. But they also found the Alaskan territory to be rich in natural resources of coal, timber and furs and fish.

Twenty-two years after it was purchased and labeled “Seward’s Folly,” Alaska began to pay huge dividends for the country and its citizens. In 1946, Alaskans approved statehood, and in 1955, adopted a constitution. Finally, in 1959, President Eisenhower announced Alaska as the 49^th state in the Union.

But it almost never happened.

Back in 1867, when jokes were flying about “Seward’s Folly” and President Johnson’s “polar bear garden,” there were powerful forces working against the Alaskan purchase. The Congress would have to appropriate the funds and the Senate would have to ratify the Treaty before the purchase could be consummated. On July 14, 1868, the House voted 113 to 43 (with 44 members not voting) to release the funds. The vote in the Senate was much closer. (Continued in next post)

Footnotes

54. Derek Kidner, 168f.

55. Cf. 1 Kings 15:25-26; 2 Kings 3:2; etc.

56. Cf. 2 Kings 18-19 for Hezekiah and 2 Kings 21:25-23:25 for Josiah.

Vote for Jesus: Day 27

2010-07-26T22:08:00.000-07:00

Day 27 Does the Candidate Understand the Limited Role of Government?

Making a Life or a Living?

Proverbs 27

23 Know well the condition of your flocks,

And pay attention to your herds;

24 For riches are not forever,

Nor does a crown endure to all generations.⁵¹

______________________________

In 1923, an important meeting was held at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. Nine of the world’s most successful financers were in attendance. Here’s the list:

The president of the largest independent steel company;

The president of the largest utility company;

The president of the largest gas company;

That period’s greatest wheat speculator;

The president of the New York Stock Exchange;

A member of the president Warren Harding’s cabinet;

The greatest “Bear” on Wall Street;

Head of the world’s largest monopoly of the time; and

The president of the Bank of International Settlements.

Twenty-five years later, the trajectory of their lives had radically changed.

Charles Schwab … died bankrupt and penniless.

Samuel Insull … died a fugitive from justice and broke.

Howard Hopson … was found insane.

Arthur Cutten … died insolvent and abroad.

Richard Whitney … had been released from prison.

Albert Fall … was pardoned so he could die at home.

Jesse Livermore … died a suicide.

Ivar Kruger … died a suicide.

Leon Fraser … died a suicide.⁵²

All of these men knew well the art of making money, but apparently, not one of them had learned the art of living well. Dr. J.H. Jewett put it this way:

“Millionaires who heartily laugh are rare! What then are they doing if they are not laughing? They are carrying burdens which crush all laughter out of them. They are carrying the thing which promised to carry them.”⁵³

Isn’t that what the writer of Proverbs is saying to us? It is not bad to make money or to be rich. In fact the Old Testament is replete with promises of material blessings to the nation ofIsrael when she obeys the commandments of God. However, the biblical ethic is that God blesses His people so that they can be a blessing to others and a glory to Him (cf. Gen. 12:1-3). And part of the blessing we are to be is in the care of the poor. According to the Bible there is a priority placed upon believers to care for the poor. For example, neglect of the poor is called a neglect of Christ (Matthew 25:42-45); inconsistent with love to God (1 John 3:17); and a proof of unbelief (James 2:15-17).

A great model for how the biblical ethic was designed to work is seen in the life of Job. Job was a wealthy man. God had blessed him in nearly every category you could measure. The picture that emerges of Job is that he was a champion of the poor, the orphan and the widow. He strengthened the feeble, the weak and the tottering (Job 4:3-4). He befriended not the strong or the powerful or the influential but the weakest and helpless, the ones without advocate or resource (Job 16:5; 29:2, 13-17). He was a minister of mercy. He gave generous amounts of time, money and effort to the care of the weakest and most draining members of society. He stood against those who would exploit the poor (Job. 29:17).

Job knew “that riches are not forever” (v. 23). Do we? Do we understand that riches are fleeting? Do we understand that we should be driven not by attaining much but by giving much? The beauty of Job’s life is that his behavior was “blameless and upright” (Job 1:1, 8; 2:3). His pattern of life approached God’s ideal for our lives.

But when government seeks to force individuals to live out Job’s ethic it is coercive. It frustrates the process of individuals taking responsibility to help themselves and their neighbors and it enables those who desire to do nothing to help themselves, to live off government largess, which is really the forgotten taxpayer.

Does the candidate know this balance? Does he or she understand the limited role of government? Do they understand that the role of government is to protect life and property for the common good?

Prayer:

“Lord, I am so prone to think that if I had more money, or if the government would give me more money, I could solve all my problems. Help me to think better about these issues. Help me to understand the fleeting nature of material gain. Help me to be generous with all the resource that you give me. Help me to be like Job, a friend and advocate to the weakest and most needy in my sphere of influence. Make me a benefactor for good to all whose need I know and whose need I can meet.

Lord, when Your people aren’t like Job, it puts tremendous pressure on all of society. Forgive us for having failed in our responsibility with all the bounty that you have placed in the hands of Your people. Lead us into paths of righteousness so that You will be glorified and the neediest people of our country will be cared for in a way that respects their dignity and encourages their responsibility. Amen.”

Questions:

Are you spending more time making a living rather than making a life? Are you consumed with material over spiritual pursuits? How is your answer revealed in your use of time and check book?
Does the candidate promote a rhetoric that seems to embrace a “with enough money we can solve any problem” philosophy?
Does the candidate pander to your greed? Does the candidate encourage and inspire individual generosity toward the poor?
How does the candidate’s platform preserve the dignity of the needy and encourage personal responsibility?

A One-Vote Oddity

Liberty Means Responsibility

The National Court Reporters Association Website reports the following One Vote anomalies:

In 1993, more than fifty of the state of Missouri's municipal elections ended in a tie.

In 1997, South Dakota Democrat John McIntyre led Republican Hal Wick 4,195 votes to 4,191 for the second seat in Legislative District 12 on election night. Naturally, a recount was asked for and granted. The recount showed Wick the winner at 4,192 votes to 4,191. (He gained one vote and his opponent lost four.) The State Supreme Court, however, ruled that one ballot counted for Wick was invalid due to an overvote. This left the race a tie. After hearing arguments from both sides, the state legislature voted to seat Wick by a vote of 46-20.

In 1998, Donald Sherwood was elected to the House of Representatives from Pennsylvaniaby a margin of 515 votes, less than one vote per precinct, making this election the closest House of Representatives race in 1998.

A wise man once said, “Liberty means responsibility...this is why most men dread it.”Your liberty to vote was purchased by the blood of generations that have gone before you and some who, perhaps before you finish reading this sentence, will give their today. Do you dread and run from your responsibility or do you delight in and embrace your responsibility? How important is your vote? Important enough that others have died to give it to you.

Your vote is yours to cast. No one can do it for you. Make sure you vote. Make sure that your vote is counted this election. Do your duty. Make a difference. Vote.

Footnotes:

51. New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

52. Robert Foster, A Challenge to Men from Proverbs, (Colorado Springs, CO: Challenge Books Ltd., 1973), 11.

53. Ibid.

Vote for Jesus: Day 26

2010-07-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

Day 26 How Will the Candidate Help Citizens Do Their Part?

Wisdom with a Sound Track

Proverbs 26

10 Like an archer who wounds everybody

is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.

11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit

is a fool who repeats his folly.

12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 The sluggard says,

“There is a lion in the road!

There is a lion in the streets!”

14 As a door turns on its hinges,

so does a sluggard on his bed.

15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes

than seven men who can answer sensibly.

______________________________

Often political speech seems designed to tap into either our biggest fears or our basest greed. Throughout Proverbs, the writer reminds us that personal responsibility, duty and industriousness are the stronghold of both great nations and great individuals.

To press that point, Solomon uses a “stock character’—someone who is immediately recognizable by the absurdity of his logic and lifestyle. “The sluggard” is the picture of a man or woman who refuses to work as a contributing member of society. He has an excuse for everything and an internal logic that makes sense only to him.

We have seen this character before in the book of Proverbs. Take a moment and review the following passages. (They are quite humorous when read together!)

Proverbs 6:6-10 ,

Proverbs 13:4,

Proverbs 19:24,

Proverbs 20:4,

Proverbs 21:25-26,

Proverbs 22:13,

Proverbs 24:30-34,

Proverbs 26:12-17

It is important for a government to encourage its citizens to an industrious, productive lifestyle. Just after the fall of communist Eastern Europe I was invited to speak in the then still united Czechoslovakia. It was interesting to talk to people who had lived all their lives under communism and now where getting their first taste of freedom. Czechoslovakia was never quite as bad as some of the nations dominated by the former Soviet Union. But it still had its troubles. Its timber had been taken from its hillsides and shipped to Russia and its countryside had been used as a dumping ground for waste materials. The air smelled of coal dust and the beautiful architecture of the area was layered with soot from half a century of poor energy policy.

Still the Czechs were a fairly industrious people compared to many in the state welfare system of Russia. The joke in much of the Soviet block and even parts of Czechoslovakia was, “The government pretends to pay us and we pretend to work.” That is what happens when a government does not encourage patterns of industry, responsibility and productivity.

Let’s look at ourselves first.

Are we the kind of citizens that work hard as contributing members of society? Do we expect government to fill in for our lack of industriousness? Do we make excuses for why life isn’t working or are we working on solutions to our present financial situation? Are we living by the biblical teaching of working so that we may have an overflow to give to others? (cf. 1 Thess. 4:11-12; Eph. 4:28)

Think through the policies of the candidates as they relate to personal responsibility. Does the candidate promise more to the electorate than is wise? Would the implementation of his or her policies encourage more people to become “sluggard-like” in their work habits?

There are people in our country who genuinely need care. The question is, who is to supply that care? Is it government’s responsibility to care for the physical, emotional and financial care of a growing number of its citizens? Or should the government encourage policies that enable individuals and families and private institutions to care for emergency and chronic care issues? These are complicated questions but don’t lose sight of the principle: Government should promote individual responsibility and productivity and be careful of enacting laws and policies that discourages personal industry and duty.

Prayer:

“Lord, I need balance. I want compassion and love and equity to be the hallmark of my character. I want to work hard and provide not only for my family but to have an overflow to care for the needs of others. Give me this day, my daily bread (Matt. 6:11) and help me to remember that it is out of Your bounty that You have given to me. Make my heart extravagant in its generosity. Help me to help others who need the support of others. But Lord, make me wise. Keep me from being an enabler of bad or unwise behavior.

Give us leaders who can help us navigate these issues. Raise up men and women who know the limits of government and who will help our nation to live responsibly in our time. Lord, give us leaders who will search an issue out and seek to understand long term implications in our culture of policy decisions. Do this, for Your glory and for the joy of all people in every strata of society. Amen.”

Questions:

Does the candidate “solve” unemployment by handouts or help outs?
Does the candidate seek to garner votes by promising much with little mention of how his or her promises will be paid for?
Does the candidate appeal to my desire to get something for nothing?
Does the candidate enable irresponsibility or reward industriousness and hard work?
What is the candidate’s plan for helping people to take control of their own welfare?

A One-Vote Oddity
More One Vote Oddities

I hope these candidates read Proverbs 16:33!

1973 One vote would have prevented the drawing of straws to determine the winner in the tied race for La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District.

1981 The same thing happened in a school district election in Belmont, CA. One vote would have prevented the drawing of straws to determine the winner of Chon Gutierrez over his opponent Stanley Langland.

Is this really the guy you want to advise the governor?

1988 One vote lost the election for the Democratic candidate for the Massachusetts Governor's Council, Herbert Connolly—his own! He arrived too late at the polls to cast his own vote.

Somebody voted for these guys!

1991 One dissenting vote among members of the board of directors of an anti-poverty agency in Sullivan County, New York, spared them the dubious distinction of tossing the First Amendment into the trash can.

The town has some real problems!

1996 One vote, was all that was cast as none of the town officials in Loretto, Kentuckyqualified as candidates for re-election. The single vote was cast by an absentee elector. He was in the military stationed at Scott Air Force Base, and had the only write-in votes cast in the entire election for the Loretto town council.

Could this happen in your town? How does it happen in any town? It happens when people assume their vote doesn’t count and are “absent without excuse” on Election Day. Don’t let it happen in your town. Go to the polls.

Vote for Jesus: Day 25

2010-07-24T22:02:00.000-07:00

Day 25 The Importance of Good Counsel

Proverbs 25

2 It is the glory of God to conceal things,

but the glory of kings is to search things out.

4 Take away the dross from the silver,

and the smith has material for a vessel;

5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,

and his throne will be established in righteousness.

______________________________

Paul writes in Romans 11:33: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” Those words by the Apostle Paul echo the words of Solomon in v. 2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing.”

FLASH BULLETIN! God doesn’t reveal all of his plans!

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deut. 29:29; cf. also Is. 45:15)

God’s secret counsels, His “unsearchableness” impresses us with awe and wonder. God has secrets but there is nothing that is secret to Him. Therefore He needs no counselors. No one is capable of giving him additional information. (Cf. Job 38-42)

But finite human rulers should confer with wise counselors.⁴⁹ Human rulers need to have a delight in investigating the issues and alternatives related to policy decisions precisely because they are human and fallible. In fact, Solomon’s proverb tells us that “it is the glory of kings to search out a matter.” As Solomon poetically puts it, there is:

6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:6-8)

The glory of a ruler is, knowing what time it is in the present moment in history. How can this be done? By gathering good counsel and verses 4 and 5 give us insight as to where that counsel should come.

4 Take away the dross from the silver,

and the smith has material for a vessel;

5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,

and his throne will be established in righteousness.

The silversmith’s job is to separate the impurities from ore and leave pure silver with which to ply his craft. In the same way, when wicked counselors are removed from the advising team of a leader, it leads to a wise statecraft. When you get rid of the dross, the silver of a man or woman’s character can shine.

Do you surround yourself with counselors who can “establish you in righteousness” with their wise advice? Is the company you keep, in the music you listen to, and the movies you go to, and the radio programs you tune to, in the TV you watch, in the books you read, in the friends you associate with—do these help to establish your life in righteousness?

Ask similar questions of your candidate. Who has the candidate’s ear? Who is on his or her staff? Who are their political or life hero’s? Is there a book out on their life? Can you learn some of these things from their website if they have one? What is their favorite movie, book, or author? Is there anything you can learn about them from these?

Richard Nixon’s most trusted advisor was Henry Kissinger. Do you know who Kissinger’s favorite author was? Niccolo Machievelli, the author The Prince.⁵⁰ Want an education? Get your encyclopedia out and look up Machievelli. Much of the disgrace of the Nixon presidency will come into focus.

Learn who your candidate’s counselors are. It will help you decide who to vote for (or against).

A final note at the end of the chapter reminds us the importance of the inner life of a leader.

28 A man without self-control

is like a city broken into and left without walls.

A leader with no personal restraint is like an undefended city. Be careful of electing men or women to high office who do not have the character to defend the nation.

Prayer:

“Ruler and judge of all the earth, I need good counselors in my life. I need to surround myself with men and women who love Your precepts and will guide me through the murky swamps of conflicting opinion. I need an open heart to hear counsel and advice that may conflict with my preconceived ideas. Lord, would you give me such a heart? Shape my heart to discern the path of greatest glory for You and wisest future for my country.

Lord, in this age of political handlers and managers of image, it is so hard to really know the character of a candidate. Would You protect our country from politicians who look good to a camera, or sound good in a microphone but who don’t have the character and ability to choose wise counselors? Raise up men and women who will give themselves to the task of giving faithful counsel to the leaders of our country, state and city. Help those wise counselors who do have the ear of our leaders to weed out those whose counsel is destructive to the nation. Help our nation to bring glory to You and joy to our nation and world. Amen.”

Questions:

Are the associations within your group of counselors (including what you listen to, read and view) worthy of one who wants to glorify God in all that you do? (cf. 1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 317; 1 Peter 4:11)
Do you respect the counselors and advisors that you see surrounding the candidate? Compare the counselors of your potential candidates. Who seems to have more of the kind of counselors that you respect?
Does the candidate have the character required for the difficult but sometimes necessary task of choosing principle over person, righteousness over loyalty?

A One-Vote Oddity

What if?

The Vanderbilt University Virtual School Website tells of an election occurring in 1950 that was decided by one vote. A state senator from Garrett County, Maryland was elected by one vote. The winner had 3,080, the loser, 3,079. I don’t know the name of either. I don’t know if one had a distinguished career as a public servant or if the other came back and later won a race for public office.

I just know that, according to the website, one man lost an election because another man had 3,080 to his 3,079 votes. I wonder what became of him—the loser that is. Did he move on to other things? Was the defeat so crushing that he retired from public life altogether? Was the state of Maryland better off without him in their senate chambers?

If he had won and his “stage” had been bigger, might he have become a U.S. Representative or Senator, or vice president or even President? The questions are endless aren’t they? The questions could go in any direction, positive or negative, endlessly. That is part of the fun and the frustration of playing “what if”? We don’t know, but we can play the speculation game forever.

What we do know is this: every election is an opportunity to cast a vote in an election that could be as close as that election in Maryland for the state senate in 1950. Two questions:

1) How would you feel if the man or woman sitting in office was not the man or woman you thought was best—but there they sit, by a one vote margin?

2) How would you feel if the man or woman you thought was best won, and the margin was one vote—your vote.

There is only one way to “feel” right about the election either way—go vote. Then you can say, you did your part to make your city, county, state or country better. That’s the privilege of living in a democratic republic. Don’t take it for granted.

Footnotes

49. Cf. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., Fausset, A. R., Brown, D., & Brown, D. (1997). A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments. On spine: Critical and explanatory commentary. (Pr 25:2). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

50. Niccolio Machievelli, The Prince.