Election Day!

Hi everyone! Wowzers! I know it has been a hot minute since I have last posted on here. I can explain...but not in today's post. I'm sure you could imagine how hard of a year 2020 has been. It has been trying for all of us, BUT today is election day here in the United States of America! We are all looking to the future now. As we thoughtfully cast our votes and prayerfully await results, I interrupt my hiatus from blogging to share with you this lovely, relatable poem and prayer heard on "The World and Everything In It" podcast I listen to every morning. Take heart.

"The Way" 

Cheryl Balcom 

I travel a road between right and left,

red or blue, no or yes.

Each side pulls with grains of truth,

Disguising their pride, away from you.

I long for unity, for peace, for hope,

But find myself tangled in the enemy’s rope.

For ears are tickled, eyes are blind,

And deception runs deep on either side.

Where are my teachers, Lord?

The ones that you say, 

I will hear behind me saying, ‘This is the way.’

I’m listening, Father, but my ears are clogged,

With the murky dimness of desire’s fog.

For my desire feels true, but my heart can deceive.

Help me to hear you, help me believe.

Let truth come to light is my passionate prayer.

I pray for discernment and compassion and care.

While voices are raised and arguments strong,

May my thoughts rise above them, in worship and song.

Whichever side wins, you are still on the throne.

I will live it, believe it, and make your name known.

May I choose not one side, but choose only you.

For you are the Way, and the Life, and the Truth.

Who has spoken and it came to pass,

unless the Lord has commanded it?

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High

that good and bad come?

~Lamentations 3:37-38

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Thanks for stopping by! Get out and vote wisely, trust truth, and keep the faith! Our Lord reigns.

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Jesus is King

 TESTIMONY TUESDAY!

“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”

~ Luke 8:39

Presenting with excitement, I introduce to you Testimony Tuesdays!!! A testimony by definition is: a formal written or spoken statement, a public recounting of a religious conversion or experience. The Bible commands us in numerous places to bring praise, glory, and honor to our God by proclaiming, declaring, and telling about His marvelous works to others. That is the purpose and heart behind this installment for my Tuesday posts. Each Tuesday (more or less), a testimony will be shared here involving the recounting of salvation, redemption, overcoming, and/or healing just to name a few; A story that brings glory to our God and in which we might be encouraged, spurred on, and challenged with at the same time.The stories that will be shared will either be of my own personal experiences, excerpts from books, testimonies I find via youtube or other media sources, as well as YOURS! I would love to know and give you the opportunity to share here with us a testimony of your own, of whatever fashion that involves the Lord doing a transforming work in your life. Just email me your testimony and I will see what I can do about posting it on a future Tuesday! You may choose to have your name be known or anonymous. I look forward to hearing from you!

Though I think we all can agree that there are some legitimate concerns and hesitations to be had about the fact that Donald Trump has been elected president for our country's upcoming term, the people have spoken and it is what it is. I remind myself that God IS in control and it is HE who ultimately chooses what men are to be placed in power.

• "The God of heaven gives dominion and power and might and glory" Daniel 2:36b

• "He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." Daniel 2:21

History repeats itself. There is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The situation we find ourselves in somewhat reminds me of the wicked pharaoh that ruled in Egypt during the time of Moses, and how the God allowed it to be, and how the bible states that the Lord himself hardened pharaohs heart (Exodus 9:12). The apostle Paul sheds some light on God's motives for doing so

•  "For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, 'I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth." Romans 9:17

Gods ways are higher than ours and  I choose to trust him. 

• "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

• "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

• "If God is for us, who can be against us? " Romans 8:31

Trump may be taking his seat as president in the oval office in a couple of months, But our God enthroned on high still reigns supreme and sovereign over all. 

As American citizens and followers of Christ, our duty is the following:

• "...to submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." Romans 13:1

• "... to be peacemakers, for they are blessed and will be called children of God" Matthew 5:9

Though some may have little certainty, peace, and/or confidence concerning the start of this coming year, I do find comfort in the fact that President Elect Donald Trump has exhibited a fairly conservative platform, standing up for life, evangelicals, and religious liberty, which I deeply appreciate. I know he has also exhibited a lot of other less desirable postures, BUT  I also find hope in Trump's running mate Mike Pence, who is an outspoken Christian! This video that has been making its way around social media is just remarkable and refreshing! I am extremely grateful for Mike Pence; a man who cherishes the life, liberties, and traditions that our nation was founded on. Check it out!

Fellow Christians, even though the election season is all said and done, please remember and continue to keep our nation and President Elect Donald Trump in your prayers! Our country needs it, NOT "now more than ever", but ALWAYS!

1. Pray that God supply President Trump with divine strength, guidance, and wisdom.
2. Pray that Donald Trump would be seeking wise, godly counsel from others and implement it.
3. Pray that he would not waver from his endorsed conservative stances.
4.  Pray that Trump would continue to defend the rights of believers.
5. Despite the short comings Trump may have, pray that he would be used in our country in the way God desires, and that "God's power might be displayed, and His fame spread throughout the earth through Trump".
6.  Pray that President Trump would express continued loyalty with Israel and preserve our relationship with them and support for them.
7.  Pray for the members of our body; Christians across the nation and that we would be peacemakers, peacefully and graciously submitting to governing authorities, and not wavering, but being strengthened in our faith all the while.

In hopes of refreshing your soul, I will now leave with you with this wonderful song by Sovereign Grace Music called "Behold our God". Be Blessed! 

  Lyrics to BEHOLD OUR GOD  -by Sovereign Grace Music

Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice

Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King—nothing can compare
Come, let us adore Him

Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the One who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

Who has felt the nails upon His hands?
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man
God eternal, humbled to the grave
Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign

You will reign forever
Let Your glory fill the earth

What do you think about all this? Thanks for stopping by! Please! comment, follow, subscribe, and don't be shy!

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What A Clueless Millennial Needs to Know About Voting

Image Source

  Amid all the traveling across country right now, and with the United State's presidential elections just around the corner in 25 days, it is hard not to have politics on the brain. Things are really heating up. It can be nerve wrecking and stressful trying to decide what presidential candidate is most worthy of our vote. With all the propaganda and hoopla bombarding us from every which direction, it is hard to know what of it to believe is actually true. Maybe you find yourself totally clueless about all that's going on, or don't know how to get involved?!?
Well, let's change that!
We are truly blessed in this nation to have the privilege and responsibility of getting involved. We need to take advantage of the freedom we have and vote for the presidential candidate we feel will shape our country with the same morals and values that we believe are best.
Does God expect Christians to vote?
Here are 6 of my favorite, reliable, and easy-to-navigate websites about voting and the elections. These helpful sites provide guidance and will equip you with the fundamental facts about each candidate running, and their platforms. Check them out and be transformed into a knowledgeable well-informed voter. 
#1 Vote.org

Vote.org is a very straightforward, easy to use, no-funny-business resource. This website's mission is to increase voter turnout (not ballet turnout ^_^) with it's offered services. On this website you can:

•  register to vote
• check your registration status
•  get your absentee ballot

 fast, free, easy, secure, and nonpartisan. 
#2 Rockthevote.com

This website is similar to vote.org but with a trendy, relevant pop culture edge featuring celebrity endorsement and such.

"Since 1990, Rock the Vote has fused pop culture, music, art & technology to fulfill its mission of building up long-term youth voters to the polls"  - as seen on their website

This site provides information about: 

• Student Voter Guide
• When You Can Vote
• Where You Can Vote
• Voter Registration
• Voting Early and By Absentee Ballot
• Identification Requirements
• If You Have Moved Within Your State
• If You Are in the Military or Are an Overseas Voter
• If You Have a Felony Conviction
• And more!

#3 Theskimm.com
Skimm The Vote is a favorite resource during election season. It offers short, concise, brief summaries about the presidential candidates and their stances. It is also a great resource for receiving condensed updates about your everyday news!

Click image to enlarge

#4 AFAaction.net
If you are looking for a more in-depth  comparison of the presidential parties from a Christian standpoint, visiting Afaaction.net is for you! An organization with the desire to see God glorified and honored, The American Family Association also offers other excellent voter guide resources to help you nail down your vote.

#5 iVoterguide.com

Click image to get your voter guide!

This excellent voter guide provides an extensive comparison of presidential party candidates and is VERY helpful.

#6 FRCaction.org
This website by the Family Research Council has an excellent blog and newsroom. It is another great resource I like to check out periodically to get the latest on what's going on in government and politics from a Christian perspective.

Click image to enlarge

I hope you found this post helpful!

Thanks for stopping by, NOW get out and vote!

comment, follow, subscribe, and don't be shy!

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