Wednesday, October 29, 2008

On Voting

I haven't voted yet but I definitely plan to. I am so glad that this election season is almost over. Praise the Lord. I have a great aversion to conflict and it hacks away at my sense of well being to read or listen to political news. (Many thanks to the phlegmatic half of my personality.) It's like our nation is in a huge fight. It's funny because I don't mind having conflict with people in my family, but that's because we can talk it out and work through it. I know that we will still love each other afterward. The rest of my family apparently loves to discuss politics, so I just have to leave the room or put my fingers in my ears and hum, "We are the world, we are the children..." Do I sound pathetic? Sorry. I did vote in the primaries and I may be the only one in my family besides my mom who did. I take action, I just don't like to talk about it.

Curt told me about an article by John Piper and said I should read it. I hadn't gotten around to it yet, but then I saw that The Preacher's Wife had linked to it on her blog. I just read it and it's great. Here's the link: "Let Christians Vote as Though They Were Not Voting." God definitely used it to pour peace into my heart this morning. I hope it will bless.

23 comments:

jennyhope said...

you crack me up because I bet you really do plug your ears and sing we are the world we are the children...now along with Travis' Islands in the Stream I will be singing we are the world all day!! LOL. I am sick to death of all the coverage and it seems like my man has been watching the election coverage for 3 years and it gives me ANXIETY!!! Going to read that article now!

lori said...

It was a great thing to read first thing today

AugsburgDaisy said...

Thanks Amanda - it definently blessed. :) Just came back from my Precepts study and a video by dear Kay Arthur. We're studying 2 Kings and boy does it have direct applications for our lives today. In my heartbreak over the state of our Nation, I am encouraged to consecrate myself and pray for revival. Like this article says - there is NO hope in human governments. Our hope is in the LORD! And we know how it ends. :) Praise HIM! (But, by all means, vote - as if you're not voting! :D)

lavonda said...

Amanda,
I don't know you, and have only found your blog through siestaville earlier this year, but I have to tell you, I do enjoy the things you write, and your take on things. Do you ever wonder why you post things when you do? Well, if you do, today you posted this for me.
This article you shared came at a perfect moment in my day...
I just read it, and found the peace in my spirit that I've longed for all morning. I too have been watching the debates, news, etc (as much as I can stand it) and will vote next Tuesday. But I've not let myself be anxious about who's going to sit in the oval office: GOD IS IN CONTROL NO MATTER WHO'S THERE. He has a plan for our world that will take place no matter if there's a donkey or an elephant running our show. But I have a neighbor -- a friend -- who lives beside me who is UNBEARABLE in her desire to talk me into her candidate and his platform and his ideals, even though she admits they don't go along with our Christian views. It's at the point that she's questioned my sentiments regarding race. I have literally shed tears this morning over trying to avoid conversations with her and conflict over this issue that I'm at peace with except for when she keeps bringing it up to me!
I even went SHOPPING the last 2 hours, just to get out of the house and get my mind on other things since her phone call this morning. I have encouraged her to 'be anxious for nothing' and that God is ultimately in control no matter... but still feel like I'm being interrogated by the CIA under a bright light when we talk (and we carpool our kids -- there's unavoidable interactions!)

THEN, you post this, and I read it, and I've got my peace back.

I sent the link to the article to my friend.
Hopefully she'll read it, and focus more on the Bible than the media.

Thanks for sharing this, and I'm so sorry for the long comment.

Take Care,
Lavonda

Wifeof1Momof4 said...

Thanks Amanda. This helps me A LOT! I shared the link on my blog as well.

MITZI said...

Amanda, Thanks for the link to John Piper. I'm one of those news buffs. I have to watch the news. I'm always linking to CNN throughout the day for any "alerts," "updates" etc. I've always been that way, even without an election year. I am a little discouraged with things going on nationally and Piper's article brought me back to God's truth. Thanks again. I'll think I'll take a rest from the news today. I'll still be there tomorrow.

Sister Lynn said...

Thank you Amanda! It was an excellent article. Always helps to put things in a Scriptural and Godly context.

Peace
Sister Lynn

barbara head said...

Oh, my, what a great article. I too and my whole family are political junkies. But right now I will be forever grateful when this election is over. I finally had to get on my knees and give it over to the Lord. I had to yell at the top of my lungs--GOD, YOU ARE STILL IN CONTROL!!! Mercifully God is in control and is ever faithful.

katiegfromtennessee said...

Really insightful article, Little Momma. My husband and I voted last week-we were both glad to get that over with. I think it was definitely a weight off of his shoulders. My husband is definitely into politics, and we've had a few conversations among the related family. God is sovereign ends up being the theme of every conversation:)

katiegfromtennessee

kittyhox said...

I so totally relate. I hate the conflict of politics and it disturbs me that our two sides can't have a spirited debate, agree to disagree, and still be... friendly, for lack of a better term. It just seems like each side tends to vilify the other and get so caustic and sarcastic and suspicious of each other. Gross. And definitely not Christ-like, imo.

That is an excellent article - thanks so much for linking to it. It's a great reminder to keep all worldly circumstances and things - including politics - in perspective.

It will be nice to move on to other things, as a nation, won't it?

boomama said...

Dang. That's a good word. Thanks for the link.

Kim ~ Kay Kay said...

That was good!
Thanks, less than a week to go.
Praise GOD!
Kim

bethany said...

I am still torn on the vote for Tuesday (it is such a big decision that I've not cared all that much about in the past but for some reason do this election year)...thanks for the link, I'm going over to read it now.

Susan B. said...

I'm with you, Girl! I will be voting with you as not voting!

Kiki said...

It was an excellent article. I don't like conflict either and only like to talk politics with people that agree with me!

Julianne said...

Amanda,
Thank you for posting this link. What a great read. It truly helped me with my perspective about this upcoming Tuesday's election. And I'm very sorry about the passing of your sweet friend. God Bless.

Sarah said...

Thanks for that link. I too needed to read that today.

Anonymous said...

Great article Amanda, thanks for addressing the topic. I've been feeling this pervasive sense of doom/gloom/anxiousness and I think it's all the economic/political coverage. The Lord is leading me to turn off the constant news and tune into some peaceful programming!

Tara G. said...

We enjoy reading Chuck Colson's commentaries. This was challenged me: http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_676731.html

judy said...

EXCELLENT!!! Thanks for sharing that article(site) as it places everything in GOD'S order!

Praying AND believing!

twinkle said...

Amanda, it will be over soon and either way it goes, we win. I know what I feel in my heart about this election. A vote for one candidate will hasten Christ's return. A vote for the other candidate will allow us a little more time to spread the gospel to all nations. So, to me, that means we win either way!
Love you and praying for you.

Ashton said...

Hi Amanda,
Yes, the political thing can be frustrating to hear. I like peace no quarreling and no confrontation. But, on the other I want to fight to make it right and then not always knowing how to talk intelligently about certain issues I become complacent. I do believe that the country is in serious place and it is sad to see the American people are blinded to the truth of what is really coming to this country. But, God is in control and He rules over all and all will one day bow the knee in Heaven and earth. Wow.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. (this is really for me, I just wrote it)

Humble yourself under mighty hand of God and He will lift you up.


God help us.
Allison

Anonymous said...

I can't wait for the election to be over with, too. All of this campaigning has been dragging on for years!

Just a few more days though, yay!