We must never take our right to vote lightly.

Galatians 5:1 [Full Chapter]
[ Freedom in Christ ] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

In only a few short hours, the American people will be going to the polls to cast their vote for who they want to  lead the country for the next four years.  In America, the dream to be successful is still possible if you had a goal, a plan, and a desire to work hard. That was one of the major reasons why our ancestors risked their lives to come to America. 

Imagine, if you will, you could step back in time to talk with those Eastern European immigrants about to step on the boat destined for America and you could smell their sweat-stained clothing and see the slight smiles on their faces as they leave their hard lives behind for a new life in Amerca.

 Imagine, if you will, your family are holocaust survivors filled with the daily reminders of death and forgotten friends as they wait on the docks in England for that one-way ticket to America where they will be able to worship God without the fear of retribution.

 Imagine, if you will,you are a Russian immigrant, neglected and forgotten in the land of your fathers, as you, your wife and children await to board the ship to  start over in the new land that promises to give hope to the downtrodden and forgotten.

 Imagine, if you will, your ancestors were unable to make the trip because of sickness and death while your image begins to slowly fade as though you had never been born.

America means many things to many people. To some, it is hope and the pursuit of happiness. To others, it represents the most wonderful educational system this world has ever seen with so many ways to  learn a skill and a profession.  

To still others, America represents a new life for future generations of their family and their escape from the hard, oppressive times they once experience in their former land.

I'm reminded of the ink-stained fingers of  new voters in newly minted democracies and the absolute exhilaration they had casting their first vote and seeing themselves with value, as oppose to their former oppressed selves.

Finally, imagine if you will, you are looking into the eyes of your disabled child and reflecting how his or her life might have been like if your family lived in a more oppressive regime like North Korea or China? 

At that point, you glance across the room for your car keys because in only 5 short minutes the polls will open and you decided for your children to make a difference in their lives by voting.

The good shepherd knows our needs, our pain and will show us the way through the valley of mourning

16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. Luke 8:16

My wife and I made a quick tri.p to Warren, Minnesota to help honor our Mother-in-law's 90th birthday.  She is the last remaining sibling of her family of several brothers and one sister. 

 Looking for something to read, I decided to pick up the local Warren Sheaf paper where I saw the headline regarding a local 24-year-old man killed in a fiery head-on fiery collision on County road 1. The article described him as a longtime employee of Dale's foods who recently learned that he would be a father.  

My mother-in-law wanted me to pick up some groceries at Dale's the next morning. I was happy to do this thinking it might give me an opportunity to offer my condolences to Dale's for the loss of this young man.

 It was when I pushed my shopping cart around the perimeter of this small town grocery store that I encountered two employees in a serious conversation that I could only guess was about their former  employee.  I stopped my shopping cart, listened and waiting for the right opportunity to share my condolences.  One employee said that he was well liked because of his ability to smile and the impact he had in their tiny community. Then I shared my story and the corresponding website that was created to help others understand grief through faith stories and testimonials.  That was the opener for one female employee to share the loss of her baby when she was just 38 weeks and how difficult it was to heal.  Because of my willingness to step out of my comfort zone and listen, this woman had a chance to share the baby she once had.  

As I reflect on my own faith, I am reminded that it is my faith in Jesus Christ that sustains me, nourishes me, and helps me not only survive, but thrive in an uncertain world we live in.  

 The stories that Jesus weaves into our lives are the stories of hope he wants us to give to those struggling with loss.  God simply isn't going to waste our pain by hiding it in the backroom of our minds, but like the minor and major prophets of old, he wants us to be his living examples of his love for people! 

Our faith is like the lampstand that we display prominently so others can find the hope we have for our lives.

Where is God?

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.Psalm 34:18

We live in a very sanitized world that believes that as long as I'm doing well in this life, earning a good income and the more prosperous we become the more blessings God pours out on us. At least this typically what it means to be an 'American' Christian 

On the other hand,when I read the 4 gospels of the actual words of Jesus  I get a picture that God is with the broken-hearted.

He is aat the bedside of a veteran who just lost 2 of his limbs

He is at the bedside of a family saying goodbye to their loved one

He is  walking with a family who just experienced poverty for the first time.

He is with the homeless person as he looks for a place to stay

He is speaking in the dreams of those searching for truth

We have it all wrong when we think that the more prosperous we are the more faithful God is to us. I remember the words from Matthew where Jesus says that it will be harder for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, and thinking 'really?' But, as I reflected on those words I began to see why. Wealth has a tendency to make us self -reliant, self- sufficient and  have  an attitude that I can do all things 'without God'.  In America, we've become so use to the left brain reason side that we push down the emotional dream side as mushy, wishy-washy and not reliable; yet, in other places of the world God is speaking and changing lives through dreams.

When brokenness enters your life, rest assure that God is there with your every step of journey. He is there,

When he speaks to you in a dream words of encouragement

When a friend stops by you, calls you, or sends you an e-mail of encouragement

When the Pastor shares a passage of scripture you believe  was meant for you

When someone from prayer works tells you they have been praying for you

When other people open up with their own stories of encouragement

Recently, Matt Redman, with the help of  thousands of people in Time Square  sang the song '10,000 reasons'. As I watched this video I couldn't help but think that this is what heaven will be like when my life's purpose is complete. In this sea of faces I saw people of all nationalities, all income levels, and on different journey's- loss of a loved one, loss of a job, sickness, disability, etc. I also saw words of praise to God right in Time's square/ I thought, if only this kind of praise would spread all across the country- we just might  have a revival of epic proportions. 

Muslim's converting to Christianity. 
Athiest finding Christ

Christians renewing their commitment to Jesus and allowing the holy spirit to do mighty works within. 

I can just picture the business men and woman caught up with the monetary pleasures of this life taking a break and looking at the spiritual side they had been ignoring all too long.

Men and woman who had lived a life of abusing others repenting and living a new life in Christ

The next time we ask the question, 'where are you God' simply read the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John where you will see quite vividly that God is with teh broken hearted.