Politics and Providence

I read an article today about politics and providence. At the end the man writes: "We believe that God controls earth's future, though we can't explain how."
Before he gets to that sentence he writes about Habakkuk and Jeremiah who demanded to know how long they had to wait for God to listen to them about the guys in charge. Nebuchadnezzar was one that God clearly said he'd put in power. He's the one who put Daniel into prison and asked him to figure out the meaning of his dreams without telling him what he had dreamed.

Like the author, I believe God is in control. Maybe I believe this because it's so much better than believing everything is random and people are in control (although it seems like that may be true.) Years ago, when Jimmy Carter was running for President, I told my mother I felt God was telling me to vote for him. Mother assured me I wasn't hearing from God. It had to be the devil. But, if Carter hadn't defeated Ford, then we probably wouldn't have had Reagan. Was it God talking to me or was it something I ate?

I know many people have been very concerned about the road our country is on today. I don't like it either, but if I really believe God has everything under control, then I shouldn't worry. Even if we run out of all our food and water and money, isn't that going to be a great time to put our faith in God and see Him work miracles in our lives? He's fed His people on less in the past and He's still the same yesterday, today and forever.

Mornings and More

I love mornings. Retired mornings now. In the past, weekend mornings. Mornings when I wake up without an alarm clock going off, when I don't have anywhere to go. Quiet mornings when I can write. Fall is in the air, and I love fall here in the Desert Southwest. I loved mornings in Hawaii. Mornings in Tahoe, England, Italy. I just love mornings.

This morning I read in 2 Timothy. Paul is talking to Timothy about persecution. He tells him that "everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived." I don't want to believe that. I want to believe the other words that tell me how powerful God is and how we overcome everything in Him. Later in that book, Paul says "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths."

The Political Conventions have been and are going on. We've been inundated with political speeches and ads, etc. for months now. (Or has it been years?) I find it hard to imagine how people can listen to one of the candidates and think he'd make a good President. It seems so clear that he's not what this country needs now or will ever need. I can't understand how people believe what he says. Is it because of itching ears? Or am I putting words that were written for another time into our lives today? Do they belong here? I get tired hearing all the rhetoric from the media gurus, many who twist the truth. "Reject the truth?" "Chase after myths." I find it hard to understand how people believe them, but do Paul's words apply?

One such person made the statement that the hurricane was God showing he's for one party and not the other. Since he was speaking about the "other" party I don't belong to being the beloved, and is well-known for his disbelief in God, people can see through it. But haven't we said the same things? Isn't God always on "our" side, and we see events, natural and otherwise, that prove He is? So, are these words from 2 Timothy any different? Do they apply to us today? It's a question I can't answer.
God is all powerful, and we are overcomers in Him. Of course, I don't want to have to be persecuted to overcome!

Anyway, I really love mornings.