Today it is cloudy and rainy. Yesterday, it was sunny and clear. Funny how 24 hours can make a difference. Things can change quickly; that is just the way life is. However, there is always one Constant upon which we can trust.

No matter our circumstances, God is there. No matter our instabilities, God is unmovable. We can trust completely in Him. Life, by definition, changes. Life is not constant. We grow older by the minute. We should be used to change. But having experienced changes our entire life, we still are taken aback at the vicissitudes of life. Out of this life-experience of change, we seek stability. And only in God can we find true stability.

The weather changes. Our circumstances change. Our friends change. Hairstyles and clothing styles change. However, God never changes. We can always count on faith to sustain us.

This is a reprint of a comment I posted to at Steve Strang's blog. With the concern and confusion rampant in our society presently, we need to refocus our priorities. To see the original post, view it here: http://strangreport.com/index.php/2008/11/how-to-survive-current-economic-crisis.html

I ask a simple question: If Presedent-elect Obama were a conservative with the same 'questions' regarding his birthplace, would the Church be so concerned? Sometimes, it seems as if the Church looks the other way when 'conservative' leaders are in office. We abdicate our place of watching over our leaders as citizens of this Republic. We must be ever vigilant in our prayers and scrutiny regardless of the political position of our President.

Further, we must realize that many of us spent great amounts of time in prayer for this election. Many churches across this nation had all-night prayer meetings. At my pastorate, we had a community prayer service on Monday before the election. If we as believers prayed that God's will would be accomplished, then we must believe that God's will was accopmlished. If we believe the Bible, then we must believe what it says concerning God appointing leaders: "He removes kings and raises up kings" Daniel 2:21b NKJV.

Now, regarding Mr. Strang's original purpose in this post. In premilllenialism, much labor has been given to America's role in the Last Days. Most 'scholars' see no mention of America in the final events. These are the same writers that most Charismatic, Pentecostal Premillenialists follow. So, if they are writing it, and we, as a movement, are reading it, why are we surprised at the turn of events? If we truly believe that we are living in the Last Days, and if we truly believe what our prophecy writers and teachers are saying, then should we not expect to see the Unitd States become less powerful on the world stage?

Finally, the American Church needs to re-focus. Our focus should not be on who is in the White House, because has placed them there "for such a time as this." Our focus should not be on the economy because God's plan is unfolding around us. He will sustain us if we focus on Him.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:32

Our focus should be on Him. No matter who is President, our Commission remains:

Go therefore and make disciples. Matthew 28:19a NKJV

Seasonal Thoughts

This is my favorite time of the year. I love the decorations, the carols, the smell of cookies in the oven. I find the sensory overload of the Christmas season to be elating. While the consumeristic side of our society has driven the beginning of the season into September, the Advent season does not truly begin until the end of November. It is at that time that my thoughts fully turn toward the joyous Christmas season.

It is easy to be caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. One can be overcome with sales and deep discounts on all the 'must have' items of this year. The sheer number of party invitations recieved can cause one to consider a cloistered life. And this year's Christmas season is being 'interrupted' by next year's politics. One can easily be overwhelmed by the 'busy-ness' of the season.

That is precisely why we must focus upon the true meaning of this season. This season is not about decorations and Christmas trees. This time of the year is not about carolling and hot chocolate. Christmas is not about cookies and pies, gifts and stockings, lights and evergreen boughs, decking this halls, or dashing through the snow. It is really all about relationship. It is about reconnecting through relationships.

I know that this may sound strange coming from a pastor, but allow me a moment to explain. Christmas is about the birth of our Savior, Jesus. It is about God, sending His Son, so that our relationship with God could be restored. Jesus came into this world so that we could have a relationship with God. And I believe that as we focus on the relationships in our life, it helps us begin to understand the relationship that God desires to have with each of us.

There's no better time for showing our love for our friends and family than this time of year. There is also no better time to reconnect with God than during the time that celebrates Him showing His love for us by sending His Son.