Thsi past Friday Cheryl and I and some church folk went to see our favorite comedian - Brian Regan. I assure you he will make you laugh your socks off! (Can that really happen?) Anyway . . . one of his bits was about playing chess. How he didn’t understand that a players move wasn’t complete until his/her finger was lifted off the chess piece. So you could examine the move for as long as you want with your finger still attached to the piece - it wasn’t a final move.

Then he compared it to life - putting a finger on his head he proceeded to act out a bank robbery and then decided against it, then lifted off his finger - trust me when i tell you it was much funnier than I am explaining.

But I thought about this concept in the realm of following Christ. When we stay in contact with the Finger (Grace) of God - our wrong moves don’t have to be fatal or final! What a message to hear.

Maybe you are struggling with a bad move on your “chess board” called life. You wish you could take it back . . . here’s the key - stop moving the pieces yourself. Let the finger of God lead and direct you everyday. Stay in contact with His Word and His Church. If a bad move comes along - receive His Grace to change direction through repentance.

That’s what Justification is. Living “just as if i’d” never sinned.

Let God keep his finger on you - and you’re game will end in victory.

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Yesterday’s message on Voting gave me the chance to see a very positive result from more than a few people. Some came and told me how they never heard a Pastor preach on Politics. I am amazed to hear that.

Some came to tell me they never realized their faith could be a part of what they do in regard to our political system. That too surprises me. But it begs me to answer with a resounding “YES! Faith can and should be a part of everything you do!”

We cannot separate our faith from our humanity, our responsibilities, and our communities. We are part of the “human race”, we are part of the “public sphere” and we CAN let our Faith influence what we do with our citizenship.

I want to remind you all of the last lesson we need to learn before we vote. God’s man will be elected for His purposes. No matter your side of the aisle, you need to understand God’s sovereignty over the affairs of mankind.

Pray for our new President and honor the Lord by obeying the Authorities He has established. Romans 13:1-6 clearly spells out how God wants us to live as Christians in regard to government. Our job is to conduct our affairs peacefully and respectfully. When people don’t agree with us, we can still voice our opinion and beliefs here in the USA, love people no matter their background, and preach a message of repentance and God’s amazing grace.

Go to the Polls with a Prayerful Heart, Support the Next President, debate and oppose policies you believe to be wrong, but in the end - Spread the Message of the Gospel above all things!

I’m so glad to be an American.

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2 Shout Outs to “To the Polls with a Heart of Prayer”

1. Karen // Nov 4, 2008 at 11:22 am

   Well Said!!!

2. Diane // Nov 15, 2008 at 11:56 am

   I was more concerned about praying as I approached the voting booth, that when I went to drop my vote in the box, I put it in the wrong slot! Naturally, I was told that I was the only one that did that the whole night and it would be counted, and left quickly.

Cheryl and I want to thank you all so much for the wonderful Pastor’s Appreciation Sunday. Your love, support and generosity is overwhelming.

We are so lucky to be a part of this church. God is doing great things. And 7 more people Baptized this past Sunday! Incredible.

We know there is so much more God is going to do but every once in a while - it’s good to sit back and enjoy what He’s done . . . actually - we should do that more often!

Blessings on you all.
Pastor Tim & Cheryl.

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So we are trying to get Connor to ride without training wheels. Man what a crazy amount of truths about God and life flood into your mind when you do this ….

1. Falling happens - get back up and move on. Don’t dwell in temporary setbacks.
2. Trust your Father even if you don’t see Him - He’s probably holding you up from behind.
3. Look forward and not to the right or left and definitely not behind!
4. Your Father is more concerned with your success in this area than you are. And He won’t let you fail.
5. You have to learn to do this before you drive a car. Life is a series of seasons - master the one you are in now.

Well that just some of them.

I thank God for these truths being real to me even as a Father myself.

PT

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