You know people of Cline,
       I am a little concerned. I have heard several times about how some of you are putting your hope in President-elect Barack Obama in order to solve this economic crisis. I want to avoid getting into political issues, but this is extremely relevant. It is not just that some of you are putting your hope in President-elect Obama, but that God is no where in the picture. You know we often view our lives like this, "Well I have my work. I have my family. I have my friends. Then, I have my church. I have my Christianity. Christianity is my Sunday and, maybe, Wednesday thing." We often view our identity as Christians a separate entity from everything else in our lives rather than viewing everything (our job, family, friends, church, beliefs, actions) by the fact that we are Christians! What does this have to do with the economic crisis? A question I would like to ask is, "What is missing?" What is missing is our hope in God. I believe God may be using this economic crisis, and possibly the next president, as a means of judging us and bringing us back unto Himself. We feel as if God has failed to keep our economy going so we must roll up our sleeves and let President-elect Obama do what God could not! I have even heard some of you say, "Moral issues (abortion, gay marriage, etc.) are important, but Senator Obama (at the time) will fix the economy which is in real trouble right now." This blew my mind. As Christians, moral issues should be above all else because they are Gospel issues. What are the implications of this? What do we need to get a Christ-centered refocus in a sense? Please take the time to read the Scriptures and reflect on the truth of God's Word.

1. Trust in God as our Sovereign King (John 18:33-37)
2. Trust not in Princes (or Presidents) to Save You (Psalm 146)
3. Submit to, Support, and Pray for President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden (Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1-13)

I must make note with this last point. We must submit to "rulers and authorities" so as long as they do not conflict with God's Word. We must support them where we can and oppose them with strong conviction where they differ from God's Truth. We must remember, this is not our world. Christ is our King. We must do work first for his kingdom. We are Christians first, then American. Be true and faithful to the One, True King.

I know this comes just a little late, but I wanted to discuss the election.The link below is a video of Pastor John Piper and his view on this past election:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGjGbZNyIBY

I would also like to put a quote from the book The Old Testament Documents: Are They Reliable and Relevant? by Walter Kaiser. He said:

"While they (Old Testament prophets) did call for a change in the fabric of society, they did not do this by trying to overthrow and attack the unjust institutions of their day as their first line of offense. Instade, they wanted a change to come in society through the change that was worked in individuals' lives. Once again, the essence of their challenge to their hearers was: 'turn,' 'return to the Lord.'"

My challenge to you is three-fold:
1. Put your trust in God and not in princes or nobles (Psalm 146). God is the one who brings about true change. Our ultimate trust must be placed in Him.
2. Support newly elected President Barack Obama. It is only because of God's sovereign choice that Mr. Obama is elected in that office. Thus, we must show respect to Mr. Obama in light of God's sovereign choice (Romans 13:1). This, however, does not mean we need to support Mr. Obama's liberal views of gay marriage and abortion. God is the ultimate authority, not the President. You can show your support for Mr. Obama by praying for he and his family.
3. If you voted for Mr. McCain, do not let this be the end of the world for you. Some people have made this election the crux to which the United States will rise or fall. My third challenge to you, is to stand for truth. Remember, you are a Christian before you are anything else, be it American, banker, mother, father, brother, sister, etc. Your Christian life is not a seperate entity in your life, but rather is the umbrella of which all else falls. You're identity ultimately is in Christ (Gal. 2:20).

Find your place is God's redemptive work. Whether He uses this new President as a means of grace or judgement, we will have to wait and see. With the prophets of Old, I call on you to change as believers in Christ. This is change...you can really BELIEVE in.