economy – Thoughts on Life and Leading

March 27, 2013

Deciding Controversial Issues

Big decisions are being made right now. Many people are strongly opinionated about some current issues. Lines are being drawn.

But I wonder how most people arrived at their conclusion.

If you will allow me, I will humbly make some suggestions for anyone who is considering which side of the fence they are on regarding the issues in the news.

Don’t allow the media to influence you. They have an agenda. And they have no interest in your best interest.

Don’t trust the political parties. Once again, they merely use the citizens to get what they want.

Don’t form your opinions based on social media. Most people who voice their positions there have not studied the issues.

Don’t be influenced by celebrities. I heard a quote the other day: “What happens in Hollywood doesn’t stay in Hollywood.” While I wish that were not true, it is. Without being too harsh, we don’t need a bunch of dysfunctional rock stars directing our lives.

Don’t go by polls or popular opinions. These change with the wind.

Don’t make your decisions based on your emotions. These also are subject to change.

Don’t side with what seems right. Like it or not, we are sometimes easily deceived.

Don’t even base your opinions based solely upon the church because the church is made up of imperfect people.

So, where do we go to get the correct guidance when we are making our decisions about controversial topics?

I bet you saw this coming: Go to the Bible. And here is why:

The Bible is here to stay. It has withstood the test of time. It has survived all the scrutiny. It will not change. It takes no regard for what is popular or trendy. It is not influenced by popular vote. It is not even concerned with hurting people’s feelings. It simply is the truth. The reason it is the truth is that is it authored by God. He is the only One who never changes. What He says has always worked and it always will work.

A really good reminder about this is found in Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”

Whether it is gay marriage or abortion or the economy, you just can’t go wrong siding with God. He has never been wrong, and never will be.

October 31, 2012

Either God is in Control or we are all …

The election insanity has everyone on both sides of the fence itching and scratching. There is serious and deep seeded verbal warfare going on and it is leading to some really hurtful conclusions. Unless things let up a bit, Election Day could divide friends, split churches and destroy families. I know that sounds drastic but this is the most polarizing election I can recall. People are more committed to their politics than they are to their relationships.

Then add the craziness of Superstorm Sandy to the mix. So many people impacted in so many devastating ways, it is truly a frightening time.

For good measure, consider the economy, terrorism, and any personal issues you must be dealing with.

I’m here to offer you a little hope. Here’s the scoop: God is in control. Always has been, always will be. The word we use is “sovereign”, which means He absolutely is running the universe, even when it appears that we are on a crash course with disaster.

If Daniel 2:21 is not true, we are in trouble. It says, “He (God) controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.” (NLT) Either God controls the weather or the future of the world is one big roll of the dice.

God’s sovereignty does not absolve us from doing our part: voting, disaster relief, common sense things that intelligent people do. But we can only do so much. In the end, God will figure it all out and keep the universe spinning like He has for the last few eons.

Here’s how I see it: if I am wrong and we are left to work out all these dilemmas on our own, this won’t end well, but it will end quickly. Either God is sovereign or we are toast.

God’s got this!

October 8, 2012