Each day we are faced with decisions of all kinds. Some aren't very important and others are very important with far reaching and long lasting effects. We choose everything from the breakfast we eat to financial decisions that will affect us for the rest of our lives--sometimes! Some of our decisions will last and have an effect for eternity. We also have the opportunity to show our heriatge for our fellow man. We are constantly bombarded by the news media, with hateful and viscious decisions that's been made by somebody, against their neighbors. The neighbor doesn't have to be right or wrong or even neutral. It's human nature to constantly find fault with others while at the same time pat ourselves on the back for being so good! The political process in America is a great and wonderful thing and we should all participate in it---however---I thing we would be much better off, as a country AND people, to lay our differences and hate aside and band together to work for the common good of the nation. Almighty God allowed this great nation to come into being and He doesn't want us to destroy it. He also doesn't want us to hate our fellow man while doing our own "free will" -which He gave each one of us. I'm not condemning anybody, have no agenda to discredit anybody nor do I have any aspirations of "leading" anybody anywhere. I just am troubled in my heart by all the visciousness and hatefullness that's in our great country over these problems in the presidential election. I would be very happy to see each one of us walk arm in arm trying to improve our society and not work overtime trying to destroy each other. Life's too short to fight and bicker amongst ourselves. There will be enough problems and troubles to confront us daily without adding more to them. As a Christian-I will face Jesus Christ at MY judgment. I have done things in the past that I'm certainly not proud of and am trying to do what He wants me to do. The life I live is my testimony for Him. I thank Him for the opportunity to continue on with life [whatever I have left] and attempt to bring a certain amount of peace amongst all that I encounter. If I've succeeded then He gets the Glory--if not-then I'll keep trying harder. Be good to your neighbor--they need support from ALL of us and not condemnation! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), November 19, 2000

Answers

Amen, Hoot! and thank you, I feel like I've just had my 2nd good sermon for the day. Bless you.

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), November 19, 2000.

Thank you Hoot. I too feel like we all should help others any chance we get. The Lord puts opportunities in front of us daily, and it's up to us to help or not. We should always be listening for chances to help, as the Lord commands us. No matter who the president turns out to be, my walk in obedience should matter most to me. We alone are responsible for our actions, no one elses. Our home, marriage and lives should be God Centered no matter what happens. We are to obey the laws of the country, and be good examples to others. We are to be blameless and harmless in His eyes. I am so thankful for all He has given us each and every day. With Thanksgiving and Christmas comming upon us, we are reminded of how much the Lord has truly done for us and giving is always better than receiving. I always remind myself that the United States has done more than any other country in spreading the Gospel of our Lord and Savior to the world. And we are free to worship Him. God is still in control. Matt. 7:24

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), November 19, 2000.

Hoot, I agree with you 100% and I know that I too will one day stand before Christ, but, unfortunately not everybody in this country and the world feels and thinks like you and I do. I guess that's what makes life intersting, that we don't all think alike, but that's also what makes this country and the world a place where there exists things like hate and bigotry. Check out Proverbs 3:5-6, my favorite passages to live by. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Aknowledge Him in all your ways and he will direct your paths."

-- Shooter (jcole@apha.com), November 20, 2000.

AMEN!

-- Eric in TN (eric_m_stone@yahoo.com), November 20, 2000.

Amen, amen!!

-- Kathleen Sanderson in NH (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 20, 2000.

Hoot injoyed your post, you are a wise person.By the way did you ever find the axe?

-- kathy h (ckhart@earthlink.net), November 20, 2000.

Nice post Hoot. The rub is when you say we should all band together and unite behind whats best for the nation and its people I see that as nearly impossible because we have such different views of what is best. Beyond that however is the people and that is something we CAN do something about. Love our neighbors as our selves. Simple! Thanks

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), November 21, 2000.

Nice sermon but not very realistic. This country was built with blood and greed. It still is. Religion was used to kill others by calling them non-belivers and saying they were just animals. Hate is used by many religions to get what they want. I'm not against religion, I'm just against those that think they are the only one. I belong to one of the older religions and in my entire life I have never had to say I am a Christian, I didn't have to because they saw how I live and knew. I believe religion is a very private thing. Ever notice how many start out saying they are good christians? Every boyfriend my ex- wife had was introduced as a good christian or devout Cathlolic. It would be nice if real christians would simply not say they were, but show it how they treat others. Then when someone says they are good christians you'll know to hide your wife and hold on to your wallet. Also if this is a christian country why did we allow this country to bomb a christian nation that after hundreds of years was finally getting back their own land. We were an anti christian force and everyone went along with the propoganda that made it seem right.

-- Nick (wildheart@ekyol.com), November 22, 2000.

Hoot, Nothing like going from a positive message to a negative. I enjoyed all of your post. As from the other countrysider with the very negative message, I'll just pass. As far as others watching my walk as a Christian, always bother me. And I mean this in humor, There is always someone ready to find that magic button to see how meek we really are. As one man said, "Don't judge me for Christs'sake, but judge Christ for your sake." With all that in toe, Sunday morning worship is a good place to start. By the way, did you ever find you a tractor ? Take care out there my friend

-- George J. (GandPangus@infree.com), November 25, 2000.

George how about truth instead of negative. The post wasn't that bad, try rereading it. The truth isn't positive or negative, it just is.

-- Nick (wildheart@ekyol.com), November 26, 2000.

Thanks Hoot, I enjoyed your post. Nick, you obviously have been hurt by the "religious". It is important to remember that Jesus condemned the hypocrites and pharasees and commanded sinners to repent. You are 100 percent right that as a so called "Christian Nation" we have done some terrible things in this world, and we continue to do so. The way is narrow and difficult but it is all there in "Love thy neighbor as thy self". Sometimes I feel like just giving up and stop trying but I know that sometimes just a simple kind word to someone can be the only Jesus they have ever seen. Please don't let your anger at people who call themselves Christians keep you from experiencing the Love from God and love from those who truly are. In love - diane in michigan

-- Diane Green (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), November 26, 2000.