Monday Musings!

I have not mentioned anything about the political landscape for some time. It’s a mess and watching and listening to the current round of point, counterpoint, soap opera stuff is enough to challenge anyone’s gag reflux. Meanwhile, seems housing is in a deep ditch at this time except for the fact that we just received notice from our taxing authority that while no one can sell their homes in our area, ours has just greatly appreciated in value for tax purposes. Up 42% over the past five years, therefore, I think it’s time to check out the protest process. No wonder back during the time Jesus was here people turned the other way when they saw Matthew or Zacheus coming. They were both tax collectors!

As for the candidates running to be our next president, do we have another instance of Teflon or what? Senator Obama puts President Reagan to shame as reflected in his ability to deflect almost any fact or finding that might indicate he’s not the real deal. I’ve been tracking this shocking situation with his former pastor for over a year and it seems everyone just says, “Oh well, and moves on.” Now we hear him in his own words demeaning folks who embrace religion and family values and he says they misunderstood his point, and eventually, everyone just says, “Oh well, and moves on.”

Sadly, the so-called mainstream press has almost entirely become tabloid reporters first, last, and always, therefore, we get a steady diet of ‘gotcha’ headlines with very little attention paid to the issues that really count. Back in 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes won the presidency by defeating Samuel Tilden by one electoral college vote. Historians believe this election to have been a clear case of a stolen outcome due to massive fraud and manipulation. What was the overriding sentiment of the public during that particular election? “Choose the lesser of two evils.” Not very encouraging when you think about it but today we are in a similar situation as far as the choices are concerned. Perhaps ‘None of the Above’ would be a better reflection of my views thus far, but in the end we will need to pray about it, seek God’s help, and as one person said, hold our noses as we pull the lever (and pray for no hanging chads).

There is good news in all of this. That news is the fact that nothing escapes God’s knowledge, understanding, and control. Therefore, we should vote for Him everyday by living out the life He has given to us in a way that brings Him honor and glory. Circumstances may not get better. Gloom and doom may be the subjects that dominate the news. Yet, we who have God as our help can confidently echo the Psalmist’s words from the 46th division: 1)God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2)Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3)Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah* 4)There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5)God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. 6)The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 7)The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah 8)Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. 9)He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. 10)Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11)The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Amen. Have a magnificent Monday! ….More later.

*While there is much debate about the word selah and its meaning, this seems to be a pretty good overview: Selah, [celah], is from the primary Hebrew root word [calah] which means 'to hang,' and by implication to measure (weigh). This is readily understood because in Biblical history, money, food and other valuables were 'weighed' by hanging or suspending them on a type of balance (the equivalent of our measuring scale) to determine their value. We find an example of this word [calah] as it is literally translated 'valued,' in the book of Job, indicating that which is measured. Therefore, we can see the Psalmist meant that at the end of a statement we should pause, think about, weigh, consider, and literally hang on to that great truth. Food for thought!