Happy Anniversary

Monday, November 13th was the 24th anniversary of my marriage to my wife Kandi. I would like to take just a few moments to tell you about my wonderful wife.

Kandi and I met in Chattanooga, Tennessee during the summer of 1977. Interestingly enough, a friend of mine was more interested in her than I was but when it came time to be introduced to her, my friend made it look as if I was the one interested in her.

We went on a couple of dates soon after we met and it did not take me long to realize that I had met a very special young lady. I was not a very dedicated Christian at the time but Kandi was serving the Lord with all of her heart. Her love for the Lord made me realize that I needed to quit serving Jesus half-heartedly and rededicate my life to the Lord - which I did during a youth retreat at the beginning of my junior year of high school.

I did not think that Kandi and I had a future because, after all, I lived in Tennessee and Kandi lived in Florida. But God had a different plan. After five years of a long-distance dating relationship, we got married in November, 1982.

Proverbs 18:22 says, “Whoso findeth a wife, findeth a good thing”. That verse certainly describes my wife. Kandi is everything that I ever hoped I could find in a wife. She loves Jesus. She loves me. She is a terrific mother to our three children. She is a great cook. She is a terrific help meet to me. God know exactly what I needed a wife to be, so He gave Kandi to me.

I truly do not have the words could adequately describe how I feel about her. So as I reflect back on our special day, I just want to say to my lovely wife, “I love you” and I thank God for you.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

(Proverbs 31:10-31, KJV).

Your Vote Counts

On Tuesday, November 7, 2006, our country faces another important election. The balance of power in the Senate and House of Representatives is up for grabs. A slight shift of numbers in either party could determine the fate of laws concerning abortion, marriage, lower taxes, and other topics that are important to us as Christians.

If you are like me you have grown weary of the political infighting among our elected officials. The Democrats blame the Republicans for our problems and the Republicans blame the Democrats for everything. There are many problems facing our country yet our elected leaders are not willing to take responsibility for the poor decisions that have caused these problems.

Several years ago I heard a preacher describe the political dilemma in our country. When referring to Republicans and Democrats, he said, “One’s the skunk and the other is the smell. I’ll let you determine which party is the skunk and which party is the smell.” While that may be humorous, there is some truth to that statement. No one in our government is perfect. If we had a perfect government, we would not be in our current mess.

So what is a Christian to do? Should we abstain from voting, simply because we cannot find a "perfect" candidate? Should we "fast" from politics, as some of our critics have suggested that we do?. Should we stop fighting for the right of an unborn child to live? Should we stop fighting for the right of our students to pray in school? Should we stop fighting against those who are trying to remove God from our public life? Absolutely not! The stakes are too high and these battles are too important to neglect.

In 1987, Chuck Colson (president of Prison Fellowship Ministries and former aide to President Nixon), wrote the following in his book "Kingdom in Conflict:

"'Christians need to influence politics for justice and righteousness.' But we must do so 'with eyes open, aware of the snares . . . Today Christians may find themselves suspect—I have experienced this myself—to the very people on whose side they are fighting. But that is the price they must pay to preserve their independence and not be beholden to any political ideological alignment.'"

So go to the polls Tuesday, and vote. Vote principle, not party. Vote principle, not personality. We are called to be salt and light in the world so let's make a difference. Your vote is just one vote, but one vote can make a difference.

In 1645 ONE VOTE made Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector of the Commonwealth and gave him control of England.

In 1649 ONE VOTE caused Charles I to be executed.
In 1800 ONE VOTE kept Aaron Burr--later charged with treason--from becoming President.
In 1839 ONE VOTE elected Marcus Morton governor of Massachusetts.
In 1845 ONE VOTE made Texas part of the United States.
In 1868 ONE VOTE saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.
In 1875 ONE VOTE changed France from a monarchy to a republic.
ONE VOTE admitted California (in 1850), Oregon (in 1850), Washington (in 1889), and Idaho (in 1890) into the Union.
In 1876 ONE VOTE elected Rutherford B. Hayes to the Presidency, and the man in the Electoral College who cast that vote was an Indiana Representative also elected by ONE VOTE.
In 1923 ONE VOTE made Adolf Hitler head of the Nazi Party.
In 1941 ONE VOTE maintained the Selective Service System only 12 weeks before Pearl Harbor.
In 1960 ONE VOTE per precinct would have elected Richard Nixon, rather than John Kennedy, President.

With God's help you CAN make a difference! "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13, KJV).