Freedom's Fire

 

This morning when I watched O’Bama cast his vote in the 2008 election, I experienced a wave of emotion. Gratitude washed over me like a wave as I pondered the privilege of living in this country.

What a remarkable heritage we’ve been given!

We, the common citizens of this great nation, are free to choose our leaders. We cast our ballots and we decide.  Our votes give us the leaders we desire. We get the results we choose.

This liberty - won at great cost and preserved through resolute determination - comes with great responsibility. Since we end up with the outcomes of our election, we owe to our posterity to make a judicious selection. 

The fires of freedom are burning.
Pick prayerfully.
Be circumspect in your selection.

We end up on the path of our choosing…so make sure you want to go that way.

Psalm 25:12-13  -  Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best. He shall live within God’s circle of blessing, and his children shall inherit the earth.

 

Comments

[Thomas Faulstich]

Pastor Beeson,
I'm viewing the vote today differently than you. Whatever party is voted into office will not matter. This country was sold out in 1913 when the Federal Reserve came into power. This country is not controlled by the President and our representatives. This country is being controlled by the private bankers. He that holds the money and the gold makes the rules. Today, I publicly proclaim my allegiance not to the next President, but to Jesus Christ. Jesus gets my vote.
Thomas Faulstich

[Matt c.]

Thomas, I agree. But be thankful you live somewhere you can worship Jesus freely and openly. My friends from Mid-India Christian Mission bear this testimony as they fear for their lives for worshiping Jesus.
I continue to be blessed by your ministry, Mark.

Matt from Edwardsville, IL

[Thomas Busch]

Mark,

I'd like to say thank you, to you, for many reasons.
1. Your ministry in Granger has changed my life in a few short weeks.
2. You and the other leadership at the church have given logical and compelling reasons for tithing and donating, where all of the other churches I have even attended used guilt.
3. You and the other leadership has refrained from making people pick between their faith and their political beliefs.

I really appreciate you and all of the leadership at the church. There are services by You, Rob, Jason and Bob which I will remember forever. Beyond that, though, the leadership behind the scenes -- staff or not -- are absolutely amazing as well. Kim Volheim is a great man, and I've only known him a couple of weeks. Jeff Slabach? Doreen Benavente? Fletch? Oh, and let's not forget the wonderfully talented musicians. There are dozens more, I just can't begin to name them all. I've met so many incredible people and learned so much in the last few months!

I could go on and on but I'm way off topic (sorry!). Anyway, thanks for encouraging the vote in a non-partisan way and thanks also for not criminalizing those whose opinions may differ from yours, but instead making them feel valuable regardless.

-Tom

[kristy kruggel]

Mark, I just heard today about some of the things that you are going through after last weekends service. First of all, let me tell you that while I've always thought of myself as a follower of Christ, I never had a personal relationship with him until I started coming to GCC. I want you to know, that while many criticize, many more thank you and stand in awe of all you do for so many in the name of Jesus. I also want anyone else reading to know that if you call yourself a follower of Christ and claim to know Him. Do you really believe in Him? Do you really think an "antichrist" is more powerful? Or do you think that we should pray for our president elect and all leaders of all countries? If you think we should not pray and that all is hopeless, I'm glad I do not have the same God you seem to have. Thank you Mark and all members of the GCC staff. Most of us hear you loud and clear and you make a tremendous difference in our lives. God Bless You.