Moral Values and the Election

Welcome back to The Lion's Den. This is our third show, and I am so glad to kick this one off with another great song by Casting Crowns, the title song from their album, Lifesong. Here are the lyricss. 'Empty hands h

Lifesong by Casting Crowns

Empty hands held high, Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life, I sing in vain tonight
May the words I say, And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing, Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to You. Let my lifesong sing to You.
I want to sign Your name to the end of this day.
Knowing that my heart was true, Let my lifesong sing to You.

Lord I give my life, A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need, To be Your hands and feet
So may the words I say, And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing. Bring a smile to You.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Let my lifesong sing to You

What a message! Those words by Mark Hall capture the importance of making; our message and our life harmonize. What we do matters. In fact it matters so much that when Jesus comes and sits on his throne to judge, He says that He will separate the people on the basis of what they did or did not do! Notice what He says, I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Again, what we do matters. Last week our discussion was about our faith and Christian values, and how that should affect our vote. You can call to join our discussion on Wednesdays from 1:00 - 2:00 pm eastern time on the air. Also, let me remind you that you can also email us at thelionsden1430@live.com or lafosadelosleones@live.com, or comment here on the blog.

I received some really interesting email this week, including a message put out by the Catholic Church encouraging their people to vote. It’s a really moving presentation, that you can see at www.CatholicVote.com.

Their message has some awesome video with it, but it reads like this.

This November America’s future hangs in the balance. Catholics across the nation will have the responsibility to make their voices heard. Many issues are at stake. Some are more important than others. No issue can be ignored, but none are more crucial to the foundation of our country than life and family. The family must be strengthened, not redefined. Human life is paramount and must be protected from conception to natural death.

Catholics are integral to the success of America. Since the beginning Catholic immigrants helped build this country, and their children fought to preserve it. Now more than any other time in history, a new generation must stand for truth. The strength of our nation is not only in its military or economic power, but in our commitment to moral values. This great nation was built upon life, faith, and family. This election day, everything you hold sacred will need your vote. Vote your conscience.

I find it interesting that their message touches on many of the same issues we’ve been raising here on The Lion’s Den. What do you think?

The issues are SERIOUS! In fact so serious that these are scary times. People are hurting, uncertain about the future. Third Day reminds us that in times like these Our Hope is in Christ.

Our Hope Is You, Third Day

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul In you, O God, I place my trust
Do not let me be put to shame Nor let my enemies triumph over me

My hope is you Show me your ways
Guide me in Truth In all my days
My hope is you

I am, O Lord, filled with your love You are, O God, my salvation
Guard my life and rescue me My broken spirit shouts
My mended heart cries out...

Great worship song by Third Day, My Hope is in You! With all this stuff happening around us, the future uncertain, and the election in just 13 days, we need to be reminded of our source of Hope!

We’re discussing moral values and the election here on The Lion’s Den at 1430AM, and you can join the discussion.

By the way what do you think about Colin Powell coming out for Obama? Here’s a guy that might have had some real future with his party, and he makes this kind of announcement just a couple of weeks before the election. I received an interesting email about this. Let me remind you that you can email us at thelionsden1430@live.com or lafosadelosleones@live.com.

This email from Human events has an article by Pat Buchanan, that asks a pointed question. "Was race a factor in the decision of Colin Powell to repudiate his party's nominee and friend of 25 years, Sen. John McCain, two weeks before Election Day, and to endorse Barack Obama?"

What do you think? Gen. Powell does not deny it, contending only that race was not the only or factor. "If I had only that fact in mind," he told Tom Brokaw, "I could have done this six, eight, ten months ago."

Yet, in hailing Barack as a "transformational figure" whose election would "electrify our country ... (and) the world," Powell seems to testify to the centrality of Barack's race to his decision."

I was also sent an audio clip that you can listen to at http://www.bpmdeejays.com/upload/hs_sal_in_Harlem_100108.mp3 It was intended to be funny, but it really isn’t, because it speaks to the issue of race. Hey don’t you believe that the gospel is color blind? As Christians race shouldn’t make any difference whatsoever. James writes in chapter 2 that as believers we should not show favoritism. Social and ethnic prejudice have no place in the heart of a Christian.

Do you believe that people are making decisions in this election based solely on race? In the clip I received they are interviewing folks on the streets of Harlem, asking them questions. The scariest thing is that they asked three people if they agreed with Obama’s selection of Sarah Palin as a running mate, and they were all OK with that. Not one challenged the reporter’s question. All three denied that race had anything to do with their decision but apparently knew nothing about the issues nor who the running mate really was. In case you’re listening and don’t know. Sarah Palin is McCain’s running mate, not Obama’s!

Well in these uneasy times we need to be reminded to put our confidence in Christ. Carman reminds us not to be afraid in this song, Fear Not My Child. The lyrics follow:

In myself I failed the Lord Then was afraid to try once more
That fire in my soul had fled Thats when Jesus came and said

My spirit, gives the strength you need to raise you up and to succeed
and for vision in the night to you I'll give these words of light

Fear not my child. I'm with you always.
I feel every pain, and every tear I see.

Fear not my child. I’m with you always
I know how to care for what belongs to me.

He said my child don’t look behind. Discouragement is all you'll find.
Don't watch the waves that roll the sea. Just focus your eyes on me.

And I will make you strong, and then your shattered courage I will mend.
And if you fall and should get hurt. Remember these eternal words.

Fear not my child. I’m with you always.
I feel every pain, and every tear I see.

Fear not my child. I’m with you always.
I know how to care for what belongs to me.

I know how to care for what belongs to me.

When it comes to these topics some people are afraid to speak up, but like our message above from the Catholic Church, we need to let our voice be heard! Don’t be afraid. John writes, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

It really amazes me how ignorance and fear work together. Think about it. In politics, they magnify the fear. If people are scared enough about the present situation then they are ready for CHANGE, but what kind of change? All change is not good! Sometimes we need to go back to what we know works! The Truth works!

Isn’t it terrible to think about how many people may vote in ignorance? We're facing a time when everything we hold sacred is on the line, and we have a moral responsibility to act on the TRUTH.

So many people are afraid. They are out of work, losing their homes, worried about their livelihood, and looking for answers. We listened again to this Kutless song reminding us that we have someplace to turn in these troubled times. .

All Who Are Thirsty by Kutless

All who are thirsty All who are weak
Come to the fountain Dip your heart in the stream of life
Let the pain and the sorrow Be washed away
In the waves of his mercy As deep cries out to deep (we sing)

Come Lord Jesus come [repeat 3 times]

Holy Spirit come [repeat 3 times]

As deep cries out to deep [repeat 2 times]

As we wrap up today I want to remind you that if you’re hurting, if you’re thirsty, if you’re worried, if you’re afraid. Obama isn’t your hope, McCain is not your Messiah. Jesus Christ is your answer. Bring your worries and cares to Him today. We’re here on the Lion’s Den to remind you that in crisis of our culture and turmoil of our times, there is an answer. Put your faith in Christ. He is your answer in these difficult times. As always you can call us at 706-279-1430 or email me at thelionsden1430@live.com or lafosadelosleones@live.com.

Well until next time, this is Dan Hocker. Join me again in The Lion’s Den on Renueva Tu Fe Radio 1430AM.