As I before mentioned in a comment to my last entry, WashingtonPost.com has a feature right now for you to look at the candidates' stand on crucial issues, such as abortion, gay marriage, and stem cell cloning.  Some of these are specific moral issues that we are obligated to look at.  What do you believe?  Are you supporting someone who does not stand with your beliefs...do they actually stand in complete opposition?

It's also your responsibility not to support or stand with someone whose morals differ from those presented to us by God.  Do you want our country to be lead by someone with warped morals or who will take our country into further moral ambiguity?  Take a look at these verses and compare it with where the candidates stand on specific issues:  1 Corinthians 6:9, 10;  Leviticus 18:22; Isaiah 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; Exodus 20:13; Numbers 35:30; Genesis 1:27;

Today I had a God-orchestrated confrontation...with a Christian leader in the Bahamian community, a man I have come to respect and admire because his acts of service speak louder than words.  However, today, his T-shirt was speaking louder than anything.  My family had been discussing how important the upcoming election is, and why we have the obligation to vote for a candidate who stands for the same values that we do.  Moments later, we came in contact with this man who was a long-time friend of my parents...he wore a shirt advertising a certain U.S. political candidate, whose campaign goes in stark contrast to Christian values.

After a long talk, I came to the decision that it is important for me to say something with regards to what kind of convictions we should have about who to vote for.  One candidate may be exciting, good-looking, and charismatic, but we must carefully analyze his platform.  What does he say he will do if he takes office in regards to abortion and gay marriage?  If you don't think you need to be concerned about these things...please look at the verses above.  God is concerned about them.

This Christian leader who we spoke with today proposed a story about taking a airplane flight with a pilot who as a Spirit-filled Christian knows nothing about flying or with a pilot with years of experience who, though extremely qualified, is a sinful scoundrel.  Who would you pick?  My thoughts...pick someone qualified for the job, but if we are to compare flying a plane with piloting the future of a country, moral standards and experience are the qualifications for flying!  If his values are corrupt, he's just not fit to lead the nation.  If he agrees with sin, he will steer the government of the country the same way.  Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." (KJV)

Please continue to pray for God's will and the salvation of both candidates.  Also, vote according to Christian convictions...choose a candidate whose platform best aligns itself with godly principles (We know neither candidate is perfect, but no one is).  It's your duty as a citizen of the U.S. and of God's Kingdom.

 Voting is a privilege that not every nation offers.  It's a gift that any responsible individual cannot take for granted.  If you are a citizen of country that grants you this freedom, I strongly encourage you to exercise this right!

If you are a citizen of the United States of America, do your duty this November and go to the polls (or send in an absentee ballot if you live outside the U.S. like me) and vote according to your convictions.  I implore my fellow Americans to know the issues and to use good judgment when choosing the next leader of our country.  My sister Dr. Jess reminded me this week that one of our heroes, Dr. King, dreamed of a nation where people "...will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."  I do too.

President Bush is another one of my heroes!