Is There a Perfect Vote?

As I pass endless signs pasted with last names and catchy slogans, I am reminded that Texas voting

is November 4th.  Local TV channels discuss weather, traffic, and move through commercials advertising each side of the ballot.  Through the propaganda and announcements, I start thinking about what makes up a good leader.  I wish there was a perfect candidate to mark on the ballot, and while I have my choices, I realize that no name on the ballot even comes close to perfection.  No republican, democrat, male, female, or fancy campaign can guarantee victory.  While many can make promises, none can keep all of their promises.

What if there was a candidate who was completely just and fair?

What if there was a candidate who was willing to physically risk their life for everyone in the country?  What if they risked their life for people who didn't even vote for them?

What if there was a candidate who could guarantee a perfect future?

What if there was a candidate who had a plan that really did guarantee satisfaction?

If this candidate was on the ballot, it would be what I call a "No Brainer."  In fact, I doubt the election would even exist.

We live in a messy world, and although He doesn't need my vote, Christ sits on His throne daily as the perfect ruler.  He sees the broken world and promises a hopeful future for those who declare Him as Christ and submit to His authority.

Whoa Hold Up -SUBMIT? I know this word gets a very negative vibe in our "I do what I want society" (Or as Lady GaGa sings, "U Do What U Want").  However, submitting to a perfect ruler who literally gives me Hope when when I have none, is a proud choice.  The submission here is not a begrudging submission, but a glad submission to a loving, faithful, and just Father.

Unlike politicians and honestly all human beings, His promises are not empty.  In fact, he has never failed to keep his Word.

In fact, roughly 700 years before Christ was born, it was prophesied in Isaiah 53 that Christ would come, he would be despised and rejected, wounded for our sins, and God would be satisfied with this perfect sacrifice.  Then, the New Testament claims all of these things true through Jesus Christ and His death on the cross.  There are countless testimonies of Christ's true promises.

Is submission easy?  No, I am weak and full of pride, but the vote is clear and Christ will walk with us through our time on earth.  "In the world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world" John 16:33.

Fair and Just: 1 John 1:9, Psalm 5:4
Sacrificial Love: John 3:16. 1 John 3:16
Perfect Future: Phil 1:6, Rev. 21:1-4
100% Satisfaction: Isaiah 58:11, Luke 6:21

I may not understand everything that happens in the world, but I'll gladly submit to the Perfect ruler.  I love Ecc 5:2 because it reminds me that my understanding is limited compared to the One who I put my vote and trust. "For God is in heaven, and you are on earth; so let your words by few."

Jer 29:11 in the Insta-Society

"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11 is a beautiful verse!  A reminder that God is good, His Will is good, and His plan is good.

The problem lies in our haste to cherry pick verses from the Bible and make them fit our lives in the
way that we want.  When seeking a new job, new house, finding a spouse, etc., plans of prosperity and hope are what we desire.  So, what's wrong with clinging to this verse? Answer: "Instant Gratification in a ME society." We want prosperity now, so we twist it upside down.

I find myself guilty of a similar act in marriage. When my wonderful husband Tom makes a claim to enjoy something that I want him to, I tend to hold on to his statement and bring it up whenever it best fits my desire.  Prime example: Chick Flicks!   I love feel good movies that involve a love story.  Does Tom love chick flicks?  Not exactly, I can think of tons of other types of "man" movies he would rather watch.  However, when there is a rare occasion that he enjoys a "Britt Flick,", I tend to use this as a bargaining point for watching another similar flick.  "Remember, you said liked 'The Proposal' and 'About Time,' you will like this movie too...." 

When revisiting the Bible for the true context of Jeremiah 29, we see that Jeremiah is speaking to the elders that have been taken captive from Jerusalem to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar's rule.  The Lord's message is to build, plant, multiply, pray, and seek peace in Babylon despite circumstance. "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fullfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  TIME OUT:  The prosperity comes after 70 YEARS?!  Yes, you heard it right.  The question is, do we trust in God's perfect will even when the prosperity may not even come in this life? 

Does God promise prosperity, hope, and a future?  ABSOLUTELY!  Does God promise prosperity, (otherwise defined as success, wealth, security) in this life, no.  God chooses to bless and we thank Him for that, but many strong men and women in the family of God have not lived "prosperous" lives.  We are to live seeking Him knowing that our Hope and eternal security is Him.  He will deliver us from this land.

Rather than twist this passage for our benefit and hold God to a promise that he has not made, we as adopted as his sons and daughters, should cling to this: He will never leave us and does not want to harm us.  He promises Salvation, Sanctification, Mercy, and Hope.

Canon in D, Sniffles, and the True Meaning of Ruth 1:16

"Where You Go I'll Go, and Where You Stay I'll Stay." I can hear Canon in D, sniffles, and feel love in the air as this verse is so commonly referenced during wedding ceremonies.  I love weddings and as I have said before, I love LOVE!  Ruth 1:16 has always brought one word to mind: COMMITMENT.  My husband and I received a beautiful gift for our wedding with this verse written on it. I found the perfect spot and hung it up with a smile.

It was not long after our wedding that we attended another wedding.  After all, wedding season is a reality for many mid-twenties couples.  This verse was referenced and I later looked it up to read it myself with the motivation of reminiscing our own wedding.  Brace yourself: True biblical literacy brought a whole new meaning to the art on our wall.  Did you know that Ruth 1:16 is not Ruth talking to Boaz?" WHAT?!!  Shock...Guilty again, I made this passage what I wanted it to be, a girl expressing her commitment to the man of her dreams.  Had I not read the passage intently before?  Ruth is actually speaking to Naomi (her mother in law) from her first husband who had passed.

After losing her husband and two sons, Naomi speaks.  With her daughter-in-law's (Ruth and Orpah) best interest at heart she states, "Turn back, why will you go with me?  Are there still sons in my womb that will be your husbands?" AKA: Go get on "Christian Mingle," find another husband, don't stay here with an old widow like me.

"Orphah kissed her mother in law, but Ruth clung to her" Ruth 1:14. Then Ruth states, "Where You Go I'll Go and Where you Stay, I'll Stay."  Wow, that is commitment!  Not only commitment, but a selfless commitment that is going to mean hard work. Naomi can not offer Ruth anything at this point, but Ruth cares for her and is truly committed to her family.  The beauty of marriage is in the covenant, not the emotional feeling that comes and goes with circumstance.

To make a long story short: In the midst of true commitment, the Lord brings Boaz to Ruth.  He provides for her and Boaz is attracted to the kindness, commitment, and loyalty that is Ruth.  They marry, have kids, and the Lord blesses their entire family.  True biblical literacy shows me that doing right does not always mean wedding bells and happiness, doing right can be tough, but the Lord provides and He is near! 

Disclaimer #2:
#write31days has turned into write___days.  I have come to the conclusion that writing is a hobby that I enjoy.  I  love the concept of #write31days, but writing to keep up isn't my personal cup of tea in the busyness of the school year.  I love focusing on the theme "Knowing the Author" and have learned from the process.  I hope to create many more posts before the end of the month, stay tuned!

Common Plots to Constant Promise

Boy meets girl, boy pretends to be someone he's not, boy gets girl, lies surface, amends are made,
boy and girl live happily ever after.  You're probably thinking of many movies right now that fit this plot sequence.  For a girl would likes to crawl up in a blanket and watch romantic comedies, several come to mind: "Hitch," "While You Were Sleeping," "What Happens in Vegas." We've seen the "Rags to Riches" plot line in "Cinderella" and "Ten Things I Hate About You, .  How about "The Battle" plot, with one of my favorite "man" movies: "Braveheart." And we all love the "Triumph Over Adversity" movies such as "The Blind Side" or "Slumdog Millionaire."


The desire for true Biblical literacy has opened my eyes to the fact that God is constant.  The Bible claims the gospel and His promise to dwell with His people throughout the entire book.  Every story, book, and chapter are different, but the central theme stays the same!  And unlike movies that may become predictable, this is a VERY good thing.  The hope and victory that we are promised is not in limbo, but set in stone.

Attending a women's Exodus study made me realize my ignorance when it comes to the Old Testament.  Most plots that I found "weird," "scary," or "unnecessary" were harbored in my inability to understand the context of the passage (more on this in the days to come). The point here is that the God who spoke to Moses and was with his people in Exodus, is the same God that is with us today, and will be with His people forever.  See how the Lord unfolds His promises over years and centuries through "The Tabernacle/Temple."

Exodus 40:34: "The cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." 40:38: "For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, ,throughout their journeys." TABERNACLE

John 2:19: "Destroy the temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 2:21: "But he was speaking of the temple of His body."  CHRIST IS THE TEMPLE

1 Corinthians 3:16: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you." CHRIST IN US

Revelation 21:22: "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need for sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminated it.  The Lamb is it's light."  WE WILL DWELL WITH HIM FOREVER

*DISCLAIMER: Weekend camping means that this post will serve as day 3-5 for the 31 day challenge :)