In a Perfect World . . .Memories Would All Be Pleasant

In a perfect world, we would all be able to look back on only pleasant childhood memories.  Unfortunately, that's not always the case; too many of us come from difficult childhoods where life was not always pleasant and family was not always loving.  While I can honestly say there were good times as I was growing up, I can also say there were many unpleasant times.  I think I never really felt that I was truly loved.  My loved me, of course, but they didn't show it--I think I was just supposed to know.  My father was probably the one who was able to show love the most openly; however, he was a long-haul truck driver and was often gone for days at a time.  My mother was probably too busy trying to keep things together to be to demonstrative in showing tangible evidence of love. 

I don't mean to be critical of my parents (I know it sounds as if I am); no doubt I made my own share of mistakes as a parent.  Thus, the theme of this blog.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if every adult could look back and remember their childhood fondly?  Perhaps, though, our parents knew something that many parents today don't--it's impossible to make every child happy all the time.  The reality is that too many children today don't really know how to cope with difficult situations because they've never been in one.  Parents try to shield their children from all difficulty when it is the difficult situations that build character and critical thinking skills.  Lessons learned in difficult childhood situations can often help deal with difficult adult situations. 

Jesus doesn't shield His followers from difficulty just as He wasn't shielded from difficulty.  We can all learn from His examples.  He constantly exhibited grace under pressure.  He showed us how to handle adversity.  He was unaccepted, so we could learn how to cope when our friends and family reject and abandon us.  He suffered to show us a more excellent way.  So maybe, in a perfect world . . . all children would learn to develop strong character through difficulty.

In A Perfect World . . . Politicians Would Be Honest

In a perfect world . . . politicians would be honest and run an honest campaign.  I was interested in the results of the Iowa Straw Poll that was held today; especially since I watched the Republican debate last Thursday.  Most politicians portray themselves as being honest and only concerned with "the good of the people;" however, what they really mean is they're only concerned with the "good of their pocketbook."  It was interesting to see that Michelle Bachman won the straw poll, even though straw polls such as this one hold no bearing on the actual election.  I would love to see a woman in the White House, but I'm not sure that will happen, especially on the heels of the Obama fiasco.  Unfortunately, as with other women running for public office, Bachman will be forced to answer questions that male candidates will not.  She will be scrutinized for the way she dresses, for the way she wears her hair, and for every misspoken word. 

In a perfect world . . . candiates wouldn't attack each other; they would stick to the issues. 

Republican Presidential Debate

In a perfect world, we would be able to have a civil debate about every issue.  Unfortunately, that isn't the case, especially in the political arena.  Tonight the first debate among potential Republican presidential candidates will take place.  I'm looking forward to the interchange between candidates.  As a voter, I want to be able to make an informed choice; I want to be able to cast an intelligent vote for the candidate that best represents my values.  What I don't want to hear is personal attacks; I want the candidates to stick to the issues.

Perhaps what we need isn't a debate at all; perhaps what we need is for each candidate to clearly articulate their platform.  What do the value?  What do they see as the role of government?  What are their views on abortion, homosexuality, immigration?  What do they plan to do they have for addressing each of these issues?

I recently saw a headline that decried the absence of strong global leaders.  That was a startling headline because it made me realize just how close to the Rapture (when Christ "catches away" believers just before the Great Tribulation) we really are.  The world seems primed for a global leader who will step in and bring order to a chaotic and turbulent world.  How is this connected to the presidential debate?  For starters, it may be America's last chance to produce a strong leader with solid moral values.  It may the last chance for American to re-establish her position as a global leader that will not follow the immoral, chaotic path a most European nations.

I fear for our nation.  As a nation, we've turned from God.  Christianity is maligned and villified on a daily basis while the virtues of Islam are extolled.  The Bible provides many examples of the fate that awaits nations who turn from God; America is no exception.  In a perfect world, every candidate that ran for public office would do so with a pure purpose; there would be no personal agendas.  That doesn't seem to be the case for most politicians who seem to have a "tell them what they want to hear" mentality.  In a perfect world, the goal of every politician would be to make sure that America remains great and strong. 

Let me end with this.  If you don't know Christ as your personal saviour, I emplore you to accept Him today before it's too late.  Once God's people have been removed from this earth, the chaos, fear, death, and destruction that ensue is unimaginable. In a perfect world, blogs discussing this type of topic would be unnecessary.