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6B ♦ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2006 Our hope does not lie in the halls of power With the mid-term elections behind us, perhaps it’s fitting for members of the body of Christ to consider our expec tations as they relate to the American political process. At the onset, let me say that, regardless of your political views or party affiliation, I believe it is important for Christians to be active par ticipants in our culture and society, including the privi lege to exercise our right to vote. The nature of politics lends itself to tremendous amounts of passion and energy. Americans views on issues like war, abortion, taxes, welfare, the separa tion of church and state, immigration, and stem cell research reveal a wide range of opinions and beliefs. Even within the Christian community you will discover that we are not always in agreement on the political, social, economic, and spiri tual issues of our day. The promise of politics often seems to be that we can simply legislate what ever changes we believe are necessary to promote the values and agenda we believe are best for our country. And while it is important for legislation to be consistent with the laws of God, we must not be deceived into thinking that the hope for America works within the halls of Congress or in the Oval Office. Our elected officials serve important roles and they should be reminded that they have not been given positions of great power as much as they have positions of great service. The halls of government have sometimes proven to be places of corruption, deceit, and immorality. That’s THREE From page jB support group for the faith ful. Members of the church es get together to celebrate fellowship and generally support each other. Sunday school and education classes have encouraged youthful spirits to seek out God and to improve their reading and math skills. At one time the small set tlement of Elko was home to a major stop for a train that DOBSON From page jB That kind of downward mobility is almost unheard of today - it’s almost un- American. But when we reach the end of our lives and we look back on the things that mattered most, those precious relationships with people we love will rank at the top of the list. If friends and family will be a treasure to us then, why not live like we believe it today? That may be the best advice I have ever given any one - and the most difficult to implement. So keep your dream and your passion. Work hard to COLE From page 3B There is a great mystery about the marvelous events of Your life. The mystery of “Why?” You had the power to prevent Your only begot ten Son from being subject ed to the pain and agony He suffered. Yet, because of Your desire to free man kind from sin, You permitted these things to take place. Not one among us deserves this priceless gift. There is absolutely no comparison between You and Santa. With the exception of appearance, Santa is no dif ferent from the rest of us who find pleasure in making little children happy. I like to think of Santa as being one of Your helpers, sowing love rather than merely distrib uting toys.lt is heartbreak ing to see a child feeling because the men and women who serve at the local, state, and national levels have feet of clay just like you and me. And while many serve with integrity and character, let us not believe for a minute that our hope resides in them. We are reminded everyday that we are fallible creatures. We make promises that we cannot keep. We tell lies to cover up our mistakes. And any of us can fall vic tim to the seduction Phil Lambert Contributing Writer of greed and selfishness. And while government has the ability to accom plish many great things, God’s ultimate mandate for change was not given to a king, a government official, or anyone serving within a political system. Instead, it was given to 11 ordinary men who were told to go and make disciples of all nations. What this tells us is that God’s ulti mate plan is not for govern ment to bring about change through legislation. It is for the church to bring about lasting change through the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You see, Scripture reminds us that while legislating morality might be a noble thing, the fact is that our natural self, controlled by the sinful mind, does not submit to God’s law nor does it have the ability to do so. Submission and obedience are not part of the sinful mind’s vocabulary. By mak ing every law “Christian” or ran through Elko to Macon. At one time Elko could boast of a world-renowned aspara gus crop that was exported to the capitols of Europe. Hotels in Elko brought busi ness and travelers. Today the small town bank still stands on Railroad street though its doors have not been open for decades. Snow United Methodist Church in Unadilla grew out of a camp meeting. When it was difficult to set up a fixed church home, camp meetings would be held, with singing, achieve the success you crave. But don’t let it become a 5- pound lemon that destroys the rest of your crop. You’ll regret it if you do! Question: When par ents need help with sex education, who do you think should provide it? Dr. Dobson: It is my strong conviction that churches believing in absti nence before marriage and in lifelong marital fidelity should step in and offer their help to families sharing that commitment. Where else will moms and dads find propo nents of traditional morality in this permissive day? There is no other agency or institu tion likely to represent the theology of the church bet unloved by Santa because of being left out at Christmas. A more heartbreaking thing is to see one being deprived the security of knowing there is a loving God who never leaves anyone out. We adults need to be a conscien tious over teaching the truth throughout the year as on this one day. I am grateful for the privi lege of being a mother and grandmother. I am grateful for the trust You bestowed upon me to impress young minds with the true mean ing of Christmas. I thank You for being patient with me and for Your forgive ness of my failures. It is my prayer that Santa being recognized within my fam ily circle has never dishon ored Your precious name. We have so much to be thankful for. It is impossible to suffi ciently express appreciation overturning every law that is in violation of God’s com mands wouldn’t make every one suddenly desire to obey them. If Christians truly want to see America change, it will only happen when the heart of our citizens change as well. Legislation can’t do it, but the Gospel can. We also need to remem ber that the mission of the church and our call to be imitators of Christ is true whether we live under democracy or tyranny. The Ist century church spread its roots and flourished under the rule of an autocratic gov ernment while the 20th cen tury underground church in China grew in number despite the oppression of Communism. For the body of Christ in America, our mission, our worship, our fellowship, and our love for one another should not be hindered or influenced by whichever party has major ity control in Washington DC. So, if there is indeed hope for America, where can we find it? That hope is in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate example of a servant leader. He has prov en to be beyond corruption and deceit. And he oversees a kingdom that is not of this world, “a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28). Let us find our hope in him. A hope that the Scriptures tell us is like “an anchor for the soul.” Let us not believe our hope is in the political system. It is too unpredictable. And let us not think that we’ll find it in any elected official. They are imperfect. But in Jesus we find one who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” preaching and food for three days or more. General Andrew Jackson and his men are believed to have stopped at the site of the church on their way to Florida, watering their horses at the natural spring which flows by the church. Originally a log church, it is believe to be the oldest of the three churches. Grovania United Methodist Church can be found on the Golden Isle Parkway. Take a left at Hayneville and follow the Grovania Road. ter than the church itself. It is puzzling to me why so few have accepted this chal lenge, given the attack on biblical concepts of morality today. A few parents who enroll their children in private schools are able to get the help they need with sex edu cation. Even there, however, the subject is often ignored or handled inadequately. What has developed, unfor tunately, is an informational vacuum that sets the stage for far-reaching programs in the public schools that go beyond parental wishes, beginning in some cases with kindergarten children. for your endless love. A piece of cake beneath the tree. Is not enough to give to Thee. To simply say, “O Lord, Thank You” Is not enough for me to do. To show my love - the only way. Is to live for Jesus every day. Let me not forget Your words in Matthew 25:40, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Help me, Dear Lord, to be more open to Your daily guidance that I may be instrumental in spreading “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men.” Happy Birthday, Jesus! Marta today! 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