Date: 2/5/2008
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: Who you voting for?
<br><br>Today is “Super Tuesday“.  Even as I now write, the polls are open and ballots are being cast.  The Fairfield Church of Christ is a voting precinct and there has been a steady stream of folks in and out all morning long.  All elections are important, but this one has a great amount of significance.  Any time you can have a say so in who the leader of the free world is gonna be, you need to stand up and let your voice be heard by switching the levers in the booth.  I would like to think that most, if not all votes cast today are deliberate, researched, and educated votes.  By this I mean that someone does not choose who they want to be their President based solely on how handsome or pretty a candidate is, who has the best television spots, or who was funniest on Jay Leno.  No, they vote based on the stance of each candidate on the important issues....tax reform, education, national defense and so forth.  Their vote is based more on the factual past of each candidate rather than a promised, fictional future.  If someone wasn’t something yesterday, why should we think they will be any different tomorrow because of what they tell us today?<br><br>As voters, most of us probably look for many of the same qualities in a candidate as we are trying to decide who should fill the Oval Office.  Of those traits, I dare say that honesty and truthfulness would be near the top of all our lists.  Who could forget the statement made in 1998 by then President Bill Clinton..... “I did not have sexual relations with that woman (Monica Lewinsky).”  Not long after that statement was made, undeniable facts to the contrary were produced which resulted in impeachment proceedings later that same year.  Alas, let’s not just throw rocks at Mr. Clinton.  There are a number of websites devoted to telling you that we have had a bunch of Presidents in the past who made it a habit of side-stepping the truth.  To be honest, most of us probably ought to drop the stones we have in our hands as well.  Certainly, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is not the only address where a liar has resided.  I can say with remorse, that at times, at least one has resided at 107 West Swan.  He drives a 1989 Volvo and wears a size 13 shoe.  Does that narrow it down?  And by the way, where is it that you live again?<br><br>The truth can be tough.  It can be painful, liberating, and a relief all at the same time.  God wants us to tell the truth.....period.  The word “truth” is used over 200 times in the Bible in one form or another.  I suppose the saddest thing of all is that this world puts very little value in truth.  “If you can lie to get ahead in the business world, then by all means go for it.”  “A little white lie won’t hurt your marriage...she will never find out and it would just upset her anyway.  Save yourself the grief.”  I bet that same little devil has sat on your shoulder that has sat on mine....all the while whispering lies in your ear.  He encourages you to take the road of least resistance and confrontation.  In the Bible its called the “broad way”.  Look it up.  If you are traveling down that path, make a U-turn.....God allows them you know.<br><br>I came across an interesting t-shirt last year during the last day of our Wales Mission basement sale.  The front of the red shirt said simply.... “Liars Go To Hell”.  I wonder why no one wanted to buy that shirt?  It’s certainly a Biblical statement. (Revelation 21:8)  I guess the truth about lying just hurts too much.  I suppose that’s why it’s buried deep in my t-shirt drawer.<br><br>Go the extra mile - Devin            <br><br>