Date: 11/4/2008
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: Heavenly Candidate
<br><br>At the time of this writing, November 4, 2008, the President of the United States of America is George W. Bush......but, by the time you read this, our great country will have elected a new leader.  Today, citizens of the “Home of the Brave” will have the opportunity to exercise one of the greatest privileges known to man.  If we as American voters can't find but one good reason to get out and vote, it should be because thousands of brave souls have freely laid down their lives to give us the right to do so.       <br><br>Every campaign that has ever been run for any office under the sun has been completely based on promises of some kind.  Candidates will make promises about everything from education to taxes to health care to military defense to social security to you name it.  They will make promises that things are going to be much different and much better than the previous administration.  The hopeful candidate will put their best foot forward and their best face on.  They will tell you that just as soon as they are declared the victor, that they will roll up their sleeves and begin getting things done.  And, just like a bank calling in a loan that has become due, those folks who pulled the curtain behind them and pushed the buttons for the victor will begin calling in those pre-election promises to become due once the election is all over and done with.....and they should.  Far too often, candidates will promise everything but the kitchen sink to get elected and then all of a sudden develop amnesia once in office.  Often times, once elected, some candidates will take off their pre-election faces and go back to the normal face they see in the mirror each day during a non-election year.  Then, the faithful voters who put them in office soon realize that the rubber isn't touching the road anywhere.<br><br>I often wonder how many times in my life I look like a hopeful candidate for some office to God.  Some days I get up, reach in my closet, and pull out my best Christian face.  All day long I walk around saying pleasant, positive things, kiss all the babies and make promises to God.  I put on the best show I can for everyone who might be near enough to watch the candle of the Lord flicker in my life.  But, my fellow man can't see what God sees very clearly....my motives....my intent....my heart.  My Maker knows if my promises are just lip service or if they are true and sincere.  I know it seems foolish, but sometimes we act as if though we can just treat God like those around us....that he will believe just whatever we say       and take us at face value.  We forget....he is the one who created that face to begin with.<br><br>No, there will be no fooling God.  Oh, we might fool those folks we see on Sundays.  Everyone who sees us might just very well buy what we are selling.  And boy, are there some good sales people out there.  Really, if you think about it, a candidate for any office is at surface level just a salesman....they are trying to sell themselves to others and get them to buy into whatever their agenda may be.  Only God knows if our presidential candidates will come through on all the promises they have made....and for us, I guess only time will tell.  His name is Yahweh or Jehovah God....and the only message he approves is found between Genesis 1:1 and Revelation 22:21.<br><br><br>Go the extra mile - Devin<br><br>