And in the end, neither Obama nor McCain would save our country or the world, or do anything for the spiritual depravity of our nation. On the Church can do that, and no matter where we stand politically, we stand together on that.

I completely agree that the Acts 2 church is a perfect picture of socialism. The Church should be operating with a socialist agenda. We should be “spreading the wealth” as the Church. Anyone who has ever suffered, has ever known the pain of ends that just don’t meet, has ever been on the unfortunate end of unfortunate circumstances knows: you don’t just pull yourself up by your bootstraps.

Here’s where we (very lovingly and gently) differ:

A socialist government takes my money and decides how to spread it around, without making itself directly accountable to the Holy Spirit. So money may be designated for say, an abortion clinic, instead of the school for single parents that’s across the street, where I would like to send my money as the Lord leads. Taking care of the poor is the Church’s responsibility, not the government’s.

But the Church sucks at taking care of its poor. It’s the truth. So why leave it up to the Church? The popular solution: Mandate it through a socialist government.

I have a problem with this because it hinders me, a Christian who hurts for the forgotten and wants to give, from giving out of my freedom. (Note that it hinders me but cannot altogether prevent me from giving of my blessings.)

I believe that those who neglect a child, hoard their riches, are stingy with their blessings will get theirs. And the wrath of God is a far better vengeance than a socialist government could ever dole out.

Regardless, Obama was elected and God’s will was done. He calls me to “be subject to the governing authorities” so I’ll support him as president of the United States. And I will keep giving out of my own blessings and free will. Against this there is no law! As you concluded, our ultimate answer is to our Creator.

I love the line: “And while I’m not holding my breath for the Nation, I would for the Church.” I am hopeful as well!

On a different note, I do believe that whether either candidate had been elected, our country is in for a big change. I feel it in the very depths of my heart. I think I will raise my children in a vastly different world than I knew as a child. I think the Holy Spirit is moving within the Church- convicting hearts, shifting frame of mind, preparing the way for something. Maybe persecution. Maybe punishment for our selfishness. Maybe the very end of times. Can’t know. But I am hopeful! Our God is good! Thanks for your thoughts.

Indeed, I do believe the Acts 2 church is a picture of socialism. And I believe their Way was as close to what Christ would have wanted, if not exactly.

The point I think that’s being missed or ignored in favor of semantics is that there is no other command given more often or with more passion in Scripture than the mandate to Believers to care for the orphan and the widow. These people are of greatest import to God, as they are the most vulnerable to harm, danger, and alienation. They are the least. And while I agree that it’s the Church’s responsibility and that we ought to be serving and loving them out of a heart of gratefulness to God, and that service ought not be mandated or forced by Church leaders (or in a democratic society), the poor are still among us and always will be, and they MUST be taken care of. And if the Church is not caring for them the way God commanded us to, then we’re not only failing, the poor are being ignored. That cannot happen. So I appreciate and fully support a system in which those people ARE taken care of, whether by my taxes or by the church. Frankly, I don’t care if you’ve worked hard to earn you money and feel you deserve to hoard it. God doesn’t. And perhaps it’s time we’re shaken from our selfishness.

It should also be noted that, as is so often the case in the Christian/spiritual life, “feelings” follow action. Meaning, once we start to give of ourselves out of OBEDIENCE (and this is a matter of obedience) we begin to want to give out of selflessness.

I can’t say whether or not God cares about any Nation’s image in the world, but that’s not the point of this blog. The point is that I finally feel like we’ve elected a Leader who will actually lead us in a direction that reflects the heart of God for the poor, impoverished, and needy (whether or not that elected Leader is a true Believer).

Way to go, Amy, even though all of this could be classified as you buying into the lie (not trying to make fun, just knowing that people say this about logical and lucid statements they disagree with).

YOU are fundamentally right.

2nd Corinthians 8:8-9… I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love… For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor…

How does it reflect what’s on our hearts when we’re being forced to do it? Sure, it will improve the image of the United States but God doesn’t care about the image of the USA, he cares about our individual hearts and what’s inside them. There’s not as much value in being forced to do something… it should come from our hearts.

I see your point that it needs to be done, and to the people who receive the benefits it won’t matter if it comes from the heart or the government, but the worst way to change a person’s heart is force. It just won’t happen.

Also, Obama talks about spreading the wealth around… different taxing rates and more rebate checks. It’s not like the poor in this country are all of a sudden going to be much more wealthy and have a roof over their heads just because Obama won the race. A thousand-dollar rebate check isn’t enough to do that. I’m sorry, Obama isn’t going to solve this “help the poor” dilemma himself, but people sure keep talking like he is. It’s up to us followers of Jesus Christ to do it.