Election Day - Thank God it is almost over...

I have never felt a more overwhelming sense of responsibility. Yet, this is not my first time to vote. People say that this is the most important election we've ever had - and I ask why? Is it because either party winning will be an historical event (a black man as President or a woman as Vice President)? Is it because of the financial and economic crisis that the United States is in? I can imagine that people in Africa and other third world countries are asking themselves, "Financial crisis? What do they know about being poor? We can't even tap into clean, running water!" And, I'd have to agree with them. We live in such a blessed nation that people get angry at the thought of giving a percentage of their surplus of money to someone less fortunate than them. 

I find myself more than ever before begging for someone to tell me the TRUTH! I hear what each candidate is saying about themselves and about each other, and somewhere along the way everything does not match up. More importantly to me, what they are saying does not match up with my Christian views. 

Sure, "redistribution of wealth" sounds like the socialist idea of giving to everyone equally. However, doesn't it say in Acts Chapter 4: 32-35 

"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need."

I understand this to mean that people sold their houses, land, and everything they owned so that no one would be suffering or in need of food, shelter, etc. I understand that the major argument about this principle today is that it takes from the hard-working middle and upper classes and gives their money to the people who won't (or can't) work and earn for themselves. Isn't it our job, however, to be obedient and let God take care of the rest? He has commanded us that  whatever we do for those who are ignored and rejected, we do also to Him. I also know that Christ has told us we can't serve two masters. In Matthew 6:24, he says

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

I challenge you while you're holding on tightly to every cent, which I know is crucial as prices continue to increase, ask yourself how willing you are to obey God's command to us that we clothe, feed, and shelter the poor, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE TOO LAZY TO DO IT FOR THEMSELVES. Maybe, just maybe, this is God's way of shining His light through us that they might come to know the power of His salvation. 

2 John 1:6 "And this is LOVE. That we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard in the beginning, His command is that you walk in LOVE.

I would like to say that I definitely support the pro-life stance. Abortions should not be legal or provided for any woman or girl, without parental consent. It is the killing of innocent life, life that doesn't have a choice or voice and needs us to be its voice. BUT, to say that the killing of innocent life is immoral, shouldn't that also include war? There are tales of women and children who get caught in the line of fire in Iraq...they are innocent and they are killed, all in the name of democracy. Is this any different? Shouldn't we put a stop to that kind of murder, too? I will go as far as saying that all killing is wrong (Thou shall not murder). So, doesn't that include capital punishment, or is it okay to contradict ourselves and say that we should kill someone as punishment for killing someone? Life is life - some innocent, some more guilty of sin than others. Right? Or have we all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? (Rom. 6:23) 

I voted today, but I don't feel good about it. I don't have a peace because these earthly "kings and kingdoms" will inevitably pass away; my God reigns forever and He alone is sovereign. I have found the source of my truth in His word. Therefore, I do not agree with either candidate whole heartedly. Unfortunately, I can't take what we like in each one and roll it into one perfect President - that, I'm afraid, doesn't exist. I know that the day is coming when every knee will bow to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; some will bow willingly now, and others will be forced later. I am convinced that my job, duty, responsibility, call, whatever you want to call it, is this: To "tell" everyone I know that Christ died for them. I will do that with my words, but most importantly with my actions. St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the gospel at all times. And when necessary, use words." Superman tells Lois Lane in the most recent Superman movie, "You say the world doesn't need a Savior, but everyday I hear them crying out for one." CHRISTIANS: LISTEN TO THE CRIES OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND LOVE THEM IN EVERY WAY THEY NEED TO BE LOVED. Again, I'll quote 2 John 1:6 - And this is LOVE. That we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard in the beginning, his command is that you walk in LOVE."

Micah 6:8 "He has told you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Life has changed...

Some of you may know that Aaron accepted a Youth Pastor position in Tuscaloosa, AL. So, as of Aug 29, we moved here and have started a new life. It is actually quite awesome and tiring and fun. I say tiring, when I'm the one who stays at home all day and Aaron goes to work. But...we are both still pursuing our Master's degrees online, plus trying to get to know an entire church full of people, plus taking care of the baby, I mean dog, you get the idea! 

The most important thing I can say about these changes in our life is that I am happy! Aaron is finally doing what he loves, and he amazes me everyday. My faith and spiritual walk with Christ is truly being tested...it's true that you HAVE to stay constant in your prayer and Bible study when you are in the ministry. I know we've only been doing this for about a month now, but the people here have just made things so easy. Everyone is genuinely nice. It stems from a true desire to serve Christ and to live out His call on our lives to love each other. 

Every now and then I get a strange homesick feeling...but homesick to where? I have lived in Cleveland, TN for the past 3 years and I miss my Epsilon sisters and our church family from GracePoint. I miss my real family in North Carolina. I guess I feel like I am finally growing into an adult and starting my life as a married woman...even though I've been married for over a year now. This was the point where we finally stepped out of our comfort zones and began a  new life where people only know us as Aaron and Elisabeth Smith - rather than Aaron Smith and Elisabeth Barnes. All I can say is so far it is awesome.

John 14:13-14 "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

Sometimes I feel like my prayers should only be for other people, that I should be interceding on behalf of our students, church family, the ministry, etc. However, this verse is so refreshing as Christ says He will do whatever we ask in His name, to bring glory to the Father. Remember that the next time you decide not to ask for something (reasonable) that you want!

I am writing today from our hotel room in Lynchburg, VA. Tomorrow is the last day of my first intensive course at Liberty (I've been 4 days 8-4:30 and I'll do it again tomorrow, and M-F next week).  Surprisingly, I do not feel entirely exhausted, neither mentally nor physically.  I have learned a lot from my class, but even more from the "tangents" of my professor who claims to be ADD...

I want to write this while it's on my mind fresh from today's lecture.  We were discussing how people sometime respond to the saving power of the cross by thinking that, since Christ paid the price, we can act any way we want and still be "under grace."  However, my Professor, Dr. Todd Campo, put things in a new perspective for me.  He said, "Imagine that you, a Christian believer, are walking down whatever main interstate you are familiar with.  Now imagine that a mack truck 18 wheeler is coming at you at full speed.  You stand there unable to move, sure that you are going to die, and then Jesus comes and pushes you out of the way, being Himself smacked by the full speed truck to take the brunt for you.  And, how should you then respond, by turning around and saying, "Oh, thanks, now I can go out and live however I want bc I am forgiven?" Surely not!  You respond by saying, "How can I serve You? How can I ever begin to repay the sacrifice that You made so that I can live?"  

I don't know about you, but this imagery really touched my heart.  Sometimes, actually the majority of my life I live as a selfish, wretched sinner only looking out for myself.  But, I find myself longing to see that image of Christ on the cross (or being hit by a mack truck, whichever most speaks to you) so that I will not for a single second forget that sacrifice He paid.  That is what's in my heart: to see that image and live it out in a way that ALWAYS shows love toward Christ and toward His people.  It doesn't always come out that way, but we won't ever be perfect here on Earth.  It's the journey and the try and the spirit of what's in your heart that Christ desires.   So, what's your image of Christ?  What is it that helps you to hold that memory in your mind every second of every day to show Him that you will live out what He has called us to do?

We also went further to discuss the text from Hebrews 6, where it says 

"It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace."

Is it okay to fall into sin? Is it possible to lose salvation? Do we do things that are sinful, knowing that coming back and "repenting" is all we have to do to be forgiven, since Christ's grace covers all sin?  Are we not just nailing Him to the cross (running Him over) over and over again?  Can you bear that load, to say that you don't mind killing your Savior repeatedly and shaming Him publicly?  

Whew...I guess I am no theologian.  Just a lost soul in desperate need of a Savior.  But, while I feel at times like these that I don't know much, I do know that I don't want to bear the burden of telling my Savior that what He did was not the Ultimate Sacrifice.  His grace is sufficient for me and I am humbled to claim that grace.  

Just some neat photos....

Just wanted to post some random pics that I have taken this summer. It just amazes me how cool cameras are and better yet how amazing God is!

Aaron

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Welcome to the world of blog.

Well, this is my first blog attempt, so bear with me! I got the bright idea to start this blog so that those of you who want to can keep up with our lives.  It's also kind of like a journal that we can look back on in the future to remember our early years together.  (wah, wah, wah....)

So...I guess it's important to know that we both graduated from Lee in Dec. '07 and are now studying online through Liberty University.  I (Elisabeth) am getting my Master of Arts in Teaching, specializing in Secondary Education so that I can teach Spanish (my undergrad degree).  Aaron is getting his Master of Religion in Church Ministries.  We love to work with youth and that is our goal for the future.  Grad school is hard...sometimes I wonder why I let Aaron talk me into it ;)  But, I know that it will pay off soon; we should both be finished by next May.  So, until then, we are broke...but happy!  We still live in Cleveland and attend the Church at Grace Point, spending most of our time there with the awesome students :)

Sometimes we wonder when the next chapter of our lives will start.  It's hard to be patient and wait on the Lord, but He promises that He has a plan for us that will prosper and not harm us.  I am so blessed to be married to a man who is definitely my spiritual leader.  Aaron is such a strong man of God that it humbles me at times.  He is going to do great things, and he will give God all the glory for it....which is rare among men in ministry these days.  I could go on and on...but I don't want him to blush when he reads this, so I'll stop ;)

Another important thing in our life is that we bought a Shih Tzu puppy and named him Yoda.  (Master Yoda, he is a Jedi warrior.) He brings us lots of joy, giving us breaks from the monotony of online graduate education.  We've had him for about 1 month now, and he's already grown so much! We feel like such proud parents!!! I'll post some of his new haircut pics if I can figure out how.

Well...I guess that wraps up the foundational blog.  I will try to be consistent in updating when things happen that are of entertainment value.  Until next time, have a great 4th of July weekend and comment to us if you get a chance!

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ" ROM 1:7