Let’s make our voices heard, our votes counted

In many crimes, the perpetrators are portrayed as victims. We become incensed and hurt by the senseless taking of human lives. They had an unhappy childhood. They were deprived. They lost their job. They were passed over for a promotion. The marriage fell apart. The list is endless.

Yet, it is everyone else’s fault. Somebody, somewhere did them wrong. It is society’s fault that some deranged person never learned responsibility or accountability for his or her own actions. So the world’s answer to this dilemma is more gun control, more laws, more policemen, more government funding and more taxes!

Why is it so hard for the world to admit that a society governed by the Bible is a society that flourishes?

Research has proven that those who live by biblical standards not only have longer lives and are also less likely to abuse alcohol or drugs. They are less likely to be wife or child abusers, criminals or lawbreakers. They are also twice as likely to stay married.

These Bible believers keep a strong family, a husband, a wife and children. This unit is more apt to rear law abiding God-honoring citizens. The strength of a nation depends on the strength of its families.

In spite of this, the world wants to strip these solid rock families of their rights, and in many cases, their beliefs. The taking of prayer out of school punishes the believers. They are harassed to remove The Ten Commandments (Less the students see a better way to live). They are denied having Nativity Scenes in public places when the whole Christmas message is about a Savior. We certainly cannot save ourselves!

God-honoring people are sometimes slapped with higher taxes for getting married.

These people are the strong, back-boned God-fearing families who keep this nation strong and balanced. Every day they must fight to keep and preserve the freedoms our founding fathers sacrificed to pass on to posterity.

The last thing any one of us needs is more government control in our private lives. How much of our tax money is spent on government waste? If we knew the exact amount, it would be staggering.

I find great wisdom in Proverbs 29:2: “With good men in authority, the people rejoice; but with the wicked in power, they groan.” Verse 4 relates: “A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it.” (TLB)

Habakkuk 1:4 could be describing present day headlines: “The law is not enforced and there is not justice given in the courts, for the wicked far outnumber the righteous, and tribes and trickery prevail.” (TLB)

So where does all of this leave us? The answer is contained in Proverbs 14:34:

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (NIV) Surely we want our nation exalted with law-abiding citizens.

I believe until we return to biblical truths we will continue to see a country that runs rampant. Mankind has a serious heart problem and only God can change the heart.

Let us stand up and be counted. Let us make our voices heard and our votes count. Let’s take our country back, a country that our grandparents and parents knew. This was a country that respected God, the flag and life, whether that life was young or old. Let us also long for a nation that honors morality. Proverbs 28:2 states: “Where there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily, but with honest sensible leaders there is stability.” (TLB).

I pray we will return to the truth of Proverbs 19:23: “Reverence for God gives life, happiness and protection from harm.” (TLB).

In a world of homicide, terrorists and biological warfare, God is the only cure for mankind’s many ills.

Make your voice heard. Rise up ad be counted today!

Joan Clayton is a retired teacher and religion columnist living in Portales