A special Note on the Upcoming Election in Florida

Dear Church Family:

What a privilege I have to serve you as your pastor. It is sometimes overwhelming to me to consider that of all the people you could have asked to serve as your pastor, you asked me. That is particularly incredible to me…since I know me! I am sure you can relate to my feelings…since you are in much the same situation. As a Christian, you know that God chose you as His own. You were not so adorable that God was just so overwhelmed and had to choose you…you were invited to be His child "warts and all." Yes, God knows everything about you. He knows your heart, your thoughts, and every action. What makes the thought of this so incredible to you is that you know you too!
So…now that you are His…what do you do with your life? The short answer is: "Whatever He wants you to do." After all, when you accepted His invitation, you became His in every way. You do not submit to Him begrudgingly (as if it were a drudgery), but in delight (knowing that God is good and always acts in the way that is consistent with His goodness.) If God directs you to do something, or act a certain way, or even think a certain way about any subject…it is because He wants what is good for you.
As I consider that this morning, I am reminded that in a few days, the elections will be here. This excites me in many ways…since I am probably just as tired of mean-spirited attack ads and fear-mongering from both sides as you are. We, as God's people are never to act out of fear. The Bible teaches us that the "spirit of fear" comes from Satan, not God (2 Timothy 1:7). We should not vote for a candidate or an issue because of fear of outcome or of what others may think. We should JOYFULLY vote FOR a candidate or an issue which most closely represents the FAITH position we hold.
As you consider your vote on November 4, 2008 please bear in mind that voting is a privilege as an American Citizen. Representing Christ in every action is a responsibility we carry as Kingdom Citizens. We are His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20, Ephesians 6:20) and represent Christ in every thought and every deed.
One of the most important issues before us as citizens in America, citizens of the State of Florida, and citizens of the Kingdom is the matter we will vote on pertaining to the definition of marriage. In Florida, we will cast a ballot on Amendment 2 which does only one thing: "It defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman as husband and wife in the Florida Constitution" (www.Yes2marriage.org). The Amendment, regardless of how others may present it, does not restrict benefits from being given to whomever a company or government may wish. Its sole purpose is to clearly define how we, as Floridians, view marriage.

As Christians, we have already decided how we view marriage because God gave us the definition. Marriage is not a secular institution but a spiritual union between a man and a woman. It is intended to be indissoluble and to reflect God's created order. As Christians this was settled for us by a good God who always functions and instructs us on how to function in the best way. Will a Constitutional Amendment affect how God views marriage? Of course not. God is not waiting on us to define marriage so He can update His records.

I am urging you to do two things in the days leading up to the deciding of this matter.

• First, PRAY. Pray for God to have mercy on us as a people for even considering that we may know better than Him what is good. Pray also that God's will and design would be clearly evident in the outcome of this vote.
• Second, I am urging you to take the time to vote YES on Amendment 2. It is very important for you and I to represent our King's will and way in this important ballot. We are not hoping in or relying upon the government to meet our needs or to define what is best for us; we are simply exercising the responsibility we have as citizens of this State and citizens of His KINGDOM to speak as Christ's ambassadors on this important issue.
  

May our Lord bless you and meet your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Pastor Chris