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OSA REPRESENTED IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO "THE HEART OF IT ALL!"

-Mary Ellen Urmin

WOW! What mercy God has shown us in this election! Now, as it has been, it's up to His Church to do what we're commanded to do in Scripture: Pray for our leaders and fight the battle satan is waging against us for the soul of our nation. Flip asked me to write to share some of my recent election experiences with you, so here's one from the area all eyes were upon earlier this week!

First, as you may know, GW was in Ohio alot lately campaigning for our votes! Is it any wonder God had our national event right in the state's capital? I wonder how that factored into all that happened!? Well, like many of you, I struggled with who was going to get my vote, Bush or Peroutka. I'm happy to say that I received the best of both worlds, voted my conscience (Peroutka), and saw Bush get elected over Kerry. Now there is at least 4 years to pray and work like we've never before to see souls won into the kingdom and righteousness restored... again, only if the Church does her job.

Last week I didn't know who would get my vote, and was torn with God in prayer, when I was offered tickets to see President Bush in Westlake, Ohio, my home town and the city where I go to church. Not particularly thrilled with the prospect of attending a Republican staged event, I was unsure of whether to go or not, especially since I was in a state of angst over Bush himself and all of the compromised stands he has taken on serious moral issues. However, I realized it could allow God to work through me and help me make my decision. So, a friend and I went, and we joined the throng of thousands clamoring to see the President.

As many of you know, when the President is scheduled to speak, the event organizers tell you to be there hours ahead of time. In our case, we arrived at what I thought would be only 1-2 hours before he would show. So, standing shoulder to shoulder with red, white and blue clad supporters sporting buttons and hats and waving signs, we had gotten as close as we could without ticking somebody off who had been there since, well, lots of hours earlier! The problem was my friend and I had gotten separated in the meantime. So there I was, standing in my 18" space, anticipating waiting the next three hours (his speaking time had changed upon arrival, surprise!) without my friend to talk to, for someone I really didn't care about seeing anyway!

Well, after trying for an hour to reach my friend by cell phone with no success, and conversing with the man next to me who thought that Bush wasn't such a bad guy, even after all my concerns were shared, I decided that I had had enough. There were other things which needed my attention and so I left. Walking past the protestors clad in evening gowns and past the giant rat set up at the entrance gates, I began to pray and ask God for insight as to the purpose of the past 4 hours. I arrived at my car and began the 5 minute drive home when I noticed the police cars lining up along the street. I suddenly realized that this would be the route for the motorcade, and instantly I knew what I was to do! I would grab my LIFE signs and my friend Pam and we would stand along the street, standing for Truth and righteousness.

No sooner had we finished making the sign she would hold which said, "Stand strong for ALL life," as I held the LIFE sign with the baby's face, and had gotten to the street corner, then they came. First the motorcycles, then the police cars and then two black limousines, followed by a large entourage of moving vehicles. But my eyes latched onto the first black limousine and there I saw him, the president himself looking at us, at our signs, and waving. My heart was elated. There on that street, we had sent a message to the leader of the most powerful nation in the world, to stand for life. God had spoken to me that day. He showed me the power of what can happen when we're tuned in to the Holy Spirit and we follow His leading. He also reminded me of where the most powerful place is - not in the mass of the thousands, but in the stance of but a few. Those willing to stand separately for the truth. Those unashamed to take the message to the public square, where it is needed the most and done by the least. I am a proclaimer in the streets, and that's where the battle is being won.

Other thoughts? They kept coming. Long ago, God created three separate and distinct institutions, the family, the church and government, all three with different roles; sort of like the original "checks and balances!” Our political leaders are a reflection of us, that's an inherent trait of living in a Republic. We get to elect them, so they reflect our values. We know they represent us to a large degree by what they think we want, so guess what? If we're morally bankrupt, they're morally bankrupt. In GW's case, if he compromises on hard issues, it is because we, the Church, has done so. He is a reflection of us. How can we expect him to be theologically sound, if the church herself isn't??! If our statesmen behave more like politicians, isn't it because the church has been acting more like the world? We can't expect the Commander in Chief to be the Theologian in Chief. The Church is expected to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, affecting the government and the family. If that institution is not meeting its standard, it affects the other two, as the other two affects the Church.

The responsibility to restore our culture lies squarely at the feet of the Church, where it has always been. This election is one more merciful act from Almighty God to allow us time to fall on our faces and repent for our wicked ways. We are the ones at fault for our culture, not the politicians, though they are certainly easier to blame than having to look inside ourselves. "If my people..." 2 Chron 7:14. It is up to us. And I hope we do it, because 2 Chron 7:19-22 tells us what happens if we don't.