"Selective Amnesia"

"Hello, it's Tuesday, November 6th ... who are you and what do you believe ...???"

As a kid growing up, election time was nothing more than a nuisance. 
Debates interrupted my favorite t.v. shows, posters and signs that were plastered everywhere just got in the way while playing outside, and oh the commercials!!! Honestly, even as an adult there are still times when I don’t feel that much different! 

However, once I reached the age when I was eligible to vote it was made clear to me that voting wasn’t merely just an option but that I had been given a responsibility that I was not to take lightly.

I have heard it said that, "With responsibility comes sacrifice." I believe that's true, but I don’t have the same first-hand experience of this truth as those who have fought and served to protect my right to vote. I don’t know what its like to leave my family, my home and my own ambitions to serve, honor, and protect America.

My grandfather did though, as well as 3 of my uncles and my cousin, who is more like a brother. They each made that choice and their choice leaves me humbled by their passion to serve. I love these men in our family and when I take my responsibility to vote seriously I feel as though I honor them in some small way and the countless others who have fought for this nation that we call home.

You can say what you want about the system being corrupt, the candidates being tainted, and the country being jaded. But if you say that to most american soldiers they will tell you that’s just an excuse. Just like my parents told us growing up, "It doesn’t matter what other people do or don’t do, you are responsible for what you do."

"Remember Who You Are And Whose You Are In The Voting Booth."

For the Christian, voting shouldn't be about aligning with the republican, democratic, or independent party. Look, If you haven’t noticed, the parties have drastically changed in the last decade. The platforms of both major parties and what they stand for are very different from what they use to be. We have only one guideline, actually an obligation in voting and that is to the Word of God and to the blood of Jesus that redeemed us.  Our vote, like our actions must be in alignment with the Word of God. And there is much more in the Bible that speaks to the issues of our day than most realize! 

Each year around election time I hear some christians and even some leaders refer to  Psalms 21:1 when it comes to politics, this verse says,  “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.” I love this verse but so many times it is stated almost as if implying, “ It's all solely in God’s hands, so whatever happens is ok because it is His will”

But that takes this verse out of context and frankly is a lazy ignorant stance of bad theology. If this were true than it would be pointless for us to pray for righteous leaders and law makers for our nation if it is all just a "given" right?. But that's not what the word of God says. Throughout the bible we are encouraged to pray. The bible also says that "when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice but when the wicked bear the rule the people mourn" - Prov 29:2. So obviously then, who winds up in power can go either way. Sobering but true. History confirms it. 

If you think about it then, this verse in Psalms 21 is better applied AFTER the election! After a leader, president, or king has already been put in office. The verse says "the heart of the king is in the Lord’s hands...", but in this country we have a say in the electing of who that king is!

"With Authority Comes Responsibility."

You see the belief that,  “It's all in God’s hands” isn't in line with how God has chosen to operate. For example, even as a child of God myself, never has His will for my life ever just been a “given", simply because it was His will for me. Even though I am His child and the bible even says, "He holds ME in the palm of His hand."... still ... it is not an automatic! No, I have a part in the outcome. I have decisions to make, I have to choose His best for me. You have to choose. So it is with our vote, we do have a part to play in the outcome of the election.

I can’t vote on behalf of everyone but I can decide where my vote goes and what I am in alignment with. Don't fool yourself, you are not voting for a person, you are voting for the policies that candidate has declared they stand for. My vote isn't aligning with a person, it's aligning with the issues, policies and matters of morality that are in alignment with the Word of God. To vote and align otherwise would be to stand separated and apart from the truth. 

I have heard it said that your vote is like your seed. No candidate, platform or campaign is perfect or even close to it. Neither am I. But in all the rhetoric, debates, posters and commentary let's not allow our moral compass to suddenly get “selective amnesia.” This is no time for favoritism or generational party-loyalty hold-overs. This is the time for christians to rally around the truth.

Here Are Some Christian Voting Guidelines.

Get yourself and your vote in alignment with the Word of God. 

In the bible we see that there are some things that are sacred to God. Two of these are named in the book of Genesis, the book of our beginning. These 2 serve as very clear guidelines that show us where our vote belongs. 

 #1. Life is Sacred.  It is precious. Only God can give life.

The right to life is the first and most fundamental principle of human rights. Every Christian is called upon to vote to affirm the intrinsic value of human life and the dignity of every human being in a way that transforms the culture. This means a candidate whose stance and policies are pro-abortion are NOT in alignment with the Word of God. There is no grey area on this. 

 #2. Marriage is Sacred.  

Marriage is defined in the bible as between a man and a woman. Relations outside of this are clearly outlined as being outside of the design of God and they fall under the curse as all sin does. Let's be clear, religious organizations didn't make this up, it is in the bible.

Both presidential candidates have been repeatedly asked during this election and have publicly stated their belief and policy stance in regards to the issues of life and the definition of marriage. The two candidates have opposite stances about these so it is critically important who you vote for. Click here to read the candidates FOR and AGAINST POLICY STANCES : http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11L04.pdf

The bottom line is that for christians, this election is only cloudy if we make it that way. Align your vote with what is sacred to God. Keep your moral compass consistent. Remember who you are in the voting booth! Actions speak louder than words. Align, unify and act.

I call you blessed,
Jen ~ 

www.jentringale.com 

A Winning Strategy

I truly believe that every person has a God-given purpose for their life.

This familiar quote speaks to this truth from the book of Jeremiah in chapter 29 and verse 11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." To each of us that purpose is unique but engaging in the discovery process is of equal importance no matter who you are. In fact, as a redeemed people it is our responsibility to seek to know.

But if there is one thing I am sure of it's that whatever that process may be ... it is definitely worth it!

Truly the best part is that somewhere in that discovery process there is a stumbling upon of the big picture. That thing that moves you to action. And no matter what your purpose may be it boils down to this, a simple invitation to serve. To serve not out of guilt but out of passion to make a difference. To bring Jesus into reality in peoples lives. And the purposes in each of us through which Jesus makes Himself real are as vast, creative and unique as the stars in the sky!

Essentially the simple definition of the word 'calling' means, an invitation to service. Each of us have an opportunity, some would even say an obligation, to cultivate whatever abilities and talents God has given us in order to fulfill that purpose to its highest and fullest!

"Whatever your purpose may be, it boils down to a simple invitation to service."

Think of it like building a structure:  First you make sure that you're working on a solid foundation. Secondly, you need to have your materials for building ready and the tools it will take to put those materials together. Consider for a moment the life of Nehemiah and how he went about his own discovery process to fulfilling his purpose which happened to be rebuilding the wall and the gates of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah's profession at the time was as the royal cup-bearer for King Artaxerxes. In Nehemiah chapter 1 we read that while doing his job, seemingly getting by just fine, Nehemiah is informed that his people in Judah are in trouble and that the walls of Jerusalem have been torn down and the gates burned. Immediately Nehemiah's heart is heavy and deeply troubled. Verse 4 says that as soon as he heard the news that he "sat down and wept.”

A good indicator as to what your purpose is and in what way you are called to serve is to ask yourself the question, "What am I moved by?"... "What do I have compassion for?" You see whatever it is you feel compelled to do something about is typically a sign as to what you are called to.

Nehemiah wept over what he had heard. He was deeply moved for his city, his people and their legacy. He could have jumped into action quickly but choosing wisely, his first move was to go and seek God. He went to God to get His strategy for how he was to go about making a difference.

As believers we have been given access to God’s wisdom. Only His wisdom holds the answers to society's problems and we are called to bring it into reality. To be salt and light in the earth. To bring real answers to real problems. We are called to restore.

When we choose to set ourselves apart and inquire of the Lord in prayer we are setting ourselves up for success. This should be normal protocol for how we live and is the most important aspect of moving forward in any area of life. Especially in the pursuit of fulfilling ones purpose!

So when you are facing a decision, even when you feel that you have a good idea of how to move forward, settle yourself before God and get His plan and His strategy for your success.
It may just be direction for one step, but more direction will come as you obey.

This is part one of a series so be sure to check back in the coming weeks.

I call you blessed.

Jen ~

visit my website at jentringale.com/

The Forgotten Gift

I don’t know about you but as a fairly driven, to-do list keeping, on-the-go type of person myself, the idea of accomplishing and resting seem pretty opposite. Rest is something you do once in a while on a Saturday morning or during that week of summer vacation right?

In a culture that constantly pushes forward at a rapid pace, it seems night or day there is always something or someone that is demanding your energy and attention. The belief is that those who don't keep up with all the demands will fall behind and things will crumble apart.
And yet the biblical principal for accomplishment and success is quite the opposite of our mainstream way of life. The Bible says in Job 22:21 
“Submit to God, be at peace… in this way prosperity will come to you."

Even today in our world, peace is the hottest commodity. People go to great lengths to learn the secret of how to find it and keep it. The secret is found right there in the word of God and it isn’t a diet, a mantra or even a sunny beach. According to the bible the secret is to submit yourself to God. Simply put to be still and know that He is God. Stop and consider Him and His love for you - this is true peace. Adapt to this lifestyle as a believer the bible says and ..."prosperity will come to you."

I don’t know about you but prosperity coming to me sounds much more attractive than me having to chase it down! The truth is, peace has already been given as a gift to every believer by the only one who ever really had it to give and that was by the Prince of Peace himself, Jesus.



The moment when Jesus presented us with this gift is recorded in the Bible in John 14:7 when He said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

His gift of peace is a perpetual, unending supply that never runs out and cannot be taken away. The only way you and I can lose our peace is if we choose to let it go.

Thoughts of “what if”, “how” and “when” start flooding our mind and the next thing you know anxiety, fear, worry and disappointment have replaced our gift of peace with something else called stress. Stress is a life-stealer, taking days, weeks even years off of a persons life-span depending on how long it is allowed to work. Stress and peace cannot be in the same place.

Sometimes I think some people live so long with stress that when they finally get back into a place of  peace and resting, after a while they feel rest-less and unproductive. They have become so use to the feeling of being driven and pushed they have to re-train their soul how to let peace be in control again. The truth is making the decision to create a lifestyle of living in His peace can actually restore back the time that stress had taken away.

There is no level of work, family even calling that exempts you from the need to rest.

I encourage you today to go back and pick up your gift of peace. Let go of stress; cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. Become protective about your gift of peace. Re-train your thoughts to think thoughts of peace and not anxious stress-filled thoughts.

Judge God as faithful and let Him bring prosperity to you. Let Him lead you what to do instead of being driven to do. Give yourself permission to rest and live the life that Jesus died to give you. A life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

I call you blessed,

Jen Tringale
www.jentringale.com