Mitt Romney for President

I wrote this today in an online forum when asked about why I am voting for Mitt Romney.

"I know that many people feel that bringing religion into a political discussion is ill advised, but as one who can pin every good characteristic and honorable trait in my life to the same gospel principles that Mitt Romney lives by, I unabashedly support him as a fellow follower of Jesus Christ. I believe that voting for a person based in part on their walk before God goes all the way back to the founders of this great nation. This is evidenced in the no less than 5 times that God is referenced in The Declaration of Independence. The Declaration testifies of God as supreme Lawmaker, God as Creator of all men, God as the Source of all rights, God as the world's supreme Judge, and God as our Protector on whom we can rely. Mitt Romney loves and serves that God. 

Mitt Romney is conservative, he loves people, he is an experienced teacher and leader, he is bold but not overbearing, he is honest, he is smart, he motivates the people around him to work, he knows how to hire the right people and fire the wrong ones, he knows that really helping people means 'helping them to help themselves' and not just giving them a handout at the taxpayers expense, and he passionately loves America. He simply cannot in good conscience sit back and watch the current trend toward liberalism, enabling the addicts of the dole, out of control spending on failed programs, and apologizing for greatness to continue. It goes against his religion, his heritage, his American spirit, and his very nature. 

At long last we can vote for someone who exemplifies both Christian discipleship as well as wise stewardship."

To which another commenter named Lynnette Hardy responded:
"Those who deny that this country was founded upon Christian principles or that our Founding Fathers were inspired by God, have never really listened to their words. Because if you have, you know that their Faith is undeniable. We are a Christian nation. While they were wary of a state-controlled religion (which denies men the right to worship God according to their conscience), their purpose was never to evict Him.

Mitt Romney of course has so many wonderful qualities. But if I had to pick just one word to describe why I'm voting for him, it would be FAITH. You can't help but see it in him -- Faith in God, Faith in the Constitution, Faith in America, Faith in the principles upon which this nation was founded, Faith in free enterprise, Faith in each one of us. Mitt isn't trying to change this country into something that suits his ideals -- he's reminding us of what we were and what is still inside of us."

This is Travis Winkler and I support these messages. :-)


"Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him."

(Book of Mormon | Alma 58:11)

Hope On!
 

Mountains

The "Mountain Experience"

I wrote a letter to a close friend who has never really give the gospel a chance, and a cool thought and analogy came to mind. Here is an excerpt from the letter:

"So, you have heard me talk about the gospel before, right? Well, what is it? I think that you have made up your mind in the past that the gospel isn’t for you, that you don’t “fit the mold” and that you don’t think that living the gospel looks that fun anyway. Here’s the problem, I don’t think you have any idea what “the gospel” even is. Sure, you know a few things that are taught in the gospel, but since you have never seen the bigger picture, the gospel to you looks like a big list of do’s and don’ts, a bunch or restrictions on life. Am I right? Good guessing, huh? It’s actually not guessing at all, it’s experience. See, I have been where you are in my past. I have looked at things in very much the same way that you look at them. I only now understand how sadly limited my vision was.

You know how when you and I used to go up way high in the mountains and we would see some pretty amazing views, and experience some pretty cool stuff?  Imagine seeing that view and having those experiences and then trying to explain it to someone who has never left their basement, and who doesn’t believe that such things exists. What if you told them how it feels to ride that motorcycle or that snowmobile, to smell the trees, to taste those huckleberries, to breathe that crisp air, and to feel that warm sunshine on your face, to swim in that water; and they said that they don’t believe you! What if you wanted to prove it to them, and so you said, “Look, all you have to do is stand up, put on some shoes and I’ll show these things to you,” and they responded, “See! Now you are trying to control me! You want to take away my freedom to sit in this dark basement my whole life! You are just judging me! You ask too much! I am just not like you, I don’t like to stand up; I don’t like to wear shoes! Now you’re giving me a bunch of do’s and don’ts! It’s just a bunch of restrictions! This “mountain experience” is just not for me, and is just something that you are making up anyway! I just don’t fit the “mountain experience” mold.” Can you imagine how hearing that would make you feel? In the mind of the guy in the basement the “mountain experience” is just what he can currently see while sitting in his dark basement (i.e., standing up, finding his shoes, putting on his shoes, tying his shoes, walking to the door, work, work, work, BORING, etc.); but to the person who has been to the top of the mountain, those little “do’s and don’ts” are WAY WORTH IT. Those little do’s and don’ts are NOT the “mountain experience” at all! They are just the small things that allow me to get to the “mountain experience.” He sees the big picture. Well, here’s the point: the gospel is like that “mountain experience” but only a million times better! And please believe me buddy, your view right now is very limited. You are in a basement and are missing out on a whole world of awesome things that you would absolutely LOVE! The gospel is freedom, it is liberating, exciting, and happy! It is REAL! It is life! It is EVERYTHING!

I know that someday you and everyone on earth will get a view of what I am talking about. You WILL one day step out of that basement and walk out into the sunshine and fresh air where you will see for yourself that the “mountain experience” was really there the whole time. When this happens to you, I know with 100% certainty that you will of your own free will choose the gospel over the basement. I KNOW IT! It will be like Heavenly Father will just lovingly stand you up, help you find your shoes, help you tie them, help you walk and help you open the door. You will see that you have made the wrong choice by disbelieving and staying in the darkness of your basement all these years, and will want to make up for lost time by living the gospel (i.e. enjoying the mountain experience) like a pro. The only question is this: when will you do it? When will you make the necessary changes that allow you to get up from that chair, untie the ropes of bad habits that dangle around your ankles, put on some shoes, walk to that door, turn that knob, and hop on the machine that will take you to the top? It is not a question of ‘IF’ you will love it, it is only a question of ‘WHEN’ you will do it. Will you try to do it at the end of a harsh life filled with darkness, regret, addiction, shame, poverty, a horrible marriage and messed up kids? Or will you do it NOW when your future still awaits? The clock is ticking man, and making changes is ALWAYS easier now than later. ‘Later’ is just an excuse that Satan likes you to use so that he has more time to try and convince you to stay put, more time for him to try and entertain you and cloud you into forgetting the whole idea about the “mountain experience,” and more time for him to try and get you to tie some more ropes of addiction around your ankles. Trust me, the sooner you run from that prison you are in, the better."

24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

(New Testament | Romans 8:24 - 27)

Hope On!

Hast thou considered my servant Job?

I just met with an incredible man who reminded me of a great principle. This man was once on top of the world financially. A millionaire even. He was the picture of success and wealth. Then, he lost it all; his wife died suddenly, his business failed, his friends abandoned him, and for a while he lived on the streets in California just looking for his next meal. One might ask "why?" but not this man. He just smiled at me and said, "well on the really bad days I just remember that I still have my dogs." His faith is contagious, and his hope for the future is awe inspiring. In Job 42:7 The Lord rebuked and corrects Job's "friends" for their previous words against Job. These men assumed that Job must have certainly done something sinful for so many bad things to happen to him, and were very vocal towards Job about their opinions. The Lord's words to them were, "My wrath is kindled against thee... for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right..." I think that The Lord is so upset with them because they were taking upon themselves the role of judges against Job, a role that God has clearly reserved for himself, as One who knows all things and sees all things from the beginning to the end. We might catch a glimpse of the "whats", but He alone knows all of the "whys" and coming to know and trust in that leads to a wonderful state of reliance, trust, and understanding.

Hope on!

13  Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
14  But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
15  My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
16  I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

(Old Testament | Psalms 71:13 - 16)