Bright Wings

Because the Holy Ghost over the bent World broods with warm breast and with Ah! Bright Wings.

September 08, 2009

Things My Parents Taught Me About Honoring the President

The slip n slide toward socialism and statist tyranny grows ever slippier! President Obama addressed school children! Our fears are being realized and tomorrow we will see our little ones marching brown shirted in the streets championing corporate bailouts and healthcare reform!

Or, maybe our kids might listen to their President, obey their teachers, and do their homework.

I’m a Watergate baby, that pathetic era of Presidential madness running from the summer of my infancy through my second year to heaven. The President I first remember, though, was number 39, Jimmy Carter. I was five years old when he took office.  I am fairly certain that my folks were Republicans and voted for Ford. I am also sure they told me honestly who they voted for if I asked.  I don’t remember asking any of that though. I remember being fascinated by the fact that our President had a daughter only five years older than me. I remember thinking how much I would like to go to Washington D.C. and meet President Carter and his family. I remember writing letters to the President telling him that we pray for him, are thankful for him and his family, and hope one day to meet him. We would indeed pray for the President and give thanks to God for him and for our country. I didn’t know that he was a Democrat. I didn’t know much about his policies domestic or foreign.

My parents were being Christ-like and biblical in this.

Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

1 Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior

1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

My parents taught me a few things:

1. God put our President where he is, and God is ultimately in control.

2. I am to honor my President as someone over me by God’s hand, to be dishonoring, rebellious, hostile, cynical, mean spirited, etc. toward him is sin against God.

3. Learning to honor and submit to the President is practice in learning to honor and submit to authority in all of life.

4. I remember knowing that my parents didn’t vote for Carter, but they prayed for him and seemed to love and honor him as if they had.

5. We live in an amazing Republic where we can engage with our leaders and they are accountable for their decisions. So we should pray for them all the more that they fulfill such a privilege and calling.

I am thankful for a country that allows us the freedom to NOT have to listen to him, and to choose this for our children as well (I’m a homeschooling parent, for crying out loud). But, I am more thankful that we have a leader who is duly elected by the people and we have the opportunity to follow him as our conscience allows. So, the Braun school age kids will all gather round the computer tonight and watch the President’s address over at whitehouse.gov. We will talk about it afterward, and then we will pray for our President and for our country. I am saddened that there are Christians who are not taking the opportunity to teach their children to hear from their President, to honor him as their authority, and to pray for him earnestly. Believers around the world and through the centuries have had far worse leaders and have shown far greater honor with deeper joy. We do well to heed the Scriptures on this issue and turn down the volume on Fox News just a tad.

 

Tags: Parenting

posted by Erik Braun