Tag: Dr. James Dobson

Vote in the 2022 Midterm Elections

Why Vote in the 2022 Midterm Elections?

Have you ever heard someone say, “My vote doesn’t even count”

Can you imagine if everyone felt that way?

As you may know, the general election is November 8th of this year.

All of the congressional seats in the House of Representatives and 35 in the Senate are on the block.

We are at a critical moment in America. What happens on Election Day this November will have a profound impact on the future of our country. The sanctity of life, religious liberty, and our children’s future are all at stake. In fact, truth itself is up for a vote. – Dr. James Dobson, Founder of Focus On the Family. 1

vote in the 2022 midterm elections

We need to make our voices heard.

Please don’t hold back, give up on, or disregard this important right that is yours to claim.

Why vote in the 2022 midterm elections?

So much is at stake.

Unless we rise up and speak the truth, this culture of lies will destroy our families, our country, and our future. The foundation of morality that upholds our Republic cannot withstand two more years of this maddening rhetoric. If we fail to act now, everything we know to be beautiful and righteous in this nation will crumble and fade away. How utterly tragic it would be if the children born today never fully come to know and understand the meaning of “my sweet land of liberty?” – Dr. James Dobson, Founder of Focus On the Family. 2

Although this country is headed in a very dangerous direction, nothing is a surprise to God.

No matter who is victorious, we need to pray.

We need to pray for our elected leaders to govern rightly, that those in power who are lost, will open their eyes and hearts beyond political agendas to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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1 Dr. James Dobson quotation, “October Newsletter”. Courtesy of Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, https://www.drjamesdobson.org/newsletters/november-2022-newsletter , n.d. para. 1. Web. Accessed 25 October, 2022.

2 Dr. James Dobson quotation, “October Newsletter”. Courtesy of Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, https://www.drjamesdobson.org/newsletters/november-2022-newsletter , n.d. para. 15. Web. Accessed 25 October, 2022.

3 PSA courtesy of MyFaithVotes.org. (2022, October 4). Do Good Go Vote (2022) – [Video]. https://www.myfaithvotes.org/mfvtv?ac_vh_s=link&lwrt=%23%2Fsearch%2Fpfyu6rjrgrgue6t2izddgmctkf3fc3cq%3Fq%3Ddo%2520good%2520go%2520vote%25202022

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Shelter In Place And Shelter In Him

facing fear

Are you afraid of COVID-19?

It’s okay to admit it.

We’re human.

The isolation from our loved ones and friends is very difficult.

Every day we face rapidly changing news about the shocking spread of this cruel virus.

It’s understandable for anyone to be apprehensive at times.

The shelter-in-place mandate now covers the entire month of April.

People are still hoarding baby wipes, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.

The fear of the unknown looms above us like a black swirling tornado.

Why does it take so long to get a vaccine, and what is going to be in the ingredient list?

Why are some politicians and celebrities, and even a national news magazine laying blame at a time like this?

“That sure is helping!” said no one ever.

The seemingly nonstop news coverage, the lecturing, the virtual signaling, the branding of “the new normal” – all of it is frustrating.

I say turn it off and take a break from it during the day.

It’s okay to be tempted to fear, but please don’t stay in that gloomy mindset.

Complete Trust

Do you remember that encouraging Bible verse that goes like this,

“Trust in everything but the Lord with all your heart, and lean not . . .”

Whoaa stop! That’s fake and absolutely not how it goes.

Here’s the real verse, affirming God’s mercy and grace towards a sinful world.

Shelter In Place And Shelter In Him

Shelter in Place and Shelter in Him

Trust in the Lord!

God is absolutely ahead of Covid-19

He is still on His throne

He hears our prayers

If you find yourself on that dusty road to Emmaus today, and the circumstances in your life have left you confused and depressed, I have a word of counsel for you. Never assume God’s silence or apparent inactivity is evidence of His disinterest. Let me say it again. Feelings about His inaccessibility mean nothing! Absolutely nothing! His Word is infinitely more reliable than our spooky emotions. Rev. Reubin[sic] Welch, minister and author, once said, “With God, even when nothing is happening—something is happening.” It is true. The Lord is at work in His own unique way even when our prayers seem to echo back from an empty universe. – Dr. James Dobson.2

Remember the sparrow?

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. – Luke 12:6-7, (NASB).3

you are more valuable than many sparrows

There’s a beautiful and beloved hymn written back in the 1800’s that I think applies perfectly here. The Christian vocal group, Selah, did an outstanding version of it.

I hope it blesses you as well during these uncertain times.

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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

2 Dr. James Dobson quotation, courtesy of Dr. Dobson’s blog. “God Makes Sense Even When He Doesn’t Make Sense.” n.d., para. 15. Web. Accessed 25 March, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.drjamesdobson.org/blogs/dr-dobson-blog/dr-dobson-blog/2018/03/09/god-makes-sense-even-when-he-doesn’t-make-sense-part-1?sc=ALP

3 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
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A Spiritual Treadmill

Exercising Your Faith

Do any of these criticisms sound familiar?

Christians think they’re so perfect

Hypocrites!

God is aware of our suffering and trials

Verbal slams like these are often blurted out in high volume and, let’s face it, are purposely meant to be an insult.

Why do people say those things?

It’s emotionally exhausting and you may feel all alone, or like you’ve failed in your spiritual walk.

Christian, you are not alone.

God is aware of our suffering and trials.

Please never forget that.

True Christians know they are not perfect and that it’s only through the saving grace of Jesus Christ that we will be redeemed.

The Bible warns us that we would be mocked for our faith. We can’t act like we didn’t know.

So how, then, can we persevere in this upside-down world?

A recent podcast from Pastor Mike Fabarez encourages us all to continue pressing on, no matter what.

And I tell you what, no matter how you’re losing in your life right now, because you’ve stood up and maintained what the sermons have said week after week, that Right is Right and Good is Good and Bad is Bad and Sin is Sin.

When you maintain that in the world and you lose because of it, it’s not uncommon. The world is an upside-down place.

Just remember this – God says when they mess with you, when they set you back, when they ridicule you, persecute you, they’re messing with Me. There’s some comfort in that.1 – Pastor Mike Fabarez, Focal Point Ministries

Don’t throw in the towel because being a Christian in this world of darkness is too hard.

Persevere anyway.

We have an assurance that the world doesn’t have.

spiritual treadmill

Pray For Your Enemies

Christians search the internet all the time to find out how to pray for their enemies. I see the search results every week.

Why do we have to pray for our enemies?

It seems unnatural and that’s because it is.

Only God can give us the supernatural strength that we need, in the midst of our emotional pain, to pray for our persecutors.

We must ask Him for strength.

No one said it’s going to be easy.

We are in a spiritual war with a deadly foe tracking us every hour of the day. We need to be in the best shape possible to cope with the darts and arrows he hurls our way. Flabby, overindulged, pampered Christians just don’t have the stamina to fight this battle. Thus, the Lord puts us on a spiritual treadmill every now and then to keep us in good fighting condition.2 – Dr. James Dobson. [Newsletter, April 2019].

A Spiritual Treadmill

We’re on a “spiritual treadmill” – I like that analogy.

At the end of the day, even if it feels like a horrible day, remember to Whom you belong.

Keep on pressing forward, and pray for God to guide your steps.

You are who God says you are, not who your persecutor says you are.

It can help to memorize what John told the believers in 1 John 3:1, ESV. –

the reason why the world does not know us

Child of God, have courage!

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1 From Fabarez, Pastor Mike, host. “Why is There Evil in the World.” Podcast, [20:19]. One Place Ministries, May 10, 2019. www.oneplace.com/2019/  https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/focal-point/listen/.

2 From Dr. James Dobson, Family Talk. [Newsletter]. Retrieved from  https://drjamesdobson.org/about/april-newsletter-2019?sc=FEM&mc=FEM0419NL&utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_campaign=20190404%20Newsletter%20(FEM0419NL)%20(3)&spMailingID=21287810&spUserID=MzA5NTY5NTAzNDUS1&spJobID=1480209475&spReportId=MTQ4MDIwOTQ3NQS2 /April 10, 2019).

3 Scripture quotation is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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