The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
By now I’m sure that everyone has formed some sort of opinion about the hostage exchange. One thing I know for sure is that no one knows exactly what went on over on the other side of the globe. I will not attempt to judge whether or not Mr. Bergdahl deserted his squad. What I will talk about are wisdom and responsibility. The unilateral decision to trade five of the most dangerous detainees at Guantanamo was neither wise nor responsible. The leader of this nation is, with increasing frequency, showing weakness to the world. My understanding is that America does not negotiate with terrorists. Why have we started this practice now – and have chosen to do so with a group who has already proven their hatred for us by attacking us on our own soil? It defies logic.
This decision is the president’s to own. I pray it is not one that has put innocents in danger. I pray that this decision does not embolden those who seek to do us harm. If God chooses to show us mercy, He will keep us in His protective care….. But really, why should He? As a nation, we have continued to rebel against Him and have spat upon His principles.
In spite of the fact that many Americans claim to believe in God, we live as if we do not. There are those who would like nothing more than to disregard people of faith and systematically remove God from our lives. People no longer rely on God to provide for their lives. They rely on the government. Morality is relative and there are no absolutes anymore- or so they would have us believe.
It began with the dismantling of the family. No fault divorce eliminated the virtue of commitment. Roe vs. Wade has told us that, in America, human life is valuable only to the degree that the mother deems it valuable. Assisted suicide contributes to the devaluation of life. Individual liberty is no longer balanced by personal responsibility. As a result we have greed, envy and fiscal irresponsibility. Political parties and politicians in an effort to sustain themselves are willing to play the part of authoritarian robin hoods. They take from those who work hard and give to those who, not in all cases, but often times, simply believe that they are entitled to governmental provision. We no longer have a nation in which individual freedom and personal responsibility are promoted in order to build and maintain a healthy society.
Leadership continues to fail to make rational decisions. Now, evidently it is the ‘American way’ to elevate the rights of one above the greater good. In life, leaders are required to make hard choices. They need wisdom to make these decisions. To make wise decisions one needs common sense, a willingness to learn from history, and humility before God.
Hosea 10:6 (VOICE) The wretched idol will be taken to Assyria and given to the great king.
Ephraim will be disgraced;
Israel will be ashamed because of this king’s counsel.
Our idol is the ‘individual’ and it is nothing new. Though we do not have a king. We too will be ashamed of our ‘king’s counsel.’ Through misguided compassion toward some, our judges and the leadership of America are contributing to the destruction of our culture.
God allowed Israel to go into exile. Israel repeatedly ignored prophecy and godly wisdom, then reaped the destruction that they had sowed. God used evil nations to accomplish His will, which was to see His children return to Him. He loves His children but will not shy away from discipline and the hard decisions.
2 Peter 15- 16 (NLT) 15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— 16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.
What a shame that we are in serious danger of letting our own sinful choices lead us down the same road as Israel.
It is troubling that our leaders find it rational to go after the votes by breaking apart this nation using personal desires of the multitudes to accommodate their lifestyles than what is morally important above those issues. It seems that the politicians don’t follow through once they are elected so to me it is a ploy to keep themselves in office, having the wealth, power, and benefits that come with this position. Strange to think that our public “servants” are living well above the majority of this country. It is being noted that they are abusing their offices and coming across as though they should be treated as royalty.
Who gave them the right to give themselves huge raises and benefits that the rest of us struggle to obtain?
Then there is the issue of what I consider to be legalized theft. Spending money like it is water on personal projects or people who have benefited them by taking money from what it was intended for and using it elsewhere so that in time those funds haven’t been replaced to meet the upcoming needs in those areas. So know they come up with another idea to take from the public’s pockets to cover either their careless spending or their own agendas. That seems to be the way it works to me anyway.
Also the ways in which they continue to come up with new taxes to help cover the high debts they have created. It’s like a path a tornado left behind anymore with our government officials.
Than we can look at some of our representatives who are questioning our constitution. What are they doing in office in the first place with that view? How can they take the oath of office saying that they would uphold this document that came about because of many who gave their blood, sweat, and tears? Do they show that they are appreciative of the lives given to make this country a possibility?
Another area that plagues this country is the judicial system. We see people who use the courtrooms for their own agenda than uphold ing that which is already voted into law or listening to the voice of the majority when issues are being challenged. We hear of judges choosing and ruling according to their own self interest.
More than anything, I have to put the blame on the voters who have allowed this monkey business to go on because they didn’t consider the future of this country at the voting booths, only what would profit them personally?
It appears that greed, complacency, and even the color of one’s skin (yes I said it) was more important than common sense and intregrity. I am so tired of hearing about what one is on the outside. Have we forgotten that what is on the inside is what counts, even to God?
Are we going to bury our heads in the sand and do nothing? If so, than we may bury this country in the sand as well. That has been the way it’s been heading. Time to awaken out of our sleep.
Yes Cora, even though the elected officials will all have to account for their votes. We, the voters, will give account for our apathy toward what is going on. We (and unfortunately our children and grandchildren) may also end up suffering the consequences in this life as well.
Melinda,
This is well written and informative!! There is so much to say in response to this situation, but ultimately they will have to give an account for all of their selfish choices.