“What would you do if you were walking along and found a wallet full of money lying on the road?” he asked.
“I would return it to the owner immediately!” said one disciple.
“His answer comes so quickly, I must wonder if he really meant it?” thought the teacher.
“I’d keep the money if nobody saw me find it,” said another.
“He has a frank tongue, but a wicked heart,” the teacher told himself.
“Well, teacher,” said the third disciple, “to be honest, I believe I’d be tempted to keep it. So I would pray to God that He give me the strength to resist such temptation and do the right thing.”
For any of us seeking elective office, it is so important to remember that all men are susceptible to the wiles of public office and the enticements of power. I remember speaking to then State Senator Tom Leatherwood who kept his campaign promise of supporting term limits by not running in 2000 after 8 years. Though he was very popular, he said he must live up to his pledge and beliefs, but he went on to tell me one more thing. Tom said that the political system in Nashville was very corrupt, and that for his own good, he needed to get out of there.
Tom was like the disciple who realized that he would likely be tempted, but I know that Tom prayed for the strength to make the right decision, and he did. I pray that I too can reject the influences of money, power and position that too often comes with political office. I want to get things done as an honorable man.
Until next time...
Honesty, integrity, truthfulness - Are these qualities from a by gone era no longer relevant to today? Or could it be that these are the items of value that stand in the face of a collapsing economy, an increasingly immoral society, and a society filled with leaders who love, adore, crave and you could say are addicted to power and willing to use and misuse power just to show that they understand its scope for controlling other people.
ReplyDeleteMoral contrasts are interesting.
When Jesus said, "I do not come to send peace, but a sword," (Matt 10:34) was he talking to us, to voters in the United States of America in 2010?
Does God care about morality, about honesty, about truth?
Do you?
If you opposed all restrictions on abortion and had power, would you assign every abortion restrictive legislation introduced to a specially designed subcommittee that join with you in that opposition?
If you wanted to fund Planned Parenthood in west Tennessee, could you hide that appropriation in the annual budget, so no one could find it and give them maybe a million dollars per year?
Do you know that the number one pollutant for any land at any time is already spread all across our land and that judgment always follow this pollutant being on the land? That pollutant is innocent blood. Is there more innocent blood available than the blood of the unborn? Judgment always follows. How could it not?
Will your vote in the fall of 2010 affirm a desire to continue polluting our land with innocent blood or will you vote to stop the slaughter of society's most vulnerable, the littlest children?
Claiborne
On my honor, I pledge to do all I can to stop the slaughter. This is very near and dear to my wife and I. Claiborne, thank you for the challenge!
ReplyDeleteMr. Hardin, Today it seems as though the Federal government is blatently and obviously engaging in growing itself, and its power, beyond what is healthy for the US as a republic and TN as a state. Please tell me sir your views on state sovereignty, nullification, and secession as they apply to the great state of TN. What personally will you do to ensure TN's right to govern itself? Please also tell me your opinion of the BATFA's open letter to the state of TN denouncing our sovereignty regarding firearms manufactured in TN and other gun laws. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGenesishw:
ReplyDeleteIt is my belief that the Federal Government has forgotten that it is a creation of the States and the People, not the other way around. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution clearly defines the areas to which the U.S. Congress can write laws, and it does NOT include education, manufacturing in a state, health care, welfare, social security, etc. I believe as the 9th and 10th Amendments declare, we are sovereign in all areas not specifically reserved to the Nation Government in the Constitution (i.e., currency, foreign relations, etc.). I would not support secession, but I believe we best nullify bad Federal and State laws by electing those who live up to our ideals and using every legal means necessary to stop Federal encroachment. We must reach and educate our fellow citizens. Otherwise, they will keep re-electing the wrong people. By the way, BATFA is a joke, but I have not seen the letter to which you refer. I hope this helps. Feel free to email me at electjimhardin@gmail.com
Thanks...Jim
Mr.Hardin,
ReplyDeleteI am very concerned with the issue of cyberbullying. A young man committed suicide over unwanted videos of himself being placed on the internet recently. While I don't agree with the lifestyle, every citizen has a right to live in peace and the internet has become a haven for evil in a lot of ways. There are companies that make a profit off of attacking others. That is not what the first amendment is about. Defaming and libeling others is criminal. What are your thoughts on this issue?