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Inspiration For You

    by Randy Mitchell

Religion and the Presidency
Date Posted: February 17, 2024

As we head into General Election campaign mode with Mitt Romney driving toward becoming the Republican nominee, something which is unsurprisingly hitting the headlines fast and furious is discussions over his religious beliefs. Here’s my question: Should they really matter?

Mitt Romney is a Mormon. And in our land of religious freedom, he’s certainly entitled to his beliefs. I am a Christian, and what Mr. Romney believes is somewhat different than me. Truthfully, I don’t fully understand the teachings of the Mormon Church. But, that’s okay, because come November I won’t be casting my vote for a church, I’ll be choosing a man to strengthen my country and position it for renewed growth and prosperity. Now, does a Presidents religion help define his performance in office, I say overwhelmingly and absolutely, “yes it does.”

Inevitably, every President and Presidential candidate is highly questioned about his spiritual beliefs, and rightly so. For myself, I really wouldn’t want a President who didn’t believe in God, the afterlife, a Supreme Being who controls the universe and holds us all accountable for our actions. The President is literally the leader of the free world, arguably the most powerful man on the planet with all sorts of powers and authority, but he must realize it’s all being watched over by the one who created it all, and should fully understand and realize that whatever actions he takes while in office is being critiqued by the omnipresent ultimate authority. And just like all of us, no matter what he does while here on earth he’ll be held accountable for when finally answering to God.

I wrote in a previous article that America was created under God, a land founded on Christian principles, a country whose very existence is dependent on the decisions of its leaders, with those decisions affecting all of us on a daily basis. So that said, wouldn’t you want your President to be one who prays to God for guidance, advice, support, direction, and leadership? Wouldn’t you feel better at night knowing that if the President gets that 3 a.m. wake up call he/she would pray first about a decision which could affect thousands, if not millions? I know I would, and that’s why a President’s beliefs are all so important, my opinion. Realistically, and I have no doubts, who could possibly know better about what to do than God himself?

As many know, I’ve already written my thoughts on the current President. And I’m still very unclear, as many others are, about what exactly this man believes. After all, during his campaign we all listened and watched his preacher of many years, Jeremiah Wright, rail against America. His words were despicable, and not ones I would expect of a self-declared Man-of-God. Yet, Mr. Obama attended his church for many years. Here’s my point, whatever this President believes is still up for grabs and it’s caused myself, and tens of millions of others some sleepless nights wondering how the decisions he makes are influenced by his core belief system. And this is something I personally don’t want in a President. I want to know what he believes, because if he doesn’t answer to a Supreme Being he won’t feel accountable for his actions-- a very dangerous way to govern a nation. Now please don’t get me wrong here; I think Mr. Obama does believe in God, however I’m still unclear as to what extent, what God, and exactly how that influences his decisions.

When someone is elected to President, there’s no doubt his ego swells to the size of a football stadium. I can imagine his first walk taking command of the Oval Office is bittersweet, unbelievably surreal, and makes him feel like a King of Kings and that he’s the chosen one plucked from a mass of millions. His every word and gesture from that moment on will be swarmed over and studied for interpretation. But, he should steady himself, because ultimately, he’s still a human being, just one that happens to have lots of power at his fingertips.

As the upcoming election goes full throttle during the next eight months, many questions will swirl over the President’s policies and the ones his challenger is ready to implement. I expect it to get ugly and filled with drama like nothing before. After all, the primary direction of our country is at stake here. I’ll be watching, as I’m sure you will as well. But please remember, the occupant of the Oval Office is still someone who pulls his pants on one leg at a time. I only hope he’s one who’s humble enough to drop to his knees while making those critical decisions which affect so many.

To see more of Randy Mitchell's writing, visit his website @ www.theinspirationalwriter.com

Read his inspirational novel, Sons In The Clouds on Amazon

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"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

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Biography Information:
Randy Mitchell

Inspirational Writer and Author of

"Sons In The Clouds"

As a writer and avid movie fan, I love the powerful energy behind words. Words capture and cling to people in a dramatic, poignant way - and live deep inside us all. It doesn't matter if those words are written or spoken; all of us have tales yearning to be shared with each other.

A few years ago, I drove past my childhood home in Texas: a nostalgic place where tender childhood memories still reside deep inside me. I remember those hot Texas summer nights hanging out with my sister, friends, spirited pets and my girlfriend who lived across the street. This happy snapshot transported me back in time to endless, steamy nights as we watched July 4th fireworks, ate homemade ice cream on the front porch, and cooled off at the local lake.

My childhood feels like it happened just yesterday -- innocent moments taken from my carefree youth. These memories comforted me and carried me to a place where I longed to stay – a peaceful haven where I could escape my hectic ‘adult’ life. These idyllic, cherished memories were the inspiration for my first novel, "Sons In The Clouds". My long-time career as a pilot and love of aviation are seen through my main characters, Andy and Wade, who serve as Navy pilots in the Vietnam War.

"Sons In The Clouds" exposes emotional drama that showcases the vulnerable fragility of human nature. The belief in God serves as the problem-solver -- a pathway to the truth -- a light to be used when the problems of man cannot be solved, and becomes a way to expose weaknesses in those appearing to be strong.  I breathe life into my characters in believable, exceptionally REAL ways. A strong theme interwoven throughout the pages is that “love conquers all” – as seen through the unfaltering, devoted commitment between my male characters and the women they leave behind.

My female characters show courage and strength in the face of adversity. Despite the fact that she doesn’t know whether her husband is alive or dead behind enemy lines, Rebecca (Andy’s wife) remains strong and never falters in her devotion to Andy.

Rebecca’s character represents war-time brides (both past and present). I wanted to show the strength, love and courage of these brave women whose loved ones were sent off to the Vietnam War. They faced harrowing fear on a daily basis, and relied on their faith and love to get them through their darkest days–- hoping and praying that their husbands returned home safely.

Most inspirational fiction readers today aren’t interested in G-rated books. "Sons In The Clouds" is a modern inspirational story that encompass spiritual themes where faith and love triumph over the brutal ugliness of war. My characters instill a hope-filled message to my readers long after the last page is read.

To purchase your copy, go to Amazon

For media inquiries about Randy Mitchell and "Sons In The Clouds", please visit www.theinspirationalwriter.com or email Mitchellrandy1@msn.com.

Book video available here: www.youtube.com/watch