Leading Indicators

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, 

if you love one another.

John 13:35

Even now they are posted across the country ready to ask the indicative question. Who did you vote for today? Exit polls will be the early leading indicator of who will win tonight's Presidential election.

Leading indicators are not just an election day phenomenon. They are valuable tools used in virtually every industry.

Insurance companies monitor storm forecasts. Economists use numbers such as jobless claims, gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation. Even fantasy baseball fanatics have a leading indicator. They created the Fantasy Production Indicator (FPI) to help them select their players for the upcoming season.

Leading indicators tell us what to expect.

Leading indicators tell us where we're headed.

Leading indicators allow us to make course corrections.

Leading indicators don't just identify trends. They can be used to examine our hearts. For the Christ-follower, our leading indicator is love. 

Before our words can be heard. 

Before our actions have impact. 

Before we have the privilege of influence.

Those around us are looking for a leading indicator. If we do not love extravagantly, exorbitantly, in unfathomable measure, we won't make a difference in our home, community, nation or world.

They will know we are Christians by our love.

What is one thing you could do to show extravagant love today?

A Political Party Animal Appetite

Occasionally I take a departure from the usual fare served around here. So for my faithful reader, we'll be back to regularly scheduled programming tomorrow but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to plan an ordinary extraordinary encounter with my family for election night.

As we collectively watch states turn red or blue tomorrow night, I thought it would be fun to have a red and blue banquet (complete with recipes of course). If planning and cooking a big meal is beyond your desire, you could always fall back on something simple like Mitt Ramen-y noodles or Obamalicious Spaghetti O's (or combine the two for a taste debate).
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Red State Chili

1 pound ground turkey, browned
1 large onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 zuchinni, chopped
1 cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 can BBQ beans
1 Tbl chili powder
6 shakes Tony Chachere's Cajun Seasoning
6 shakes Worcestershire sauce
6 shakes liquid smoke

Combine all ingredients in crock pot and let simmer on low all day. 

Blue State Corn Bread

1 box corn muffin mix made according to package directions
5-10 drops blue food coloring

Put food coloring in with other ingredients prior to baking. (Sometimes you just need to take the easy way out.)

Otherwise, make your standard corn bread recipe but substitute blue corn meal for yellow or white corn meal.

Red State Spinach and Strawberry Salad

10 oz fresh spinach
1 quart strawberries, sliced
1 c Gorgonzola cheese
1 c walnuts, chopped

Combine salad ingredients. Pair with Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette just prior to serving.

Blue State Jello

What colorful meal is complete without jello? 

Across Party Lines Blueberry and Raspberry Betty

2 pints blueberries
2 pints raspberries
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 40 wafers)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick) melted

Toss together blueberries, raspberries and granulated sugar in large bowl. Combine crushed wafers, chopped pecans and brown sugar in medium-size bowl. Pour melted butter over wafer mixture; toss until well blended and evenly moistened. Sprinkle third of wafer mixture evenly over bottom of baking dish. Top with half of the fruit mixture. Cover with third of the wafer mixture. Spoon remaining fruit over top. Cover with remaining wafer mixture. Bake in 350 oven 1 hour or until top is golden and fruit is bubbling. Serve warm.
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A presidential election only happens once in four years. The average person only votes in about 15 of them. Why not turn this day into an opportunity for a magnificent mundane mashed potato moment. 

You're now prepared to satisfy your animal appetite - whether it brays or trumpets. Let's make the most of our day...

Make the best use of your time. 

Ephesians 5:16

Have an idea about how to make election night special for your family? Share it in a comment below...

Our Rock Whose Ageless

My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, 

my shield and the horn of my salvation. 

He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior.

2 Samuel 22:3

In just over a week our country will elect the next President of the United States. Whether Barack Obama or Mitt Romney is chosen, he will be the most powerful man in the world. He will carry the burdens, well-being and future of his people for the next four years. The weight will take a toll.

Only God knows the outcome of the votes but with certainty I know the impact of the election on whomever is selected. Every man who's taken office in my lifetime has aged considerably during his term. The load of 300 million people is too much for any one man no matter how well prepared he is. 

These are pictures of our last three presidents comparing how they looked when they took office to when they left or to today in the case of our current president.

Without exception the man on the right looks far older than the man on the left. I appreciate every one of these men for the sacrifice and service they have given their country. They each, along with every president who's served, wear the marks of their service on their face and hair.

This is why it is so remarkable to me that we have a king who is the King of kings and who carries the burdens of not 300 million but 7 billion people and all those who both proceed and follow us. 

He never grays with worry.
His face doesn't wrinkle with angst.
But He does bear the marks of His service on His feet and His hands.

He invites those who are willing to follow Him and find peace for their hearts and rest for their souls. 

In the midst of an election it tempting to look at all that is wrong or could be made better and lose sight of the incredible blessing of walking with the One who ordains every leader. 

What is your greatest concern about the upcoming election? Have you taken it the One who is actually big enough to handle it?