I remember watching election results from the 2000 election on my parent’s couch.  We were staying with them while remodeling our house.  Everyone else was in bed, but I toughed it out until about 2 am.  I will never forget all the networks calling Florida for Gore, then Bush, then no one.  Tim Russert finally brought out a tiny dry erase board since things changed so much.  The dry erase board is now used by many on election night.  I remember waking up the next morning and us still not having a president.  I remember watching the supreme court case on tv and Gore finally conceding.  I had never seen a close election in my lifetime and it was an eye opening experience.  Today, there is a lot of bitterness and meanness on both sides and I think I get caught up in it sometimes.  It’s very easy to.  I think it’s a sad day when we try to pin the hopes of our nation on any one person whose name does not begin with a J and end with ESUS.  Polititians will always do what they do, but it is only the transforming power of Christ that can change a man and a nation.  I think I too often try to wear the hat of political operative and pastor at the same time.  I think since 1994 the Republicans have blown a great opporunity to lead our nation positvely.  For many, this election is a referendum on that failure amongst others.  Just think about this, if every person who claimed to be a Christian tithed 10% then we could elimate hunger, tons of government programs, and half of the political debate.  But, as long as the church fails in its mission to change lives and serve the needy, there will be some polititian promising to do that for us.  As for tonight, I’m pretty sure I will be in bed at a decent hour and I will know who to pray for.