Hi Mike....Your response to Charles was wonderful!!  But it brought to my mind more than you intended specifically for Charles.  Somehow, that's the way God works.  This is an absolutely Romans 8:28 moment.....

I think the discussion on voting vs. not voting (as Christians) has been quite revealing.  And when I read your posting, a warm sense of truth came over me, and, especially so when I read this part it:

  The race is to become the bride of Christ, the prize of a position in the new Jerusalem government of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ, under the Kingship of David, not to have to face the second death. The bride of Christ will be the 144,000 firstfruits, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. These people will be scattered all over the earth and from all walks of life. They will have a calling. All their lives have been focussed to learn the TRUTH, then declare the TRUTH to the world. This can be said to be an obsession with these people. They will be rejected and hated by those that have been deceived by Satan. Their goal is to do Jesus end time work of calling as many out of this Babylonish system of worshipping Satan and demons, that will listen. (Understand this! The entire world has been deceived and most know not what they are doing! They perish for lack of knowledge.)

Yes, Mike, that is the DIFFERENCE between Christians and the rest of the world.  The "world" is running a "race" for it's own leaders and thinking they must choose for themselves from their own flawed intelligence.  We, as Christians, are in another "race" from whom God will make His own choices. 

We can choose to participate in one race or the other....but it's impossible to run in two races at one time.  That would be totally self-destructive.  Our whole hearts, minds, and souls are to go down one path or the other. 

Thank you for the great input...even though it may have been accidental.&nb! sp; It proves the Biblical point precisely......

YsiC,

Arlene