In this year we are facing new election campaigns. With them comes many outside parties with their points of view of either support of against different candidates. You should base your support on each candidate based on good Christian values.

Supporting a candidate one one factor or another is just stupid. Do your due diligence; research each candidate. Look at their records, listen to their speeches, hear from them. Many ungodly elected officials are in office now because people do not do proper research. Look at our economy. Until the end of 2008, we had a strong vibrant economy. Since then we have been struggling and with every new policy the current administration puts outs, we are further weakened.

Parenting is both wonderful and difficult. Many of us have seen first hand how bad children can be. But when one parent is not involved, children get worse. Today I watched as my niece made better choices of watching good quality television, however, when left to her own devices, she quickly got drawn into poor television. When I directed her to better tv programs, she watched and enjoyed.

This shows our own human nature. The junk in the world will draw us in if we are not careful. As children we are taught and trained by our parents in the 'way we should go' so when we are on our own we will not fall into the traps of this world. When children are not taught and trained by their parents, they will go their own way and fall into anything that comes their way. As parents, we need to train our children in the way they should go. If we fail to do this then our children will pay the price for our mistakes.

Proverbs 22:6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Believing and acting on your beliefs are important parts of faith. Jesus commends us for what seem like small acts or humble words. God transforms what we offer into hope for the world.

Research talks about how video games are counter productive to a child's development. I was reading this morning about cognitive training and brain development. It did not talk about video games, however, it did talk about different ways a parent can help their child develop different cognitive abilities.

In the different suggestions, they all used traditional games. Such as playing cards, like poker and memory; puzzles, and board games. These games develop mental processing speed, visual memory and memory strategy. It is interesting if you look at the generation that grew up in the 1940's to 1970's, and compare them to those who grew up with video games (even compare those of the video game generation who did not have a video game growing up) you will find a gap in cognitive abilities.

For example: When a father tosses the ball with his children, those children develop better hand/eye coordination and spatial awareness. Those children who only have a realistic 3D video game have a harder time catching a ball and other objects when compared to children whose father played toss the ball with them.

Now video games are not all bad. The Air Force found out, pilots were good at flying real planes but were bad at operating drones (remote controlled planes). However, those who were experienced in video games turned out to be the best people to operate their drones.

Despite the growing popularity in video games, as parents, we can not disregard the value in traditional games, and quality time playing with our children. God gave us charge over our children. Proverbs 22:6 tells parents they are to 'train up children'. Parents, we need to have a active role in the lives of our children.

After work, listening to the radio on my way home, the topic was about how America has been turning it's back on God. Looking at all the various ways America has been doing what Israel did that led to their downfall and being taken captive, it is understandable we are no longer a Christian nation.

The biggest example is the current Muslim president. His campaign was 'change you can count on'. Obama has made chance, however, it is not chance we can count on. If you wonder where God is in all this, God is still here.

Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Numbers 24:9 Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you.

In 2011, Obama made a declaration against Israel. Soon after God made Himself known. The first thing God did was sent an Earthquake against the nation's capital. Still Obama did not listen to God, much like Pharaoh did not listen to Moses.  God then sent two hurricanes against the capital. Other states were affected. That same year New York state passed a law destroying marriage. New York state was hit hard as part of the hurricane impacts.

Event after event that year in different parts of the country showed that God is not pleased with America. God called Israel to repent and turn from their wicked ways. When they did not, God brought about their demise. America continues to revel in wicked ways. If America does not repent and to towards God, America too will fall.

Heaven is worth everything you go through in this life to remain faithful to God. The book and movie Heaven Is For Real is just one of many stories around the world. Those of us who have such an experience know that no matter what you go through in this life, remaining faithful to God is worth it all. For us, no one can say nor do anything to shake our faith.

More than anything else I want you to remain faithful. Even if the whole world should betray the teaching and laws of our God, I will remain faithful.

When I was 16, I had my own experience. I still remember the experience. In the last two year of the 20th century, I experienced persecution. Despite what they did trying to 'encourage' me to give up God, my faith was strengthened.

In America today, Christian persecution is on the rise. States and the federal government are passing laws focused on suppressing or destroying Christian values. Even if you stand alone, you still need to stand for God. Christians have been rising up saying they will not stand for the persecution. Another great movie God's Not Dead, inspires us to stand for our faith. This movie is a response to many cases of persecution in American schools, colleges, and universities.

Don't let the unfaithful shake your faith. The reward of Heaven is worth everything you may go through in this life.