Bill Clinton. Mark Foley. Larry Craig. Elliot Spitzer. If you have paid much attention to the news and politics the past few years you probably recognize each of these names. And even if you don’t you recognize at least one of them. Each of them have as part of their legacy behavior that ranges from lewd, crude to downright criminal. As some tried to tip toe around accountability for their actions the public was treated to “it depends on what the definition of ‘is’ is” to “I was picking up a piece of toilet paper off the floor”. Thankfully many Americans still have enough concern for morality and disgust for hypocrisy for these things to be a big deal and a cause for shame. They have the good sense to know that character does indeed make a difference. And while no one’s character is flawless, it’s not too much to ask that those who would be leaders among us should have exemplary character.

I remember another political scandal a few years ago. At the center of the scandal was then Attorney General John Ashcroft. The mainstream media was aghast at his actions. How dare he sully one of the highest offices in the land with such behavior! Has he no concern for propriety? Yes, the Attorney General of the United States had been caught in his office in the very act of—not carrying on with a young woman his daughter's age, not making homosexual moves on interns or in an airport bathroom stall, not using the services of a prostitute but—are you ready for this—praying! But not only praying but reading his Bible, too! Oh, the humanity! This story was front-page news in the Washington Post, dubbed tongue-in-cheek by columnist Mona Charen as "prayergate". The assertion that people were offended only because this was taking place in government offices was simply not true. Prayer and Bible study frequently occur among senators, representatives and justices in government offices. Would to God they'd do more of it. The Attorney General's “crime” as it were, was that he was what some sneeringly refer to as a fundamentalist. That's right, those scary folks who believe what the Bible says about right and wrong; heaven and hell, etc. He believes unborn babies shouldn't be killed and other politically incorrect things like that.

John Ashcroft was not the first person to catch flak for daring to allow his religious beliefs to cross over into his daily life. (Which, by the way, if we are not doing we need to repent.) Under the reign of Darius the king a law came down which prohibited anyone from praying to another "god" besides the king. Violators would be thrown to the lions. The Bible tells us that when Daniel knew the law was signed "he entered his house…and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously" (Daniel 6:10). He is thrown to the lions but by the time this episode is over Daniel is still not cat food and the king proclaims, “I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:26-27)

Does your service to God affect the way you live at home, with friends or on the job? Or do you have everything neatly compartmentalized with your religion in one box and the rest of "your life" in another?

God bless you,

Brad Fry