| If I heard it once I've heard it a million | | | | auspicious group has made miraculous progress |
| times and this week was no exception. In | | | | in catching up to their male counterparts. |
| fact, the words have carelessly tumbled from | | | | They both seemed quite adept to the |
| my lips on many occasions, some of which have | | | | practice.Many elected officials go to great |
| been perilously near the conclusion of my | | | | lengths to keep their constituency from |
| sermons. Most preachers never conclude their | | | | knowing where they stand on the issues. They |
| sermons, they just quit when they cannot | | | | are seated on committees so they don't have |
| indulge the congregation another minute | | | | to reveal where they stand. They are good at |
| longer.Someone once asked a famous preacher | | | | sitting and pontificating but bad when it |
| what it meant when he said, "Now, in | | | | comes to standing for anything, which makes |
| conclusion ..." He thought for a moment and | | | | them believe their constituency will fall for |
| then replied, "nothing."Preachers are not the | | | | anything. And we usually do.The lawmakers of |
| only ones inflicted with this verbosity | | | | our day are great "change agents," to use a |
| virus. Watching a news broadcast lately, I | | | | contemporary phrase. Their opinion on |
| heard a politician tumble headlong into the | | | | important issues changes with every new poll |
| same abyss; "We're going to make some changes | | | | published. Unfortunately, or fortunately, |
| around here," he proclaimed, "and that's my | | | | depending on your point of view, for our |
| final word on the subject."It doesn't really | | | | friendly politicians, opinion polls can be |
| matter which politician pontificated thusly, | | | | given every hour on the hour.And of course, |
| for all of them have said it at one time or | | | | the more important the issue the more the |
| another and usually it is never their "final | | | | politician reforms his opinion. A politician |
| word" on any subject.Several things are wrong | | | | should have the cleanest mind in our country |
| with that statement.First, when a politician | | | | because they change it so much. |
| uses the word "we're" he never means to | | | | Unfortunately, the exchange is usually |
| include himself. It's just a word he uses to | | | | down.Perhaps the best final words any |
| confuse the subject at hand. Someone once | | | | politician could utter are, "I won't run |
| made this observation, "if all the | | | | again." Usually when a politician says this, |
| politicians were laid end to end I would not | | | | it means he's currently running from |
| be surprised."Secondly, the only change most | | | | something or someone.Regrettably, the only |
| politicians are interested in is the change | | | | change that comes with a new election is the |
| in my pocket. They have committees devoted to | | | | name on the office door of the public |
| figuring out how they can change the change | | | | servant.The bolts and nuts of our political |
| in my pocket to their pockets. The slickness | | | | system can be boiled down to; the politicians |
| to which they do this is most | | | | bolt for or from any excuse and we are nuts |
| remarkable.Thirdly, there is no such thing as | | | | for electing them to any office.I sometimes |
| a "final word" among politicians. Every | | | | get weary of all this superfluous change. It |
| politician insists on having the last word on | | | | is true, the more things change the more they |
| any subject even though he knows nothing | | | | remain the same. What I want to change never |
| about the subject at hand.The entire | | | | does and what I don't want to change does.You |
| political sorority has one brain, which they | | | | can imagine what comfort I get from the Bible |
| share. The Democrats have the left side, the | | | | that never changes despite the efforts of |
| Republicans have the right side and they have | | | | some people. Two verses are particularly |
| one intent; mouth in motion at all times. | | | | comforting to me.One from the Old Testament: |
| When a politician has nothing to say you can | | | | "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore |
| be sure he will say it most profusely.Every | | | | ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." (Malachi |
| politician has two sides, before election and | | | | 3:6 KJV.)One from the New Testament: "Jesus |
| after election. What a politician says before | | | | Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and |
| being elected has absolutely no relationship | | | | forever." (Hebrews 13:8 KJV.)When it comes to |
| with what he or she will say after election. | | | | final words, I want that word to come from |
| The only thing absolutely certain is the | | | | someone who will not capriciously change that |
| newly-elected politician will have a lot to | | | | word and upset my life. I can always trust |
| say, but not much.Once elected their only | | | | Jesus Christ to give me a word I can always |
| strategy is to stay elected. They will do | | | | count on.The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor |
| everything and anything to get my vote. I | | | | of the Family of God Fellowship, 1471 Pine |
| vote they all be elec-tro-cuted. Nothing | | | | Road. He lives with his wife, Martha, in |
| would be cuter.One thing that can be said | | | | Silver Springs Shores. Contact him by calling |
| about the political institution in our | | | | 687-4240. His e-mail address is . The church |
| country, it is an equal opportunity liars | | | | web site is" Reverend James L. Snyder is an |
| club. Women have as much opportunity to join | | | | award winning author whose writings have |
| this truth-challenged extravaganza as the | | | | appeared in more than eighty periodicals |
| men.I don't know who makes better liars, men | | | | including GUIDEPOSTS. In Pursuit of God: The |
| or women. The feminine side of this | | | | Life of A. W. |