Politics is Good Business!

Your Vote and Support Matters

Political involvement is our sacred duty.  The low participation in most recent elections should break all of our hearts!  I come from a political family, yet some of my own family members did not vote in this past election.  The reasons are simple.  We are all so fed up with the current of state of affairs and feel hopeless to change the situation.  The truth is that we CAN do something!  We each should take action.  Our freedom and the future of our children and grandchildren DEMAND our participation.  The future of our country’s great capitalistic system is at stake.  We cannot run government like a business, but we must employ business principals.  If Godly folks and good businessmen do not roll up their sleeves and get involved, we doom our children and grandchildren to a dismal and grim future.

Politics is everywhere and in every aspect of our lives.  It is in your family.  It is in your school.  It is in your business.  It is especially in your church.  Why is politics in everything?   Because we are ALL basically selfish individuals who want control and power.  Jesus gives us the best model of love and service to others.  The first step is to serve, identify the problems, pray, develop a plan, take action, measure results, persevere and NEVER lose hope or give up.

I have spent a lifetime in and around politics and politicians.  Some of the godliest, sacrificial and servant-minded people I have ever known are politicians.  Are you personally willing to run for political office and sacrifice your time, your business, your family, your free time and your money?  If God does not call an individual, and his or her family, to run for political office – politics can destroy them.  I equate running for office to being called to be a preacher or missionary.  ALWAYS thank and affirm the politician AND his or her family.  These men and women are truly sacrificial “Public Servants.”

Most of us do NOT get involved and support our elected officials.  We are quick to gripe and slow to show support.  Who does get involved?  Where does the current influence come from?  Who are the ones closest to the politicians and why?  Many are average citizens (who never show up on any donor report), yet others have a self-interest.  Google “Georgia Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report” and “Georgia Lobbyists” to see a list of who is donating money.  All politicians and the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission must make this information available.  If you do not have money to invest, then, go knock on a few doors for your favorite candidate during an election.  Once elected, he or she will likely take your call!

Our goal should be to get to know each one of our elected officials.  We earn the right to influence our Public Servants by becoming their friend and supporter.  Let your elected official know that you are praying for them and are behind them.  If the only time a politician hears from you is when you have a gripe, you will have very little positive influence.  A complaining customer has much less influence than one who is polite, kind and understanding.  In addition, DO NOT BELIEVE half of what you see, hear or read on traditional or social media.  It may be wrong or jaded. ALWAYS give the Public Servant the benefit of the doubt until you know differently.

All businessmen should first IDENTIFY the challenges.  Do our own research.  Then, go visit, write or call your Public Servant, ask for their help and explain your feelings.  Don’t just go with a problem – go with a solution.  Don’t go with one issue or a threat.  Ask for his or her advice or opinion.  Ask who else is taking a side (special interests or fellow voters in your district)?  Clearly express your desire, follow up, request a status report AND thank them for all they are doing for you, your family and your business.  Do not vote for a person just to get everything you want.  Elect him or her to research all the available information and vote for what is in our best interests as a fiduciary of our trust.  A very similar analogy is the sacred trust I feel when someone comes to me for legal advice.  I owe my clients the duty to tell them the truth and to advocate what is right.

The next time you or your friends get ready to express your political opinions, ask yourself:  is it the truth; do I have all of the facts; have I contributed (financially or otherwise) or encouraged the politician(s) that I am talking about; did I vote in the last election; and have you called and asked your Public Servant to help?  Always pray for those in authority over us.   We CAN positively influence our Public Servants and ask for their help and advice.  We CAN change our neighborhood, city, county, state, and nation!  Let us all start TODAY!



How Can You Be A Christian And An Attorney?

How can you be a Christian and also be an attorney?  Over the course of my almost 30-year legal career, I cannot count the number of times I have been asked that question.  You can also ask yourself the very similar question of how a CPA, house painter, industrial worker or you can do your job and also be a Christian?  Equally challenging is the question of how a true Christians sue fellow Christians?  As I seek to answer these tough questions, please know that I direct this article to believers, and I am basing it on my own personal beliefs and convictions.

I have jokingly told my friends that I do not like the King James Version of the Bible, where Jesus says:  “Woe to you lawyers.”  Surely, Jesus was talking about “Experts in the Mosaic Law,” but sometimes I wonder.  I have faced internal turmoil many times over my professional obligations.  In the early 90’s, when I first came home to Cartersville, judges assigned all young attorneys “Court Appointed” criminal defendants.  Some defendants were just kids that needed to learn a lesson.  Other defendants were hardened individuals accused of theft, rape or murder.  I have no problem protecting our great legal system because you or I can face false accusations of crimes that we did not commit.  After a person’s arrest, he or she needs a legal system that provides them with a fair opportunity to defend themselves.  I have had many opportunities to pray with and encourage those accused to do better.  Everyone, including the accused, wants others to treat them with love and respect.  My clients who were guilty would often make a guilty plea, serve their time and learn a lesson.  To my knowledge, I do not truly believe that anyone I represented lied on the stand (although at times I told my clients to exercise their right to remain silent).

“You call yourself a Christian?”  That statement has angered me.  I wanted to respond:  “Yes, I call myself a Christian, but that does not mean that I am a doormat.”  Law school did train me, within proper bounds, to be tough in the courtroom.  I know that I should always respond in a Christlike manner, but at times I find this very challenging.  One attorney I know responds well:  “I am always a Christian first and above all else and that fact takes care of all the rest.”  When others ask another friend of mine:  “How can you hang out with and represent criminals?”  He responds with another question:  “Isn’t that what Jesus does for us?”  Almost everyone that comes into my office brings in great problems and hurts.  As attorneys, we have the blessed opportunity and ministry to encourage, pray and help our clients get through tough times.  I personally know a great many attorneys that live out their lives and run their practices according to Christ’s teachings and for His glory.

How can a Christian sue a fellow Christians OR an ungodly person?  I heard Michael Youssef’s on the radio teach on 1 Corinthians 6: 1-11.  The Apostle Paul is pretty clear when he states we are better to be “wronged” and “cheated” than to drag a fellow Christian into court and thereby lead non-believers astray.  Christians are to be different and show the world a better way.  Jesus was very strong about how Christians should treat non-believers in Luke 6:27-41.  Jesus commands us to: “love our neighbor as ourselves;” “love your enemies and do good to them;” “be merciful as your Father is merciful; and “do not judge.  God’s Word sets a high bar, doesn’t it?  We must love our fellow man, treat all men with love and be willing to give up a lot for the sake of the cross.  I will continue to file lawsuits, struggle with God’s commands and do my best not to act contrary to them.   Our over-riding goal must be to treat each other with love and respect.  We should do our best to make understanding and grace our mission and to make lawsuits our last resort.  Let us all pray for each other and, in LOVE, keep each other accountable.   What society needs are more Christian attorneys, and more Christians in EVERY occupation, who truly live for Christ and change our World.