Reigning With Christ: Our Responsibility Before God

I believe Christians need to give serious thought to what it means to belong to the kingdom of God. We speak of Jesus as our King. We confess that He has all power in heaven and earth. We believe we have been delivered from darkness and brought into His kingdom. But what responsibility comes with that relationship?

If we participate in Christ’s reign now, then we have a present responsibility to carry out His commands. We cannot claim the privileges of His kingdom while neglecting the duties of His kingdom.

Paul tells us that God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13, KJV). This describes something God has already done for His people. We belong to Christ’s kingdom today.

And our King is reigning today.

“For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet” (1 Corinthians 15:25).

Christ’s authority does not depend upon the approval of governments, armies, or religious institutions. He is Lord whether the world acknowledges Him or opposes Him.

Seated With the Reigning Christ

Paul writes that God “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).

Notice the words “hath raised” and “made us sit.” Paul describes a present spiritual reality grounded in our union with Jesus Christ. We belong to the One who has overcome death and is seated at the Father’s right hand.

I understand this to mean that we already participate in Christ’s reign. Christians differ over the timing and meaning of some passages about reigning with Him, and the fullness of our inheritance is still ahead. Nevertheless, our membership in His kingdom and our commission to serve Him are present realities.

We do not possess an independent throne. We do not have authority to substitute our ambitions for God’s will. Whatever authority we exercise comes from Christ and remains subject to Him.

Paul says, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador has a responsibility to represent the one who sent him faithfully. We represent Jesus through our words, our choices, and our treatment of other people.

That brings us to a searching question: Are we representing the character of our King?

The King Commands Us to Defend the Weak

Psalm 82 reveals God’s concern about the abuse and neglect of those who need protection:

“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3–4).

Whether one understands those addressed in this psalm as heavenly rulers or human judges, the standard God declares is unmistakable. He requires justice. He condemns partiality toward the wicked. He demands that the weak receive protection.

Those who exercise authority are accountable to God for how they use it.

Surely those of us who belong to Christ’s kingdom should reflect that same concern. We cannot read these commands, acknowledge their righteousness, and then decide that the suffering around us is none of our business.

The fatherless need care. The afflicted need help. The poor need fair treatment. Those being harmed need someone willing to stand beside them.

James makes this responsibility personal:

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).

Our faith must reach into the circumstances of people who are hurting. A visit may lead to a meal, a ride to an appointment, help with a bill, or steady companionship. Sometimes the greatest gift we can offer is a willingness to remain involved after everyone else has gone home.

Obedience Must Become Action

There is a danger in becoming satisfied with saying the right things. We can speak about mercy without showing mercy. We can condemn injustice in general while overlooking it when confronting it would cost us something.

John asks:

“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:17).

Then he gives the answer in the form of a command:

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

I cannot meet every need in the world. Neither can you. But we can respond to the people God places within our reach. We can use what we have. We can join with others when the need is greater than our individual ability.

The Good Samaritan did not solve every problem along that road. He cared for the wounded man he encountered. He stopped, drew near, tended the wounds, and arranged for continued care.

Jesus ended that account with these words: “Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37).

That command still speaks to us.

We Must Speak Truth to Those With Power

Caring for the weak also means challenging the actions that harm them.

Proverbs commands, “Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:9).

There are times when obedience requires us to speak. We may need to report abuse, question a public policy, confront mistreatment, or ask a church leader why someone’s suffering has been ignored.

We must do so honestly. Before repeating an accusation, we should establish the facts. We must distinguish between a verified wrong and a suspicion. Our concern for justice does not excuse careless words or false witness.

But neither should we use uncertainty about some details as a permanent excuse to ignore clear suffering.

Our loyalty to Christ must govern our judgment. A political party, a government, or a religious leader cannot make cruelty righteous. Friendship cannot turn dishonesty into truth. A Christian label cannot excuse conduct contrary to the commands of Jesus.

The same standard must apply to ourselves. We should welcome correction, examine our motives, and repent when we have treated someone unfairly.

Christ Shows Us How to Exercise Authority

Jesus taught His disciples that greatness in His kingdom involves service:

“Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister” (Matthew 20:26).

Then He pointed to His own example:

“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).

Our participation in His reign must take its character from Him. It calls for humility, courage, sacrifice, and love. It gives us no permission to dominate others or compel them to believe.

We overcome evil by remaining faithful to Christ. We pray, speak truth, offer help, resist temptation, and refuse to participate in wrongdoing. We love our enemies while holding them accountable for their actions.

That kind of obedience may bring opposition. Scripture says, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12). Our present service looks toward the fullness of that promise. Until then, faithfulness may require us to bear a cost.

What Will We Do Today?

I believe we share in Christ’s reign now through our union with Him. That belief should make us more attentive to the responsibilities He has given us.

We ought to ask ourselves: Is there a child who needs support? A widow who needs companionship? A struggling family who needs help? Someone being mistreated who needs an advocate? Is there an injustice I have overlooked because speaking would be uncomfortable?

Jesus asks a question that reaches beneath every claim we make:

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

That is a question for this country preacher as much as for anyone reading these words.

Our King has spoken. He commands us to love, serve, defend, and obey. May our conduct show that we belong to His kingdom, and may the weak and suffering find help through our faithfulness to Him.

The Spiritual War We Cannot Afford to Ignore

 After many years in ministry, I remain concerned about how easily we can confess faith in Jesus Christ while allowing our loyalties to lead us away from His teachings. We recognize evil when it comes from someone we oppose. It becomes harder to recognize when it comes from someone we admire.

That is one reason we must take spiritual warfare seriously. Deception works by persuading us to accept something false as true and something sinful as necessary or righteous.

Paul warns us:

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” — Ephesians 6:11

He then explains:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” — Ephesians 6:12

There is a spiritual conflict behind the struggles we see in human life. Its influence can become visible through lies, hatred, exploitation, injustice, and the corruption of authority. Human beings remain responsible for their choices, but Paul tells us that the struggle reaches beyond human beings.

We must understand both the seriousness of the enemy and the responsibility of the believer.

I understand Psalm 82 as describing spiritual beings held accountable by God for their failure to uphold justice. On that reading, their rebellion had consequences for people on earth. God’s charge against them concerns the wicked they favored and the vulnerable they failed to defend:

“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.” — Psalm 82:3–4

Consider what that means. God judges these powers for abandoning people who needed protection. Their failure concerns the poor, the fatherless, the afflicted, and the needy.

If these are the very failures God condemns, Christians should be deeply troubled when we find ourselves excusing them.

How can we claim to oppose spiritual darkness while defending its works? How can we speak of righteousness while overlooking cruelty? How can we pray for God’s blessing while refusing to hear the cries of those suffering under injustice?

Our allegiance to Christ must govern every other allegiance.

John tells us that the spirit of antichrist was already in the world in his day. I understand this as an ongoing spiritual opposition to Christ, His truth, and His authority. John gives specific warnings about denying who Jesus is. He also makes clear that a profession of faith must be accompanied by obedience:

“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” — 1 John 2:4

Jesus Himself asks:

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” — Luke 6:46

Those words should cause every one of us to examine our lives.

Calling ourselves Christians carries a responsibility. We bear the name of the Lord before our families, our neighbors, and the world. When we knowingly use His name to defend conduct He condemns, we dishonor that name. In that sense, we bear it in vain.

There is a difference between a believer who falls into sin and repents, and a person who insists that sin should be accepted and defended. John acknowledges our need for confession and forgiveness. Faithfulness includes receiving correction, admitting wrongdoing, and returning to obedience.

The danger comes when we stop allowing Scripture to correct us.

We may begin by excusing one lie because it helps our cause. Then we overlook cruelty because we believe it serves a necessary purpose. Eventually, we may find ourselves defending behavior we once recognized as sinful.

Spiritual deception can work through those small concessions.

Paul gives us a responsibility toward the works of darkness:

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” — Ephesians 5:11

We must expose wrongdoing truthfully. We must refuse to participate in it. We must defend those who are harmed and call those responsible to account.

That requires care. Before repeating an accusation, we should establish whether it is true. We must apply the same standard to our friends that we apply to our opponents. Exposing sin does not give us permission to spread rumors, judge hidden motives, or treat people with contempt.

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. People are accountable for their actions, but they are also people for whom we should pray and whose repentance we should desire.

There are times when speaking requires courage. There are also times when we need to listen, learn, and determine how best to help. Yet persistent silence in the face of known injustice can leave the suffering abandoned and the wrongdoer unchallenged.

We should ask ourselves: Am I silent because I lack the facts, or because the truth would make me uncomfortable? Am I protecting someone who is vulnerable, or protecting my place among people whose approval I want?

The armour of God prepares us to answer those questions faithfully.

We must be girded with truth. We need honesty in what we believe, what we say, and what we share. A convenient falsehood still serves deception. We must allow God’s Word to examine our assumptions.

We must wear the breastplate of righteousness. Our own conduct matters. We cannot effectively call others to integrity while deliberately harboring dishonesty, bitterness, or cruelty in our lives.

Our feet must be prepared with the gospel of peace. We carry the message of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. Even when confronting wrongdoing, we must seek the protection of the vulnerable and the repentance of the offender. Hatred must not determine our steps.

We must take the shield of faith. Fear can tempt us to compromise. We may fear rejection, loss, or the disapproval of people we respect. Faith enables us to trust the Lord enough to obey Him when obedience is costly.

We must wear the helmet of salvation. Our hope rests in Christ. Remembering whose we are helps guard our minds against despair and against promises that demand we surrender our conscience for the sake of security.

We must take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Scripture must govern our judgment. We need to read it faithfully and receive its correction, rather than search for a verse to excuse what we have already decided to support.

And we must pray:

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” — Ephesians 6:18

We need prayer for discernment, courage, humility, and endurance. We need to pray for those who suffer, for those in authority, for our fellow believers, and for those who oppose us. We also need to pray that the Lord will expose deception in our own hearts.

This armour is for daily living. We wear it in our conversations, our decisions, our treatment of others, and our response to the news. Faithfulness is expressed when we refuse a lie, confess a wrong, help a neighbor, defend someone mistreated, or choose mercy when resentment would be easier.

We should take the spiritual war seriously without becoming consumed by fear. Christ has triumphed over the powers, and our confidence rests in Him. We do not need to discover the name of every spiritual being to obey the commands God has already given us.

We know we are called to truth. We know we are called to righteousness. We know we are called to love our neighbors, show mercy, and defend the weak.

Each morning, we would do well to pray: “Lord, help me recognize deception, beginning with any deception I have accepted myself. Give me courage to expose wrongdoing, compassion for those who suffer, and humility to receive correction. Clothe me with Thy armour, and help me follow Thee today.”

The seriousness of this war calls for daily faithfulness. May the name we bear be honored by the lives we live.

When Leaders Fail the Weak, Christians Must Speak

“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.” — Psalm 82:3–4, KJV

Psalm 82 brings us into a courtroom where God Himself is the Judge. He asks those who hold authority, “How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?” That question ought to trouble anyone entrusted with power. It ought to trouble the church, too, whenever we excuse injustice because we approve of the leader who commits it.

God does not tell the authorities merely to express sympathy for the afflicted. He tells them to defend, do justice, and deliver. The poor, the fatherless, and the needy must not be left at the mercy of those who can harm them. A government has a solemn duty to protect people who cannot protect themselves. When its leaders instead favor the powerful, neglect the suffering, or use their authority to injure the innocent, they must be held accountable.

That responsibility belongs to Christians as well. Proverbs 31:8–9 says, “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” There are times when speaking up is part of obedience to God.

I know that people will disagree about a government’s policies or about the facts of a particular event. That is why we must seek reliable evidence and speak honestly. But uncertainty about one claim must not become an excuse to ignore suffering that is plainly before us. We can ask hard questions. We can call for independent investigation. We can insist that civilians be protected, that the hungry be fed, and that officials answer for unlawful actions. Those are responsibilities, not acts of disloyalty.

Christians must be especially careful when a leader says the things we want to hear. A promise to defend our faith, our country, or our interests does not give anyone permission to violate God’s commands. The LORD does not change His standard of justice to suit our party or our preferred government. We cannot bless cruelty with religious language and expect God to bless us for it.

Some may say, “We must stand with our leaders.” I believe we should pray for them, as Scripture teaches in 1 Timothy 2:1–2. We should also tell them the truth. Praying for a leader does not require defending every action that leader takes. Loyalty to Christ must come before loyalty to any officeholder. If we stand with evil actions because the person committing them is on our side, we are no longer following the way of our Lord. We are yielding to the devil’s work of deception, cruelty, and division.

Jesus told us to love our enemies. That command does not mean overlooking what they do, and it does not mean withholding concern from their victims. It means we seek justice without hatred. We do not blame a whole people for the deeds of their rulers. We do not spread rumors or wish harm upon anyone. We speak truthfully, defend those in danger, and leave final judgment in the hands of God.

This is no small matter for the church. What will our witness mean if we preach that every person is precious to God, then turn away when the weak are harmed? What will it mean if we call for righteousness in private lives but excuse injustice in public office?

Psalm 82 ends with a prayer: “Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.” No government owns the nations. No leader sits above the LORD’s judgment. That truth gives us courage to speak, humility to examine our own loyalties, and hope that injustice will not have the final word.

May we pray for our leaders. May we help those who suffer. May we hold power accountable with truthful words and peaceful action. And may we never mistake standing beside a powerful person for standing with God.

When the Church Calls Sin Sacred

 I have become deeply concerned about the direction some Christians are taking. People who profess to believe the Bible are defending conduct that the Bible condemns. Political loyalties have become so strong that honest questions are treated as evidence of weak faith.

When I see Christians excuse wrongdoing because it serves a nation or a prophetic interpretation they support, I believe we are witnessing spiritual deception.

Jesus warned His disciples:

“Take heed that no man deceive you.”
—Matthew 24:4, KJV

That warning deserves our attention. Before describing wars, tribulation, and His return, Jesus told His followers to guard against deception. He also warned that false prophets would deceive many and that increasing iniquity would cause the love of many to grow cold.

I cannot read those words without examining the church—and my own heart.

Deception does not always arrive openly denying God. Sometimes it carries a Bible, speaks confidently about prophecy, and tells Christians that supporting a political cause is their sacred duty. It becomes dangerous when that teaching persuades believers to excuse what they would otherwise recognize as sin.

My particular concern is the teaching that faithfulness to God requires unquestioning support for the modern government of Israel.

I believe some Christians have accepted that teaching sincerely. They love the Lord and want to honor His Word. But sincerity does not protect any of us from error. We must examine what we have been taught by the whole counsel of Scripture, including its commands concerning justice, mercy, truth, and love.

God’s relationship with Israel never placed Israel’s rulers beyond correction. The prophets confronted the sins of the people and their leaders. They condemned oppression, innocent bloodshed, dishonesty, and religious hypocrisy. Their love for their people compelled them to speak.

Jeremiah asked:

“Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely … And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?”
—Jeremiah 7:9–10, KJV

The warning is plain: religious identity does not give anyone permission to sin.

Neither does a claim about prophecy.

Whatever we believe about Israel’s future, we have no authority to bless cruelty, excuse the deliberate killing of civilians, or overlook the oppression of our neighbors. These standards apply to Israel, to America, to armed groups, and to every other nation and people.

I love the Jewish people. I also believe Palestinian lives are precious before God. Jewish families and Palestinian families alike know grief, fear, and the desire to see their children live in peace. Neither population should bear collective blame for the decisions of governments or armed groups.

Christians should be able to recognize that without being accused of abandoning the Bible.

Jesus said:

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
—Matthew 5:9, KJV

Yet I fear that some Christians have become more eager to defend warfare than to seek peace. When suffering becomes merely a detail in someone’s prophetic scheme, something has gone wrong with our understanding of Christ.

Jesus connected His warnings about deception with coming tribulation and judgment. His words should awaken us to repentance. They do not give us permission to confidently assign every headline a place on God’s calendar. I do not know the day or hour of His return. I do know that He commanded His followers to remain watchful and faithful.

Peter also wrote:

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.”
—1 Peter 4:17, KJV

The church must therefore examine itself. Have we defended conduct because our preferred leaders committed it? Have we dismissed suffering because acknowledging it would challenge our theology? Have we allowed political allegiance to quiet our conscience?

Those questions belong to me as much as to anyone else.

I am an old country preacher. I have lived long enough to know that I can be mistaken. I must remain willing to be corrected by the Word of God. But I cannot remain silent when Christians are taught to support sins God has condemned.

Our calling is to bear faithful witness to Jesus Christ. We must speak truth, practice mercy, seek peace, and call wrongdoing what it is—even when doing so costs us the approval of people we once stood beside.

As we await the Lord’s return, may He find us faithful in our words and conduct. And where we have been deceived, may we have the humility to repent.

Another Bend in the Road: An Update on My Health

At seventy-eight years of age, I am learning that the body sometimes sets a slower pace than the mind would choose. There are still sermons to prepare, lessons to teach, stories to write, and family moments to enjoy. But lately, some of my attention has been given to doctor appointments, medical reports, and decisions about my health.

The latest report concerns the infection in my left foot. Although the foot had shown some outward improvement while being treated with antibiotics, the MRI confirmed that the infection involves bone in my third toe and the head of the bone behind it. The medical term is osteomyelitis—an infection of the bone.

The wound care examination also found a deep ulcer with exposed bone. This is more than a sore on the surface. It is a serious condition that requires continued treatment.

Surgery is scheduled for October 15, 2026. The proposed procedure is to remove my third toe and part of the infected bone behind it, along with the ulcer, and close the wound. The plan described in the report includes wearing a surgical sandal for about three weeks afterward. How well and how quickly the foot heals remains something we will have to watch.

I have already lost toes on this foot, so this is familiar territory, although familiarity does not make it easy. I would certainly rather keep what I have. But I understand the purpose of removing the infected bone, and I am thankful for the doctors and wound care staff who are working to address it.

This foot problem comes alongside other health concerns. I have lived with diabetes for more than thirty years, and kidney disease continues to require close attention. Parkinson’s disease has now been confirmed as well. There are also heart concerns and other conditions that remind me that these earthly bodies do wear down.

I share this update because many of you have prayed, asked how I am doing, and shown kindness to me and my family. You deserve an honest answer. I am facing another surgery, and there are uncertainties about recovery. Yet there are also reasons to be thankful. The infection has been identified, a treatment plan is in place, and I have people around me who care.

Through years of ministry, I have stood beside others facing illness, surgery, and loss. Now I am reminded again that the Scriptures we offer to others are also meant to sustain us.

The LORD told Paul:

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
—2 Corinthians 12:9, KJV

That promise does not tell me that every medical report will be favorable or that recovery will be easy. It tells me that God’s grace is sufficient in the circumstances I must face.

I believe in prayer, and I am thankful for medical care. I can ask the LORD for healing while accepting the treatment available to me. Trusting Him includes placing the outcome in His hands when I cannot see what lies ahead.

Please pray for the October 15 surgery, for wisdom and steady hands for those performing it, and for the infection to be resolved and the wound to heal. Remember Laverna and our family as well. Illness touches the people who love us, even when they are not the ones undergoing treatment.

I still have work I hope to do and words I hope to share. For now, I will take the next step, attend to what needs attention, and trust the LORD for strength each day.

This old country preacher has reached another bend in the road. I cannot see all that is around it, but I am thankful I do not have to travel it alone.

A Nation That Cannot Afford to Farm Has a National Security Problem

I am not a farmer, but I live in a farming community. Here around Thorntown, Indiana, farming is more than something we see through the windshield. It supports families, businesses, churches, and the life of our community.

When our farmers hurt, the whole community feels it.

Recently, I spoke with one farmer who told me he had sold his soybeans at a fair price, yet after paying his expenses, he only broke even. Another told me he had decided not to farm 3,000 acres next year because of his losses.

These conversations concern me. A man can work hard, make responsible decisions, bring in a crop, and still have nothing left to show for his labor. How many years can a family continue doing that?

I have seen diesel advertised here in Indiana at $6.99 a gallon. That is a serious expense for someone who must run tractors, combines, trucks, and other equipment. The farmer cannot simply park the machinery until prices come down. The crop has to be planted when conditions are right and harvested when it is ready.

And diesel is only one part of the bill.

There is fertilizer, seed, machinery, repairs, insurance, land expense, and interest on borrowed money. When several of these costs rise together, a farmer’s profit can disappear before the crop leaves the field.

I believe this has become a national security issue, and candidates need to address it before the midterm elections.

We often discuss national security in terms of military strength. We talk about missiles, ships, aircraft, and the ability to defend our borders. Those matters deserve attention. So does our ability to feed the nation.

A country needs dependable supplies of food, fuel, and fertilizer. It also needs farmers who can afford to stay in business.

A farm closing does not necessarily mean its land will stop producing. Another farmer may take it over. But we should not dismiss the loss of independent farm families as though nothing important has happened. Each departure can mean fewer local owners, fewer opportunities for young farmers, and more of our food production concentrated in fewer hands.

If losses continue, farmers may reduce acreage, postpone equipment repairs, or cut back on investments needed for future production. Those decisions can weaken agriculture over time. We do not have to predict an immediate food shortage to recognize a serious warning.

Scripture says, “The profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field” (Ecclesiastes 5:9, KJV).

Even the king depends upon the field.

Our elected leaders would do well to remember that.

The concern reaches beyond the farmer’s own finances. Farm purchases support equipment dealers, repair shops, suppliers, and many other local businesses. When farm income disappears, less money circulates through the community. Families become more cautious. Businesses lose customers. Young people begin looking elsewhere for a future.

Higher fuel costs also affect the movement of food. Harvesting is only one step. Crops and livestock must be transported, processed, and delivered. Rising costs throughout that system put pressure on the prices families pay.

The farmer and the grocery shopper are connected, whether they realize it or not.

I am particularly concerned about the effect of war and instability in the Middle East on energy supplies. Wisconsin Public Radio’s recent reporting identifies war-related energy pressures and regional refinery problems among the causes of the diesel burden farmers are facing. The problem has several causes, and responsible leadership must address them together.

Before supporting further military escalation, Congress should demand a clear accounting of the likely consequences for fuel, fertilizer, transportation, and American agriculture.

What is the objective? How will success be measured? What is the diplomatic path toward ending the conflict and protecting shipping? What will American families and farmers be expected to pay?

Those are reasonable questions. Asking them is part of responsible citizenship.

I want our government to place the welfare of American communities at the center of its decisions. The costs of foreign policy do not remain overseas. Some of them arrive at the fuel pump, in the farm operating loan, and on the grocery receipt.

Before the midterm elections, every congressional candidate seeking votes in a farming community should answer several questions plainly:

• What will you do to address high diesel costs and strengthen dependable fuel supplies?

• How will you help protect access to affordable fertilizer?

• How will you address the pressure of operating debt on otherwise viable farms?

• What will you do to strengthen competition and fair treatment in agricultural markets?

• How will you evaluate the effect of war, tariffs, and energy policy on American food production?

We need more than a campaign photograph beside a tractor. We need practical proposals, honest explanations of their costs, and a willingness to be held accountable.

Temporary assistance may keep some farms operating through a difficult season. But farmers also need conditions in which their work can earn a reasonable return. Borrowing more money to cover another year of losses cannot be the permanent answer.

I am not asking candidates to guarantee that farming will be free of risk. Farmers have always dealt with weather, changing markets, and uncertainty. I am asking our leaders to recognize when public policy adds burdens that threaten the people producing our food.

Neither party should be excused from answering these questions.

The farmer’s bills come due whether a Republican or a Democrat holds office. The harvest does not wait for the election to be over. Families cannot eat campaign promises.

A nation that expects its farmers to feed everyone must take seriously whether those farmers can afford to continue.

The warning signs deserve attention now. By the time we cast our ballots in the midterm elections, candidates should have told us what they intend to do—and voters should have enough information to judge their answers.

Around here, these are our neighbors. Their future is tied to ours.

It is time for Washington to treat that future as a matter of national security.

More Destruction Is Not a Plan for Peace

 I understand why some people want to see the United States show that it can defeat Iran decisively. But wanting a victory and having a plan to achieve one are two different things. After all the threats and attacks, Iran has not been brought to total defeat. Congress and the American people have a right to ask what another major military operation would accomplish.

The United States cannot afford to mistake the ability to inflict more damage for a plan to end this war. Bombs can destroy buildings and weapons. They cannot, by themselves, guarantee a lasting peace, reopen shipping, or settle the question of Iran’s nuclear program.

I am especially concerned about talk of a large-scale invasion. Such an operation could draw more countries into the fighting and put additional oil routes and facilities at risk. If supplies were seriously disrupted, the harm would reach well beyond the Middle East. Nations that depend on imported oil could face severe economic trouble. Here at home, higher fuel costs would fall on families, truckers, and farmers already trying to make ends meet.

I am not a farmer, but I live in a farming community. I see why the price of diesel matters. Farmers cannot harvest a crop, move it to market, and prepare for another planting season on promises that the war will soon be won. When their costs rise, the effects eventually reach every household.

Congress should demand clear objectives from the administration. What does victory mean? What would another attack or an invasion achieve that previous military action has not? What is the cost to American lives, to our economy, and to people throughout the region? And what serious diplomatic path is being pursued to reopen shipping, reduce the fighting, and address Iran’s nuclear program?

Waiting until after the midterm elections may suit a political calendar. It does nothing for the people living with this war or for those paying its growing costs. A nation should never enter a larger war simply because its leaders cannot admit that the present course has failed to bring peace.

As a Christian, I pray for the people of Iran, Israel, and every country caught in this conflict. I pray for our service members and their families. I also pray that our leaders will have the humility to pursue a way out before more lives are lost and more nations are pulled toward economic disaster.

The question before us is not whether America can cause greater destruction. It is whether our leaders have the wisdom to prevent it.