Living Your Values Out Loud

By Richard D. Land, Christian Post Executive Editor Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I can't imagine there is an adult living in the U.S. that isn't keenly aware that we are in the midst of quite an unusual campaign to elect our next president. And for at least a segment of the population, there is a growing awareness of the need to weigh the individual candidates' beliefs and convictions in light of their personal values.

This is the basis of an emphasis we launched nearly four years ago — the iVoteValues.com initiative — that called on voters to consider their faith-informed values when they went to the polls. The effort, remodeled for 2008, underscores the need for all Americans, especially those with personal religious convictions, to rely on their values — and not their pocketbook — in making choices for their elected representatives. The initiative stresses the need to be a responsible citizen by registering and then voting on Election Day.

Yet considering our values on just one day a year falls far short of what God expects from us. Our biblically founded beliefs should direct our thoughts, speech, and activities every day of the year. That is the idea behind the launch of iLiveValues.com.

While voting is a critical civic obligation, we make important decisions every day — decisions in which our faith should play an important part. Whether in our home, our workplace, or the marketplace, we have an opportunity to live out our values.

The iLiveValues.com Web site is designed as an online and interactive aid for those who want to do a better job of allowing their faith to show.

The iLiveValues.com site has matchless components — audio streams featuring the best of my weekly radio program, Richard Land Live!, and highlights of our daily For Faith & Family broadcasts and an exciting new audio offering — Richard Land Answers — in which I deal concisely with issues of the day. You also can stay connected to each of these unique audio outlets via podcasting.

I am hopeful you will find the iLiveValues.com site an informative place to visit frequently and discover the wonder of living your values out loud! I look forward to seeing you there.

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Dr. Richard Land is president of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the Southern Baptist Convention's official entity assigned to address social, moral, and ethical concerns, with particular attention to their impact on American families and their faith.