It's easy to forget that politics is about public service. Between the headlines, sound bites, and snap shots, the depiction that's often portrayed is something altogether different.
With Congress's abysmal 18 percent approval rating, most Americans view those in the profession as self-serving rather than serving the public who put them there.
But as the first session of the 113th Congress officially begins, lawmakers - new and old, Republican and Democrat - were reminded that they are called first to be servants.
Lawmakers officially kicked off the start of the new session by electing their leaders, including Rep. John Boehner, who will keep his job as Speaker of the House.
While some appeared hopeful, others were not, especially in light of what's on their plate and current public sentiment about politics in Washington.
On this week's edition of the Stakelbeck on Terror show, we take a look back at the top national security and terrorism-related stories of 2012.
Check out our our exclusive, on-the-ground reports from Europe and Israel on the Muslim Brotherhood, Iran, al Qaeda and more.
I have never been a fan of New Year's resolutions because as Christians we begin anew every day. We don't do it just once a year. No matter how badly we mess-up at any given time, in Christ we can be forgiven, and find in Him the strength and the power to overcome.
We don't have to wait until Jan. 1 to start over. Thanks to the grace of God, we can start fresh with every new sunrise.
If you have put anything ahead of your relationship with God including the desire for your marriage to be healed then you need to make an effort to get your priorities back in line.
This week on Jerusalem Dateline: Our CBN News Roundtable examines the biggest stories of 2012. Join Chris Mitchell, John Waage, Julie Stahl, George Thomas and Gary Lane as they discuss the impact of Barack Obama's re-election as President of the United States and what it means for Israel and the stability of the Middle East.
Other topics include the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the civil war in Syria, and the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
This week The Brody File celebrates Christmas and the New Year by welcoming former presidential candidate Rick Santorum into our studios.
He talks about the way forward for the Republican Party.
Also, Pastor Mark Batterson discusses a new way to "Draw A Circle" around your prayer life to make it more powerful.
All this week on The Brody File!
By Bill Gaultiere Soul Shepherding Moments, © 2012
We all want this year to be better than last — even if last year was a great year. How does that happen?
Not by having better circumstances. (They always go up and down.)
Beltway Buzz is taking some time off to celebrate Christmas with our families. We hope your celebration is merry and full of blessings!
The Stakelbeck on Terror blog will be on vacation until Jan. 2 as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and get some much needed R&R with family.
Until then, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and many blessings to everyone as we gear up for a great 2013!