Marie Sutton, Editor-In-Chief

It never fails. During the campaign season, smiley-faced politicians descend upon Birmingham-area churches like swarms of flies. They stand before congregations giving their spiels, quoting the Bible and dropping the name “Jesus” as many times as indictments are slapped down at the downtown federal courthouse.

Everyone’s a “Christian,” it seems. That is, until they’re sworn in. Then, those once “holy” candidates become devilish, doing whatever it takes to make their colleagues look bad and secure their seat on the dais until Kingdom come.

Don’t get me wrong, not all councilors have been guilty. But, the past antics of the Birmingham City Council have been historic – the name-calling, backbiting, and near fistfights. Back in the day, folks wouldn’t miss the television broadcast of the drama-filled meetings that were comparable to an episode of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

Now that the 2010 Birmingham City Councilor slate is set, here’s a word of advice: Every time you walk in those chambers, attend a meeting, or even enter the elevator, ask yourself, “What if Jesus were on the Birmingham City Council?”

If Jesus were sitting around the table at those closed-door meetings or at your side when a TV reporter sticks a microphone in your face, would you do things differently? When you are approached by those “friends of politicians” with deep pockets and an agenda to match, would you make those same deals with the devil like some councilors of the past?

Maybe if the new council asks themselves that questions, there will be less fodder and more selflessness, less crookedness and more servitude.

Remember, not only are your constituents watching, but Jesus is, too.

I’ve waited too long. God gave me a mandate to write about the things happening in the Body of Christ and in the world and measure them against the Word of God. The time in now. So, get ready, “The Sword” is back. All enemies of God better watch out!!!

Marie Sutton