What's Happening in D.C.?

What we see happening in Washington D.C. is a clear example of the principle that will destroy American prosperity warned by Scots Historian Professor Alexander Tyler, circa 1787, speaking about the fall of the Athenian Republic:

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse (generous gifts) from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship."

Senator Ben Nelson agreed to vote for the Health Care bill when he was promised a forever exemption of an expected $45 million annual cost tied to expanding Medicaid programs.

Senator Mary Landrieu promised her vote in exchange for a $300 million medicaid deal for her state.

Senator Christopher Dodd wrote a provision to the bill to get $100 million for a new health care facility in his district.

That’s just the Health care Bill. The recent passage of a $363 billion, Defense Appropriations Bill included 1,729 earmarks worth more than $4 billion like $19 million for Ted Kennedy Institute. (What in the world does that have to do with Defense, and don’t the Kennedy’s have enough money to fund their own monuments? ) In addition, there are all kinds of social programs never requested by the Department of Defense.

The idea that the federal treasury is just one big pot of money for everyone to dip into to get what they can is an idea that will destroy our system and result in an eventual totalitarian takeover, the loss of liberty and ultimate bondage.

"The average age of the world's greatest civilization has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through this sequence. From bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance, from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back into bondage."

I would say we're somewhere between apathy and dependence, and if the new health care plan becomes reality, we will be pushed one step further toward dependence before slipping ultimately into bondage.

What’s the answer? Our federal legislators must understand that their mission is not to get all they can for their constituents to insure their re-election, but to represent their constituents’ interests as they seek the good for the nation.
They must be motivated not by special interests but by the common good.
But it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks, so it is more reasonable to believe that the only real solution is to throw the bums out, as the saying goes.

However we must be clear in redefining the job description of legislators on every level of government. Our founders taught us that our representatives must rule in the fear of God, doing unto others only as they would have them do unto them. In other words, we need statesmen, not politicians.

We need a transfusion of legislators on every level. Let’s start in 2010. Get ready to vote out the present stock of self-centered politicians and replace them with whoever will run against them. Then let’s stay engaged to insure that we become, once again, “One Nation Under God” enjoying the peace and prosperity that comes with His blessing.

LESSONS FROM TIGER

Again, I found myself wanting to reach through the radio to strangle another commentator who was pontificating about the need to have a prenuptial agreement before marriage, citing the Tiger Woods incident as proof that you need to protect your own assets against predatory wives.

How far we have fallen when we think that the greatest transgression is marrying without a prenuptial agreement. What message are we sending to our young people? Are we saying that marriage won’t last so cover yourself for sure? Are we saying that you’ve got to look out for “number one?” Are we saying that marriage is no more than a business relationship? Well, apparently, these are precisely the messages we are sending when we forget that marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God to fulfill his purposes in the earth.

The problem is not the absence of a prenuptial contract, which is in fact, a pre-determined divorce- agreement. If marriage is reduced to a business contract –and it very well can be in this government “of the people”- then we will pass on to the next generation more social chaos and dysfunction than we have now! If you think the children of this generation are without vision or purpose, wait till the next!

We must not continue down this path of cultural narcissism where everyone just cares about themselves. But then again, it would be illogical to expect a culture without God to consider anything holy. So it must be up to the people of God, beginning with the clergy, to begin teaching the difference between the holy and the common (Leviticus 10:10). We must set the standard in our own marriages understanding that we are contagious. Others will catch what we have. They will be influenced by the way we esteem the holy institution of marriage. Let us be sure they are influenced in the right direction.

As we pray for Tiger Woods and his family, let us also be resolved to esteem even more highly the holy institution of marriage, beginning with our own, and impacting others around us, for His glory!

LESSONS FROM FDR ON PEARL HARBOR

President Roosevelt’s response to Pearl Harbor included these words:

"No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory...

We will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us."

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God."

Where is that fighting spirit today, and most importantly, the appeal to that God that has shed His grace on this nation?

It is God alone who raises up nations, and puts nations down. We need leadership that will be resolute in our mission, and surrendered to His sovereignty.

New York Stands for Traditional Marriage

The Marriage & Family Savers Institute commends the members of the New York State Senate who voted yesterday to defeat the Same-Sex Marriage bill by a vote of 38 to 24. It’s encouraging to see that there is still a modicum of sanity and common sense in our State Legislature.

Only one brave senator spoke on the floor to defend traditional marriage, a Pentecostal Minister, named Ruben Diaz. All the others who spoke on the floor spoke passionately about human interest stories and personal experiences, but conspicuously absent was any intelligent debate on the issue. Even those who attempted to quote our founding fathers, either misquoted them or quoted them out of context. One senator even attributed to Moses a teaching given by Jesus!

Though we are relieved that the institution of marriage is preserved for another season, it was disconcerting to observe the level of ignorance demonstrated in New York’s “Upper” house. It becomes apparent why New York was rated the most dysfunctional state government. This underscores the need to be actively involved in the political process, by concerned citizens, and the need to elect intelligent officials who understand the principles involved in preserving this “One Nation Under God.”

The Way Forward?

As we prepare to hear President Obama’s speech on the way forward in Afghanistan, let me put forward what I believe it is that we need to hear:

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

For those who may not remember, these were the words of another Democratic President, John F. Kennedy, in his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961.

Anything short of this is unacceptable, and not in accordance with the American spirit. And if these words, or a similar message is spoken, then it will be up to the American people to insure the performance of it.

This is no world for wimps. We need strong leadership.

UN-AMERICAN?

The recent decision by the Attorney General to try the 911 terrorists in our civilian court system is one more display of gross incompetence demonstrated by the current administration.

This couldn’t be more plainly demonstrated than Eric Holder’s testimony in front of the Senate. When asked if he knew of any case in our history when prisoners captured on foreign soil were ever tried in our criminal court system, his answer was, “I don’t know, I’ll have to look into that.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Here you have the Attorney General of the United States making a legal decision with no idea of the historical context of the issue. Any novice law student could tell you that’s the first place you go when considering the legality of an issue. That is, of course, if you have any regard or respect for the system that has produced the greatest nation on the face of the earth.

The reality is that this current administration has shown nothing but contempt for our systems and our institutions. Why do you think their theme is “change!”

If Americanism means identification with our history, our traditions, our principles and institutions, then it becomes quite apparent that this administration is quite frankly, very un-American.

Their vision is to see a fundamentally changed society where the perceived injustices of the past will be made right. They want reparations for the disadvantaged, and they will decide who will be classified as such. For example, the poor prisoners of Guantanamo who have been so deprived of their liberty for so many years. We must give them justice and let the world see that we care. This is naïve, and ignorant of world history and human nature.

We must restore leadership that is dedicated to preserving the principles that are unique to our American heritage, or we will surely see change, but it won’t be for the better.

Let It Begin in New York's 23rd C.D.

Let The Conservative Revolution begin in New York’s 23rd Congressional District.

For the last 50 years American culture has been steadily and incrementally drifting to the left without significant challenge because no one believed –except for a few prophetic voices on the fringes- that we could really lose our liberty.

Now the liberal establishment has overreached their ability to keep the silent majority silent. The radical socialist agenda being advanced by the present administration has awakened the American working class. It has been provoked to action as evidenced by the Tea Party movement, town hall attendance, and a resurgence of Conservatism. In fact, it’s time to see the beginning of a Conservative revolution, and there is no better place to let it begin than in New York’s 23rd Congressional District race where both the Republican and Democrat candidates are liberals.

Only the Conservative candidate holds to Biblical values on the abortion, traditional marriage and on other issues that are fundamental to American values.

People of faith have a real opportunity to send a clear message to the establishment political parties that we will not compromise Biblical values for political expediency. We must stand for life, for traditional marriage and smaller government.

Forget about winning the mushy middle. We must move the middle to the right. After all, it’s not a political decision; it’s a Biblical mandate:

“The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.” (Ecclesiastes 10:2 NIV)

Let this congressional race be the shot heard around the world signaling the return of our “One Nation Under God.” It’s not time to be apologetic for our strong Christian roots. It’s time to say it loud. Be sure to call all your friends and relatives in the upstate New York area covered by the 23rd district and tell them what’s at stake, and encourage them to get to the polls. It’s not just about their district. It’s about the future of a nation, a new revolution to restore liberty and the primacy of our Constitution. It’s about the beginning of a new revolution. Let it begin here, in New York, in the 23rd.

Time to Pray and Work

This is a time for serious prayer for our nation.

The President of the United States is demonstrating, almost daily, his incompetence for the job he has acquired. He is clearly in over his head, or as he put it when speaking of the abortion issue, “above his pay grade.”

The massive stimulus plan didn’t work, and is only serving to create a government- dependent society. (Could that have been his goal in the first place?)

His Foreign policy acumen demonstrated in such events like the Copenhagen debacle has turned us into the laughing stock of the Islamofascist world, and caused great anxiety among the leaders of civility. When the French prime minister accuses our president of being an appeaser you know we’ve got a problem.

Freedom loving people of the world see our wishy-washyness in Afghanistan and realize they can no longer count on the U.S. to, as JFK put it,

“ … pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

Obama’s naiveté, or just plain ignorance, concerning the Iranians may cause great harm and suffering to the people of Israel and others in the region. Other men in his position have risen to the occasion because their core beliefs were rooted in traditional American values. But Obama’s core beliefs are about change, a change we are already witnessing. Unfortunately, this change will bring great misery and pain to America, unless the people of God rise up and say, “No more!” Let it begin in November by throwing out every member of Congress, Republican or Democrat, who is not clearly aligned with core conservative principles. Never mind moving to the center. We need to move the center to the right. That was precisely the strategy the left used –they moved the center to the left. What was considered preposterous ten years ago is now normal. We must reverse the trend.

In November, we must demand from our candidates clear positions on three core principles:

First, a renewed commitment to our national motto: “In God We Trust” and an allegiance to all that that would suggest. That must be our starting point. Then we must recommit to a strong national defense, and third, we must begin the work of dismantling the federal monster government consuming our liberties, and begin diffusing the job of governing back to the states and local governments.

November must mark a turning point or our children may grow up in a country much “changed” from the nation we know and love. We must begin praying and working now.

FIRED UP? READY TO GO?

During President Obama’s speech to a union audience on Labor Day, he put great emphasis on an experience he had early in his campaign where a lady just kept saying “Fired up; ready to go!” at one of his campaign stops. He ended his speech with that chant as the audience joined him.

This illustrates clearly how Obama appeals to the emotions of people who have little or no knowledge of the principles that impact national prosperity. Unfortunately, the American populous has been “dumbed down” over the years. Today an average American is more likely to be an authority on American idol contestants, or major league baseball statistics than they would be on the issues affecting our liberties and prosperity.

The recent activities at local town hall meetings are the result of citizens no longer taking for granted the idea that their congressional representatives will act in their best interest preserving traditional American values. Now citizens are studying the issues themselves. They are looking into the guiding philosophies of government being expressed by their representatives, and where they see those philosophies working against liberty they are raising objections, and rightly so.

The liberal left has overplayed its hand. They act as though they know what’s best for the masses, and they truly believe they are justified in going against the wishes of the people they were hired to represent, because they know better. They believe their role is to be more that of a parent than a representative.

Unfortunately, President Obama enjoys a cult-like following of people who wouldn’t dare think about questioning his policies. They have been dumbed down. Those who follow Obama must be either educated committed socialists or uneducated “groupies.” It must be one or the other.

Whether America continues to enjoy the peace and prosperity that we have inherited from our forbears or we enter into a new age of deprivation and servitude will be determined by “we the people.” If citizens will study the issues in light of the principles that have produced the greatest nation on the face of the earth we may yet redeem our culture for the next generation. If, on the other hand, we remain complacent and allow the socialist ideologues to rule a dumbed down electorate we will be, at best, like other nations of the world, thus forfeiting our exceptionalism, and at worst, we may see an unimaginable tragedy passed on to the next generation.

This is a time for courageous leaders to rise up and teach America about American principles and values rooted in Biblical principles. We must necessarily be as President Reagan told us either “one nation under God or we will be one nation gone under.”

This is the time for the clergy to rise up and even “get political.” Government is a stewardship for which we will be held accountable. We dare not face God with the excuse that “we didn’t want to get political” or “our deacon board would be upset if I talked about politics.”

“Rise up, O Men of God” and preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ first. Then teach the difference between the holy and the common, and possess the gates of the enemy, so that our children will grow up in the same land “under God” that we did.

HEALTHCARE FOR AMERICA – A BIBLICAL AND MORAL IMPERATIVE

The President recently had a telephone conference call with hundreds of leaders from the religious left to discuss the moral imperative of his healthcare reform proposal. So it’s only appropriate that we also look at this question, not from a politically biased point-of-view, but from a Biblical point-of-view.

The President was quick to use Biblical language like being our brother’s keeper, and referring to those with differing opinions as “bearing false witness” in his pitch to mobilize religious groups to take on his cause. (Whatever happened to separation of church and state here?) But nevertheless, let’s take a look at this issue without the political spin.

Jesus’ teachings called for “healing the sick,” caring for the “least of these,” caring for widows and orphans, and generally, caring for any disadvantaged persons who need help. This is the Biblical imperative. But there is a fundamental truth that cannot be overlooked without missing the whole point of Christ’s message: These instructions were addressed to free people, not to governing bodies. Jesus didn’t say, “Be faithful in your payment of taxes to Caesar so that Caesar can care for the sick.” He always addressed the people, because it was the responsibility of individuals to act out of genuine care and concern for others, not the responsibility of an impersonal government body.

The reason why we lead the world in healthcare is because our hospitals and healthcare institutions were founded, from the formation of our republic, by individuals and associations of free people –those who had willing hearts- who took Christ’s mandate personally to “minister” to the less fortunate. The minute a compulsory element is introduced into the equation the door opens for corruption and waste, and the very people we intend to help are, in the end, hurt by a corrupt and wasteful healthcare system. This is not theory. Just look around the world to the nations that are attempting this very thing.

Both right and left agree that healing the sick is a Biblical and moral imperative. We disagree, however, on the best way to administer the care. The left believes it should happen through a compulsory government controlled program, while the right believes it should be left to the private sector where individuals and free associations of individuals can come together to provide the care needed. In reality, the deficiencies of our present system reflect not a deficiency of government, but rather a deficiency in the community of faith, and to that end, I believe the government is justified in providing a safety net, but that safety net should be kept to a minimum, because of the waste and corruption inherent in a godless secular system.

The question is often asked, “What would Jesus do?”

I believe Jesus would encourage the private sector plan of administration because Jesus was always concerned mostly with the heart and motive of a people rather than their deeds. He would not be in support of a system that encourages people to pay taxes just to assuage their guilty consciences for not caring for their neighbor. He wants us to care for our neighbor from the heart.

We see this demonstrated even in our churches where individuals would rather contribute to missionary causes halfway around the world than go, personally, to a neighbor across the street who may be in need. Man looks upon the outward things, but God looks upon the heart.

So in the final analysis of examining this question, we see that it is the legitimate role of government to protect the people from unscrupulous business practices by insurance companies, but it is the role of free people, and free enterprise to care for one another. We cannot delegate this mandate that Christ has given to us. The responsibility is ours, not Caesar’s.

Brad Pitt, Pop Culture and America's Future

Brad Pitt recently announced on T.V. that he would consider running for office on the platform of “Gay Marriage, No Religion and Legalizing Marijuana.” The reason why I believe his comments even warrant a response is because this mindset is representative of many in contemporary pop culture today, a mindset based in ignorance of American history and ignorance of logic. Yet, if this world view becomes more prevalent it will undermine the very underpinnings of the foundation of a peaceful and prosperous society. America will change –not for the better.

When asked by Bill Maher about his issues with religion Brad Pitt said this,

"You know, I grew up in a religious family, in a religious community and it just doesn't make sense to me. It just doesn't work for me in the long run," Pitt said. "I never wanted to stop anyone else's religion and their beliefs until I started seeing it defining policy.... Like gay marriage. You have a group of people telling other people how to live their lives, and you can't do that. (Italics mine). In fact, I'm talking like there are actually Christians watching your show..."

Isn’t he telling Christians how to live their lives by that very statement, dictating what we can or cannot do? What he really means is that Christians must remain silent and allow the irreligious people to set public policy. His statement defies logic. You cannot tell someone they can’t tell someone what to do, without in that very statement telling them what to do. This shows ignorance of the basic principle of logic that truth must be consistent with itself.

His ignorance –and the ignorance in pop culture – of our American history is revealed by his apparent surprise that our religious views are influencing our public policy. Public policy has always, and in every country, is always a reflection of a religious world view. George Washington, the father of our country told us that it is “impossible to govern without God and the Bible.” And founding father of our country and our legal system James Wilson taught us that civil law must always be consistent with divine law.

My concern is that our young people are getting their information from uneducated or mis-educated personalities producing ignorant masses ready to follow any charismatic personality into bondage until we become like the other less exceptional nations of the world. Bill Bennett called it the “dumbing down of America.”

Can you imagine someone like Brad Pitt running for office and winning? I can. Didn’t Al Franken, a comedian get in? If this trend continues, it won’t be long until our national anthem is replaced with a new one that is already being played at major public events: “Imagine.” Did you ever read the words written by the Beatles?

"Imagine there's no heaven, It's easy if you try
No hell below us, Above us only sky
Imagine all the people Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries, It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for, And no religion too
Imagine all the people, Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us, And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us, And the world will live as one.

If you don’t see anything wrong with the words to this song as a national anthem, than you have already been brainwashed –or shall I say, “brain polluted” by an ideology that will radically change American culture for the worse. I’m reminded of President Reagan’s warning,

“If we ever cease to be one nation under God, we will be one nation gone under.”

It is up to the educated people of God to speak truth to power as well as to our neighbors, so that our children will know the same liberty, peace and prosperity our parents passed on to us. The clergy must lead the way, and the people of God must be as the Sons of Issachar who understand the times and know what Israel –or America- must do.

H.R. 3200: Camel's Nose in the Tent

After looking at the text of H.R. 3200, the House of Representative’s Health Care Bill, it becomes quite apparent that this is nothing more -and nothing less- than the proverbial camel getting his nose in the tent; the camel being nationalized, single payer, government run and controlled health care. When the President says, “If you like your present plan, you can keep it.” He is being technically correct, but deceptive in intent. Sure, you can keep it for awhile, but the conditions of keeping your private plan over time are so restrictive that sooner or later everyone will be absorbed into the government “option,” until the camel is fully in the tent. Eventually it will be all camel and no tent!

We Are Not Stupid...or Are We?

The total miscalculation of the “Cash for Clunkers” program is just one more glaring piece of evidence of the total incompetence of the present administration concerning our economy. Logic prevents us from putting any faith in the administration’s promises concerning national healthcare. What logic and recent history does tell us is that:
· The cost will be incalculably more than any numbers they publish.
· The administrative boondoggle will render any program totally ineffective.
· Free enterprise, as we know it, will become a thing of the past.

The only thing this present administration is sure about is concentrating power in Washington D.C.

Woodrow Wilson warned us that,

“The history of liberty is the history of the limitations of power, not the increase of it. When we resist, therefore, the concentration of power, we resist the powers of death, for the concentration of power always precedes the destruction of human liberties.”

We dare not be counted among the uneducated or “mis”-educated concerning the preservation of our liberties. This August recess is the time for “we the people” to be heard by our congressional representatives who are attempting to advance the concentration of power using a manufactured crisis to pull the wool over the eyes of the American public. We are not stupid! Let your voice be heard.

Educate yourself on the issue. (Log on to http://tinyurl.com/m2uswr for more information on the issue. Then call your local representative. Show up at town hall meetings. Write letters to the editor. Do it all. There is no earthly cause greater than fighting for our liberties. The next generation is counting on us.

CALLED TO FALL JULY 5TH

It’s quite telling that it was reported today that President Obama may attend the funeral of pop idol Michael Jackson while he refused to participate in last May’s National Day of Prayer observance. This tells me he thinks more highly of Michael Jackson than he does of God! This is just one more indication that we must pray for leadership that is equal to the challenges of our time. Each day it becomes more obvious that Barak Obama is -to use a phrase he used as a candidate- in above his pay grade.

President Obama is systematically destroying our economy in his quest to bring the Marxist-Socialist system he learned from his twenty-year mentor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. We’ve learned we cannot judge him by his speech. What he says has no bearing on what he does, because his words have one purpose - to gain favor from his audience in the moment. Truth is relative, and just like his view of the “living” constitution, all is based in situational ethics. In other words, right is whatever will advance his agenda, and consolidate his power.

If he is not purposely lying to the public, he is guilty of gross incompetence. It must be one or the other. He said if he didn’t pass the massive $787 billion stimulus plan, (President Bush should never have started this trend in the first place.) that unemployment would rise to unacceptable numbers. Well, we did pass his stimulus plan, and unemployment still rose to those same levels. So what did we get for all the money we spent? More government control of American life. This was either a purposeful ruse or Obama is totally incompetent. It must be one or the other.

While he still tries to sell the illusion that 95% of Americans will see a tax break on one hand, on the other , he is about to sign the largest tax increase in America’s history for 100% of Americans with his new “Cap and Tax” bill. He has certainly proven himself to be a master at political slight-of-hand.

On the foreign policy front, the very thing he campaigned about –regaining world respect- is the very thing we are quickly losing. Just ask Ahmadinejad of Iran, or Kim Jong Il of North Korea. While the President is naively trying to play nice, our enemies are planning our demise. Soon President Obama will be singing “Give Peace a Chance,” while our enemies are lobbing missiles and lopping heads.

We are at a time when we must turn back to God, or our children will suffer for our complacency. Democrats may be leading this downward plunge, but godless Republicans do no better. It’s time for Democrats, Republicans, Independents and others to turn back to God, then plan on “throwing the bums out” and replacing them with men and women who fear God, who understand the times and who know what America must do. It must begin in the Church. There is no other answer but that answer that is found in the book that helped birth this nation -the Bible. We must turn to God.

This July 5th, we are calling on believers everywhere to fall on their knees in repentance and cry out for God’s mercy on our nation. For more information on this event, log on to www.call2fall.com.

The great 19th century revivalist, Charles Finney forewarned us when he said, “God will bless or curse this nation according to the course that Christians take in politics.” Let’s choose the right course.

SUBSIDIZING OUR OWN DEMISE

Not only is the present administration set to free 17 Chinese Jihadists on American soil, and let the American taxpayer support them via our welfare system, but now, all they have to do is claim to have been “tortured” and they can apply for almost 9 million dollars in federal grant money that the Department of Human Services has made available, through the Office of Refugee Resettlement. [i] This is absolutely nuts!

Not only will these Jihadists enjoy a life in America with more “blessings” than they’ve ever known, but now we will support them, and educate them so they can fine-tune their Jihadist training to bring down our system of liberty under God, to set up their system of Sharia law: bondage under Allah.

Looking at this most objectively one would have to ask, and seriously ponder, where does the insanity really lie? We’re financing our own demise. God help us.


[i] Department of Health & Human Services Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2009-ACF-ORR-ZT-0050

IT'S NOT A CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE

Governor Paterson recently called for the redefinition of marriage to include homosexual and lesbian couples claiming this to be a civil rights issue.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. must be rolling in his grave!
Mr. Paterson, himself an African-American, should have a better understanding of what constitutes a civil rights issue. Sadly, he denigrates his own heritage by associating the civil rights struggle of the African-Americans with the current trend to legitimize an immoral lifestyle. Governor Paterson insults the African-American community, and the memory of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by placing the gay rights movement on the same level as the civil rights movement of the 60s.

Civil rights movements are characterized by the defense of an oppressed minority, a people who demonstrate disadvantage in three areas: economically, politically and socially.

In every area the homosexual community enjoys not only equality, but superiority. They earn more, they have greater political clout, and they are, in fact, the only protected social class in America today.

They are not an oppressed ethnic minority, and it is an offense to legitimate minorities to place a group characterized by deviant behavior in the same class.

Homosexuality is not an immutable characteristic of one’s identity such as race, or as defining of one’s identity such as religion. There are no “ex” African-Americans, but there are thousands of “ex” homosexuals who have changed, and have chosen to develop healthy heterosexual relationships.

If you want to properly include gays and lesbians in a class it would have to be in a class made up of people who are addicted to destructive behaviors, such as drug addicts, or alcoholics. Just like these addictive lifestyles, homosexuality can be nearly impossible to change without divine help, but as the evidence clearly indicates, change does happen. To this end we must always demonstrate love and compassion toward those who are bound by homosexuality.

Albert J. Williams-Meyers, a professor of Black Studies at SUNY New Paltz, knows civil rights. He had this to say,

"In terms of the civil rights movement of the '60s and '70s, there isn't much parallel there at all. People from the African continent were brought to America as slaves because of their skin color. Such factors don't figure into the discrimination that affects gays and lesbians.”

The Rev. Sylvester McClearn of Newburgh, NY was part of the black civil rights era. He said,

"They are not deprived of anything. They are rich people. They are middle class. They are all kinds of people coming from all walks of life, not just poor people. They are a special interest group that is fighting for what they want."

This is not a righteous fight for “marriage equality” as the gay community claims. They have equality already. They have as much a right to marriage as anyone --marriage being the union of a male and a female unrelated by blood. They don’t have the right to redefine marriage to suit their deviant lifestyle, and in doing so, making marriage more common, thus devaluing the institution itself.

This is not a civil rights issue, and it must not be so framed. It’s about legitimizing an immoral lifestyle, and changing the institution that has served as the foundation of civilization. It must not be changed, or our posterity will reap the unintended consequences of our immorality.

The “Father of Our Country,” George Washington, in his 1789 inaugural speech, reminded us that,

“The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.”

We must demonstrate moral leadership, or we will continue to see a decline in the quality of life in America. We must continually work for the expansion of civil rights, but we must never encourage, by our public policy, civil wrongs.

Polarization, Not Decline

This week’s article in Newsweek, “The End of Christian America” claims that Christianity is on the decline in America. What the article really uncovered is that those who identify as Christians, but who have never lived for Christ –“pseudo” Christians- are now more willing to identify as Agnostics or Atheists. The mushy middle is disappearing, as the Bible teaches us would happen. (Revelation 12:11, 12).

On the other hand, every day of the week two new mega churches are opening their doors (Churches with more than 2,000 in attendance, according to Churchgrowthtoday.com.) So it becomes clear that what is happening is not a decline in Christianity –real Christianity- but rather a polarization in America.

Yes, there are two Americas, not as defined by John Edwards, during his presidential bid, of the “haves” and “have-nots,” but two Americas defined by a fundamental worldview that either acknowledges God and the legitimacy of the Bible, or it does not, or put another way, those who believe in “One Nation Under God,” and those who do not.

It’s been said that God has no grandchildren. Americans who have grown as traditional or cultural Christians, are being compelled to decide for themselves who they will acknowledge as the only true God: the God of the Bible, or the god of their own creation. This polarization will continue, as the godless crowd gains the support of government and major institutions, like the media and public education.

Sadly, the reality is that as we move away from our identity as “One Nation Under God,” we will find ourselves to be many nations under many gods. This will mean an accelerating decline in American life. We can look forward to more violence, less prosperity, and an overall continuing degeneration of our culture. The only answer is a spiritual renewal that will call us back to the faith of our Founders: a faith reflected by our greatest leaders, like President Lincoln who told us that

“It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependency upon the overruling power of God…”[1]

Since it is illogical to expect ungodly institutions to teach the truth of our godly traditions and history, it is up to the Church to proclaim the truth, even when it brings division. It is time to see a decline of the mushy middle. Let the polarization continue while we pray for revival.


[1] On March 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day:
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Obama Seeks To Replace The Church

I thought it interesting on this day, March 28, 114 years ago, the American Salvation Army was organized, and now in 2009 on this day, the new U.S. President is moving forward with his plan to replace the “Armies of Compassion” with the army of government. Obama’s plan to eliminate deductions for charitable giving is nothing more than an attempt to replace voluntary charitable organizations with big government. Where liberty thrives helping the poor is a product of compassion and care from those who are more fortunate. When the government takes over helping the poor is the justification for the existence of a wasteful, self-serving government bureaucracy.

The Church must rise up now to oppose this action, not simply because the Church stands to lose, but because this is another power grab to establish an authoritarian socialist government that must necessarily work to silence the Gospel, and will continue to do so little by little until our motto “In God We Trust” is replaced by “In Government We Trust.”

This is precisely the plan and the agenda of the spirit driving the present administration. The clergy must rise up as they have in times past to resist the forces of evil. It’s time for the prophet to prophesy to the king. We must teach our people the principles of liberty under God, and fulfill our duty to our country as stewards of the gift of liberty God has entrusted to us. God forbid that we remain “complacent in Zion.”

Above His Pay Grade?

It appears that Barak Obama is moving full speed ahead to destroy the economy. Why? Perhaps Obama wants us to be like the poor nations of the world to soothe a liberal anti-American guilt complex, or perhaps as one report claims, he knows exactly what he’s doing and is purposely throwing our economy into chaos to put Americans in a position where they will be clamoring for a savior, paving the way for government takeover of a once-free people. Then again, perhaps this is an overestimation of his abilities. He may simply be in over his head, or as he stated, above his pay grade.

Whatever the reason, Americans will have to revisit the foundational principles that have made us the greatest nation on the face of the earth if we are to recover -the principles of liberty under God. These Biblical principles have provided restraints on American capitalism, and they will need to be reaffirmed and publicly acknowledged. The word “virtue” must once again become part of the American lexicon.

Even as the Obama crowd would waste no crisis in advancing their agenda, so should the people of God see this as an opportunity to rise up, exercise leadership and see America once again enjoy God’s favor as we publicly acknowledge that we are still “One Nation Under God.” The Church must lead the way.

Tyler Speaks

It seems like every day we’re hearing of another multi-billion dollar bailout. I believe it bears repeating what was said over 200 years ago about the fall of the Athenian Republic by Scots Historian Professor Alexander Tyler, circa 1787:

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse (generous gifts) from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship."

There it is folks. A nation of fools will we be if knowing history, we simply repeat it. It’s up to those who know the truth to take a stand if we are to see our nation spared from the consequences proven through all of history to be our fate if we continue on the current path. Tyler also taught:

"The average age of the world's greatest civilization has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through this sequence. From bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance, from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back into bondage."

I'd say we're presently between the apathy and depency stage. What do you think?

At the very core of this entire issue is our collective trust in the King of the Universe. Remember, it was Ronald Reagan who taught us that,

"if we ever cease to be one nation under God, we will be a nation gone under."

That’s the bottom line. No economic plan will save us from the bondage that befalls nations that turn their backs on God. This, too, is proven by history. It is my constant prayer that our nation will turn back to the God of our Fathers. Only then will there be real “hope” for a future of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

It must begin with the people of God. Church leaders must rise up to the call or we will have to answer to our children and grandchildren for the liberty lost, because of our complacency. God has always had a people, a faithful remnant willing to sacrifice "our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." I'm confident He still has.

LESSONS FROM NADYA

The case of Nadya Suleman, the “octomom” who had eight children by in vitro fertilization adding to the six she already had, presents a clear warning sign indicating where our culture is headed if we continue on this present course to societal chaos and dysfunction.

God has a design for his human creation: First marriage, then children raised by a mother and a father, not by a village or government welfare. Unfortunately, Nadya’s case is slowly becoming more “normal.” In many communities across our nation young girls no longer associate child-bearing with marriage. They see these as two unrelated events, with the former being more desirable than the latter.

For the sake of generations to come we must do our best to support single parent families, while we work to re-establish the prominence of the natural family. Men must step up to the plate to provide loving leadership while we all reaffirm that children are a sacred gift from God for whom parents must be willing to sacrifice. God help us if we become a nation that sacrifices the children for the parents’ happiness. God help the next generation if we don’t turn things around.

CUT THE HOLE OUT OF MY JEANS

The “stimulus” package the feds are about to execute reminds me of the story of the little boy who came home crying because he had fallen and torn a large hole on the kneecap area of his brand new jeans. He pleaded with his mother, “Please Mom, cut the hole out of my jeans so it won’t be there any more.”

Needless to say, cutting out the hole just creates a bigger hole, but alas, at least “we’ll be doing something!” For people who claim at least a minimal level of intelligence, this is a pretty dumb move.

All one has to do is to look at the facts, look at our history, and project out into the future to see that by every measure this is a loser. But then again, that presumes the ability to defer immediate gratification for a long-term good, which the present administration and Congress doesn’t seem to have the common sense to do. Goodbye prosperity; hello poverty. God help us, and God help the next generation.

COMING "CORRUSION"

Already, we’re seeing plenty of evidence of what I believe will be the norm for the next four years. Let’s call it “corrusion.” That’s the combined effect of corruption and confusion. Let me explain.

Confusion will take place when the new administration attempts to govern by situational ethics rather than by the time-tested principles codified by our founding fathers. The liberal view of our constitution held by Barak Obama sees a document interpreted by the light of current trends. As they see it, the Constitution, and all laws that derive from it, should be “liquid” enough to change as conditions change. They call it a “living” constitution. In effect, this means that the Constitution, and the entire legal system that flows from it, can mean anything depending on who is reading it. The final authority is the “reader,” not the document. Thus with many different readers you will have mass confusion. (The conservative view holds that the Constitution and the written law is the final authority.)

Corruption will then follow, because without a fixed sense of authority human nature will cause many to see their way as the right way. This will be further accelerated by our move away from being “One Nation Under God.” Everyone will be a god unto himself. More people in government will be driven by self-interests, and fewer will be there to serve others. It is a Judeo-Christian idea to live to serve others, while those gazing through a humanistic-evolutionary lens are guided by a drive for “survival of the fittest” and “self-preservation.” In this environment the “right thing” will be whatever is self-serving. The means justifies the ends. Just don’t get caught!

We will begin to resemble third world countries where the law is determined by who you know.

The confusion and corruption –the corrusion- will steal our peace and prosperity. Enemies, foreign and domestic, will take advantage of the confusion. Social, political and economic corrusion will be the norm.

That’s why the “What’s next?” question for the Christian has to be prayer –a lot of prayer! We must pray for our new president and those in power over us. We must pray for revival in our land. We must repent of our own sin of religious pride that shows up in ways that keeps us divided and ineffective.

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chron 7:14

We’ve heard it enough, now we must do it!