ShortReport

My Thoughts on our Recent Election

Ten days out and I'm ready to post my thoughts on the recent election.

1. Congratulations to Barrack Obama. He ran an excellent campaign in defeating both Hillary Clinton and John McCain. He has demonstrated himself to be a capable leader who is able to inspire with his vision and to organize in such a way to achieve that vision.

2. Although race was rarely mentioned before the election, its about all the media could talk about after the election. I can only imagine the pride most African-American's felt as they saw Obama elected to the highest office in the land. Obviously, this is a wonderful thing for our country. For many young black men, they now have a role model of a man who is faithful to his wife and children, who valued his education and who worked hard to get where he is today. This is quite a contrast to the destructive role models most young blacks have seen in rap stars and professional athletes. And it contrasts nicely with former black leaders who fomented anger, bitterness and a victim mentality in their followers -- destructive attitudes that appeal to our lower nature. Let's hope that Obama's election helps inspire a whole new generation of black men to rise up and achieve their potential.

3. Obama has promised to "change Washington" and to bring our country together. Of course, this is exactly what George W. Bush promised to do eight years ago and we see how well that worked out. Obama is not going to be any more successful. Our country is deeply divided in ways that are not superficial nor easily glossed over. There really is a deeper battle for our culture and what happens in our elections is a result of that war -- it is not the cause of it. Obama is our duly elected president and, as such, he deserves our respect. But he should not expect us to abandon our principles nor to be silent when he proposes policies that violate those principles.

4. I am NOT optimistic about our short-term future. I'm not sure what Obama will do on the "big issues" like the economy, but I expect that within days of taking office, significant changes will be made concerning abortion (e.g. funding them with tax-payer money, striking down all restrictions on abortion, etc) and gay rights (e.g. hate-crime legislation that will make it illegal to speak against homosexuality). Within six to nine months, basic freedoms that we have taken for granted may well be at risk (freedom to say certain things, certain economic freedoms, etc.). And as far as that "big issue," the economy, I think it is going to go from bad to worse no matter what Obama does, but it will be even worse if Obama passes his agenda.

5. The Republicans broke trust with their base constituency and, once again, paid a heavy price for doing so. Conservative Republicans never have trusted John McCain and, thus, a vote for McCain was really a vote against Obama. I knew a lot of people who voted for McCain, but very few who were excited about him and its hard to win an election if you don't have your base constituency out there excited about you. Republicans must learn that they win elections when they unashamedly articulate conservative principles and lose when they appeal to the "moderates" who have no convictions.

6. For evangelical Christians, Sarah Palin was the bright spot of this campaign. She was loved by conservatives for the exact same reason she was hated by the mainstream media. She had enough backbone to stand for her principles and she didn't feel a need to apologize to those who disagreed with her. She exuded confidence in her positions and abilities. She was not afraid to expose her opponents. Thus, she drew crowds of thousands and nearly matched Obama in "star power." I can't remember the last time I saw a candidate so unfairly vilified by the press and, to me, the reason is simple: this successful lady gave birth in a very public way to a baby that elitist feminists believe should have been aborted, thus demonstrating that these "women's groups" aren't really"pro-choice," they are simply advocates for abortion. Because Sarah Palin didn't abort her Down Syndrome baby, she needed to be destroyed. We who believe every life is a gift from God should honor her for this very reason.

7. While the election of Barrack Obama and an overwhelmingly Democrat Congress and Senate is obviously bad news for conservative evangelicals, the nation once again strongly rejected the concept of "gay marriage." Even in liberal California where almost all of the state's leading government and business leaders came out in favor of gay marriage, the churches (evangelical, Catholic and Mormon) joined together and led the people to make an overwhelming statement that marriage is to be between a man and a woman. This is a huge issue that merits significant comment, therefore, I'll end it here and make Gay Marriage the topic of my next blog.

Who Am I Voting for and Why?

Actually, I am deeply disappointed in our choices for President this year.
If McCain is elected, I hold out no illusions that we will be happy with his presidency.
He will do some things that are good, but he will also disappoint in many ways.

On the other hand, I believe Obama will be disastrous for this nation.

Therefore, I am voting AGAINST Obama and for McCain.

(Note: I realize a strong case can be made that

neither candidate deserves our support and we should vote for a third party candidate instead. However, in light of the damage I fear Obama will do, I conclude I must do all I can to help elect someone else and, in this case, there is only one other viable candidate.)

Why I am FOR McCain
1. I strongly support his selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate. Although this woman has been vilified by the liberal media, she appears to be a woman of deep core convictions that line up with my Biblical worldview. She also has the backbone to stand up and say what she believes.

2. I believe he will appoint judges that will INTERPRET the Constitution rather than make up new laws because they see it as a "living document" (especially concerning abortion, gay marriage and other social issues).

3. I believe he will help us win in Iraq and come home with honor.

4. I believe he will work to limit our out-of-control government spending.

5. I believe he understands the threat of terrorism and will continue our war against Islamic extremism.

6. I believe he will be a pro-life President.

7. He has demonstrated his love for our nation by heroically suffering in a POW camp and refusing personal release because it would dishonor those captured before him.

8. I think Cindy McCain is a marvelous example of voluntarily serving the less fortunate and she will be a wonderful First Lady.

Why I am voting AGAINST Obama

1. I honestly don't think he has been properly vetted by the media and, therefore, I don't think we really know who he is and what he will do. I say this relating to the following issues:

    a. What influence did his pastor, Jeremiah Wright, have on him? This has not really been explored by the media. Jeremiah Wright preaches a false gospel -- a gospel not of personal salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ, but a "gospel" of political and economic "liberation" for the poor and oppressed. Black Liberation Theology interprets the ministry of Jesus in Marxist terms. All of this is very obvious from the church website, and yet this has barely been explored by our media. NOTE: Since I a Christian who believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ, this one area of false theology and its implications is enough to make me vote against Obama.

    b. Obama has a whole slew of other relationships with radicals that really have not been adequately explored and explained. A person is known by the company he keeps and Obama has kept company with people whose values are so anti-American that I believe we are owed an explanation by him. He has provided none. How people can give him a pass on this is totally beyond my comprehension. If McCain or Palin even attended an event with someone on the radical right (say a KKK leader), they would be forced from the race. Obama has not only met with people on the radical left, he has worked with them on boards, projects, the distrubtion of funds, etc.

2. Obama would be the most radically pro-choice (i.e. in favor of abortion) President we have ever elected.

3. Obama would be the most radically pro-homosexual President we have ever elected.

4. I do not believe Obama understands the threat of Islamic extremism and would not be an effective leader in combating this threat.

5. I shudder to think of the leftist judges he would appoint to the Supreme Court -- judges who would help shape the policies of our country for years to come.

6. I believe his economic policy of "spreading the wealth around" is socialism. I've never seen socialism work. I believe socialism punishes success and, rather than eliminate poverty, it tends to impoverish an entire country.

7. I believe his foreign policy is tilted too much towards getting along with other nations rather than focusing first and foremost on the interests of the country he seeks to lead.

8. I fear what an Obama Presidency along with Nancy Pelosi (Leading the House of Representatives) and Harry Reid (Leading what may be a super majority of Democrats in the Senate) will do to our country. In addition to all the things I've mentioned above, I've seen how people on the radical left think of conservative Christians. I face their hate and intolerance nearly every day. Mark my word, if these people have unbridled power in our nation, they will take dead aim at people like me and other leading Christian evangelists and spokesmen -- and perhaps at people like you! (Note: An example of how intolerant and hateful these people are can be seen in the "lynching" of Sarah Palin at a home in Hollywood. Can you imagine anyone doing this with Obama? See this web site Sarah Palin Lynched

What do I Think will Happen?

    Personally, I think Obama and his team have run a superb campaign both in beating Hillary Clinton and now having a consistent lead over John McCain. On the other hand, McCain has been weak in communicating his message and has not zeroed in on Obama's greatest weaknesses. Obama has energized his base supporters and McCain has failed to energize his base (although Sarah Palin sure has!). For these reasons alone, Obama deserves to win this election and probably will.
  
    A wise friend of mine asked me if Obama's election is a judgement on America?

    It just might be. Only time will tell.

    However, this election is not over yet. Make sure YOU get out to vote and speak to your friends about this election. Do your part. And PRAY for our country at this crucial time!

   
   
   

Colorado Church Shootings

Our hearts go out to the victims of the senseless shooting deaths this past Sunday at a Youth with a Mission training center and at the New Life Church in Colorado -- two separate locations where a lone gunman killed four of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

There are so many things I'd like to comment on concerning this story, so hang in there with me.

1.) This shooter seems to be from a wonderful, godly family. They seem to be genuinely heartbroken at the actions of their estranged son. Pray for them as well as the victims of these shootings -- the families and church families of those  who were killed.

2.) Parents and all Christians everywhere: we must redouble our efforts to win our own children to Christ. Satan is diabolical and ruthless in pursuing the children of believers. Perhaps there is nothing more these parents could have done and perhaps nothing more the Christian community they were a part of could have done. Kids grow up and exercise their free will. But, oh, let's make sure we do all we can because Satan is after our kids.

In fighting for our kids, parents, there is one thing we must do: LOVE our children. Yes, we must teach them, protect them, discipline them, etc. but above all, we must love them. Our rules, our discipline, our restrictions must be done in love -- and not just saying we love them or believing we love them, but they must know we love them. Otherwise, our best efforts to raise godly kids can (and will) backfire into rebellion.

3.) Evidently, the shooter allowed a root of bitterness toward Christians to grow until it took bloody revenge. Bitterness and holding grudges is such a wicked sin. It violates the very heart of our gospel message. Never, never allow bitterness into your heart. It may not lead you to become a mass murderer like this fellow did, but it will rot your soul.

4.) This fellow may well have been demon-possessed. (See story at www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/dec/11/roommate-recalls-bizarre-times-said-he-knew-it-was/)
Demon possession was common in Jesus' day and it is common in other parts of the world. America seems to have been protected from this scourge, but personally, I think we are seeing more demon possession and will see even more in the future. The covering of protection God has graciously granted our country is being removed. There is more violence of such a nature that one has to wonder if it is inspired from the pits of hell. We must be learning Satan's schemes and how to battle him or we will become his victims.

5.) Speaking of all the violence: do you wonder why this story is not getting top head-lines in media outside of Colorado? Mall shootings, school shootings all seem to be major stories. Church shootings seem to be lesser issues. Can you imagine the coverage this would be getting if someone had gone in and shot-up a mosque?! Or if someone shot-up a gay rights parade? (Side note: I find ALL violence of this nature to be wicked and sickening and, in the Name of Christ, I would condemn this type of violence as well.)

6.) This shooter wanted to "kill as many Christians" as he could. He was obviously filled with hate for Christians. He blamed Christians for all the evil in the world. This was, indeed, a true "hate crime."  Do you think we are going to hear an outcry against websites and books that "foster hatred" toward believers? Will anyone condemn Christopher Hitchen's book, God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything  or Sam Harris', Letter to a Christian Nation ? Will either of these gentlemen hold a news conference condemning violence against Christians and assuring the public their books were not intended to inspire hatred? Will Congress call hearings to investigate hate crimes towards Christians? Don't hold your breath waiting for such to happen.

When Matthew Shepherd (gay man in Wyoming) was picked up in a gay bar, robbed and cruelly murdered, homosexual groups were quick to blame Christian leaders and Christian organizations for creating "an environment of hate"  that would inspire such crimes. But there was no evidence that these murderous thugs attended church on Sunday and listened to James Dobson on the radio. The main stream media picked up on these accusations and even stopped running a series of adds by Focus on the Family about people who had left the gay lifestyle. And, of course, Matt Shepherd is memorialized each year on campuses as a martyr for gay rights.

We know this shooter visited anti-Christian hate sites on the web. Will there be public pressure to hold these web sites accountable? I sense a huge double-standard here.

7.) Churches that are high-profile or that have active ministries with troubled youth may want to consider their security measures. Personally, I'm thankful that New Life had armed security on hand and I consider the security guard who shot this murderer to be a hero. She saved dozens -- perhaps hundreds of lives (there were 7,000 people at the church at the time of the shooting and he had over 1,000 rounds of ammunition on him). Believers have a right -- and a duty -- to protect one another from murderous, law-breaking thugs. Your church may or may not want armed security, but you should think through beforehand  security issues if, God forbid, something like this were to happen in your church. (Note: this is not the first church in our country to have a mass shooting and it won't be the last.)

Huckabee Hit Job

    Now that Mike Huckabee is making a serious run for the Republican nomination, the hit jobs are coming out against him. This weekend had a shocking report of how Huckabee said homosexuality was "abirent, unnatural and sinful behavior" way back in 1992. And today, the Drudge Report is running a huge headline of how Huckabee, back in 1998, said the problem with America was the breakdown of the family and how the church needed to fix things more the the government. He ends with a call to Baptist preachers to "take this nation back for Christ."
       The obvious hit jobs are obviously the work of some opposition candidate who thinks this will hurt Huckabee. Personally, I think this stuff will win him the nomination! Sounds like my type of guy! Go Huck!