How Should You As A Christian Vote?

I have had my heart breaking for some many as I read my social media news feed lately. There is so much hatred in the realm of politics and in the upcoming presidential elections, and my biggest concern is those "Christians" who are saying they are not going to vote or write in their own choice for candidate over those who are eligible based on what the primary elections have chosen for us as candidates.

God wants us to get involved in politics. God commands us to pray for our leaders. Pray for their salvation. For wisdom. To do the right things. For God to use them. That they would have a great walk with God.

Today we are going to learn how not to be led to vote for a candidate based on how we feel, but in lining them up and comparing them to the biblical world view and the things they support. As believers in Christ, we are mandated by Scripture on how to vote, and there will be a candidate that comes to the most closest to a biblical world view, not on our own views of what matters.

People today don't even understand the term "separation of church and state," and have it all confused. It simply was a statement issued in the 1st Amendment in the Declaration of Independence not the Constitution, and it states, " Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of or abridging the freedom of speech." It means no state or government could mandate a religion to apply for everyone. A state supported religion like England had. They allowed for no freedom of religion. You could not evangelize without permission from the Church of England in Europe.

Even when our Founding Fathers came to America and started to evangelize King George the Third, got involved and wanted it stopped because they were doing it without his permission here in America. Our Founding Fathers said "No! There will be no government mandated religion in this nation!" In that case there will be a secular nation, doesn't mean we don't believe in God, it means we will not have a United States of America church. You should have the freedom, not to worship or to worship. Only people who can think or reason would agree with that. THAT is what separation of church and state is, not what people have been spoon-feeding you to believe. Do you own research on it!

Did you know that Congress can not tell you when, where or how you can worship in your religious community? It's against the law for them to tell you that you can or can't practice your religious faith. From handing out Bibles to praying publicly, you have a Constitutional right based on what our  Founding Fathers established.

The greatest way for you to lose these freedoms is to tune all this out and not vote wisely. Don't you know how we prevent bloodless revolutions in this country? We vote! Every 2 to 4 years, we have a revolution in this country without blood. You vote! The power of the vote and we have a responsibility from God to do the right thing at all times.

Ephesians 2:8-10 ~ "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

"Good works" here means righteous acts, to do the right thing. Set your feelings aside, and how you feel, because we are commanded by God to do the right thing.

Young people today don't know the real definition of tolerance. Today it means you all have to think like I think and if anyone doesn't, we'll destroy them. We will marginalize them. We will mock them into oblivion. That's not tolerance, that's tyranny. If you're tolerant, you can get along with someone even if they don't agree with your biblical world view or any other religious view. You don't kill them or call them bigots, haters, intolerant and any other label you can slap on them because they disagree with you.

So why should the Christian care about politics? Because we are to be the voice for good. Christian influence throughout history can not be ignored. We know what is good, because we have the Bible as our standard. Who will speak up for the things that are wrong? How do we speak up? You call in. You vote! Use it! Do it! We have the opportunity to do it.

Proverbs 29:18 ~ "When people don't accept divine guidance, they run wild." ~ NLT

Hosea 4:6 ~ "My people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge,because you have rejected knowledge. I also will reject you from being a priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."

We speak into our culture in various ways and voting is a very important way we speak. We're to warn our culture, we're to be salt and light; we're to be defending the defenseless and economically moral. Voting is the opportunity before us.

Isaiah 62:6 ~ "I have set watchman on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent."

Ephesians 6:10-14 ~ "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate or righteousness,"

Be a voice for good, tell women not to have abortions to pray about it and give it more time!

We are the keepers of civility. If you want to understand Christianity, look at the Spirit of Christianity which is revealed in the sermon on the mount.(Matthew 5-7).

Matthew 5:3-9 ~ " Blessed are the poor in spirit (humble), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, (hurting from widows, homeless, orphans), for they shall be comforted. Blessed at the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

The Judeo-Christian worldview has created the greatest civilization, economy, liberty, compassion, freedom, and religious tolerance in the history of mankind. Why? Hospitals, schools, universities and missionary ventures have all been started overwhelmingly by Christians. No place should be exempt from any area of influence you might have. You can look at the UCLA logo, which has a book open in the middle with the phrase, "Let there be light" on it.

We are to persuade our culture. Biblical faith, scientific logic and practical reason should never be in conflict if the Bible is your source book. They should exist in perfect harmony.

Acts 17:1-4 ~ "Now when they have passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again fro the dead, and saying, "This Jesus who I preach to you is the Christ." And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Silas and Paul."

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." ~ John Adams, Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, 2nd President of the United States. 

"Providence has given our people the choice of rulers, and it is the duty, as well as privilege and interest, of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." ~ John Jay, Founding Father, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, October 12, 1816. 

How the mighty have fallen!

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ." ~ Patrick Henry, Orator, Governor, Founding Father. 

We are to obey God in all things. To choose our leaders. Other than God, government dictates our lives. The United States of America stands alone. That those who govern us do so by the consent of the governed.

"That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." ~ Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States. 

1 Corinthians 10:31 ~ "Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

It's known as the American trinity and it's on every coin..."In God We Trust/Unity/Liberty

"Have you come to the point where evangelicals will only vote for people they consider Christians? I hope not, for nothing in the Bible says that people have to be born again Christians before they can be governmental authorities who are used greatly by God to advance His purposes. God used Pharaoh, King of Egypt, to raise Joseph to a position of authority over the whole country, so he could save his people from famine (Genesis 41:37-57). God used Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, to protect and raise up Daniel and his Jewish friends to positions of high authority over Babylon (Daniel 2:46-49). God used Cyrus, King of Persia, to restore the Jewish exiles to their homeland (Isaiah 45:16; Ezra 1:1-4), and used Darius, King of Persia to protect the Jewish people as they rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 6:1-12). God used Ahasuerus, King of Persia, to raise up Esther as Queen and to give Mordecai high authority and honor in his kingdom. (Esther 6:10-11; 8:1-2, 7-15).

In the New Testament age, God used the peace enforced by the secular Roman Empire, the Pax Romana, to enable the early Christians, to travel freely and spread the Gospel throughout the Mediterranean world.

Without Christian influence, governments will have no moral compass. Consider how many political issues that now face the United States, and that face other nations, have significant moral components to them. War, same-sex marriage, abortion, pornography, poverty, care for the environment, capital punishment, education and moral standards. The United States at the present time has a tremendous need for moral guidance and if pastors and churches, believers in Christ, say, "I'll let somebody else speak about that, where will the nation's moral standards come from?"

If Christians do not speak out publicly about moral and ethical issues facing a nation, who will? Where will people learn about ethics? Where will a nation learn how to tell right from wrong? If Christians are silent and opt out of voting about such moral and ethical issues, then where will moral standards come from? We cannot leave a moral vacuum, and allow the ultimate adversaries of the gospel, Satan and his demons, to rush in and influence every decision in a way contrary to biblical standards. And if that happens, then governments around the world will increasingly use their tremendous power to silence the church." - Politics According to the Bible, Wayne Grudem

This is why Christians, believers in Christ, need to vote. By not voting, you are voting. You are saying in a nutshell, you don't care about what happens because you don't feel any of the candidates are worth voting for. That is the definition of apathy and that is what Jesus warned about would happen in the last days. Take another look and see where each of them simply line up with the issues above and take a biblical worldview on the issues that remain.

You, as a Christian believer, are not called to remain silent, but to speak out on the issues that matter!

How Should You As A Christian Vote?

I have had my heart breaking for some many as I read my social media news feed lately. There is so much hatred in the realm of politics and in the upcoming presidential elections, and my biggest concern is those "Christians" who are saying they are not going to vote or write in their own choice for candidate over those who are eligible based on what the primary elections have chosen for us as candidates.

God wants us to get involved in politics. God commands us to pray for our leaders. Pray for their salvation. For wisdom. To do the right things. For God to use them. That they would have a great walk with God.

Today we are going to learn how not to be led to vote for a candidate based on how we feel, but in lining them up and comparing them to the biblical world view and the things they support. As believers in Christ, we are mandated by Scripture on how to vote, and there will be a candidate that comes to the most closest to a biblical world view, not on our own views of what matters.

People today don't even understand the term "separation of church and state," and have it all confused. It simply was a statement issued in the 1st Amendment in the Declaration of Independence not the Constitution, and it states, " Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of or abridging the freedom of speech." It means no state or government could mandate a religion to apply for everyone. A state supported religion like England had. They allowed for no freedom of religion. You could not evangelize without permission from the Church of England in Europe.

Even when our Founding Fathers came to America and started to evangelize King George the Third, got involved and wanted it stopped because they were doing it without his permission here in America. Our Founding Fathers said "No! There will be no government mandated religion in this nation!" In that case there will be a secular nation, doesn't mean we don't believe in God, it means we will not have a United States of America church. You should have the freedom, not to worship or to worship. Only people who can think or reason would agree with that. THAT is what separation of church and state is, not what people have been spoon-feeding you to believe. Do you own research on it!

Did you know that Congress can not tell you when, where or how you can worship in your religious community? It's against the law for them to tell you that you can or can't practice your religious faith. From handing out Bibles to praying publicly, you have a Constitutional right based on what our  Founding Fathers established.

The greatest way for you to lose these freedoms is to tune all this out and not vote wisely. Don't you know how we prevent bloodless revolutions in this country? We vote! Every 2 to 4 years, we have a revolution in this country without blood. You vote! The power of the vote and we have a responsibility from God to do the right thing at all times.

Ephesians 2:8-10 ~ "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

"Good works" here means righteous acts, to do the right thing. Set your feelings aside, and how you feel, because we are commanded by God to do the right thing.

Young people today don't know the real definition of tolerance. Today it means you all have to think like I think and if anyone doesn't, we'll destroy them. We will marginalize them. We will mock them into oblivion. That's not tolerance, that's tyranny. If you're tolerant, you can get along with someone even if they don't agree with your biblical world view or any other religious view. You don't kill them or call them bigots, haters, intolerant and any other label you can slap on them because they disagree with you.

So why should the Christian care about politics? Because we are to be the voice for good. Christian influence throughout history can not be ignored. We know what is good, because we have the Bible as our standard. Who will speak up for the things that are wrong? How do we speak up? You call in. You vote! Use it! Do it! We have the opportunity to do it.

Proverbs 29:18 ~ "When people don't accept divine guidance, they run wild." ~ NLT

Hosea 4:6 ~ "My people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge,because you have rejected knowledge. I also will reject you from being a priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."

We speak into our culture in various ways and voting is a very important way we speak. We're to warn our culture, we're to be salt and light; we're to be defending the defenseless and economically moral. Voting is the opportunity before us.

Isaiah 62:6 ~ "I have set watchman on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent."

Ephesians 6:10-14 ~ "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate or righteousness,"

Be a voice for good, tell women not to have abortions to pray about it and give it more time!

We are the keepers of civility. If you want to understand Christianity, look at the Spirit of Christianity which is revealed in the sermon on the mount.(Matthew 5-7).

Matthew 5:3-9 ~ " Blessed are the poor in spirit (humble), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, (hurting from widows, homeless, orphans), for they shall be comforted. Blessed at the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

The Judeo-Christian worldview has created the greatest civilization, economy, liberty, compassion, freedom, and religious tolerance in the history of mankind. Why? Hospitals, schools, universities and missionary ventures have all been started overwhelmingly by Christians. No place should be exempt from any area of influence you might have. You can look at the UCLA logo, which has a book open in the middle with the phrase, "Let there be light" on it.

We are to persuade our culture. Biblical faith, scientific logic and practical reason should never be in conflict if the Bible is your source book. They should exist in perfect harmony.

Acts 17:1-4 ~ "Now when they have passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again fro the dead, and saying, "This Jesus who I preach to you is the Christ." And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Silas and Paul."

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." ~ John Adams, Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, 2nd President of the United States. 

"Providence has given our people the choice of rulers, and it is the duty, as well as privilege and interest, of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." ~ John Jay, Founding Father, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, October 12, 1816. 

How the mighty have fallen!

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ." ~ Patrick Henry, Orator, Governor, Founding Father. 

We are to obey God in all things. To choose our leaders. Other than God, government dictates our lives. The United States of America stands alone. That those who govern us do so by the consent of the governed.

"That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." ~ Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States. 

1 Corinthians 10:31 ~ "Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

It's known as the American trinity and it's on every coin..."In God We Trust/Unity/Liberty

"Have you come to the point where evangelicals will only vote for people they consider Christians? I hope not, for nothing in the Bible says that people have to be born again Christians before they can be governmental authorities who are used greatly by God to advance His purposes. God used Pharaoh, King of Egypt, to raise Joseph to a position of authority over the whole country, so he could save his people from famine (Genesis 41:37-57). God used Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, to protect and raise up Daniel and his Jewish friends to positions of high authority over Babylon (Daniel 2:46-49). God used Cyrus, King of Persia, to restore the Jewish exiles to their homeland (Isaiah 45:16; Ezra 1:1-4), and used Darius, King of Persia to protect the Jewish people as they rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 6:1-12). God used Ahasuerus, King of Persia, to raise up Esther as Queen and to give Mordecai high authority and honor in his kingdom. (Esther 6:10-11; 8:1-2, 7-15).

In the New Testament age, God used the peace enforced by the secular Roman Empire, the Pax Romana, to enable the early Christians, to travel freely and spread the Gospel throughout the Mediterranean world.

Without Christian influence, governments will have no moral compass. Consider how many political issues that now face the United States, and that face other nations, have significant moral components to them. War, same-sex marriage, abortion, pornography, poverty, care for the environment, capital punishment, education and moral standards. The United States at the present time has a tremendous need for moral guidance and if pastors and churches, believers in Christ, say, "I'll let somebody else speak about that, where will the nation's moral standards come from?"

If Christians do not speak out publicly about moral and ethical issues facing a nation, who will? Where will people learn about ethics? Where will a nation learn how to tell right from wrong? If Christians are silent and opt out of voting about such moral and ethical issues, then where will moral standards come from? We cannot leave a moral vacuum, and allow the ultimate adversaries of the gospel, Satan and his demons, to rush in and influence every decision in a way contrary to biblical standards. And if that happens, then governments around the world will increasingly use their tremendous power to silence the church." - Politics According to the Bible, Wayne Grudem

This is why Christians, believers in Christ, need to vote. By not voting, you are voting. You are saying in a nutshell, you don't care about what happens because you don't feel any of the candidates are worth voting for. That is the definition of apathy and that is what Jesus warned about would happen in the last days. Take another look and see where each of them simply line up with the issues above and take a biblical worldview on the issues that remain.

You, as a Christian believer, are not called to remain silent, but to speak out on the issues that matter!

What Does It Mean to be Qualifed?

Today while doing my study on the book of Ezekiel in the Bible, I had time to reflect on a few things. First of all I read my chapters, then take time to go back through commentaries that really explain the origins of the passages to gain a deeper insight. Sometimes you have those moments, where more than just a light bulb comes on. It feels like you've been hit with a bolt of lightning instead. This was one such case.

I wrote down a simple statement that I loved because I thought it really opened up a lot of depth in the words it implied.

Here's what I wrote: "A qualified leader is useless if the people refuse to be led."

I love it because of all the insight you can gain just from the simplicity of the truth found in it. In fact, I've had a lot of feedback where I have posted it.

For me it was in the context of what I was reading about not only in Ezekiel, but Jeremiah and Isaiah as well. All these men were called by God to be prophets to administer warnings to the people of Israel who were falling away from their Mosaic covenant with Him. They were supposed to adhere to the laws God gave them, but instead were forming alliances for their security with Babylon and Egypt for protection from their enemies.

Instead of trusting God, they were basically saying, "We got it this time God! We're good." So they pushed him aside and instead creating peace treaties with Egypt and Babylon. In order for those treaties to be valid, they had to worship some of the idols that Babylon and Egypt worshiped.

No problem right?

Well initially it seemed that way, because nothing bad was happening to them for doing it. No judgment for God. So they thought God might just be O.K. with what they were doing. In fact, they began to take additional steps and live full out idolatrous lives. Still nothing.

Even their religious leaders were basically telling people it's fine. Don't worry about it. Which compounded the problem.

So God involved these prophets as a warning that if they didn't stop what they were doing, God would have no other choice but to unleash judgment. I mean, when your child willfully disobeys, we may casually say something, but with each willful intention, we have to take drastic measure to bring them back to obedience.

That is just what was happening with God.

He even asked Ezekiel in Chapter 22: 30-31, "I looked for a man among them who would build up a wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord."

You would think, "Why couldn't God have used Ezekiel? After all if God was using him to preach his warnings to the people of Israel, isn't he the one?" Yes and No. Yes he was qualified, but the problem here takes us back to my quote. "A qualified leader is useless if the people refuse to be led."

Ezekiel was more than qualified, the problem was the hearts of the people. They didn't want someone to tell them playtime was over. They wanted to keep on doing what they were without any judgment coming.

Here's where I found my "Aha!" moment.

Look at the state of current country.

Once a blessed nation, founded on Godly principles despite what current government leaders have tried to rewrite in our history timelines.

We wonder why no great leader will rise up and fix things and restore this great nation again. Why would we, as a nation, want a godly person to be president or in any role in leadership for that matter?

We, as a majority, don't, because then playtime would be over. We'd have to conform the the laws of God again. We already removed the prayers from the schools, the 10 commandments from the government offices, and are trying to rewrite the laws of God to allow everything to acceptable and tolerant now. We won't elect a godly leader in any form because the people don't want to be led.

Is it any wonder why these poor leaders stay in office? Because they are the ones granting playtime to the sinners. They are giving them everything they want, just like the religious leaders in Jerusalem and Judah were. This is why things are so chaotic and we shake our heads and wonder why we can't get it right. Because people want to keep on doing what they want because no consequences have happened to them up to this point, so it must be O.K.

Makes you really take a hard look at our country today and wonder just how much of history from Israel and America are going to overlap one another. Make no mistake, God is being merciful and patient, but He won't wait forever.

If we refuse to change from our idolatrous habits, judgment will be coming. Look at what happened with 9/11. Our hedge of protection is being removed slowly, and we'd better wake up and realize just because nothing is happening doesn't mean God is lenient, He is simply hoping we turn this around.

If we want a godly leader to lead us, we need to want to be led. Until they happens, it doesn't matter how qualified a leader is, we have to be willing to follow.

So does that mean we throw our hands up in apathy as some would suggest?

The answer is NO! We can act as go-betweens in the troubles around us, "standing in the gap" to bridge chasms of indifference and oppression. We can do what we can to stem the tide of evil and tell others of the opportunity to know God through Christ. And we can intercede for others in prayer. 
I'd love to know your thoughts on this, so please share in the comments below. 

Friday Funnies ~ Absolute Govermental Authority

A U.S. Department of Water representative stopped at a ranch and talked with an old rancher.

He told the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for your water allocation."

The old rancher said, "Okay, but don't go in that field over there."

The Water representative said, "Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me.

See this card? The card means I am allowed to go WHEREVER I WISH on any agricultural land. No questions asked or answered.

Have I made myself clear?

Do you understand?"

The old rancher nodded politely and went about his chores.

Later, the old rancher heard loud screams and saw the Water Rep running for the fence and close behind was the rancher's bull.

The bull was gaining on the Water Rep with every step.

The Rep was clearly terrified, so the old rancher immediately threw down his tools, ran to the fence and shouted out.....

"Your card! Your card! Show him your card!"

God Needs To Go To Back To School!

Why is that you asked? When did God ever go to school? I mean He must have went as Jesus Christ into the temples to learn about the scriptures or that he was endowed with that knowledge since He was God in the flesh right?

What I am talking about is what most people now call, the separation between church and state. I am talking about when God and the Bible was taught in schools. When it was OK in some schools that in addition to the Pledge of Allegiance which always included, "one nation under God", but also recited the Lord's Prayer as well. When you could pray in school and weren't automatically taken to the principles office because you may have "offended" someone in your class or even the teacher.

I had a very enlightening church service last night and in case you want to hear it, simply google, Calvary Chapel of the High Desert, click on Sermons and click on Dennis Davenports sermon from last night. Even though we were doing a study in Micah, we got on the topic of disciplinary problems in schools in the 1940's and 1990's. Here is the list:

1940:

1) Talking out of turn
2) Chewing gum
3) Making noise
4) Running in the hall
5) Cutting in line
6) Dress code violations
7) Littering

1990

1) Drug abuse
2) Alcohol abuse
3) Pregnancy
4) Suicide
5) Rape
6) Robbery
7) Assault

*Taken from “School Violence Prevention: Strategies to Keep Schools Safe,” by Alexander Volokh with Lisa Schnell in January 1998

The interesting statistics would be what are the current disciplinary problems in our schools now, 19 years later? We could only hope for those problems of the 1940's again much to today's problems. I don't see much changing except for the frequency that these things would happen in addition to school shootings, murder, eating disorders, cutting and more. You fill in the blank.

Have you noticed how much of our actual United States History is being removed from our schools simply because it offends someone's religious preference? We learn about Patrick Henry's famous quotes, "Give me liberty or give me death." but what about this part from the same famous speech, "No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. " (Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech from Libertyonline, dated March 23, 1775.

Heaven forbid that if that same speech would be uttered by our current government leaders, whether president or congressman, senators or anyone in government, the lawyers would be all over that person. The ACLU would come out of the woodwork for that offensive speech. Yet why don't we tell the whole story when it comes to history for American's and remove all religious references?

Another interesting thing that I heard last night was Thomas McKean, was nominated for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and upon finding John Roberts guilty for treason and condemned to death issued this statement to Roberts from the bench, " "You will probably have but a short time to live. Before you launch into eternity, it behooves you to improve the time that may be allowed you in this world. It behooves you most seriously to reflect upon your conduct, to repent of your evil deeds, to be incessant in prayers to the great and merciful God to forgive your manifold transgressions and sins, to teach you to rely upon the merit and passion of a dear Redeemer and thereby to avoid those regions of sorrow, those doleful shades where peace and rest can never dwell, where even hope cannot enter. It behooves you to seek the fellowship, advice and prayers of pious and good men, to be persistent at the throne of grace and to learn the way that leadeth to happiness. May you reflecting upon these things and pursuing the will of the great Father of Light and Life, be received into the company and society of angels and archangels and the spirits of just men made perfect and may you be qualified to enter into the joys of heaven, joys unspeakable and full of glory." (faith of our fathers.net/mckean.html)

Did you catch that? Hmm, now tell me again about separation of church and state? Is that a literal wall or just put there to keep from offending someone? Sure it offends us now, the minority, Christians, because for too long we sat back and stood by while the people we have nominated have eliminated things from the way we run government now to appease the "people". Don't they just mean the people that will cause problems, the people who will call their lawyers and ask for their civil rights to be upheld? I mean can we really tolerate the needs of every single person living here? I wish for a ethical God fearing man to stand up for what he believes in and confess it in the middle of our governments. Stop being chicken! Be a David in the midst of the Goliath government. God will be with you.

Here's more: Did you know that of the 56 original signers of the Declaration of Independence, that 54 of them were born again Christians? 27 of them held diplomas in seminary schools?

Did you know that on September 17, 1774, The Continental Congress began their session by opening with a word of prayer that last for 3 hours? John Adams wrote to his wife Abigal and tell her that they believed that God was speaking to them by quoting Psalms 35? Here is what he wrote to her, "From Paul Ankerberg’s website, David Barton of WallBuilders discusses the Founding Fathers and a 3-hour prayer session and bible study of Psalm 35…in CONGRESS!!


John [Adams] told [his wife] Abigail, he said, “But our Psalm for this morning was Psalm 35. He said, “I beg you, read that Psalm.” He said, “God used Psalm 35 to put our hearts at rest. We know it’s going to be all right. We prayed Psalm 35 as a Congress this morning.” And Psalm 35 is an excellent prayer for these people, particularly feeling that they had an unprovoked attack coming at them.

Now, Congress read and prayed Psalm 35 over a three-hour period. Well, John continued a very faithful correspondence with Abigail and in another letter that he sent to Abigail he told her, “Today, Congress did one of the wisest things it could possibly have done. Today, we called for a national day of prayer and fasting.” And he told her, “We’ve appointed a continental fast.” He said, “Millions will be upon their knees at once before their great Creator imploring His forgiveness and His blessings, His smiles on American council and arms.” And he told Abigail, “Abigail, can you imagine the impact of having millions of people upon their knees at once praying to God?” I would love to witnessed that happening, can you?


Did you know that when the Congress of the United States in 1782 printed the first Bible, that on it's opening page were printed the words, "For Use in Schools"?

Or how about the Mayflower Compact which is removed from our history books after being in them for 150 years following the landing of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. Do you know what it said? " In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620." (allabouthistory.org/mayflower)

So I personally believe that it's time that we as people of our United States begin to allow God back into our government, back into our schools and back into our lives. Forget tolerance of every other religion, and what offends people. If it offends you then don't be a part of the government, enroll your children someplace else, and believe what you want. Do expect the remainder of us to remain silent any longer!

What’s more, the very same Congress that sent the First Amendment to the states for ratification voted to hire chaplains at taxpayer expense for both houses of Congress. And George Washington, who supported the First Amendment, is the one who started the tradition of prayer at presidential inaugurations – as well as adding the words “so help me God” to the presidential oath and taking said oath on the Bible.

Certainly Benjamin Franklin would not have agreed with Newdow (the atheist who has asked for God to be removed from the pledge of allegiance). Even before the First Amendment was conceived, Franklin publicly called for prayer at the Constitutional Convention. He reminded the delegates that “God governs in the affairs of men,” and warned that, without “His aid,” they were likely to suffer the same fate as the “Builders of Babel.” Franklin’s motion for beginning each day with a formal prayer was set aside, but the convention recessed for the purpose of worship and prayer. Moreover, Franklin’s suggestion for prayer was the catalyst for the First Congress hiring paid chaplains. (http://americanfounding.blogspot.com/2006/09/first-prayer-of-continental-congress.html)

I think it's time for us to revisit the successes of our history in order to gain a much needed insight for our countries current crisis. If we start with God, how can we lose?

Sitting on the Fence!

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the middle of a difficult decision, not knowing quite what to do? How do you figure out what to do? How do you know that your decision will be the right path to take? Whom do you ask for help?

Hopefully your answer would be to pray first before tackling anything that you have doubts about. You never know the path that God would like for you to take. Even though you may think that the choice would be easy however, God may have something even better in store for you.

Too often we find ourselves sitting on the fence between the world of black and white. We call sitting on the fence, those areas of shades of grey. Nothing could be that simple, shouldn't we compromise? The question we should ask ourselves is do we know what is right from wrong?

In today's world, people are accepting things that they know are wrong, and calling it acceptable, and the things that should be good such as things based on Biblical teachings are now be tossed out as wrong. In Micah 3: 1-2 it states, "Should you know justice, you who hate good and love evil."It is wrong to eliminate God in government buildings, schools and churches. Sorry but it is what our country was founded on but has seemed to slide lately in favor of what the majority wants. Since when has the majority ever been right? Aren't we compromising things that we seriously shouldn't? We were once a nation that feared God, now this country wants God removed from everything except the church. Even that now is being called into question because people don't want to hear what is wrong in their lives. Are those that make the laws above the laws? But be careful, when you look in the mirror, look out for the double standard in your own life as well.

I will never apologize for my beliefs and if asked I will be prepared to share those with anyone who asks. Do you find yourself feeling less shocked when you see things on the news or in the movies because it is the new norm for you? Do you find yourself becoming more and more tolerant of that which is evil and less interested in that which is spiritual? Do you find that your words seem to have no effect on the nonbelievers you share them with?

If we don't pick a side and in this case it should be the white side of our fence, then when we try to correct someone in the error of his ways, we won't have any affect. There won't be any power in our witness because we lived a compromised life.

Our current government has done what is right in their own eyes. They need to do what is right in God's eyes instead of their own, otherwise we will continue to have problems in our country. It's like when 9/11 happened, we had people everywhere asking this country to pray, people were praying everywhere. In schools, government buildings, office buildings you name it, people that day and days that followed begged God for his help. Did you ever notice that God didn't really do anything to help this country following that tragic event? He could have exposed the terrorists responsible and had them eliminated but amazing enough, we still can't find them. It's because we never repented in our evil, greedy ways and yet still asked God for help. We were still sitting on the fence, not wanting to pick a side one way or another. We wanted our cake and eat it too! Micah 4:4, states "Then they will cry out to the Lord, but he will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done."

Even today in the ministry, there are people that are in the ministry using it primarily to make money. They tell people what they want to hear, so that people will send in their money. But it doesn't last. Leaders and authority figures love money and they love themselves. They believe everything that they are doing is justified, but God will allow judgement to occur because of their continuing to sin. Nothing this president and his cabinet attempt to do on their own will work to restore our country. We need to change our ways.They need to change their ways and turn their hearts back to God. We can't accept things we know are wrong and accept them as right. We need to help people out and stop turning our backs when people are hurting. We need to genuinely care about people again.

You can't experience peace until you make peace with God. So as a person who claims to be a Christian shouldn't be afraid of anything. Our lives should be a reflection of what lies beneath. We shouldn't worry about offending anyone, otherwise we shouldn't be a Christian. We are the light and salt of this world and the world that is currently dwelling within the darkness it has brought upon itself, hates the light. It hates to be shown the error of it's ways because it would be forced to change, and it feels too good right now to change. Even in church there are people who will say, "I don't want to hear that!" I just want a pep talk. I want someone to to tell me what I want to hear.

Peace in our lives fails when we put our eyes on our circumstances instead of on God. Stop sitting on the fence. Stop trying to justify your actions! Stop living the lies you keep feeding yourself. Time to pick a side, there are no areas of grey in God's eyes! Time is running out for you to make that choice, do you really want to be left behind, thinking that you can always do it tomorrow?

Just A Man and Nothing More!

I can honestly say I did not watch the recent presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. I was too bitter! I did not vote for him and honestly believe that he represents for me, someone who will only make this country worse in the long run based on his opinion on being every one's president. He favors overturning rights for same sex couples and wants to redefine the governments definition on marriage. He also supports the right to choose for women and will support the Roe versus Wade argument.

Last night however, I attended my Wednesday night Bible Study and the issue was brought up about this very idea that so many people have the belief that one man can fix everything that is wrong with this country. He has compared himself to Abraham Lincoln on more than one occasion but I find that flawed in several areas. The first being that Lincoln was a God fearing man, he went before his knees on prayer before everything and was not afraid of being everything to all people. He was the one that abolished slavery during the midst of the Civil War. How well do you think that was received by some of the people? He wasn't afraid of what people would think of his ideas as long as he knew he was doing what was right in God's eyes and not mans.

Lately however this country has forgotten about the God that controls our very existence on earth. They have become self centered and focused on the needs of themselves and not the people that they represent. Greed and envy now permeates the very core of our country. People are looking out for themselves. How then can we put our faith and trust in one person to lead this country? We can't!

We have to turn our greedy sin filled hearts back to God and seek forgiveness for the mess we have gotten ourselves into. The crisis our country is in now is based on that sin filled nature to do it ourselves and turn our backs on God. It is His judgement on what used to be a blessed and well loved country. We wanted more and now we are paying the price.

We are paying the price for our willingness to look the other way on things that should down right anger us, and since it doesn't impact us personally we look the other way. Serves us right! We are too filled with our own selfish pride.

It is time to get back to our founding fathers notion to "Trust in God" in all things. We need to stop seeking satisfaction for ourselves and instead seeking to help others. We need to stop waiting on the government to help us out and instead seek God's help!

God is shaking us up to save this country to turn our hearts back to Him. We need to remember that God sent His only Son to open the communication back up between us and God and to re-establish that connection with God again that Adam broke in the Garden of Eden so long ago. It is by God's grace alone that this country can be restored.

So with a humble heart we need to pray for our newly elected president and government leaders that their eyes would be opened that are now blinded and deceived. We need to pray daily for those needs. We need God to get a hold of their hearts, and remind them that what they think that are doing is right in their own hearts, and that they need instead to seek God's will and not their own. We need to pray that God moves on their hearts for anyone that is in a position where they are leading this country. We need a government that will serve the people and not their own individual desires.

Remember NO ONE MAN can fix what is wrong with our country today, only GOD CAN DO that! Obama is just a man and I believe his intentions to fix things are true! God is the One that remains on the throne but He is waiting for the people to lift up their prayers to Him to once again bless this great country and restore our faith in God again! We simply need to ask!