"Test of Fire" Voting Video

It goes without saying that Christians have an important decision to make on election day; with prayer and a clear conscience, may you make yours as a citizen of this great nation!

Manly Quote From Theodore Roosevelt

"Far better it is to dare mighty things than to take rank with 

those poor timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

- Theodore Roosevelt

Obama's Supreme Court Nominee: Bitter Sweet for Latino Christians

As a Mexican-American, part of me wants to rejoice in the fact that soon, the highest court in the land will better reflect the diversity of the American people. Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's Supreme Court Nominee, is a girl who has come up through the ranks and I'm sure has made her family proud.

Now, she stands only a few weeks away from becoming the first Hispanic ever to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, and oh how I wish I could rejoice in this, but I can't...

As a Latino Christian, I know that Sonia Sotomayor embraces an ideology that my Bible speaks against. She stands side by side with the radical far Left ideology that President Obama himself embraces, and because of this, I can't say this is a good day for the Hispanic community.

Some in my community, or might I say, most, will see this as a great moment to celebrate. Just as most in the African-American community saw the election of Mr. Obama as a great moment to celebrate. They see our country advancing past ethnic divides and moving toward a more inclusive future that will open doors to our children and will hopefully put to rest the bigotry and racism that has besmirched our Nation for far too long. And to this, I rejoice with you. No one wants to see these sins carry on into to the future, No One!

To see our Nation move forward in the area of racial diversity and racial inclusiveness is a very worthy goal that I desperately want to see occur as well. But at what cost? The price we pay as Americans to move forward an agenda of "inclusiveness" and "diversity" should never come at the expense of righteousness. It shouldn't come at the expense of Godliness, or morality either.

There are things more important than having our first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice, at least in my eyes, and one of those would be wisdom. Another, holiness. And yet another, integrity. These traits come through the fear of the Lord. The word of God declares that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The kind of people we should hope to have leading our land are God fearing people who evidence their faith through good works and and a biblical worldview.

When one doesn't fear the Lord, there isn't anything that's sacred. Whether it be an unborn child created in the image of God, or the sanctity of marriage between a Man and a Woman. If God isn't feared, everything is subjective. If God's moral law isn't held as holy, all laws become subjective and arbitrary. This is where I believe we're headed as a Nation.

If I sound pessimistic, I am. In an earthly sense. If it weren't for the gospel of Jesus Christ, I'd have no reason for hope at all. All would be doom and gloom. Perhaps I'd have my own conservative talk show to lament for the next 8 years!

Yet, I am hopeful, because the gospel cannot be legislated out of our Nation. It cannot be voted on by the American people. It cannot be removed from power by the President. Nor can it be made powerless by Godless human beings.

So, let us renew our hope, and strengthen our witness. If God could change Judea and Samaria with twelve Spirit filled Men, surely He can change America with several million who call Christ Lord!

Catholics Beware...(Follow-Up)

The Catholic Diocese of Charleston removed Father Newman's letter calling Catholics who voted for Barack Obama to do penance before taking Communion from his church website. They didn't like him standing up for the unborn. Shame on those cowards!

Maybe Father Newman should nail another 95 theses to their door and become a Protestant...

I have spoken on this matter...may God's will be done!

Catholics Beware...

"1. Voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative exits constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil, and those Catholics who do so place themselves outside of the full communion of Christ’s Church and under the judgment of divine law."

Not my words, but those of Father Jay Scott Newman, in this letter to his parishioners.

Glad to see this Priest is willing to go against the over 60% of professing Catholics that voted for Barack Obama.

As a Protestant, I can honestly say that if I were Catholic, this would be the kind of Priest I'd want over me. Someone not too afraid of political correctness from a leadership position.

Despite my differences with the Catholic teachings, I must give a big KUDOS to Mr. Newman for standing up for the most fragile in our society, the unborn.

May the Gospel go forth...

It Isn't All Bad...

As only Voddie Baucham could, he has painted a clear picture for Christians to consider in this time of transition with the Obama presidency only 2 or so months away. The following 'Bold' face type is taken from his blog directly:

"It Isn't All Bad"

Obviously, I, like many of my readers, have been a bit discouraged in light of the recent election. And I don’t mean the outcome. Those of you how know me, or follow my blog know that I was disappointed long before the primaries ended, and have been a “third party” guy since long before this election (ironically, some accuse me of jumping on the third party bandwagon because the Republicans added a woman to the ticket). At any rate, Jesus is still on the throne. So don’t be discouraged. Here are ten things about which I am encouraged in light of the recent election:

1.Evangelicals will be forced to rely on the gospel instead of the government as the means of cultural transformation.

2.The reality of Gramscian Marxist cultural hegemony can no longer be denied (even McCain was at times running on a socialist agenda, i.e., the “bailout” of home owners). Perhaps Christians can have an honest discussion about the role of education and media in worldview formation, and the failure of both the church, and the family to assume a proper role in the matter.

3.Perhaps this judgment on our Republic (which I believe either ticket would have represented to some degree) will bring about sober repentance, reformation and revival in the church.

4.The pro-life movement has been re-energized. It seems those who love and believe in the sanctity of life, and desire to protect the unborn relied on Mr. Bush to “fix things” during his presidency. Now we know that was not the case. Though abortions have decreased slightly, the genocide continues. It never stopped. The government is not the answer! God alone will give us victory in this arena, and he will not share his glory with another.

5.Perhaps “conservatives” will dust off the Constitution and start holding our leaders accountable to it again. In the past eight years George W. Bush has in many ways made a mockery of the Constitution (the Patriot Act, “No Child Left Behind,” an undeclared, unconstitutional war, proposing the $700 Billion bailout, etc.). Unfortunately, many conservatives gave him a pass. I have a feeling Mr. Obama will be called to task for doing things Mr. Bush did in spades (i.e., the largest expansion of government in American history).

6.Mr. Obama is now ‘off script’ (as evidenced by his Nancy Reagan comment and subsequent apology), and will no longer be able to get by with vague rhetoric (Hope and Change will now have to be defined). His ‘smooth’ factor will be reduced by a factor of ten if his first press conference is any indication. Look for more “Joe the Plumber” type moments of honesty in the future. Perhaps he will soon be seen as a President worthy of the respect the office carries rather than a Messiah to be worshipped.

7.Mr. Obama garnered 52% of the popular vote (the first Democrat to get a majority of the popular vote since Jimmy Carter), and won the Electoral College by a two-to-one margin, thus completely negating the “wasted vote” argument used by many conservatives to chasten third party voters.

8.America circumvented the Jesse Jackson/Al Sharpton crowd and still got a black president. In fact, Jackson has been openly critical of Obama. Now the typical Jackson/Sharpton/NAACP crowd will have to find a new argument since a black man now holds the highest office in the land. No more, “The Man is keeping us down” since you don’t get higher than the White House. This was an American accomplishment whether you like the guy or not. Interestingly, our “secular government” was able to find a black president before many Christian organizations (i.e., the Southern Baptist Convention... I only mention them because I’m a Southern Baptist, and I know the powers-that-be would love to have crossed that bridge long ago).

9.The “discussion” about race/racism in this country now includes the racist comments and attitudes of the Jeremiah Wrights and Louis Farrakhans of the world. Before, black racism got a pass (i.e., the argument that blacks can’t be racist because they “have no power”). Now the Wright issue has forced Mr. Obama do distance himself from black liberation theology, and we may have a window of opportunity (in the church) to have a real “come to Jesus meeting” about the sin of racism on both sides

10.Bristol Palin can have her baby and get married away from the national public eye, and without the public scorn and ridicule that would undoubtedly have hounded her the way it is currently hounding her mother. In other words, this young woman can now be protected in ways that would have been impossible had her family been headed for the White House.

Are Pastor's Responsible?

With the election being on most people's minds right now, I thought I'd throw a question out there. Regardless of who you voted for, I'd like you to consider the following question: Are Pastor's responsible for how their members vote?

Simple question right? Maybe, maybe not. Depends who you ask.

With Obama getting 43% of peoples vote who attend church (or synagogue or mosque), and getting 95% of the black vote, along with 43% of the white vote, and 67% of the Hispanic vote, I have to believe there were a lot of Christian votes mixed in there.

So I'm wondering about the Christian vote.

Were the people of God properly prepared to make such a decision by their Pastors?

Did they know how to think critically and theologically about the vote? How to think like a Christian concerning the issues? Or did they just go on emotion and gut? I really don't care if they voted Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Constitution Party, etc. I just wonder if Christians were prepared theologically and who's responsible for getting them there? Themselves, their Pastors, or both?

If they weren't prepared theologically, do their Pastors bear some of that responsibility? If a Pastor's flock votes overwhelmingly for a candidate who supports and defends abortion and gay rights, has that Pastor been doing his job adequately? Or, is it even his job to prepare his flock for elections? I know there are certain things Pastors aren't suppose to say about politics from the pulpit, but is it enough to just say "It's our civic duty to vote. Regardless of who you vote for, just make sure you vote!"

Is this how most Pastor's prepared their flock for last Tuesday? If so, God help us...

Were Judges, Kings and Priests held responsible for Israel's behavior in the OT? Does the NT hold Overseers (Pastors) responsible for the condition of their churches? Has anything changed for today?

Do exceptions exist? Absolutely. No matter how well a Pastor can teach the sanctity of life, or uphold God's view of marriage and teach what the bible says about homosexuality, there will always be some in his flock who defy his teachings. But do the statistics make sense? Do Christians in America think and act like Christians in the voting booth, and what role do Pastors play in this?

The Silence of the Lambs...

As the masses sat, stood, knelt and waited for Barack Hussein Obama to emerge like Jesus on water Tuesday night after being elected our next President, I couldn't help but think of certain things, people, places and times that I thought may have paralleled this moment in American history.

The names of Jim Jones, David Koresh, Josef Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Kim Jung Il and others raced across my mind as I looked at the images and then eventually listened to Obama's acceptance speech.

Don't think of these men from their historical stand-point, what we know about them from history, but rather, try and think of these men from their humble beginnings. Before we knew what the ideologies of these men would produce. Before the bloodshed.

As Obama spoke and the cameras panned across the crowd gathered at Hutchinson Field in Chicago, you could see the masses soaking in every moment...every word...transfixed by every breath and gesture of their new President. From the family room of my home where I watched this unfold with my family, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the crowd, knowing that they were sold a bag of goods with nothing but empty promises in it. Nothing that will satisfy in the end. Nothing that will bring God's blessing upon this nation, but will rather ensure a further separation due to the bloodshed yet to be unleashed.

Barack has declared, “I have consistently advocated for reproductive choice and will make preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President.” This means massive bloodshed. This means appointing possibly three or more Supreme Court Justices who would seek to preserve Roe v. Wade. Obama said he would sign an executive order overturning any legislation that in any way prohibits a women's right to any form of abortion. This may be the bloodiest 4-8 year period in American history coming up, and not because of war, the economy, or health care, but because of ideologies made real. Elections have consequences my friends.

Barack has gone as far as stating that he doesn't want his daughter's "punished with a baby" in a crisis pregnancy due to a bad choice. Realize what he's saying; if his daughter made a mistake and got pregnant, then decided she didn't want to keep the child, Barack would idly stand bye and watch his GRANDCHILD be murdered by the hands of a Doctor. Isn't this the opposite of the multi-generational faith and legacy that a man's suppose to leave this earth with according to scripture? Men are implored in scripture to be leaders, providers, teachers, visionaries, warriors and much more. Many many things we are implored to be, but murderers of our own progeny who have yet to be born we are not. This is shameful and evil to say the least.

And for those "so called brothers" who felt like they needed to vote for Obama because of the specialness of the moment, damn you for standing on the side of evil and injustice. God has called you to be a defender of the innocent, not a murderer of them. God has called Christians in general, and men specifically to be defenders of life, liberty, and the gospel. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." A vote for Obama defies all four of these biblical injunctions for men. There's no getting around this. You may wash your hands like Pilate, but you cannot wash your souls. To vote for a man who never met a fetus he wouldn't kill or a gay couple he wouldn't bless, defies your calling as a Christ follower.

The only thing Tuesday night lacked was the cyanide-laced kool-aid that I'm sure most people there and around the nation would gladly drink while Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper" plays softly in the background!

Was John McCain the answer for America? Hardly, but I'd take my chances with a Patriotic war hero over a naked Marxist any day.

We are Israel of the Old Testament asking for Saul while God implores them not too, and even warns them of the coming destruction should their desires not line up with His. They got King Saul to be sure, and we got Barack. May the gospel lead our nation to repentance...

Dear Mr. Obama...

As a Veteran myself, I understand where this Veteran is coming from...

Just for laughs...

Dana Carvey - Tom Brokaw, John Mccain, Barack Hussein Obama



Pablo Francisco - "Little Tortilla Boy"

My Kingdom Is Not of This World...

So where do we go from here? As a nation? As a people? As Christians? As Americans?

Much has been written about John McCain's pick for Vice-President, Sarah Palin. She's the current Governor of Alaska, card carrying member of the NRA, Hunter, Fisher(woman), Wife, and mother of five. To say she's busy is an understatement. Much like my own wife!

Much of what I've read and heard as been either high-praise or great disappointment, with a little "not sure yet." What has surprised me however is that many Christians who I admire and respect are viewing this election and McCain's pick from the same paradigm as the Non-Christians. Should we be doing this? Is there a better alternative view to understanding this election and our current political landscape? I think so.

As Christians let us always remember our dual citizenship. We are simultaneously citizens of the United States of America and citizens of the Kingdom of God. So the big "E" on the eye chart is whether or not the Kingdom of God exists within the realm of this world or a world to come? How you answer this question I believe will determine how you vote in this election. And remember, I'm addressing Christians here, not all people in general.

The way I see it, American Christians have an obligation to vote because God determined to allow us to be born and live in such a time as this. As Adrian Rogers once said, "It is inconceivable to think that God would establish government and then tell His people to stay away from it." I agree, and so should you. Remember God's sovereignty, He knew who would be on the two tickets come this November when it's time for His people to cast their votes. God isn't surprised by McCain's pick like we were. A good Calvinist would say God chose Sarah Palin and not John McCain. Just like God chose Deborah to be Prophetess and Mother over Israel to bring shame to a man named Barak who refused to lead the nation to battle without her joining him. Hmmm, isn't there a Barak in today's picture as well?

So in determining your choice come this Novemeber keep some things in mind as you go to the voting booth:

• As a citizen of America, whick ticket will better seek the prosperity of our nation?
• As a citzen of the Kingdom of God, which ticket will be more likely to be a friend to Evangelical Christians so that we may better continue to fulfill the great commision and harvet as many souls as possible for the Kingdom?
• As a citizen of both, which ticket will seek to promote the sanctity of life which is of utmost importance in the Kingdom of God, and should be as well to any nation seeking God's guidance and blessing?
• Remember, sometimes a foolish man needs an intelligent woman to intercede for him and the nation he serves. (1 Samuel 25:3 "Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite.") Read all 1 Samuel 25 when you're able to!
• Jesus' Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, the Obama/Biden ticket wouldn't exist!
• Make the best decision for America as a citizen of this nation, and continue to make the best decisions for the Church as a citizen of God's Kingdom!
• Whoever is elected, the church still has their work cut out for them, continuing the mission of God!

For some good thoughts to consider, read Doug Wilson's article on this subject that reminded me of the things I wrote about. He's always a good voice in the wilderness!

But for the grace of God, there go I...

Unless you've been on a media fast for the last few weeks, I'm sure you're very familiar with the recent story of former Governor Eliot Spitzer (left with wife), and his adulterous escapades with a call-girl named Ashley Alexandra Dupre (seen below), that he paid $4,300.00 for.

The story has rocked the political world, and I'm sure Eliot's world as well. He resigned from the Governorship last week as a man in disgrace, and has sought refuge in order to begin the process of rebuilding his life, marriage, and family.

I've heard lots of talk radio covering the story and some jokes from comedians and late night show hosts like Leno and Letterman. They do have much to poke at, with Spitzer paying from business accounts that were easily traced back to him, moving large sums of money from his personal accounts to the accounts belonging to the call-girls company. He didn't cover his tracks well, that's for sure.

But as I've thought about this story, I can't help but think about the tons of men out there who indulge in the same behavior as Eliot Spitzer, but haven't been caught yet. Or so they think!

Then there are the ones who have been caught. Guys like...

• Jesse Jackson, who fathered a child from a female worker of his who he was having an affair with at the same time he was counseling the Clinton's through the whole Lewinsky scandal.
• Bill Clinton, you know the story.
• Rudy Guiliani, who has been married three times, and had affairs with some of them while married to others.
• Rush Limbaugh, whose been married I believe three times now.
• Ted Haggard, former President of the National Association of Evangelicals, who was found to be having sex with a gay male prostitute.
  
• And the list goes on, let your memory fill in the rest...

My point in mentioning these guys isn't to throw them under the bus along with Spitzer; but rather to remind Men of just how common these type of affairs occur. And I'm sure that some guys reading this can recall their own adulterous affairs of years past, or current, that their wives may or may not know about.

Men, you know your own frailty apart from the grace of God as well as I do. You know your thought life, or should I say lust life, better than anyone but God. So how is it that we can take someone like Spitzer and point our fingers at him as if we're any better a person than he is? The words of Jesus come to mind when he said, "You have heard it said, 'Do not commit adultery,' but I tell you that any man who lusts for a woman has committed adultery with her already in his heart." Anyone innocent?

I'm sure many of the reporters covering the story are having affairs. The talk show hosts talking about the story all day are probably having affairs. And so on and so forth.

What this story has made me do most of all is to thank God for His grace in my life. A grace that is redemptive, restorative, and rythmatic. God's grace through Jesus can redeem the worst of situations, and worst of offenders. Christ death at Calvary is sufficient to satisfy any demand for atonement by the Father for any sins committed by mankind.

God's grace is able to restore the years that the enemy (with our participation) has stolen and sought to destroy. Jesus death at Calvary is able to restore anyone willing to believe in Him to a right standing before the Father.

God's grace also brings rhythm back to a shattered and broken world. God created this world in the beginning with rhythm and structure that was completely beautiful, and his grace is in the process of restoring all things back to himself.

I'm hoping that the Spitzer family has people around them who know the word of God well enough to help bring healing to their family. After all, where can you go from here if you're Mrs. Spitzer, and you don't know Christ and His suffering? How does Eliot begin to rebuild without knowing what he's building toward? They need God grace. They need it to bring them to repentance (him at least for this affair). They need to show them how to forgive. They need it to give them a picture of what a marriage is suppose to look like. And they need it to allow them to begin the process of rebuilding.

Then there's Ashley Dupre who comes from a broken home in Jersey. I wonder if she's been seeking an identity that her Dad may have never given her? Would things have turned out differently for her if her Dad had loved and discipled her like he was suppose too. Does she know Christ? I'm no longer so willing to say that people who sin this grievously don't know him, after seeing what people who claim to know him get caught up in. I'm hoping someone can bring the gospel to her that will help her walk away from this lifestyle and into a life of redemption and beauty!

So Men, let us all remain sober minded about our humanity and let us give God glory for his grace functioning in our lives. For without it, we are left without hope in this world and the next!