Have you heard how bad it is?

Here's an political opinion article which addresses right in the Wall Street Journal, what I mentioned in a prior post. We look at the political atmosphere in America as nearly apocalyptic. We call our current political climate in the impending presidential election "disastorous" and "too far gone." Longingly, we recall prior decades where the leaders of the political climate had the "power" to change the face of the America. But this article reminds us of the fallacies in our theory, and makes us think....did they really have any "power?"

It is not what isn't going right that is a concern; it is what we are doing with what we've learned from repeating history that is of concern.

Say it Like It Is

I believe this is old material, and not sure source, so forgive me.
Yet, it is appropriate follow up to the last few posts I've done, so I'm boldly posting it for your review. In case you weren't sure, I agree with these statements the Andy Rooney made to a likely surprised CBC station.

Surprised CBS let him get away with this even though he's right!

Right on, Andy Rooney !

Andy Rooney said on '60 Minutes' a few weeks back:

I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, which is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE ?

I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is anopinion.

I have the right 'NOT' to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.

When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of Probability.

I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English ! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!

My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.I think the police should have every right to shoot you if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word 'freeze' or 'stop' in English, see the above lines.

I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business.

We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations.

I don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor. I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That doesn't stop you from watching them.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when necessary, and say 'NO!'

I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!

I am sick of 'Political Correctness.' I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa ; so how can they be 'African-Americans'? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe .

I am proud to be from America and nowhere elseAnd if you don't like my point of view, tough...I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God.. Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem in having 'In God We Trust' on our money and having 'God' in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the 14% to BE QUIET!!!That about says it all.

Would God own a Blog?

Today, I came across an article within a God Blog that comes highly recommended in Christian circles. The author of SmartChristian.com wrote about his view of how to engage in politics and keep your Christian character and spirit intact. I thought some of my readers might find this interesting. I'm curious as to your thoughts on his interpretation of Christians blogging and being active in politics. Feel free to comment.

What I did tend to agree with is the following from this article:

"One of the dangers that many Christians seem to often fall into is that we begin to elevate the outcome of presidential elections to an apocalyptic status. In other words, if our presidential candidate or party does not win, we begin to see it as the end of the world. This is what I call the “Y2K complex.”

"When we allow ourselves to understand politics in apocalyptic terms, we at the same time express an unbelief in the sovereignty and Lordship of God over his creation and human history. Yes, elections have real consequences for people, but in the larger scheme of history, don’t worry, no matter who becomes our president, God is in control and will take care of things." (emphasis mine)

Where I tend to diverge is the concept in this article that talked
about as Christians not allowing ourselves to become so immersed in political activism that we give up our identity as followers of Christ. He goes on to say we risk losing the voice we have as believers to illuminate the Gospel.

My belief is that our "identity" as a Christian is inseparatable from our involvement in politics. Essentially our Christian identity is the character of our walk with God. Many of the distinctions that polarize political bents will either fall in sync with one's Christian character, or be contrary. Whatever your label while blogging or expressing political viewpoints, be it as a believer, an evangelical, a Christian, or a conservative it will be your stand in the issues that testifies to your walk as God's child. You are accountable to proclaim how politics affects your walk of faith. See Colossians 3:17 from the Word of God.

In other words, walk the talk, and talk the walk. I have some very good friends in my American Conservative Forum circles who have very clear, often concise and sometimes brusque opinions. They also are God fearing Americans with a heart for God and for America.

It is a matter of owning your own faith in God; recognize your ability to state your beliefs and how they fit in context with the politics you are supporting, and remain steeped, not in the politics themselves, but in recognizing that your opinions will allow another Americans to make a wiser choice in their political decisions. It could result in profound evangelical change but more likely it may simply cause pause, allowing others to view the political scene from a Biblical perspective.

That is what American Conservative Forum is about, it is how my husband's blog is presented, and I fervently pray that Right Turn - Your Turn also demonstrates the love of the Lord, while standing firm on the beliefs I hold in my walk with Christ and yes, even in Politics.

How do you see God and Politics? Or, God and blogging?

For more information on GodBlogs and blogging unto God, see http://www.godblogcon.com/.

National Anxiety Center

I came across a web site blog that appealed to me, since I'm prone to "worry" about everything - it is a besetting sin. Pray for me.

The National Anxiety Center shares interesting insight into current events in our United States which bring cause to pause about the decisions occurring in our country. While I haven't had time to puruse this site in its entirety, I enjoyed the subtitle which says "The good news is...the bad news is wrong!" Both subtle humor, and truth in action.

It is a simple statement, but strikingly familiar as you study the Bible and realize that indeed, the bad news is wrong. The Good News is onward and upward, able to reach around genders (or indecision thereof), races, religions or beliefs, across political parties, economical events, shifting policies, and corrupt governments. I'm so thankful that indeed Good News supercede's the national crises that we face day-by-day.

Romans 8:37-39
"No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Scripture used from NetBible. See my sidebar for web link.

Government Does it Again--Discrimination of Conservative, Evangelical, Religious Beliefs

Today Dr. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado commented, "Who would have believed that the Colorado state legislature and its governor would have made it fully legal for men to enter and use women's restrooms and locker-room facilities without notice or explanation?.” “The law makes it illegal to deny a person access to public accommodations, including restrooms and locker rooms, based on gender identity or the "perception" of gender identity.” It goes on to specify in great depth, that except in church buildings, no discrimination in any form-paper, audio, video, blog, pamphlet, letter, book, even advertisement, etc., can be formulated to actually state or infer discrimination against any sexual orientation, nor the accomodations of such.

One of the most frustrating parts of this law is it’s exclusion of the body of the church, meaning those buildings assigned as legal religious bodies. They are able to freely continue condemning this practice per their beliefs. Yet, any point outside the walls of the church can become privy to penalization for breaching this law. This means that in essence,by the very nature of making this law for “anti-discrimination” they have chosen to “discriminate” against evangelical Christians, who are by far the most likely of church groups to “condemn” this practice based on our religious faith and doctrine.

In essence we are entering a new era in the United States of America—it is no longer “The North” Vs. “The South” but rather the “Church” Vs. “All other facets seeking to undermine the Church.”

You can view a PDF file of this law here.

Contact Colorado State Legislatures here: http://www.leg.state.co.us/

Christians and conservatives should be appalled and humbled by the blatant changes coming into our country, literally day-by-day and hour-by-hour, not only undermining our Constitution, but the inherent Word of God. We need to understand that while the law is intended to be upheld, as per Romans 13, still the overruling focus of our values comes from the Biblical teachings of Jesus and the need to abstain from immoral, homosexual, adulterous, and other manners of evil.

My next free few minutes will be spent forming a letter appealing to those government officials to repeal this law. If anyone hears or sees an option for forming (or has already begun) a petition to this state government against this ruling, please let me know. I’d like to post it and encourage all I know to sign it.

Pride as an American

Why are you proud to be an American?

Here's a man who has eloquently stated his reasons. So much so, he won in an essay contest directed at stating his American pride.

As an American, I am privileged to live in a nation where freedom has flourished for over two centuries. The founders of the United States, following in the footsteps of their ancestors – those who traversed the Atlantic with difficulty for the sake of freedom – established this nation upon the precept of “liberty and justice for all.” Since the founding of this nation, millions of people have trekked from all over the planet – from the open plains of the Dark Continent to the reef laden shores of Australia, from the snow capped peaks of Europe to the steamy jungles of Asia, from the remote rainforests of South America to the teeming municipalities of North America, and from all the valleys and the villages in between – to experience the freedom, opportunity and prosperity offered in the United States. Coming from a host of nations, Americans have blended together like the threads of an exquisite tapestry.

Read the rest here from the author:

2 Worlds Collide

The Obama Tidal Wave

I am taking the liberty of posting a portion of an e-mail sent to me by a friend, which some of you may have read before. It bears repeating. I do believe we need to stem the tide of ignorance, apathy, and hopelessness that is breading in America with our elections upcoming. This is just one candidate for which any Conservative Christian, law-abiding, patriotic American would see red flags everywhere!! Thank you to my friend Dawn, and to Helen Rosier, for which I believe the credit goes to this piece.

Some of you will recognize the name of Bill Brown. He is a highly respected retired member of the Billy Graham team. And I am blessed to count him as a friend whom I've known a long time. So I take his assessment of Obama very seriously and for that reason accept his challenge to pass this on. I share his concern about the "rock star"image Obama has and watch with growing concern at the celebrity status the media has foisted upon him.
Helen K. Hosier

We are witnessing a political phenomenon with Barack Obama of rare magnitude. His speeches have Inspired millions and yet most of his followers have no idea of what he stands for except Platitudes of "Change" or that he says he will be a "Uniter".

The power of speech from a charismatic person truly can be a powerful thing. Certainly Billy Graham had charisma and both his manner of speech and particularly the content changed millions.

On the extreme other hand, the charisma of Adolph Hitler inspired millions and the results were catastrophic.

Barack Obama certainly is no Hitler or a Billy Graham, but for many Americans out there feeling just like a surfer who might be ecstatic and euphoric while riding a tidal wave, the real story is what happens when it hits shore.

Just Some of What Defines Barack Obama:

o He voted against banning partial birth abortion.
o He voted no on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions.
o Supports affirmative action in Colleges and Government.
o In 2001 he questioned harsh penalties for drug dealing.
o Says he will deal with street level drug dealing as minimum wage affair.
o Admitted marijuana and cocaine use in high school and in college.
o His religious convictions are very murky.
o He is willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Kim Jung Il and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
o Opposed the Patriot Act.
o First bill he signed that was passed was campaign finance reform.
o Voted No on prohibiting law suits against gun manufacturers.
o Supports universal health-care.
o Voted yes on providing habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees.
o Supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
o Supports extending welfare to illegal immigrants.
o Voted yes on comprehensive immigration reform.
o Voted yes on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security.
o Wants to make the minimum wage a "living wage".
o Voted with Democratic Party 96 percent of 251 votes.
o Is a big believer in the separation of church and state.
o Opposed to any efforts to Privatize Social Security and instead supports increasing the amount of tax paid.
o He voted No on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax
o He voted No on repealing the "Death" Tax
o He wants to raise the Capital Gains Tax.
o Has repeatedly said the surge in Iraq has not succeeded.
o He is ranked as the most liberal senator in the Senate today and that takes some doing.

If you are like most Americans that after examining what he stands for, are truly not in line with his record, it would be prudent to get off the wave or better yet, never get on, before it comes on shore and undermines the very foundations of this great country. We have limited time to save America or the Supreme Court as we know it. Inaction is action.

Pondering the Utterance..Hee Hee Haw Haw

I just have to give credit where credit is due. Below, in a bright yellow color, is a quote in its entirety from Bushwacks' Blog, and I was profoundly amazed by the utter (pun intended) truth in black & white, as well as the amount of laughter resonating from my body as I reviewed this skillful writing. I only hope as I continue to enhance my blogging skill (still quite novice), I'll engender this ability to interface wit and provide the reader with amusement while stating the obvious. Thank you Bushwack. I am renewed with new creative blogging juices. HCL

Three Things to Ponder:
March 5th, 2008 . by Bushwack
1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments

C O W S
Is it just me, or does anyone else find itamazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a singlecow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she sleptin the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. Butthey are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around ourcountry. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.
T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N
They keep talking about drafting a Constitutionfor Iraq. Why don’t we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of reallysmart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we’re not using it anymore.
T H E 1 0 ; C O M M A N D M E N T S
The real reason that we can’t have the TenCommandments posted in a courthouse is this:You cannot post ‘Thou Shalt Not Steal,’ ‘ThouShalt Not Commit Adultery,’ and ‘Thou Shall Not Lie’ in a building full oflawyers, judges and politicians…It creates a hostile work environment.