Political Pen
June 2010 - Evil Communication Corrupts Good Manners
More than at any other time in my life people are genuinely interested in politics and this interest is undoubtedly borne out of concern for our country. Americans have begun to awaken to the reality that the United States is in grave danger of losing her identity as a place of peace, prosperity, and freedom from fear.
We are a nation in distress; the symbol of our distress can be seen in increasing numbers across America, a recent phenomena, one that I saw for the first time ever recently. Americans are hoisting their flags still, but hanging them upside down. Unknowing and patriotic Americans are offended when they see this done to the symbol of the land they love. It is not done in disrespect, but it is done in distress. I would not be quick to display my American flag upside down. A portion of the official code for proper handling of our precious flag states the protocol for displaying a flag upside down: (a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
Our condition seems to qualify, but the Holy Spirit has not prompted us to this action. We do pray for our country and our people, deeply knowing that “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. That is the answer. And we have not. As a country, we have not met the qualifications.
At least once a day I try to check the news around the world on the internet. I tend to go to certain sights because I find more balance, more truth. I will not always agree with what I read or watch, but it is important to see what others think; it brings clarity to why the country has gone the way it has. It gives hope to see people beginning to fight for this country, to allow “faith affirming” comments, to know that there are a great number of Americans that are aware of our Christian heritage. This is a thing that has openly and covertly been under attack since, well, since the first Christians settled in this country. Contemplation will cause us to consider the source of our hope. We must examine our battle and our soldiers through the light of Scripture.
The political “right” is not going to win back our Country. Perhaps temporarily they can win some victories to help sustain some form of freedom in our land, but I see it as a tug-of-war and neither side has fully brought out the “big guns”. Yes; faith in God is acknowledged, even endorsed. The endorsements, though, are often intermingled with some of the vilest language and thoughts I have ever seen in my life. The “comments section” of news articles, and on conservative pages too, is really not fit to read. It is nice to know that people agree politically with me but I am not supposed to think upon things like they write. From Philippians, chapter 4, verse 8 I am told to think about whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
There is a Christian political writer that I have read for quite some time and was excited because he spoke my heart. Eventually I signed up for his newsletters and enjoyed them until he began communicating with coarse language. I wrote to him and asked him to remove my name from his list and told him why. Recently he added my name again and I have not cancelled them again. I have spot checked a couple of them and it seems he might have cleaned up his language. For anger or any other reason, we do not need to speak this way. I do not talk like this and I do not want to listen to it. Evil communications corrupt good manners! (I seem to think I have read this somewhere before; ah yes. The “blessed old Book”! To be precise, added is that we should not be deceived! 1 Corinthians 15:33.)
Someone told me in the past couple of weeks that everyone talks that way. They are wrong. I do not and I know many other people who do not; they possess an intellect that allows them to communicate with good manners. Or better said, they possess a Spirit that keeps them and keeps their tongue. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Reading on to the next verse, a powerful admonishment: Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:34 Those fighting for us are using carnal weaponry, without properly preparing for battle by having put on the whole armour of God and we embrace it because in our flesh we think we have to let them fight for us because they are the best we have. Dwight Moody made this comment about prayer: We are not told that Jesus ever taught His disciple how to preach, but He taught them how to pray. He wanted them to have power with God; then He knew they would have power with man. Ladies, the best we can do is pray, keeping our lives in such a way that God would be pleased to hear our cries for our country and its leaders. Politics is fascinating, having become much more like a sport to see who will win, but it was not meant to be a power game. God ordained government for the good of the people and we have allowed wicked men, and women to rule over us. We do need to be involved, but first we need to be certain that we have asked God’s involvement in this part of our lives as we do in every other area.
Do be certain that you are registered to vote and be prepared to. Our family will vote in the primaries by absentee ballot. We have already made provision for that. The LORD can lead us to know how to vote but it will not be by magic. We do not close our eyes and pick one. There is time to be invested. He will lead if we ask Him too; He will draw discrepancies to our mind and help us to know who is genuinely interested in preserving this land that we love or if their area of service is but themselves.
By Cindyann Rasquinha
19 January 2010
In
these perilous times hope is surely the thing I am most
thankful for and a thing I am very intrigued by. Hope keeps us from utter
despair. In Psalm 16, David communicates his complete trust in God. As I
read it, I am blessed in the remembrances that I truly am blessed! Psalm 16,
verse 9b reads: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Ahhh … sweet
hope. Because we know the ultimate future and know that we are never
alone, our flesh can rest in hope. We do not need to be overly troubled
about the political scene. God has allowed many wicked kings to rule, but
ultimately the “king” was placed because of bad choices of the people.
Nothing new, as He says, under the sun. Our life is not dictated by those in
control; yes, they are influenced but my God has made promises to me that no
man can take away. Hope. Faith. God says these, with charity, abide. They
stay; we can count on it.
DEVASTATION IN HAITI: The first thing that came to my mind were friends who decided to go to their homeland over Christmas and would not return home until Valentine’s Day. Were they okay? They went to Haiti with the primary purpose of sharing Christ. Franco and Jackie are fine; praise God! I cannot wait to see them! No country rallies to the aid of others like America. Bless her Lord, for the generosity of her people. We bear the hatred of a world that forgets the many kindnesses we have shown. In addition to the hundreds of millions of our tax dollars that are being sent to Haiti, even greater amounts come by donations to help this people. The numbers are staggering, but so is your goodness to our land. Please don’t remove your hand of mercy and deliverance from us. I pray this, and more, in Jesus name. Amen.
TODAY is the election to fill Ted Kennedy’s seat in Massachusetts. The Republican candidate said “it” better. This is not the Kennedy seat; he clarified that the seat belonged to the people. My prayer is that the Democrats will have an upset here, that for the sake of the people of the United States, Scott Brown will be elected if it would please the Father. Below I will write a response to the election results when they come in.
Election Comments: (written 05 February 2010) A prayer answered; Scott Brown was worn is as a United States senator in a state where Independents reign, but clearly seated by Democrats and Republicans too. Scott Brown has won; as the old adage goes, the lesser of two evils. In Scott Brown's accepance speech I began to learn more about Scott Brown. He gave no praise or glory to God. Secondly he "put his daughters out these". Yes, he was kidding, but somewhere there though the abundance of the heart comes to mind. Ponder Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45. He has made it clear that his stands on abortion and homosexuality are in conflict with God's perfect Word. To repeat an often said quote: It does not matter what we think if it is in conflict with the Word of God. It really is that simple. Scott Brown is a fiscal conservative, for which I am thankful. Thank you Massachusetts for you have spoken - well.
Another race I am watching carefully is the senate race in Florida. Charlie Christ is being challenged by a young man who dreams of giving over this country to his children as a strong and healthy country, a country where people are free, where government is minimal. As never before we must know our candidates, their stands. In pockets of our country there are positive changes. Faithful to thank God, I am grateful for hope.
HEALTHCARE does need reformed, not overhauled. This administration is cramming so much down our throats, figuratively speaking, all the while expecting us to believe it is good for us, despite what the vast majority of American think or desire. They have shown a complete willingness to sacrifice their political careers and reputations in order to push this debacle through. Entirely unfathomable! Is there not one among the Democratic leaders who fears God? I am shocked that not one has come forward to say "I cannot do this; my constituents do not want this." Even Joe Biden, who has become quite famous for slips-of-the-tongue commented that never before in history has any legislation been approved in such a way, with such a split. He quickly recovered; instead of continuing with this right thought process he quickly returned to the left.
SARAH PALIN: I am reading her book, Going Rogue, while I am on this trip. I bought it the day after its release, but priori-teas kept me from it. Purchasing the book was a very purposeful thing, in order to help a woman who has obviously been viciously attacked by the mainstream press and even by brothers and sisters-in-Christ. After I finish the book I will give more comment but initially I found the book slow and I was very able to put it down, but recently I began reading again and was very drawn to her, a woman who is not ashamed of her faith or her love of country. Her heritage is good. No. She is not perfect, but God never requires perfection. Their are negatives I cannot shake from my thoughts; Involvement in the world of public service might not have been her highest calling and public service pulled her away from family service. She has come forward; she reminds me of Deborah, whose life is chronicled in the book of Judges. No question; God used her. Other women have served courageously and with integrity: Indira Gandhi and Margaret Thatcher, to name two of them. Sarah Palin is a true patriot in my humble opinion. We should be in prayer for her and for her family as we remember that anyone attempting anything good will be under attack.
05 February 2010. Continuing with GOING ROGUE: Generally I find this to be a slow read. It is a book I would encourage others to read, especially if they were interested in entering politics and I hope more good people will! This woman has been for less government, loyalty to her constituents and transparency. These traits have clearly cost her, but she does possess an abiding faith in God. Her heritage is that of knowing that if you do the right thing, in the end all will be well. The road there will not be easy but is best route. Her book is filled with her accounts of fidelity to her town people from a low level of government to her promises to be loyal to the American people on a national level. I believe her. Few have reach a national level of governing without some level of compromise, but perhaps - I dream and I have hope - that more ordinary citizens will step up to serve. Don't be mistaken, Sarah Palin in not average; her heritage is not. She comes from a family of hard-working patriotic Americans that endeavored to do their best. They are the people that made America great and understood why the concepts of the constitution worked. The constitution is a precious document to her, which I appreciate, and her faith in God is vital. It affects her decisions and with this combination of traits rooted into a person, they have to have great value to our country as leaders. I do not know the capacity in which she should serve, but I am convinced that she will serve our country as long as she has breath in her. Ladies: we may not agree with everything in her life but we should keep her and her family in regular prayer. I claim her; she is my "sis-tah".
CONSERVATIVE TALK SHOW HOSTS: How refreshing to hear someone give voice to our thoughts, but we must be careful to weigh their words with the Word of God. One talk show host in particular is increasing in popularity. Glenn Beck is a great communicator most of the time. (not to say that I agree with him most of the time.) He understands a great many things about the government and is able to communicate them well. Recently his name came up in a conversation with some friends. I commented that he is angry and has a foul mouth and a wise lady commented that it is so because he is lost; the Spirit of God is not there to prompt him to control his tongue or his emotions. Glenn Beck is not a Christian and does not profess to be, but in listening to him one might think he is. He is a Mormon and despite the melodious hymn singing of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, they do not believe in the finished work of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. My encouragement to you is this: Try the spirits as the Bible teaches us to.
In closing today, please be involved; know what is happening in the world. So much is very directly tied to end-time prophesy. We need not fear this though; we simply must be ready, be looking up and in the meantime, abide in the faithful Word of God who told His servants to occupy until He comes! (Occupy means to be prudent about business, and I think this means to be careful and busy with the important things.)