Category Archives: Election 2008

Swimming Upstream: “A Two-Front War Is Unwinnable For America!”

Looking back at the 2008 Elections, I really did not think the Lord would have us Christians fighting a two-front war.

Now, by using the phrase two-front war, I’m not referring to its normal usage: warfare taking place simultaneously at two geographical positions. This strategic maneuver forces a combatant to split its armies, and thus reduces its odds of success.

But instead, I was referring to a two-front spiritual war. On the one front fighting us Christians are Satan and his forces.

Who do you think is backing the Islamic jihadists? Whose backing the homosexual agenda? Or abortion? Or national debt? Or illegal aliens? Or the dumbing-down of our children by school systems?

Hello! Is anyone home? Satan is behind these attacks.

Okay, so why do you think Satan has boldly gone on the offense against America? Maybe, he has  inside info, right?  What is it?

Satan knows that God is opposing America on a second front. That’s right! We Christians are caught in a cross-fire between Satan who hates us and God who loves us.

And guess what?

Though it looks like we believers should mount all-out efforts against Islamic terrorism, homosexuality, abortion, illegal aliens, national debt and the dumbing-down of our children by school systems, we better drop everything and seek God.

We need to know why God is opposing us.  Is it our national sins? Or corporate church sins? Or personal sins?

If we Christians don’t find out the answers to why God is opposing America, our nation is doomed. Period.

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Swimming Upstream appears at this blog site on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s  a little of this and a little of that, all written  to encourage and exhort believers in their Christian journeys.

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The Bear

bear_bryant

When the best football coaches are mentioned, Paul William “Bear” Bryant (1913 – 1983) is usually at the top of the list. His coaching status, even today, is considered legendary. 323 college football victories. 6 national championships. 13 Southeastern Conference titles.

But for me, I like his quotes best of all:

The old lessons (work, self-discipline, sacrifice, teamwork, fighting to achieve) aren’t being taught by many people other than football coaches these days. The football coach has a captive audience and can teach these lessons because the communication lines between himself and his players are more wide open than between kids and parents. We better teach these lessons or else the country’s future population will be made up of a majority of crooks, drug addicts, or people on relief.”

It’s not the will to win that matters – everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.”

“It’s not the dog in the fight that counts, it’s the fight in the dog.” (For more, see here.)

And if you’re interested in whether or not he was a Christian, read here.

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Swimming Upstream: “Laughter. Try It!”

Okay, the economy looks bad and jobs are shaky. And maybe our 401’s and our home values are in the toilet. But let me ask, can you still laugh? Because if you can, all is not lost.

A joyful heart is good medicine. But a broken spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)

Try reading this. And this.

Abraham Lincoln said, “With the fearful strain that is on me day and night, if I did not laugh I should die.”

And lastly, in the words of the noted Jewish philosopher, Allen Stewart Konigsberg aka Woody Allen: “I’m thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out my nose.”

Swimming Upstream appears at this blog site on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s  a little of this and a little of that, all written  to encourage and exhort believers in their Christian jouneys.

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Prognosis For Our Future: Walk in Faith or Wallow in Bitterness

I absolutely believe that we American Christians are living in the best time ever. For us, this is the season the prophet Daniel spoke about:

Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. (Daniel 11: 32)

If you continue reading past this verse in Daniel, you will notice the prophet foresaw bad things happening to us believers. Some will fall by the sword. Some will be burned to death. Some will end up in captivity. Some will be plundered. This will continue many days; and all of this will happen to purge and purify us.

Now, you have a decision to make.

Will you walk in faith and be that mighty person of God? Being strong. Doing great exploits. Allowing God to purge and purify us.

Or will you be like Lot’s wife and look back at what America was, and not where it is? Let me say, nostalgia sucks! It will pull you into bitterness and defile you.You can not relive the past; it’s gone. And we need to move on.

Like the Apostle Paul stated:

one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ( Philippians 3:13-14)

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Do You Love Israel?

If you have a love for Israel, Yeshua Israel is a must-read site, especially the news videos. Shani Ferguson presents an Israeli’s viewpoint without media hype.

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How To Live With Less

All of us need heroes who we can try to model our lives after. Mark and Christine Pedder are two such people. Check out Mark’s blog and read Home Again.

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Need Encouragement?

I stumbled over this last night and it is awesome. The email letter is from Tyler Perry. Now, don’t just look at it and decide it’s too long because it is worth reading!

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Swimming Upstream: “Rebellion in the Ranks!”

A recent phone conversation between Honey and me:

“What is your problem?” Honey said. “You can’t ignore Obama and let America slide down the drain. What about our children and grandchildren? I’m angry!”

“Honey, what are you going to do to stop President Obama?” I countered.

“Well, I’m going to read and listen, then write to politicians and newspapers. Make my voice heard,” she said.

“Good luck. The trail up that mountain is filled with bones of people who tried to win one for the Gipper.”

“Okay, Mister Smarty Pants,” she said, “what are you planning on doing?”

“Wait on God. Then, when He speaks, I’ll build His kingdom,” I replied.

A loud sigh. “Lord, I’m married to a man with his head in the sand!” She paused to add emphasis to her next point. “So, why build God’s kingdom now when nobody seems to care about God?”

“Ah, this is the perfect time. People have their guards down; their hearts are exposed. Some are angry about one issue or the other. Others are losing hope. We just need some groups like the early Salvation Army and leaders like William Booth to come forth. Then, the gospel can invade cities. It’ll be great!!”

“Yeah, right!” she said. “How can you and I  be so different, yet still get along?”

“I’m praying God will change you,” I said.

“Funny that you say that because I’m praying the same for you,” she replied. “But I love you.”

“Honey, I love you.”

Swimming Upstream appears at this blog site on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s  a little of this and a little of that, all written  to encourage and exhort believers in their Christian jouneys.

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Swimming Upstream: “Was Election 2008 A Test From God? Did We Fail?”

Spike Lee, the film director, declared, “God Himself ordained the financial crisis to happen when it did to propel Barack Obama to victory.”

Now, this statement has really, really bugged me. Not that Spike Lee is a prophet or a seer or had a divine revelation about the election. He just stated what many people seem to believe about the 2008 presidential election.

So, did God reach down from heaven and intervene on Obama’s behalf as Lee declared?

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:7-8)

In mid-September, Senator John McCain’s campaign was picking up steam because of the addition of Governor Sarah Palin to his ticket. The double-digit Obama lead had been overcome, and polls showed that McCain/Palin were ahead by a slim margin. Abortion and moral issues were Obama’s downfall, and the Dems were in a tailspin.

Then, the financial crisis hit. Overnight, Obama’s polling number shot up and it was all over for the Republican ticket.

What happened?

It is my deepest belief that the plumline issue for the 2008 Presidential election was abortion. Two pro-life candidates versus two pro-abortion ones. A clear-cut choice on this divisive issue.

As for the financial crisis, it was a gigantic mirror that God held up as a test to show us our hearts. Would we vote to stop murdering unborn babies or would we protect our billfolds? We chose to love money; and thus failed the test.

Okay, you say, what’s next?

National repentance must be made for the 2008 Presidential election. A nation can not thumb its nose at God and get away with it. But also, we need to cry out for mercy for those who voted for the Obama/Biden ticket, especially the African-American community who voted 95% for the pro-abortion ticket.

Swimming Upstream appears at this blog site on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s  a little of this and a little of that, all written  to encourage and exhort believers in their Christian jouneys.

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Swimming Upstream: “What’s Missing In California Prop 8 Battle?”

In case you missed it, on November 4, 2008, Californians voted and passed Ballot Proposition 8 which changed the California Constitution so that valid marriages are defined as only between a man and woman. Thereby overriding a March, 2008, California Supreme Court ruling which allowed same-sex marriages.

As background, the 2008 Supreme Court ruling did away with Proposition 22 which was passed in 2000 by a 63% to 37% margin. This proposition also stated that valid marriages were between men and women, and not same-sexes. But it did not go as far as Prop 8 and change the wording of the state constitution.

Okay, with me so far.

California Governor Arnold Swarzenegger opposed Proposition 8, even after it passed by a 52% -48% margin. He’s sworn to uphold the California constitution, but ho-hum on that, right?

California Attorney General Jerry Brown opposed Prop 8 from the beginning and did his best to write the ballot measure in such a way as to insure confusion. Thus, many may have voted in error against the proposition who may have actually been for it.

Guess what? Who do you think is in charge of defending Prop 8 against the many court challenges offered by the homosexual lobby against Proposition 8? You guessed it! Attorney General Jerry Brown.

This is political comedy at its best! California’s governor, attorney general and Supreme Court are all sworn to uphold the state’s constitution and to follow the mandates of the electorate, but each is trying to do the opposite.

What’s missing in the California Proposition 8 battle? God.

Now, understand that I am not talking about the nice little God worshipped by most evangelical churches, Catholic churches, LDS churches, emergent churches and progressive churches. This God is pretty much harmless and weak, and not expected to intervene into man’s affairs.

I’m talking about the Lord God of Elijah. The Judge. The Lord God of Hosts. The Maker of Heaven and Earth. He’s ready to arrive on the scene. He won’t convene a meeting to have a dialogue with conservative Christians and progressive Christians over gay issues, especially gay marriages. No, not at all. Instead, He will come in power and settle the problem. Period.

So, keep your eyes on California, especially San Francisco, over the next few months.

Swimming Upstream appears at this blog site on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s  a little of this and a little of that, all written  to encourage and exhort believers in their Christian jouneys.

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