Fire From Heaven?

This weekend while we were asleep, meteor showers were taking place in Alberta, Canada. Is this fire from Heaven?

Slow Fade

“People never crumble in a day – it’s a slow fade.” This is the chorus of Casting Crown’s “Slow Fade” song. The lyrics are just as applicable to a nation as to an individual and unfortunately for America, we have been in a slow fade for some time now.

When “I dream of Jeannie” made its debut on television in September of 1965 it was the most embattled show to come across the airwaves. Television rating organizations had all kinds of problems allowing “Jeannie” to show her belly button. Today, that is laughable. Last night I was forced to turn “King of Queens” because it had 4 curse-words in 2 minutes. That’s just not appropriate for my children. Sorry. Then I found my wife turning “Bones” because of inappropriate sexual content. In fact I found myself encouraging my wife to watch Monday Night Football because it’s the only thing on that doesn’t have cursing, sex, or violence. It has been a slow fade.

I was told by someone I know this week that I view the world in black and white. She told me that there is a lot of gray out there and that it is irresponsible to view rules as being hard-fast. As a lawyer turned financial consultant I know a few things about gray. In law school they taught us that you could take the case if it passed your “straight face test.” This meant that if you could argue your client’s side with a straight face then you could allow them to employ you. There are a lot of shades of gray in law. In the financial realm everything is speculative. Talk about gray. But in God’s word, it is not gray. It is black and white.

I have sinned enough for 10 lifetimes and I still feel my own self-inflicted scars about the things I have done, but it was not God’s word that wavered, it was me. God didn’t suggest the 10 Commandments he commanded them. God is the same today as he was when he made the world and when the world ends, God will still be the same. God doesn’t slow fade even if his people do.

You see God hasn’t changed his stances on divorce, homosexuality, cursing, gambling, etc, etc, etc. We as a culture have changed our stances. We have replaced spanking with grounding, the doctrine of “love the sinner, hate the sin” with “have tolerance on different ideas and cultures.” Do you realize how many times tolerance is in the Bible? Try zero. God is merciful, God is good, but God is not tolerant. God doesn’t say – “well it’s ok this time.” God says – “IT IS WRONG – repent, come to me, and I will forgive you.”

Oh America, why have we been in a slow fade? Oh Christians, why us too? The thing to remember is that God is merciful – let us repent of our sins no matter how great and take this country back for God Almighty! What has been a slow fade can be an instantaneous snap back to reality, back to worship, back to repentance. Let us pray for our country, but let us turn off our televisions when questionable shows are on. Let us, turn off our radios when things counter to the will of God begin to play. Let us live like we are from another world, not of this one. Lest we continue to slow fade to a point of no return.

Regardless: Praise God!

In the wake of the presidential election, no doubt many Christians will be dispirited and upset. Do not be. While I think we should be dissappointed in the outcome, I know that God has an amazing plan for this world and that he was not surprised. I am not sure how God will make lemondade out of this lemon, but I know he will because I have read the Book and WE WIN!

Now at this time in our great history I want to encourage other Christians to PRAISE GOD! Do not sulk. Why would you? We are not defeated, we are VICTORIOUS! I would also encourage Christians to share your faith. I feel the presence of God moving in our land, let us go to people and tell them of the hope we have.

Continue to pray for this country. Pray that God's will be done! Pray that we will be given opportunities to witness and then let us be faithful enough to do it.

Psalm 71:14-15 puts it this way:

14 But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.

VICTORY is in the Air!

Do you feel it? It is almost palpable. Never in my adult life have I ever seen or experienced anything quite like it. It is VICTORY! It is guaranteed! And it is coming!

As a Christian who slid as far away from my Lord Jesus as humanly possible, I was awoken by the spirit about 6 weeks ago. It wasn't a mild whisper telling me to repent and come back to Jesus; it was more of kick to the abdomen. It was certainly not something I was going to ignore. I found myself cruising down the road crying like a baby confessing all the sins I had committed since last time I truly walked hand in hand with God and asking him to forgive me, to come back to me, and to restore our fellowship.

What I have seen though is that regardless of where along the lines of time we are, God is working in miraculous ways today. Can you feel it? Have you felt that nudge at your heart recently? Have you felt that attempt to rekindle your spirit? Have you heard people in the grocery store line talking about Jesus? Have you tried mentioning Jesus’ name to a stranger in public – they seem oddly receptive to talking about the Savior.

Here upon the edge of a Presidential election the outcome of which absolutely terrifies me, I find comfort in knowing that God is still in control. I also find great opportunity and responsibility in the coming days. I believe God will want his children to spread the Gospel and I believe that he is already plowing the hearts of many in a miraculous way. I must admit I have never been good at witnessing. I get nervous talking about Jesus to people, but I am going to try.

No matter who wins this election do not feel sad or despaired. Certainly do not feel let down. God is a master weaver and he weaves plans that are amazing to behold. He is still on the throne and if you are saved through Jesus Christ then you are VICTORIOUS! Now let us just humble ourselves as Christians and submit to God and pray that he will somehow use us in some of his miracles.

Stay strong in the faith - In Christ alone!

BY FAITH!

Never did I think I would see a day when we would have to ask the authors of “Left Behind” whether a candidate for President was the Anti-Christ. Never did I think I would see the day where the authors of “Left Behind” would answer that question “it is unlikely.” But here we are, teetering on the edge of electing a man that many around this country are saying – “nah, he couldn’t be the Anti-Christ” about in an almost reassurance tone. We are on the brink of electing a guy that after being in his pocket for numerous months the media is finally saying about “we know nothing of this guy.” Woe – here we are.

It doesn’t matter to us that his father was Muslim and his mother atheist. It doesn’t matter to us that there is a question about whether he was born in the USA. It doesn’t matter to us that he attends a racist church whose preacher says G.D. American rather than God bless America. It doesn’t matter to us that some of his campaign headquarters have Cuban flags hung from their walls. It doesn’t matter to us that he refuses to salute the flag. It doesn’t matter to us that he has almost no experience. It doesn’t matter to us that he is associated with an unrepentant terrorist in William Ayers. It doesn’t matter to us that he has ties to ACORN which helped get us in the financial mess we are in today. It doesn’t matter to us that he has associations with former Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae high ups. It just doesn’t matter to us. It’s all about CHANGE. Obama himself said it is about the devil we know versus the devil we don’t know yet. That is what I am afraid of.

Christians…..? CHRISTIANS! Where are we CHRISTIANS? We are about to vote into office a man who voted against allowing medical help to babies born alive from unsuccessful abortions. That is an extreme that even the most liberal voters cannot see eye to eye with. CHRISTIANS? Has anyone seen our CHRISTIANS? We are about to elect a man that says he is not a proponent of gay marriage, but thinks it would be a shame to overturn gay marriage in the states that already have it. CHRISTIANS? Where are we CHRISTIANS?

In Hebrews God was very clear….”by faith Moses,” “by faith Abraham,” BY FAITH CHRISTIANS! What are we voting? What are we thinking? How are we living? It is all supposed to be BY FAITH!

Regardless of the outcome of this election there is an absolute truth – God is in control. God is still on the throne. BUT, what does it say about America, about us as Christians if we do not vote BY FAITH, but rather by something else. The Bible does not call us to vote “for wallet,” “for change,” “for popularity,” “for jobs,” “for history!” It calls us to do everything including voting “BY FAITH!”

Please CHRISTIANS vote your FAITH!

Please CHRISTIANS pray God’s will be done in these elections and that his mercy for America be great.

Then believe your prayer will be answered and believe it “By Faith!”

simply put: P R A Y ! ! !

“Life is easy when you’re up on the mountain
And you’ve got peace of mind like you’ve never known
But then things change and you’re down in the valley
Don’t lose faith for you’re never alone!”

I love this verse of “God on the Mountain.” Unfortunately for America, we are now very much down in the valley. Sometimes as Christians we get so comfortable when times are good that we think that somehow we are above it all. We maybe quit taking our Christian responsibility seriously. Then something happens “and we are down in that valley” and we are forced to run back to God. Well now is the time to start running! America needs to seek the face of God, and we need to do it soon.

We should take solace that even King David had this happen to him. And we should follow his lead in how to address it. In Psalm 30 David prayed to the Lord:

6 When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."

7 O LORD, when you favored me,
you made my mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.

8 To you, O LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9 "What gain is there in my destruction,
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

You see David was so sure that nothing could ever shake him that I think he got scared when it did. So now that it seems our country is believing we are above God, that what we have accomplished is somehow our own merit rather than God’s blessings we are having a hard time seeing God’s face. But GOD DID NOT LEAVE DAVID, and he has not left the USA. We just need to humble ourselves and pray for mercy! God will then turn our wailing into dancing! In order to stand up as a Christian we have to lay down everything to God. I urge you brothers and sisters in Christ – PRAY WITH ME! REPENT WITH ME! FAST WITH ME! I will be fasting starting Sunday night and praying each night starting tonight that God will show mercy on the United States of America and turn our “wailing into dancing.” Pray that God’s will be done in this election and pray that his will be done in America. Pray with faith that God hears prayer and rewards faithfulness and then WATCH FOR THE ANSWER!

Vote Your Faith, Not Your Wallet

I am an American. I am a husband. I am a father. But most of all I am a Christian. As a Christian I am commanded, not encouraged, to put God first in my life. I am also a financial advisor who has watched as the markets squirm and gurgle recently. Even with this said, I am a Christian first. I must vote my faith and not my wallet.

One day I will stand in front of God, and I do not want to have to answer the question "Why did you vote for someone who was the greatest proponent of abortion in the history of the Congress?" My soul trembles at the thought of such a thing. Indeed, Barack Obama has been called the strongest abortion proponent in the history of Congress by National Right to Life. Obama is such a strong supporter of abortion that he even voted down a bill that would allow medical care to be given to babies that were born alive as a result of failed abortions. As a Christian, this seems a lot like murder to me.

As a Christian I also believe that our leaders should most definetly govern by the Bible. I want my leaders to pray and to read the Bible and to be Godly people. Barack Obama has stated that it is impossible to govern by the Bible. He stated that the Sermon on the Mount would result in chaos if it was applied to government. As a Christian, to me such a viewpoint is repulsive.

Finally as a Christian I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. Barack Obama supports gay civil unions and seems to suggest that they are the first step toward allowing gay marriage some day. He even equates gay marriage to interracial marriage. I am sorry, once again, faith guides me that this is wrong.

When it comes right down to it fellow brothers and sisters in Christ if you can pray and in good faith vote for Senator Obama then by all means do so. If however you are feeling like God is conflicting your soul about such a vote then I would urge you to vote your faith before your wallet.

In conclusion, I would ask that regardless of who you are voting for you pray for our country. Numerous Christians around the country are praying at 9:00 each night a simple prayer that God will have his will be done in our country over the coming months and years and that he will forgive our sins and restore his blessings on us as a country.

Please take time to view the above references and links and pass this message along to other Christians.

Stay in the will of Christ Jesus the Lord,

A friend in Christ

New Coach for the Vols - Guess Who.

Handicapping the Field

• Will Muschamp – PROS – Muschamp is a tireless worker and by all accounts a phenomenal recruiter. He would give Tennessee an instant “mean streak and swagger” at the head coach position. He is energetic to the point of being hyper and he would likely relish the opportunity to get back into the SEC as a head coach. CONS – He has never been a head coach before and just because you are a great fiery defensive coordinator who can recruit and is full of energy does not mean you will be a success – ie – see Ed Orgeron. The other negative is that he is a defensive coordinator and Tennessee may be in need of some offensive minded help. INTERESTING TIDBITS – Tennessee would likely have to increase its budget for clipboards if it hires Muschamp. He has a penchant for breaking them much as Spurrier likes to chuck visors. Muschamp has been known to breach the clipboards into his hand and continue to coach while bleeding everywhere. Got to love that mentality. QUALIFICATIONS – Muschamp cannot be questioned as a defensive mind. He has been linebackers coach and defensive coordinator at LSU, Auburn, and Texas and always puts a top tier defense on the field. Everywhere he has worked the word that follows him is “genius.” Nick Saban says he is the best assistant coach he has ever worked with and will be a great head coach.
• Tim Brewster – PROS – Brewster is a student of the game who is considered a great recruiter. He has head coaching experience at Minnesota and could likely be lured away with moderate expense. He has shown the ability to recruit at a top notch level even at Minnesota and he has NFL experience. CONS – While he has NFL experience it was as a tight ends coach. He was 1-11 last season at Minnesota and really was on the hot seat before becoming the flavor of the month this season. His season so far this year has been strong, but the schedule has been terribly weak. The Gophers have only played one ranked team and that resulted in a 13 point loss to Ohio State. They have a common opponent as the Vols – they beat Northern Illinois by 4. Brewster’s claim to fame is recruiting, but he has no offensive nor defensive coordinator experience to hang his hat on. INTERESTING TIDBITS – Brewster is known for his work with tight ends and his use of the tight end in his offenses. He is widely credited with the development of Antonio Gaines in San Diego. QUALIFICATIONS – A great recruiter is a requirement of a head coach at Tennessee and Brewster fits the bill. He also has NFL experience which could certainly be a plus. He has head coaching experience, though a weak schedule may slightly skew this year’s impressive record.
• Chris Peterson – PROS – Peterson has an incredible 91% winning percentage as head coach of the Boise State Broncos. Peterson’s Broncos are always among the nations best offensive teams and he coaches an aggressive blitzing defense that is usually among the stingiest in the land as well. CONS – Boise State coaches have a history of leaving and flaming out in other conferences. Dirk Koetter flamed out with a 40-34 record at Arizona State and Dan Hawkins has just a 12-21 record since leaving the smurf turf for the greener pastures in Colorado. Peterson is also a scientologist which may be a negative to recruiting in the south. Peterson has not really turned a program around, he took over a program already on very solid footing at Boise State. It is unclear how good a recruiter he would be at a top tier school. INTERESTING TIDBITS – Peterson is known for his penchant for trick plays. His famous “Stature of Liberty” play to beat Oklahoma in overtime overshadowed that he had gotten that game to overtime via a 4th and 18 “Hook and Lateral.” QUALIFICATIONS – A stunning winning percentage, coupled with great offenses and defenses have lead Peterson to be a hot young coach. The failures of his predecessors along with his leadership of a program that was already atop its league is not his fault, but does leave a lot of questions about rebuilding a program in a tougher league.
• Butch Davis – PROS – Davis is a winner on the college level. He is similar to Nick Saban in that Davis has made a name of himself by running a very tight ship that wins games not with stunning gameplans, but with good fundamentals. Davis is a very good recruiter with ties to South Florida from his days as Miami’s head coach. Davis’ experience at running bigtime football programs, and his experience in the NFL make him a very attractive commodity and one who is not too far away in North Carolina. CONS – Davis has made it known through his agent Jimmy Sexton that he thinks the top schools in the SEC for recruiting are Georgia, Florida, and LSU. He also has made it known that he sees the SEC as much more difficult to win at a high level in than the ACC and would therefore be inclined to stay at UNC. Davis has a rather high salary and buyout and with Sexton as his agent, it would cost Tennessee dearly to go across the mountains to lure him west. INTERESTING TIDBITS – Davis never won a national championship with the Hurricanes, though he got terribly close. He turned their program around and was a very successful coach for “The U,” but his ultimate success in their program came a year after he left for the NFL. QUALIFICATIONS – Davis is extremely qualified and has been a very good college coach with a reputation for running a good program the right way. He has NFL experience and is a good recruiter. Davis’ big drawbacks are big bucks and his desire to stay in the ACC where winning comes easier.
• John Gruden – PROS – CHUCKIE is a tenacious winner that would certainly give a fresh and easily identifiable face to the program. Gruden has ties to the program and to the East Tennessee area as well. As the head coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs, Gruden could sell recruits on his NFL experience, and could take his Super Bowl Championship Ring with him while recruiting to make a likely favorable impression. Gruden has intensity, toughness and is easily recognized. He also has tons of head coaching experience. CONS – Gruden’s Bucs are still good and he is still getting paid at a very high clip. Its one thing to enter a bidding war with North Carolina, and quite another to challenge an NFL team in the Price is Right. Also consider that college coaching and NFL coaching is a different game. The college ranks are littered with former NFL head coaches who flamed out at the college level and visu-versa. This would be a very expensive swing and miss if that were to happen. INTERESTING TIDBITS – Gruden’s father was an assistant coach with Notre Dame and John did something that has been extremely difficult in the NFL – he won with the Oakland Raiders. Gruden took the Raiders to the playoffs 3 straight years. QUALIFICATIONS – Well let’s see here – a borderline Hall of Fame NFL coaching resume has got to stand for something. The question is whether he would want to come to the college game when he is still winning in the NFL and if he does, could we even afford him.
• Lane Kiffin – PROS – Kiffin has a reputation as a solid recruiter and an offensive mind. He also has the possibility of being able to bring in his father who is considered a brilliant defensive mind and is the creator of the “Tampa 2” defensive scheme. Kiffin has a recognizable face, some NFL head coaching experience, and has served under Pete Carroll at USC. Perhaps the most enticing thing about Kiffin is that he is currently unemployed and would cost UT nothing in a buyout. He is also very young and would possibly be a nice long term fix. CONS – Kiffin failed pretty miserably as the Raiders coach, but that in and of itself isn’t a disqualifier since pretty much everyone has. Kiffin has no college coaching experience and is more of a west coast guy than an SEC guy. If we got Kiffin there is no guarantee his dad would come too, and even if he did, his defensive schemes are known more for their bend and don’t break than their aggression. INTERESTING TIDBIT – Norm Chow has been no great fan of Kiffin. Chow stated that UCLA defensive coach Dewayne Walker was a better coach than either Kiffin or Sarkisian. QUALIFICATIONS – Kiffin may come a bit cheaper than most former NFL coaches. He is also a young coach with a good pedigree and a strong reputation. The question is though if you put a Pete Carroll and USC in the SEC do they cease to be USC?
• Gary Pinkel – PROS – Pinkel seems to be flying under the radar a bit since Missouri suffered back to back losses in the rugged Big 12. That being said, Pinkel has done a lot in turning around the Tigers and his exciting brand of offense and adequate defense should garner him some consideration. Pinkel has had to deal with some things at Mizzu that would face him at UT – mainly, a lack of in-state talent. Pinkel has been a very good recruiter for the Tigers however and could sell his fast paced offense to recruits much as Bruce Pearl has his. CONS – It’s a long way from Mizzu to UT Toto. While Pinkel has done a remarkable job turning around Missouri’s program, he has still struggled to beat the top teams in the Big 12. At 56, Pinkel is a bit older than most of the candidates on this list and one has to wonder if the Vols would take an SEC outsider at his age over a Spurrier or Tubberville if they came available. INTERESTING TIDBIT – Pinkel and Tennessee are tied together in one very interesting way. Chase Daniel seemed to be headed to Tennessee, but was scared off by the spector of Jonathon Crompton. Seems like Daniel made a wise choice. QUALIFICATIONS – winning at Mizzu and having little talent in state to recruit seems similar to wining at Tennessee with little talent in state. The question here is age and lack of SEC pedigree. How far “outside the program” is Tennessee willing to go?
• Mike Leach – PROS – WOW – the offense is amazing. No one can argue that Mike Leach cannot coach offense. He may be this generation’s Steve Spurrier (OLD ball coach). Leach has shown a propensity for scoring against anyone including Texas and Oklahoma and his hiring would likely bring a new and exciting offensive swagger to the Vols. CONS – Leach’s offense is not really conducive to defense. It could be a volatile mix kind of like June Jones and Buddy Ryan. Leach’s quick strike offense doesn’t take a lot of time off the clock and leaves his defense to get tired quickly. That being said, it does score. Leach is not really considered a top notch recruiter so he would likely have to surround himself with talented recruiters. Wow, he really does seem a lot like Spurrier. INTERESTING TIDBIT – Leach is one of only 4 head coaches at Division I that did not play college football. The others are Weiss (Notre Dame), Mangino (Kansas), and Paul Johnson (Georgia Tech). QUALIFICATIONS – Leach’s offenses have that “wow” power. Leach also has never had a losing season at Texas Tech – take that Coach Fulmer. That being said, Leach’s system in the SEC would be interesting to watch. It would likely necessitate the hiring of some great recruiting assistant coaches and a top notch defensive coach. Spurrier has shown that quick strike offenses can work in the SEC, but that was a different time – would they still today?

There are other candidates out there, but this was a list of the top ones from my point of view.

Thank God for Little Miracles

It is a tight week financially for the Common Sense Cat and family. These weeks happen every so often when living paycheck to paycheck. But I have a praise to tell that does not surprise me at all.

My church has been ministering to some local schools in our community and we decided to provide lunch for the teachers there since they do so much for our children. I signed up to bring barbeque from a local hot spot and had said I would spend around $20 or so since others were bringing various dishes as well. The cost of the barbeque ended up being $40 when all was said and done with the sauce and all. The importance of this will only be apparent in a minute.

Today, I went to pick up $200 cash from my wife to deposit into our checking account to cover a $200 check we wrote to our daycare provider. The problem was that my wife had spent some of the $200 and so we decided we would deposit only $180 into our anemic account. My wife counted out the $180 about five times and then I counted it a couple of times as well. Then I went to my bank to deposit the money. The bank is just next door to my wife’s employer, so the money never left my hand. Rather, I just went over and gave it to the teller with my deposit slip for $180. The teller asked what I wanted her to do with the other $20. I said “excuse me?” She said, “you gave me $200” and then proceeded to count the money out. Sure enough, $200. Now these were not new bills and the way it was divided was not just a wad of twenties, but rather 3 fifty dollar bills, a twenty, and a ten. Now somewhere a new twenty had appeared.

I told my wife who said that was impossible. Then I asked – “You think God just paid us back for the rest of that barbeque dear?” Her response told it all “oh wow!” Isn’t God Good!

A Funny Email with a Powerful Point.

I was at work today when I received the following email. I wanted to share it with you my friends. It is a good lesson for us to learn since Obama continues to speak about the redistribution of wealth.

"Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign the read 'Vote Obama, I need the money.' I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on a 'Obama 08' tie, again I laughed--just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

OR IS IT.........REDISTRIBUTION OF SOMEONE ELSE'S WEALTH IS A GREAT IDEA..............or just a fool's political game !!"

DON'T GIVE UP!

At one point I was convinced that Barack Obama was steaming toward a sure thing victory, but I am not convinced of that now at all. What has changed? Polling numbers? No. I have changed.

I wrote you about Governor Palin’s amazing visit from Pastor Mark Arnold in Ohio who told her that she was chosen by God to reign as a modern day Esther. The thing I just now realized is how important that message was.

You see as a Christian God will talk to you on a mano-a-mano, on a one to one basis. He desires that fellowship greatly. A few weeks back he had my Uncle contact me twice in one week with scriptures that were on his heart, which were the same scriptures I was reading that day. My Uncle lives 500 miles from me and could not have known what I was reading. That message was just for me though, and would have been wasted on my mother or a friend…. The message was just for me.

So the question that no one has been asking about the Palin-Esther message is - "of what significance to Sarah Palin was this message and of what significance to Christians?" The message had a powerful effect on Sarah Palin and her husband who both reportedly wept immediately. As a Christian you know that feeling! You know that overwhelming “God moment” where God does a little miracle meant specifically for you and there is no explanation for it and no one else can quite comprehend what it meant to you. It was a mano-a-mano experience.

So why did Sarah Palin burst into tears upon Pastor Arnold’s message? Apparently, Sarah Palin had asked her preacher to give her advice on how to be a leader. He told her to read Esther. She used Esther as her role model. There is probably more to the story than this, but I think it shows us two great things about Governor Palin. First, God had a one-on-one experience with Palin and Palin listened and heard that message and believed (henceforth the crying). Secondly, I think it shows great Christian character that instead of going to her political advisers on how to be a great leader, she went to her Christian advisor and then based on his advice went to the Bible. This is such a brilliant contrast to Barack Obama who has said that you cannot govern based on the teachings in the Bible.

So what does this all mean for Christians in America? It means – DON’T GIVE UP! It means that God has his hand all over this election. Would Esther have been the same if she had failed to become Queen? No, it would have changed the story entirely. Esther was a beautiful jewish girl who won favor with King Xerxes and prevented the slaughter of all the jews. But Esther only gave her people the ability to fight and defend themselves, she was not an automatic victory in and of herself. She gave them the chance to assemble and protect themselves. They did so and were victorious in so doing. SO STAND UP! Let us save this country and fulfill that which has been prophesied to Governor Palin. Do not bury your head, lift it. Vote, encourage friends to vote, spread the news more now than ever. Most of all pray. Pray that God’s will be done! Pray for Sarah Palin and John McCain. Hit your knees at 9:00 EST each night and pray for your country. THIS IS NOT OVER! DON'T GIVE UP!

The Writing on the Wall

Today the markets fell again, prompting some to call the amazing knee jerk reaction of the markets world-wide “bizarre.” In the past few weeks, Christians world wide have been murdered and prosecuted at unbelievable numbers by different groups including Hindus and Muslims. Somali Pirates saved Israel by intercepting a ship that was in essence a floating “dirty bomb” created by Iran to decimate Israel. The times are getting very scary. I urge everyone with a mind of their own to read Revelation in their Bible. I urge everyone make sure your loved ones have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I urge everyone to consider your vote and who is the least risky candidate. Think with your mind, not with your wallet. The writing is on the wall. Who will look at it and read it? Who will ignore it?

Christians Be-AWARE!

Has anyone else picked up on the number of Christians being murdered recently? In India we are being murdered by Hindus. In Iraq we are being slaughtered by Muslims. Now there is news that we are being assassinated by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Be ready Christians and be strong in your faith. The time of the return of Jesus could be very soon indeed.

Give Up for God.

Have you ever noticed that most people only turn to God during the direst moments in their life? Have you ever noticed how God seems to be especially attentive during those periods?

Trying times bring sincere prayers to God’s ears, but they also bring something else – submission. In a day and age where the adults have been brought up in school learning that science is the answer to all that ails man, it often takes a dilemma for which science has no answer to bring a true “God experience” into our lives.

You see God is the ultimate Father. We are his children. God wants to be our provider, but too often we think we can provide for ourselves. As a father nothing makes me happier than giving gifts to my children on Christmas. The look on their faces, the idea that I had a hand in making it a happy day for them, it is wonderful. But what if my children bought their own gifts? What if they thought they had no need for me? It would be a sad day indeed for dear old dad.

Too often as Christians we get caught up in what we can do for ourselves, or even what we can do ourselves for others. This is all well and good, but we forget that we have a Heavenly Father than can do anything. He has unlimited finances, unlimited authority, and unlimited power. When we leave Him out of our day to day life, it does not glorify him and it does not make him happy. Benjamin Franklin noticed this sentiment at the Constitutional Convention. He said, “And have we now forgotten that powerful friend (GOD)? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance.”

God wants us to rely on him. He wants us to ask for His help through prayer. He wants us to be the Children and let him be the Father. It is no wonder that Jesus rebuked his disciples when they tried to send the children away from him saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) I don’t think Jesus was referring just to children here. He was speaking of those who will humble themselves before the Heavenly Father like children. A child is helpless compared to an adult and he looks to his Father/Mother for everything. So too should we look to God.

I am guilty of having prayed “God show me what I can do for you.” While this is a decent enough prayer, it confuses the roles. The prayer should be “God, use me for your glory.” My measly abilities pale in comparison to God’s mighty powers and he certainly doesn’t need me to do anything, but I sure wish he would use me so I can experience his majesty.

So how should we as Christians be praying? The answer is four-fold I believe. I believe we should first be submissive. We should be that child that is totally reliant on the Father for sustenance. Secondly, we should make sure that the prayer is God honoring rather than self honoring. Asking God for something that will honor him is acceptable, if the prayer is to honor us, it is not acceptable. Next we should make sure it has Biblical underpinnings. Make sure that what you are praying for is a need or burden that can be found in scripture. Everyone in the community not having cell phones is a far cry from everyone in the community not having food. Finally, we should be praying with faith that the prayer will be answered. Hebrews 11 tells us how important having faith is by constantly echoing “By Faith Moses….By Faith Abraham….By Faith….By Faith….By Faith.”

After we have submitted ourselves, asked a God honoring prayer that is Biblical in nature, and we have faith in the outcome – we wait and watch. Sometimes we may be given the answer and not even see it because we are not watching. Sometimes we give up too soon. God is never early, nor late, He is always right on time. The problem is that He knows when the time is right and we do not. The waiting and watching of our prayers is never-ending and this allows us to “pray without ceasing.”

If we pray this way and act more like children to God than adults thinking we have all the answers, I have great faith that God will work a miracle that will sweep across this nation like a brushfire. Join me in this. It will be a work in progress, but oh what a work it could be.

Oh Ye of Little Faith

Do you see them? The signs. The closer you get to God, the more time you spend in his word, the more diligently you seek his face, and the more time you spend in prayer with him the more amazed you get. You don't see them? I didn't either, not till recently.

I will be honest, I have done things that turn my stomach and must have broken the heart of God, but he didn't forsake me. Even though I knew I was acting in a way that was absolutely opposite of His will, He was there. He was always there urging me home, asking me to repent, imploring me to turn to Him. Finally, I listened. It has changed my life, and my eternity.

It is hard to explain God's miracles in this day and time, but you know them when you see them. And you see them everywhere. You just have to take time to look. Romans 12-2 states - "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

It is so easy to listen to those in the world that pass off miracles as coincidence or bizarre happenstance. But we as Christians should know better. We should see the little miracles that God reveals to us and we should embrace them with confidence and reassurance. But most of all, we should desire to share the ability to see these miracles with others. The discerning of the miracles of God are made sweeter by the company of others.

The amazing thing about God is that he is always there. It doesn't matter if you have lived a near perfect life or if you have committed horrible sins, he loves you and he wants you to come home to him. And his little signs should serve as a comfort to us as we go.

But make no mistake about it, we cannot get there on our own. There is only one way to Heaven and that is through Jesus Christ who died on the cross for us. No matter how good a life we have lived, we have still sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, but Jesus paid the price for us. He paid the price for all our sins....all of them. We just have to accept him and turn to him.

We also should tell others about him, because otherwise how will they ever get to know the miraculous truths we know? Make no mistake about it friends, God is real and Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Let us turn back to him and enjoy the little miracles that he reveals to us.

A Call to Prayer

I urge every red-blooded Christian American to hit their knees tonight at 9:00 Eastern Standard Time and pray for the welfare of our country. Ask for for forgiveness for our country which has strayed away from the teachings of Christ. Ask that God's will be done. Let us all do this going forward each night. This movement is catching on across the nation and we can all be a part of bringing about the REAL CHANGE - getting back to God in the USA.

For it is written in 2nd Chronicles 7:14 "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."

Jesus Message to Sarah - "You are an Esther"

Purveying the landscape of this political election from the viewpoint of a Christian voter should allow for an easy "cut-n-dried" decision. Barack Obama and Joe Biden stand proudly for the pro-choice crowd. Obama has attended a church for 20 years that seems to promote black activism as much or more than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and then on the other side you have Sarah. Barack Obama's comments that America is no longer a Christian country, but one of Jews, Muslims, Atheists, and Christians got a small mention by the media. Sarah Palin's statement that she hoped that our soldiers in Iraq have a plan and the plan is God's Will got her hammered for days. As a Christian I am not disheartened by the media's attack on a sister in Christ, because it is to be expected. I am, however, moved by the fact that Heaven seems to be with Sarah Palin. Please read the attached article if you have not already. I urge you to join myself and many others around this country in hitting your knees tonight and every night through the election and beyond at precisely 9:00 EST and asking the most gracious God to bless our country, heal our land, and watch over Sarah Palin and John McCain. For it is written in 2 Chronicles 7:14 "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."

9:00 in your room hit your knees and pray and watch God work miracles through his people!

SARAH PALIN RECEIVES GOD'S MESSAGE

Miracles Still Happen

What has happened to America? Barack Obama says that we are no longer a Christian nation, but rather a nation of Christians, Muslims, Atheists. Say it is never so. But it is. As a Christian, I have been failing. If you are a Christian and are reading this maybe you have been failing too. God had a purpose for us, to proclaim the Good News, but too often I find myself proclaiming that a football coach should be fired or that a politician should be elected. I am ashamed to say that I spoke on things I shouldn't have and remained silent on things I should have shouted from the rooftops.

The closer you get in your walk with God, the more of the Bible you read, and the more time in prayer you spend, the more God shows you his "little miracles." They are a blessed display, but why have I not been recounting them at the water-cooler instead of the most recent football game?

I have seen several miracles, but let me speak of three. The first one happened when I was in Memphis at Kirby Woods Baptist Church. We were raising money, I believe for a mission family. We took offerings in the morning services (2) and had fallen a few thousand dollars and some change short. When we took offerings for the evening service we counted the money out in the open to see if we had raised enough - we had - down to the penny. Praise God! While amazed, I didn't sing the song to the rafters. Why not?

The second miracle I witnessed was with my mother. She had open-heart surgery and went into A-Fib. Due to her having had cancer, and her already weakened condition, the doctors said the chances of her making it were very slight. A new nurse came into our room and told us that she would be fine, to go outside and get some fresh air. I left crying and went and prayed. I also called my wife's family who were gathered together at a birthday party and they all prayed with me. When I returned to the room my mother was out of A-Fib and doing much better. As God often does when he works a miracle, he left a little hint of his majesty - the new nurse's name was the same as that of my newborn baby daughter - and that is not a common name at all. The doctors said - it was a miracle plain and simple.

Finally, I wanted to share the most recent miracle to grace me. It is of the much more subtle variety. I have been telling everyone to witness more because the time is at hand for the Lord's return. I had emailed this same message to my uncle, a spiritual mentor of mine. Yesterday at church we covered 2 versus of scripture that hit me like a hammer. When I got home, I had an email from my uncle saying he felt led to share with me 2 versus of scripture. Guess what, it was the same two versus. My uncle lives over 600 miles from me and knows no one other than myself at my church. Praise the Lord!

I encourage you as Christians to witness to people. Do not wait, do not procrastinate! The time is upon us! I also encourage you to stop what ever you are doing at 9:00 EST tonight and for the rest of the year and say a prayer for our country. Say a prayer for these elections. Say a prayer that God will watch over the USA and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will spread.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior - please do so. He will forgive your sins and you can enter into a relationship with the best friend you will ever have.

What you must do!

1. Admit your need (I am a Sinner)
2. Be willing to turn from Sin (Repent)
3. Believe that Jesus Christ Died for you (On the Cross)
4. Through Prayer, Receive him as Personal Lord and Savior

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believth in him should not perish, But have Everlasting Life.

John 11:25

Jesus Said unto her, I am the ressurection, and the life: He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

Not the Time to Put Your Head in the Sand.

Folks I am going to do something I have never done, I am going to go back in the archives and revive a earlier post because I think it is absolutely crucial to read. With each passing day I am more convicted that my predictions are correct. Please, please, please take time to look at these links, consider your faith and make sure that you are believing in Jesus as the ONLY way to get you to Heaven.

I believe we are at the end times and I believe that Obama is going to win this election and then turn the economy around thus getting superstar status globally. But do not be deceived, for he is no hero. Let us look to the Bible. Let us look at Revelation 13 to be exact since it speaks in great detail of the coming of the Anti-Christ.

13:1 Reads - "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." - Rising up out of the sea to me means that the Anti-Christ will be from an island nation - or perhaps Hawaii. The seven heads are the G-7 financial powers and one of the heads will be seriously injured and revived and the whole world will be amazed. That one head will be the United States economy. The 10 horns could be seen as countries where the Anti-Christ will derive power from, and which will become 10 kingdoms for an hour so says the Bible.

13:2 Reads - "And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." - leopards are two colors, perhaps predicting he is biracial. The dragon that helped him win his seat (perhaps seat in Congress) and has great authority could be Obama's financial backer and head of the world-wide Unification Church Sun Myung Moon whose original name was Mun Yong Myong. Yong means "dragon" in Korean, but Moon changed his name to keep Christians from equating him with the dragon in Revelation, which is exactly what I am doing. Moon has suggested he is the second Christ and is a very dangerous man and a very big financial backer of Obama.

13:3 Reads - "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." I am not sure what is meant by this. The seven heads are the G-7 global financial powers and the head that is CURRENTLY INJURED is the American economy which Obama will revive and win great favor around the world. I would bet my farm the economy turns around under Obama as a result of this prophecy, and I am a financial advisor. I am not a Bible scholar, just a regular Joe doing my best to make sense of this.

13:4 Reads - "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" Surely we can say that people's obsession with Obama is a bit weird to say the least. Kids are marching to him and chanting Alpha and Omega like they would a God. Then you have other kids singing to him as if he were a God. Then you have other people fainting when Obama talks. Then you have people worshipping Obama financial supporter Reverend Moon (the dragon) as the second coming of Christ. And you have 200,000 people in GERMANY turning out to see Obama at an address in Berlin. Last time I checked, Obama wasn't running for anything there. I also think there is more to this. Many supposedly "Christian" churches in the US and abroad have become too accepting. I do not think God is pleased. I think we have allowed political correctness and tolerance to run amok.

13:5 Reads - "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." How long is a presidential cycle? By the time the President gets settled into office and gets his feet on the ground it surely cannot be much more than 42 months. In addition everyone can agree Obama is a great orator. He has a mouth for speaking great things, but he mocks the Bible. He also seems a bit full of himself as was displayed in John McCain's commercial "The One."

13:16 Reads - "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." Surely this can never happen right? Maybe it can and already is. Barack Obama has sponsored a bill - Senate Bill 2911 for "interoperability with electronic medical records." This would expedite medical information about people, but its a short jump to the implementation of micro-chips in humans like animals that would allow humans to purchase and sell things based on their implanted microchips. Read the articles, a bit chilling.

13:18 Reads - "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." I may have been reading this passage wrong my entire life. I have always assumed the number of the Beast was 666. But the passage actually states that if you have understanding you should COUNT THE NUMBER. Well since 666 is already put out there, perhaps counting means adding. 6+6+6=18. So 18 is the number of the Beast? Barack Hussein Obama has 18 letters. It may be a stretch, but when viewed in light of the totality of the situation, it seems a bit chilling to me.

Further in Revelation you find that a woman classified as "The Great Prostitute" will ride the Beast (Obama?). The Great Prostitute is also mentioned as "The Great City" and "Babylon." Could this be the United States of America?

Revelation 18:3 Reads - "For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." Surely no where in the world has made merchants richer than the United States.

18:11 Reads - "And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more." Again, this seems eerily like a description of the United States and the world's need for us as its great consumer. It also seems to suggest that something terrible is going to happen to us and if we in America are truly the "Great Prostitute" we will be riding on "The Beast."

Maybe I am way off in my thinking. Maybe I am reading way too much into all this. Or maybe many of us are missing the boat and not seeing what is right in front of our eyes. We have an inexperienced candidate who came from no where and on whom nothing sticks. It does not matter that this candidate can be linked to ACORN, Ayers, Wright, Raines, and Johnson. It does not matter that this candidate has the most liberal voting record in Congress. It does not matter that this candidate has a name that is one letter removed from two of our most hated Muslim enemies. Indeed it seems sometimes as if we are being handed an UNELECTABLE candidate to show us how blind we are to what is going on. And the scary thing, we are likely going to elect him.

Take time to make sure you are saved, and that you have repented from your sins. Make sure to witness to those loved ones and friends around you. Getting saved is as easy as A B C.

Don't hide this great truth, but share it. We need to contact as many as possible during these dark days.