Leaving For Texas

Hi everyone! Before you read this post, please check out the mini-blog below because I don't want you to miss what "Americans" are saying about Sarah Palin.

Tomorrow I will be leaving for two weeks to go to Beaumont Texas. I will be part of a 3=person team from our church that will be preparing, cooking, and serving meals to the victims of Hurricane Ike. This trip was very sudden so it's been a rush to get everything done, but I know it will be well worth it. So far, the Southern Baptist Conservatives of VA have sent several teams to the area and served more than 20,000 meals...DAILY. They have also had 125 professions of faith. Our team will be working with the Salvation Army on this mission but we can still represent our faith, share Christ, and minister to the hurting.

The Southern Baptist of the United States is the third largest relief organization in the nation and we obviously are the only ones out of the big 3 who actively look for opportunities to share Christ (whereas Red Cross and Salvation Army can't).

Please keep our team in your prayers as we go. This is just as much of a Trailblazer Missions opportunity as anything or anywhere else we do or go. We will have an enormous amount of people cross our path. Ask the Holy Spirit to give us sensitivity to who is ready to hear and receive the gospel and then pray for courage among relief workers to open their mouths and share!

There will be no blog entry tomorrow, but Sarah will be filling in for me over the next two weeks beginning next Monday or Tuesday. She will post updates and information on the mission so you can stay informed.

Palin

I want to share something I found on boortz.com under news. Neal Boortz is a syndicated talk show host who calls it like he sees it. He's very entertaining to read and listen to so check out his page each day for some basic commentary on the daily events in the world.

Here's what he found...
"A Democrat House Representative from Florida was speaking to an audience of Jewish Democrats. That's when the Democrat Rep. Alcee Hastings came up with this line: 'You should be wary of Sarah Palin because "anybody toting guns and stripping moose don't care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks ... If Sarah Palin isn't enough of a reason for you to get over whatever your problem is with Barack Obama, then you d^$%# well had better pay attention.'" Can you believe this jerk used to be a federal judge? Yeah ... right up until he was impeached.

Can you believe that someone would say that kind of stuff in public? Palin, with her Evangelical Christian roots, is a proud sponsor of Israel and it's right to exist as a sovereign nation. Before the world was watching her, she had a flag of Israel pinned to a curtain in her governor's office. To imply that she would soon rather see a Jew or black shot and stripped like a moose is appalling. SHAME ON YOU Alcee Hastings!

I VOTED!

Today was a great day for the REPUBLIC of the United States of America! Today I voted in the 2008Presidential election. You see I will be South Africa on a mission outreach trip when our general election takes place so I had the privilege of voting early.

It was actually very exciting to know that I was voting for the next president of the United States, John McCain, and for our first female Vice President, Sarah Palin!

I marked my ballot with pride, sealed it, and sent it away! Voting is such a wonderful opportunity that we have as Americans. I hope all of you out there will make it a priority EVERY election day to vote for your party of choice. Listen to your values and vote based on that and you'll know who to choose.

I do have one observation...where is the get out to vote effort among the McCain people. Look on every web site and Obama has a banner ad encouraging people to vote. I have yet to see McCain's efforts, even in our own county. He needs to be shouting it from the rooftops if he stands a chance against the democratic party and their millions.

One other thing, why is it millions and millions of people will vote for the next American Idol winner but won't go to the polls to vote for something that REALLY REALLY matters? If you're one of those people and you're reading this, I implore you to take up this challenge and head to the election booth on November 4th!

www.johnmccain.com

The Lost Can See?

From the Book Of Matthew (Ch 9:9-13)

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?[a]”

12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”

13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[b] For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough!"

One of the things I like about going on mission trips is the fact that so many people outside of the states know and identify themselves as sinners. They know they are doing wrong and know that they are undeserving. They know they are lost. Most belief systems in the areas I've been in teach on a works mentality, and yet most know and believe that there is no reason to bother trying because they will never succceed!

Our sin creates a gulf of separation between us and God and no matter how good we are or no matter what good deeds or works we do, WE can NEVER bridge the gap to get to God. I could try to jump from the Texas to the coast of Florida over and over but I'll never be able to jump far enough. I'll get wet each and every time. The Pharisees felt like they were good enough because they were the children of Abraham. They were so wrapped up their own self-righteousness they couldn't see God (as Jesus) right in front of their very eyes. In their minds, their heritage and the law was the bridge to God. A Roman soldier, non Jew, could recognize the fact that Jesus was Saviour when he approached him to ask Him to heal his servant. Jesus offered to go to the man's home and heal him and the man said, "no need to you could do it from here at this distance if you wanted to" (Ron's paraphrase). Jesus said He had never seen such faith in all the land of ISRAEL!

It's funny how many people in our country think they are "good enough" while people around the world know they in fact are not. Americans don't see their sin as separating them from fellowship with God. Americans have fallen into this lull of believing that their heritage will save them.

I read the scripture from Matthew as typed above and it just reminds me that God is CALLING THE SINNERS....not those who THINK they are already GOOD ENOUGH. You can argue with one of those "good enough 'believers'" all day, you could show them signs and wonders just like Jesus, and at the end of the day the self-righteous will still be their same blinded selves. Jesus is calling out to the lost as a shepherd would call out for the sheep in his field that isn't with the rest of the flock.

Let's remember to pray for a deep conviction of our sins as a nation and as a church. Pray that our self-righteous walls will crumble and then that we will humble ourselves before the Lord. I fear what is to come if our nation does not repent of our sins soon. Israel turned from the Lord so very often, His very own people. Evil would be allowed to rise up and persecute Israel until they would remember that the God is their LORD! Pray that it doesn't take something horrible to wake us up.

Bailing Out

Once again, I rant at the insanity of our elected officials. I'm on my soapbox about the quazillion dollar buyout that our tax dollars are going to have to cover to save the floundering credit and banking industry. The government wants to pump hundreds of billions of dollars into failing mortgage and insurance giants. This is a hard place to be in as a tax payer. I know that keeping our banking system secure and afloat is vital to the health and well being of this great nation. Should our system of credit and finance collapse we are all going to be hurting. We would all be hurting if the government had not bailed out the struggling airline industry after 9/11. Just as transportation infrastructure is essential to our USA being strong, the banking industry as equally and even more vital.

My problem with this forced bailout is this. We have no choice. The tax payers are one again footing the bill for poor regulation of yet another industry. Corporate greed and governmental complacency have created this situation.

It infuriates me that we are pumping money into companies that let borrowers buy homes that had horrible credit. Loans were handed out without verification of employment and some documents never even required in order for the borrower to get a couple hundred thousand bucks. Now these homes that were purchased are being foreclosed on because the borrower couldn't afford the house payments because they secured an ARM (adjustable rate mortgage) that they should have never been given to start with...so who pays? WE DO??? That's right...I'm sitting here trying to save up enough money to buy my own home and part of my paycheck is going into the tax system which in turn is being used by the government to bail out some dope who doesn't know what it means to be responsible with his/her money.

Thus lies the bigger issue of bailouts. The "system" of government in the last 60 years has created a generation of people that believe that they have no responsibilities of their own and if they get in trouble someone (i.e. the government) should bail them out. I have too many babies by too many daddies...the government will bail me out. I can't afford my mortgage payment...the government will bail me out. I spend all my money on drugs, alcohol, cigs, dvds, and whatever I want and now I don't have enough money to buy my groceries...oh wait, the government will bail me out. I build my house in an area 6 feet BELOW sea level and am surrounded by the gulf of mexico and the mississippi river and if it floods what will I do...blame the city and wait for the government to bail me out.

In a society where some moron successfully sues McDonalds because the coffee they bought spilled on their legs and burned them we should not be surprised that people aren't taking responsibilities for themselves. As long as week keep on doing what we've always been doing by bailing out everyone for everything we will never overcome this mindset.

Our society needs to grow up and take responsibility for themselves and their actions. If I never let Katie feel the consequences for bad actions or choices she's made, she would never learn how to do better. We have to stop allowing the government to cover every mistake and let people learn the hard way. I know that's not politically correct and won't win a lot of votes, but I'm tired of seeing my hard earned dollars wasted on the idiocracy of our government and frivolous and careless Americans.

The Hell Of Divorce

It's been 7 years since a heartbreaking divorce ripped my life to shreds. I have to say to date, that was one of the worst things I've had to endure. A lot has changed in my life since those dark dark days. I asked Christ to be LORD in my life and have followed after Him every since. Katie, my 9-year old, asked Christ in to her life at an early age and has a tender and compassionate heart for others. As tragic as the divorce was it was life altering in some very positive ways. Obviously, I don't fear death now and I have peace that my daughter is a child of the King as well. God did not approve of my divorce and hated it, but I found Him after it was all said and done and He's used that in my life to help me learn and grow and understand just a little bit better about forgiveness and grace.

I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned through this. I'm thankful that He has forgiven me of my sins and helped me forgive myself and move forward. I'm thankful that He gave me a second chance to be a husband to my wonderful wife Sarah. I'm thankful that He gave me a second chance to be a full time dad to Katie and I'm thankful that He sought after me in the middle of all of my mess and called me out of the darkness. I'm thankful that He is using me to bring praise and honor to His name through my role as worship leader. I'm thankful that He placed me in the role as a Missions Pastor so I can lead the charge within our body to take the message of salvation all over the globe. I simply don't deserve any of it, but He has indeed overwhelmed me with many new beginnings. I just want to brag on my Savior a little I guess because He has been so good to me.

I started off with this blog in a bad state of mind. Katie is getting ready to go stay with her mom for several days and I was feeling a sad. So I titled this blog "The Hell of Divorce" and was going to write about how horrible I'm feeling. I can't tell you how hard it is to say goodbye to your child every so often so they can go live a second life with their other parent somewhere else. I can't tell you how horrible it is to come home in the evening and know she won't be there to talk my ear off, nag me to play croquet, or ask me a dozen times if she can play on the computer. It is an empty feeling to know that your child isn't there. It puts a pit in my stomach to write about it. Divorce is HELL. Most of all it's hell on our children. They are torn trying to please both parents and torn trying to figure out just what is going on. Unfortunately I have to live with the fact that normal for Katie is being without her daddy for several days straight.

In spite of all of these things, I know that God is sovereign. I know that through all of this abnormal mess that sin has created He will use it for good in her life. Maybe one day she'll grow up and minister to the hearts of the hurting kids of the world that are going through divorce. Maybe one day she'll follow in my footsteps and go to the ends of the earth and share Christ with others who know what it's like to live life in hopelessness and darkness. Whatever the case, no matter where my little girl may be this weekend or next month or in the next 20 years, I know and trust the Lord to protect and guide her steps.

Oh my pity party that I wanted to write about has suddenly disappeared like Obama at a voting session of the Senate (LOL!). It's funny how God has used this blog to remind me of just how good and merciful He really and truly is!

I'm thankful that while divorce may be hell it isn't anything compared to the eternal hell that I could be in tonight had I never fallen on my knees in the quiet of my parents' basement and asked Christ to forgive me and take control of my life.

I'm reminded of a Martins song that says,
"Count your blessings when you're feeling blue.
It's surprising what a little bit of counting will do
Count 'em when everything seems wrong
Soon you'll find yourself singing along!"

My friends, please don't let the enemy allow the sins and failures of your past keep you downtrodden and blue. God can use your mess and make it a message! Paul was a murderer before he got saved and look at how God used him. What if he went around reminding himself that he was murderer and believing that he could never be used by God. Thank goodness he didn't!

When you feel the horrible things in your mind begin to take over, take those crazy thoughts captive and pull them down and away from you! There is work to be done in the name of the Lord and He wants to use you! He can't if all you want to do is feel sorry for yourself and wallow in guilt and shame. He came to give us life and life more abundantly, so live it like you should...live it out loud!

WIPE OUT

The top two images are from Gilcrest Texas...or what's left of it. The very top photo is of the town before Hurricane Ike's deadly storm surge. The second pic is what's left after the storm.

The town of Gilcrest has/had about 1000 structures. All but 5, that's right 5, of them were destroyed. Only 1 house out of about 200 survived. Rescuers pulled about 34 survivors from the town out of Galveston Bay behind the island.

The rescue teams commented that there's no debris on the island to sort through and look for survivors because the island has literally been swept clean by the sea. Most all of the debris from the structures were either pushed into the bay from the initial surge or pushed back out to sea when the storm passed to the north and the winds changed directions and pushed the water back over the island out to the gulf. It's an amazing testament of the power of nature.

Why don't people leave when they are told? Many in this town will never live to regret their decision because they are dead. It's very sad and should be a lesson that everyone in coastal towns learn from but won't. More than 1800 people died in Katrina...and yet people don't leave when they are told to leave. NEWSFLASH...if you live on a spit of sand surrounded by water and there's a storm coming with a wall of water 10 feet high with 20 foot waves on top of that the you should pack up your stuff and LEAVE.

I do want to mention a special prayer request for Celina's brother (a woman from our church). Her brother is a college student who resides in Houston Texas. Houston is the nations 4th largest city and more than 2 million people are without power. Steven is among the powerless. He can't get access to cash because the banks are closed so he has no money. He can't get gas for his car because there is no gas left in the city. In other words, Steven is in a tough place right now. Please keep him in your prayers that he will find the necessary resources to survive.

P.S.

I forgot to mention in the new blog below:

1) Check out my buddy Matt's blog by following the link on the FAV Links List.
2) I've posted a slideshow of our 2 of our 3 Trailblazer Mission Trips in 2008. From all three trips we have ahd approximately 53 professions of faith in Jesus! We are leaving for South Africa in October so please keep us in your prayers.
3) Thanks for all of your comments on the Obama picture from yesterday. Keep watching and reading!!

The Left Coast

Did you hear about the huge fundraiser that the wonderful folks in Hollyweird gave last night for Barak? It seems they raised $9 million dollars so that he can take that money and use it for campaigning and advertisement.

$9 million dollars!??! Are you serious? It makes me sick!!! First of all regardless of your party of choice, it's sad that it takes so much money to be elected. Secondly, it's even more insane that Americans will fork out their cash to a candidate who is so anti-American. I scratch my head in amazement when I see things like that.

I get pretty frustrated sometimes. We have people like Brad and Paige who want to go live their lives in a mission field thousands of miles away and it takes them 2 years to find the funds...and we are really only talking a couple of thousand dollars per month. How small that is in comparison to what they raised last night in one political fundraiser. I guarantee that Brad and Paige have sent out dozens and dozens of letters to potential church sponsors and yet the reply is strangely silent.

Don't get me wrong. I know where my bread is buttered. I know that God is our PROVIDER. I know He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. When He is ready to provide, He WILL provide. It just gets frustrating sometimes to watch the rich toss around money like loose change and yet there are people that want to do God's work that can't because of the lack of money. The thing I have to remind myself is that when God is ready for us to go wherever He has called us to, He will get us there and give us the resources we need to join Him. We are so used to everyone in our society running behind and being late that we throw that human issue upon Him. I assure you that God is never late and running behind.

God has everything under control. Now let's sit back and laugh as the rich and powerful throw away their cash to a worthless and hopeless cause like Barak Obama and Joe Biden. By the way you couldn't pay me $9 million to hear Barbara sing!

Remember to keep our "Trailblazers" in your prayers and that they will remain expectant and confident as they look forward!

One Nation...

I HAVE A CHALLENGE FOR ALL READING THIS>>> Read to the end for this challenge...

Well a picture really IS worth a thousand words...let's look closely shall we...oh yes...there he is, Mr. Hype standing in front of our flag - a flag that represents truth and freedom, a flag that represents the lives of thousands of soldiers who have fought for that truth and freedom, a flag that still waves today some 400 years after the first Jamestown colony was established.

Oh but wait, how is it that a man running for PRESIDENT of our nation and commander of our soldiers can stand in front of an American flag and NOT put his hand over his heart? How is it that America has been lulled into forgiving such a treasonous-type of act. Perhaps they were all chanting the hypnotic chant of the Obama campaign of "yes we can"? Say what you want to about Hillary, but at least she's not ashamed of this nation!

All I know is this...if a picture is worth a thousand words, then I'll offer up some "words" that I get from this picture... unpatriotic, liberal, appeaser, weak, sad, unfit for the office of President, unfit to lead our troops in war, UNWILLING to fight for truth and freedom, UNWILLING to fight terrorists, UNWILLING TO SAY, I AM PROUD to be an AMERICAN...and yes friends we should be UNWILLING to cast our vote for a man like this...


PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST THE THOUSAND WORDS you think of when you see this picture...simply click on comment and type in your post...choose anonymous user and hit enter...let's see what others see!

Finding the "Eye"

Well Hurricane Ike has passed. My weather-obsessed time in front of the computer and tv will get a break since there's nothing going on in the tropical Atlantic. It's been a busy month to say the least. Of course politics will probably occupy my time this week as the race for the White House will heat up and get dirtier and dirtier.

The image in this blog is from a special satellite (Synthetic Aperture Radar) that shows the monster eye of the storm as it bears down on the barrier island of Galveston. It's such a haunting and erie, yet beautiful picture of the overwhelming power and might of nature. No matter how high our sea walls are, no matter how strong our piers or hotels, the forces of nature are far more powerful than anything we can do to counter it's sometimes deadly affects.

I have an opportunity to go to Texas next week to work with our state disaster relief team. I really want to serve and help the people that need so much help. I'm having a hard time being unselfish if I can be honest with you. I hate to leave my family for those 7 or 8 days and then turn around again next month and do it again when I go to South Africa, but I really really want to go and help feed and pray with those that are hungry and hopeless. I have 3 schedule conflicts, one of which is speaking at another church on missions. I'm just going to have to pray about what or where God wants me to join Him and follow Him to it.

I'm so thankful for a wonderful wife like Sarah. She's so supportive of me going. She's encouraging me to go do this event with her whole heart which of course makes me NOT want to go even more! Being in the ministry is so much easier with a spouse that is behind the sometimes overwhelming activities surrounding the ministry!

I was at the funeral of a dear man, Mr. Clayton Sweet. One of the things that his friends were saying about him was that they were so grateful of his family's sacrifice to allow him [Clayton] to minister and build relationships with others around him. The speaker noted that there were no doubt countless times when Mr. Sweet was NOT with his family so that he could be there with someone else's family. It was a sacrifice I know they were behind 100%. The room was full of people that his heart had touched. He made a difference, a real difference in the lives of others. He led them to the Cross!

You know in the middle of the storms of life, I'm thankful that the eye of that storm is indeed the cross. When the wind and rain batters me and the surge is about to overtake me, no matter how dark or how horrible the place I'm in, the eye of my storm is ALWAYS there. I may not be able to see it, but the eye is there always. There's no wind or rain just clear perspective on things from the view of Calvary. When we look at our circumstances from the perspective of the cross, we can be assured of a better mind-set and way of thinking.

Again, I know my thoughts are a little random today, but that's okay isn't it? It's Monday! Cut me a little slack.

Brad and Paige Trailblazer UPDATE

Again this is my second new posting for the day so don't miss my commentary/blog on the decline of our nation below...also don't forget to check out Pastor Neals' blog at pbcvoice.blogspot.com for more great insight into the world around us.

A week or two ago, I put out a prayer alert for 2 of our missionaries that are facing an especially trying and difficult time in trying to get themselves into the mission field of Asia. After more than a year of trying tor raise enough funds to go they have still come up short in the contributions. It has been discouraging and frustrating but they press on because they KNOW that God has called them to go there.

I heard from our "Trailblazers" this week and have some important news to share with those of you in blog world...They have a possible donor from somewhere in Northern Virginia who wants to give to a missionary in the DC/Northern VA area. Brad and Paige Trailblazer were asked to send their info in to this possible sponsor via their sending organization.

This could be a huge step forward should this work out...PLEASE continue to keep them in your prayers over this situation and pray that this donor will see their information and just be drawn to help them in this huge mission. In fact, just keep praying about it until I update you again...how's that sound!?!

America Changed...The Day After

So the day after 9/11, America wakes up different than the day before. Suddenly perspectives have changed. The safety we felt at home was now a memory only. The peace we felt when getting on a plane was a little shakier than before. 2758 people slipped into eternity and left kids, husbands, wives, brothers and sisters behind to pick up the pieces and mover forward with their lives alone.

On Fox News this evening there was a comment about 9/11 changing America. How have we changed I asked myself and I ask you? How have we evolved since then? We all witnessed, in what seemed like an endless day, people jumping from the 104th floor to escape the flames and hell that was behind them. We all saw those towers crumble like a house of cards and we all cried the tears of heartache as it was so clear that America would indeed never be the same.

So I ask you this friends...Are we more spiritual as a result of the horror that unfolded before us? Did we and do we cry out for our Deliverer to save us from the terror that surrounds us and continues to threaten us? Did our nation fall to its knees and seek God's mercy and grace? Did our churches fill up and stay full? Did our families get stronger? Did moms stop walking out the door on dads? Did dads stop abandoning their children? What has changed in Amercia since that horrific day just seven years ago?

I submit tonight, as Hannity and Comes argue in the background about Palin's comments on praying and God, that America HAS indeed changed and not for the better. Oh we have changed indeed. No our churches aren't full, the family is in shambles, and the Nation is turning its back on God at an alarming rate. I have to wonder how long God will continue to show us His amazing Mercy when I look at what's going on?

Israel was so often following hard after God and over time they would start worshipping other gods and idols. They would forget the goodness of God and how He had brought them through some pretty hard times of terror. God's people would turn their backs to Him so frequently that He would often rise up an evil nation to press in terror upon His people so that they would cry out for a deliverer. Time and time again, God would always provide a deliverer and His people would get back on track for a while...until they decided that the hard times were now over and they could return to their old ways. And God would raise up terror against them and they would again cry out. Again God would show His mercy and save His people and they would return to Him.

THE FINAL Deliverer came in the form of a baby boy named Jesus. This baby would grow up and be the sacrifice that was without blemish and without sin, offered His body up so you and I could be forgiven and delivered once and for all. Now some 2000 years later, this "one nation, under God" is in need of God's great mercy. We are need of a revival that will shake up the establishment we call "church. We need a revival that will make us want to put our selfish needs aside and focus on God's agenda. We need a revival that will awaken us to the lost world around us and push us out of our pews and to the ends of the earth.

It's sad to me that it's no longer safe for a politician to say they pray to God. FDR, JFK, Lincoln, Regan, and many other Presidents, both democrats and Republicans, have talked openly about God in their position. Now, 7 years after 9/11 the powers that be (media establishment, policital correctness, ACLU, etc) are more determined than ever to shut God out of every aspect of American life. Our politic ans are now religious fanatics because they make reference to God...no the fanatics are the ones that hijacked 4 planes and killed Americans but wait we ignore that don't we. Our football games can't be opened in prayer anymore because we don't want to OFFEND anyone. Our churches preach a cheap gospel that tell the lost that they can fly high as eagles but fail to mention the costly expense of our sin and our Saviour on the cross.

Oh yes, America has changed. Ever so gradually we are seeing an erosion of everything that was right about our great country. Ever so gradually we are seeing the death of a nation. Ever so slowly we see the darkness creeping over our shores, lurking and threatening to destroy us once and for all. Yet what do we (I'm saying we as a nation) do about it...We keep on doing the same thing we have always done. We put God aside and find our own little idols to worship.

We elect inept politicians who only serve themselves. We rely on people to change and reform a broken government. We expect the pastors of our churches to do our worship for us, to go on mission work for us and to lead people to Christ for us while we sit back and watch because that's what they "get paid to do" (again, I'm referring to the nation as a whole and not PBC). We watch from the sidelines and never go to prayer meetings to pray. We ignore revival services and opt for the football or softball game instead. We HAVE changed since 9/11 and it's NOT for the better. We are not more hungry for God to heal our land. We are more complacent. We are not so thirsty for that well of living water that's inside us to rise up and empower us that we spend hours in prayer asking to be used. We are apathetic and lazy and we are a dying nation because Christians are silent. We are more vocal at a race or a sporting event than we are in daily prayer.

The government can only do so much. Christians better wake up and take notice. Time is short and our voice is getting smaller and smaller because we are letting it. FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY. FIGHT FOR THIS NATION. FIGHT FOR THE LOST. FIGHT FOR OUR SCHOOLS. It's time we remember the lessons of 9/11 and look to God and God alone for the answers. Pray. Noting will EVER change if we aren't' praying. PRAY. The state of the Nation depends on it.

Obama Wins...EUROPE!

This is my second blog for the days so make sure you check out both, but I couldn't pass this one up!

So Obama is finally ahead in the polls again ....in Europe...in fact, the world wants Obama to win by a margin of 80% (especially popular in France). Is that not a clear indication of who we Americans should vote for? If the Frence want Obama, then McCain is the only clear strong choice right!?! At townhall.com a blogger went ahead and posted the electoral map for Obama in Europe. It was worthy of an out loud chuckle so I wanted to share the humor with you. Notice the big victory in Russia LOL!!!

Why does the world want a man like Obama because the world's beliefs line up with his...Just like Christians are to be in the world but not of the world, I think Americans should continue to govern and manage in our own unique way and not let the popular opinion of the world influence what we do or don't do...In God , not the world, We Trust...ALWAYS!

Putting It All Behind You?

In the ever-increasing garbage being tossed around in this campaign, I find myself just worn out but can't stop watching...it's like driving by a bad wreck and slowing down to watch. I should be in bed right now. Sarah is sound asleep and I'm up watching this rerun of Bill O'Reilly. Why? Because I'm an idiot I guess. If this blog sounds unorganized then I'll apologize in advance (and yes I realize that maybe most of my blogs may sound that way).

I'm not even going to comment on this stupid stuff about the lipstick and the pig. I truly don't believe the Obama meant it the way it has been taken. No, I'm ticked about the attack on Sarah Palin's faith. The media is out of control in it's reporting of this entire campaign. Do you know that they are now asking how Palin will put her "Pentecostal past behind her." What? Wait...WHAT? First of all why should she want to put her faith "behind her" or why should she even want to try to distance herself from it? Her faith is what has made her the strong, value-conscious woman that she is today. Would YOU apologize for your belief in Christ because you were running for national office? I hope not. I guarantee you that Palin won't back down either...it's going to be great to watch her eat their lunch.

I grew up in a Pentecostal background for more than 20 years and have never wanted to outrun it or put it behind me. In fact, I embrace that portion of my spiritual background. I've learned things there about the power of the Holy Spirit that other churches ignore. I will go on the record now to say that I never handled a snake or saw anyone else do it. No I just watched people worship the Lord in a way that is very similar to the way that millions of other Evangelical Christians do...yes even us Baptists. I'm happy to say that yes my faith plays a big role in my life. I would hate to think that somehow the fact that I go to an Evangelical Christian Church would somehow negate me from being a viable candidate for office.

To the press I say this, "Back off of Palin's faith" and "Please, enough with the lipstick stuff already." I'm going to bed. This blog entry is horrible and for that I truly apologize...good night.

DRILL HERE! DRILL NOW! www.americansolutions.com Go sign this petition and foward to your friends. More than 1 million have signed Newt Gingrich's petition! DRILL HERE! DRILL NOW!

Promoting Witchcraft and Wizardry To Kids

I went to a local elementary school today. The school was promoting literacy and reading and I decided I would volunteer to help in this event. I proudly wore my PBC shirt and headed off into the local mission field and had a great time building relationships and meeting new faces in our community.

The kids are wonderful! They were all smiles as they came in to choose their books among the dozens and dozens that filled the library. They had their envelopes full and money and they were ready to spend every last dime that mom and dad had sent that day. Even if it meant they would have to buy what would have been no doubt their 3000th number 2 lead pencil those kids were ready to spend money.

I hadn't paid a lot attention to the choices that were before our young kids eyes, but one book that came through the line caught my attention. The cover was frightening and was obviously a book about something "dark." I asked our young purchaser if she really wanted to read something that was so scary and she said, "Sure, that's WHY I want to read it." Well there ya go!

I walked around the room and was APPALLED to find one book whose jacket cover started off like this..."Jane is a medium. There is a spirit trapped in this world and it is her job to help the spirit cross over." I can't remember what the rest of it said because I think I blacked out or something. I stood in a bit of a shock that there on the shelves of this great elementary school was a book that my kid, my sister's kids, that our kids at church can pick up and get a glimpse into the occult. Upon further inspection of the room, there were more books on dragons and wizards and books themed with the "underworld." Oh the little bubble of private Christian school had definitely been broken in my head now! Our daughter was no longer protected from that kind of junk!

What have we done? We placed her in public schools to be exposed to this stuff but then I realized that because she can bring light and truth to confused little minds. She's on mission and where she needs to be. She knows that stuff like I mentioned is unacceptable. She's grounded and I continue to plead the blood of Christ over her life daily.

I can't believe that we are at this place in our great society! We have books on witches, wizards, and conjuring up spirits in OUR SCHOOLS...we should be scared...very scared. Our society embraces this kind of stuff and if someone says it's wrong people look at you like you're some radical, extreme Christian. Oh some will say this stuff is harmless and no big deal and others will claim that it's all in good fun, but we need to take this type of stuff seriously.

The problem is people don't read the one Book [Bible] they should be reading. No, oh no, we would much rather listen to Oprah spout her new-age, people-centered, more than one way false teachings than we would pick up God's Word. And since we don't bother, we don't bother to inform our kids that they should be doing the same. We see so much and hear so much of this stuff that we are now de-sensitized to it all. Nothing seems like a big deal anymore to the point that we as parents are OKAY that there are books at our school's library on helping a spirit cross over? Books that promoted witchcraft and wizardry are popular and even in mainstream media (movies, TV shows on Disney, etc).

yes there is a battle for the very soul of this country and it has started with our kids. Pray and pray often for our schools, teachers and policies. Pray that our little sheep are not lead astray and then do everything you can as a good shepherd/parent and teach your kids to stay away from the stuff of darkness...lest they be led astray.

Our Baby...and Losing our Guns?

Just wanted to let you know that Sarah and I are expecting a baby! We won't find out things like due dates and all that other fun stuff until October 2, but we are thrilled about the life that the Lord is entrusting to us! Please keep us and the baby in your prayers! It has been an amazing year for our family and we are thrilled to continue to see how God works everything out in His own perfect timing!

On to an interesting tidbit as reported by Neal Boortz...I will let this quote from Barak speak for itself except to say we should BE AFRAID, very AFRAID if this guy wins...

"To a crowd in Pennsylvania, Obama tried to dispel the rumor that he would support a ban on guns if elected president. Here's how it is reported ...

BARAK OBAMA said..."'If you've got a gun in your house, I'm not taking it,' Obama said. But the Illinois senator could still see skeptics in the crowd, particularly on the faces of several men at the back of the room. So he tried again. 'Even if I want to take them away, I don't have the votes in Congress,' he said. 'This can't be the reason not to vote for me ...'"

Well now ... there's an interesting take. It just wouldn't be right for you to vote against Obama because he might want to take your guns away because, after all, he wouldn't have the votes in the congress to get it done. Well, let's see. Using that logic it wouldn't be right for you to vote for Obama if he wanted to suspend the Constitution because he just doesn't have the votes to do it. Yeah ... makes perfect sense to me.

The Big Threat

People that are grounded in their Christian beliefs must terrify yellow-dog liberals. Sarah Palin has scared the poo out of the entire democratic party. They are so terrified of her solid Conservative beliefs (your right to own a gun, an unborn baby's right to life, America's sovereignty, our need for our own energy resources) that the press and the rest of the pathetic chickens are smearing her name.

US Magazine recently ran a cover that showed Palin smiling holding her child, yet the big headline was BABIES, LIES, and SCANDALS! The article however didn't cite or mention any lies that Palin has told. The author of the article said he meant to say that the lies were about Palin from the left but he ran out of time and didn't get it in the article.

This guy isn't so stupid (even though he looked pretty stupid when he was torn apart on Fox News LOL!). You see the brilliant folks at US Magazine know that people see the front covers in check-out isles at Wal-Mart. They see the big words of a headline superimposed of Palin's picture that says Babies, Lies, and Scandals and they don't read anymore, but an impression is formed nonetheless. It's a subtle smear tactic and it's really sad that the media is so afraid of what she can bring to the table as a mom, a woman, a governor, a religious person, a wife, and a patriot that they would resort to such lowly methods...SHAME ON THEM!!!

It's funny how the enemy always goes after truth isn't it. Christians around the globe are persecuted, locked up, beaten because they believe in the Risen Savior Jesus and they tell others about Him. The other belief systems of the world do NOT experience the same persecution as followers of Christ do because the enemy has no reason to go after the things that are spreading false lies and doctrines. No! The enemy goes after those that believe and know and trust Jesus to be their Lord and Savior because Christ is TRUTH. The Bible says it outright...I AM the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. NO ONE comes to the Father expect by me(Jesus). The Bible also says that demons are subject to his name and even they tremble at His Name! How do know that Jesus is the only way, that what you read in the Bible is real, that Jesus really saves...because the world hates Him and wants to make Him disappear...because our kids can't wear Christian shirts in school but can wear shirts promoting alternative lifestyles...because the other beliefs are promoted and taught freely in public school rooms in America, but can't teach on Christianity? Yes...we follow the MOST HIGH God...He reigns above all...witches, demons, budda, mohammad etc.

I'm not comparing Sarah Palin to Jesus. I'm simply saying this...the truth is and always will be a threat. Sarah Palin is a threat to the left because she's real and she stands on truth and her word. Sarah Palin is a threat to the left because she loves the USA and wants to protect the interests of this nation and the blessings that God has given us. Sarah Palin is a threat and that's obvious because of the noise coming from the other side. There really must be something to her!

Please remember these views expressed are my own and do not reflect the position of Pioneer Baptist Church.

MISSIONS PRAYER ALERT

I'm taking off the political hat today and the hurricane/weather hat and I'm putting on my Missions Pastor hat.

I just heard from our missionaries Brad and Paige Trailblazer (for safety their names have been altered to protect their identity). Some of you may or may not know them but they are saving to go serve as long-term missionaries in East Asia. The Christian population in the area they will working in is very very very small. The Church is also considered an underground church because of the large amount of persecution of Christians in that area. Believers meet in secret and they are often followed or watched by government officials.

Brad and Paige Trailblazer were supposed to depart for the field back in January and because of the lack of available funds had to postpone their trip. Since that time, they've been seeking out the Lord and His direction as they remain "stuck" here in the US.

Now another monster hurdle has appeared before them. Because the US Dollar has lost considerable value around the globe, they are now forced to try to raise additional monetary support to help make up the difference. They learned too that even their up-start costs have gone up drastically! They need almost $2000 more per month in monthly support to be able to survive and blend in to this culture.

All in all it seems like some huge hurdles to jump over. They know beyond a shadow of doubt that the Lord has called them to this place, but it remains unseen just HOW He will provide their way to this place. Please add them to your prayer list and keep them lifted before the Lord daily. Also pray against discouragement and that the Lord's plans will be made clear before their very eyes.

This couple has been an inspiration to me. Going on missions for Christ has changed my life. Part of what gave me the courage to take such a huge step away from the corporate world and go into ministry was the example that these trailblazers set before me in how they lived and how they followed hard after the Lord. I implore you fellow Christians and friends to keep praying for them and if you would like to contribute money each month to a "REAL" cause in this world, then please get in touch with me and I'll get you info on how you can help them. You would be amazed at what just $10 per month would do!

HEATING UP!

I hope everyone had a great labor day weekend! I am happy it's over to be perfectly honest with you. Don't get me wrong I do love the extra time off and being with family and friends. I'm just a "routine" type person and I really enjoy a schedule. School finally started back last week and we try to establish a new routine and then they are out of school for a day.

So, the kids are back to school for good now and we're done moving (I hope!) and now maybe we can go on with our lives. There's still a lot going on however in my world. Next month I will leading a team of 6 others to South Africa for an 11-day outreach mission. I'm a little anxious about it since I've never been but dreading the 16 hour plan ride the most...ugh! We are also starting up a new praise choir at church to accompany our praise team. This will mean even more planning and preparation so that will simply translate into me being a better manager of my time. Thankfully I am bi-vocational here at the church so I have a lot more time to do that compared to me working full time somewhere else and trying to do my duties here.

On to other news...the tropics are heating up. Gustav is inland being a rainmaker while Hurricane Hanna is making her way towards the GA/SC border later this week. We actually may get more soaking tropical rain if her inland track will push a little bit further west than it's current track shows. Most recent model runs want to keep pushing her a little bit closer to our coast than the mountains so we may get some passing rain bands instead of a deluge if that turns out to be the case. What's interesting is that Tropical Storm Ike is going to be following a very similar path to Hanna and the yet to be name Josephine that is lingering off of the coast of Africa will also push west towards the US.

It may be a long and bumpy few weeks for our friends that live by the coast. Keep them in your prayers. September 10th is the PEAK of hurricane season with a second surge in early October. This is by no means finished! Funny that the Democrats are using the hurricanes to say that 'God is on their side'. I don't think God is on the side of ending and terminating a baby's life and I don't think that God is on the side of preachers uniting 2 men in marriage...but that's just my extremist, radical conservative, right-wing, evangelical mind thinking out loud again...you know if the far left would actually READ the Bible, they might just see where God falls on the side of morality and right vs. wrong (or left in this case ha ha).

If people that call themselves Christians actually voted based on their faith, things would be a lot different in this nation. I'm not sure how you separate the two...Christianity and who you vote for? Most of those that vote democratic and call themselves Christians often throw out the separation of church and state...HELLO...that is a MAN-MADE doctrine! It certainly doesn't super cede the Bible! God's Word tells us to be walking, living ambassadors for Him each and every day which means it would be IMPOSSIBLE to allow your faith to NOT influence what you do or who you vote for. If you're a "Christian" and you vote as a Democrat, could you please post an anonymous comment and enlighten me...I'm serious. It's one of those questions I've always wanted an answer to...right up there with who killed JFK and are there really aliens?

Please understand I'm not about a political party...Democrats vs. Republicans. I don't care which party the candidate is in as long as their ETHICS and VALUES line up with mine and more importantly line up with the Bible. If Ronald Reagan was a Democrat I would vote Democrat.

Well I'm all fired up now so early in the morning. I will try not to be too political, but I sometimes can't help it. When I hear someone say that God is on their side, I really can't just let idiotic statements pass like that.