Why Obama Will Lose

I found this op-ed piece very insightful. I offer it for you to read

David Deming
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND September 24, 2008 11:01 pm

— When Benjamin Franklin was dispatched to France as ambassador of the United States in 1776, he won the hearts of the French through his authenticity. Rather than take on an affected and phony continental style, Franklin eschewed the powdered wig of the European gentleman and donned the fur cap of an American frontiersman. Original genius and polymath, Franklin understood that the French would see through any false pretension but respect an authenticity that sprang from an unpretentious and naive love of country.

What a contrast there is between Franklin and Barack Obama. Obama is a Harvard lawyer who is a mile wide and an inch deep. He is only the latest in a long line of shallow elites that consider it stylish and intellectual to despise their own culture and heritage.

Nothing exemplifies Obama’s antipathy for American culture better than his statement that Americans “cling to” religion and guns out of frustration or bitterness. We only can suppose that Obama regards religion or firearms as aberrations that need to be eradicated.

Of course, both guns and religion are essential aspects of American culture. The United States was founded by people seeking religious freedom. Does the word “Pilgrim” ring a bell with anyone? Our freedom and the right to self-government were won by farmers with guns.

The American Revolution started when the British marched to Concord with the intention of confiscating colonial arms. Both the right to “keep and bear arms,” and the right to “free exercise” of religion are enshrined in the Bill of Rights. We have come a long way when the presidential nominee of a major political party regards the exercise of fundamental rights as a mental aberration.

When Obama refers to “my Muslim faith,” the verbal gaffe resonates as a Freudian slip because of Obama’s thinly veiled hatred for this country’s unique culture and institutions. Obama sat for 20 years in a church where the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr preached “goddamn America.” He only resigned from the congregation when it became politically expedient to do so. When earlier this year, Michelle Obama said “for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country,” can we conclude that her husband disagrees? Is it not remarkable that Michelle Obama can be so small-minded as to find nothing in the history of the United States that merits her admiration but the personal success of her husband?

What is Barack Obama for? His campaign motto is “change.” But even a 6-year-old child understands that “change” can be either good or bad. Lacking specifics, the invocation of “change” as policy is completely empty. As we witness Obama’s minions mindlessly endorse the meaningless maxim of “change,” it only can call to mind the barnyard animals in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” chanting “four legs good, two legs bad!”

The choice of Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate has been devastating for the Obama campaign precisely because she is everything Obama is not. Palin is not ashamed of her culture or country. She is not embarrassed by being an American, but naively embraces her birthright. Unassisted by affirmative action, Palin has risen to national prominence on the basis of her character, intelligence and natural gifts. In a word, she has guts. This is a woman who is proud of her country, not because it has granted her personal success, but because she respects what America stands for: freedom, opportunity, and individualism.

Obama is a vapid demagogue, a hollow man that despises American culture. He is ill-suited to be president of the United States. As the weeks pass, more Americans will come to this realization and elect McCain/Palin in a landslide.

DAVID DEMING is an associate professor of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma, but his opinions do not necessarily represent those of the university.

What Time Is It?

Is it my age? Or is time really going by as fast as it seems? We are only three months away from saying goodbye to 2008.

This month promises to go down as one for the history books. The enormous financial crisis in the heart of our financial system has shaken our leaders and nation to our core. As I write this little note, our leaders of the Congress are attempting to devise a plan to bailout the banks and brokerage houses on Wall Street. They tell us we have to do this or else the entire financial system will collapse. Even then, there is no guarantee that this will fix the problem, even after they spend up to one trillion dollars of taxpayer money!

I have read numerous articles that this is the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression when the stock market crashed in 1929.

Why do I mention this to you? I urge you, first of all, to pray for our nation, our leaders and for the election of a new President, in a little over 30 days from now. Then I want to remind you that it is very critical for you to vote. If you are not registered, you still have time. Aside from that, I would lay in store extra food and other supplies where it is possible, since we could be in for some real tough times ahead.

These things all point to the soon coming of the Lord Jesus for His church! The most important preparation you can make is be ready for His coming.

As the Scripture reads "It is high-time to awake out of sleep and shake off the works of darkness..."

A Woman Of Faith for Vice-President?

I watched with interest, last night, (along with over 37 million others), the speech of Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. She is the chosen candidate for Vice-President on the Republican ticket. After watching the main-stream media attempt to destroy her, even before she had a chance to be introduced to America, I was curious how this woman would do. She stunned the nation with a marvelous performance and confounded her critics, leaving them stammering for words to say. Her speech was intense, emotional and very moving. I had tears in my eyes several times as she spoke of her family, her country and her vision. I had felt that this woman was a Christian, but had not read anything of her faith, therefore, I was delighted to receive the following e-mail about her.

This is an excerpt from the Alaska Assembly of God newsletter:

"The opening night banquet of the 2008 Alaska District Council was honored to have Governor Sarah Palin address the delegates and guests. Governor Palin spoke of her appreciation for the Assemblies of God and requested that the Council pray for both her and the State of Alaska.

Superintendent Ted Boatsman, who was Palin's junior high pastor at Wasilla Assembly of God, along with Pastor Mike Rose of Juneau Christian Center, where Palin presently attends church when in Juneau, laid hands on the Governor and led the Council in prayer.

Palin, who was elected Governor in 2007, is Alaska's youngest governor and the first female governor of the state. She just recently gave birth to her fifth child, Trig. Palin spoke of the faith challenge she faced when learning that Trig would be a Downs Syndrome child. However, she and her husband, Todd, believe that every child is a gift of God, deserving of life, and that God was asking them to accept His will for their lives. The Alaska District Council believes that the State of Alaska is blessed to have a woman of faith and courage as Governor."

I encourage people of faith everywhere to hold our nation up in prayer. Pray for this Christian woman who has been nominated as the Republican Vice Presidential Candidate. Pray for God's protection on her and the others who are running for office. I know Satan is mad because we now have a "Pro-Life" ticket for President!

"A STORM IS COMING"

I followed with interest the development and progress of Hurricane Gustav as it formed down in the Caribbean and made its way up "Hurricane Alley" into the Gulf of Mexico. Even as I write this post, Gustav has moved inland and is pounding Baton Rouge. Mercifully, at this point, it seems New Orleans has been spared the terrible devastation that they suffered three years ago during Katrina. We watch and pray as our oldest son and his wife live in Alexandria, Louisiana, and will receive some wind and much rain as the storm moves northwest.

These moments bring back lots of memories from my growing up years in the Houston-Galveston, Texas area. I remember having to evacuate to shelters during numerous storms which are a natural part of the Gulf Coast. Milbre and I were married in September, 1960, and lived in Texas City, Texas, in September of 1961, when one of the worst storms to hit the Gulf Coast came ashore. It was Hurricane Carla. If you Google it, you will find many stories relating to the devastation of that storm. We had evacuated to my wife's home in De Ridder, LA., to wait for the storm to pass. It was at least a week before I was able to get back in to check on our property. We had damage from flooding, but the house was standing. Many others were not so fortunate. Block after block of devastation and despair are still vivid pictures in my mind of the power of nature. There were other storms over the years, But none greater than Carla.

Say a prayer today for those who are being affected by this storm.

Eighty Five and Counting

This past weekend was an incredible celebration at Northwest Family Church where I serve as a staff pastor. We trace the founding of our congregation back to 1923, when a small group of people began meeting in the Truitt Building in downtown Auburn, and formed what was called the "Auburn Interdenominational Mission". Through a succession of pastors and change of locations over the years we emerged as Calvary Temple Assembly of God in 1961 and a new facility was built on the present site at 3535 Auburn Way South. While it has been added on to and renovated a number of times since then, we still worship in this building. In October, 1989, my wife and I began attending Calvary Temple, which was then pastored by Dr. Wayde Goodall. He was a key individual who came into my life at a crucial time and helped me to find my bearings and realize that life was not over at 50! When he resigned in 1993, Jim Filbeck became the Senior Pastor and under his leadership, the church witnessed remarkable growth, numerically and financially. I was asked to join the pastoral staff in February, 1999. While I had been a senior pastor for 19 years, I had not been in active ministry for the past 15 years. I thought I was finished, but God had other plans. I joined the Staff as Pastor of Community and have served to this present time. Three major functions of my portfolio deal with Pastoral Care, Bible Teaching and leading our large Senior Community. What a great group of saints God has brought into Milbre's and my life.

Yesterday was a highly charged emotional time as we fondly remembered many old friends who came back to join the celebration. Many spoke to the past, but Darrel J Johnsen, a former staff pastor, spoke that "Our best days are yet to come"!

Under the capable and wise leadership of our present senior pastor, Dr Warren Bullock, we have witnessed healing, growth and stability in all areas of the church.

A link to our church web-site: www.nwfamilychurch.com

Heaven's Gain

It seems that lately Heaven has been winning. A great saint, Ruth E. Stewart, went home to her eternal reward on July 11th. Ruth was born on January 7, 1916 at the home of John and Mary Stewart, as she recounted in her story--"In the year of the big snow." She was saved at the age of seven years old at an evangelistic meeting held at the Auburn Fraternity Hall. She was baptized in water at Lake Meridian by Pastor Percy Wills and was filled with the Holy Spirit Baptism at the age of 14 years. Her entire life was devoted to serving the Lord, playing the piano for congregational singing, music director, choir leader. She was an avid athlete, and excelled in skiing, tennis, softball and swimming. One summer, she climbed to Camp Muir on Mt Rainer at the 10,000 feet level. She also excelled in education, was a straight "A" student all four years of high school and was Valedictorian of her class. She was an Alumni of the University of Washington, majoring in music and piano. She retired from Public Education after many years of teaching music. She spent her final years at Parkside Assisted Living in Auburn and faithful to the end, she played the piano for the church services there each Sunday. At the the age of 92 years, she took her final retirement and is now at rest in the presence of the Lord! She was a charter member of Northwest Family Church (formerly Calvary Temple) in Auburn, Washington, for 85 years. We shall miss her!

"I'm Gonna Tell Jesus On You"

We laid to rest this past week, a great spiritual man--an elder, a godly man who was revered and admired by all in our congregation, Wellington (Bill Canniff). His way of letting you know he was praying for you was the heading of this post. Following is the message that was given at his memorial service. I thought it would be good for all to see.

THE LIFE BEYOND (6-23-08)

Today is a day of sadness for us but rejoicing in Heaven because Heaven will never be the same again because it has Bill Canniff as one of its residents. Bill loved the Lord. He loved God’s Word. If you had seen Bill a year ago, he would tell you.”I’m going to make it to a 100.” However, in the last few months, I am sure he became aware that God was planning an earlier homecoming in heaven for him. He had turned 97 this past May.

When I saw him last week in the hospital, I knew he was suffering; he didn’t want to eat, so I encouraged him that if the Lord reached out to take his hand, reach out and take it—it was O.K.! We had a little talk about that and he seemed comforted. Little did I know how close his departure would be. Later that afternoon, they took him back to No Auburn Rehab, put him in his bed and came back to check on him in a few minutes, and he had gone home to glory!

And so today, as we reflect on his life, so many memories come flooding in of this outstanding Christian man. How gracious he was in the care of his late wife, Harriet, as she grew older and unable to care for herself, Bill was by her side to the end. I remember the celebration of their 60^th? Wedding anniversary down in the Fireside room. I remember many visits and chats with Bill and Harriet and then for the last few years, just Bill.

Some of the following information, I quote from the article on the church web site on “Bill Canniff Day” declared by our Mayor, Pete Lewis about a year ago.

“Those of us who attend Northwest Family Church and know Wellington “Bill” Canniff feel blessed to have him as part of our faith family. Turning 96 in May, Bill is the oldest member of our church. But if you refer to Bill as a “good, old friend,” you might get corrected. While he is a friend to many, Bill often reminds people that there is “none good” but God.

Also, very few of us know the “old” Bill Canniff. The old Bill was a smoking, swearing, cantankerous, quick to anger, hard living alcoholic. He was a very unhappy Navy veteran and railroad man with the Burlington-Northern line who made those around him pretty unhappy, too.

But in the 1960’s a small prayer group placed Bill in their intercessory bull’s eye. Bill’s late wife, Harriet, along with Phyllis Anderson, Claire Dray, Mildred Utz, and Maxine Helser began to pray for Bill. They also focused on Maxine’s husband, Fred, believing that these two men and others would find Christ. They were unrelenting before the Throne of Grace.

Bill was gloriously saved. Almost immediately his personality and personal habits changed. The old Bill died and the new Bill became an asset to the city of Auburn and our church. That’s why we say most don’t know the “old Bill.”

Over the years Bill has been a leader in bringing about positive changes in the lives of men and boys. From its earliest days he helped to solidify a national scouting program we call Royal Rangers. Our church’s outpost was one of the first in Washington, and Bill was its guiding light.”

(And saved he was! A radical transformation that has left a strong imprint on our church congregation.)

Bill has been a spiritual leader and a man we have trusted to keep us in his prayers. Hundreds have heard him say, “I’m gonna tell Jesus on you,” which is his way of assuring you of his prayers. For more than a quarter century we have looked to him as a member of our elder board. He has demonstrated godly support to our pastors and given wise counsel to our church in spiritual matters. His strength and wisdom have come from his close walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Life Beyond

Revelation 14:13

¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Introduction

A. The Bible teaches that life does not end at the grave.

The eternal spirit and image of God within us cannot be destroyed by the death of the body.

John must have had this truth in mind when he wrote: (Rev. 14:13) "I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."

B. Obviously, this is a view of death from the other side.

Viewed from our vantage point, death appears to be dreadful, defeating, and devastating.

But from God's vantage point, it is altogether different.

He calls the dead, "blessed".

That word literally means "happy", "to be congratulated", "fortunate".

Far from being pitied, God tells us that those who die with faith in the Lord are to be envied.

Why is this? Because from now on, they rest from their labors and their deeds follow them.

C. John Milton saw this when he described death as, "the golden key that opens the palace of eternity."

He saw it as the doorway into the marvelous life beyond.

Because it is an entrance into eternal life, it becomes a blessed and fortunate experience for God's people.

Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions and I go to prepare a place for you that where I am there you may be also.”…John 14:1

Death then, for God's people, such as Bill Canniff is the doorway to rest, to rewards, and to the resurrection.

Transition: 1st, we see that death is:

1. THE DOORWAY TO REST

A. John says that death is the doorway to rest from our labors.

The word "labor" describes a wearing out from work, a wearisome toil.

It suggests to us that life is often hard.

It can be full of difficulties, disappointments, and disease.

In the play Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, Uncle Ben says to Willie Loman:
"Life is a jungle, Willy, be hard. Some go into the jungle and find diamonds. Others get caught by tigers. Life is a jungle, Willy. Be hard."

We all encounter those moments when life is like a jungle—full of terrors, struggles, sickness, and pain.

And it is easy to grow weary of the struggle and long for rest and relief.

B. Death is the doorway into that rest for God's people.

For the Christian,

There are times when a sick man needs to die like a tired man needs to sleep.

There comes a time when we need to lay down our burden and to be at rest.

C. The word "rest" that appears here is a beautiful word.

It means to be at ease, to be refreshed.

It suggests an end to the toils and tribulations of life.

This is what Jesus promised to us when He said, (Matt.11:28-30) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. {29} Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

In this world of trouble, we can know rest.

D. But there is a greater and more complete rest for us when we go to be with the Lord.

It is the rest of heaven and the presence of God.

And those, such as Bill who have laid their burden down and entered into it are to be congratulated--they are truly fortunate.

Transition: Death is not only the doorway to rest but also the:

2. DOORWAY TO REWARD

Johns says here in Rev. 14, "their deeds will follow them."

A. We are all making a record on earth.

We carry the record of our life with us into eternity.

By the lives that we live, by the words that we say, and the deeds that we do, we are laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven.

Jesus said if we give a cup of cold water to a little child because we are His disciple, we will in no way lose our reward (Matt. 10:42).

B. The Bible tells us that God will not forget our works and labor of love which we have done in His name as we minister to others (Heb. 6:10).

All of these things are a part of our permanent record that we shall carry into eternity.

C. At the death of his mother, John J. McAller said, "I found a friend's thought apt and consoling: 'You can't weep for people who have left more in life than they have taken out.'"

D. We all leave something in this life.

Our influence or our testimony, good or bad, remains long after we are gone.

But while we leave something behind, we also take our record with us.

Our works follow us.

They accompany us to the very judgment of God.

E. Don't misunderstand the judgment.

The purpose of the judgment is not to determine our destiny.

We determine that here and now by our relationship to Jesus Christ.

It is only as we believe and trust in Him that we will have eternal life and dwell in heaven with Him.

Bill Canniff chose to follow Jesus while still in this life and because of that decision he now resides with Him forever.

If we have lived faithfully and served our Lord lovingly like Bill, then death becomes the doorway to our reward.

And those who have gone to a good reward are blessed, indeed.

Transition: Death is not only a doorway to rest and reward but also a:

3. DOORWAY TO RESURRECTION

A. While the resurrection is not mentioned in this verse, it is affirmed in (1 Cor. 15:20-22)

²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

B. The Bible teaches more than the immortality or the survival of the spirit of man.

It also teaches the resurrection of the body.

Those who die in Christ go immediately to be with the Lord.

And when Christ returns the body that has died will come to life again.

It will be a new and glorious resurrection body and will be like the resurrected body of Christ.

As His body was recognizable, so our friend and loved one will be recognizable also. “We will know, even as we are known.”

As His body transcended the limitations of time and space, so our body will not be subject to the limitations of this life.

As His body was no longer subject to disease and decay, so our body will be an immortal body.

It will live forever.

C. Jesus shared this with Martha in her hour of sorrow.

John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

And again He declared in (John 14:19) Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

D. This is death from God's point of view.

But I remind you that this resurrected life does not belong to all people.

It is only a promise to people, like Bill who die in the Lord.

It is only as we commit ourselves to Jesus Christ and follow Him as Lord and Savior that death can be a blessed experience for us.

E. When we have Christ as our Savior, death becomes a blessed experience.

It becomes the doorway to rest, reward, and resurrection.

It becomes the entrance into eternal life.

An unknown poet expressed this truth so beautifully when he wrote:

The stars shine on the earth,
And the stars shine on the sea
The stars shine on the face of God,
And the stars shine down on me.
The stars shall shine for a thousand years,
For a thousand years and a day,
But my Christ and I shall still live,
When the stars have faded away.

Let us pray!

Our Father, and our God:
You are the One who breaks our bondage to sin and death.
You are the One who provides us our eternal home--the house of many mansions.
You are the One who gives us the peace that is everlasting, beyond death, and that this world can neither give nor take away.
You are the One who turns our sorrow into celebration, our sadness into joy, our loss into confidence.
And we thank You, and give You the praise, the honor, and the glory.
Thanks be to You, God our Father, for giving us the victory, the life that is abundant and eternal: through Jesus Christ, our crucified, risen, and living Lord--now and forever.

And now Lord, we ask you to be with this family, these friends. May they find comfort in knowing that Bill Canniff had settled his eternal destiny long ago. Be with them, now, in the coming weeks and months.

In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.