Wednesday
THE PROBLEMS OF OUR WORLD TODAY!
THIS WEEK'S INTRODUCTORY EDITORIAL COMMENT: As
we step back in the afterglow of the glory of Resurrection Sunday, and all
that it means to us as members of the Christian faith, we once again have
to face the problems (or challenges, or opportunities) which seem always
to be before us. Robert Morrison, writing in Family Research Council
(FRC), addressed this situation in these words: "While critical temporal
issues are important, they do not endure." He is right, of course. One
is almost reminded of the comment by the traditional "old lady" who
said her favorite Bible verse which she applied to all her problems was
"it came to pass -- not to stay, but to pass." We have for our immediate
and constant use, the power of prayer. In the Epistle of James (5:16) we
find this promise: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much." Paul urged us to "Pray without ceasing." (I Thess. 5:17)
And Jesus promised: "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name
he will give it you ... Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
(John 16:23-24) And when it comes to national affairs -- we have another
powerful capability -- our vote. There are now 559 days until Election
Day, Nov. 6, 2012 -- let's use that time to pray for our leaders, and to
ask God's direction as we vote to restore America to the Nation it was
always intended to be. And make plans to participate in the National Day
of Prayer on Thursday, May 5.
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that it means to us as members of the Christian faith, we once again have
to face the problems (or challenges, or opportunities) which seem always
to be before us. Robert Morrison, writing in Family Research Council
(FRC), addressed this situation in these words: "While critical temporal
issues are important, they do not endure." He is right, of course. One
is almost reminded of the comment by the traditional "old lady" who
said her favorite Bible verse which she applied to all her problems was
"it came to pass -- not to stay, but to pass." We have for our immediate
and constant use, the power of prayer. In the Epistle of James (5:16) we
find this promise: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much." Paul urged us to "Pray without ceasing." (I Thess. 5:17)
And Jesus promised: "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name
he will give it you ... Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
(John 16:23-24) And when it comes to national affairs -- we have another
powerful capability -- our vote. There are now 559 days until Election
Day, Nov. 6, 2012 -- let's use that time to pray for our leaders, and to
ask God's direction as we vote to restore America to the Nation it was
always intended to be. And make plans to participate in the National Day
of Prayer on Thursday, May 5.
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AFTER THE GLORY OF RESURRECTION SUNDAY, WE ARE
FACED WITH THE CHALLENGE OF REFOCUSING ON
THE PROBLEMS OF OUR WORLD TODAY
It seems appropriate to note that American News Commentary (ANC)
is not primarily a source of current news, but rather a commentary on the
events which are contributing to the news of the day -- and doing so from a
Conservative Christian -- and Evangelical -- viewpoint. Our approach is
not in line with those who wear buttons with the letters: WWJD, meaning
"What Would Jesus Do." Jesus walked this earth and ministered and taught
as the Son.of God. We obviously cannot do what He was able to do.
We often refer to Jesus' teaching that we are both the Light of the world
and the Salt of the Earth. We are ready to accept the concept of being the
Light of the world ... we agree on our responsibility to preach the Gospel,
in Jesus' words in "all the world," but we have hesitated in accepting His
statement that we are also Salt -- that we are to affect the nature of life on
this Earth.
For too long we have held the view that Christians should not be involved
in politics -- but being "salt" means exactly that. Why should we leave the
conduct of government on this earth to immoral persons who demonstrate
no concern for God's purposes or for the Christian approach to life?
Thus, we will continue to discuss the problems of the day from a viewpoint
which is both pro-Christian, and pro-American.
So, as in the title of the president's annual speech to Congress, what
is the "State of the Union" today? Where to start? There is the economy --
still a shambles . . . total unemployment (according to the Obama Labor
Department figures) is just a tick under 9%, with probably more people out
of work than perhaps ever before. Prices of the necessities of life, including
food, are slowly but steadily rising. Gasoline, which a mobile America needs
so desperately, is right at $4.00 a gallon, with $5.00 or higher on the horizon.
The national debt continues to grow to numbers we can hardly conceive, and
yet we are facing a lifting of the debt limits, but with no limits on government
spendng in sight. It's sort of an open checkbook for the president.
With respect to moral issues, which are of prime importance to Christians,
the Obama administration is still on course to repeal DOMA, the Defense
of Marriage Act, and thus open more doors to homosexual "marriage." And
the Democrats' commitment to fund abortions, particularly through Planned
Parenthood, remains firm, thus essentially putting the American public in the
abortion business, which has already legally killed some 50 million innocent
babies since the Supreme Court decision in Rose v. Wade.
Internationally, we have been engaged in two wars -- one for 10 years, and
the other for 9 years, and with no satisfactory end in sight for either one. And
now we are unofficially engaged in a third military conflict - in Libya - which
cannot be called a "war" because Mr. Obama committed us there on his own,
without the approval of Congress. Our actual goals in Libya remain unclear --
one day Mr. Obama stamps his foot and says Qadaffi must go. But the next
day Mr. Obama's position is that a regime change is not our objective. And in
the volatile Middle East, we are still considering Syrian President Assad as a
"reformer" -- in Hillary Clinton's words -- although his "reform" efforts to
date have been more on the massacre side, as he orders the killing of hundreds
of his fellow Syrians who oppose him.
And interspersing all these situations are natural disasters and weather
anomalies which are wreaking havoc across America and all over the world.
So as we move from the glory and wonder of Easter's Resurrection Sunday,
we are faced with the need for prayer for God's wisdom as we face these
problems . . . and as we remember the plight of our fellow Christian believers
who are suffering persecution, and death, at the hands of Muslim jihadists,
and others who oppose the Christian faith.
We cannot ignore the spirit of dissension so apparent in America.
It is not surprising or unusual to find the various elements of the nation's
media not in agreement with one another, but seldom has there been such
sharp, uncompromising disagreement focused on one person -- in this case,
Barack Obama. One of his staunchest supporters has been the very Liberal
Washington Post, yet last week even that paper took a strong editorial
position in opposition to Obama's foreign policy: "As a moral matter, the
stance of the United States is shameful. To stand by passively while
hundreds of people seeking freedom are gunned down by their
government makes a mockery of the U.S. commitment to human
rights. In recent months President Obama has pledged repeatedly that
he would support the aspiration of Arabs for greater freedom. In Syria,
he has not kept his word."
And also from the Post, Robert J. Samuelson, Opinion Writer, wrote this
week concerning the budget and our national debt: "President Obama is
mainly to blame. His recent budget speech at George Washington
University was a telling model of evasion, contradiction and deception...
He noted that businesses may not invest in a country that seems 'unable
to balance its books.' Fine. But Obama has no plan to balance the
budget -- ever...The president keeps promoting an 'adult conversation'
about the budget, but that canâ•˙t happen if the First Adult doesnâ•˙t play
his part...Obama is flirting with trouble, even if he doesnâ•˙t realize it."
Or there are situations where people like Suzanne Eovldi, staff writer for
the much read "Coach is Right" on the Internet, who is alarmed over the
effects of "political Correctness" on the Christian culture of our nation: "A
Seattle school in all of its political correctness now has renamed our
Easter eggs with the offensive term of 'Spring Spheres'...How dare they
take away our Christmas and Easter holidays?... How dare they, these
power driven Democrat liberals who are bent on removing the name
of GOD and Jesus Christ from America, and forcing the Ten
Commandments out of our halls of no longer Justice? How dare this
man say 'America is not a Christian Nation!'"
We should not fail to note that President Obama, who hosted gala events at
the White House to honor Islamic observances, and took time to recognize
Earth Day, did not make any mention of the Christian observance of Easter.
As always, a review of "What Others Are Saying" is very helpful in
getting opinions that the Liberal biased media won't share with you.
getting opinions that the Liberal biased media won't share with you.
Mike Evans (Jerusalem Prayer Team): "Many believe that the clash
between the Arabs and Israelis is political and that the religious factor
has just lately risen to the surface; that is an erroneous assumption. It
has long been a conflict between two books and two spirits: The Bible
and the Quran, and the spirit of death (jihad) and the spirit of life. It is,
indeed, a religious conflict."
between the Arabs and Israelis is political and that the religious factor
has just lately risen to the surface; that is an erroneous assumption. It
has long been a conflict between two books and two spirits: The Bible
and the Quran, and the spirit of death (jihad) and the spirit of life. It is,
indeed, a religious conflict."
David Limbaugh: "In my book 'Crimes Against Liberty,' I described
President Barack Obama as dishonest, hyperpartisan, a bully, a
President Barack Obama as dishonest, hyperpartisan, a bully, a
narcissist, and a hard core left-wing ideologue. Anyone who thinks my
description is exaggerated or too harsh didn't hear his Wednesday
speech on the budget."
Tony Adkins (Conservative Action Alerts): "Under Barack Obama's
watch,the EPA has become wildly out of control...The EPA forces its
regulations down the throats of American businessmen and farmers,
watch,the EPA has become wildly out of control...The EPA forces its
regulations down the throats of American businessmen and farmers,
which is hurting our recovery."
Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "A new Middle East will
emerge without the presence of the United States and the Zionist
regime [Israel], and their allies in the near future."
Gary Bauer (reflecting on the Palestinian terrorist murders of 5 members
of the Fogel family in a Jewish settlement): "In what world does it make
any sense for world leaders to insist that a society with this degree of
barbarism and depravity be given a state? And why do we think that
statehood would appease such hatred?"
of the Fogel family in a Jewish settlement): "In what world does it make
any sense for world leaders to insist that a society with this degree of
barbarism and depravity be given a state? And why do we think that
statehood would appease such hatred?"
Michelle Bachmann: "One thing I know is that people have weighed
President Obama in the balance, and he's been found wanting."
President Obama in the balance, and he's been found wanting."
Craig R. Smith (Chairman, Swiss America Trading Corp.): "Our
political leaders have made far too many promises that can no longer
be kept. Someone has to tell the people the truth. Do you really think
that will happen during an election season?╡
political leaders have made far too many promises that can no longer
be kept. Someone has to tell the people the truth. Do you really think
that will happen during an election season?╡
Joe Scarborough (MSNBC TV host): "Two thousand years after the
first Holy Week, the state of the Christian church is strong in America.
And if religious leaders continue to focus more on the teachings of
Jesus Christ instead of blindly following the agendas of politicians, it
will surely grow even stronger for years to come."
Robin Hayes (in Patriot Update): "When Barack Obama campaigned....
one of the numerous pledges he made was to do everything in his power
to put Americans back to work. But nearly 2 1/2 years and more than $1
trillion in tax-payer funded "stimulus" spending later, nearly 2 million
more Americans are out of work today. So even if you believed the
one of the numerous pledges he made was to do everything in his power
to put Americans back to work. But nearly 2 1/2 years and more than $1
trillion in tax-payer funded "stimulus" spending later, nearly 2 million
more Americans are out of work today. So even if you believed the
rhetoric about hope and change in 2008, I'm sure you'll agree: President
Obama has continually failed to lead."
Christopher G. Adamo (staff writer, New Media Alliance): "In virtually
every situation where the U.S. government should be working on behalf
of the country, as well as many that it should leave alone, it is consistently
inflicting grave damage. It is virtually impossible to deny the
preponderance of concurring evidence. But are Americans ready to face
the utter fiasco of the 'hope and change' instituted during the Obama
Administration's first two years..?"
This week we found more very enjoyable "One Liners" than usual . . .
"You˙re going on as if we don˙t know in America how to help our own
deficit problems. We do. We just have to tax people."
-- Juan Williams, on Fox News
-- Juan Williams, on Fox News
"Barack Obama's Re-Election Campaign Theme Won't Be Hope and
Change, just scorched Earth and Fear." -- Erick Erickson
Change, just scorched Earth and Fear." -- Erick Erickson
"Libya is 700,000 square miles. It is on the list of the top 20 largest
countries on earth. Obama is sending two drones ╉big deal."
-- from Conservative Byte
countries on earth. Obama is sending two drones ╉big deal."
-- from Conservative Byte
heavily, as does the State Department."
-- Andrea Mitchell, NBC/MSNBC News Anchor
And here are a few random "Afterthoughts" . . .
Psst. Mr. Obama...here's America's view on lifting the debt ceiling:
A CBS News poll released this week, even though heavily weighted to favor
Democrat respondents, shows Americans oppose a raise in the federal debt
limit by more than a 2-to-1 margin, with 63% opposed compared with only
27% in favor. (But why should our opinion count now? It hasn't for the past
two years.)
In case you wondered how to succeed in the Obama administration,
there are 3 simple steps: (1) Get a middle level job at some government
agency outside Washington; (2) Perform poorly, and be forced to step down;
(3) Expect almost an immediate appointment to a high level position in the
Obama administration. Here's a current example: Barbara Powell was TSA's
security director at Newark Liberty International Airport since 2007. After
a series of security lapses, an internal critique of her performance found
"inconsistent leadership," and an unsatisfactory "work environment"
which resulted in her resigning. She has now been promoted to the position
of senior advisor in the Office of Human Capital at the Transportation
Safety Agency headquarters in Washington.
A follow-up on last week's notes on control of our school system:
From Benjamin Disraeli, British Prime Minister in 1874: "It has been
discovered that the best way to insure implicit obedience is to
commence tyranny in the nursery."
commence tyranny in the nursery."
Last week we learned that unions were using White House email
to circulate their messages to their members, and anyone else they
wanted to reach. The disclosure produced a great many comments on
the Internet. Here is just one, from "Patty" which caught our attention,
and we share it with you: "This kind of information sickens me. Day
after day we are bombarded with fraud, cheating, waste and
incompetence╜When will it end??? Oh, I know╜ When Obama
leaves office. That day canâ•˙t get here soon enough. He and everything
that surrounds him, administration, agenda, familyâ•œit all detracts
and disgraces this country. I thought that the Clinton days were the
most despicable, but I was wrong. Ever since Obama has come onto
the scene, America has been trashed."
We have to be constantly impressed by the wisdom and foresight
demonstrated by our Founding Fathers, who created this nation.
"The foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and
immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free
government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the
affections of its citizens, and command the respect of the world."
-- George Washington, 1789
"We have no government armed with power capable of contending
with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice,
ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of
our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was
made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to
the government of any other." -- John Adams, 1798
"An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy;
because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property
can bear taxation." --John Marshall, Supreme Court Chief Justice, 1819
DEFLECTED ATTENTION FROM EASTER!
IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE NEWS OF THE WORLD - WARS,
EARTHQUAKES, TORNADOES, PROTESTS AND RIOTS,
UNEMPLOYMENT AND GASOLINE PRICES - HAVE
DEFLECTED ATTENTION FROM EASTER
Here we are in the middle of Holy Week, which began with Palm Sunday,
commemorating Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. There throngs of people
welcomed Him, shouting "Hosanna, blessed is the King of Israel," spreading
their garments in the streets for the animal that He was riding to walk upon, and
waving palm branches in His honor.
Think back just a few days. This year was Palm Sunday a special event in your
church ... in your community? Or did the turmoil shaking our world cause you
to focus your attention elsewhere?
After that day of welcome and praise for Him ... five days later He was dead,
crucified and buried. Today we observe that day as "Good Friday."
But three days after the sadness and sorrow of the day of crucifixion there is
always the glorious morn of Easter -- Resurrection Sunday -- and we can say
with Paul, "Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits
of them that slept ... in Christ shall all be made alive." (I Cor. 15:20,22)
And that is not, in the words of Mr. Obama, "an obscure verse."
But current events are not the problems facing Christians elsewhere.
We are all familiar with the persecution Christians face in so many parts of
Muslim world, as the followers of Islam destroy Christian churches, attack
Christian believers, and kill -- even behead -- followers of Jesus Christ, simply
because their religion instructs them to kill all infidels. In Egypt, Muslims have
gained a foothold in the new "democracy" we encouraged them to develop,
and persecution of Christians has drastically increased. And in Iraq, where we
forced upon them a form of "democracy," almost all the nation's Christians
have fled to more safe places. But those examples are just part of the familiar
story in Muslim countries. Yet 6 out of the top 10 recipients of U.S. economic
aid are Muslim dominant nations.
But it isn't just in Muslim countries that Christians are being attacked.
These news stories were noted in a quick survey during the past week ...they
are just a few examples of the ongoing persecution of Christians in India today.
Karnataka – Police on April 10 arrested a pastor and other Christians of the
New India Church in Mysore after some 25 Hindu extremists attacked their
Sunday service. New Delhi – A mob of about 150 Hindu extremists on April 9
attacked a Christian meeting in East Delhi, beating Christians with clubs and
stones, including women and children. Madhya Pradesh – An enraged mob
of Hindu extremists on April 7 stormed into the prayer meeting of a Christian
Assembly house church shouting anti-Christian slogans. Karnataka -- Four
Christians, including a police constable, were beaten on April 1 in Madikeri
district on allegations of “religious conversion abetment,” as if conversion were
illegal in India. And there are more. . .
At this Easter season our prayers should be in behalf of our fellow Christians.
throughout the world who are not free to worship our risen Lord, and who are
suffering severe persecution -- often death -- for their faith in Him.
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