Anyone hear the chants of, "No taxation without information," or "Give me Liberty or give me debt," in their neck of the woods? Chances are, others are chanting. No longer will I be apart of the silent majority!

I'm not a math person, but someone described the growing 1 trillion dollar stimulus package like this:




Okay,

While I was in Lawrence, KS this past weekend I saw this report playing in the background of my hotel room (the guy I was rooming with was watching while I was working on another paper).





As a result of the nationalized banks, paying for other people's mortgages, and the looming infiltration of socialism to every strata of our society, I'm joining a Tea Party. Yes, I know what some of you will say... "We're supposed to pray for our government." Oh, let me reassure you, we've been praying! We've been realizing that unless the king or the government officials turns his heart toward the Lord, then judgment falls upon the nation, not just Israel... but every nation (Ezekiel 14). We've also realized that Righteousness exalts a nation, pride comes before destruction, and that you can't build a house on greed and expect it to stand. So, we pray for the President... to repent and relent.

I'm not saying that it is wrong to help those that are in need! I believe the church has missed the mark when it comes to defending the helpless, widow, orphan, and alien. Even more personal, we've been evaluating our role in fulfilling this kingdom initiative within our community. However, this is not a call for government to take over. This, too, is another reason why our family is joining the Tea Party... maybe even organizing one here in Chattanooga. I work. I pay taxes. My tax money is going to things that do not promote life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Congress and the President are signing millions of dollars away without even reading the bill! Media is screaming that GOP members refuse to be bi-partisan on this issue... GOOD! It is about time some people stand up for the fundamentals of the party. In the meantime, my tax money is now rewarding and, thereby, enabling those who have made wrong choices. Why work? Why go to school? Why pay the mortgage, electric bill, or the credit card when other tax payers can pay the bill?

You might be mad too... as stocks continue to plummet, jobs are lost, and benefits dry up... while representatives and "Change We Can Believe In" continues to spend an unprecedented amount of our money. The only thing the stimulus packages have stimulated is the public outcry of Americans. Hopefully, it will stimulate the need for personal responsibility, revival, and a resurgence of the Judeo-Christian work ethic in this country.

Check it:


Find more videos like this on Smart Girl Politics

Becky has been educating me on some of the gross misconceptions and flagrant deceptions gripping the hearts and minds of most women today concerning the "right to choose" movement. She has been trained as a counselor for AAA Women's Services (you should check out their history) and working with women at the Oak Project,
I am so impressed at her desire to not only speak out about a topic, but allowing the Lord to use her in the lives of others through counseling and discipleship. Having experienced the birth of 'bella, while mourning with countless friends over either the loss of a child or their present inability to get pregnant... the sting of abortion continues to worsen, especially when considering the increase in numbers as time goes by.

As I watched the inauguration pomp, had several conversations with individuals who compare President Obama to Abraham Lincoln (I even saw an WI newspaper with Obama's picture super imposed underneath the Lincoln Memorial), consider the countless number of Americans who are currently bemoaning the economic crisis I am reminded of President Obama's words during the Saddleback Forum.

My mind goes straight to what I am studying in Jeremiah.

Apparently I'm not the only one. I read the following this evening on Challies Dot Com:

This is a guest post from John Ensor.

*****

Today I join hundreds of thousands in Washington, D.C., in the annual March for Life to publicly lament the death of 50 million preborn children and to pray for the day when abortion becomes unthinkable.

In doing so, I acknowledge the resistance, even offense, taken by many by asserting that abortion is the moral issue of our day. I am familiar with the claim that asserts equal concern for poverty, global warming, aids prevention, war, and more. All of these appear to me worth researching and debating, as iron sharpens iron, as to the various causes and possible solutions.

But abortion is not on par. I remember how and when I came to this conclusion. It was the week of February 12, 1990, as marked on the Newsweek magazine I was reading. Kim Flodin, in an article on why she did not counter-march for abortion rights, wrote, “I was pregnant, I carried two unborn children and I chose, for completely selfish reasons, to deny them life so that I could better my own” (My Turn).

There it was: a momentary lapse into honest concrete language about abortion from an advocate. No ancient Baal worshiper could have described the reasons for their child sacrifice better. I was stunned that it had to be stated so plainly for me to grasp the preeminent evil of it. It is not one issue among equal concerns. Abortion is our postmodern version of child sacrifice for the Me Generation. As such, it is an incomprehensible and unthinkable evil.

Unthinkable is the best word to describe it because that is the way God describes it. “The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah saying, … “They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination” (Jeremiah 32:35; cf. 7:31, 19:5).

Among the many ways we offend God, the greatest offense are the shedding of innocent blood and idolatry. These two come together in child sacrifice. At the outset, God taught Israel to be shocked and repulsed by its practice among other cultures. “You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods” (Deuteronomy 12:31). The word even here rings remarkably close in meaning to unthinkable or something that “did not enter into my mind.”

Some years ago, a woman named Suzanne came to me while I was setting up a pregnancy-help clinic in Boston. She said, “If I have the abortion, I will have more money to spend on my other two children.” I asked, “What do you think your children would say if they knew you were doing this so that they could have cable TV and other stuff?” She said, “Well, I’ll ask them.” Then and there I knew the baby would live. Abortion is unthinkable to children—incomprehensible, horrific, something that would never enter their minds to do. Sure enough, the children were aghast at the thought. “We want the baby,” they reassured her. Some months later, after the baby arrived, I heard her share her story. She said she was embarrassed to think back on her earlier state of mind. She had joined the circle of those who think abortion unthinkable.

Sanctity of Human Life Week is like Good Friday—a sobering time to stare unflinchingly past the ho-hum of abortion as a common practice; to grieve, lament, and morn; then to take up our cross and humbly obey God’s call to “prosper” the cause of the fatherless and “defend the rights of the needy” (Jeremiah 5:28). In this context, that means becoming cross-bearers for child-bearers.

*****

John Ensor is the Vice President of Heartbeat International and author of Answering the Call: Saving Innocent Lives, One Woman At a Time .

I'm up early this morning. (written pre-coffee)

I've been reading up on the crisis in Israel, assured by the Old Testament prophecies as I pray for true peace. The resilliance of this people throughout the centuries should astound the world; however, many disregard the rich history, doomed to make the same mistakes again. Just yesterday I was considering Precept's Israel Tour for mine and Becky's 5 year anniversary. I find it difficult, at times, to pray for people or places where I've never experienced the culture, people, and flair. The Lord brought my mind to the prophecies in Ezekiel concerning the day when the new covenant will be realized in the nation (read 36-39). In addtion, I've started studying Jeremiah in preparation for a class I'll be leading in a couple of weeks, all illumining what is happening right now, driving my thoughts towards this nation.

Jeol Rosenberg offers these prayer points on his blog:

The Joshua Fund is doing everything we can to stand with these and other friends and to let them know that they are not alone. We are mobilizing evangelical Christians all over the world to pray for peace on the Israel-Gaza border and to show unconditional love and unwavering support.

We are asking you and others to continue praying for wisdom and courage for Israel’s leaders as they seek to decimate the Hamas terrorist infrastructure and reacquire the deterrence factor lost during the 2006 war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Please pray for the half million Israelis living within rocket and missile range of Gaza. They and their children have no idea what today and tomorrow hold. Pray for the Lord to comfort and calm their hearts.

Please pray for the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, many of whom find themselves trapped in the crossfire of a war that Hamas started but that they as individuals and families don’t want.

Please pray for the wounded on both sides, and the families who have lost loved ones.

Please also lift up the believers in Jesus in Israel and Gaza who are seeking the Lord’s strength to help them love their neighbors and their enemies in real and practical ways in the name of Jesus.

Pray that the believers can be lights in the darkness, bringing good news and hope to those who feel hopeless and alone.

Finally, please pray that the Lord would be gracious to provide our Joshua Fund leadership team

Voting for Righteousness K. Arthur

". . .I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." 1 Timothy 2:1-2

How important is it that a Christian takes advantage of the privilege given him or her to vote? Or, as children of God, are we not to concern ourselves with "politics"? Wouldn't you think that if God urges us to pray for those in authority and if we have the opportunity and privilege of electing our leaders that He would expect us to exercise our governmental rights? Wouldn't it be our God-given responsibility as God-fearing people to uphold the biblical tenets upon which this nation was founded?

These are very turbulent days-and personally, I believe we are where we are because the Church has been apathetic about the Word of God and righteousness. Although we are meant to impact our society as salt and light first and foremost in our lives, have we instead infected our nation by giving it a distorted image of what it means to be a child of a holy God?

Righteousness exalts a nation; sin is a reproach to any people. We are a nation under great reproach and consequently we are living in turbulent times. If we don't cast our vote for righteousness in our own lives first and then in our nation, I fear what will happen to us.
Let me take you back in history for just a moment to another turbulent time so that we might see what part God plays in politics.

It was an unbearably hot day in the summer of 1787; just eleven years after America had declared her independence. Delegates from our thirteen states had gathered to create a historic document to unite them under one government. Sweat soaked their clothes so badly...they had to change their shirts twice a day! And their tempers, as torrid as the day, were flaring.
Men who were formerly side-by-side in their battle against England were now at war against each other! These states were anything but "united," and they weren't ready to be under any authority but their own.i

A personal letter from James Warren to a friend in England described America's condition at the time: "'Money is the only object attended to, and the only acquisition that commands respect. Patriotism is ridiculed; integrity and ability are of little consequence. . . .We are now in a state of anarchy and confusion bordering on civil war.'"ii (Does this sound troublingly familiar?)
At this historic meeting, Benjamin Franklin decided to give the document they were creating one last shot. He addressed George Washington and the assembly:

"'How has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understanding? In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. . . And have we now forgotten this powerful friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?'"

There was dead silence in the room...but he was not finished, and now he turned again to Washington. "'I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: "that God governs in the affairs of man." And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?'"iii

In a day of "political correctness" when so many Christians are apathetic about taking a stand for righteousness, you and I need to be reminded of how God governs the affairs of men...how He cares about the state of our nation and longs for us to turn and return to Him, acknowledging His sovereignty.

We desperately need His merciful assistance in America today as never before. Yet we have to remember that God does not work apart from man, but through man. Before God took His people into captivity under Babylon (present-day Iraq) because of their sin, He sought for a man to stand in the gap and He found none (Ezekiel 22:30-but read the whole chapter)!

The turmoil in our country over moral issues and political rivalry commands our involvement. There must be a searching of our hearts, a genuine mourning for our sin. We must be fervent in prayer and strong and courageous in our stand. We must be willing to stand up as Benjamin Franklin did and dare to call America to turn back to Him! And one of the ways we will do that is through the people we vote for.

We must vote, and we must vote for those who have the greater fear of God and desire to uphold His absolutes. No candidate is perfect; nor do they do everything we want them to do. But we must align ourselves with the ones who have the greatest fear of God and His Word. It is not a matter of allegiance to a party; rather it is allegiance to God. God rebuked Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, with these words when he aligned himself with ungodly Ahab, king of Israel, to whom he was aligned by marriage, "'Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord and so bring wrath on yourself from the Lord?'" (2 Chronicles 19:2)

We can make a difference! The polls are our God-ordained opportunity to make a difference. And if godless leaders are voted in, in spite of our votes and prayers, then we will know we did what we could, and God will see and honor our obedience.

May the Lord bless you. May He continue to bless and preserve our great nation!
__________________________________________________________________
i Peter Marshall and David Manuel, From Sea to Shining Sea (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1986), pp. 17.
ii Peter Marshall and David Manuel, From Sea to Shining Sea (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1986), p. 17, citing Page Smith, The Shaping of America, New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1980, pp. 38, 24.
iii Marshall and Manuel, From Sea to Shining Sea, p 18.

Sadly, yesterday I was almost belly laughing, rolling on the floor like a mad man when I heard this quote from Joe Biden. On the same day that he told us that Colin Powell should have ended all questions about Barack Obama's national security, Joe "gaffe" Biden comes along to tell Americans precisely why we should be scared of Obama as commander-in-chief:

“Mark my words,” the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the second of his two Seattle fundraisers Sunday. “It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We’re about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don’t remember anything else I said. Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.”

“I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate,” Biden said to Emerald City supporters, mentioning the Middle East and Russia as possibilities. “And he’s gonna need help. And the kind of help he’s gonna need is, he’s gonna need you - not financially to help him - we’re gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it’s not gonna be apparent initially, it’s not gonna be apparent that we’re right.”

After my morning cup of joe this morning to get the juices flowing, I realized that this situation is no laughing matter.

(note, at the end of the candid conversation, Biden said something along the lines of "I guess I shouldn't have said that since the press is in the room")

Our country continues to lean dangerously closer to the cliffs of socialism. The past two days on Wall Street and in the halls of Washington ring with a deceptive call towards the agenda that, while promising a quick fix, will prove to be a major power play in the next four years. To think that tax payer's money could intentionally go towards private investors share holdings is absurd.

In other news, the layers of Obama's agenda continue to be peeled back by a remnant of Americans, while others continue to kiss the feet of their messiah. Recently, even Louis Farrakhan prophetically commented that the Nation of Islam's messiah is here.

If only this were the sole radical endorsement for the anti-messiah campaign. Even Hamas leaders, who are vehemently opposed towards Israel, support Obama:

I just received this email:
Mr. Lucarelli...This is facebook... but all fun aside, I take great offense to the comment "common sense replaced righteousness and moral character in your view." Such a broad, solid statement for someone who has read a few paragraphs where I outline neither righteousness nor moral character. You have no idea about my views of either of those things. Your assumption that there are only two possible sets of values, pitted against one another, is a false dichotomy. However, it does add to the flavor of my sister's facebook wall. For that I thank you, because Jayme will have fun reading when she logs on tonight. -Andrea

My response:
It is unfortunate that you were offended.

With my citizenship in tact, however, I merely noticed the apparent contrast between what I said, "vote righteousness" and your subsequent comment, "...vote common sense, have Jeremy Lucarelli's citizenship revoked."

I thought I'd share a recent, random conversation over facebook. The names have not been changed to protect the identity of those involved. I will add, though, that there is a balance between recognizing what Daniel says: "It is He {God} who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings (Daniel 2)" and our democratic, civil responsibility as Christians. Here is the conversation, beginning with a someone I know saying that they are changing their political views:

Jayme just contributed $20 to the Obama Campaign :) GO CHANGE! 4:14pm - 11 comments

Jeremy Lucarelli at 4:16pm October 9
You've drank the kool-aid too?

Jayme Cloninger at 4:16pm October 9
No, I really do have a change of heart (no pun intended)!!

Jayme Cloninger at 4:20pm October 9
After the downfall of the market, I think it is time for another group to give government a try.

Jared Michael Burtner at 4:52pm October 9
so, you want to give socialism a try?

Ryan Galloway at 5:01pm October 9
With the Dow at 8000, I'd give anything other than Bush's economic policies a try :)

Jeremy Lucarelli at 7:06pm October 9
Talk to Dem. Barney Frank, Dodd, and Cox! Take a look into all rhetoric no action Obama's association with Acorn and how they pressured banks to make subprime loans. If you're gonna drink the Kool-aid, at least know what your getting into--pure socialism.

Andrea Cloninger at 8:50am October 10
Haha Jeremy Lucarelli ---> http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/keatingvideo --- Obama isn't the only one with ties to this mess --- purely ridiculous.

Jeremy Lucarelli at 10:33am October 10
Over, done, dealt with... he made restitution for something that happened over 20 years ago. Obama however continues to lie about his associations saying that Ayers was "someone in the neighborhood" though he served for 7 years on a board with him, kicked off his campaign in his living room, and received massive contributions for his campaign. Obama was a lawyer for Acorn, getting his ears wet with their fraud tactics. Now, look what happens--http://www.palestra.net/videos/play/16859

Jeremy Lucarelli at 10:37am October 10
Vote character and righteousness, not rhetoric--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H64yKJhB528

Andrea Cloninger at 10:53am October 10
I love how can forgive one side so easily... and the other? Well, you spoke. Ayers? Ayers blew up things when Obama was 9... ummm, yeah, k, thanks. Vote common sense, and revoke Jeremy Lucarelli's citizenship.

Jeremy Lucarelli at 11:43am October 10
Do you live in Ohio or North Carolina where voter fraud is rampant? If so, you should run for Sec. of State!

All sarcasm aside, this is what America is about--democracy. Free speech, responsibility, free elections, open debate, and fact checking. The issue is not how old he was or on the flip side, how long ago the Keating thing took place, but the current attitude towards it. You have one example that happened 20 years ago verses countless current examples—Ayers, Wright, Rezco, Acorn, Flager, Chavez, and Castro.

It is sad, however, to note that common sense has replaced righteousness and moral character in your view. The economy is a big deal--socialism vs. capitalism. Terrorism is also a big deal--one who aligns himself with terrorist vs. one who fights. Infanticide is a big deal too--one candidate who openly supported it in the IL corridors of law and a ticket who not only diametrically opposes it, but practically lives it. Talk about a great example of social justice!

You need to check this out. After working your way through the site, you've got to see their videos on youtube. There are links on the page, but there are some pretty in your face facts concerning this election. The one on abortion is exceptionally chilling. I still don't understand why so many people my age are buying the celebrity.

Embedded below is one of the many videos:

I'm not a conspiracy theorist... usually. However, recent happenings in the world of politics coupled with a fascinating book I've been reading by Hugh Hewitt called Blog has me considering the strings of the puppet masters. This morning I was downing my usual cup of coffee while scanning the various news channels. Last night I stayed up late watching the RNC lineup--the First Lady, Mr. President, Bill Thompson and Joe Liberman were all show stoppers. Bill Thompson, however, went the extra mile and really cut to the chase on the character and record of both Senator McCain and Sara Palin. If you didn't see his speech, you should check it out on foxnews.com

On Friday there was dancing in the streets in conservative Chattanooga when McCain announced Palin. One of our friends, who is in the government system, said it was "brilliant!" Over the weekend, however, the far left task force went on their way to destroy the character and resolve of this strong, independent woman. They referenced "scandal" for Palin wanting her ex-brother in law fired as a police officer for tazing a teenager and driving in his squad car under the influence. Then the news came out that Palin's 17 year old daughter is pregnant. One gross media outlet went so far as to say that Palin's 5 month old child with Downs Syndrome was actually the 17 year old's first child! Finally, this morning Fox News' Megyn Kelley pointed out the inconsistencies in the far left media by showing the above two covers of US Weekly. Conspiracy theory or not, the owner of US Weekly is also the owner of Rolling Stones. According to Megyn, he is also the contributor of massive amounts of money to the... Obama campaign.

Regardless of your political position. You need to watch Palin's speech tonight. If you're a student, you should watch expectantly for the hope of your country. If you're one of the disenfranchised, you should eagerly await the mavericks to shake things up. Finally, if you're one of the ones that have decided not to vote because your cookie cutter candidate isn't out there... shame on you for not exercising your democratic voice. As Edmond Burke said, "Evil prospers when good men do nothing."

*Disclaimer-the recent book unchristian says that unbelievers think evangelicals are too political. The truth is politics matter. Leadership of the free world matters. Theology in practical action matters. For that reason, I couldn't resist:

I don't know if you've been following the DNC or not, but it is a pretty big show around here. I'll admit, I watched the first two nights to see how the Clinton regime would cover up all of the low blows they dealt to Obama over the last 18 months. You can look at other blogs or "fair and balanced" main stream media to determine all of the errors the Clintons, particularly Bill, piped to the crowd last night. I'm amazed at how quickly people loose sight of how miserable Bill Clinton's foreign policy and experience were the first two years of his term--Rwandan genocide, Serbia, and allowing the 9/11 masterminds to build their attack.

Another laughable moment was when Biden, last nights main speaker, said that he and John McCain were "good friends, and you hear those words thrown around a lot, but I mean it!" The next fifteen minutes were spent not questioning his policies, which would be understandable, but questioning the moral judgment of the man whom he called "friend". Anyone who follows Biden knows that it isn't the first time his mouth has gotten the best of him (check the speech last night for his ramblings about "flickering lights"). In fact, both Sean Hannity and the National Review are quick to point out how Biden questioned Obama's experience and said that he would love to run on the same ticket as McCain. I guess another aspect of the CHANGE of mind that the Obama campaign has peddled.

Even more than these CHANGEs, the thing that has blown my mind is the amount of under 30 evangelical Christians who have drank the Obama kool-aid. I won't go into my views on the post-Christian era and post-modern Christianity, but come on... does anyone know what biblical character is? Has anyone ever considered the moral standards of God's word? I understand that America's fiscal future looks a little dim right now. I, too, have experienced the pains at the pump and Dr.'s office; yet, how quickly we abandon the standards of God's word for the sake of relief in our wallets! A good pulse from the under 30 evangelical crowd came when Relevant Magazine's editor, Cameron Strang, accepted the request to pray at the DNC. Days before the event, he declined. Donald Miller, the author of Blue Like Jazz, accepted. Cameron's blog, http://relevantmagazine.com/releblog/category/cameronsqa/, explains his rationale... and the guy is overwhelmingly praised. I understand that my generation is upset at the hypocrisy and lack of true kingdom living in the church the past several decades. However, should we abandon all of our principles... should we abandon the word of God... should we engage in syncretism? The children of Israel from Exodus 32 on can show us how that turns out.

Finally, there are the recent comments Obama has made about Iran (another CHANGE). I'm pretty sure Biden and Obama disagree about the use of intimidation tactics. Biden claimed that Bush/McCain ignored the problems with Putin, but Obama called it out. Biden said that it needed to be stopped. All I know is, the truths of Ezekiel, the whole Gog and Magog thing, are pretty clear. Iran is a threat. Joel Rosenberg's book Epicenter and his blog clearly outline how prophecy is being fulfilled each day in the Middle East. Yet, Obama says that it is a "tiny" threat? (McCain's recent add, embedded below, is extremely poignant) The Democrats are right on this one thing, the state of affairs in America is grim. When we allow a man who has been involved in genocide, stock piling of nuclear weapons, and who has repeatedly threatened to "wipe Israel off the map" to come to our country and speak in our institutions... yet, the President of Iran has been invited to come back to Columbia University this year.

All of this CHANGE, shows that the American people do not know truth. I'm not whole heartedly endorsing McCain. I'm not saying, as other radical Republicans, that Jesus would vote for McCain. I am saying that when an evangelical goes to vote, to exercise the freedom of his/her democratic voice, the standards of God's Word should not be checked at the door. McCain has issues too! Does that mean we put our evangelical heads in the sand until Christ comes back? No, we continue to try and redeem the culture, penetrating it with the light of the gospel message. We continue to be in the world, but certainly not of it. We continue to follow Christ's example of justice and mercy woven together.

All of the politics shows America's abandonment of the true gospel. America really is at a cross-roads.