Georgia Senate Race Needs Our Support

November 25, 2008
By Steve Strang

I'm spending the Thanksgiving holiday with my family in North Georgia, where all the trees are bare in the mountains, and there was ice in the bird bath when we woke up today.

Here in Georgia the focus is on a run-off election next Tuesday for the U.S. Senate between Saxby Chambliss, the incumbent, who is a Republican, and Jim Martin, a Democrat, who local political pundits predict will vote with Barack Obama on nearly every issue.

I haven't met Chambliss personally, but he spent half an hour with our Georgia delegation last July at the Christians United for Israel national Washington/Israel Summit. I know he is a strong supporter of Israel and strong on traditional values. We need him in Washington.

But there's another reason--if Chambliss loses and the recount in Minnesota shows that Republican Norm Coleman lost his race (he's ahead by only 200 votes), then Obama will have a filibuster-proof majority of 60 Democrats in the Senate. With many important issues coming up soon for a vote, we can't give Obama a majority to get laws passed.

I received an e-mail recently from Gov. Mike Huckabee, who has been campaigning for Chambliss in Georgia. Here are his thoughts:

“As you probably are aware, Senator Saxby Chambliss is facing a runoff election on December 2. The Democrats have made it clear they will do everything they can to defeat Senator Chambliss in the runoff election. They still haven't given up their dream of a filibuster-proof, 60-Senate-seat majority. We must make certain they are not successful. But even more important than that, we must do all that we can to help a strong conservative Republican Senator return to Washington.

Since being elected to the Senate in 2002, Saxby has worked hard every day to support conservative principles. He is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Senate Rules Committee, and he is the ranking Republican member of the Senate committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Saxby is known and has always been known as a strong advocate for the United States Military. He is also a very strong supporter of the FairTax. During a debate with his Democrat opponent, Senator Chambliss said the FairTax ‘lets consumers determine their tax rate based on their consumption levels. The FairTax is what it says it is--it's fair.”

Below I've cut and pasted other e-mails I've received, including some that contain information on how you can contribute, as I have.

I'm not affiliated with any political group and haven't talked to anyone in Chambliss' campaign. I just want to make it easy for you to contribute by giving you links.

I hope you'll forward this to any family or friends you have who are registered voters in Georgia.

Chambliss failed to get the required 50 percent plus one vote by only 8000 votes. But considering the efforts of the Democrats, plus the fact that runoff elections usually have lower turnouts, I believe it’s clear that this election is up for grabs. That's why I'm helping by sending information out to my circle of influence.

Be sure to leave your comments on my blog.

Respectfully,
Steve Strang

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Urgent Memo to GOPUSA Readers
The National Republican Trust PAC

From: Scott Wheeler
Executive Director

The latest FEC filings show that as of November 12 for the special Georgia Senate race, liberal Democrat Jim Martin has raised $2.4 million.

Meanwhile, Republican Saxby Chambliss, who is fighting desperately to keep his Senate seat out of Barack Obama's control, has raised $1.4 million--that's $700,000 less than Martin!

You may recall that I warned you that the Democrats were going to try to “snatch” this usually safe Republican seat from us.

They have a simple plan, the same one Obama used to beat Hillary and McCain.

First, they outspend their opponent.

Second, they “turn out” the African-American vote and other special interests that make up the Democratic party base.

Their fundraising success shows they have activated their playbook.

We have already reported that Obama sent his top 100 campaign operatives into Georgia to defeat Chambliss.

The Atlanta Constitution Journal reports this weekend that the ultra-left NARAL (the National Abortion Rights Action League), liberal environmental and union groups, and Chuck Schumer's Senatorial Committee have poured close to $2 million more into the Georgia race.

It is urgent we fight back--help us by Going Here Now

The Democrats know that if they win the Georgia seat, Obama will have the 60 votes he needs in the Senate to push through his radical agenda: increase personal and capital gains taxes, end talk radio through a new “Fairness Doctrine” and give favored groups like Detroit automakers and their unions tens of billions in bailout money.

Make no mistake about it. We are in trouble in Georgia.

The New York Times reported this weekend that because the Georgia race is so close, Republicans “are on the brink of losing their ability to use Senate procedure to thwart Democrats or force them into negotiations.”

On this point they are right. The only thing stopping Obama and the Democrats from ramming through their leftwing agenda is the Georgia Senate race.

Dick Morris, the Fox News analyst, says the National Republican Trust PAC is the #1 group fighting to keep Georgia in Republican hands and the Senate from Obama's control.

e has urged conservatives and Republicans to help the National Republican Trust.

You can do so by Going Here Now

My friends, we no longer have weeks to organize and fight back. It is only a matter of days. December 2nd is approaching fast.

We need help now to get out the vote on December 2nd.

Help us in this critical effort - Go Here Now

The maximum donation you can make to us at the National Republican Trust PAC is $5000.

But anything you can donate will be used in our Georgia effort.

Thank you.

Yours for America,

Scott Wheeler
Executive Director

P.S. Barack Obama won't go to Georgia to campaign for Martin, but he is airing radio ads on his behalf. These are targeted ads to get out the vote for Martin. Obama knows Georgians don't like his liberal agenda. That's why our TV ads are focusing on Obama and how Martin will help his radical agenda. Please help us today by calling our Donor Hotline at 1-866-957-1467 or Go Here Now

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United Christians of Florida is seeking to send some personnel up in GA for the next two weeks in order to help the Chambliss US Senate campaign. Obama and Chuck Schumer have dumped in loads of money and staff to beat Sen. Chambliss. If he goes down that moves the Senate closer to filibuster-proof.

United Christians has a Federal PAC that is committed to helping keep Sen. Chambliss, one of our own, in the US Senate. One can contribute by visiting this link: http://www.unitedchristiansofflorida.com/pages.asp?pageid=34242

In the general election, United Christians had over 100,000 people visit their website to find out more information about candidates and the FL Marriage Amendment. This I believe was part of steering success for the Marriage Amendment amongst undecideds. Now we have the chance to keep a strong Senate seat and not allow the Dems to have total autonomy over the legislative process.

Thanks for your time.

Godspeed,

T.J. Harrington
TJamesHarrington@aol.com

How to Survive the Current Economic Crisis

November 19, 2008
By Steve Strang

The financial crisis that developed on Wall Street in the fall of 2008 is unlike anything I’ve seen in my career. No one seems to have the answers, even though everyone is trying to figure out what the crisis means.

A new book, Financial Armageddon by Pastor John Hagee, provides answers from the Word of God. Hagee is a powerful minister whose preaching and teaching put difficult times into perspective for Christians, and he has great insight into the meaning of current events from a biblical view. For example, when oil prices skyrocketed in mid-2008, Hagee prepared a teaching series titled “The Oil Crisis and the Road to Armageddon.” The response to the series was more than double what is usually expected. Why?

Because people want answers, and Hagee gives them. As a bonus to the Strang Report readers, I am providing a link to two chapters. If you’d like to read them, click here. You can buy the book on Amazon.com by clicking here or from John Hagee Ministries by clicking here.

I believe the existing crisis is so important that I encouraged our Strang Book Group to rush this book into print. It appeared on bookstore shelves only six weeks after we conceived the idea—a time frame that is almost unheard of in publishing circles. It went on sale in Wal-Mart on Tuesday and in other chains last week. It's so important that I encouraged our team to rush the book out in a record amount of time.

Before I get into my own observations about the financial situation, I want to call to your attention to a report at the end of this e-newsletter from Janet Folger Porter, founder and president of Faith2Action, who is calling on Congress to answer the question of where Barack Obama was born. I tend to discount her claim that he is ineligible to serve as president due to his place of birth because I don't feel Obama could have gotten this far and been elected if he were not an American citizen. But there are persistent questions about it that could be put to rest if Congress would investigate as they investigate many other important issues. I'm passing the report along mostly for your information.

The financial problems we are currently experiencing have a greater significance than a typical credit crunch or mortgage crisis. They are a precursor to a tremendous battle that will take place at what the Bible calls Armageddon (see Rev. 16:14,16). In order to understand them, we must learn to discern the times, as the sons of Issachar did in biblical days (see 1 Chron. 12:32), and view them in light of the Word of God.

As a businessman, I take great interest in Hagee’s book. What happens on Wall Street or in international markets affects me and those who work with me. Plus, I have some investments in the stock market for my retirement years, and I don’t want to see them wiped out. Whether you own a business as I do or work for someone else, I know you too want to understand what is going on.

Let me give you my perspective. I may be able to help you comprehend something about what the media sometimes hysterically call a financial meltdown.

The stock market has plummeted before, and I believe it will recover. So I’m not planning to revamp my stock portfolio. I expect the value of the stocks to increase in the future. I still remember the dot-com bubble that burst a few years ago, the recession of 1992, and the terrible “stagflation” of the 1970s when I was just beginning my career.

Our current situation has come as no surprise. Considering some of the bad loans that were made, the creative instruments Wall Street created, and the overblown real estate market, it was only a matter of time until something drastic happened to correct the mistakes. But the panic that has set in has made the problems worse, even though our federal government has spent billions of dollars to try to stabilize the market.

I think we can expect that America will come out of this bear market and financial slump just as it has before. But every time we experience a downturn, people want our government to do more. Year by year we become more of an international market, depending on international banks to help stabilize the financial situation. If it doesn’t improve, people panic.

When people panic, they look for a strong leader who will give them what they want and make their financial problems go away. Do you see the pattern that develops? A global economy and global crises make people yearn for a global leader to solve their problems. Suddenly you have the scenario the Bible says leads to the rise of a man called the Antichrist, who leads us into the Battle of Armageddon!

If you don’t think this is possible, look at history. It was the terrible inflation and financial problems after World War I in Germany that made the people turn to Hitler. Not only could it happen again, but according to the Bible, it will happen again.

That’s why it’s important to understand what is going on. All of us are at risk because we live in a complex, world-financial system that causes us to be dependent on others to provide the groceries we buy and deliver the gas we put in our cars. We are dependent on others to have the money to buy the goods and services we sell or to pay our paychecks. When any part of the system breaks down, we are vulnerable like everyone else. Period.

So we must do what we can not only to survive but also to thrive in difficult economic situations such as the current bear market on Wall Street, which may be part of the bigger financial Armageddon that is coming.

The first step is to rein in our fear. Financial crisis can lead to collapse simply because people become afraid and panic. We must understand that God’s Word is true whether stocks are up or down and whether credit is tight or abundant.

Long before President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his 1933 inaugural address, said in reference to the depressed economic condition of our nation, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” God Himself had given us the admonition not to fear. He said through the prophet Isaiah, “‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you. … When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. … Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you” (Is. 43:1–4, NKJV).

Next we must understand that there are different levels of economic problems. The first is a normal negative cycle in the markets. Such cycles come and go, and things usually get better. But at the same time, they set us up for a greater danger, what author Larry Bates calls “the new economic disorder,” in which world banks control the money, cartels control oil, and evil leaders set the scenario for the coming Antichrist.

When Armageddon comes, no one will escape it, because world events will crash together with biblical prophecy in the final conflict of the ages, as Hagee explains in his book. Ye there is hope for believers who understand that the Rapture will take away Christians “in the twinkling of an eye.”

Of course, it’s that knowledge that has also led generations of Christians to be passive and simply wait for the Second Coming to whisk them away from all the troubles of the world. Their attitude is like that of the preacher who joked, “It’s easier to think about the ‘sweet by-and-by’ than it is to deal with the nasty now-and-now.”

Maybe the problems we’re experiencing will wake up the church. Maybe godly leaders will emerge in government and the economic community to provide answers based on the principles of God’s Word that will change the tide or at least slow it down.

Some Christians in the world—believers in the Sudan, Communist China, or India, where there has been so much violence against Christians, or in the Muslim world where Christianity is banned—may think Armageddon has already begun. Americans, on the other hand, believe they are somehow immune. They think, Surely these problems won’t happen to us. We’ve been blessed with relative peace and prosperity so long we believe they are our rights. Yet bad things can happen and are happening. As the leader of the free world, America is not exempt.

Consider 9/11. We never thought we would be attacked on our own soil, but we were. I believe many other events that have been prophesied will take place, and we can only prepare.

As people the world over become more and more hostile to the gospel, and as those who are evil get into power and take away our freedoms, Christians must do what the Jews did in Europe, where they were persecuted for years—engage in professions and trades we can take with us when things get bad. The trend that developed during those years explains why many Jews are in banking, jewelry and so on rather than farming today.

So what can Christians do? Start businesses. Get involved in the process to change things rather than being subject to the whims of big business.

Then run your small business in a way that can handle a downturn. Have reserves; keep debt low; make fallback plans. In the process, be able to help others as the Bible says.

Too often Christians, like the men Moses sent to spy out the Promised Land (Num. 13:32–33), have seen themselves as grasshoppers in their own eyes—in this case, as being at the bottom of the economic totem pole just waiting for the Rapture. This image is not accurate, and the Bible has answers for the mess we’re in. That’s why Hagee’s book is so important. Read it and share it with friends. Follow the advice he gives.

Remember that, no matter what happens, we are to do as the nobleman in the Bible instructed his servants, and “occupy till [our Master] come[s]” (Luke 19:13, KJV).

As usual, I want you to post your comments on the blog, both to what I wrote, and also what Janet writes below. And let us know what you think of John Hagee's book. This wasn't meant to be a sales pitch, but I did want to make it easy for you to order from Hagee's ministry or from Amazon.com. I also hope we can get "word of mouth" going on this important message.

Steve Strang
Publisher, Charisma magazine

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Report from Janet Folger Porter

This may be the most important thing we can do in the next four years. Fight for freedom while we still have it. Please spread this message far and wide.

And remember, Goliath lost.

God bless you,

Janet Folger Porter

"So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known." Matthew 10:26

"We often pray in the place of risky obedience"

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1 last chance to fight for our Constitution

Posted: November 18, 2008
1:00 am Eastern
© 2008

Former Deputy Attorney General Philip Berg filed a lawsuit addressing the citizenship status of Barack Obama before the Democratic National Convention and copied Democratic Chairman Howard Dean. It should have alerted them that there was a possible problem before they selected their nominee. But that problem was ignored. Other lawsuits filed before Nov. 4 were also ignored, placing us in what could be a constitutional crisis.

The good news is the real election hasn't taken place yet. The Electoral College doesn't meet until Dec. 15. That gives us less than a month to find the answers to the looming questions regarding whether Barack Obama meets the constitutional requirements for the office of president.

The courts don't seem to be in any hurry to take up their responsibility as guardians of the Constitution, so now Congress must step in. You see, members of Congress are sworn to uphold the Constitution, and when they vote in January to confirm (or reject) the vote of the Electoral College, they can't very well do that unless they know for certain that the basic constitutional requirements for office have been met.

An ad running this week in the Washington Times Weekly asks three questions America needs to know: "Was Barack Obama really born in Kenya?" "Is he really a citizen of Indonesia?" And, "Does the Constitution still matter?"

As I wrote about last week, there are many reasons to doubt whether Barack Obama meets the requirements for the office of president. First, there's that pesky tape from Sarah Obama, Barack's grandmother, where she says, "I was in the delivery room in (Mombosa) Kenya when he was born Aug. 4, 1961." Secondly, there's the matter of U.S. law. If only one parent was an American citizen, as in Obama's case, the law at the time of Obama's birth required one parent to have been an American citizen for at least 10 years – five of which had to have happened after the age of 14. Since Obama's mother was only 18 at the time of Obama's birth, he would not qualify as an American citizen if his grandmother is right about him being born abroad.

Thirdly, there's no original birth certificate – just a "certification of live birth" posted on a website experts say is forged and altered. Fourthly, there's the issue of Indonesian citizenship, which is a prerequisite to attending school there. Add to that the fact that Obama's stepfather, Lolo Soetoro, is listed as his father on his Indonesian school records. If he had U.S. citizenship, according to Indonesian law, he would have lost it when he attended school there or if he was adopted by his stepfather as his records indicate.

As the ad proclaims, "The Constitution matters" and is still worth defending. All we are asking is that Congress takes their oath to defend it seriously. If Obama can prove he meets the basic but essential constitutional requirements, fine, he'll serve legally. But if he cannot provide simple proof, then he cannot. We're not asking for the world here, just the original birth certificate that each of us delivers when getting a passport, driver's license or Social Security card. If we can't tell the clerk at the post office to check out the digital photo of a certificate posted online, neither should the guy running for president. Members of Congress: If you have taken an oath to defend the Constitution, now's the time to keep it.

But I know the reasons for your hesitancy. I've faced them myself and have come to the conclusion that if one of our founders, Patrick Henry, could proclaim, "Give me liberty or give me death," we can face our fears and stand for the document they penned that outlines our God-given rights to freedom. What if we asked our Founding Fathers, many of whom lost everything in the battle for our nation, if they think the Constitution is still worth defending? They already answered that question with their lives.

But what about the objections?

1. "Obama won the popular election." So did Al Gore. But George W. Bush is still president. That's because the Electoral College decides – and in this case, it hasn't yet. In fact, the electors can't fulfill their solemn oath to uphold the Constitution unless they know the candidates meet the basic constitutional requirements for office.
   
2. "This should have happened long before now." That's true, but the cases filed before Nov. 4 were ignored by the courts, and the answers to these basic questions were never answered. There is still time for those answers since the real election has not yet happened.
   
3. "They'll be riots in the streets." This objection is much like the reaction of Kenya to Obama's candidate of choice, Raila Odinga, who incited violence and the burning of hundreds of churches (not a single mosque) when he lost the race. Obama raised a million dollars for this upstanding guy and assigned a Senate staffer to help him. To bring the violence to an end, the Kenyan government put Odinga – the guy who lost the election – in office to keep him from burning more churches. They failed the first rule of the playground: Confront the bully; don't appease him. Threats of violence must be met with fierce resistance, not appeasement.
4. "I better not be public on this because I'll become a target." News flash: If you believe in life, liberty and the family, you already are a target. The henchmen are selected; the gallows for our freedoms are already being built. And the only candidate in history to never move an inch to the center during the campaign has no intentions of changing his agenda of outlawing our viewpoint with the "unfairness doctrine," "thought crimes," "The Employment Non Discrimination Act" the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and all the rest. As I wrote about in my book, "The Criminalization of Christianity" (which will surely come true if we don't act now), "Never fail to do the right thing for fear that the opposition will attack you in response. The other side can and will attack you anyway, at a time of their own choosing rather than yours, regardless of whether you act."
   
5. "We'll just beat him in four years." In four years, we won't be able to recognize what's left of our country. And if you think taking on this issue right now is hard, try doing it when our radio airwaves are shut down and our freedoms are stripped from us, as he has promised to do. And with Obama's promise to pass the so-called Freedom of Choice Act as "the first thing" he does, you can say goodbye to the notion of protecting unborn children again – and goodbye to every law in all 50 states that notifies parents, keeps our tax dollars from footing the abortion bill and prevents even a single partial-birth abortion.
   
6. "They'll say I'm a 'racist' and call it 'sour grapes.'" Our Founding Fathers faced death, we face name-calling. Right now our U.S. soldiers are being shot at for the freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution. If the Constitution isn't worth undergoing some name calling, then the oath taken to defend it means nothing.
   
7. "Somebody else will do it." They haven't. And time is running out.
   
8. "It's not my responsibility." The lower court in Philadelphia threw out Phil Berg's case (which is now before the U.S. Supreme Court) based not on the merits, but on the issue of "standing," and pointed to the need for Congress to act. If the questions of constitutionality are not met before Congress is called upon to uphold the vote of the Electoral College, they cannot fulfill their oath and duty to uphold and defend the Constitution. If we are willing to ignore the constitutional requirements for the highest office in our land, what else are we willing to forgo? That part about free speech? Freedom of the press? Freedom of religion?
9. "We deserve what we got." That's true, so did the people of Nineveh who asked, "Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?" If you're unfamiliar with the story recorded in Jonah, God didn't give the Ninevites what they deserved; and even though the judgment was pronounced against them, when they fasted, prayed, sought God and turned from their wicked ways, God had mercy and spared them from judgment.
   
10. "It's impossible." With God, all things are possible. Eight years ago the election was called for Al Gore, and he never took office. If God is the same today as He was yesterday, He can still split the sea, raise the dead, stop the sun and reverse the results of the popular vote if the basic requirements of the Constitution are not met in the candidate.
    
11. "He's constitutionally qualified." Great. Then it won't be hard to prove it.

The Electoral College votes on Dec. 15 – we now have less than 30 days of freedom left. How will you spend it? Will you "safely" keep quiet about our nation's most important document, or will you step forward to defend it?

There's a replica of William Wallace's sword hanging on my wall. It reminds me of his words captured in the movie "Braveheart":

William Wallace: I am William Wallace. And I see a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny. You've come to fight as freemen, and freemen you are. What will you do without freedom? Will you fight?

Man: No … we will run … and we will live.

William Wallace: Aye. Fight and you may die. Run and you'll live – at least a while. And, dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies, that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!

Congress, you were elected for such a time as this. Don't miss your moment in history to defend the Constitution you were sworn to uphold. Not extreme. Not fringe. Just constitutional. A thorough investigation must be conducted to ensure the basic constitutional requirements for the office of president have been met. It is not just your right – it is your duty. And you have less than 30 days to act. You have the freedom right now that you will never have again. You can fight to defend the Constitution of the United States, or you can run. As William Wallace asked, the question is: Will you fight?

1. Call your representative in Congress at 202-224-3121 and ask them to hold immediate congressional hearings to investigate and ensure the basic constitutional requirements for the office of president have been met.
2. Fast and pray.
3. Place the "Three Unanswered Questions" ad in newspapers across the country and post it online everywhere.
4. Donate to defend the Constitution. We'll place more ads if you'll help: www.f2a.org.
5. E-mail this to everyone on your list, and call on the media to report this constitutional crisis.

This ad ran on page 5 of the November 17th, 2008 edition of the Washington Times National Weekly | Click to Download

Aftermath of the Election

November 13, 2008
By Steve Strang

For those of us who believe the Bible and believe in traditional values, the most encouraging thing to come out of the recent presidential election was the passage of state constitutional amendments in Florida, Arizona and California that define marriage as between one man and one woman. The passage of these amendments shows that the country is not totally going to the left because there were quite a number of Obama supporters who voted for traditional marriage.

The reaction, however--in California especially--has been rather extreme from radical gay groups who are trying to demonize those who stood for traditional marriage. They're voicing their anger and criticism with the help of the media, who is making them out to be victims.

From time to time I like to share things that come across my desk. Today I’m passing along an article by Brian Fitzpatrick, in which he articulates very well exactly what's happening in California. You’ll find it further down in this blog.

I’m also sharing what Larry Stockstill, senior pastor of Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, La., wrote on his blog a few days ago. His comments are from a more spiritual point of view and look at the political situation as it relates to the larger body of Christ. Stockstill helps us to see some of the good things that have come out of this election and gives some perspectives that I think are important. You can read his comments by clicking here or by going to the continuation page of this blog.

I invite you to forward this e-newsletter to friends and to encourage them to subscribe. There are a few thousand of you who receive the Strang Report because you're on my personal Outlook contact list. We encourage you to subscribe to it because I won't send it to my contact list perpetually. I'm happy to say that the list of subscribers has grown from 38 last January to 7,746 in October, not including my personal contact list.

As always, you're invited to add your comments below. It is interesting for me to see that some of my newsletters have received only a few blog comments, but the one I wrote on Sarah Palin on October 2 has received 1,452 comments as of today. The average number of comments is around 128 per blog. That just shows you're reading these reports—and I appreciate your responses, even when you don't agree with me.

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Celebration and Concern
November 11, 2008
By Larry Stockstill

Solomon, the wisest king in history, had a problem: “one baby and two mothers.” He called for a sword and the real mother begged to keep the baby alive. The other woman argued to cut the baby in half and give each mother a piece. The Presidential election of 2008 has been just such a dilemma for the body of Christ. Honest, well-meaning Christians have differed on political direction for America. Where are we and where do we go from here?

CELEBRATION!

Some great things that are cause for celebration have occurred in the last few days since last Tuesday’s results of Barack Obama’s election were final:

1. Senator Obama, in looking this week for a Presidential “dog” for his children, jokingly referred to himself when he said, “I hope they don’t get a mutt like me!” This relaxed, casual reference to his African father and white mother shows his comfort with his identity and race. After all, what is race in the sight of God but something wonderful and beautiful? God delights in our colors and kinds, our flavors and strengths. As a missionary in Nigeria at 23 and in my 25 years of pastoring a multi-racial church, I have spent most of my adult life fighting not only “racism” but “racial strife.” Perhaps the long, cold winter of stereotypes is coming to an end.

2. It took millions of white voters to elect Senator Obama. This has amazed and thrilled to tears the small minority of black Americans and given them hope that “we can work together.” As I watched President Bush host Mr. and Mrs. Obama in the White House yesterday, I rejoiced in how the transition is early and hope is high. There was a “man of color” in the Oval Office! Perhaps the sense of hardened racial suspicion is starting to give way.

3. The cultures of the world rejoiced again in America. Celebrations from Indonesia to Kenya hailed a new spirit and face for the land of the free and home of the brave. Our enemies were in consternation and our friends were celebrating! Perhaps a new era of favor for Americans worldwide is replacing the anger and resentment I often feel when traveling the world and world missions will benefit.

CONCERN:

1. “PRAY”

a. FOREIGN POLICY: This new President has already been “called out” by Russia and other enemies. He will certainly be immediately tested for his resolve to face down those who only understand force and who have stated their desire is to conquer and rule the world.
b. ECONOMY: He certainly has his plate full here! America and the entire world seem on the edge of recession or outright collapse. Millions are hurting and need immediate help. However, by many Senator Obama is being looked to as an economic “Messiah” who will immediately lower their monthly payments, raise their income, cover all their insurance needs and improve gas prices all in the first 100 days! His ambitious economic agenda will take years, not months. In addition, NO PRESIDENT CAN REMOVE A CORRECTIVE JUDGMENT FROM GOD, and if America is facing discipline (as I believe is beginning) we must pray for mercy and repentance or certainly no plan by man will work.
c. MORALITY: In areas of morality, the church is called to be “prophetic” (as John the Baptist was with Herod) and not “political.” This is true regardless of who it is, or we could be following a man into the position of becoming God’s enemy. It is my humble opinion that Senator Obama is on the wrong side of the abortion, stem cell, and gay rights agenda. He stated in the debates that his Supreme Court appointments will uphold Roe v. Wade. His transition staff is preparing, on his first day in office, to remove all restrictions to abortion now in place as executive orders. His stated position is that he opposes gay marriage, and yet he opposed “Proposition 8,” the marriage amendment that amazingly passed in California 52% to 48% limiting marriage to “a man and a woman.” This legitimate election stated the will of the people, yet this past weekend over 20,000 angry homosexuals protested in the streets (1000 of them picketed Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church because he supported proposition 8). This is moral chaos, and we must pray that our new leader’s eyes be opened to the moral dangers of these positions. God can change his heart and show him that if the judgment of God comes upon our economy it will “trump” the best minds in Washington and their bailouts.

2. “STAY”
a. Christians need to stay together. Lifetime relationships in the body of Christ cannot be challenged by an election. We are one body, indivisible by race, color, or economic circumstances.
b. In times of shaking, stability is what is needed. I have lived long enough to see spiritual and political leaders, revivals, Y2K, electronic marvels, foreign enemies, music, plaid pants and platform shoes all come and go. It is usually the weak and immature who yell the loudest while the mature and seasoned respond and don’t react. Relax, it’s going to be fine.

3. “OBEY”
a. NEVER lose sight of the Great Commission. Jesus did not command us to establish a party or a person. He told us to “go and make disciples.” No political party or election will solve America’s problems: only a revival. I believe 2009 is the “Year of the Harvest” as confirmed by a fellow pastor in Chicago who has seen over 2,500 souls come to Christ in the last three weekends.
b. We are called to our specific task and function in the Body of Christ and that is all you will be judged for in eternity. Be busy about that work while fervently praying for our desperate political and economic situation in America. That’s something you CAN do to change the situation.

The “one baby” is the “one Body” of Christ. Those who are not mature about that “baby” will rush in to divide it and give a “piece” to each party. The result will be to kill the beautiful body of Christ in the process. The “real mother” (faithful American Christians) will beg for mercy, unity, and wisdom from the King for the baby to live. Get on your knees, believer, and cry out for the Body of Christ to live through this. We WILL “pray together, stay together, and obey together.”

“Put your sword away.”

Larry Stockstill
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Media Have a Proposition for Calif. Churches: You're Bigots
Brian Fitzpatrick
Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The liberal media worked overtime against California’s marriage amendment, Proposition 8, which the voters passed 52 to 48 percent. After the Nov. 4 vote, the media quickly jettisoned professional objectivity--and respect for democracy-- to spin a yarn about the pain of victimhood. Now they are working to elevate angry gay protesters who are vilifying opponents and targeting churches.

As reported by CMI’s Colleen Raezler, ABC, NBC and CBS aired a total of 13 news stories on Prop. 8 in the five days following the vote. Six of the stories, nearly half, emphasized the reactions of the roughly 18,000 same-sex couples whose California “marriages” have been invalidated. Only four Prop. 8 supporters made it on air, compared to 15 opponents. None of the networks could spare even 15 seconds of precious air time to explain why keeping intact the foundational institution of human society might be a good idea.

The worst example we’ve seen of TV reporting on Prop. 8 protests came from the local CBS station in Palm Springs, Calif. On the grounds of City Hall, furious “gay” protesters knocked a Christian cross out of an elderly woman’s hands and stomped on it. The woman remained calm and collected. When reporter Kimberly Chang tried to interview her, protesters screamed and blocked the camera with their signs. Hilariously, the station identified the victimized woman as “Phyllis Burgess, Involved in Prop 8 Rally Altercation.” That’s like saying Poland was involved in a border altercation with Nazi Germany. In a masterpiece of moral equivalence, CBS anchor Kris Long told viewers, “There’s a lot of anger and a lot of hate, quite honestly, on both sides.”

Print journalists have more freedom, time and space than their broadcast colleagues, so they should have produced a more balanced account of the Prop. 8 controversy. They did, for roughly 48 hours.

Initial press reports last Wednesday and Thursday included statements by Prop. 8 supporters and the vital fact that a 70-30 majority of African-American voters pushed Prop. 8 over the top. By Friday, Nov. 7, however, news reports focused on “civil rights” street theater by fuming Prop. 8 protesters. The villains of the piece, Catholics, evangelical Protestants and especially Mormons, no longer were allowed to explain their views or even to defend themselves against ugly charges of bigotry. The pivotal support of black voters quickly dropped out of the story.

Newsrooms apparently followed the lead of the editorial pages. A Nov. 6 New York Times editorial condemned “the ugly outcome of these ballot fights,” referring to votes in three states--California, Florida and Arizona--to uphold one man-one woman marriage. According to the Times, “the immediate impact of Tuesday’s rights-shredding exercise is to underscore the danger of allowing the ballot box to be used to take away people’s fundamental rights.”

In this editorial, the Times broke new ground in political philosophy. Who needs all that Founding Fathers blather about government requiring the consent of the governed when razor-thin 4-3 judicial majorities are creating new human “rights?” Maybe America needs some new rules regarding court-concocted “rights.” When a court decides to override public opinion and thumb its nose at the moral order created by nature’s God, shouldn’t we require at least a 5-2 majority? But I digress.

The Chicago Sun-Times editorial board chimed in on Nov. 7, describing popular support for one man-one woman marriage as “discrimination and nonsense.” The New York Times ran seven letters to the editor on Prop. 8 – six by opponents.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, the Los Angeles Times posted a story headlined “Anti-Prop. 8 protests spring up in California.” A photo showed angry protesters waving signs accusing Mormons of “hatred,” and proclaiming “I am a second class citizen.” The Times quoted several speakers at an anti-Prop. 8 rally, including a woman who called traditional marriage supporters “bigots, bigots, bigots.” Ignoring minimal standards of decency, not to mention journalist ethics, the Times gave Prop. 8 supporters no opportunity defend their honor.

A Nov. 10 AP/New York Times story, “In California, More Protests Over a Vote On Marriage,” focused on 1,000 protesters gathered Sunday outside Saddleback Church, the evangelical Protestant megachurch pastored by Rick Warren. The story described protesters as “advocates of equal rights for gay people.” A “volunteer” from the Human Rights Campaign, a gay pressure group, accused Saddleback of spreading “misinformation” and telling “obvious lies.”

The reporter didn’t try very hard to allow Saddleback to respond: “A message for comment left at the church’s main office, which was closed on Sunday, was not immediately returned.”

A secular reporter can be forgiven for not knowing that Christian church offices are usually closed on Sundays. But shouldn’t he have learned, somewhere along the line, that churches themselves are open for business? The reporter was on the Saddleback campus. If he had bothered to peek through the windows, he surely would have seen a few people milling about. Did it not occur to this intrepid soul to walk into the church and ask Pastor Warren to reply?

Perhaps he was too busy bonding with those angry protesters.

A Historic Election

By Steve Strang

Congratulations to Barack Obama on his historic election as the first African-American president of the United States. I had the privilege of meeting him last June. He is a very likable person who seems reasonable. Let's pray that he governs from the center and not from the far left.

I supported Sen. John McCain mainly because of his stands on the pro-life issue and the issue of traditional marriage. To me these issues are more important than economic concerns, immigration problems, environmental policy and so on. I believe reasonable people can disagree on those subjects, but there are a few fundamental issues that we as believers must have strong convictions about.

Otherwise, however, I was a reluctant supporter of McCain. I didn't understand the purpose of many of his policies or why he seemed so distant from conservative Christians. It wasn't until he named Sarah Palin as his running mate that his candidacy excited conservative Christians like me.

The Bible tells us to pray for those in authority. We have an opportunity now to live out our faith by praying for our new president. Pray that he will have a change of heart on many of the foundational issues. My colleague Lee Grady sent out an article today titled "10 Ways to Pray for Barack Obama," which you can read by clicking here.

We have seen some former presidents change while they were in office, rise to the occasion and become great leaders. We have also survived liberal and mediocre presidents who didn't, such as Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Carter.

And we have seen in the last year that having a self-professed "evangelical Christian" in the White House may have helped a little, but it did not do a lot to change the moral character of our country. In fact, though I personally admire President Bush and thank God for his strong leadership on the war against terror, I, like many Americans, have been disappointed in him in many ways. Undoubtedly his unpopularity contributed to McCain's defeat.

This year, with everything that's happening politically, it would have been difficult, if not impossible, for any Republican to beat almost any Democrat. I have no doubt that Hillary Clinton would have won over Mitt Romney--or Mike Huckabee, whom I supported. People in America obviously want a change. The scary thing for those of us who believe the Bible and want conservative values is that the change may move the country too far to the left politically and morally.

Thankfully the marriage amendments that were on the ballots in Arizona, Florida and California all passed. Here in Florida a proposed amendment to the state constitution must receive 60 percent of the vote to pass--which is the highest percentage requirement in the nation. These amendments were clearly based on a moral issue—the definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman--and we can thank God our prayers were answered. I think the fact that all three amendments passed shows that voters just want a change in the White House rather than that our country as a whole is shifting toward the left.

African-Americans can be proud of this historic moment. As I have written before, I think it's time for an African-American to be in the White House. I have worked hard for racial reconciliation throughout my entire adult life, and I will continue to do so.

I regret that in the heat of the political battle some who read my Strang Report felt I was insensitive to the feelings of African-Americans. I regret using the unfortunate term "so-called Christians" when speaking of those who disagree with me. I apologize to anyone I offended.

At the very longest, Obama will be president for only eight years. At the end of his term or terms in office, those of us who believe in Christ will still be brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of who is leading our country and what policies are in place.

I hope this election is a wake-up call for the body of Christ. Though "conservative Christians" did play a part in the political process, often those who get involved are people who are simply conservative politically--not necessarily born again. In fact, many of the activists are so strident in their views that they do not help the cause of Christ.

We really need to see people changing in this country on a personal level. You and I may not influence the halls of Congress, but we do influence people in our families, our workplaces and our churches.

I'm concerned about some of the prophecies that came out during this election. Earlier this year several "well-known" prophets were predicting that Rudy Giuliani would be president. More recently several were predicting, although quietly, that McCain would win against all odds, as Harry Truman did in 1948. I received an e-mail a few hours after the election from one who had issued such a prophecy, apologizing for the error and saying he is going to take a time of reflection to pray about what God is saying.

I recognize that all prophets "see through a glass darkly," and it's human nature to project upon the Almighty the things we want. Maybe it's also human nature to have "wishful thinking." But when we confuse it with hearing from the Lord, it's not good.

I have been amazed at the number of responses I've received to the Strang Report, especially to some of the things I have "cut and pasted" from other sources. This morning I received quite a few e-mails that I thought would interest you. One is "Understanding the Psychology of Post-Election Distress Syndrome" by Dwight Bain, a nationally certified counselor whom I have known for several years. You can read his article below.

My friend Mat Staver, who was very active in helping to get the marriage amendment passed in Florida, issued a press release sharing his values on rebuilding the base and advancing conservative values. Click here to read his comments. He believes the passage of all three marriage amendments shows that conservative values still matter.

James Pinkerton, whom I enjoy watching on Fox News, wrote a short but insightful analysis of why McCain lost, which seemed to ring true as I read it. Click here to read the analysis.

Finally, former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, whom I supported strongly during the primaries, sent out an e-mail titled "We Will Be Back In Strength." Click here to read his comments, which include the following: "Politics is not an event but a process. Sometimes we lose the events, but it never gives the right to stop being faithful to our principles that enlisted us in the process. We shall live to fight another day."

As always, we welcome your comments on the blog. Please forward this to your family and friends, and ask them to sign up for the Strang Report.

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Understanding the Psychology of Post-Election Distress Syndrome
By Dwight Bain, Nationally Certified Counselor

A major election leads to major change—psychologically, that is. No matter who wins an election, the unexpected emotional let down or explosive reaction after the ballots are counted can be overwhelming to many, especially the aged or over-involved who can be set up for crushing amounts of what I call P.E.D.S. or Post-Election Distress Syndrome.

This election has likely been the most stressful of any during our lifetime because of numbing news fatigue and continual media over-exposure, yet the real problems are yet to come. Personal anxiety, professional panic and poorly thought out decisions are on the horizon regardless of your political persuasion.

Why such a gloomy projection?

It's based on how this election process has been so overwhelming much of the time with months of negative news, never ending data to process and confusing choices to make on complex issues while partisan experts are shouting every half-hour on news/talk stations that we are all doomed if their candidate doesn't win. Not to mention the huge challenge on who is trust-worthy, since you often don't know who will say something inappropriate on YouTube and crash their credibility, leaving you feeling very alone to make some major decisions without leaders who lacked the strength of character to stand on their convictions instead of popular opinion polls.

Mountain top experiences guarantee the next step is always the valley

Think of a major campaign like climbing a major mountain range. You prepare for years and climb for months to finally reach the top. Once there the view is great. You take some pictures, but you can't stay on a mountain top, so no matter which way you head, it's down in any direction. After the mountain top comes the valley, which is a normal part of life. The danger is that for many people the downward slide is so unexpected. Most actual mountain climbing accidents happen on the way down, and I project that there will be millions of people who are unprepared for the emotional upheaval they are about to experience after the election is over.

Everyone will feel some degree of emotional let down once the issues have been decided and the acceptance speeches are given. That's normal, however for some the removal of posters, signs, balloons and banners will lead to a free fall of depressing emotions. If someone has been a 'news junkie' the last few months it will be especially stressful. Those feelings of distress will come out in one of two ways.

Two possible reactions to post-election distress

1) Anger –
Which can lead to violence and impulsive decisions. People who feel violated by the election process will often turn to dumping volcanic levels of anger at someone or something to find relief for the pressure inside. This can lead to devastating decisions, impulsive rage or using the wrong words in front of the wrong people and losing credibility or worse a job. This can happen in men or women, young or old, but is most commonly seen in more extroverted personalities and it tends to blow up and blow out fast.

2) Apathy –
This is a more dangerous reaction, since it can lead from distress to the early stages of depression. Stuffing emotions inside is like burying them alive and they just keep building up, yet instead of blowing up and out, they blow in. This leads a person to feel emotionally numb, and often can cause an individual to commit a series of very quiet, yet very harmful self-destructive acts. Eating for comfort, drinking to numb the pain, hooking up with the wrong partner to try and forget about the election or just refusing to answer the phone, closing the mini-blinds and checking out on life like a hermit hiding in a dark cave.

The best choice after an election is completed is Acceptance. It's over and now it's time to move on with whatever leaders and issues the majority of voters selected. You can't change the outcome of an election, but you can freak yourself out with fears about the future apocalypse predicted by many. Don't do that! Life will go on, and your world will continue. God is bigger than any politician and isn't in a panic, so trust in heaven's agenda and not that of Washington and you'll immediately find a deeper level of peace.

What happens in your house is way more important than what happens in the White House since you can't control what political leaders do, but you can control you. Let this journey off of the political 'mountain' be one of a growing sense of perspective as you remember that after the valley there will be another mountain to climb. There will be another day to vote on national issues and when the dust settles your life will usually be about as good as you choose to make it. This approach takes the power to control your mood away from the politicians or the media, so you can build a better life without losing sleep or energy from the dangers of post-election distress syndrome.

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About the author- Dwight Bain is dedicated to helping people achieve greater results. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor, Certified Life Coach and Certified Family Law Mediator in practice since 1984 with a primary focus on solving crisis events and managing major change. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and partners with media, major corporations and non-profit organizations to make a positive difference in our culture. Access more counseling and coaching resources designed to save you time by solving stressful situations by visiting his counseling blog with over 150 complimentary articles and special reports at www.LifeWorksGroup.org