God's Guidance

Victor, IA - Change is Coming - Meeting

Gail Dietrich — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:36:35 EST

The Victor Library was the venue for the local Obama Presidential Transition Team Meeting held on Sunday, December 14, 2008. This meeting was held in conjunction with thousands of meetings held in homes and public venues all over the United States on this weekend.

Although the group was small due to many people having other committments, the discussions were quite often lively and stimulating. The group went over ways to follow the Obama transition activities, such as going on line to access change.gov. This allows a person to keep current with appointments of department leaders in the administration and read the administration's stands and plans on issues related to each subject (ie. economy, education, Iraq war, health and welfare, veteran's affairs, transportation, energy and environment, etc.). There is also a place on the site to send in concerns and/or recommendations on issues. Citizens are encouraged to give input. The names and addresses of our governor, local Iowa state house and senate representatives, and US senate and house represenatives were supplied to participants for another avenue of input.

It was discussed that there are many issues one could give input on either as a group or as in individual. The group voiced their agreement that it would like to participate in volunteerism within the community in ways that would benefit their fellow citizens. They also agreed they would like to hold further discussions to push forward issues that were important either at a local or national level.

President-Elect Barack Obama is encouraging strong citizen involvement in rebuilding the country. There can be a volunteer role for anyone and everyone.

Future meetings will be announced in the Herald.

Our Hard Working President-Elect

Gail Dietrich — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:21:58 EST

My husband and I campaigned heavily in an Iowa community of only 1000 people, most registered Republicans. We didn't win the precinct, but we did get more than half of the votes. We have not been surprised to see how quickly Barack Obama, got right in and started making wise decisions regarding who would fill positions in his administration.

What has surprised us is that the cynics have been happy with his picks too. We have just taken our que from Barack Obama and kept the discussions on a low key plane and with humility and a spirit of unity. If anyone can unite our country, Barack Obama can do it. We are so proud of him and the excellent job he is doing already!

Let Alaska have Palin & McCain

Gail Dietrich — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:29:08 EDT

More and more it appears that Governor Palin has her own agenda, aside from that of Senator McCain and the other Republicans. Perhaps she is setting herself up for the future in the event that McCain does not get elected (which appears pretty much the case now). She will at least have had all of this exposure. So the Repulicans thought they were using her, but lo and behold looks likes it turns about as fair play.

I have a great idea. She and her husband (The Dude) can lead the movement for Alaska to break off from the USA and become its own country. Then she can be the president of the newly formed country of Alaska and John McCain could be her vice president. They can sit up there and watch Russia from the porch of their Hunting Lodge and maybe Cheny will even join them and shoot moose.

Meanwhile, our country will finally settle down and get at the work of rebuilding and cleaning up the mess the Republicans have put us in and we can all move forward under the presidency of HOPE with Barack Obama.

Let Our Lives Count

Gail Dietrich — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:16:48 EDT

Heavenly Father, we thank you for blessing us with leaders like Senator Obama and Senator Biden. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you as we work for their election as president and vice president.

In your word you tell us to "be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Col. 1:9). We are asking for your direction and the ability to see life from your viewpoint.

We ask that we "will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord" (v. 10). The only way to succeed is through the control of the Holy Spirit. Have Him fill our hearts with a longing for God and create the desire to please Him through obedience.

We pray that our lives would count. Let our lives not just be busy, but fruitful.

We pray Father that you would continue to encourage, give physical and emotional strength, patience, protection, humility, wisdom and travel mercies to Senator Obama, Senator Biden, their families, their staffs, workers and supporters. Father keep this campaign on a higher plane.

We pray these things in Jesus' name and thank for answered prayers in advance. (Col. 1:9-10)

Amen.

Encouragement for Senator Obama

Gail Dietrich — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:12:52 EDT

Our gracious and loving Father we seek your face in the fast paced and busy time of this campaign. Give Senator Obama quiet times to spend with you for refreshment, your enlightenment, and encouragement. We ask that you help him prepare for the last debate and still his mind that he may think powerfully and respond wisely. Guide him each moment of the debate.

We again thank you for answered prayers in so many aspects of the campaign. We continue to give you ALL the glory.

We pray for continued physical strength, guidance, focus, protection and travel mercies for Senator Obama, Senator Biden, their families, their staffs, and all the volunteers and supporters. Help us to continue to conduct this campaign in a manner that will be pleasing to you. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Palin on Obama - Pot Calling Kettle Black

Gail Dietrich — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:49:05 EDT

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose reformer image took a hit in a report concluding she abused her powers to settle a family score, has skirted state ethics rules before for personal benefit and used her office to help friends and supporters, according to an Associated Press review of records. Her first run for statewide office was an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor in 2002. City records show she improperly used her city hall office and equipment to raise money. One year later she would make headlines by blasting a fellow Republican for improperly using his government position to boost his campaign.

In 2006, she won the governor's race and vowed to reform state ethics. But in less than two years, she has repeatedly taken actions that violated her own stated standards for ethical behavior — if not state law. She has become much like the old-school politicians she attacked.

Some examples:

_She pummeled opponents for giving oil companies and other businesses too much control of state government. Yet she appointed the founder of an engineering firm that received $6.8 million in state business as head of the transportation department.

_She has accepted dozens of gifts worth tens of thousands of dollars since taking office, including two free trips last year that she failed to report on disclosure forms, despite criticizing state legislators for the gifts they take.

_She is under another investigation, accused of misusing her office to campaign against a voter referendum calling for tighter mining regulations. Her husband, Todd, has accepted free trips from a mining company to look at their proposed new site.

_Another ethics complaint, unresolved, accuses her staff of finding a state job for a friend and campaign contributor.

Last week, an investigation by the Alaska legislature found that Palin, abused her powers when she and her husband improperly pressured the state public safety commissioner to fire her sister's ex-husband, a state trooper. The brother-in-law was never fired, but Palin fired the commissioner in July.

Yet with all of these ethical issues in her past, she has the audacity to tell Senator Barack Obama (an honorable, honest man) that he should rein in ACORN. She knows very well that Senator Obama has responded to the out-landidish accusations of him being involved in this, as well as the obsurd and overblown and also responded-to stories trying to link him in a negative way to Bill Ayers.

I truly would question the sincerity of a woman who professes to be a Christian woman, but continues these negative attacks. Please let us get this campaign back on the issues so voters can get the information they need to make informed decisions and vote. We do not need these negative extraneous attacks. This is a pivotal and serious election for our country.

Pray for our Country & Vote for Honest Leaders

Gail Dietrich — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:17:11 EDT

I believe that few Christians would deny that our country has moved away from living by biblical principles. Greed and a lack of ethics have resulted in our severe economic instability. Things have happened in this country that we could never image could happen in our country. Liberty is costly. For the people of God, freedom requires that we pray for our nation. Do we love this country and the independence it provides for us? Then we need to kneel before the Lord and pray to Him on behalf of the United States. Ask the Father to revive America. If we do that, He promises to hear from heaven and heal our land (2 Chron. 7:14). It is our responsibility to elect honest and ethical leaders. I believe these leaders should be Senator Biden and Senator Obama.

Presidential Image

Gail Dietrich — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:52:39 EDT

My husband I have just returned from living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for many years. During the time we lived and worked there we were fortunate to meet many people from many countries. For years and years America was looked up to by people abroad. As George Bush played out his two terms of his presidency it was easy to see how he squandered our goodwill. Not only the people we grew to know in friendships and business relationships, but others we met when we traveled - so often told us how much our country had changed since George Bush had taken over. Many asked weren't we embarrased of him. At first we tried to dismiss the things people were saying in support of him. After all we were brought up to respect those in a position of authority and this included our elected officials. As children we were taught to pray for our leaders. As time went on and George Bush's unwillingness to conduct himself with input and support of others and thinking of the American people, it became impossible to respect him. Yes, after a while it was difficult to do anything but shake your head sadly and say nothing. People and leaders look upon our president as an impulsive, unwise bully. We do not need another "maverick" (aka Senator McCain) for president.

We need the man who was the top of his class at Harvard Law School, a man who cares about America and the middle class, not just satisfying his own ego's needs. We need a thoughtful, patient, honest, Christian man. This is one of the most crucial times in the history of our country and we need someone of strong moral character and determination. We need Senator Barack Obama. With his quiet, cordial, polite and consensus-seeking manner he will immediately bring our image back up in the world. He is the leader we need to unify not only our country, but the rest of the free world!

McCain's New Money or Old

Gail Dietrich — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:27:30 EDT

Today Senator McCain pushed his mortgage plan when he said, "Under my orders as president, the Secretary of the Treasury will carry out a home ownership resurgence plan," McCain said, referring to his mortgage plan he announced at the debate. "The United States government will support the refinancing of distressed mortgages for homeowners and replace them with manageable mortgages so people can stay in their homes. You have to realize the American dream. The funds aren't new, but the priorities will be when we put the financial strength of our government back on the side of working families, with so much on the line."

The Obama campaign quickly pointed to an interview that McCain gave to ABC's Charlie Gibson last night, in which he said that his plan to purchase distressed mortgages would use "new money if necessary." Numerous outlets have reported a tepid response at best to McCain new mortgage proposal from Republicans on Capitol Hill.

So it sounds like Senator McCain is confused again. Is he going to use old money or new money? We do not need any more confusion as it relates to our economic matters. We need an intelligent, committed, honest man. We need the change that Senator Barack Obama can bring. My household has voted for him and can't wait to have him as the next president of our country. We need him now.

God We Give You the Glory

Gail Dietrich — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:25:38 EDT

Father, we thank you for answered prayer tonight. We give you ALL the glory for victory!

God's Promise

Gail Dietrich — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:28:58 EDT

Prayer: Thank you loving Father that you have given us so many promises to meet our every need in your word. Thank you that you know what will happen and the outcome of events before they happen. Thank you that you are a loving and compassionate father. We pray your blessings upon your servant Barack as he continues today and especially as he faces his adversary in debate tonight. Thank you for answered prayers, Father.

"Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it."
Psalm 37:5

God Can Use Difficult Times to Grow Our Faith

Gail Dietrich — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:30:24 EDT

This is not something I wrote, but is from a daily post from Dr. Charles Stanley, that I receive each day:

October 06, 2008
When the Odds Are Against You
Judges 7:1-7

Have you ever felt backed up against a wall, with the odds stacked against you? In situations like that, Christians too often refuse to acknowledge an important truth. That is, they fail to recognize that God may actually be the one who is orchestrating their challenging circumstances.

You may think, No way. God protects me from such things. The world and Satan are doing this to me. Perhaps. Yet maybe, just maybe, God is trying to tell you something--and He first needs to get your attention.

Time and again in Scripture, we see that the Lord uses difficulties to build faith. It's easy to trust in Him when things are going our way. However, God often removes comforts and false securities from our lives to remind us that He is the true source of our strength.

Consider today's passage, in which Gideon was ready to lead a powerful militia of 32,000 men into battle against the enemy. However, the Lord stepped in three separate times, whittling the Israelite army down to less than one percent of its original size. We may have replied, "What? It's impossible to defeat enemy forces with just 300 men!" That's probably true; 300 men alone couldn't do it. But the Lord can--which is the lesson of Gideon.

When the odds are not in your favor, don't think that God has abandoned you. Your friends, money, and success may disappear, but those won't win the battle anyway. Stand your ground and keep your eye on the Lord. With everything else stripped away, you'll be amazed at what your heavenly Father will achieve.

God's Guidance

Gail Dietrich — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:57:13 EDT

Prayer: Our gracious heavenly Father, we praise you for sending your son as a sacrifice to take on our sins that we might have eternal life with you. Father we praise you that you are the blessed controller of all things. Father we praise you that you are a loving, forgiving, gracious, all-knowing father, who is always there for us. We know that you have a plan for each of our lives. Father we come to you and request that you would continue to provide Senator Obama, Senator Biden, their families, their campaign staff and workers with the needed physical strength, protection, wisdom, and guidance as they go through the last month of this campaign. We believe that you have called these men to serve our country in a very special way and that they will continue to seek your guidance even after they are elected. Your word tells us in Ecclesiates 3:1, "There is an appointed time for everything. There is a time for every event under heaven." We trust that it would be your will that this is the time that these men would be elected to lead our country. As these two leaders and all of us who support them continue to campaign let us remember that in Proverbs 16:9 you tell us, "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Father help us to conduct this campaign in a manner that is pleasing to you. Knowing that we can trust you to answer our prayers, we praise you Father God, and give you all the glory. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.