Organizing for America | Posts with the tag Christ

Posts with the tag Christ

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Hypocrisy : How Can I Fight to Save the Life of the Unborn and Take Another Life?

By Claudette Milner - Jun 10th, 2009 at 4:28 pm EDT

Also listed in: 5 groups

How can a person that wants to save lives of the unborn take the life of another? Today my heart is filled with sorrow as I read about the killing of lives at the Holocaust Museum and an abortion doctor. All lives are precious and as Christians we must fast and pray for renewal of our hearts and minds. As followers of Jesus we cannot take a life for a life. We are to reach out to others with compassion and prayer. How can we bring people to Christ when there is no compassion in our heart? There is no justification for taking the life of another. There is no victory in showing the world that we speak one word and live another.

I ask all people to pray for this country. Pray that instead of hatred and prejudice that Christians will find their way back to being followers of Jesus and that they will show compassion and love so that the world will know that Jesus lives.

Claudette Milner is the author of

"Children of Plains Estates"

"Unheard Voices": Children of Plains Estates

www.claudettemilner.com

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GE-31 Knowledge from an Early American Pilgrim Family

By C.O.P.S. Communities Opposing Political Slavery - Apr 27th, 2009 at 5:30 pm EDT

GLEANINGSWE ARE NOT A CAPTIVE ANYMOREUntil Christ experienced death and then had victory over the one who hadthe power of death through His resurrection, mankind was a captive of death (please readarticle GE-30-The First Murder Victim)."14. Therefore because children have blood and flesh in common, so He (JesusChrist) in like manner has shared in these; that through death He might destroy him whohad the empire of death, that is, the devil; 15, and might deliver them who throughouttheir life were kept in servitude by the fear of death. " Hebrews 2:14-15 Confraternity–Douay Version (Saint Joseph New Catholic Edition).What Paul shared in Hebrews 2:14-15 was that Christ took as His captive thething that (up to that time) had us as it’s captive. What had us as its captive? DEATH!Until Christ's resurrection, we had no hope of ever returning from the dead, never to dieagain. That is what the Holy Spirit meant to convey when He had Paul record this truthin a scripture that is often misapplied today.“7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave giftsto men.”9 Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descendedinto the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended farabove all the heavens, that He might fill all things.” Ephesians 4:7-10 NIVChrist took Death as His captive when He was resurrected from the lower partsof the earth. According to the verses of the fourth chapter of the book of Ephesians thatfollow the passage quoted above, He shared gifts with His local churches in order toperfect the saints, for the work of the ministry and for building up the body of Christ.You have been reading article GE-31.

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Wall St - Main Street - Tis The Season

By memanni - Dec 25th, 2008 at 8:55 am EST

Also listed in: 1,000,000 Americans for Obama | Action Wire | People of Faith for Obama

I STACKED THESE 3 e-MAILS ON TOP OF EACH OTHER BECAUSE THEY ARE RELEVANT TO THE SEASON, WALL ST, & MAIN ST.

I HAVE SENT THEM TO SOME WHO WERE NOT IN THE ORIGINAL e-MAIL... START AT BOTTOM OF PAGE # 1 2 3 4 Something to think about during this Holiday Season

4I too long to return to Israel, however that will again be God's timing. Distinctly, John the Apostle, the last one alive to speak said only one vitally important thing, at the beginning of his revelation of Jesus Christ

God gave us servants a revelation

The revelation is of what must soon take place (history from 100ad to present)

An angel brought the message (angel message)

John would testify everything he saw (all visions)

That what he saw was the word of God (John1:1)

That it was the complete Testimony of Jesus Christ (The only Issue)

Ok, Now the literal Greek translation is: Happy is he who IS reading, and those hearing, the words of the Prophecy, and KEEPING the things written in it -- for the time is near Revelation 1:3

NO mention of the issues, SPECIFIC mention of the Prophecy

All the things in the Living Prayer text and the text below were occurring in Christ's and John's time or had already occurred when John was guided to write.

Now notice in the list above there is NO mention of the issues - Political-Social-Financial-Religious, only the Prophecy

The assignment is to read the Prophecy

To hear the Prophecy

To take to heart what is written in the prophecy, because the time is near Revelation Chapter 1 verses 1 to 3

Now we can do whatever we want, but when the time comes to say good and faithful servant, I think HE will as HE did before praise the servant who used the talents wisely and therefore was found obedient and righteous.

99% of the church DO NOT know what is in the Prophecy: Because they are too busy with the issues.
Brief EXAMPLE
DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 2007
Most Christians are clueless as to knowing in whom they have believed,

that Christ celebrated Hannukah
what garment was touched that healed the woman with the issue of blood
who made the Garment
what is the 4th commandment
that the as eagles flying (AirForce Attack), lead by Allenby during WWI fulfilled Isaiah 31:5
that Bethlehem is currently over 80%+ Islamic
that a Jewish guy wrote most accurately about Christ, as he lived during the Holocaust years and concluded we (Jew and Christian) had but one destiny (Sholem Asch)
the correct spelling of Christ’s name in Hebrew, his language
that Isaac Newton studied scripture and concluded it was chronological, solar, lunar, calendar and historic
that Newton concluded NO rapture, But Harvest as the Bible states, "swing the Sickle"
*that Christ has commanded the reading and understanding of the book of Daniel, Matthew 24:15
that it is only the hour and day which is unknown, the season was explained to the disciples in detail Mathhew 24 – has been known since John wrote Revelation and must be known since Daniel was assigned to provide the answer to Matt 24:3, the disciples question of WHEN&HOW
that the possession of the land (of Israel) is the very basis of the Covenant of Promise, land possession required for Messiah return
THAT THOUGH THREE FAITHS HONOR ABRAHAM, someone has to be the enemy, whose head is crushed, there has to be a seed of Satan

DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 2008
Most Christians are clueless as to knowing in whom they have believed,

*12 that the 99% NEVER considered the Fig Tree, Matthew 24:32-35, never read nor understood Jeremiah 24 "Two Fig Baskets", major sign of Coming and End of Age
13 THAT 1948, rebirth of Nation of Israel fulfilled Isaiah 66:8
14 That you will observe SABBATH, Isaiah 66:23
15 that Mt. Zion not Mt Moriah (Dome of Rock location) will be the spiritual metropolis of NEW JERUSALEM Isaiah 60:5, 60:14
16 that the Golden Dome was designed and erected by a Gentile Arab, not Abraham
17 that ISAIAH SCROLL, entire book of Isaiah in Hebrew from time of Jesus, even exists or where to find it
18 don't know who the only known human to have held Messiah as a baby, is

OR STUFF YOU CAN'T LEARN ON SUNDAY

The Reason for the Season

N.., You and I were good partners over-there, in Israel

LOVE .......................M

memanni at msn.com

www.hebrewheritage.com

3 From: @aol.com
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:16:58 -0500
Subject: Merry Christmas!
To: memanni at msn.com

Good morning!! I hope all is well with you and your family.

I personally believe that we (the USA) got just what we deserved in the election...I also believe that God is taking His hand away from us..we have chosen to ignore Him, take Him away from the schools and homes. The saying "God bless America" is ridiculous because God has been blessing us, it is time we should turn that saying around and say "we the people of the US should bless God." Instead we elected a man that is 100% for abortion which is murder in God's eyes, 100% for same sex marriage, and is 100% for giving away the Land that God gave to Moses and the children of Israel. I am not saying that we had a choice at all on the election..we did not..both sides are not Christians. All we can do now is pray for them, that they will have their eyes open and come to the cross.

I pray that you and yours have a wonderful Christmas. I am going to be working at the Salvation Army.

I would absolutely love to go to Israel again with you..think about it.

Love, N

___________________________________________________________________________

2 RE: Daily Devotional (Tue. 12/23/2008) Liveprayer.com 178689 *_*-*_*-*_*-*

From:

memanni at msn.com

Sent:

Tue 12/23/08 11:22 PM

To:

@aol.com;

Just two remarks: I thought it was the lost sheep we were going after whether they call themselves Pastor, President-Elect, Live Prayer, or christian; note: Mystery Babylon is made up of christians who knew of the bridegroom and bride Rev 18:23, who was called out of her; but became the many He did not recognize; as their garments were not correct, they were naked; they lacked knowledge and were perishing; not because of civil ,social or political issues but because they knew not the Son and the Father.

What will the author and LivePrayer committee and most christians say when the Prophet Daniel does the same kind of rant about those who have not studied his book as directed in Mathhew 24:15; the Bride cannot be without spot, with oil and in white garments without knowing and understanding these things according to Jesus, Daniel, Gabriel and the Apostle John.

BTW the first 4 paragraphs below seems to be very similar to what Warren is being accused of.

ANYHOW
Happy Holy-Days

memanni at msn.com
www.hebrewheritage.com

1 From: @aol.com
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:12:36 -0500
Subject: Fwd: Daily Devotional (Tue. 12/23/2008) Liveprayer.com 178689 *_*-*_*-*_*-*
To: overcomer1 at att.net

One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now.

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From: prayermanager at liveprayer.com
To:@aol.com
Subject: Daily Devotional (Tue. 12/23/2008) Liveprayer.com 178689 *_*-*_*-*_*-*

If this devotional is a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family member that would like to start receiving this daily word. You can forward this to them, and they can use the following link to subscribe.

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Rick Warren and President-elect Obama use each other for credibility. Let
me say up front, the ONLY reason Pastor Rick Warren, Senior Pastor of
Saddleback Church in suburban Los Angeles and the author of the Purpose
Driven Life, should deliver the invocation at Barack Hussein Obama's
inaugural is to pray for the following: Obama's salvation, that this nation
will stop slaughtering innocent babies, that ALL states will quit perverting
God's Holy Institution of Marriage by allowing same-sex couples to wed, and
that this nation will turn from its sins and back to the God of the Bible
and faith in Jesus Christ.

Now let's deal with reality. I guarantee you that Warren will pray for NONE
of those things. Do you think for a second that President-elect Obama would
invite him to do the invocation if he was going to pray for the REAL needs
of Obama and this nation? Warren became famous for selling his "Purpose
Driven" marketing strategy designed to fill pews with warn bodies, not
converts to the faith, to churches and pastors around the nation who were
too lazy to get their own vision from God. He has become the poster child
for the word COMPROMISE.

Let me deal right away with the outrage from the homosexual community over
Obama asking Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration. They are so
blinded by their sin that they don't realize Warren is the last person they
need to fear or worry about. Yes, I am well aware that Pastor Warren
supported Proposition 8. For the record, that only happened a few days
before the election after he was shamed and forced by those brave me and
women who championed that stand in California for God's Holy Institution of
Marriage.

Warren made national news during the recent Presidential election when he
hosted a debate between Senators Obama and McCain. The event was widely
promoted as a Warren/Saddleback event, however it was originated and
co-sponsored by the liberal social justice group Faith in Public Life, whose
board president is Meg Riley, a Unitarian Universalism minister who
previously ran the denomination's homosexual advocacy office. Warren also
spoke at one of Robert Schuller's Institute for Successful Church Leadership
conferences. In attendance at that Institute were 80 gay and lesbian
ministers from the now Jesus Metropolitan Churches which cater to
homosexuals and lesbians. Many of the clergy of these churches are
practicing, unrepentant homosexuals!

I do credit Warren for being consistent in his public comments (when
pressed) against the sin of homosexuality and that marriage is to be between
a man and a woman as God dictated. However, he takes ZERO leadership on key
spiritual issues like abortion or gay marriage, and is quick to join forces
with the homosexual community and those in the cults and false religions of
the world to advance his personal agenda. He was at a Muslim convention
this past weekend, where Melissa Ethridge, an openly lesbian activist and
music artist performed. Warren said the two had a "wonderful conversation"
and that he is a huge fan who has all her albums.

At that event, Warren told the Muslims, "You don't have to see eye to eye to
walk hand in hand." Listen, Rick Warren is a PASTOR. He is supposed to be
a messenger of the GOSPEL. He is NOT a politician!!! The Gospel of Jesus
Christ is not something you water down or compromise. It is not about being
politically correct because the eternal souls of men are at stake. There is
no "walking hand in hand" with Muslims! They are on the wide road to
destruction while born-again Believers are on that narrow road to Glory!
Muslims need to understand that they have bought a 1400-year-old lie from
hell, and when they die, their souls will burn in the flames of hell for all
eternity unless they turn from the lies of Islam and embrace faith in Jesus
Christ and the Truth of the Bible!!!

Warren is a case study in the word "compromise." He embraces the damnable
ecumenical movement that seeks to unite people of all beliefs, meaning
Christians are expected to "compromise" and abandon the Absolute Truth of
the Bible! His infamous book, The Purpose Driven Church, was endorsed by
Leonard Sweet, a firm New Age Movement advocate. Warren hired Ken Blanchard
to come to Saddleback to help train people how to be effective leaders.
Blanchard is a huge advocate of the New Age philosophies. He wrote the
foreword to Jim Ballard's books Mind Like Water and What Would Buddha Do At
Work? He was on the front cover of Corporate Mystic and the back cover of
Deepak Chopra's Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and wrote the Foreword to
Ellen Ladd's (clairvoyant) book, Death and Letting Go. Blanchard makes no
apology when he says much can be gained from Buddhism. He and his wife both
encourage the practice of yoga and mantra meditation.

Why does a self-professed Baptist evangelist associate with these types of
people? Not to preach the Gospel to them, but to use his association for
his benefit! Sadly Warren decided that he could make his impact by pursuing
a worldwide social agenda. That is fine. We need people to lead the effort
on global poverty, AIDS in Africa, and other social causes. But you can't
pursue this social agenda and ignore the pressing issues that are destroying
this nation like killing babies, gay marriage, and family issues. IT IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE AT ANY TIME TO COMPROMISE THE GOSPEL AND THE TRUTH OF THE BIBLE
IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH ANY PURSUIT, NO MATTER HOW WORTHY! While these
social issues are worth bringing attention to and fighting for, the fact is
all men will die one day and at that moment the only thing that matters is
if they know Jesus as their personal Savior by Faith.

I love you and care about you so much. It is easy to see why
President-elect Obama asked Warren to deliver the invocation at his
inauguration. It was payback for Warren compromising once again and
allowing this enemy of God to stand in his pulpit at a recent conference on
social issues. Actually, Warren desecrates his pulpit often with every kind
of heretic and blasphemer you can name in the pursuit of his global social
agenda. He even boasted about having Obama in his pulpit!

By accepting this invitation, all Warren has done is give credibility to
Obama, further proliferating the lie that he is a Christian, when the fact
is he takes stands in opposition to the Christ he proclaims and the Truth of
the Bible on EVERY key spiritual issue that faces our nation. By giving the
invocation at the upcoming inaugural, Rick Warren is giving his blessing to
Obama's rebellion to God and the Bible. Sadly, Warren's agenda is more
important than God's agenda! His appearance and compromise actually only
emboldens those who live in rebellion to God and His Word.

For Pastor Rick Warren to bless and give the invocation at the upcoming
inauguration of a man who will help insure millions of babies around the
world are slaughtered, and force US taxpayers to fund this legalized
infanticide, is no different than if Adolph Hitler had asked him to give the
blessing and invocation when he became Chancellor of Germany!!!

True men of God like John the Baptist, the prophets in the Old Testament,
literally gave their lives to stand for God's Truth with the political
leaders of their day. Sadly, Rick Warren is not a great man of God, but
simply a man who has compromised his faith and the message of the Gospel in
order to advance his agenda. I will be praying for Pastor Warren, and ask
you to as well, that he will let the Holy Sprit speak the words this coming
January 20th. I pray that out of his lips will come a prayer calling this
nation back to God, condemning this culture of death and all who support it,
proclaiming that God's plan in the Bible for marriage and family is the
foundation of our culture, and inviting President-elect Barack Hussein Obama
to ask God to forgive his sins and accept by faith Jesus Christ as His
personal Savior and lead this nation as a man of God, not an enemy of God!

THAT IS THE ONLY PRAYER A TRUE MAN OF GOD COULD POSSIBLY DELIVER!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at:
bkeller at liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will
die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or
be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

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ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

By WEBMASTER - Dec 13th, 2008 at 2:26 am EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.

Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.

Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when

individuals and organizations understand that alternative energy technology exists and
when people see the economic benefits of using alternative energy technologies

Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.

Alternative Energy
Source: David Apperson

url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy

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SPIRIT OF RECONCILIATION

By WEBMASTER - Nov 19th, 2008 at 2:45 am EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

When asked by FRANKLIN GRAHAM whether Barack believed Jesus is the only way to salvation, Barack eloquently stated, ‘Jesus is the only way for me. I’m not in a position to judge other people.

It is the duty for every believer to help reconcile this nation and this world. To do this we must first reconcile ourselves as children of the Eternal Spirit, and reconcile ourselves as brothers and sisters in faith.

Ancient Tribal Belief - NATIVE SPIRITUALITY

Rather than going to religious services, we attend a sweat lodge; rather than accepting bread from the priest, we smoke a ceremonial pipe to come into communion with the Eternal Spirit; and rather than kneeling with our hands placed together in prayer, we have sweet grass feathered over our entire being for spiritual cleansing and allow the smoke to carry our prayers into the heavens. - Mi'kmaq

Zechariah 14:8,9 - JUDAIC TEXT

And in that day it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of them toward the Dead Sea and half of them toward the Mediterranean Sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be - The Lord is one, and His name one. - Zechariah

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - CHRISTIAN WORD

Therefore if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new. And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To know, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray for you in Christ's stead, you be reconciled to God. For He has made Him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. - Paul

Qur'an 2:183 - ISLAMIC TEXT

O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn not to blaspheme. - Muhammad

??? - Other Belief Systems

Email David - yofast@gmail if you have ancient written text that you believe proclaims a better day for your children's children. When your submission has been confirmed it will be posted in this location.

The tiny flame that lights up the human heart is like a blazing torch that comes down from heaven to light up the path of all mankind. For in one soul are contained the hopes and feelings of all mankind. - Kahlil Gibran [ submitted by Susan Slotter ]

source: http://kids.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/G-d

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NEW YEARS PRAYER AND CELEBRATION

By WEBMASTER - Nov 7th, 2008 at 3:22 pm EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

"Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today."
PRESIDENT ELECT BARACK OBAMA

RSVP MIDNIGHT PRAYER AND CELEBRATION - 31 DEC 2008

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS OUR NEW COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

We invite everyone breathing, or not, the opportunity to show global unity and dedicate three [ 3 ] minutes of time on News Years Eve to thank God for President Obama and ask the Creator of All Things for a GLOBAL BLESSING for ALL NATIONS, PEOPLES, AND TONGUES.

May we agree that 2009 can be a year of healing for the nation and the world as we celebrate this historic election. All faiths are encouraged to join the festivities. LET US GO DOWN TO THE RIVER AND PRAY.

Text translations of the readings supplied by GOOGLE TRANSLATE through GLOBAL BIBLE STUDY.

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BELIEVE THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON

By WEBMASTER - Nov 5th, 2008 at 5:45 am EST

Also listed in: 8 groups

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, OF BARACK, of Samson, of Jephthah; and David also, Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had test of cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, moreover of chains and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were cut in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered around in goatskins and sheepskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, in mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, having obtained a good report through faith, did not receive the promise:
God having provided something better for us, that without us they would not be made perfect.

Text is available in 35 GLOBAL LANGUAGES

UPDATE: 44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and THE GOVERNMENT OF CHANGE

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It's A New Day

By Patrice from Williamsburg, VA - Oct 25th, 2008 at 1:22 am EDT

Also listed in: Virginia Action Team

The dawning of a new day is here, both for America as a whole and for those who call ourselves "compassionate conservatives," a code name for politically active Christians.

It's a time when our nation has the opportunity to break from the tradition of the past--from racial and class division, from partisan politics, from us against them--and to ride into a bright, new future of unified effort for the good of all Americans, truly non-partisan policy making and cooperation in Washington.

The undeclared but clearly evident leader of this new effort is Barack Obama, an American of mixed racial background (half white, and half black), and of mixed socio-economic background, a recent graduate from the struggling middle class to the echelons of upper class America. He is the leader we need right now not just because of superior intellect, highly effective communication skills, and his high level of educational attainment, but also because of the character and the temperament with which he has been divinely blessed. Character he has demonstrated in this election in quite distinct contrast to his Republican contender, John McCain.

It is for this reason that I, a social activist at heart for the poor and for the good of all men, and a Christian conservative as it relates to the two most pivotal moral issues of our time--abortion and homosexuality--have decided to vote for Senator Barack Obama to become the next president of the United States.

Though the Republican party may attempt to portray it--God is not the God of one political party. He is not more concerned about small government than he is about helping those in need. He did not only send His Son to die for upper class and upper middle class whites. He does not want us to lock-up first time, young non-violent offenders for most of their young adult lives and throw away the keys. He does not want us to ignore the social causes of crime. He does want his people involved with both parties so that both parties ultimately represent His interests, which are the best interests of us all.

This is our opportunity. In this election, we have the ability to show the rest of America that "conservative Christians" can make a balanced, intellectual, and still spiritual choice for President. We can choose to vote for Barack Obama, not because we agree with him on every issue, but because we agree with him on many. And we can make our voices heard during his administration to affect the way he governs on issues with which we do disagree.

Make the change. Take the leap. Make a new choice, and encourage other like minded people to make this choice as well--praying all the way for Christ to grant Sen. Obama the wisdom to make the right decisions at the right time, not swayed by what's popular, but based on the right foundation--God's Word--at "such a time as this" in our nation's and the world's history.

--Pat Perry

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The Presumption of Ignorance

By Brian Normoyle - Oct 14th, 2008 at 11:34 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Brian 1:2 So spake the Fool in prayer before the angry masses on that 11th Day of October 2008, the year of our Lord: "there are millions of people around this world praying to their god—whether it's Hindu, Buddha, Allah—that [Barack Obama] wins, for a variety of reasons. And Lord, I pray that you will guard your own reputation, because they're going to think that their God is bigger than you if that happens."

Brian 1:3 And lo, the huddled mob—rabid with loathing and stricken, like others before them, with a fear of change and leaders of color—praised the Fool with applause. And both were pleased in their ignorance.

The fool in question of course is Arnold Conrad, former pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church, pleading with God at a John McCain rally in Iowa. However, unlike the shrewd fools in literature from Socrates to Shakespeare, this one is anything but wise.

For the sake of argument, let's ignore the fact he's a pastor and alleged scholar of religion and give the Fool the benefit of the doubt. After all, an imbecile can't reasonably be expected to know that Hindu is not a god (or even a proper noun for that matter), Buddha isn't a deity either, and neither are prayed to by anyone. Anywhere.

And of course, while any average idiot—except this one apparently—knows Allah is the same God prayed to and worshiped by Christians and Jews, we needn't require Pastor Arnie to understand these or other religions and cultures. Why? Because, despite his Doctor of Ministry degree, that brand of cultural sensitivity and theological understanding is anathema to a myopic and intellectually incurious fundamentalist.

The pomposity of this self-righteous dolt notwithstanding, I'm always amazed by proselytizers who pray, prattle and pontificate with the arrogant assumption they know who God is rooting for—as if God has a stake or interest in a particular candidate.

Prayers like Pastor Arnie's are futile of course and as patently absurd as asking the almighty to intervene in the Superbowl. But the obvious silliness doesn't stop so many evangelicals from so frequently contending Republicans are the party of God and John McCain (R-Nazareth) is Christ's personally vetted nominee for President. Their presumption is as comical as their worldview is provincial.

My personal hunch is that God doesn't much care about American electoral politics but, if s/he does, I doubt s/he'd be categorically opposed to a Democrat. Barack Obama is a Christian. He was "saved," he was baptized, and he was a regular congregant in a Church of Christ for over 20 years.

Besides—from the right to universal health care, nondiscrimination, and racial/gender equality to the eradication of poverty, earning of a living wage, dealing with AIDS and tax relief for those who actually need it—Democrats and their standard-bearers have traditionally favored policies uniquely more suited for and geared towards the middle and working classes and the poor/disenfranchised. In other words, Obama's policies tend to support the very people that the foolish pastor's God named "the Salt of the Earth" in the best-selling book s/he "authored" thousands of years ago.

Christ didn't say much in favor of the free market, unprovoked war, assault weapons for "hunting," or tax-cuts for the rich and he was completely silent on those "cardinal sins" of abortion and gay marriage. But he did have an abundance of opinions about equality, justice, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness and love, as well as leaving judgment of others to God and taking care of our neediest brothers and sisters.

So frankly, Pastor Arnie, I still don't think God is rooting for either candidate, but if s/he is, given their agreement on the issues, my money's on Obama. I'll give you 5:1 odds on your money for McCain, but I'd call that a Fool's Bet.

Matthew 25:40 "And the King answering shall say to them, 'Verily, I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.'"

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Jesus H. Christ

By Citizen X - Oct 11th, 2008 at 3:13 pm EDT

Also listed in: Capitol Hill Artists, Crafters, and Musicians for Obama

I just got done watching the most terrifying movie I have ever seen. It had nothing to do with psycho killers, fiendish monsters or global warming. On the contrary, “Jesus Camp” is about regular people—just like you and me—whose primary purpose in life is practicing their “prophetic gifts” so that they can “take back America for Christ.” I did not know that Jesus ever lived in the U.S.

Don’t get me wrong—Jesus is cool—but just like with every religion, fanatics tend to see things in a different light. Maybe it’s their gifts.

“Kids On Fire Summer Camp,” a Charismatic or Pentecostal Christian sanctuary located in North Dakota, teaches dedicated Evangelical kids to become soldiers in “God’s Army,” hell bent on spreading the word of the Lord, whatever the cost. Sounds to me like another group of fanatics in another god’s army.

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Christians making the Christian decision!

By Art By Michelle Collins - Oct 1st, 2008 at 8:15 am EDT

Also listed in: Christians for Obama 08

Are you a Christian and not sure who to vote for? Well first off , Jesus Loves! Sacrifice is what he is all about!

Following my long introduction is a questionnaire. Please don't be afraid to take this test to help you to make this important Christian decision in November.

True Christians and our issues

I am a Catholic Christian and I am saddened by the way our politicians have preyed on other Christians using fear and lies to give us a bad name. Its as if "Christian" is a dirty word in this country now a days.

Republicans have hijacked Christians by making pretend they care about hot topic issues such as abortion and gay marriage. These issues may be very important to some Christians and debatable by others but never the less they are far outweighed by the mounds of other issues that I believe Jesus would want to see addressed by the candidates. Christians have to begin to open their eyes wider and take the focus off just these things alone expand their Jesus lens. They need to ask themselves one by one, on each individual problem needing to be addressed in this country; "What would Jesus do?" Then and only then do I believe we are being true to our faith while we are alone and secret in the voting booth with only God to answer to in November.

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Change We Can Believe In

By SolidRockFaith.com - Sep 30th, 2008 at 2:09 pm EDT

I oppose the vain repetition of the mantra of "Change". Constantly we hear these ubiquitous mottos of "Change We Must", "Change We Can", "Bring about real change". What kind of change is Obama talking about?

Is he talking about the change left in the pockets of Americans after numerous bank & insurance bailouts and a record Dow Jones drop of 777 points on the Jewish New Years Day?

Obama is asking us to believe in his version of change as if he is some political messiah ushering in his own kingdom. Who does he think he is?

First of all, I am glad I serve a god who does not change. His attributes and nature remain always the same. See Malachi 3:6, "I am the LORD, I change not." With God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17.

God warns us of the danger of man-made change in Romans 1. In an age of apostasy and departure from God people will be obsessed with "change". There were people who changed the glory of the uncorruptible God. Then they changed th truth of God into a lie. Thidly, they changed the natural of the sexes and became sodomites. Finally, God gave these poeple up to their own destruction.

What was the problem with the change those people believed in? They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, they had a reprobate mind and they were filled with all unrighteousness.

True change, however, comes from God. God changes people in conversion. It is not a political change. It is an inward change that works itself out.

This change begins when a sinner is born again by trusting Jesus Christ, who died for sinners, so that we might be saved. To be saved means to have forgiveness of sins, to receive a new nature that pleases God, to have the hope of a bodily resurrection and eternal life.

Jesus Christ is asking us to believe on Him. Study John 3:16-36!

The Bible advises us: "Change We Must". Yes, we must repent - have a change of heart and mind. Jesus Christ calls us to repentance in Lk. 13:3, Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Once you are saved, God wants to change you. Change now means correction, Christian growth, sanctification. You are being changed daily by not conforming to this world, but being transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2. This means once you are saved it will change your thinking - your opinions, views, standpoint, perspective, etc.

Finally, you will be changed according to 1. Corinthians 15:51-55 when you receive a new glorified resurrection body that will not decay but we be like Christ Jesus.

The only real change I believe in comes throuugh Jesus Christ alone.

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Pardon Me, I'm having a Mental Recession

By A Goner - Sep 14th, 2008 at 12:18 am EDT

Also listed in: 5 groups

As a life-long learner, I have been sifted and tested by life as to what kind of mettle I'm made up of. When the dust settled it was pretty obvious my righteousness was like filthy rags.

In spite of learning since my teenage years and adult life how to use my subconscious mind, reading books like Think and Grow Rich, and keeping up with all the new things like NLP and psychology by Deepak Chopra, as well as studying religions such as Buddhism and Islam, philosophy in college and going out on a limb following Rev. Moon, (not in this order), all this and still had time time to live a worldly, normal life. I had a very humbling realization. Intellectual knowledge alone will not make me righteous because within my heart are opposing forces and at times nothing I learned could make me do right and I sometimes felt like I was in a whirlpool being pulled down against my conscious will. I decided to really trust Jesus and it certainly isn't because I didn't check out my options. On the religious smorgasboard, by tasting, I learned what I needed and I could also see what the trend has been throughout the centuries of how God is working His divine providence, where my place is in the scheme of things.

As a fellow Earthling, which is what we all look like from the top of the Sears Tower - little ants -I can stare into the farthest corners of our solar system on a clear night if no lights are shining. That itself is a miracle that I am aware of our solar system and can peer through a microscope and look at paramecium and even atoms. But the greatest miracle in my life is knowing God's love and mercy for me.. a sinner. To some that may be a neurotic admission, but it is the key to my mental health which is joy, peace, love in the Holy Spirit.. a reality that can only be experienced. An assortment of spirits/muses/guides may empower or guide you subconsciously and unconsciously that you can contact consciously through religious ritual. But our motivations and intentions in how we understand and utilize these privileges and powers can never be more noble than our heart and character. I thank God for the Christian faith which challenges us to examine our hearts and walk in a newness of life with the mind of Christ - in love, fairness and kindness. Humility is a strength, it does not mean being a wimp. Jesus did chase the money changers out of the temple. We should exhibit righteous indignation to seek justice in our spheres of influence, that is not the same as self-righteousness.

It is incredible that man, physically composed of 70% H2O and 30% assorted minerals, can do with his/her mind and imagination. We can use these powers to solve the current problems we face and we can also use the same power of our subconscious for very selfish ends, criminal activities, success in immoral degrading enterprises to oneself and others and be highly successful mediocre failures. Some folks like to brag about their failures and lack of success, it is in fact becoming epidemic to boast of one's wickedness and criminality and dress accordingly.

What the Universe has wisely done is given us no real power over our unconscious mind, which is the next deeper level than the subconscious mind. We are warned that we will reap what we sow. In other words, what we consciously sow into our subconscious that gets worked out, also is a seed planted in our unconscious which will also return a harvest we have no control over.. "chickens coming home to roost" aka "what goes around comes around.' The fruit, our children, do not fall too far from the tree because they unconsciously imitate us. To make it plain, God will have the last laugh as He can withdraw His spirit from our conscious awareness. This is why the best laid plans of men often go awry. "Righteousness exalts a nation" The Bible, and America can use a righteousness check up right about now. So I can understand how the Religious Right can be manipulated by the neo-Cons to think they are the MINDSET to save America from itself. But, we must discern the spirits... even wolves can come in sheep's clothing and fleece the sheep.

The unconscious mind can link you up to blessings you consciously and subconsciously did not imagine or even hope for.. you were in the right place at the right time.. inheriting a legacy of blessing. You also can get under a negative pattern of misfortune that you can't wish, think or imagine your way out of. You can get from under this curse by going a step deeper into your soul to access the truth of your situation. Being in denial keeps us stuck in dysfunctional mindsets.

America has enemies that are sending imprecatory prayers for this nation's destruction with the strongest emotion and feeling possible because loved one's have become collateral damage in a war that did not "have a mandate from heaven", Sun Tzu. Those prayers release an effect in the collective unconscious of the world. Every thought has power. Prophecy comes true only when we make certain choices. If we do this, then this happens, if we choose a different action there will be a different result. If we choose to continue to consort with the W h ore of Bab y lon and drink of her wine... "Revelation,The Bible", we should not be surprised of what we see happening - global warming, famines, earthquakes, flooding, fires, economic decline, and war. But we can choose to bring heaven down to earth by loving God and loving our fellow man as we love ourselves and bringing that awareness to our families, communities and spheres of influence at the workplace.

The issues of abortions and gays are not what is bringing bad times in America. These issues are scapegoats and stopping both won't save America. The RNC has masterfully manipulated this false belief, as a delusion and distraction from the real problems through millions of dollars to fund talk shows that bombard people non-stop with these viewpoints. The increase of these societal issues are a symptom of a greater problem, joblessness, poverty, selfishness, immorality in music and tv which encourages people to be careless and reckless. Abortion is only the tippity tip of the problem, it is a symptom not the cause. Yet some very influential Republicans promote policies and practices which exacerbate these very things.. eliminating the safety net, war, low wages, underfunding schools, etc. and politicians cannot connect the dots because rich people are invested all over the world and have their bets hedged. They will survive anywhere in the world whether America does or not do well and many do not want to be taxed because there is really no loyalty to the U.S. Their loyalty as lobbyists is to their respective multi-national corporations/industries or respective nations. Thank goodness God doesn't think like that.

The superconscious or divine mind aka the "tree of life" is blocked to us because the unconscious is taking us to task for the foolish things we have sown, our ancestors and our leaders .. we suffer collectively unconsciously. This is why "old school religions" had very harsh punishment for people who disobeyed certain laws, commandments, taboos, etc. The principle is the same for us in America even though we are such an individualistic society and increasingly secular. we are all tied together at the hip in the realm of the collective unconscious. We truly are as strong as our weakest link, but many are blinded to that fact living in their isolated gated community.

So to all of you who are out there praying, fasting, and humbling yourselves before God. Thank you. For those of you who realize access to the Tree of Life has been made possible by one who became a curse on a tree for us and are praying fervently.. Thank you. For those of you who realize there is a way that seems right unto a man.. but the end thereof is death, and have humbled yourself to realize you have both a carnal, sinful nature wrestling with your divine nature.. thank you for persevering in your struggle to fight the good fight. "If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves..." II Chronicles.

We have over 1 million people incarcerated in this nation. 1/3 women have been raped or sexually molested. 47 million people have no health insurance. The literacy rate is below 50% of Americans that can read, write, and compute on a high school level. There is a crime committed every 5 minutes somewhere in this country. Dope dealing and drug use is epidemic and an industry profitting over $16 billion annually in this nation. Divorce is at 50%, high school drop out rate 40% and climbing. So how are people using their subconscious minds? What are the effects on our nation unconsciously.. it has created a cesspool dragging everything and everybody down into its vortex. Mental health problems are now increasing exponentially.. 1/4 Americans iare expected to have a serious mental health problem at some point in their life. We dull our awareness by watching TV, sports, using drugs and eating food constantly .. but are we taking time to reflect how we are using our minds, what are we meditating on in our subconscious, what are the uncontrollable consequences that our unconscious minds are dishing out to us?

Many have made procuring "Mammon", wealth and power, their aim in life and the ends justifies by the means. They concern themselves with us four and no more in terms of sharing and serving their community. Us four could also be a small circle and clique of friends of similar elite status and club membership. We can see by the type of leadership we have and its fruits what type of mentality our leaders have .. look at their associations and follow the money. Look at the size of prosperity in their small community and the outlying poverty. The world sees it all. We only see what we want to see, drive the scenic route, take the expressway from cities past the poor neighborhoods to our suburbs of affluence. Again, we are only as strong as our weakest link, but we don't realize collectively we are tied together at the hip.

Sen. Obama has discerned by dealing with his own isses these deeper levels of being (as evidenced in his autobiographical works) and he is asking us to understand that we must discern our leaders more carefully. We are voting for a mentality in our future president that will influence all of us collectively profoundly for years. The CHANGE in Washington DC has to be elected officials with a different MINDSET. That is more powerful than I can clarify in this post but it is force of character and a mindset that has gotten Sen. Obama where he is today. We are all part of that force and mindset because it resonates with all of us who support his candidacy.. so collectively we can begin to make a new paradigm and unconsciously elevate our nation.

The campaign of Senator Obama has inspired us to trust, believe and allow our higher angels, better nature, to believe, hope and change the direction of this nation. Collectively we can in our respective spheres of influence and activity as business leaders, teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, auto workers, construction workers, homemakers, cashiers, truck drivers, entertainers, chefs, dentists and journalists, all in our respective houses of worship.. everyone is needed and necessary... but we all got to do a little individual mental and heart house-cleaning so that we direct our energies in the right direction. Without that process, we may only create an "Animal Farm" as Orwell fabled whereby we have elected or re-elected another four years worse than the previous, by electing persons even more controlling and conniving and misusing the powers of their mind for grandiose schemes that only benefit some at the oppression and exploitation of others, although they call themselves reformers. it is only a matter of time before unconsciously the schemes sown the past eight years begin to undo themselves and unravel right before our eyes in colossal failure. (i.e., Enron, Bears & Stearns, Fannie Mae, etc., etc.) That is true for each of us in our individual lives as well, so it behooves us all to work our salvation with fear and trembling.

By allowing our Creator to cleanse the unconscious parts of ourselves, however we do that in our respective faiths by personal reflection and meditation, we can all grow up and become better people from the lessons learned from our mistakes. As Christians, we learn from Jesus how to live on a superconscious level through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we can love our enemies, forgive those who have hurt and trespassed against us, we can learn even to forgive and love ourselves in a healthy way. God can then make us be at peace with our enemies, mostly family members who have disappointed us the most. We are to bless those who despitefully use us. As a taxpayer and American, for the past eight years I have turned the other cheek and done so. I love my country and I pray for my leaders and put them in God's hands knowing that "vengeance is the Lord's, He shall repay." In other words, the unconscious will take over and "all the king's army and all the king's men, won't be able to put Humpty Dumpty together again." I only need to be patient and not fret about evildoers, but persevere and not faint in doing good.

I have worked faithfully for the same flat-lined pay even though I have asked for raises, I continued when no raise was forthcoming to work an honest day's work as a substitute teacher with no health insurance exposed to all kinds of germs. Can we all simultaneously affirm better pay? That subconscious desire of working Americans would create inflation and give Ben Bernanke a major headache is the general belief. However, it is okay to believe and accept the idea that CEOs should be compensated 500 times the average American worker when in Japan 50 times is tops and in Europe 25 times is the average, not to mention what we pay athletes and entertainers who admit they don't want their taxes raised on their salaries which are fortunes. Why do we believe this obscene extremity of haves and have-not capitalism is the only way to keep inflation down and hire good talent to run our companies and play sports or sing? "Foolish Galations, who has bewitched you?" The Bible

Since God has poured His spirit on all flesh at times throughout history, all faiths have ways and means to draw closer to God and learn the lessons of the unconscious. I share Christ because I know that path and I know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. I needed a Savior because my heart's imaginations I have found to be at times deceitful and subtly wicked and selfish. I definitely would have lost my mind a long time ago. and would not have become a productive member of society or a successful parent if I didn't examine myself constantly. I have been prone to wander and I certainly do not want to seem self-righteous, only aware, self-conscious. You learn from your mistakes, you learn from the mistakes of others, and you can avoid a lot of mess by trusting the wisdom of the ages taught in the Bible in Proverbs for starters. Some may argue I have lost my mind to believe in Christ, but that's just fine with me.

Having said all that. I don't think the economic downturn is my imagination or something that folks can say positive affirmations by doing the same things to get out of, although we will need a positive attitude to turn things around by doing things differently. We as a nation need to do so some soul searching, taking responsibility for our hurtful actions to our family, society, community, business partners and customers, harmful influences in what we dish out to millions as entertainment and definitely in the realm of using force pre-emptively to start wars. Mother Nature is buffeting us to remind us of who is ultimately in charge and we need to wake up and smell the coffee. We may have to relocate cities, replan transportation systems, go solar and build cities differently as we adjust to our changing environmental realities and we will have to shed selfishness, racism, and self-indulgent attitudes for starters. Both Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain are asking us to think in terms of giving service to our community, over and above our job,... that call is coming unconsciously from both of them because for us to collectively survive... that is what we will have to do.

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The Return of the Reverend Wright's Comet

By Dr. B, - Jun 14th, 2008 at 8:31 pm EDT

A. Person vs. Persona

I find it useful to distinguish between Reverend Jeremiah Wright, the person, and the public persona that suddenly flared across our national consciousness like a scary comet a few months back. The comet was a fiery interaction of the Reverend's person, the media, and the opportunistic exploitations of the Reverend's person and the media by Senator Obama's critics. Indeed, I found it difficult to perceive the person beneath the glare of the persona. No matter. Only the members of the Reverend's church, his family, and his closest friends have to deal with his person; those of us who are committed to the Senator's election must focus our energies on anticipating the next appearance of the Reverend's persona and on devising ways to minimize the damage it does to the Senator's candidacy.

When he was in Washington, the Reverend asserted that he had a contract for a book. Assuming that his publisher will try to maximize its sales, we should expect its arrival in the bookstores at least a month before the election in November, with its most sensational chapters appearing as magazine excerpts a couple of weeks before the Democratic Party's convention in August.

B. Fundamental Questions

As I see it, Reverend Wright's persona poses two show-stopping questions with regards to Senator Obama's candidacy:

1) Why did the Senator remain in a church headed by such a flamboyant pastor?
2) Why did the Senator join that church in the first place?

The first question raises short-term, tactical concerns; the second involves deep-rooted, existential considerations. Indeed, I have been brooding over the second question for the last couple of years, ever since I read, then re-read, then re-re-read the chapter on religion in the Senator's superbly crafted collection of essays, "The Audacity of Hope."

When Senator Clinton declared that she would not have remained in a church headed by a pastor who made such offensive statements, I found myself chuckling at the irony. It is a fundamental tenet of our society's conventional wisdom that women are more concerned with relationships than men, that men are more likely to become involved in shallow functional associations, associations that are readily severed when they no longer serve their participants' current interests. Yet here was the female candidate firmly asserting that she would have "walked out" ... and there was her otherwise super-articulate male opponent fumbling to explain why he was "still involved". At that point I realized that Senator Obama could not give a satisfactory answer to the first question until he addressed the second. Why did he join that particular church in the first place?

In my opinion, neither question has been invalidated by the Senator's prior renounciation of Reverend Wright's statements nor by the Senator's recent resignation from the Reverend's Church. So when the Reverend's comet comes blazing back in August and/or September, these questions will surely follow in its tail.

C. The Senator's Conversion

I was perplexed, even vexed by the Senator's discussion of his faith in Chapter 6 of his book because his basic framework was so different from my own. Whereas I had left the globalized Catholic Church as a young man in a quest for Truth, the Senator had joined a localized Black church as a young man in a quest for Community. But why did he join that particular church in Chicago?

The tumultous reactions to Reverend Wright's flamboyant speeches at the NAACP and at the Washington Press Club in April 2008 provide the answer. Even his loudest and harshest critics conceded that Reverend Wright has been an effective pastor whose leadership has enabled his church to render substantial services to its members, especially to its poor, to its sick, and to its elderly and disabled. The Senator was evidently attracted to the Reverend and to the Reverend's church because of these services, because of these good works. In other words, the Senator's conversion is really not so surprising after all. It is just a particular, albeit highly prominent instance of the historic truth that Christians have always made more converts by their good works, i.e., by acting like Christ, than by the persuasive logic of their theologies.

D. Reverend Wright's Inconvenient Truths

The Reverend Jeremiah Wright did not work so hard for all those decades in order to become "Pastor to a President."

To be continued ...

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Interesting comments from my friend Jeff in Florida

By KC - Jun 1st, 2008 at 2:54 pm EDT

Also listed in: 6 groups

I thought this was worth posting...

You wouldn't believe the thread I had with some absolute idiot. I got copied on an email that was a long bullet list of why Obama is so bad. Whenever I get one, I write a very factual rebuttal (totally non-partisan, just factual) and send it to everyone on the list who got the original. One guy just ranted back about how he doesn't want to hear me talk about my candidate and sent a paragraph about the Obama in African garb thing so I clipped an article from a conservative 'news' site that stated the Republican party retracted the statement and McCain apologized to Obama for it. Anyway, cutting to the chase, we ended up emailing back-and-forth some. I stuck to being non-partisan and never claimed to support anyone and by the end of the conversation, the guy felt strongly that I was supporting McCain.

I'm completely amazed at some peoples blindness. I stuck to facts and he loves me now. I'm seriously afraid that I'm going to be on his rant list now.

Here's a bit more for you (since you like to read!) I met Charlie Crist, our (R) Governor right before he started his run for Attorney General. He was Sec. of Education (or something close to that). It was a drinking, fairly casual area and we talked about how, if he was electet as Atty General, he wouldn't forget kids as the priority. I knew the people supporting him so I knew he was on a political fast track. He did one term as Atty General, now in his first term as Governor and is reported to be a short list recommendation as VP for McCain. The biggest thing he's screwed up here in FL is education. We're closing schools, dropping breakfast (Crystal takes 2 neighbor kids to school that save their jelly from breakfast to have it to eat on weekends - no shit - that poor - we raised money for a Christmas dinner for them, and they ended up getting their power cut off and had to cook it at our house!) So Crist just stuck a knife in the back of the the people in education that were at the foundation of his career, not to mention the children which just pisses me off to no end.

On AC 360 last night there was a report about how Obama got elected to the Senate in Ill. It sounds like he can play real hardball but only because he has too. I think he's going to put some real pain to the Republican party once Hillary gets her butt parked. I just hope it's good enough to clear out the House and Senate to get over 60 percent. Some senior Republicans are already starting to make positive Obama statements so I think words out that he's going for a bi-partisan cabinet. After hearing McClellan, I think he would make a great Press Secretary again (I always did like him personally - even though I would rather look at the current one - I really don't care what she says, I just like to hit pause when she's on the TV!) - sorry, back on track... Another appointment that would shock the country would be adding Jeb Bush to the cabinet. The guy was a good Governor and made hurricane prepardness and recovery a routine. He (like his dad) will probably hate GW for the rest of their lives for ruining their reputations/careers. If Obama put Jeb in charge of FEMA, New Orleans would get fixed up, we would likely get a REAL national disaster plan, and the Bush family could prove that they're not all dumb-asses (ya, I do like the other two - I thought Bush 41 blew it when he walked out of Iraq back then, but now you see how smart he was.) Best of all, GW's brother would go in a fix his f@%#ups and make GW look even more like a fool. Done right, I think it could put Obama through the roof in the general election. (And if announced earler, it would take all the wind out of Hillary in Florida.)

OK, I'm ranting but I never get to speak up around here. Sometimes I feel like I'm black in the 50's. I just have to keep my mouth shut to keep from getting shot just for opening it around here.

Jeff

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What Happened?

By Genola from Birmingham, AL - Apr 29th, 2008 at 9:04 pm EDT

Also listed in: Alabama is Ready for Obama

America, do we have it right? Did we actually listen and understand many black churches? Did the media guide this ship? Why don't we ask the same questions of the other candidates? What if Jesus were here?

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MY TRIP TO TRINITY

By Together We Stand for Change! formerly K. Bell - Apr 1st, 2008 at 2:36 pm EDT

Also listed in: 7 groups

**PHOTO ON MY PROFILE**

Well, last Sunday me and about 30 other Americans joined together to seek the truth about Obama's church. We decided that we would not be lead by a biased media and see for ourselves what Trinity United was like, and I must tell you that I was very surprised.

We met at my home in Milwaukee from 8 a.m to 9:45 a.m. to leave promptly at 9. Mary Beth arrived first. An older white women, about 50 with gray hair and a cheerful smile she walked in the door proudly wearing a "got hope?" pin in blue and white that highly contrasted her dark sweater and beige and brown shawl. She gave my husband and I a big hug and hello and told her story.

"I am so excited you guys put this event together! she exclaimed. I have been wanting to visit the church but was afraid to do it on my own, this is going to be so exciting. In the beginning I was an Edwards backer, but when he dropped out, I switched to Obama. And now, you couldn't get me to vote for anyone else! she went on. Hillary has gotten so negative that whenever I hear her I just have to turn the channel! Obama has us joining together and he just makes sense!"

Soon after we were joined by about 20 others with their own similar stories and we were set to begin our journey. On the way down we stopped to pick up Glenda who parked in a carpool off the highway. She jumped in the car with a huge "YES WE CAN" and we all chanted with her as we rolled on toward the church.

Judith, who drove in from Minnesota to join us arrived at the church with Valerie and her husband (catholics who had never really felt comfortable in any other type of church) early. They let the church know that we were coming and they sectioned off three rows for us to sit. Upon exiting the highway and approaching the church the first thing I noticed was the abundance of traffic. The parking lot was full and cars were aligned for a least a 1/2 mile in all directions around the church. My husband decided to let us off at the front door and he parked the car. We walked up to the door and a gentlemen opened it for us while saying welcome and "God Bless You."

The contrast between what the media portrayed and what we saw and felt was so stark that it almost seemed as if the people reporting the news were mad. The insanity of the media's perpetuation of the church hit us solidly in our spirits and we walked through people rushing to find seats in an already filled to capacity sanctuary. Even in their rush no one was to busy to lend a smile or a "God Bless You" as they passed us by. Excuse me, a young black gentlemen said, are you the group of 30, "Yes, I said relieved that I didn't have to choose a random person to ask where should we go, "we have saved seats for you!" he said smiling. Just then, Judith came out of the church.

After our group found parking everyone joined us in our reserved seats. Service started with singing. They sang a song of praise in the typical gospel fashion that moved everyone to their feet. The energy was undeniable and our entire group, with or without rhythm were standing a clapping along. Then, they started the Lord's prayer. We watched as the entire church; young and old, blacks and whites started moving across the aisle to join hands with their neighbors across the aisle to say the prayer together. We joined in. This Sunday happened to be a "youth service" so we were lead by a child not older than 7 years old who recited the words with the confidence and clairty of an adult. I cried. Next a performance from the choir and modern dancers. Next, another group of very younger performers who sang "Africa is my friend, it's where I got my hair" in voices of 4-6 year olds who were exclaiming pride for their looks and heritage. It was beautiful.

It surprised me when Rev. Ross announced our group and we all stood up to a round of applause! There was also a church from Wisconsin there as well as a student group all the way from Germany!

Mary Beth was so moved and so excited she started hugging her neighbors while we all giggled. It was a joyous service, filled with hope and love and pride for oneself. At the end of service we wanted to take a picture in front of the sign, a young man stopped and joyously took pictures of us using 4 cameras without a single complaint. The people of Trinity are wonderful and I've seen it first hand.

-Kenya Bell

COMMENTS FROM OTHERS IN THE GROUP

JUDITH PENA'S EXPERIENCE

I am lifted!! He has moved me just like many other American's! There is no other person for this Country!

It was Saturday, March 29th, about 12 noon. I was sitting at my computer reading through the blogs on Barack Obama's website when I came across a blog that an event was being put together in Chicago. I read on and it was a bunch of people getting together to drive to Obama's church, Trinity United Christian Church in Chicago. At that moment I felt something, from my toes to the top of my head. I live in Faribault, Minnesota, it would be a 7hour drive. 5 hours later, this Saturday afternoon, I found myself on the road to Chicago. I checked into my hotel at 1 am. I got a wake up call at 7 to get ready for another couple that drove were so kind to meet me at the hotel so I could follow them to the church for the 11 O'clock service. I was trembling all the way with pure excitement!!! I thought to myself, I am going to Barack Obama's church! I am going to walk where he has walked, seen what he has seen, and possibly sit where he has sat. I couldn't believe my own self what I was doing and where I was. I walked in the church only to be greeted with the warmest people I have ever met, hugs, handshakes, smiles, warm welcomes all over the place! I didn't want to leave!! So, we all sat in a specific area that they had reserved for us, there must have been 30 of us. It was the best church service I have ever been too, seriously, I was clapping, singing, moving my body, laughing, smiling, and felt the presence of the Lord all throughout my body and soul. I can see why Barack would NEVER leave this church!!!!

The service ended and we all were wished the best as we walked outside to get a group picture. I still can't believe I was there. I am going to go again, soon! Maybe one day when I go Barack Obama will be there and I can touch him for real instead of just being with his spirit. Barack Obama has moved me so much, not only physically to do the 7 hour drive to attend his church, but in other ways too. I want to know more about the world, I want to meet more people, I want to unite with every color, size, and personality there is in this world. Again, Barack Obama is moving me everyday and because of him, he has given me hope and I can see and feel it in many others.

I cannot see any other person to lead this world then Barack Obama. I totally believe in him and his standards. He will unite the American people and there will be changes happening all over the USA. There is more then hope to this man, there is guarantee's, there is truth, there is a reason he came into this election race.......I truly believe it is an act of God.

Thank you to Mr.& Mrs. Charles and Kenya Bell for creating this event and thank you God for allowing for my safe drive there and back home. I look forward to many more!! I love you guys!!!!

Be Blessed

Miss Judith Pena

"YES WE CAN"
Obama 08

VALERIE'S EXPERIENCE

Well, yesterday was a very special day for me. My husband and I were part of the group that visited Trinity United Church of Christ. The two greeters at the church really made us feel welcomed. Although I am from the Chicago area, most of the group was from the state of Wisconsin. I was really looking forward to this trip for three reasons. First, I am a junkie for all things Barack Obama. I don't post comments often on the blog but I read the blog everyday. His blog gives me a sense of camaraderie with people that I've never met. Second,I was very much looking forward to meeting other people that are so enthusiastically involved with Barack Obama's campaign; and last but not least, I couldn't wait for people to see our diverse group sitting in the pews at Trinity. Visiting Trinity was a very interesting and enjoyable experience for me. I'm African American and I grew up in the Catholic Church. As such, I attended Catholic grammar schools and an all girls Catholic high school. I have visited churches of other denominations but there has always been a small part of me that felt uncomfortable in a church where there is a lot of lively singing and praising. For those of you that don't know much about the Catholic church, the typical service last for only an hour or so. The structure of the service is so rigid (ie reading the same readings every year from the Missalette, kneeling and standing when required). But going to Trinity was so different. Even though I had just met the group going to Trinity yesterday, I felt like we were a family. I felt so comfortable being there and singing praises with them. After the service, we all posed for pictures together in front of the church. We were all so happy to be there. I think that our group embodied exactly what Senator Obama envisions for America. People from different ethnic groups and backgrounds coming together and learning from one another. It was a pleasure meeting everyone yesterday and I would especially like to thank Kenya Bell for being gracious in putting this event together. I hope we can all get together again soon. Sincerely,

Valerie

MARY BETH'S EXPERIENCE

This past Sunday I attended Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago with a diverse group of folks. I encourage you to attend a service at this church. Take a bulletin home and read about all the community support available at this church. As a result of the media the congregation are receiving hate mail and death threats. It is a sad state of affairs when the media is biased and doesn't tell the complete story. As a white woman, 60 years old, I enjoyed the spirit of Trinity. I heard absolutely nothing offensive. Although if I had walked in and walked out a few minutes later I could have misinterpreted the message. Not hearing the entire message. I took a bulletin home and have read and re read its contents. Maybe if you do this you will understand of what Rev White speaks. Please avail yourselves of finding the truth about his special church. Thinking people will never agree 100% with what a pastor preaches or the particular doctrine of any particular denomination. However, repeatedly showing Rev White in small snippets only encourages people to judge a book by its cover. Thanks to Charlie and Kenya to have the insight to sponsor an event like this. Warm hello to all the great people I met.

-Mary Beth

GLENDA'S EXPERIENCE

I cannot think of another place that I would rather have been last Sunday than at Trinity United Church in Chicago with the wonderful group of people assembled by Kenya and Charlie Bell. After a 90-minute drive, Charlie dropped us at the church entrance while he went to park the car. As we entered the church lobby we were met with smiles and warm welcomes from everyone we encountered. A couple of women recognized that I was new (perhaps because I am a senior, white woman) and went out of their way to welcome me graciously. The service was incredible, so spirited and moving. The moment we entered the sanctuary to take our seats, the word that kept repeating in my mind was "Joyous, joyous". A spirit of joy and love surrounded us. The service lasted at least two hours but I never became restless - I wish it might have lasted a bit longer so the wonderful feeling of fellowship wouldn't end. There were no words of anger or hate spoken, only joyous hallelujahs and singing praise to God. This was my first visit to Trinity, but it won't be my last. I encourage any of you within a reasonable distance, attend Trinity Church and experience it for yourself. You will be glad you did.

Glenda Alexander

Proud to be part of this group and even prouder to be a Barack Obama supporter

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have you been BRAINWASHED???

By Madama Ambi - Mar 21st, 2008 at 8:31 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

So there I am at Radio Shack buying an audio dubbing cable for these telephone interviews I'm doing with Obama supporters, and the guy helping me wants to know why I'm recording phone conversations with lots and lots of people. I tell him I'm interviewing people about why they think Barack Obama should be President, and the next thing I know I'm having a real political discussion with the two guys who work there. They're definitely NOT gonna vote for McCain because they've had enough of Bush and McCain is more of the same.

They're not crazy about Billary and they have to admit that every time they see Obama they are knocked off their socks...BUT...they think Obama supporters have been BRAINWASHED.

So, I said, "Hey Dudes...I went to college and I went to grad school and I've got a head of gray hair! Me, brainwashed? Get serious."

Well, one of the guys kinda hangs his head in acknowledgement that I might not be an idiot, and then he says that Hitler was the most brilliant speaker of all time...

OK...I know the difference between an orator like Hitler and a speaker like Obama, and he does, too. He does not want to vote with his heart. He is afraid of voting his heart. The other guy will probably vote Obama because his wife is on his case.

Obviously, I don't seriously think Obama supporters have been brainwashed...and I've been thinking about what I'll say the next time this dichotomy comes up in conversation, because I'm pretty sure it will. Some people really resonate with Obama's personality, his platform, his vision, his speeches, and others are actually afraid of a man who is such a powerful motivator of people. They told me that they read on the internet just today that someone is calling Obama the "anti-christ."

I think this is something to pay attention to and to learn from...what is powerful and moving to one person can be threatening to another, even people who are in agreement with you on many core issues.

It's the old HEAD VS. HEART...if you've got alot of heart, you must not have alot of head...

So I'm asking all of you if you have seen what I've seen: fear of being motivated by feelings, the very feelings that Obama is stirring up in people like you and me.

yours, MadamaAmbi, Artists & Writers for Zeitgeist Obama

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King is knave

By George W. Heath, R.N. - Mar 9th, 2008 at 1:00 am EST

If I was Stephen King, I would change my name just to distance myself from Congressperson Steve King. Iowa must dislike Steve King so much they were willing to vote him into the House of Representative to get him out of state. His Obama comments that Hussein means he is a radical Moslem must be a result of drugs or serious mental derangment. This is going so bad campaign post convention. The swift boat nuts are going to be out with steriods! And the worst is that Christian Evangelical pastors with white congregations and many with mixed congregations are going to be silent in sins of omission not condemning this outrage against a Christian man. Of course, it is a black man.

George W. Heath, R.N.

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Does U.S. Tolerate Anti-Muslim Speech?

By funkfresh01 - Dec 4th, 2007 at 9:12 pm EST

Author: Omar Sacirbey

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1204/p02s02-usgn.html?page=1

Lu Gronseth listens regularly to WWTC, a conservative talk-radio station in Minneapolis, and even advertises his mortgage-loan business on the station. But when he learned that a nationally syndicated radio show host had told WWTC listeners that Muslims should be deported and made rude comments about what they could do with their religion, Mr. Gronseth pulled his ads from the station.

So have at least two other Minnesota businesses, at the urging of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, D.C., as have a handful of national companies, including OfficeMax, JCPenney, Wal-Mart, and AT&T. But the comments by host Michael Savage in October – and previous anti-Muslim speech – have not created the furor that knocked radio icon Don Imus off of MSNBC and CBS Radio after he denigrated a black women's basketball team. That leaves many Muslims-Americans – and non-Muslims like Mr. Gronseth – suspicious that Americans have a double standard when it comes to Islam.

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