You are currently browsing the THE KASTLER COMMENTARY weblog archives for November, 2007.
- Abortion (6)
- Atheism (4)
- Book Reviews (3)
- Christian Living (2)
- Creationism (1)
- Current Events (2)
- Eternal Issues (10)
- False Religions (1)
- Homosexuality (4)
- Movie Reviews (2)
- Political Issues (18)
- Politicians (16)
- Theology (7)
- Uncategorized (1)
- January 2, 2009: Movie Review: John Adams
- November 5, 2008: The Election of Obama & Thoughts on Racism in America
- October 29, 2008: Like Sheep To The Slaughter............... They Go After Obama
- October 8, 2008: Thomas Sowell's Excellent (And Easy To Read) Book On Understanding The Economy
- September 10, 2008: The Audacity of HELL: Palin's Church & Biblical Christianity
- September 5, 2008: Praying For Sarah Palin: Has She Come to the Kingdom For “Such a Time As This?”
- August 23, 2008: A Flashback Blog on Joe Biden
- August 14, 2008: Obama's Support For The Murder of Newborn Children
- August 8, 2008: When The Devil Got Saved: The Christian Conversion of Nathan Bedford Forrest
- July 18, 2008: God Can Change Anyone
Archive for November 2007
The Conservative (& Hilarious) Mike Huckabee
November 29, 2007 by Shane Kastler.
Mike Huckabee is the type of candidate that makes campaigns and debates worth watching. Regardless of whether or not you’re planning to vote for him (and I think Republicans should seriously consider it)—you just have to like the guy. Debates would be endless snore-fests were it not for candidates like Huckabee. In last night’s debate, Huckabee was asked whether or not we should give more money to space exploration, and pledge to send a person to Mars. Huckabee praised the space program for all of the technological advances it’s led to, then suggested that IF we do decide to send someone to Mars, he would nominate Hillary Clinton. That’s funny stuff in my opinion. (Click here to see the clip.)Recently, Huckabee told the story of a woman who was “concerned” that a Baptist minister would be in politics. She sneered to Huckabee: “I hope you’re not one of those narrow-minded Baptists that think only Baptists are going to Heaven.” Huckabee’s reply was stellar: “Ma’am, I’m probably even more narrow-minded than you think. Because I don’t even think all of the Baptists are going to go to Heaven.” Now, that’s a pretty darn good answer for a politician. Most candidates are skirting around issues trying to please everyone and offend no one; and Huckabee is probably doing his share of it too…..but honesty, even when its cloaked in comedy….is refreshing.
But what about Huckabee’s political experience? He served 11 years as the Governor of Arkansas, following the intensely corrupt administrations of Bill Clinton and Jim Guy Tucker. Say what you will about experience, but Governing a state provides an excellent training ground for governing a nation. Huck doesn’t have the big name appeal….nor the deep pocketed supporters. But his popularity is growing daily, and this one time “2nd tier candidate” is currently LEADING the polls in Iowa, where he is in a statistical dead heat with Mitt Romney.
Is Huckabee conservative enough? On the issues that are MOST important to me the answer is an overwhelming yes. On abortion, rather than take the spineless, “its up to the individual states” mantra that most of the conservatives are blah-blahing; Huckabee believes Roe vs. Wade was a travesty of justice and needs to be overturned on the Federal level. (Since when do we let states decide if its OK to murder other humans in their state?) Huckabee calls abortion a “legalized holocaust”—and he’s exactly right. Ditto with the gay marriage issue. He supports a constitutional amendment to protect marriage as between a man and woman only. Gun control? He’s a lifelong hunter, who ACTUALLY HUNTS…rather than occasionally picking up a rifle for a photo-op. Capital punishment? He considers it the most serious issue he ever had to face as a Governor, and believes that some crimes are indeed worthy of death. Hard call? Yes, but it takes guts for a Governor to allow a convicted murdered to be executed in his state, and Hucakbee has guts. (Though not as much as he used to since he lost 150 pounds.) His explanation in last nights debate about how he could support capital punishment AND be pro-life was excellent. (Click here to watch clip.) He knows what he believes and he’s able to articulate it better than most.
But I think one of the things I like most about Mike Huckabee is that he just “gets it.” He comes across as a regular guy, who is a genuine born-again Christian, who likes to crack jokes and have fun with people. Yet, he’s also savvy enough to know when someone is trying to trap him in a political corner. One questioner last night asked the candidates if they believed that every word of the Bible was true. Giuliani stumbled through an answer of how he believes the Bible, but thinks much of it is allegorical. Mitt Romney gave his patented Mormon answer “I believe the Bible is the Word of God and I try to live by it.” When moderator Anderson Cooper pressed him that the question was whether or not he believed every word was true, Romney looked like a deer caught in headlights….and repeated his earlier mantra word for word. “I believe the Bible is the Word of God and I try to live by it.” It was really a fascinating example of his Mormon mask being pulled of publicly in a debate. He gave the textbook answer, but it wasn’t good enough…..and he had NO CLUE what to say. Then, Huckabee was asked to respond…and he once again stole the show. He said he absolutely believed the Bible was the Word of God. That it was God’s revelation to man, and that every word of it was true. BUT, Huckabee pointed out that the questioner was probably trying to trap the candidates into saying they believed every word, then point out that some passages are hard to understand. He concluded his comments by saying that he was a finite man trying to understand an infinitely inspired book, and any person who ever says they have God completely figured out is worshipping a god that is TOO SMALL. (Amen, Mike.) (Click here to watch clip.)
So does Huck really have a chance at winning? Yes, but I would say that it would take a bona fide miracle of God to see it happen. But who knows, maybe God will give our sinful nation an undeserved miracle, rather than the judgment that could be coming by way of the Democratic party. Here’s my prediction. I’m not saying I WANT this to happen…..but here’s my prediction, nonetheless. When its all said and done, Giuliani wins the nomination and picks Huckabee as his running mate. All of the Christians who fear Giuliani’s liberal stance will support him if they think Huckabee is the number 2 guy. Giuliani and Huckabee are currently refusing to criticize each other….choosing rather to team up on Romney. I can’t help put think they’re “people” are making deals behind closed doors.
Regardless of who wins: Giuliani, Romney, Huckabee, McCain, Larry, Moe, Curley, etc…..THEY’RE ALL better than the liberal, secular, icy alternative. President Hillary? President Barrack? President John Edwards? Those are terrifying scenarios, that we must pray and work against. When all the elections and campaigns are over, God is still on his throne, and he will either bless us or judge us in the next election. Huck would be a blessing. Hillary would be a cursing. I’ll end this one by quoting the hilarious Mike Huckabee talking about the prospects of a President Hillary: “I like to joke…but having Hillary Clinton as President is no laughing matter.” Yes indeed, Governor Huckabee. Yes indeed. —-For more on Mike Huckabee, check out his website: www.mikehuckabee.com
Posted in Politicians | Print | 2 Comments »
Overcoming Temptation
November 28, 2007 by Shane Kastler.
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB)
Every Christian is tempted to sin. But no Christian is forced to give in to it. In fact, God promises to give us a “way of escape” when the temptation hits. The problem is that all too often we choose the “passing pleasure of sin” (Hebrews 11:25) rather than the disciplined endurance of holiness.
Whatever temptation you might be facing, it is encouraging to know that you are not alone. You might think that no one has ever experienced temptation to sin like you have, but you would be wrong. All people are born with sin natures, and therefore are tempted in numerous ways. Others have been tempted just as bad as you have been…and they have overcome….and they have fallen.
Christians have the ability to refrain from sin because of God’s gracious work in their life. If Jesus Christ is Lord of your life, then there was some point at which the Holy Spirit of God convicted you of your sin and you were spiritually “born again.” (John 3:3) Because of this, that same Holy Spirit lives within you; guiding, strengthening, and providing the “way of escape” when temptation comes. The question is, will you choose the escape, or will you choose the sin?
If Jesus Christ is not Lord of your life, then sin is your master. (Romans 6:17) You might not like hearing that, but it’s true all the same. In your case, liberation is needed before temptation can be overcome. As a helpless sinner, you must throw yourself upon the mercy of Christ. Cry out to Jesus in repentance and faith. Ask Him to save you and be Lord of your life. He promises forgiveness. He promises a clean slate. He promises eternal life. And He promises the ability to have victory over sin. Jesus offers this to you. The question is: what will you choose to do?
Posted in Christian Living | Print | 1 Comment »
Our Sin & God’s Forgiveness
November 18, 2007 by Shane Kastler.
Are you perfect? I can answer that question for you, even if I don’t know you. The Bible teaches that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) If you believe yourself to be above sin’s reach, then you’re living in a dream world according to the Apostle John. “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) The sad reality is that all people are affected by the dreaded sin curse that afflicts mankind. The question is not whether or not you are a sinner. The question is: what will you do about your sin?
Ultimately, there are only two options. You will either continue on in your sin, and eternally perish. Or you will turn from your sin in repentance, place your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and be saved. This is the glorious promise of 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
If we will confess. If we will turn. If we will repent. God promises not only to forgive us…but to cleanse us. In other words He promises to remove the guilt…and also scrub the filthy heart clean. In fact, He promises to indwell us by His Holy Spirit. The sin that once enticed us now becomes disgusting to us. And though the spiritual battle rages on, and we continue to stumble and sin…..our lives and our nature have been forever changed.
Have you experienced that change yet? Jesus called it being “born again by the Spirit” (John 3:3) Perhaps you think that you’ll make it to Heaven by your good deeds. But you’re wrong. Dead wrong. Eternally wrong. All sinners must throw themselves upon the mercy of the Lord, give their life to Jesus Christ, and accept God’s forgiveness. On the cross, Jesus paid the eternal price for sinners who would trust in Him, and it was there that the debt for sin was paid.
Trust in Christ today. Follow Christ today. Live for Christ today. Accept the eternal forgiveness that only He can give. Be spiritually cleansed. Be graciously forgiven. And be eternally saved.
Posted in Eternal Issues | Print | 1 Comment »