Now on DVD is HBO’s 7 part mini-series on John Adams, our nation’s 2^nd president. Adams is often considered one of the “forgotten” founding fathers because of his being overshadowed by such historical giants as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. But Adams role in our nation’s founding was massive, as this series shows.

I’ll offer a word of caution from the outset. While this series can be very educational, parents need to be aware of three scenes that may be inappropriate for younger audiences. Two scenes involve nudity, but thankfully neither of them are sexual in nature. Early in the series, a British tax collector is stripped, tarred, and feathered. Towards the end of the movie, there’s a scene in which Adams’ daughter has a mastectomy because of breast cancer. While neither scene would be considered vulgar, parents need to beware. The only other “risqué” scene involves John and his wife Abigail. After they had been separated for a couple of years with John in Europe, Abigail comes to Europe and they are reunited. And they are REALLY, REALLY happy to see each other…if you get my drift. Actually, it was nice to see Adams longing for his wife as opposed to many diplomats of the day who simply took mistresses. Nevertheless, HBO being what they are, felt the need to show an intimate scene involving the couple. There was no nudity, but there was a little more action shown than was needed in my opinion. Now for the movie itself.

I found the series to be very captivating and accurate to historical events. The series is based upon David McCullough’s award winning biography of Adams, which is a classic. McCullough has also written biographies of Harry Truman and Theodore Roosevelt; as well as an account of American Independence called 1776. All great books that I would highly recommend.

The characters bear an uncanny resemblance to the originals. Washington, Jefferson, and Adams all look exactly like their famous portraits. The historical accuracy seems to be very detailed, even down to the facet of John Adams having an almost constant dip of snuff in his mouth throughout the movie (he was a habitual dipper).

The movie seems to have accurately portrayed Adams’ strengths, while still pointing out his shortcomings. He was known as an intensely honest man who was willing to stand for what he believed to be right regardless of consequences. This can be seen in his serving as the defense lawyer for the British soldiers accused in the 1770 Boston Massacre.

In the beginning, Adams was somewhat of a reluctant patriot, not nearly as zealous as his cousin Samuel. But though he wants to give Britain the benefit of the doubt, he eventually sees that their tyranny has gone too far, and he joins the cause.

Adams had some downfalls which are depicted as well. He could be extremely obstinate and overbearing at times. He worried excessively about his standing in history, and at times was a little too proud of his intellectual prowess. His wife Abigail serves as a stabilizing force in the movie, frequently bringing him back to earth. Abigail is depicted in many ways as a heroine, which is both right and wrong. She was a very impressive person in her own right, but I have read in other sources that her ambitious and controlling nature was at times more than her husband and children could bear.

While the Adams’ clearly loved and wanted the best for their children, they were at times too obsessed with John’s career and less focused on the parent/child relationship. But in their defense, this was common practice in early America. The paradox of this form of child raising can be seen in two of their sons. Their oldest, John Quincy went on to be the sixth president of the United States. Their next oldest, Charles grew up to be an embittered alcoholic who drank himself into an early grave.

The movie depicts Adams early life, days as a lawyer, foreign diplomat, Ambassador to Britain, Vice President, President, and elder statesman. One of the most fascinating aspects of his life was his relationship with Thomas Jefferson. They grew to be very close friends while both were serving in Europe. Then began to drift apart in George Washington’s cabinet where Jefferson was Secretary of State and Adams was Vice President. When Jefferson defeated Adams for the Presidency in 1800, they severed all ties. Many years later, as old men, they began corresponding by letter, in what still remains one of the most illuminating sources of historical data known to America.

The movie ends with one of those moments so bizarre that Hollywood couldn’t even conceive it. On July 4, 1826, the 50^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams dies. His famous last words were: “Thomas Jefferson survives.” But unbeknownst to him, Jefferson had died just a few hours earlier. Both of these patriots…the last two remaining from the Revolution…died on the 50^th anniversary of July 4, 1776.

Overall, I would highly recommend this series, if one keeps in mind the warnings I gave at the outset. It’s well written and well produced. Though it’s over seven hours long, there are not really any mundane or boring sections of the film. Some of the camera angles give you the feeling of peeking into the room while history is taking place. While some may find this mildly annoying, I thought it gave an authentic touch to the scenes. The musical score by Rob Lane was well done and enhanced the overall appeal of the movie. You’ll definitely come away more educated, and entertained in the process. And after all, “entertaining education” is the best kind of education there is.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

God-haters all over America have taken this seemingly clear statement on religious freedom to ban everything from prayer in schools, Scripture reading, Ten Commandments monuments, assault on the Pledge of Allegiance, and on and on and on.  Just last week, I received a letter in the mail from Barry Lynn, Executive Director of the Americans United for Separation of Church & State, threatening me with potential legal action if I made my political views known regarding the upcoming Presidential election.  The law is very interesting.  As a Pastor, I am in violation of American law if I endorse, or SPEAK AGAINST a political candidate at any church function.  Even if I preface the statement by saying it is my PERSONAL position and not necessarily the church’s position.  When the Pastor speaks at any church gathering, the United States government considers him to be a spokesman for the church at large.  And will prosecute the church for what the Pastor says.
    When you hear this, you might be prone to say that this sounds much more like Soviet Russia, or Nazi Germany, or Fascist Italy in the 20th century.  Yet, sadly, this unconstitutional law is vigorously enforced in 21st century America.  (So much for the part about free speech!)  
    Or, perhaps you go in the other direction and are tempted to say that pastors should be concerned with spiritual/moral issues and leave political/governmental issues alone.  Therein lies the greatest misconception on the issue of Church and State relations.  Church and State CANNOT be separated because Spiritual and moral issues CAN NEVER be separated from the political and governmental entities that pass the laws.  Though some erroneously say, “you cannot legislate morality” the fact is that ALL LAWS are an attempt to legislate morality.  We have laws against murder because our society believes murder is immoral (unless it’s a baby in the womb then we mysteriously say it’s OK).  We have laws against rape because we believe rape is immoral.  We have laws against stealing because…..(you get the point). 
    Church and State cannot be separated because morality cannot be separated from the law.  Any attempt to do so will either create churches that are secular and worthless….or laws that are immoral and dangerous.  Both of these absurdities exist in our country today, espoused by liberal organizations and the Democrat party, they have pulled America further and further down the slippery slope to immorality, and the inevitable judgment of God.  You see, GOD isn’t really intimidated by the ACLU.  Their threats don’t scare Him.  He’s not afraid of losing His tax-exempt status.  God calls nations and people to follow Him and His ways.  And when they arrogantly thumb their nose at Him, He continues to show them grace….until He decides enough is enough.  And His judgment falls on the un-Godly.
    We are currently studying the book of Jeremiah in our Wednesday night Bible Study, and the similarities between Old Testament Israel/Judah….and modern day America are shocking.  Israel thought their greatest problems were political and military.  So they made alliances with the world powers of their day Assyria and Egypt.  They turned from Yahweh, the One True God with whom they had a covenantal relationship with…and they turned to pagan nations for protection.  God offered them “fountains of living water”…but they rejected it for “broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)  When pagan kings ordered them to desecrate the Temple they willingly obliged.  When pagan nations worshipped idols, Yahweh’s people joined in.  Israel took money from the Temple treasury and gave it to pagan kings as a gift.  They thought they were appeasing the powerful….but in reality, they were mocking the ALL-POWERFUL.  God makes it very clear, through the prophet Jeremiah, that though they were offered blessings –  they chose worldliness — and they would receive Divine judgment.  The same is true of America today.
    Morality cannot be separated from Law.  Christians cannot be banned from the Political process.  And Church CANNOT be separated from State….NOR SHOULD IT BE!  When you eliminate the true Church, redeemed by Christ, from matters of State, you remove the influence of the One True God from the laws of the people.  And Divine Judgment always follows.  The First Amendment is supposed to protect, rather than silence, churches.
    This year, our Presidential election is the most dangerous we’ve seen in our lifetime.  Barack Hussein Obama has no interest in hearing what the Bible says about morality, in fact he openly mocks it.  Obama favors Hate Speech legislation that silences those who speak out on moral issues such as homosexuality.  Obama embraces homosexuality as a “civil right” and will ultimately push for gay marriage.  Obama opposed the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, and was the only Senator to actually give a speech opposing this bill which would have outlawed the murder of newborn children who survived a botched abortion.  Obama favors re-instituting the “Fairness Doctrine” which requires radio stations to have as many liberal shows as conservative.  Should the government have the right to monitor political and religious speech in a free society?  No.  But Obama doesn’t favor a free society.  He favors a far, left-leaning dictatorship where the Government is God…and He serves as King.  Don’t let the smooth speeches and pretty smile fool you.  His record speaks loud and clear…and he has surrounded himself with some very vicious people.  Yet, like sheep to the slaughter, the masses go after Obama.  Not realizing the danger of what they’re doing.
    America’s greatest problems ARE NOT Economic.  Nor are they Military.  Nor are they Educational.  Nor are they Health Care related.  America’s greatest problems are Spiritual and Moral.  America has repeatedly thumbed its nose at God and mocked Jesus Christ and the slide to judgment has picked up steam in the last several years.  A booming economy does no good, when it exists in a nation full of people who are slaves to the government…and are told to look to it for their survival.  God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, warned the nation of Judah:  “Your own wickedness will correct you, and your rebellions will rebuke you….For you forsake the LORD your God, and the fear of me is not in you…. And you will be put to shame…” (Jeremiah 2:19, 36)
    I don’t know exactly how God might choose to judge America.  But an Obama presidency could certainly bring much of it about.  I speak now, because I still can.  Obama, and others like him who may very soon be in power, will seek to silence the voice of opposition.  In the style of a dictator, all dissenters will be “tarred and feathered” and laws passed in the name of fighting “hate” will only serve to remove the true and loving voice of God and His people.  As a Pastor, I’m already banned from endorsing political candidates.  Obama will try to ban me from making other “moral” arguments as well…..but we must obey God rather than man (Acts 4:19-20).  Obama and his goons….or some future president and his goons may one day pass laws to silence, imprison, or even execute those that disagree with them.  You say it could never happen here?  That’s the same thing Germany once said, prior to Hitler.  Anything is possible…even in America.  Especially in America….where people are more concerned with their 401 K’s than they are their standing before God.  Yes, I may be one day silenced by liberal goons calling themselves the “hate crimes police”…..but if so, I plan to die happy.  I’ll be with Jesus, who died the same way…..and I’ll be in Heaven where God’s judgment won’t be necessary anymore.
    Jeremiah was aghast at what was transpiring in his nation, and as God said through the prophet:  “Be appalled O Heavens at this, and shudder….for my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and made for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:12-13) Listen up America!  Jesus is the fountain of living waters.  Obama is a broken cistern that can hold no water.  McCain falls WAY SHORT of Christ….but is MUCH BETTER than Obama.  And on Tuesday, November 4…the ball will be in your court.  Will you choose to reject the immoral policies of Obama?  Or will you embrace Obama and reject the living waters of Almighty God?  Your judgment hangs in the balance.

Since the economy is making so much news these days, I thought I would recommend a great (and easy) book on understanding how the economy works.  The book is called, Basic Economics: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy, and is written by Thomas Sowell.

As a business major in college, I was required to take several classes in Economics, Finance, Accounting, etc……but I learned a lot more about economics from Sowell’s book than I did in any college class.  In the book he explains how free markets work, how prices are affected by supply and demand, how competition controls prices, and how government intervention usually screws everything up.  When the government gets too involved in economic situations, they distort the true value of things, thus creating financial havoc.

Thomas Sowell is what you might call a "Liberal’s worst nightmare"– he’s a black conservative who frequently speaks out against Barack Obama and democratic policies.  Sowell also has a fascinating life story.  A high school dropout who joined the Marine Corps, Sowell eventually got a GED, then earned degrees from Harvard and Columbia University before earning a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago.  So he knows way more than most of us ever will about the economy, but he’s able to explain it in a way that simpletons like me can understand.  His political commentary is very insightful as well and you can read it at townhall.com.

In conclusion, if you want to understand what in the world the news guys are talking about with the economy.  Or if you want to understand why Obama’s economic philosophy will be detrimental to our nation.  Get a copy of Sowell’s book.  It’s informative, well-written, and best of all, easy to understand.

Newsweek columnist Lisa Miller wrote a critical column this week with a headline that reads: “The Senior Pastor of Palin’s Former Church Preaches Hellfire to Anyone Who Isn’t Saved By Jesus.” In typical, high-brow, snotty, liberal fashion, she looks down upon Christians and bemoans the fact that Palin is so narrow-minded that she is a pit bull for the “religious right” and for those who oppose abortion. While Palin’s conservative political views are well known, why is Miller, and other liberals so concerned that Palin’s church believes in Hell? Undoubtedly Miller is trying to scare her readers into thinking Palin is an extremist who should be shunned. Yet what Miller, and other liberals, fail to realize is that beliefs such as this one, in Hell for the unrepentant, is embraced and believed by all Biblical Christians. Millions of Americans believe in Hell, because Jesus spoke of it often. The Bible is full of warnings to those apart from Christ who will perish in their sins unless they turn to the Lord. That may sound “old fashioned” and “radical” to people like Lisa Miller; but that just sounds like Christianity to those who believe the Bible.

This is where I believe the Political Left and the Mainstream Media are shooting themselves in the foot with regards to Sarah Palin. Since they spend most of their time hob-knobbing with uppity, liberal, elitists they fail to realize that the majority of the country is much more like Palin than they are them. I recently heard a liberal pastor complaining that Palin didn’t win office in Alaska by courting the “religious right”—she ACTUALLY IS apart of the religious right. He said it as a put down, but I rejoiced to hear it. And many other Americans do as well.

When you listen to clips of Wasilla Assembly of God Pastor Ed Kalnins preaching on Hell, it sounds very similar to what I myself, and scores of other pastors preach every Sunday. Preachers who preach “hellfire” actually have the audacity to proclaim an eternal reality that Jesus Himself proclaimed, and commanded us to likewise preach. We have the audacity to believe that if you call yourself a “Christian” then you should actually believe what Christ taught. We have the audacity to believe that there is an eternal world that awaits all people after they leave this life. We have the audacity to believe Jesus’ words that “No one comes to the Father except by me.” (John 14:6) And we have the audacity to believe that those who do not come to Christ in repentance and faith will perish in eternal Hell, just like Jesus said they would. When I hear that Sarah Palin attends churches that proclaim these eternal truths, I rejoice that at last a politician has arrived on the national scene who shares my beliefs, and I know that she will pay a dear price for it in the media.

But it doesn’t end with Hell. Pastor Ed Kalnins also apparently opposes homosexuality. Can’t you just hear the liberals shrieking!!! Imagine, a Christian minister who actually thinks homosexuality is a sin, and that unrepentant sinners go to Hell!!! Who knew???? Why it must just be an Alaska thing right???? No, my dear liberals, this is what all Biblical Christians believe…..and there are many of us in America today.

Kalnins says that people have a conscience that tells them what is right and wrong. And that homosexuals know their sin is wrong because their conscience tells them so. But in an effort to ease their conscience they try to pass laws supporting their sin. That way they can ease their conscience by saying the government approves of their behavior, even thought their conscience condemns them. To which I give a hearty AMEN!  That is exactly what Romans 1 teaches.

I’m not sure of everything Kalnins believes. He is an ordained Assembly of God, and I am an ordained Baptist so we probably would differ on some lesser issues. But on foundational issues, he teaches salvation through Christ alone, the reality of Hell, and the truthfulness of sin’s devastating effects. I commend him, and any Pastor, who has the backbone to speak out about Hell and Homosexuality since both issues will get you maligned in our world today. Incidentally, Kalnins and his wife also have 7 children, which no doubt drives liberals crazy as well. (Don’t those people in Alaska know we’re supposed to be KILLING babies, not HAVING babies??!!??)

I got to be honest…when I hear of Sarah Palin’s associations with “radicals” like Ed Kalnins, I rejoice rather than recoil. When I hear Barack Obama’s Pastor of 20 years, Jeremiah Wright shrieking “God-D–N” America” and calling America the “US of KKKA.” Then I hear Kalnins preaching the truth of the gospel and the reality of Hell; the choice for our country is clear. While these two Pastors are not running for office, it says a lot about the candidates when you examine the spiritual company they keep. While Newsweek liberal Lisa Miller tries to scare people by writing of Kalnins belief in Hell, all she’s doing is galvanizing the millions of Americans who agree with him, and Palin; and she’s motivating us even more to get out and vote come November.

Sarah Palin has an extremely rough couple of months ahead of her. Her enemies are numerous and powerful and they will unleash all they have to try and destroy and discredit her. So far their attempts have backfired, and I hope they continue to. What our nations needs from it’s government leaders is a deeply rooted, God-fearing, love for Jesus Christ. Palin seems to fit the bill. Lisa Miller calls her the “pit bull for the religious right”…I simply call her a breath of fresh air. Continue to pray for her as the liberals, reporters, and snobs of America seek to ruin her….and in the process, further ruin our country. And pray for Kalnins and other Biblical preachers. The tendency will be to go soft on the gospel in order to avoid political fallout, but the Great Commission leaves no room for reticence in the pulpit. We must speak boldly, faithfully, and truthfully about all things Christian, including eternal Hell. Bravo to Kalnins for doing it. Let’s hope and pray he keeps up the good work; and that the gospel of Christ is proclaimed in the midst of this political election season.

With the recent announcement by Barack Hussein Obama unveiling Joe Biden as his running mate; I decided to re-release a blog about Biden that I originally wrote on February 7, 2007.  Biden is widely considered to be one of the most arrogant Senators in Washington, (which is a group well known for their arrogance.)  He’s also a compulsive liar….but most people overlook that in Liberals.  For a heart breaking account of the depths Joe Biden will go to destroy an opponent’s reputation, read “My Grandfather’s Son” by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.  Biden led the 1991 smear campaign against Thomas accusing him of sexual harassment in the Anita Hill controversy….after Biden promised Thomas that he wouldn’t bring the issue up.  Joe Biden has a record of lying and cheating that extends over the course of his 35 years as a Senator (so much for Obama’s plan to ‘change’ Washington).  In 1988 he had to end his presidential bid because he was caught plagiarizing someone else’s speeches.  (He was also caught doing the same thing in law reviews.)  He’s as corrupt a Washington politician, as you’ll ever find. He’s also famous for shooting his mouth off with numerous verbal gaffes (see blog below). I would suspect we can expect many over the next few months….and Obama will rue the day he linked up with Biden.  But hopefully it’s a providential way to sink Obama’s meteoric rise.  Enjoy the flashback blog.

So It’s OK To Be Racist….If You’re A Liberal? Joe Biden’s Latest Gaffe

This week Senator Joe Biden of Delaware announced his candidacy for President. On the same day he stuck his foot in his mouth making this comment about fellow Democratic candidate Barrack Obama: “You got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.” WOW! Sounds pretty racist doesn’t it? Obama is the first black to run for President who is “articulate, bright, and clean?” Obviously you would expect past African-American Presidential hopefuls to be up in arms, right? Wrong. Biden gets a pass because he’s a Liberal….it’s as simple as that.

Obama’s comment was: “I didn’t take Sen. Biden’s comments personally, but obviously they were historically inaccurate. African-American presidential candidates like Jesse Jackson, Shirley Chisholm, Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton gave a voice to many important issues through their campaigns, and no one would call them inarticulate.” Likewise, Jesse Jackson, a past Presidential candidate said, “Knowing Joe Biden the way I do, I’m sure he didn’t mean it as off-color.” OF COURSE he didn’t mean it off-color, Jesse! I guess Jackson doesn’t mind being called a dumb, ugly, black guy….as long as it’s a Liberal doing it.

This isn’t Biden’s first time to say something stupid….In June 2006, he made this statement about the overflow of Indian-Americans: “You cannot go into a 7-11 or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. Oh, I’m not joking.”Incidentally, Biden ran for President in 1988, but bowed out when it was discovered that he was plagiarizing some of his speeches. This time around, I’m pretty sure Mickey Mouse will get more votes as a “write-in” candidate than Biden will get…but that’s beside the point. Biden is a notoriously arrogant, East Coast Liberal who has a tendency to “ham it up” when the cameras are rolling. The fact that his Presidential hopes went up in smoke on the same day he announced them is poetic justice to say the least. But here’s the sad reality…

Imagine if a CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN had made the statements Biden did. If someone like Sam Brownback had called all past black Presidential candidates dumb, dirty, and ugly we’d never hear the end of it. I guarantee you, if Brownback would have said it Jackson, Al Sharpton, Obama, and everyone in Washington would have demanded Brownback’s immediate resignation…and called for him to enter “sensitivity training” of some sort. But different rules apply for Liberals….

Biden issued a typical “non-apology, apology” for his statements saying, “I’m sorry if I offended anyone….” In other words I’m not admitting anything wrong, but I must issue the standard apology for the sake of my personal agenda. Biden pretty much admitted his apology was phony a little later when he said, “I really regret that some have taken totally out of context my use of the world ‘clean.’” In other words, those who called him on his stupid comment are really at fault because they took his racist remarks, “out of context.” Nice try, Joe. But the context is clear….You said something stupid, and now you’re too arrogant and prideful to simply admit it. But that’s OK….the Liberal hierarchy, including most of the National Press, will let you get away with it. You can be as Racist as you want, as long as you’re Liberal…..just don’t EVER, EVER let anyone catch you making “Conservative” comments. Then you’re assured an all out assault from the Left-Wing Loons that permeate our Nation’s Capital. A double-standard is alive and well in America…and this is just the latest example of it.  My thoughts, for what they’re worth…

What backwoods 3^rd world village hospital would do such a thing? What society would allow such a ghastly practice to be legal? Would any decent person support such a deed? Indeed, here are the facts of this case. The place? Christ Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.  The time? 1999. The nurse who witnessed it? Jill Stanek. The law introduced that would have prevented such tragedies? The Born Alive Infant Protection Act. The Senator who opposed the Act? Barack Hussein Obama.

National Review’s David Freddoso reports that this Bill was proposed in three different versions by the Illinois State Legislature only to have it opposed every time by Obama. Make no mistake, this was not the typical division along party lines. With overwhelming bipartisan support the Bill passed with 12 senators voting “present” which in Illinois means you’re voting “no” but you haven’t got the spine to actually do it. A Federal version of this Bill was passed by the United States Senate by a vote of 98-0, with HILLARY CLINTON voting to support it. San Francisco’s famed left-wing Senator Barbara Boxer spoke publicly in favor of the Bill stating that even supporters of abortion like herself would oppose the practice of denying care to a child who had been born alive. Yet, Barack Obama opposed the practice of caring for mutilated newborn infants resulting from botched abortions. The question is, why would he oppose it?

Obama said from the Illinois Senate floor:

“Whenever we define a pre-viable fetus as a person that is protected by the equal protection clause or other elements in the Constitution, what we’re really saying is, in fact, that they are persons that are entitled to the kinds of protections that would be provided to a — a child.”

Bear in mind, we are not talking about a baby IN THE WOMB. We are talking about a baby who has been born alive and is breathing in a delivery room, OUTSIDE THE WOMB. A baby with 10 fingers, 10 toes, 2 hands, 2 feet, and a beating heart, who just survived a live birth, while a doctor was trying to stab it. BARACK OBAMA REFUSES TO ADMIT SUCH A BEING IS EVEN A PERSON! And therefore, Obama refuses to grant protection to such children as this.

To me, this begs a deeper question. What on earth could motivate Obama to support such a heinous act as this in the first place? I can only think of three reasons. 1. He is ignorant to such an astonishing degree that he can’t rationalize the personhood of a child. I choose to reject this option because he appears to be a very intelligent man. 2. He is so controlled by left-wing feminism (including his wife) that he opposes any opposition to abortion in a “knee-jerk” fashion without thinking through the ramifications of his decision. 3. The man is pure evil.

Having rejected option 1, I’m left grappling with options 2 and 3 which tell me that at least half of the country is ready to elect a man that is so controlled by liberal radicals that he will ignore common sense in order to appease his feminist masters. Or he is so evil that he cannot be counted upon to do the right thing when crisis situations arise. Either way, the thought of such a man as our Commander-in-Chief is utterly appalling.

In 2004, when Obama was running for the United States Senate, his Republican opponent Alan Keyes blasted him for supporting infanticide and famously declared that Jesus Christ would not support Obama because of his abortion views. Keyes stated that Obama’s infanticide views are a “deep-dyed; cold-blooded; ruthless ideology applied to such a degree that it bespeaks a hardness of heart.” (Click here to see the clip of Keyes discussing this on Fox’s Hannity & Colmes.)

Obama has been a long time supporter of partial-birth abortion; which is disturbing enough. But clearly, his opposition to the Born Alive Infant Protection Act goes way beyond a general support for abortion; or even the barbarous partial birth abortion procedure. Barack Obama has spoken out on record and voted to allow children born alive to be effectively murdered by the medical professionals who have sworn to protect them.

Many people simply disregard such babies as being unwanted in the first place. For some, they see this child as the unfortunate pregnancy of a poor Chicago girl who doesn’t have the ability to care for the child anyway. Yet I would implore you to replace the image of the poor, nameless baby…with the image of YOUR son or daughter. YOUR grandchild; YOUR niece or nephew. Would you be seething with rage at the thought of someone tossing YOUR newborn loved one into a pile of soiled linens to die? You would defend YOUR loved one at all costs. But who defends the unwanted babies of America? Why is the baby deemed less important because the mother is poor, confused, and unknown to you personally? All children deserve protection. Barack Obama REFUSES to grant it. Millions do not receive it and are LEGALLY killed every year in America; and Obama is the most ardent supporter of child murder our country knows. He’s worse than Hillary Clinton. He’s worse than Barbara Boxer. He’s worse than Ted Kennedy. Which means he’s worse than anyone and clearly lacks the basic moral qualities needed to govern our nation.

I’ll close with a word concerning the November election. Many are disgruntled that John McCain won the Republican nomination; and I myself did not support him in the Republican primaries. But facts are facts. The next President of the United States will be one of two people. It will either be the aforementioned Obama; or it will be John McCain. At this point in our political journey; 3^rd party candidates stand no reasonable chance of being elected. I hope that will one day change; but as of today it hasn’t. Some see the choice of McCain or Obama as being a choice between “the lesser of two evils.” Of course this is true of ALL elections and will always be true unless Jesus Christ chooses to return and run for public office. All men are fallible. All men are sinners. And all candidates hold political positions we disagree with. McCain’s campaign finance reform bill is completely unconstitutional. McCain’s stance on border security has been weak. McCain has proven himself to be far too chummy with the liberal left. But McCain’s record on abortion has been consistent. He claims to be pro-life and he has voted pro-life. He says he will appoint judges who will decide cases based upon Constitutional interpretation rather than personal, liberal opinions. Obama, on the other had, will appoint raving liberals who take the power out of the hands of the elected representatives of the people and dictate to us their warped ideologies by Federal judicial pronouncements. Obama has declared that one of his first acts as President will be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which eliminates any Federal barrier to any abortion under any circumstances. If John McCain is elected there’s a good chance that some babies will be saved from the abortionist’s grasp. If Barack Obama is elected, THERE IS NO CHANCE…….ZERO CHANCE…..of babies being protected from a vicious Federal government that values a woman’s “choice” (and her vote) more than a child’s right to breathe the Divinely granted oxygen of freedom. Keep that in mind if you’re planning to vote for Obama because he has a winning smile, a smooth personality, and a fresh face. Keep that in mind if you’re considering Obama because of his dreamy promises to give you universal healthcare, financial prosperity, and world peace. Jesus said “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36 NASB) Yet Americans are trading empty political promises for the nation’s collective soul on a daily basis. Mark my words: God WILL judge this nation because of it’s acceptance of abortion. The judgment has already begun; and it will increase. Though the world scoffs at such pronouncements and embraces charlatans like Obama — the Word of God still stands; the Righteousness of God still reigns; and the Judgment of God still falls on the ungodly.  And America’s blind adoration for Barack Obama declares in loud and unequivocal terms our increasing ungodliness.

Obama’s opposition to the Born Alive Infant Protection Act is more than just a political posture; it is evil beyond the comprehension of all standards of decency. Keep that in mind if you’re considering staying home from the polls and pouting on November 4 because your candidate didn’t win the Republican primary. God has granted us the blessing of living in a Nation where we are allowed to choose our leaders. Many in the world do not share this freedom we have; and many in our own country will not live to see their 18^th birthday arrive so they too can take part in our elective process. Sadly, they will be slaughtered…LEGALLY slaughtered…because of the sadistic control of men like Barack Hussein Obama. I for one, will bear no responsibility for his being elected. I hope you won’t either.

]]> http://kastlercommentary.com/2008/08/08/when-the-devil-got-saved-the-christian-conversion-of-nathan-bedford-forrest/feed/ http://kastlercommentary.com/2008/07/18/god-can-change-anyone/ http://kastlercommentary.com/2008/07/18/god-can-change-anyone/#comments Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:48:09 +0000 Shane Kastler http://kastlercommentary.com/2008/07/18/god-can-change-anyone/ “For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:9 NASB) There once lived a man who was so vicious, mean-spirited, and hateful that most thought he was incapable of change.  There were a lot of things he hated in life, but the thing he hated most was Christianity.  This man lived in a day and age in which Christians could be prosecuted, jailed, and even executed for their faith; and he did all he could to rid the world of them.  He would chase them down and have them imprisoned and gender made no difference to him.  Men and women alike were in mortal danger if he was near.  At that time he was known as Saul of Tarsus.  But you probably know him by his other name, The Apostle Paul.

            Paul is remembered as one of the greatest Christians who ever lived.  His love for Jesus led him to embrace a life of suffering and persecution for the gospel.  But he started out as the persecutor, before he became the persecuted.  Jesus changed his life forever when he encountered Paul on the road to

            Perhaps you don’t see yourself as wicked as Saul of Tarsus was.  Yet, you are a sinner just the same.  The Bible tells us “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)  And the only remedy for this sin is faith in Christ as Supreme Lord and Savior.  Will you turn from sin, and place your faith in Him as Lord?  Do you believe in His death, burial, and resurrection?  Do you believe He is coming again?  Are you living for Him daily?

            Saul of Tarsus is proof that God can indeed save anyone.  And Saul is also proof that no one can save themselves.  Saul thought he was working his way to Heaven by being a good Jew by persecuting Christians.  But no matter how good we think we are….we’re never really good enough.  Only Jesus was good enough.  Therefore it’s only through Him that we can be granted eternal life. 

            If you’ve never turned to Christ in full repentance, I encourage you to do it today.  Give Him your life, and He will give you eternal life.  After all, if Saul can be saved, anyone can be saved.  Even you.