Friday, November 28, 2008

Attack on the Covenant People...

The recent terrorist attack in Mumbai was yet another in a series of violent Satanic outbursts against humanity in general and the Covenant people of God in particular. I don't like to read too much into an article but this line caught my eye:

"Their main targets appeared to be Americans, Britons and Jews, though most of the dead seemed to be Indians and foreign tourists caught in the random gunfire."


Jews? Why the Jews? In India? Of all places. I didn't even realize there were Jews in India until I recalled an anti-Semitic remark a Bible college professor of mine once said to his OT theology class. "No matter where you go in this world, there are two things you can always find - an empty Coke can and a Jew." Yeah, it stunk then too.

But an article I read from a Jewish website suggests that many Jews seem to have come to some rational conlusion as to why world hatred has historically been directed against them.

At Sinai Jews were told that there is one God, [one] who makes moral demands on all of humanity. Consequently, at Sinai the Jewish nation became the target for the hatred of those whose strongest drive is to liberate mankind from the shackles of conscience and morality. At Sinai the Jewish nation was appointed to be "a light unto the nations." There are those who embrace Jews and the Jewish faith because of that light; but there are also those who want the world to be a place of spiritual darkness. They object to morality. Those would-be harbingers of darkness attack the Jews as the lightning rod for their hatred.

Now, however, I would argue that the vast majority of Americans and Britons have no idea why they are the targets of so much terrorist hatred. The roots of the relationship of Britain and America with Israel are deeply spiritual - beginning with Christ - and hence, the spirit of anti-Christ which moves like a wind through the children of destruction to do violence to both Jews and Christians. It's motive is to uproot the Jews from their land, separate America and Britian from Israel, and ultimately silence the Jewish pulse from Christianity. The ultimate point is that the Jews must go.

You see this in supercessionism, especially, (and is one of the reasons I have separated myself from Presbyterianism) in anti-semitism among some Christians - whose roots that date back to the Marcion heresy, incidentally. But I'd like to call attention to the identity of the American nation and the British nation(s). This identity is an identity of covenant relationship with Israel under God and is under attack. Unfortunately it is seldom noticed. People riot and American and British flags are burned in the streets and all folks can say is American political "policies" are to blame. American "ideology" is at fault. Yeah, right. My argument is that ideology and policy follow - at least nationally - from identity. Who you are profoundly affects what you think and believe. And who you are spiritually affects your destiny.

Very rarely does anyone point out that the relationship with Christians and their Jewish brethren is spiritual and relational before it is ideological and political. Romans 11 bears this out. The gospels bear this out. The concealed nature of this relationship is one that the enemies of God would rather not see revealed - Hitler excepting.

The Jews are our kinfolk. Period, point-blank. Our kinship to them is indissoluble. One may as well tear the Bible in two or tear the Savior from his Jewish roots before any separation can be made. (I realize most people don't think like this, but God's enemies do!)

And so it follows from the logic that America and Britain, as "Christian nations" whose relationship with modern Israel and its capital, Jerusalem - founded by the British General Sir Allenby, sealed by Britain's Balfour Agreement, recognized - alone - by America in 1948 are in a deep, profound sense related to the people of Israel. Thus the explanation for the ideological and political lockstep in favor of Jewish interests in the Middle East.

Thus the terrorists wrath. America had better wake up. It positively stinks when you've got a Covenant with God and the Prince of this World has been loosed.

Rev. 12:5-6, 14
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up to God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Religion under attack...

Most folks who've studied their history may already know that the United States of America was founded as an Enlightenment-style democratic republic. However, much greater consideration should be given to the fact that we were - and are - a covenant nation as well. A covenant means that an agreement of meaningful and solemn proportions was been made. This agreement was made with the God of Heaven and Earth. How else to explain this country's unique Christian sensibilities?

Religious symbols and mottos abound in our states. Religious ceremony and prayers initiate our Congressional sessions. Our national songs are rich with religious references. There is a church on every corner in most of our towns and cities.

America has a relationship with God - and whether anyone likes it or not - that relationship cannot be revoked without grave cost. The religious sensibility of Americans has been noted many foreign observers throughout history. Today, the Jerusalem Post reports from a poll done by the Anti-Defamtion League that a majority of Americans are feeling a sense of values attack.

And though the poll is geared to measure the level of anti-semitism involved in American's sense of who's responsible for the values attack, it is refreshing to note most Americans don't think the Jews are behind it. Of course, Hollywood is cited as a hostile player and I'm pretty sure for the next four years a Democratically dominated Washington, D.C. - whose campaigns have been financed largely by Hollywood elites - will be of little help.

We shall see...


Amos 3:1-3
Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Monday, November 10, 2008

Black America: Sheep in Wolves Clothing

I didn't really want to write this, but I am compelled to address the spectacular contradiction of Black Christian allegiance to biblical truth and a liberal political worldview that I think is best illustrated by the phrase "sheep in wolves clothing".

What triggered my thoughts (and exasperation) on this issue was that fact that polls showed that in California, perhaps the most liberal state in the Union, the Proposition 8 Initiative that essentially outlawed gay "marriage" in the state, was defeated largely by African-Americans. It's true. Oh yeah, and you'll hear about the enormous funding from the Mormon church and so on, but Prop. 8 opponents (pro-gay marriage) outspent the supporters by 16 million dollars (45 mil to 29 mill), so the problem wasn't the Mormons nor was it money. The problem was that Obama's core support, African-Americans, voted in favor of the proposition 70% to 30%. Put another way, if Blacks had only voted consistently with their liberal leanings - and consistent with the leanings of their candidate of choice, Barack Obama - Proposition 8 would have gone down to a miserable defeat.

And gays would have enshrined homosexuality as the law of the land in the nation's largest state and perhaps in Florida and Arizona, who also shot down pro-gay marriage initiatives. But this didn't happen, and hence my point.

Gays everywhere publically protesting against the Mormon Church (and by implication against all biblically believing Christians), but privately they have to be miffed at African-Americans in general and the Civil Rights lobby in particular which failed to deliver their liberal votes for their principal Equal Rights issue.

But here's what I don't get. How is it that African-Americans, largely a conservative Protestant Christian people, can find in their consciences to elect to the highest office in the country a man whose policies are so diametrically opposed to what they say they value? Put another way, are Blacks politically and socially liberal - or are they not? Do we prefer the false comfort of somehow being politically liberal yet socially conservative?

Of course, it is well-known from past elections that Blacks tend to vote the Democratic slate virtually "straight-ticket". But I admit to being quite surprised that Barack Obama - a liberal's liberal - can garner near unanimous support from a people whom the polls show are largely anti-gay ("homophobic" using today's PC terminology); who attend Bible-believing churches regularly; are largely anti-abortion (though they have them disproportionately); anti-evolution in their worldview; who tend to favor lower taxes; who are the recipients of the largest middle class properity growth in recorded history from 1980 - 2005 (under mostly conservative Republican governance, btw OK?); and who favor strong law and order law initiatives. Because, because, because, fellow Christians, Barack Obama doesn't favor any of these values.

Why do we persist in voting with the side that opposes our prosperity and weal, values that come from the godly application of the promises of the Bible?

Now, the forces of darkness have agitated the gays. Protesters have hit the streets almost daily since the Tuesday defeat. And in a strategic sense they are justified in their anger at this latest "betrayal", but they have targeted the wrong group for their protests. It's not the Mormons, a publically conservative religious group that has never been friendly to homosexuals. It is African-Americans who have let them down. (Personally, I want the gay community to "call out" African-American voters. See who's on who's side.) Their protest marches should be right out in front of the offices of the California, Florida, and Arizona chapters of the NAACP and other African-American institutions (and churches) who campaigned for the same liberal ticket as they did, but who secretly shot down a centerpiece liberal Equal Rights initiaitive in the voting booth.

You can call it the "Prop 8 Effect". Or you might say the gays got "Bradleyed."

Whatever the case, the larger point is this: gays instinctively sense that liberals should stick together on values issues. After all, liberals are tolerant, right? But Black folks - largely Christians - hold conservative values that are shaped mostly by belief in the Bible, as I earlier listed. Strangely, they seem to have other ideas when they vote the liberal ticket.

One thing is apparent though. This latest Black Christian voting pattern didn't see the relationship between politics and values. That's why I call them sheep in wolves clothing.

The sad thing is I truly believe Barack "that's above my paygrade" Obama does see the relationship. As do Rev. Jeremiah Wright, James Cone, Louis Farrakhan, and many Liberation, Black Liberation, Gay Christians, and Liberal Christians. They see the relationship all too clearly. And it is they who will expand their vision for America by dismantling the conservative values African-Americans have traditionally held. Why? Because they now have a friend in the White House. How? Already, there is talk of the use of Presidential executive orders to speed agendas through. Barack is ready to "rule".

Can you say "last days apostacy"?

Remember, Hitler came to power democratically but governed through emergency decrees.

A warning to all Black Christians: Sheep don't make good wolves.

1 Kings 18:21
"And Elijah came to all the people, and said, How long halt you between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him...

...and the people answered him not a word."

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Devil his due...

This is the quote of the week.

"Give Obama his due: It is an exceptional politician who can win the support of Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, and Kenneth Duberstein, former chief of staff to President Reagan; of William Ayers, an unrepentant terrorist and Christopher Buckley, son of William F. Buckley, founder of modern conservatism; of Rashid Khalidi, an Israel-hater, and Edgar Bronfman, former head of the World Jewish Congress."

In two short years, Obama has managed to become all things to all men. How else to explain it? My question is this: can the center hold? Can what has bound these disparate ideologues together keep them together?

The common sense answer would be no. But it does not now appear that we are living in commonsensical times. The things that used to be "just so" are not. Up is now down and down is now up. And I'm just praying my way through!

And now Cliff May offers the enticing tidbit that this election was nothing short of a revolution. The Democratic Party holds the White House, formidable majorities in the Senate, the House, the majority of the 50 state governorships, the majority of 50 state legislatures, the news media, almost all of the entertainment media, the unions, the educational establishment, the lion's share of the philanthropic community, and increasing power over the courts.

Change indeed!

The initial losers? Evangelical Christianity, Israel, the Republican Party, conservative talk radio, free market capitalism, bipartisanship in Washington, the U.S. military, homeschoolers in California and perhaps elsewhere, "Drill Now", and anything else the Democratic Party is against.

Of course, the eventual losers will be all of us should this revolution of change not work out.

In the meantime, pray, pray, pray for our nation!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Black and Nobama

Sorry, the title is a bit misleading. Yes, I am Black and while I will pray (and have already prayed and interceded) for our President-elect, yet I cannot see how a man of God could have found it in his biblical and moral sense to have voted for a man who - for all I have read of his views on morality - opposes several important and vital biblical principles. And I apologize. This is just beyond my thinking capacity.

Now we read where churches are divided ethnically (racially?) on Obama based on the vote. Ya think?

But hey, we can talk candidly now, he's going to be the President. OK?

Pro-gay rights. Pro-abortion. Pro-LIVE BIRTH abortion (i.e., murder). A socialist democrat who intends to redistribute wealth. An anti-Israel demagogogue who wants to woo the world and yet has nothing on his resume to assure us of his capacity to vote sensibly, much less run the country sensibly.

Now, as a Black Man, I AM PROUD of him as a Black Man. I am proud of WHO HE IS but I CANNOT BE PROUD of WHAT HE STANDS FOR. Unlike the First Lady, Michelle Obama, I AM UTTERLY DISAPPOINTED IN MY COUNTRY. Have we lost our minds? Are we blind? What is our excuse? Did George Bush make us do this? Are we apostate? Why couldn't we have not - therefore - picked a Muslim, a Wiccan, an atheist, or a Shaman for president? I mean, folks, the likelihood that Barack is even Christian is very low given that Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his Liberation theology is as far from the Gospel as the Bhagavad Gita.

Think on it! What has he believed and when did he believe it? He has no language of faith. His mother had no faith in God at all. His father, well... Pastor Wright became his surrogate dad to replace the absentee bigamist Barack Obama, Sr. became. And Pastor Jeremiah Wright is from the Chicago/Detroit school of northern, political pastors. All liberation and no faith (at least not in God). A three points and a poem pulpiteer of dubious discipling ability and an outsized ego. Furthermore, and let's be clear here: any man who can preach "God-D-mn America" sermons regularly - and after 9/11 especially - without batting an eye is not saved! Okaay?

It's as if Black Christians have en masse said - to heck with the Bible - we need "one of us" in the White House. And any ol' smooth talking brotha will do. Should sound like Billy Dee Williams and be able to talk to white folks real good. And with a bit of a shoulder lean say, "Hey Putin, c'mere. Come talk to a brotha." That's our kind of President. That kind of sellout mentality to a racial "high" and historic "moment" will come back to hurt us. It's a sad reminder of how we, as a people, tend to value too much style and not enough substance. The numbers don't lie.

In this historic election of the nation’s first African American president, black voters made up 13 percent of the electorate – up from 11 percent in 2004 and 10 percent in 2000. Fully 95 percent of blacks voted for Obama. In 2004, Kerry won 88 percent of the black vote and Gore won 90 percent in 2000.

Even Saul had his thousands.

Then you read in the Root.com where some columnist suggested that anybody Black who voted for McCain is somehow vested in "self-hate". Baloney Sandwich. It's more like self preservation, sister. I want to live. And I want my family to live.

Sure, I would have loved to have seen an African-American chief executive - but under a much different banner. One with conservative gravitas and talent and charisma and faith in the God of the Bible would have done nicely! One who bleeds America and proudly sports a flag pin, who salutes the flag willingly. One whose roots are in this fine land and not a sojourner seeking the nomination to become some "Mundus Imperator". A Cincinnatus, not a Caesar. One who cherishes Edmund Burke-style human liberty, not some Marxist "from each according to his ability to each according to his need" drivel - which Marx himself apostasized from Acts 4:32. I could no more have voted for Obama than I could now begin pulling for the Tennesee Titans just because they have a Black quarterback since after all, I root for the Atlanta Falcons (who happen to have a White QB).

Obama is just not on my biblical team.

And I wonder what biblical team is brother Thomas Dexter Jakes on?

Guess I am now a Five Percenter. Hey, if the first African American president has made history, I suppose I have been officially recorded as among the five percent of African American voters who did not vote for him. So, I too have made history. We have made history. We few. We happy few. We band of brothers...

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Hail Caesar! Hail to the Chief!

Yesterday, Barack Obama was duly elected as the 44th president of the United States. We wish him well and will earnestly pray for our national chief executive. The Electoral College will certify the will of the people in December.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Spiritual Warfare

I believe in doing spiritual battle against the forces of darkness. Therefore, I am asking you - the saints of God - for your prayers in two important areas:

A) My son. He is undergoing all kinds of disciplinary challenges that we (his parents) know are not purely the fruit of his doings. We know his character. While he is rambunctious, we know he is not malicious. The out-of-nowhere suddenness of a slew of issues bespeak a spiritual "cause" to the relational and situational "effects" - if you will. We want him to be more spiritually aware and watchful, too.

B) Finances. Everybody we know is experiencing some kind of pinch over finances, so this is not an uncommon request. My request is that the Lord should combine my employment with my calling. I believe when that happens it will unlock the door of His treasure upon our lives - not always monetarily of course, but in the sense that our family will flow in His blessings and find favor in all we put our hands to.



Isaiah 54:17
No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, said the LORD.

Deut. 28:1-13
And it shall come to pass, if you shall listen diligently to the voice of the LORD your God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command you this day, that the LORD your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you, if you shall listen to the voice of the LORD your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your cows, and the flocks of your sheep. Blessed shall be your basket and your store. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. The LORD shall cause your enemies that rise up against you to be smitten before your face: they shall come out against you one way, and flee before you seven ways. The LORD shall command the blessing on you in your storehouses, and in all that you set your hand to; and he shall bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you. The LORD shall establish you an holy people to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and walk in his ways. And all people of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of you. And the LORD shall make you plenteous in goods, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. The LORD shall open to you his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain to your land in his season, and to bless all the work of your hand: and you shall lend to many nations, and you shall not borrow. And the LORD shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath; if that you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day, to observe and to do them.