Good Morning, Meetpastordan Readers…We are about a month away from what most likely is the biggest decision our country has ever been called to make, and that is the selection of the 45th President of our great country. And the scary part is…never has there been such division, such hateful rhetoric, or such uneasiness in the country as there is right now. People are afraid to post signs or put stickers on their cars this time around because they fear retaliation from over-zealous opponents. Then if you add to that the news media’s intent on “making the news” rather than “objectively reporting the news”, the pot of deception, exaggeration, omission, and half-truths continues to be stirred, and more confusion abounds.
I’m afraid people are being numbed down by the onslaught of “he said”, “she said”, “he said”, “she said”, “yes you did”, “no I didn’t”, “you’re a liar”, “I never said that”, “you’re responsible for this, “no, you’re responsible for this”…YIKES! JUST MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT GO AWAY! WHEN WILL IT END!! Unfortunately, in my personal opinion, I don’t think this is an accident. I think it is all part of a larger agenda that is using the current state of affairs to keep our attention off of the real issues facing our country such as the threat to our personal freedoms, religious freedoms, the traditional family unit, the sanctity of life, our right to bear arms, the appointment of Supreme Court judges, etc. etc.
I can’t think of a time in my life when the state of our culture, our country and the world has been so tenuous, yet so far this race to the White House has been nothing short of a personality contest. And unfortunately, neither personality seems to be the first choice of most people. I can’t help but think back to the Kennedy years when leaders were referred to as the “best and the brightest”, then I look at today’s circus and ask myself, “Where are the best and the brightest right now.” The obvious answer is, they’re out there, but who in their right mind would want to risk their reputation, their family’s reputation, everything they own and everything they hold dear to step into this cesspool called politics.
My fear is that the numbness mentioned above will result in “apathy concerning the ballot box”, and as a result, some people will decide to sit this one out because they don’t like the faces and personalities representing either party. Believe me, I get that. I can’t say the thought hasn’t crossed my mind too. But too much is at stake for the future of our country, and it requires that each of us take time to find out what is really the issue, and what each party stands for what. Therefore, I have tried to make this “information gathering” as easy as possible, and am providing a link to the Billy Graham Ministries website that list both party’s platform. This presentation is as clear and straightforward as you will ever find, and the contrast between the parties could not be greater. Don’t let the fact it is “Billy Graham Ministries” scare you. I am going to list the opening statement by Franklin Graham, Billy’s son, in the next paragraph, that explains the “why” for this offering. There is NO endorsement of either party or candidate; just the facts so we all can make an informed decision about the real issues without the personality influence.
“As Franklin Graham travels to all 50 states on the Decision America Tour, he’s urging Christians to boldly live out their faith—at home, in public and at the ballot box. Many decisions are made at the president’s desk, but the major political party to which he or she belongs wields significant power over which domestic and international policies are advanced and what becomes law. Here is a summary of theDemocratic and Republican party positions on some of the vital issues facing the country. As Franklin Graham has stated clearly many times, we are not endorsing any candidate or party.”
The link to the website is: https://billygraham.org/story/2016-party-platforms/
As I mentioned above, I believe there is a greater agenda behind the scenes than the candidates themselves. One candidate represents what I have written about many times before called The Liberal Progressive Agenda (LPA), and the other candidate represents “the unknown” because they are new to the political arena. While they point to many successful accomplishments in the business arena, still many questions abound. Therefore, I can’t write about what I don’t know about yet (the production of the “unknown”), but I can write again about the LPA.
As I see the LPA, it is an insidious agenda wrapped in wealth, power and control. If they can chip, chip, chip, away at fundamental principles that are the foundation of our society, such as the Constitution; Judeo/Christian beliefs; the traditional family structure; and the “sanctity of life” (and make no mistake…I am intentionally shinning the “light” on the darkness of the multi-billion dollar abortion industry), they can weaken our current society and begin restructuring it according to a new blueprint.
- The LPA seems to be under the umbrella of a huge, bureaucratic government that believes the more “it” can make the populace dependent on government for its sustenance, the more “it” can ultimately control the populace.
- “It” believes in the distribution of wealth. Those who have earned wealth and status should be mandated to share it with those who are deemed “less fortunate” (ie. those who are recipients of the government’s “social programs”). No one is against giving a “hand up” to those in need, but unfortunately a whole new sub-culture has developed and is thriving at “beating and raping the system.” That, in fact, is encouraged by the current administration!
- “It” believes in high taxation to keep the “gravy train” coming. To use one of my mother’s favorite sayings, “If you are going to rob Peter to pay Paul, you can always count on the support of Paul.” So if you are a recipient of the social programs (Paul), you will vote to keep that program in place, and poor Peter (YOU), who is working hard to better yourself and your family, will be paying the bill.
- “It” professes freedom of speech, yet vilifies anyone who expresses a different opinion than the one espoused by the LPA, hence…political correctness.
- “It” professes a disdain for “Wall Street”, yet allows those who further the LPA to become billionaires at taxpayer expense, for example the “green energy industry”, the “abortion industry”, and certain members of the banking industry.
- “It” keeps people divided rather than unified, (ie. today’s racial tension fanned by such radical groups as “Black Lives Matter” and the new Black Panthers).
- “It” professes religious tolerance, yet there is an all-out war against Christianity while accommodating the requirements of Islam, such as the removal of the Bible and religious symbols from the military while providing Korans upon requested.
- And last, but not least on my list…”it” never lets a crisis go by without making political gain. Rather than me substantiating that statement, I will let Obama’s rhetoric in virtually every crisis speak for itself.
This by no means encompasses all of the LPA. In fact, it is just the tip of the iceberg. What drives the LPA is the same mindset that has contributed to the fall of every individual, civilization or nation throughout history. And that mindset has been, and is, the exaltation of human wisdom (the current “tree of knowledge of good and evil”) above God’s wisdom.
Does the culture reflect the political climate, or does the political climate reflect the culture? I guess that’s a lot like asking the question about the chicken and the egg. But what I’m sure you can see is that the two are certainly intertwined. I don’t think there would be a lot of argument if one were to make the statement that our culture, and our country, is experiencing moral and spiritual bankruptcy. I believe that goes hand in hand with the assault on Judeo-Christian principles and the desire to settle for “relativism” as the norm. Unfortunately, whenever fundamental truths or principles are cast away for the latest and greatest “cultural fad” – which is always wrapped in titillating garb and sold under the banner that “it will be better for everyone”, the culture has historically been on the road to destruction. (humm…Obama Care and Common Core come to my mind.)
Within just two generations, what used to be valued, respected and worshiped is now mocked, ridiculed and vilified. And what used to be shameful, despicable and sinful is now basking in the spotlight and being championed as the “new norm.” Isaiah 5:20 tells us: “Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 gives us a more specific and ominous message: “…that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed-up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that! Do you see any of this in our culture today? Just think about this: in two generations we’ve made a 180 degree shift in our values…darkness is light; bitter is sweet, and evil is now good. WOW!
Let me end with this note of encouragement. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15, “If the people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. I will listen to every prayer…” The message could not be clearer! Politician’s rhetoric is not the answer. The answer is prayer from a humble heart asking God to heal our land. HE is the answer.
PLEASE do not sit on the sidelines for this election. TOO much is at stake. Pray and vote for the platform; not the personality.
Feel free to respond to this posting, and please “like” and share this with other social media friends.
May God Bless Ya…
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
Extremely good read Dan, I wish I cold say it was filled with untruths and happenstance but you and I know that it is all factual. I have been reading through the book of Judges and I see many similarities between those times and the ones we are living in now. I like you am prayerful for our future but have a sense dark times are coming, as if the current times weren’t getting dark enough.
Keep preachin’ it Brother!
God bless,
Billy
BTW we need to get together for coffee some morning.