Two areas that can generate much debate are Politics and Religion. When Politics intrudes into Religion, the friction it causes usually generates more heat than light. The scope and sincerity of the speaker, as well as what is spoken will be scrutinized. Great care should be exercised so that one’s belief system doesn’t alienate a nation founded upon certain values and traditions. If the speaker is somewhat phlegmatic in his approach, more harm than good will ensue from what is being spoken. Consider the Thesaurus presentation for phlegmatic: as an adjective it means unemotional. Some of the primary Synonyms are: cool, apathetic, disinterested, dispassionate, unexcitable, unfeeling, uninvolved…
There is usually a Presidential Proclamation issued at Easter that is focused on the traditional values of that seasonal observance in the Judeo-Christian beliefs and practices. In his April 3rd, 2010 Weekly Address, President Obama stated: “This is a week of faithful celebration. On Monday and Tuesday nights, Jewish families and friends in the United States and around the world gathered for a Seder to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt and the triumph of hope and perseverance over injustice and oppression. On Sunday, my family will join other Christians all over the world in marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And while we worship in different ways, we also remember the shared spirit of humanity that inhabits us all – Jews and Christians, Muslims and Hindus, believers and nonbelievers alike…These are aspirations that stretch back through the ages – aspirations at the heart of Judaism, at the heart of Christianity, at the heart of all of the world’s great religions. The rites of Passover, and the traditions of Easter, have been marked by people in every corner of the planet for thousands of years. They have been marked in times of peace, in times of upheaval, in times of war…Their only hope that this unity will endure…Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all those celebrating, here in America, and around the world.”
By comparison, the 2008 Easter Proclamation issued by George W. Bush, President of the United States…stated: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies." John 11:25 – “Laura and I send greetings to all those celebrating the joyful holiday of Easter. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ reminds people around the world of the presence of a faithful God who offers a love more powerful than death. Easter commemorates our Savior's triumph over sin, and we take joy in spending this special time with family and friends and reflecting on the many blessings that fill our lives. During this season of renewal, let us come together and give thanks to the Almighty who made us in His image and redeemed us in His love. On this glorious day, we remember our brave men and women in uniform who are separated from their families by great distances. We pray for their safety and strength, and we honor those who gave their lives to advance peace and secure liberty across the globe. Happy Easter. May God bless you, and may God bless our great Nation.”
A Christian Nation should have some prerequisites for its Leaders – not the least of which would be a dependence upon the Lord. In II Kings 18:13-19: “The king of Assyria sent his supreme commander, his chief officer and his field commander with a large army…to King Hezekiah…They came up to Jerusalem and stopped at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool…They called for the king; and…the field commander said to them, Tell Hezekiah: This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours?” In II Kings 19:14-19, we see what King Hezekiah did: “(He)…went up to the temple of the Lord and spread the letter out before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed…"O Lord, God of Israel…Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God…Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God." What has happened to our nation? Why is it we have allowed the negatives to dominate the positives? Why is it we have allowed cultural values to supplant Christian values? Why do we allow ourselves to march toward the dangerous precipice of loss, defeat and oblivion? The time to reverse course is now! The time to seek the Lord and His help is long past due! Consider these things with me!
There is usually a Presidential Proclamation issued at Easter that is focused on the traditional values of that seasonal observance in the Judeo-Christian beliefs and practices. In his April 3rd, 2010 Weekly Address, President Obama stated: “This is a week of faithful celebration. On Monday and Tuesday nights, Jewish families and friends in the United States and around the world gathered for a Seder to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt and the triumph of hope and perseverance over injustice and oppression. On Sunday, my family will join other Christians all over the world in marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And while we worship in different ways, we also remember the shared spirit of humanity that inhabits us all – Jews and Christians, Muslims and Hindus, believers and nonbelievers alike…These are aspirations that stretch back through the ages – aspirations at the heart of Judaism, at the heart of Christianity, at the heart of all of the world’s great religions. The rites of Passover, and the traditions of Easter, have been marked by people in every corner of the planet for thousands of years. They have been marked in times of peace, in times of upheaval, in times of war…Their only hope that this unity will endure…Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all those celebrating, here in America, and around the world.”
By comparison, the 2008 Easter Proclamation issued by George W. Bush, President of the United States…stated: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies." John 11:25 – “Laura and I send greetings to all those celebrating the joyful holiday of Easter. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ reminds people around the world of the presence of a faithful God who offers a love more powerful than death. Easter commemorates our Savior's triumph over sin, and we take joy in spending this special time with family and friends and reflecting on the many blessings that fill our lives. During this season of renewal, let us come together and give thanks to the Almighty who made us in His image and redeemed us in His love. On this glorious day, we remember our brave men and women in uniform who are separated from their families by great distances. We pray for their safety and strength, and we honor those who gave their lives to advance peace and secure liberty across the globe. Happy Easter. May God bless you, and may God bless our great Nation.”
A Christian Nation should have some prerequisites for its Leaders – not the least of which would be a dependence upon the Lord. In II Kings 18:13-19: “The king of Assyria sent his supreme commander, his chief officer and his field commander with a large army…to King Hezekiah…They came up to Jerusalem and stopped at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool…They called for the king; and…the field commander said to them, Tell Hezekiah: This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours?” In II Kings 19:14-19, we see what King Hezekiah did: “(He)…went up to the temple of the Lord and spread the letter out before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed…"O Lord, God of Israel…Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God…Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God." What has happened to our nation? Why is it we have allowed the negatives to dominate the positives? Why is it we have allowed cultural values to supplant Christian values? Why do we allow ourselves to march toward the dangerous precipice of loss, defeat and oblivion? The time to reverse course is now! The time to seek the Lord and His help is long past due! Consider these things with me!
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