Robin Lee Hatcher's Write Thinking

Sarah Palin Joins Captain Kirk on the Flight Deck

Loved this!

Horatio Caine & the Storefront Santas

I get a kick out of Steven Crowder's videos, but this one really had me laughing. I watch CSI: Miami on Monday nights, and Steven really nailed Horatio.

Steven promises that "No Target employees were actually shot during the making of this video… Except for the one."

~robin

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's here. The day of the big feast. I'm up early and hoping I can manage to get everything done that needs done before the family begins to arrive. I'm hosting our Thanksgiving dinner for the first time in four or five years. Since the last time, I've downsized my home, so we'll be a close bunch. But we love one another so it'll be fine.

One of the best things for me about Thanksgiving is the tradition of the meal. The holiday to me means turkey and dressing, green bean casserole, a favorite-style Jello salad, rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy, deviled eggs, a relish tray, hot spiced cider, coffee with flavored creamers, and pies. Mmm, mmm, mmm.

I hope you're able to be with those you love on this Thanksgiving day and that you'll get to eat your favorite foods. And if you eat too much (and even if you don't), make sure you get back to your exercise routine come Friday!

~robin

This is how I feel about the new breast cancer guidelines

Thanks to Investors.com for this great cartoon!

I have been getting mammograms every year since I turned 40. I have had two or three false positives. I've also discovered cysts that had to be drained. Yes, these caused me some level of anxiety. Two women in my family have had breast cancer, so I am on heightened alert. Nonetheless, I would much rather have a couple of days or even a couple of weeks of anxiety than to discover breast cancer too late to do anything about it.

And I'm sorry, but how stupid is the advice to not even do self-exams??????

I've heard that this could be our first taste of rationed care under a government run healthcare system. I tend to think that could be true, whether or not it was the intent of the task force. I've also heard that this would bring us in line with other countries like Canada or England (both of whom, I've also heard, have higher rates of death from breast cancer than does the US). The truth? Who knows? I'm starting to not trust anybody. Don't trust the government. Don't trust the media. Trying to be an informed consumer and citizen gets harder and harder.

~robin

May we always remember and be thankful

To all the Veterans out there, thank you.

I hope you vets know how grateful so many Americans are for your service, past and present and future. I pray that this Veteran's Day will be a blessing to you.

When I was at Curves this morning, one lady told me she'd had a foreign exchange student (forget from what country) living with her family who had never heard of the Holocaust. That really grieved my heart. It is so much easier to repeat such horrors when we keep young people ignorant of what has happened in the past. History is so important. And is equally important that we reject revisionist history.

I wrote my 2005 novel, The Victory Club, as a way of saying "Thanks" to those who serve and to their family members who are left behind to carry on without them. I hear from readers on a regular basis about this book, and it never fails to elicit stories from the past, from when the reader served or when the reader's spouse served or when the reader's parent served. I treasure the stories they share with me.

In my 1999 release, Whispers From Yesterday (the 2000 winner of the Christy Award which is now available for the Kindle), I wanted to pay tribute to the people of Denmark who rescued 90% of the Jews living in that country, spiriting them away before the Nazis could send them to death camps. By contrast, 90% of the Jews living in other countries were murdered by the Nazis.

I pray for the absence of wars. I pray for safety for those who serve and protect. Until such time that God's perfect peace reigns over the earth, may we seek to bring what peace we can to our corners of the world.

~robin

Social Media Revolution

This is a fascinating video about the social media revolution. Wow!

A bit of an eyeopener, isn't it? Well maybe not if you're reading this blog.

~robin

Cell Phones & Brain Tumors

In the past couple of years, I've known three people who have died of brain cancer, and I can't help but be concerned that the use of portable phones (both mobile and land lines) has something to do with this. So when I read about Pong's new cover for the iPhone that directs radiation away from the body, I plunked down the money and ordered one.

My youngest daughter and her family have mobile phones only. My older daughter and her family are on their mobile phones a lot. I have portable phones in my house plus my iPhone. Radio waves. Radio waves.

Here's something for you to chew on:

Landmark Document Published: “Cell Phones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern”

8.25.09 The most comprehensive overview of research on cell phones and cancer was published by the Environmental Trust today. Signed by 40 international scientists, “Cell Phones and Brain Tumors” details how the Interphone study was flawed and recaps the latest research on the issue. The main editor, Dr. Lloyd Morgan, summarizes the urgency of the work to be done: “Exposure to cellphone radiation is the largest human health experiment ever undertaken, without informed consent, and has some 4 billion participants enrolled. Science has shown increased risk of brain tumors from use of cellphones, as well as increased risk of eye cancer, salivary gland tumors, testicular cancer, nonHodgkin's lymphoma and leukemia. The public must be informed.” Download the press release and document here.

Here is a snippet from that report:

Concern 4: Independent research shows there is risk of brain tumors from cellphone use.

Studies led by Professor Lennart Hardell in Sweden found significantly increased risk of brain tumors from 10 or more years of cellphone or cordless phone use. Among their many significant findings are the following:

• For every 100 hours of cellphone use, the risk of brain cancer increases by 5%;
• For every year of cellphone use, the risk of brain cancer increases by 8%;
• After 10 or more years of digital cellphone use, there was a 280% increased risk of brain cancer;
• For digital cellphone users who were teenagers or younger when they first starting using a cellphone, there was a 420% increased risk of brain cancer.

I don't know about similar covers for other kinds of mobile phones, but I hope you'll consider this information and do what you can to protect yourself. We have become a world addicted to our mobile phones. You can't hardly find a public telephone these days. But use them (any portable phone that uses radio waves) with care. Please!

~robin

Girl #146

I have no words to add besides this: Join the fight. Make a difference in this fallen world.

~robin

The Book That Made America, by Jerry Newcombe

I've got another great non-fiction book to tell you about.

Revisionist history, which is so often taught to our school kids these days, leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. It is one thing for a nation's people to change the way they think and/or act and/or believe. It is another to make up their history to match what is happening today. Here is a book that reminds us of our Christian roots and how it has impacted our nation for the past 230+ years.

THE BOOK THAT MADE AMERICA: How the Bible Formed Our Nation
June 2009

The Book That Made America is a definitive volume on the Christian roots of our nation. Those who want to restore knowledge of our Christian heritage have their work cut out. As secularism continues its stranglehold on American education, we move further and further away from retaining our Christian roots. The Book That Made America will challenge anyone to know the true origin of our Nation and to fight to keep it. Newcombe hopes to educate Americans by providing the facts of history, proving that America began as a Christian nation and American’s have every right to preserve and uphold that heritage.

All that is positive in our foundation can be traced back to the Scriptures. Recently, President Obama declared that America is not a Christian nation, while Newsweek announced the demise of Christian America. This book is the answer to America’s critics with the facts of history.

About the Author:

Jerry Newcombe, D. Min., is senior producer for Coral Ridge Ministries and has produced or coproduced more than fifty documentaries. The host of two weekly radio shows, he has also been a guest on numerous television and radio talk shows - including Fox Business News, C-Span, USA Radio and Moody Radio. He is the author or coauthor of twenty two books, including with Dr. Kennedy, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?, How Would Jesus Vote?, and The Presence of a Hidden God.

 Coral Ridge Ministries is a media outreach founded by Dr. D. James Kennedy. Its programming reaches a national television, radio, and Internet audience at www.coralridge.org.

Social Media Venn Diagram from DespairWesr

From the good folks at DespairWear comes an appropriate shirt for those caught up in Social Networking media. Here's what they say about this design:

A gorgeous, 8-color masterpiece which captures ever so brilliantly the three behavioral disorders propelling the continued phenomenal growth of today’s most widely-trafficked social media sites. And at the intersection of the dysfunctional forces of Narcissism, ADHD, and Stalking resides today’s fastest growing social media experiment of all—Twitter.

So glad that I'm only on Facebook now and therefore only the narcissism and stalking are issues to be addressed. Those on Twitter, which I gave up recently, have ADHD thrown into the mix as well. Poor folks.

LOL!!! What's your behavioral disorder?

~robin

Healthcare: Are you ready for socialized healthcare?

In the past when I've mentioned this topic, I have heard from Canadians who both say they get great care and from those who say they have suffered from poor healthcare and the inability to get tests in a reasonable amount of time. So I know there will be those who both agree and disagree with this video. But it isn't Canadians I want to talk to this time because it isn't that country's system that could be changed. It's US citizens who are facing the rise in taxes and a very different kind of healthcare system than what we have had. It's worth watching this video and at least considering what this young man filmed.

Lest We Forget What the 4th of July is About

When was the last time you read the Declaration of Independence? Perhaps it is time we look again so that we'll be reminded what we don't want to lose, the freedom that is slipping away from us in many, many ways.

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IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776.

THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE
THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WHEN, in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's GOD entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the Causes which impel them to the Separation.

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their CREATOR, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that Governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World.

HE has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.

HE has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing Importance, unless suspended in their Operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

HE has refused to pass other Laws for the Accommodation of large Districts of People, unless those People would relinquish the Right of Representation in the Legislature, a Right inestimable to them, and formidable to Tyranny only.

HE has called together Legislative Bodies at Places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the Depository of their public Records, for the sole Purpose of fatiguing them into Compliance with his Measures.

HE has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly Firmness his Invasions on the Rights of the People.

HE has refused for a long Time, after such Dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining, in the mean Time, exposed to all the Dangers of Invasion from without, and Convulsions within.

HE has endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither, and raising the Conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

HE has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

HE has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and the Amount and Payment of their Salaries.

HE has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harrass our People, and eat out their Substance.

HE has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the Consent of our Legislatures.

HE has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

Making a Difference in a World in Crisis

I love being a part of a church that is seeking to make a difference in the world. The Boise Vineyard is one such body of Christ, and they are attempting to make a difference in seven areas of world crisis. Here's an article that was in Charisma Magazine that shares more information:

Idaho Church Launches Global ‘Reformation’
Friday, 12 June 2009 00:00 Adrienne S. Gaines News - Featured News

Idaho Church Launches Global ‘Reformation’After years of advocating creation care, Vineyard Boise is broadening its focus to address seven areas of world crisis

A Vineyard church in Idaho is calling on local congregations to launch a reformation.

Through a ministry called RE:FORM, Vineyard Boise church is helping local congregations learn ways to address seven areas of “world crisis,” which include environmental decline, world hunger, poor health and disease, corrupt leadership, and spiritual confusion.

“I call it Isaiah 61 ministry,” said Boise Vineyard pastor Tri Robinson, who launched the program in 2005. “It’s really setting captives free and healing broken people and ministering the gospel to the poor. I just see it as the ministry of Jesus.”

Vineyard Boise has long advocated for church-based creation care, even hosting a conference on the topic annually. But Robinson said he recently realized that issues such as human trafficking and world hunger also have environmental roots.

“If people can’t grow food, they can’t make money,” said Robinson, a former science teacher and author of Saving God’s Green Earth. “... Then they get desperate, and desperate people do desperate things. Pretty soon they start selling their daughters into slavery.”

Although the idea of working to alleviate world hunger or assisting victims of human trafficking overwhelms many pastors he meets, Robinson said it can be done. He points to his own congregation, which has a medical clinic and an organic vegetable garden that generated 13 tons of produce last year to give to the needy. Both ministries serve as tools for teaching members how to do similar work elsewhere.

Earlier this year, a church team visited Thailand to assist a ministry working to aid victims of sex trafficking. The church’s efforts coincide with the national Vineyard Anti-Slavery Team, which seeks to develop safe houses for sex trafficking victims in each of the Vineyard’s eight regions.

Last year Vineyard Boise relaunched its creation care conference as RE:FORM. This year’s event will be held Sept. 16-18 in Baltimore. “If the body of Christ would unite around this,” Robinson said, “... if we would just put down our picky differences and take on these crises that are in the world right now where people are suffering and dying, we could make a difference.”

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And here's a great video, too:


Maybe some of you can attend and share your thoughts when it's over.
~robin

American Values

This should be required viewing by all Americans. We need to remember what sets us apart and makes us unique and why we have been so strong for 200+ years. (And the "trinity" mentioned in the title has nothing to do with the Christian trinity, so don't let that scare you away if you aren't a Christian.)

now THIS is news!!!!

Here's my favorite look at the news for this year so far. LOL!!

Newsweek: The End of Christian America

In the April 13th edition, the day after Easter, Newsweek will hit the shelves with an article that portends the End of Christian America. The prediction is based upon a ten percent decline in self-identified Christians over the last 20 years. In a blog post, Greg at Pryomarketing points out that the article "makes no mention of Newsweek's own mortality despite a 17% circulation decline in just two years. Oh the irony. The terminally ill patient is worried the doctor looks a shade pale." He goes on to say the following:

If you're a Christian, then you may be looking for water cooler ammunition come Monday and be interested in the following facts lifted from the first chapter of my book. If you're not a Christian, but are interested in getting your facts straight, then you should take note as well. To paraphrase Mark Twain, it seems reports of Christianity's death have been greatly exaggerated.

• There were more Americans in church Super Bowl Sunday morning than watched the game itself worldwide.
• There are more Christian Americans than white Americans

If the Newsweek cover story bothers you and you're looking for ways to let others know, then let me suggest some ideas.

1. Post this church sign photo on your blog, Facebook page, MySpace, or print it and hang it by your desk as a sign of protest. Just right click it and choose "save image as" to save it to your computer. Then upload it to your Facebook or Blog or print it the way you normally would. [Robin here: Click the photo in this post for larger image, then save.]
2. Link to this blog post from your social media, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
3. Can't remember those statistics? That's okay, just direct your friends to www.faithbasedmarketing.com where Bob Hutchins and I share them in video format.
4. Whenever you use Google from April 13th through Friday April 17, search the name "Jesus" before searching for anything else. If enough people do this, then the name Jesus will rise to the top of Google Trends as the most-searched term that week and help reveal to America just how many Christians there really are. Get your friends, family...your entire church to join you and then monitor the results at http://www.google.com/trends/hottrends?sa=X

I'll watch Google Trends too and when I see Jesus on the rise, I'll alert the media with a press release.

To the 7.3% of religiously unaffiliated Americans hoping that America's 76% Christians are going away, I have another Mark Twain quote to consider. "Let your sympathies and your compassion be always with the under dog in the fight--this is magnanimity; but bet on the other one--this is business."

Robin here again: I'm with Greg. Let's participate to let folks know we are here.

~rlh~

A comic look at socialized medicine

Update: I don't think this young comedian meant to "slam" Canada, although saying "Soviet Canada" was crossing the line as comics often do. This is his way of looking at the problems of socialized healthcare if it is introduced to the US market. And there are problems, just as problems exist now with insurance companies trying to control the show. No system is perfect. Some readers have pointed out that it isn't like this where they live in Canada. One more correction, the comic was born in the US and grew up in Canada. (2/15, 3:43 pm)

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I have a friend who lives in Canada who couldn't get in for an MRI for four or five months. The last thing we need is the yahoos in Washington socializing the American medical scene. Yes, I am driven crazy by the insurance companies controlling it and medical bankruptcy seems to lurk around many a corner, but I'm pretty sure that the government being in charge would be worse. Here's what this comic has to say on the issue:

Better times?

Because of some health concerns that were dogging me at the end of last year and beginning of this one, I finally made the firm commitment to myself to exercise daily, to not let things slide just because I'm tired or lazy or get a late start to my day or whatever. Thanks to a recumbent cycle, a stability ball, and the Wii Fit, I have almost reached two weeks without missing a single day. I can feel my core strengthening and my muscles getting toned and have finally seen a slight weight loss. Yea!

This morning, after my half hour of Wii Fit yoga exercises, while doing my 100 daily sit-ups on the stability ball, I was watching Fox News. The author of The Great Depression Ahead, Harry S. Dent, was being interviewed. Apparently, this fellow has an astonishing track record for predicting both booms and busts. Anyway, what he had to say about our economy and where it is headed and what to do to protect your money, especially retirement funds, was pretty disturbing. Gloomy. And there was the Dow in that little box in the lower part of the screen, dropping below 8,000. Ack!

I came into my office, closed the door, turned on some soft Don Moen worship songs, and opened my Bible. I prayed and asked the Lord to show me something in His word for this day. And there, in Psalm 4, He did just that.

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”
Let your face smile on us, Lord.
You have given me greater joy
than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. (vs 6-8)

Who will show us better times? The boom years of the baby boomer generation may well be at an end, possibly for good. Can there be better times ahead even if our nation and the world enters another Great Depression?

And the answer is a resounding, "Yes! Someone can show us better times!"

If we are followers of Christ, we can bask in God's smile. He not only smiles upon us, He dances over us. And we, in turn, can celebrate the joy He has given us, a joy far greater than those who have lots of money and big homes and abundant harvests. And once again, we can lie down in peace and sleep. Praise God! The Lord has better times ahead for us, and if we search His word, we will see that glorious future revealed.

Hallelujah!

A Shield Around Me

In my quiet time this morning, I was feeling heartbroken that one of the new president's first acts was to reverse a ban on the use of federal dollars by non-governmental organizations that discuss or provide abortions outside of the United States. First of all, why should my federal tax dollars be used to provide abortions elsewhere in the world? It's bad enough that my tax dollars go to support countless abortions here in the US.

On the White House web site, the new president has also set his agenda, which includes (among many other things) principles for how to discuss faith in a pluralistic society, including the need for religious people to translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values during public debate.

On the surface, this look benign, but I fear it will be used in other ways. It means, in a public forum, a Christian (or a person of any other faith) is supposed to leave his values at the door. But everyone is defined by what they believe in and don't believe in. I don't have to mention the Lord's name, and yet it is because of Jesus that I do or don't do certain things, that I believe some things are right and other things are wrong. Now it seems that the goal is to silence people of faith....

Invocation for the Inauguration

The invocation by Pastor Rick Warren for President Obama's swearing in ceremony was beautiful and appropriate, and so I'm sharing it here for those who may have missed it.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory.

History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of goodwill today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you. We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray:

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

On this inauguration day

It seems fitting on this auspicious day that celebrates the wonderful way our country sees a change in power to repeat a post that I put up on Thursday, November 6, two days after Barak Obama was elected as our incoming president. I differ in many ways with almost President Obama, but I will pray for him. He needs our prayers and so does our country.

-rlh-

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J. Lee Grady on 10 Ways to Pray for Barack Obama

Here are some suggestions from J. Lee Grady, editor of Charisma Magazine.

Whether you are happy about this week’s election results or not, all Christians must unite in prayer for our new president. Please don’t forsake this responsibility.

It’s over. We’ve reached the end of the longest, angriest and most nerve-wracking presidential campaign in American history. Finally the “I approved this message” ads have ceased. The endless robot phone calls have stopped ringing. The debates, and the annoying post-debate comments from “experts,” are history—until the next election cycle.

More than half the nation is celebrating today while others are mourning. We are a divided nation, split into unhappy fragments by abortion, gay marriage, global warming, a failed economy and an unpopular war. Those who voted for Barack Obama have claimed a historic victory; some on McCain’s side are already looking for scapegoats. Politics is politics.

But when I got up this morning, I turned all my attention to the fact that Jesus Christ is still on the throne. His government is what is most important. Regardless of who sits in the Oval Office, the Bible says “the nations are like a drop from a bucket” to God (Is. 40:15, NASB). That includes the United States. We may boast about being “the greatest nation on earth,” but He who sits in heaven has a different perspective. Let’s take a big sigh of relief now and remember that God is sovereign.

I’ll admit this election did not turn out as I had hoped. I supported McCain primarily because I am pro-life and I prefer his small-government mindset. But now that the election is over, I’m not going to harbor bitterness toward Obama supporters or go into attack mode. Obama has been elected president of this country, and that means I have a biblical responsibility to support him in prayer—even if I challenge his policies.

Whether you voted for Obama or not, you need to pray for him. Here are 10 ways I plan to intercede for him regularly:

1. Pray for Obama’s protection. We already know that some weird, neo-Nazi fanatics in Tennessee plotted to kill Sen. Obama during his campaign. Let’s pray that racist hatred is not allowed to spread. Let’s cancel every assassin’s bullet in the name of Jesus. May civility triumph over bigotry.

2. Cover his wife and daughters in prayer. It is not easy to live under constant media scrutiny. Pray for Obama’s wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Malia and Natasha, as they face invasive cameras, nosy reporters, maniacal fans and dangerous enemies. Obama is not only a politician but also a husband and a father.

3. Pray that Obama will govern with God’s wisdom. God rewarded Solomon because he asked for wisdom instead of wealth, long life or vengeance on his enemies (see 1 Kings 3:11-12). Pray that Obama will order his priorities like that. Despite Solomon’s tragic character flaws, his legacy was wisdom. We can ask God to give our president the same grace.

4. Ask God to keep our president humble. Many great American leaders became corrupt after they moved to Washington. The fatal attraction of fame, wealth and power proved irresistible. The only thing that will guard a man or woman from this pitfall is humility. May God deliver President Obama from the curse of pride.

5. Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him. Godly leaders cannot do their job alone. Even the best leaders have failed because they trusted the wrong people. Pray that Obama will not select his counselors based on party, race, pedigree or political cronyism but on godly character and proven wisdom. Pray also that he will not allow secret traitors into his inner circle.

6. Ask for the spirit of reconciliation. Some segments of our deeply divided society want nothing to do with Obama now that he has won the presidency. Even some Christians will be tempted to harbor resentment and nurse political grudges throughout his term in office. Pray that God will grant forgiveness and healing so that leaders on all political levels can have constructive dialogue.

7. Pray that Obama will adopt pro-life convictions. Many politicians have changed their views on key issues while in office. In the 1800s some leaders who favored slavery later denounced it. In the 1950s some who opposed racial integration later became champions of it. Even though Obama won approval from many voters because he sanctions abortion, God could soften and change his heart.

8. Bind all evil forces assigned to manipulate our president. The specter of Islamic terrorism looms over the United States, and dark forces are ready to infiltrate. Our only hope lies in prayer to the God who is able to expose and outwit the schemes of the wicked. This is truly a time for spiritual warfare, and intercessors must not come off the wall in this hour! Pray that no foreign government, terrorist organization or demonic principality will use Obama as a tool. We must stand strong against the spirit of antichrist that promotes dictatorship, persecution of Christians and hostility toward Israel.

9. Pray that Obama’s door will remain open to the church. The loudest voices of secular culture—from Bill Maher in Hollywood to atheists in academia—would be happy if religion were removed from public life. Pray that Obama, who claims to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, will unapologetically welcome Christian leaders into his company and seek their counsel. And pray that false religious leaders (who claim to know Christ but deny His power) will not have his ear.

10. Pray that our nation will enjoy God’s peace and blessing during the Obama administration. The apostle Paul instructed early believers to pray for all in authority “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:2, NASB). God’s will is for America to experience peace and prosperity so that we can continue to export the gospel to the nations. This must happen whether a Democrat or a Republican is in the White House. As we cry out for God’s mercy on our wayward nation, pray that He will allow us to be a light to the world as we finance global missions, feed and heal the world’s poor and share Christ’s love at home and abroad.

J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma

National Sanctity of Life Day

Thank you, President Bush, for declaring this Sunday, National Sanctity of Life Day. Thank you for speaking out, in perhaps your last act as President, for all human life, including that of the unborn.

“All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world. We also underscore our dedication to heeding this message of conscience by speaking up for the weak and voiceless among us.

“The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent. My Administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing Federal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen abstinence, and funding crisis pregnancy programs. In 2002, I was honored to sign into law the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which extends legal protection to children who survive an abortion attempt. I signed legislation in 2003 to ban the cruel practice of partial-birth abortion, and that law represents our commitment to building a culture of life in America. Also, I was proud to sign the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004, which allows authorities to charge a person who causes death or injury to a child in the womb with a separate offense in addition to any charges relating to the mother.

“America is a caring Nation, and our values should guide us as we harness the gifts of science. In our zeal for new treatments and cures, we must never abandon our fundamental morals. We can achieve the great breakthroughs we all seek with reverence for the gift of life.

“The sanctity of life is written in the hearts of all men and women. On this day and throughout the year, we aspire to build a society in which every child is welcome in life and protected in law. We also encourage more of our fellow Americans to join our just and noble cause. History tells us that with a cause rooted in our deepest principles and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens, we will prevail.

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 18, 2009, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon all Americans to recognize this day with appropriate ceremonies and to underscore our commitment to respecting and protecting the life and dignity of every human being.

“IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

“GEORGE W. BUSH”

I doubt there are many who partied in Washington DC today who gave a thought to this being National Sanctity of Life Day. Oh how I wish there were.

~rlh~

the lowering of standards

I am not so much of a Pollyanna that I don't know wickedness existed in my innocent youth of the fifties. But at least everyone knew what was considered acceptable behavior and what was not. Watching the lowering of standards over the decades has been heartbreaking. I look at my grandchildren and think of the innocence that has been stolen from them. A year ago I judged some YA novels (published), and I was sickened by what our society considers acceptable literature for teens and tweens.

It seems to me, based upon this news article, that we have reached rock bottom (although I'm afraid there is almost always another rock bottom awaiting after a shock wears off):

Student auctions off virginity for offers of more than £2.5 million

A student who is auctioning her virginity to pay for a masters degree in Family and Marriage therapy has seen bidding hit £2.5million ($3.7m).

Natalie Dylan, 22, claims her offer of a one-night stand has persuaded 10,000 men to bid for sex with her.

Last September, when her auction came to light, she had received bids up to £162,000 ($243,000) but since then interest in her has rocketed.

The student who has a degree in Women's Studies insisted she was not demeaning herself.

Miss Dylan, from San Diego, California, USA, said she was persuaded to offer herself to the highest bidder after her sister Avia, 23, paid for her own degree after working as a prostitute for three weeks.

You can, if you wish, read the remainder of the article here.

Oh God, have mercy on this nation that makes something like this nothing more than an interesting piece of news instead of the tragedy that it is. We have strayed so far from what is right. Raise up a remnant to stand in the gap. And please, change this broken world filled with broken hearts.

-rlh-

Update (1/13/09, 10:09 am): A writer friend of mine also blogged about this, asking if this isn't prostitution and if prostitution isn't illegal. Good thoughts.

Living Rich for Less by Ellie Kay

"Living Rich for Less: Create the Lifestyle You Want by Giving, Saving, and Spending Smart" (Ellie Kay)

Talk about a timely book. Living Rich for Less is filled with tip upon tip upon tip. I encourage you to buy it and read it and put it into practice.

During the bitter sweet nature of holiday fun mixed with economic concern, we can use any suggestion and aid that’s out there. With this book, you can actively partake in changing your life.

America’s Family Financial Expert® Ellie Kay will help the taxed-out, maxed-out achieve the lifestyle they want with simple principles to save, spend, and give smart. Includes Cha-Ching Factor™ tips to keep money in-pocket, golden questions to identify values, and doable-rules for saving-spending habits to realize and live one’s dreams. Here's more:

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You really can be rich in every way, every day.

So you want to own the home you love, make memories on wonderful vacations with family or friends, finance college educations, and help others too?

You can—starting here and now.

With lively humor, proven know-how, and practical principles for financial health, Living Rich for Less helps you stretch your dollars to realize the lifestyle of your dreams. Ellie Kay’s entertaining and enlightening examples show you simple steps to save, spend, and give smart, and her three main principles are undergirded by dozens of effective rules and hundreds of Cha-Ching Factor™ tips that keep or put money in your pocket.

Ellie knows what it’s like to be financially-strapped or struggling, wanting to be the Joneses but feeling as poor in spirit as in pocketbook. She went, within two and a half years, from being a new wife and mom with $40,000 in consumer debt and seven children (and college educations) to support, to being completely debt-free and within fifteen years able to pay cash for eleven different cars, give away three of those cars, buy two five-bedroom houses (moving from one to the other) and nicely furnish each, take wonderful vacations, dress her family in fine fashion; and support more than thirty non-profit organizations in more than a dozen different countries, giving away more than $100,000.

Isn’t that the kind of transformation to a rich life that you want?

Living Rich for Less helps anyone get there in our taxed-out, maxed-out times. Because financial security doesn’t mean just genuine prosperity, but being able to live luxuriously, give generously, and care for yourself as well as the others around you.

Why keep up with the Joneses when you can be them?

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Don't miss out. Get your copy today.

"Living Rich for Less: Create the Lifestyle You Want by Giving, Saving, and Spending Smart" (Ellie Kay)

Merry Christmas! Go on, you can say it!

I received this is an email forward. No clue to whom it should be attributed. If you know, please advise.

'Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a "Holiday"
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an iPod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!

Now go out and wish everyone you see a

!!

where are we as a culture?

If you are a follower of Christ, I encourage you to take the time to watch this video. In it, James White of Alpha & Omega Ministries talks about a number of issues in light of yesterday's election. It is a long video but worth watching and thinking on. And I wholeheartedly agree with his call for Christians to immerse themselves in the Word. Times ahead will be difficult for Christians because the culture is so different from just 20 years ago.

Prayers for the President-Elect

Yesterday was an historic election for our country, and while I do not support many (most) of the policies of the Democratic party, I am committed to praying for our president-elect.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — I Timothy 2:1-2

I have signed up for the 77 Days of Prayer for Barack Obama. No matter where you fall in the political spectrum, if you are a Christian, I urge you to join me in this endeavor. Our leaders and our nation desperately need believers in Jesus Christ to be on their knees.

Then if my 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. — 2 Chronicles 7:14

Our nation needs healed. His people need to pray.

God bless America.

-rlh-

prayer and gratitude

Well, it has been a long, long, long, long, long, long, long, exceedingly long campaign season. At least four years, right? That's what it feels like to me. Now it is nearly over. As I begin this post it is about 24 hours until the last mainland polls will close. Then there will be the anxious waiting as votes are counted. Last poll I saw had the candidates very close. A lot depends on those swing states.

[And the Lord said,] "Then if my 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." (2 Chr 7:14)

Our land needs healed, Lord. We have strayed so far from righteous living. Sometimes it is hard not to fall into despair. Your word tells us that all governments have been placed in power by You (Rom. 13:1). You have a purpose and a plan. But sometimes it's hard to see any purpose or plan to some of the laws in our land, to the choices made by so many.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (Dan. 3:16-18)

Lord, no matter the results of the election come Wednesday morning, no matter the decisions made by the government or individuals, I will worship and praise You. I will trust in You. I will not serve anyone but You. And I will not live in fear, no matter how dark things might seem. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me. And You have not given Your children a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Have mercy on this nation, Lord, but above all else, Your will be done. Amen.

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Via a Facebook friend (Susan Wiggs), I was reminded of the blessings found in keeping a gratitude journal, something I have done in the past but it's been awhile. So although I'm starting a few days late, I'm going to keep a gratitude journal on Write Thinking through the month of November. Each day I plan to write down three things I'm thankful for. Feel free to take the suggestion to your own blog or to visit here each day to add your thanks to mine.

• I'm thankful for my mom. Her love and her prayers have been a constant throughout my life. I'm blessed that she is still with me at the age of 94 years and 9 months.
• I'm thankful for my lovely patio home. Downsizing has had its challenges but it has its rewards as well.
• I'm thankful I won't have to see anymore election ads on TV until the next election rolls around.

How about you?

-rlh-

from someone who's been there

This video has been downloaded 11 million times according to news reports, the most downloaded YouTube video during this election campaign. It exists on YouTube under more than one name/uploaded by more than one source. Take two minutes and watch it.

above his pay grade

I was a young mom. When I look back, I realize just how young I was. I was a kid raising kids. But I was not "punished" with my daughters. I was blessed by them. I pray that America will be a nation that chooses life and hope rather than a nation that chooses death and whatever is most convenient.

Vote, vote, vote

Ten more days and all of those annoying political ads will go away. I'll bet you're as sick of them as I am. But don't let annoyance with politics and politicians keep you away from the voting booth. This election is too critical. So no matter what the polls say between now and Election Day, be sure to cast your vote. And whoever is elected, let's all be sure to pray for him. Our country and its leaders need lots and lots of prayer.

Would the last honest reporter turn on the lights?

Here's an excellent piece to read. Orson Scott Card, best selling author, self-declared Democrat, and a Mormon, calls the newspapers in America to task for basically false reporting--or at least for the lack of honest coverage--about the causes of the financial/housing crisis.

An open letter to the local daily paper — almost every local daily paper in America:

I remember reading All the President's Men and thinking: That's journalism.  You do what it takes to get the truth and you lay it before the public, because the public has a right to know.

This housing crisis didn't come out of nowhere.  It was not a vague emanation of the evil Bush administration.

It was a direct result of the political decision, back in the late 1990s, to loosen the rules of lending so that home loans would be more accessible to poor people.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were authorized to approve risky loans.

What is a risky loan?  It's a loan that the recipient is likely not to be able to repay.

The goal of this rule change was to help the poor — which especially would help members of minority groups.  But how does it help these people to give them a loan that they can't repay?  They get into a house, yes, but when they can't make the payments, they lose the house — along with their credit rating.

They end up worse off than before.

This was completely foreseeable and in fact many people did foresee it.  One political party, in Congress and in the executive branch, tried repeatedly to tighten up the rules.  The other party blocked every such attempt and tried to loosen them.

Furthermore, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were making political contributions to the very members of Congress who were allowing them to make irresponsible loans.  (Though why quasi-federal agencies were allowed to do so baffles me.  It's as if the Pentagon were allowed to contribute to the political campaigns of Congressmen who support increasing their budget.)

Isn't there a story here?  Doesn't journalism require that you who produce our daily paper tell the truth about who brought us to a position where the only way to keep confidence in our economy was a $700 billion bailout?  Aren't you supposed to follow the money and see which politicians were benefiting personally from the deregulation of mortgage lending?

I have no doubt that if these facts had pointed to the Republican Party or to John McCain as the guilty parties, you would be treating it as a vast scandal.  "Housing-gate," no doubt.  Or "Fannie-gate."

Instead, it was Senator Christopher Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank, both Democrats, who denied that there were any problems, who refused Bush administration requests to set up a regulatory agency to watch over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and who were still pushing for these agencies to go even further in promoting sub-prime mortgage loans almost up to the minute they failed.

Read the rest of the article here.

From where I sit, the majority of the media is so sold out that there is little honesty or integrity left in American journalism. It's beginning to look a lot like Russia in the early 1900's. Don't give the masses the truth. Give them the propaganda and slowly cook them to death like the frog in a pot.

-rlh-

read and consider, please

One of the great blessings that has come out of my career as a novelist has been meeting so many people from all over the nation — and the world — who I am now privileged to call not just friends but brothers and sisters. Two of these special friends are Angela Hunt and Randy Alcorn. I admire them for their intelligence and deep thinking, for their integrity, for their ability to put into words things and ideas I can only feel in my gut or see in my head, for their rock-solid faith, for their forgiving and generous spirits, for the love they show everyone they meet.

Recently, both Angela and Randy have blogged about abortion, and it's importance in the coming election. These posts are not to be missed. Please read them. Please take them to heart. Their words are powerful and wise and compassionate.

Not Cool: Obama's Pro-abortion Stance, and Christians enabling him

 The Upcoming Election

Palin on Abortion

Thanks to a Facebook post, I came across the transcript of a speech by Sarah Palin at a rally in Johnstown, PA on October 11th. This portion about abortion is so important for voters to read and consider that I am copying and pasting the transcript here (this is not, I understand, the whole speech; this is the portion that addressed abortion). Please read it. Please consider the innocent when you cast your vote.

In this same spirit, as defenders of the culture of life, John McCain and I believe in the goodness and potential of every innocent life.  I believe the truest measure of any society is how it treats those who are least able to defend and speak for themselves.  And who is more vulnerable, or more innocent, than a child?

When I learned that my son Trig would have special needs, I had to prepare my heart for the challenges to come.  At first I was scared, and Todd and I had to ask for strength and understanding.  But I can tell you a few things I’ve learned already.

Yes, every innocent life matters.  Everyone belongs in the circle of protection.  Every child has something to contribute to the world, if we give them that chance.  There are the world’s standards of perfection … and then there are God’s, and these are the final measure.  Every child is beautiful before God, and dear to Him for their own sake.

As for our beautiful baby boy, for Todd and me, he is only more precious because he is vulnerable.  In some ways, I think we stand to learn more from him than he does from us.  When we hold Trig and care for him, we don’t feel scared anymore.  We feel blessed.

It’s hard to think of many issues that could possibly be more important than who is protected in law and who isn’t – who is granted life and who is denied it.  So when our opponent, Senator Obama, speaks about questions of life, I listen very carefully.

I listened when he defended his unconditional support for unlimited abortions.  He said that a woman shouldn’t have to be – quote – “punished with a baby.” He said that right here in

A New Kind of Leader

On my trip to visit my publisher this past week, I was given a copy of the hot-off-the-press book, Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader. Let me tell you, no matter which side of the political aisle you fall on, this is a book worth reading. I read more than half of it during my flight home, even though I'd meant to sleep or work on my book. I just could not put it down.

I was one of many whose interest was captured by this unknown-to-me woman a little over a month ago. I was appalled at the garbage and hatred that has been thrown her way. I was saddened when she didn't do as well as expected in interviews with hostile, less than unbiased reporters, and I cheered for her during the debate with Biden. But reading this book has elevated her even more in my estimation.

All I can say is, here is the kind of politician I would like to see more of on both sides of the aisle. A month or so ago, I told readers of Write Thinking that it wouldn't hurt for them to read The Faith of Barack Obama (be they Democrat or Republican) because he will be around the political landscape for many years to come, whether or not he wins the election. Now I am saying the same thing about Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader. She is going to be around for a long time to come, so Democrat or Republican, you ought to read this book.

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I came home with a cold and my elderly mother caught one at my daughter's house while I was gone. So with two sickies in the house, my blogging may be a bit sparse until we kick this thing.

J. Lee Grady on Overcoming Anxiety

These are nervous times for many. Have faith! Take a moment to read this article:

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Don't Let the Devil Eat Your Lunch!

In this season of spiritual shaking and financial uncertainty, we must press into the secret place of praise in order to overcome discouragement.

I’m a big fan of newspapers, but I haven’t enjoyed reading mine lately. The news has been intensely negative for the last few months. Plus, the number of advertising pages is shrinking because of the economic crisis. So when I picked up my very thin copy of the Orlando Sentinel today, I had to search hard to find anything positive. (I am happy, of course, that the Florida Gators crushed the Tennessee Volunteers over the weekend!)

On today’s front page, one article explained how the economic downturn is affecting kids. Psychologists are warning parents not to talk about job loss, foreclosures or high gas prices in front of their children because they may internalize fears, causing them to lose sleep or fail classes. Experts call this phenomenon “trickle down anxiety.

Read the rest of the article here. It is good. (And if you find this link after the next column has been posted, just use the drop down list to find it.)

-rlh-

Ain't it the truth?

Click for full size version.

Aborted ... and lived to tell about it

At the tender age of 17, Tina was frightened and pregnant. Feeling abandoned and desperate, she stepped into the clinic to have an abortion. But in the midst of it, something unexpected happened . . . something wonderful. Instead of snuffing out the growing life within, the procedure failed. And with defiance and courage, a baby girl made her way into the world.

Gianna is the incredible true story of one girl's remarkable journey from abortion survivor to steadfast defender and lover of life. This book isn't about issues — it's about a young woman's determination to make the most of her God-given opportunities.

Think about it.

-rlh-

i see america

On this anniversary of a day that changed the world, I'm sharing with you this tribute to our American military. It was written, produced and performed by Sandy Riggers, a gal from north-central Idaho.

Here is what Ms. Riggins says about this video:

I See America is a military tribute. I wrote the song about ten years ago with the intention of focusing solely on our troops and veterans. In the last few years I have been piecing together clips from Dept. of Defense videos, etc., to try and include every major U.S. conflict from the Revolutionary War to our current War on Terror. It has been a tedious process, but definitely a labor of love. I hope and pray this tribute will reach a multitude of our precious troops and veterans. God bless them all, they deserve so much more than we could ever give them.

And to that I say, Amen.

-rlh-

did someone swallow stupid pills?

Okay, I'm getting snarky now. Please forgive me. But I'm offended on several levels with this latest jab. A congressman has actually compared Obama to Jesus and Palin to Pontius Pilate. Forget the audacity of hope. What about the audacity of the brainless? The foolish? The clueless? The offensive? What the heck was this guy smoking?

Here's the same info with a bit more detail, found on FoxNews.com:

Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen riled Republicans Wednesday after he compared Barack Obama to Jesus Christ and suggested Sarah Palin is akin to Pontius Pilate.

The Tennessee Democrat, who supports Obama, was on the House floor giving a one-minute speech when he offered the comparisons.

“If you want change, you want the Democratic Party,” Cohen said. “Barack Obama was a community organizer like Jesus, who our minister prayed about. Pontius Pilate was a governor.”

Cohen was referencing shots Palin took at Obama during her address last week at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. Palin, a former mayor, poked fun at Obama for crediting his work as a community organizer, saying, “I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee objected to Cohen’s statements Wednesday in a press release, pointing out that Pilate sentenced Christ to death and asking, “What point was Cohen trying to make?”

Cohen’s remarks also play into Republican charges that Obama fancies himself a celebrity-like or messianic figure in the 2008 race. They also come on the heels of Obama’s comment Tuesday that “you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.”

Palin supporters allege the oft-used expression was directed at Palin, who joked in the same speech that the difference between hockey moms like her and pit bulls is lipstick.

PS I am now putting myself on a one week moritorium regarding the election, any candidates, no matter how excited or irate they make me. And if at all possible, I will try to stretch that out even longer. Write Thinking isn't a political blog, and I don't even like politics. I know governments are part of God's plans to help people live in peace, but sometimes they make me feel anything but peaceful.

-rlh-