Ladies and gents, boys and girls, blacks and whites, old and young, fat and ugly...
*pause for laughter/disgust...
the United States of America has voted for a new president and that man is Barack Obama. We here at LIFE congratulate him on his victory (albeit over our endorsed candidate) and wish him well on his quest to become a the next "great" president. (on the heels of a great president)
So here is the question as a people, nation, and news outlet, should we show him respect because he is our president? See back in the day the media would go at great length to do what it took to show respect to our president. Or should we rip into him by saying he is an idiot because he is change we cant believe in? Like our current media and people of this nation have done to president Bush. What is the right thing to do and why? Throw it all out here...use the Manifesto if you have to...
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26 comments:
I think the answer to your question is yes, we should show respect for the office of president. Even if the man holding the office is wicked, it is still our responsibility as Christians to respect the office. Read the book of Daniel. Daniel showed honor to the King but at the same time he didn't try to sugar coat his wickedness. Daniel and the Three Hebrew Children all faced death for standing against the wicked decrees of the king. That day is coming in this country a lot sooner than any of us would like to think.
One of the best messages I have ever heard was on this subject. It was by Paul Jehle at the History of the World Mega Conference 2006. I listened to it again last winter on DVD.
That is my answer to the question.
Now secondly:
How could you say that Barack Obama is coming in on the heels of a great president? How could you say that a man who bowed to a shrine of a pagan god a great man?!
1 Peter 2:17
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
hon⋅or
1. honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions: a man of honor.
2. a source of credit or distinction: to be an honor to one's family.
3. high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor.
4. such respect manifested: a memorial in honor of the dead.
5. high public esteem; fame; glory: He has earned his position of honor.
This should answer the question
And I would have to agree with Rhonda on he second point.
Luke 18:19
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
As well as both of you know me, you both should have known that you were walking right into something. I thought for sure someone would call me on that. Slam dunk, got two...
Anwerering in order the questions came...
Rhonda I consider you to be a "great" person (yeah I admit Dave's alright too) but I'm sure that there are things in your life I don't know about. Do those things things don't disqualify you from being a "great" person?
Next point...
(side note, Dave your first point is contradictory to the second)
Because we know the Bible is not contradictory, Jesus means "perfect" i.e. With out sin.
(side note #2 Jesus is perfect, being God)
Obviously by saying "great" I did not mean "perfect." I believe that when history is written and way down the line people will be able to see that what Mr. Bush has done has been "great" (not "perfect")
Back to Rhonda's question/point...
I do not judge a person totaly on the bad things they do, if fact I try to look for the good as much as I can. Sad thing is that humans just have to find something wrong with everyone. Also sad is it's easy to find bad things in people. Thats why we have so much hate in this world. I'm not saying that we should gloss over sin but God counts all sin equal. Count the great things, let God deal with the bad.
I could go on and on but thats enough for now...
I am glad I could give you the joy of "walking right into" what ever it was. Glad to help any time. :) Though I am not sure what I walked into. I just answered the question I thought you had posed.
You are right. We do have a tendency to look at all the bad in people. But not always. I have a tendency to take things out of balance the other way. There are people I know that I try my hardest not to see their faults. I am getting better about that. Inevitably I will see their faults and if I have built them up too high they come crashing down. I have gotten hurt when I have seen people "fall" in my eyes, when all along it was my fault for holding them to too high of a standard. Here is where balance comes in again. Doesn't that come up in every topic???
I realize that I just strayed WAY off topic. Sorry... You know I am really good at doing that though. :)
Just out of curiosity - What exactly is it that you are going to look at to say that President Bush is a great president? The fact that he was the first president to fund stem cell research. Granted, it was to be very limited... but still. (An other side note I just started reading a book called "Without Moral Limits" yesterday I was reading about stem cell research. The history of it will make you sick)
How about Homeland Security? Taking away more of our freedoms than any president in history.
Could it be the polytheistic "prayer" meetings and gathering he has had, or bowing for public worship to a pagan god?
I know this sounds terribly sarcastic. But my questions are real. You cannot balance out evil with good. I really would like to know though what you consider "great" during President Bush's two terms?
You will probably rip this apart. You are a far better "debater" than I am. I have never denied that. I am just giving you my positions to consider and then chuck at your leisure.
I saw that one coming....
For lack of time I will just second Rhonda's questions.
1. I am an American.
2. The greater part of Barack Obama's political and moral positions threaten the ideals of MY great country's founding.
3. I have not yet found a way to thoroughly despise, yet honor an individual.
4. I have not been able to quench my patriotism to such an extent that I can not despise an individual who would seek to destroy MY country, and my future family.
5. The Bible clearly states that all powers that be are ordained of God, and makes it obvious that everything that happens is allowed by HIM.
6. Caleb has a decision to make.
Now here is something I don't say very often (if ever): Right on, Caleb! Especially 3. and 5.
I stated what I believe is the answer to the question, but didn't say I have figured out how to do that.
As for your fifth point... That is such a wonderful truth. Obama is to be our next president because God PLACED him there.
I heard this quote in a clip from a sermon the other day. I think it is amazing and fits perfectly here.
“There is not one square inch over planet earth of which the risen Christ does not say, ‘Mine! And I rule it. I am supreme over it.’”
I haven't a clue how to spell the man's name to give credit. It was Abraham Kiefer or something like that.
I would encourage you all to watch the video. I might just post it on my blog so more can hear it. It is amazing!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moW_x1M-VaU&eurl=http://nontubeforbar.blogspot.com/
It cut off the end of the address. I will just post it so everyone can see it.
I found the name of the man I quoted. It was Abraham Kuyper. I didn't hear it right on the video.
Yeah Rhonda! God is totally King of the Universe, and everything that happens, anywhere, anytime has to obtain his approval, and when we recognize his ultimate power, He gets off on that! So we can actually bring Him honor by remaining calm and composed despite the seeming tragedy, because, after all, One who has enough power to create the world and everything in it has his hand on the wheel...
Caleb, I was reading a post this morning where this lady said she had been told that we don't have to be thankful for everything (Her previous post was on being thankful for everything, even the things we don't want to be thankful for. In her case she was dealing with the death of her unborn baby girl this year). The "logic" behind the thinking was that we live in a fallen world. Satan is on the loose, therefore all thing cannot be "blamed" on God. To say such is to say that Satan has power over God's children that God doesn't have. Saying that Satan brings thing into our lives that God does not want. Who is the All powerful One anyway? Satan was only able to do to Job what he did because God allowed him to.
I guess I am preaching to the choir. I will quit now. :)
Did you watch the John Piper video?
Neither. (that's related to the post)
Goodness, Lydia! That explained a lot! Now I know exactly what you think about it. (said with just a slight bit of sarcasm)
hhmm I'm confused also but...what else is new?
I'll respond to it all sometime...I promise.
OK. Here is my thoughts. Good luck trying to understand them... :)
Yes we should respect him. He is our President(elect).
And there is something that you people need to understand...
"DON'T WORRY!!"
God is not *just* in control!! HE NEVER LOST CONTROL!! If God did not want us to respect our President, (no matter how ungodly he is) he would have told us in the Bible to "Respect only good people" but NO. He told us to love all people. Honor all people.
Now i am not saying that Obama is a good person. He is not. But that does not give us an excuse as Christians, to disrespect someone. Christian or not.
I hope that all makes sense to you... :)
Alrighty here we go.
First question...I think we all agree on it, with good answers coming from all sides. Thanks, tis amazing.
"Second question"...I put the "great" in there just because I thought I'd see who would call me on it. Sorry I'm so bad.
Ok here's the thing, I know most people don't like president Bush, he's done a lot to make people mad.
I am one of the few who still stand with him. Yes, he is an idiot, crazy, whatever. Anyone who wants to be president has to be wacky. (hence the reason I'm running in 2040, jk) He has done a lot of dumb/bad things from my standpoint.
But here's my short list of "great things. (before you read this think back about all the bad things that have happened under Mr. Bush. Things that are really not ALL his fault.)
(as president)
Zero, zip, nota, successful attacks on our country since September 11, 2001.
The war in Iraq, regardless of all the reasons we went there and what not, we are fighting Islam there not here.
Appointed 2 very good Supreme Court justices.
I don't understand all I know about stem cells, so if someone would send me some good info on it, I would be very thankful. My understanding is that he used his first veto on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, thats all I know. Maybe I should get that book.
He quit the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
He does not back down to pressure, and stands with what he believes in.
(as a person)
He does not say one thing and then do another...for the most part. This is true of all "great" people.
Where he stands with God, I really don't know, I have heard both sides and would like to have someone throw out a bit more real evidence one way or the other...
Served in the Texas Air National Guard, I believe that having military experience is a prerequisite for any president.
I could add more but I think thats enough for now.
Dave...your turn...I've been waiting long enough.
O and that little thing about Homeland Security/freedoms, idk which ones I've lost?
My siblings corrected me on saying that we lost more freedom under Bush than any other president. I forgot to mention Lincoln. He would top the bill. :)
Pleeezeee!!! time for a new blog post!
Losing the "freedom" to enslave people is a "freedom" I'll gladly lose. No no, wait, stop, lets not get me started on that. (liberty please don't say a thing, can we agree to disagree this time)
Dear Friend(s),
It is "to peace". *raises cup
More to come I promise.
Goodness, Bret. You are the one who lives to argue! I only argue with you when I think you say something I can't let slide. :)
(that last statement would normally fall into that category but I will not start it tonight)
Losing the "freedom" to enslave people is a "freedom" I'll gladly lose.
Very much agreed.
VERY much agree!!
Hey Bret.. Aunt April here. I'm with you. Yeah, I think he's great too... even if you changed your mind on that. (Judging a man's greatness on whether or not he bowed to an idol???) Really now, if some of these bloggers think they can do a better job.. go for it. Pray for him... BTW, he is pro-life, pro marriage between a man/woman, etc... Oh, I get it, because he is a Christian, we have to make sure he's 'perfect' to be considered 'great'. We could have gotten a lot worse these last 8 years if the other guy had won.
Let's see.. King David stayed home from battle, had an affair, killed the husband, and still he was a man after God's own heart. (and that was just one example) I think we need to be REAL careful how we judge.
I enjoy your blog. Have a wonderful 2009. Give your mom a hey for me. (or a hug if you feel like it. :)
Oh, and while I'm still thinking about this... I'd like to know (since some of you think he failed so miserably) just what would have made President Bush 'great'. (Without looking up 'great' in Webster's dictionary and typing here the definition.) Remember not to confuse 'great' with 'good'. In that category, we all get a big fat ZERO!
I'm amazed that he lead our country for the last 8 years and didn't lose his sanity. They (President Bush and his wife) have my admiration and appreciation.
(Bret, give your mom another hug from me. :o)
Correction... led our country, not lead.
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