I’m Voting for Barack Palin!
That’s right! You heard it here first. After last evening’s debate between the Vice-Presidential candidates, Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, I am one of the undecided independents who has made up his mind about for whom I will vote: Barack Palin.
I was going to vote for Sarah Obama but the way blogs are these days, I’d be accused of voting for Barack Obama’s fictitious first wife, who is a white witchcraft-proofed Pentecostal, who divorced her Muslim husband in Indonesia, who, after they split up, moved to Alaska while he moved to Chicago, only to be reunited on the grandest of stages 20 years later. Of course, this story is completely made up.
So I’m voting for Barack Palin instead, and let me explain why. After watching the debate last evening, I saw a common characteristic that I admired in both Barack Obama and Sarah Palin. Both of these individuals recognized a once in a lifetime opportunity, and were not afraid to seize it. It’s been said that the Chinese symbol for the word “crisis” means “eminent danger and incredible opportunity”.
Make no mistake, both Barack Obama and Sarah Palin were chosen as candidates. Sarah Palin’s journey to candidacy was fairly straightforward. Regarding Barack Obama, there is a CNN documentary that covers his rise and shows how he was chosen to run for president. After delivering such an electrifying speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention (another seized opportunity), he traveled the country campaigning for other democratic candidates. He was such a draw everywhere he went that one of the democratic heavyweights convinced him that he himself should become a candidate.
What I am most impressed by is that these two candidates seized their opportunities, even though the timing seemed wrong. I did not think Barack should have run against Hillary Clinton. I thought he would have been better off waiting until 2012 to have a better opportunity to win. I was wrong! I thought that Sarah Palin was not ready for primetime, especially after her interviews with Katie Couric. My opinion was that she’d have been better served if she had simply “stayed up there” in Alaska. Yet, after last evening’s performance, if John McCain were to lose this election there is no doubt that she is now in the mix for 2012.
So, love them or hate them, when the door of opportunity opened, they fearlessly walked into the room and their lives now will never be the same. I pray that during this “Year of New Beginnings”, you and I will fearlessly walk through the doors of opportunity God swings open for us by His Holy Spirit. These doors may not be so recognizable: a lay off, a failure in school, a broken relationship, an unexpected illness, or a myriad of other things that may or may not initially look like a God-given opportunity.
Yet, if we ask God to open our eyes, He will show us that He’s been working on the other side of that door waiting to greet us with His plan for our good (Romans 8:28). So I’m voting for, ah heck, I’ll say it: Sarah Obama! Of course, I invite your thoughts on this exciting election.
sending...
Hello Bishop Greene,
It is impossible to be for Sarah Obama. She (Palin) was selected as a VP candidate & running mate by John McCain. John McCain is running for presidency and your support for Sarah Palin would be a vote for John McCain. Although there are some aspects of Sarah Palin that are admorable – mother of five, governor, hunter, she exercises, she’s a christian, and appears to be all nicely packaged – she does not have the caliber that I look for in the US presidency. Her introduction to the national stage has been riped with negativity and is an extreme turn off. Yes she has seized an opportunity, but I do not see that as being an opportunity that will benefit this great country.
John McCain has compromised his integrity by running a Karl Rove style campaign full of attacks and negative campaigning. I am very disappointed in this former POW. What do you know about his positions and his vision for our country? I care answer that question because I’ve only heard from him that he wants to continue this war in Iraq at the cost of American lives and financial resources. This war was a bad decision and I am ready for our troops to come home and be taken care of.
I am voting for Barack Obama although I was a strong Hillary Clinton supporter during the primaries. I am choosing to support Barack Obama because I support his vision for supporting the Middle Class by lowering taxes, creating a national health care system, resolve for bringing our troops out of IRAQ and having more targeted missions to keep Americans safe, restoring America’s position in the world as a peaceful country who answers the call to others, and I truly believe that GOD has positioned to seize this opportunity.
Thank you for your thoughts
NR
Hello everyone,
I am a young male pastor with the Assemblies of God. I am 23 years old and a registered republican(a recent college grad with a BA in Biblical Studies and Minors in Greek and Philosophy). I will at the beginning of this blog admit that after a long journey of searching and analyzing the canidates I am voting for the McCain/Palin ticket, because my Biblical convictions will not allow me to vote for the Obama/Biden ticket. Allow me to explain how I arrived at my conclusion. Before I begin let me make it perfectly clear that my conclusion certainly does not have to be your conclusion. You are free to vote for whomever you please, that is the beauty of America.
I think it is so wonderful that an African American man and a Woman are both running in this election, and they certainly are to be commended for their willingness to serve our great country!!
During this election season I can’t help but be impressed with Senator Obama’s oratory skills and eloguence with scripted speeches. As an oratory Junkie I am very impressed with his diction and voice inflection. However, I believe that many Americans are missing the facts in this election and they are not using their minds nor are they using their convictions.
Are we really focusing on the issues? I firmly believe that the Bible is our official rule of faith and conduct for our everyday lives. This is also part of the doctrinal statements held by the church that Bishop Brian Greene pastors. So on that issue we can agree. If the Bible is our official rule of faith and conduct and it is infalible, trustworthy, and true, then it certainly should be referenced and relied upon in any decision that effects our life including voting in a presidential election.
As Christians we cannot lay aside the Bible when we are voting in an election. The question becomes, do we live out our faith and convictions or are they simply empty words? For example, the issues of Abortion and Homosexual unions should be considered as non-negotiables for true Bible believing Christians. The Bible is firmly against Homosexuality- look up and read the following scriptures(Lev.20:13,Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The Bible is also firmly against distinguishing between a baby inside the womb of a woman and a baby outside the womb- look up the following scriptures- (Jeremiah 1:5,Luke 1:41-44). Whether the baby is inside the womb or outside of the womb it is precious to the Lord and the Bible consider’s it life. Also, for those who make the claim, “It’s my body!” my answer is “NO IT’S NOT.” The Word of God declares that you are not your own for you have been bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20) and that we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices that are pleasing unto the Lord (Romans 12:1-2). Ask yourself, is it pleasing unto to the Lord to have pre-marital sex? (NO!) Is it pleasing unto the Lord to abort an innocent child? (NO!) THE WORD OF GOD SAYS….. NO!
However, Senator Obama supports abortion, even partial birth abortions. I challenge anyone to look up the different styles of abortion and see how they are performed. Then watch a few abortion videos. Abortions are inhumane, and putrid. Here are a few examples.. Partial birth abortion involves inserting scissors into the base of a baby’s skull, opening it up, and sucking its brain out. Saline abortions involve replacing the amniotic fluid around a baby with a salt solution that burns the baby to death. Other methods include cutting the baby up inside the womb with a loop shaped knife and sucking out the peaces. Another method involves a strong vaccum that rips the baby to peaces. I have viewed abortions and you can see the baby trying to get away from the knife, but they have nowhere to hide and the doctor hacks them into peaces. Senator Obama supports these methods, even partial birth abortions(check his record).
Senator Obama and Senator Biden not only support abortion, but they believe that there should be no distinction between a homosexual union and a heterosexual union. Will the real Christians please stand up against this immorality? How can we as Bible believing christians vote for pro-abortion (“choice”)canidates and for those who make no distinction between homosexual relationships and heterosexual relationships. Who cares? God Cares! His word says He cares!
Besides these moral issues which are an essential litmus test to understanding the true character and integrity of a person, I realize there are other issues.
For example taxes. Senator Obama promises that 95% of the population will not see a tax increase. These numbers do not match up. 30% of Americans do not even pay a federal income tax. Senator Obama wants us to believe that he will tax the rich and take care of the middle class. I am a middle class person so I was excited to hear this. However, when we think about this plan logically, it doesn’t work out. The people who make 200,000 dollars or more a year are the CEO’s and the Bosses of the companies where you fine middle class folk work. They are the hirerers (my own word) and the firerers (my own word) If Senator Obama raises their taxes they will find a way to make up for the money they have lost… So what will they do…. hmmm they will lay you off and fire you, and send your job over seas. They will not continue to pay your salary, because they can’t afford to under Senator Obama’s plan. Senator Obama’s economic plans are socialist in nature and Marxist in ideology. Are we the United States of America or the Soviet Union? Ask a Canadian how much they like their universal Health Care package…. a hint… they hate it with a passion, thats why they are flooding our country trying to get health care here.
Contrary to popular belief Senator Obama’s economic plan will destroy the middle class and lead us from a recession into a depression. (side: History proves that raising anyone’s taxes during a recession always leads to a depression). Here is another major problem. Senator Obama lists all of these wonderful social programs that he wants to put into place. This is wonderful…. however, Mr. Obama, where is the money coming from. Oh thats right, it will come from the pockets of hard working middle class Americans like you and me my friends. Senator Obama promisses the world, but he doesn’t have the money to pay for it……. do you, because it will be your increases in taxes that will pay for it. Most middle class families already pay about 34% of their income to the government, under Senator Obama’s policies you would be paying 50% or more. I don’t know about you, but I am not ready to give 50% of my pay check to the government.
You can’t have both a plethora of social government programs and low taxes… its either one or the other, come on folks use your brains on this.
Finally, I want to touch on some of the associations of Senator Obama. (You can find clips dealing with these following individuals I am about to list on youtube.com) First, I am very discouraged with the association of Senator Obama with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. We all know that Rev. Jeremiah Wright was Senator Obama’s spiritual father and his mentor, he was also Mr. Obama’s pastor for 20 years. Now, I am a pastor and I have seen many people come and go from churches. It is extremely surprising to me that Senator Obama could sit in a church like that for 20 years and feel comfortable with the outlandish claims of Rev. Wright. When people disagree with the views of a church they normally leave and find a place of worship that is more in line with their beliefs. If Senator Obama is in line with Rev. Wrights ideologies,that is extremely frightening and disheartening to me.
Check out some of the quotes of Rev. Wright on youtube.com and decide for yourselves. I will not list them here because I want you to listen and deside for yourselves. Secondly, I would like to address Lewis Farakan (the leader of the nation of Islam). Lewis Farakan states that Senator Obama is part of the Messiah’s (Muslim Messiah) plan and his return. If Senator Obama is a Christian, then why has he never denounced these outrageous remarks.
Here are some other quotes from Mr. Farakan, “Judaism is a gutter religion” and “White people are only potential human beings”. Senator Obama was quoted saying,”Lewis Farakan is a great man.” I am sorry, but I respectfully disagree with Senator Obama. Also, Senator Obama’s church gave Lewis Farakan an award for being a person of distinction.
Finally, Senator Obama’s association with William Ayers; an unrepentant terrorist is extremely scary. Senator Obama recieved private funds from Ayers for his campaign. Ayers was quoted on 9/11/01 saying,”I do not regret the bombings I participated in, my only regret is that I did not do enough.” Senator Obama has been quoted saying,”William Ayers is a great American.” Again, I have to disagree with Senator Obama, I don’t believe a “great American” bombs America (example: Ayers bombed our own capital building). I could really go on and on about why the Obama/Biden ticket is a dangerous ticket. However the facts are the facts, an Obama/Biden ticket is unfounded morally, Biblically, economically, internationaly, and in every other rational and practical way.
I respect Senator Obama and his view points. However, I believe it is extremely hard for someone who has trully made Jesus Christ the Lord of their life and the Bible their official guide for living, to vote for the Obama/Biden ticket, unless they simply lay aside and disregard their Bible based faith. I believe that Senator Obama is a wise man, a good orator, and I admire his willingness to do what no other African American has done before. I respect the history here, really I do.
However, I have to ask some essential provoking questions. I must ask, are we voting the color of our skin, are we voting our pocketbooks, or are we voting our Biblically based convictions. Truly, in the end we are not voting for a black man, a white man, a woman, an old man, or a young man, but rather we are voting for the character which is the root that grows a person into the individual they are. If there are no strong roots there is no strong fruit.
I will end my comments with a quote from someone that I deeply admire. . . “I HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY MY CHILDREN WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN BUT BY THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Are you voting for Obama or McCain because of the color of their skin or are you voting for them because of the content of their character. I would hope that we would vote according to the latter rather than the former.
When You listen to the canidates this election remember that Jesus required us to Love God with all of our minds as well. Research the canidates and find out their records, see if their positions line up with the word of God, and vote your convictions, not your skin color, or your pocket book.
I am honored that you have allowed me to join in on your discussion.
God Bless You and may the Love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be extended to you!!!!!!
THAT IS EXXXAAACCTTLLYY WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!! SEE NOW Pastor Timothy Michaux SAID IT ALLL…
YOU SAID YOUR SELF BISHOP …
“A BLESSING IS OFTEN COVERED UP AS A CURSE, AND THE CURSE IS OFTEN COVERED UP AS A BLESSING”
OBAMA SHOULD NOOOOT BE IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!!
GOD BLESSS!!!
Recently, I learned that one of my cousins packed up her three children to campaign in the midwest for one of the candidates. My father, who once identified with a certain set of political philosophies, has since shifted his political views. Indeed, the role this election has had on my family illustrates that this is an election like no other.
Because I am still a national of my country of birth, I find myself in a rather interesting position. While I have become increasingly more critical of one of the campaigns, I am still able to step back, reflect and remember that ALL things are in God’s control (admittedly, I believe it would be more difficult for me to do so if I were voting). In the midst of such critical moments, I am reminded of the sovereignity, power and wisdom of our God. Ultimately, He knows who this country needs for a time such as this.
One thing I have learned over the past few months is that the people of God must be vigilant to lay all things at the Master’s feet. If one claims to be a child of God and a follower of His word, he or she must demonstrate those beliefs through actions; Words void of supporting action is nothing more than empty rhetoric. With respect to the candidates, I believe that this is the only way to help craft a more perfect union.
I don’t know how this story will end, but I do know one thing: God is still in the business of being God! Whether or not the candidate that embodies hope and change assumes the position of Commander in Chief, we as the people of God must remember that our “hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”.
With this in mind, I’d like to answer the rhetorical question posed by one of the campaigns: “Got Hope?”
YES, SENATOR, I DO!
Wow, I haven’t packed up my family yet but I am an enthusiastic supporter of the candidate of hope. I was encouraged by the feedback that was left a while ago supporting the aforementioned candidate. I thought her reasons were right on.
Now that it looks like Obama will win the presidency, I hope that we can all take up his prayer (pilfered from the Western Wall) as our own for him:
“Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will.” Amen.
While I do believe politics is important, the kingdom of God trumps everything. As a country, we need the spirit of God to revive us into the works of Jesus. I am not a member of PT but I visited your church recently and have listened to most of Bishop Greene’s sermons online. As a nonpartisan observer, I think that your church is special, a place where the kingdom of God is at hand. I pray that Bishop Greene’s desire for PT (from the excellent message “Sackcloth and Ashes”), would be so: that PT would be a church of supernatural power, of repentance and miracles, of rivers of living water for a dry and thirsty land. Amen!