Monthly Archives: January 2019

President Trump’s Compromise

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Friday afternoon, President Trump announced that he would sign a bill to fund the government for three more weeks and end the government shutdown. He accepted the Democrat proposal to first open the government and then they will discuss the President’s request for border security.

It was evident on the President’s face that this was not something he wanted to do. He knew that the headlines would be, “Trump Caves.”

President Trump did not cave. He compromised. There is a big difference.

A cave is when one party gives in without fighting to win on their position. They may talk a great deal but do not put up a fight because they never intended to put up a fight.

A compromise on the other hand is when both parties come to an agreement to resolve an issue. Both parties come out of the deal with something and both parties give up something.

President Trump’s position was to fund the government and include border security provisions with physical barriers, commonly referred to as a wall. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer said, no wall.

Both made small concessions along the way. Trump’s recommendation changed from wall to steel slats that allowed border guards to see through to the other side. He later threw in provisions to address the issue of children who had been brought to the United States illegally by their parents.

Pelosi and Schumer softened their position from “no wall” to a short term bill of a few weeks to open the government. During that period, they assured the President that there would be serious and meaningful bi-partisan discussions to fund border security.

The President had serious reservations about Democrats actually operating in good faith. He did not want to play the role of Charlie Brown to have Lucy (Pelosi and Schumer) snatch the football away again.

President Trump knew that the shutdown was putting a financial strain on impacted federal employees. The strain was showing, particularly in air travel.

During the shutdown, President Trump has been talking with members of Congress. Some meetings were well publicized while many were out of the limelight.

His statement below summarizes the spirit of the compromise.

After 36 days of spirited debate and dialogue, I have seen and heard from enough Democrats and Republicans that they are willing to put partisanship aside, I think, and put the security of the American people first. I do believe they are going to do that.

They have said they are for complete border security and they have finally and fully acknowledged that having barriers, fences, or walls or whatever you want to call it, will be an important part of the solution. A bipartisan conference committee of House and Senate lawmakers and leaders will immediately begin reviewing the requests of our homeland security experts, and experts they are, and also law enforcement professionals who have worked with us so closely.

The key in this statement is the agreement to have a bipartisan conference committee. A conference committee is generally formed after the House and Senate pass a bill with slight differences. The conference committee meets to work out the differences and present the same bill to both chambers for final approval.

The bipartisan makeup of the committee means that Democrats and Republicans will both be at the same table talking with each other. They will not be talking at each other via 30 second sound bites.

The address was originally scheduled for 1:00 pm last Friday. It was almost 2:30 before the President spoke. That delay indicates that he was working on this address, probably making phone calls, and finalizing agreements up until the last minute.

President Trump wanted a bill that included funding for a wall. He believed that he could strike some agreement to get it done.

Democrat leadership refused to talk. As time went on, the focus of attention turned more and more to the impact of the government shutdown and away from the crisis at the border.

The President decided to eat humble pie. He agreed to the appeals he was hearing from both sides to open the government. The compromise agreement is in the best interest of all Americans.

President Trump displayed leadership in fighting for his position. He displayed leadership by taking action to move the issue forward. He displayed statesmanship by putting trust in both parties to work together on a conference committee in good faith.

President Trump kept his part of the agreement. Within hours of giving his address, the President signed the bill to give full back pay and put federal workers back to work.

Furloughed federal workers are no longer an issue. Now, the issue is solely on border security and funding a wall to address the crisis on our Southern border.

The President recognizes the process that the Founding Fathers built into our constitutional government. Technically, the President could declare a national emergency and act unilaterally.

He believes that Congress should recognize the crisis at the Southern Border. They should acknowledge the crisis by funding border security.

The President has done his part. Now, it is in the hands of Congress. President Trump did not cave. He compromised. There is a big difference.

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America – Heed the Warning

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“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”(Genesis 1:1) The opening words of the Bible lay a foundation on which all of mankind stands.

The account of God’s creation unfolds step by step. Everything was building toward this grand finale of the creation. God created man in the image of God.

Man was special. Man was unique. The description of man contains a characteristic unlike any other part of creation. “in our own image.” (Genesis 1:26) Man was stamped with the image of God. He was sanctified by God.

In this perfect environment, with a perfect couple, a tragic event took place. God’s perfect human beings, Adam and Eve, rejected God.

Instead of trusting in the abundant gifts of God in a perfect environment with a perfect relationship, they chose their own path. They violated the one rule that God gave.

With the fall of man, sin entered the world. Adam and Eve experienced fear and shame.

Their first child, Cain, demonstrated the pollution of sin and the fall. He experienced envy, jealousy, rage, and eventually killed his own brother.

When God handed down the 10 commandments, He included, “you shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13) God gave life. His creation was to honor life and treat everyone with dignity and respect.

Even the social consciousness movement against bullying is not a new cultural improvement. God handed down the first directive against making fun of others? “You shall not curse a deaf man, nor place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall revere your God; I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:14 NASB)

The Nation of Israel turned away from the one true God and chased after false philosophies. It led to a downward spiral of the nation that sunk to its lowest depth.

They sacrificed their own children. Their focus of attention was not on the gift of the lives of their children. Their focus was on themselves.

Things are no different today. The self-centered secular humanism has no moral absolutes. As a result, we have a nation that worships itself and fails to see the glaring inconsistency of its own behavior.

Imagine someone going on a famous talk show. Millions across the nation watch as the parents calmly talk with the host about their latest wonderful religious experience.

They vividly describe how they took their newborn baby into a decorated sanctuary. They bowed before a large statue. Then they turned and handed the infant child over to man dressed in a ceremonial robe.

The man lifted the child up high over his head and uttered words to the god he worshipped. He then placed the baby on a metal grate and turned a large valve. Natural gas freely flowed and then ignited beneath the child.

In seconds the metal grate changed to raging inferno. They reverently listened to the terrified screams of the baby until the screams finally fell to an eerie silence.

Imagine that conversation today before a live studio audience broadcast nationwide. The audience would be in shock and rage at such an event.

But then imagine a woman on the same show saying, “my body, my rights.” No, wait, we don’t have to imagine something like that. We see it every day. Her statement is usually followed by loud applause.

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that the child in the mother’s womb is not a “person.” Therefore that child has no rights under the Constitution of the United States.

Since 1973 we have seen astounding advances in science and technology. The invention of the sonogram allows someone to learn of the gender of a child long before birth.

This has led to a new line of business for party and event planners. The “reveal party” now is a part of our culture where an expectant couple holds friends and family in suspense before revealing the gender of the baby, still months before birth.

We have a generation of children who grew up seeing sonogram images of little brother or sister. America’s plea of ignorance on the question of when life begins was weak in 1973. There is no basis for a plea of ignorance today.

The five year old brother standing in awe before the refrigerator looking first at his mother’s growing stomach and then at the sonogram image of his little sister taped to the refrigerator door instinctively knows better. We know better too, and we are accountable.

Just a matter of weeks ago, the state legislature in Ohio passed a bill that prohibited an abortion after the detection of a heartbeat in the baby. A heartbeat is a basic sign of life. Checking for a pulse is one of the immediate actions taken by a first responder at the scene of an accident.

Lawmakers in Ohio recognized that basic sign of life. They overwhelmingly passed a law recognizing that a child with a heartbeat had the right to live.

Governor John Kasich, a Republican, vetoed the bill. His reasoning relied on an outdated Supreme Court ruling.

Instead of standing for life and challenging the ruling, he unconditionally surrendered and vetoed the bill. Kasich claims to be pro-life. He ran as a pro-life candidate.

When it came down to it, Kasich thrust aside his trust and reliance in the infallible Supreme Ruler of the Universe. He bowed before black-robed fallible, human beings, and a terribly flawed ruling.

Each of the two major political parties have taken a clear position on an unborn child’s right to life. They published their positions in their campaign platforms for all to see.

The Democrats want to provide tax funding for abortion on demand. The Republican platform stands on the side of the child clearly stating “The unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed.”

Democrats also stand to defend the horrific practices of Planned Parenthood. “We will continue to stand up to Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood health centers.” Republicans call for the defunding Planned Parenthood and “to make it a crime to acquire, transfer, or sell fetal tissues from elective abortions for research.”

As if mere killing was not enough, Planned Parenthood and other organizations determined that if they killed the baby in just the right manner, they could butcher the body and sell the parts to highest bidder. With every innocent life brutally dismembered, there is a terrified, helpless, cry from a child fighting for his or her very life.

Those cries fall on deaf human ears. Be assured that God is not deaf. The cries of the millions of innocent babies callously killed as if a sacrifice to a god of convenience rise to His throne of justice.

Our nation cannot continue down this path without consequence. The just and righteous Creator who watched over us and formed this nation of freedom is filled with grace beyond all measure. He is also a God of justice who will pour out His wrath.

God cares enough to warn those who make fun of a deaf or blind person. How much more does He have to say to a nation with the blood of over 60 million innocent lives on its hands?

Here is a clear warning. “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31) America had best heed the warning.

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Two Days in January – Part 1

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There are two significant dates in the month of January that impact America. No, one of them is not the Superbowl. 

One is a day in which we recognize the life of a man who led a movement for justice and freedom. He forced America to face the evil of discriminating against people based on the color of their skin. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is on the third Monday in January. 

The other is a dark day in American history. It is not a federal holiday and is not one to be celebrated with joy. 

On the contrary, it should be acknowledged with repentance and deep sorrow. It should be acknowledged with a cry to the Almighty for forgiveness. 

That day is January 22, 1973. On that day that the Supreme Court of the United States shook its fist in the face of the Supreme ruler of the Universe by ruling that unborn children were not persons, therefore did not have the unalienable right of life. 

What an irony of American history. One day celebrating the righting of the terrible wrong of racism. Another day, that ruled that an unborn child had no more rights than a housefly crushed to death with a swat as a mere nuisance. 

That dreadful decision unleashed the holocaust of abortion. Planned Parenthood and other abortionists have brutally killed millions since that decision.

This commentary is focused on the day we recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On January 15, 1929 a mother gave birth to a boy in Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of 39, his life was cut down in Memphis, Tennessee by the bullet fired by James Earl Ray, a hate-filled, evil, cowardly, sniper. 

I just read Dr. King’s, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” dated April 16, 1963. It is his response to a published statement by eight clergymen It is said that he wrote it on the margins of a newspaper and on scraps of paper. 

Tweets, memes, and 30 second sound bites are the basic literature of today’s culture. They usually degrade to name calling and insults. 

We should regularly set those temporary blurbs aside lest they drag us down along with them. We should take the time to read on deeper, more thoughtful, literature, such as the Bible, biographies, and the writing of great thinkers and leaders that will stand the test of time. 

King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is one of those writings that will stand the test of time. I was particularly impressed with a section of his letter that addressed the state of the church in American society. 

It was written over a half century ago. It could have been written yesterday. I have highlighted phrases of particular impact. 

There was a time when the church was very powerful — in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being “disturbers of the peace” and “outside agitators.” But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were “a colony of heaven,” called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be “astronomically intimidated.”By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests.

Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an arch-defender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church’s silent — and often even vocal — sanction of things as they are. But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century.

If I attempted to add anything to his commentary on the church, it would only dilute the power of the message. I encourage you to read Dr. King’s complete letter. You can find it here: “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” 

On Tuesday, I will address Roe v Wade, the day of sorrow for America. 


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The Shutdown, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Football

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Peanuts is an American classic. One of the ordeals for Charlie Brown is his repeated misplaced trust in Lucy holding the football for kickoff. 

Time after time, Lucy assures Charlie that she will hold the football. Charlie hesitates because she always pulls the football away. 

Finally, Charlie again trusts Lucy and races forward to kick the ball. At the last split second, Lucy snatches the ball out of the way. Charlie flips backwards through the air, landing on his back with a thud.

In some ways this is a good analogy of what is going on between the Democrats and President Trump in the government shutdown. 

The latest proposals from the Democrats provide for opening the government for two or three weeks. During the two or three weeks, the Democrats promise that they will make an honest and diligent effort to consider the President’s request for border security. 

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, called on the President to postpone his State of the Union address. It is scheduled for January 29. She wants him to wait until the government is reopened. 

She also suggested that he deliver it in writing rather than a televised address to the American people. Her request is understandable given her poor performance with Chuck Schumer in their response to President Trump’s Whitehouse address on border security. 

So far, the President is not buying it. He is standing firm. 

Democrats are playing the role of Lucy. They promise that if President Trump will sign a bill to fund the government for just two or three weeks, they can work things out.

The script assures us that Charlie Brown will finally trust Lucy. There is a big difference this time. President Trump is not Charlie Brown. 

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Dear Congressman Bishop

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Last Wednesday I called my Congressman, Sanford Bishop, Democrat, 2nd District of Georgia. I left a simple message with his kind receptionist. 

“Part ways with Nancy Pelosi and represent your district by funding the President’s request. If you have not called, will you take a moment to do that? 202-225-3631. 

Earlier this morning, I also sent the following message. 

Dear Congressman Bishop,

Represent your constituents. Part ways with Nancy Pelosi. Cross the aisle, and vote to secure the borders and reopen the government.

In his address to the American people, President Trump said that this entire shut down could be resolved in 45 minutes with sincere negotiation. 

Thus far the Democrats have been hypocritical. If you insist on listening to and voting as Nancy Pelosi directs, then you, too, will be hypocritical. 

For years politicians on both sides of the aisle have talked about the need for stronger border security. I have read statement after statement from Presidents and leaders from both parties, including the the present Democrat leadership that you are following.

You know that some of those crossing the border are ruthless and merciless criminals. They bring innocent victims along with them.

Reports are that one third of the women who are on caravans to try to illegally cross the open border are victims of horrendous rape and sexual assault along the way. 

Statistics like this indicate that many of the people funding and leading these caravans are not humanitarians helping families seek the American dream. Rather it reveals that these are criminals callously treating women and children as mere commodities in modern day slavery and sex trafficking. 

Now you are inflicting even more pain by allowing the government to shut down. As I write you, federal employees are due a paycheck. It won’t come today.

President Trump said that he would own the shutdown. He may own the shutdown, but you own the solution. 

You voted for the Secure Fence Act when President George W. Bush asked for it. Chuck Schumer voted for it. Today, when the crisis at the border is even worse, you suddenly make a 180 degree turn. Why? 

It is not because of policy. Border security is an American issue, not a party issue.

It is not a funding question. I have not heard one word asking what to cut in order to fund the request.

There is only one reason for the sudden change. It is a political issue to keep President Trump from fulfilling a campaign promise. This is childish behavior. 

Even more childish, it is a personality issue about Donald Trump himself. It is time to put away childish behavior.

It is time for you listen to your constituents. It is time to part ways with Nancy Pelosi. It is time to cross the aisle.  

Vote to secure the borders, and reopen the government.

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Dear Mr. President

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Thank you for your stand on securing our nation’s border. If I depended on the main stream media, I could start to think that I am the only person who supports you. I am not.

Given the media propaganda, I think that it is appropriate to let you know that I hear and understand what you are saying.

Americans from all walks of life, all races, nationalities, socioeconomic classes, and educational levels, hear and understanding what you are saying. It would not surprise me to learn that even some who vote Democrat hear and understand what you are saying.

Tweet from President Trump with image of steel slat fence

You made it clear that we need stronger border security. You even sent a tweet referring to the border security structure as steel slats.

I appreciate the picture you attached. It is simple and shows what we need at certain places on the border.

Whether we call it a wall or steel slats, it functions to protect and secure our borders. That is your mission.

On December 11, 2018, Nancy Pelosi told you that there were not enough votes in the House, even with a Republican majority, to fund the wall. Nine days later the House of Representatives passed a bill by a vote of 217-185 which included $5 billion to build a wall.

That bill never made it to a vote in the Senate. Chuck Schumer and Democrats used their power to filibuster to keep Senators from voting it up or down.

Schumer and Democrats said that the wall funding bill, as passed by the House, would not pass the Senate. Obviously they did not believe what they were saying or they would have allowed an up or down vote.

No one claims that we do not need border security. No one disputes that there are some bad characters attempting to enter our nation illegally. No one disagrees that the Executive branch has the responsibility to protect our nation and her borders.

Our Border Patrol agents face danger on a daily basis. They clearly can do their jobs more effectively, and with less danger in areas with a strong physical border.

Democrats and the mainstream media have made this entire escapade like a preschool playground argument that wants to keep little Johnny from winning a game. (My apologies to preschoolers who may be insulted by the analogy).

Mr. President, I hear you. I appreciate your stand. I support you fully.

History reveals the hypocrisy of Chuck Schumer. He voted for the Secure Fence Act in 2006. So, what has changed?

We elected you to be our President. That is what has changed.

Thank you, Mr. President, for standing for America.

Sincerely,

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