Brethren:
On Tuesday, President Obama held an historic LBGT (Lesbian Bisexual Gay Transgender) Summit at the White House.
In his address to this group, he reaffirmed his commitment to ending discrimination against the homosexual community.
Within the context of his comments, he said that there are still those in America with "ancient attitudes and worn out
ideas" regarding homosexuality.
My friends, he is referring to those of us who stand where the Bible stands on the homosexual issue. These incredibly
revealing comments are but one more entry in a long list of statements that clearly present this administration's all out
assault on Biblical Christianity. Its as if the President has thrown down the gauntlet and has adopted a "no holes barred"
approach to governing--an approach that is committed to ignoring of the Constitution and an historic and unprecedented
pull, not just to the left, but toward Marxist ideology.
When Congress returns from the July 4th recess, the Senate will begin debate on the three most important issues in your
lifetime and mine:
(1) The Waxman-Markey Cap and Trade Bill (otherwise known as the Energy Bill or Climate Change Bill)
(2) The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Bill (also known as the Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Bill)
(3) The Kennedy Health Care Bill
If passed, these bills would give the U.S. Government control of over 50% of the U.S. economy, as well as unprecedented
intrusion into our individual lives and liberties. These days are not for the faint of heart. Pastors, you must begin contacting
your Senators (and asking your people to do the same) strongly stating your opposition to these bills.
Please join us tomorrow night (Friday, July 3) at 9:00 pm for our live webcast.
Simply go to http://faficast.com We will be discussing these bills and providing additional
insights as to how we can best fight this onslaught. As well, we have planned a special July 4th tribute.
"America, America, God shed His grace on thee."
Dave Kistler
Brethren:
Please take time to read the article below from FOX News website. It seems that our president speaks out of both sides of
his mouth. When it's to his advantage to deny his Muslim heritage, he does so. When it's to his advantage to acknowledge
his Muslim upbringing, he does that. Will the "real" Barack Obama please stand up?!
In light of Obama's demands on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several weeks ago--demands that confirmed my
fears (that the current administration is NOT going to be Israel's friend), his repeated and overt pro-Muslim decisions since
taking office, and his continual attempts to "reach out" to the Muslim world, one cannot help but wonder which Obama
(Muslim or Christian) is the real one. For me, the answer has been obvious for some time!
obama, abdullah
June 3, 2009: President Barack Obama receives a gift of a gold necklace called the King Abdul Aziz Order of Merit, the country's
highest honor, from Saudi King Abdullah at the start of their bilateral meeting at the King's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (AP)
President Obama has spoken proudly of American Muslims, even referencing his heritage as the son of a Muslim man,
ahead of his highly anticipated speech Thursday in Cairo aimed at shoring up relations between the U.S. and the Muslim
world.
Obama's openness about his own Muslim heritage may seem startling after his presidential campaign last year went to great
lengths to debunk false rumors about his religion -- he is Christian -- but the president showed long ago that he is comfortable
talking about his roots, which are addressed in his two biographical books, "Dreams From My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope."
Now, Obama appears to be citing those roots as a tool for encouraging more moderate elements of Islamic society to rise up and
ally with the United States.
He referred to his childhood in Indonesia in an interview with the BBC ahead of his trip. Adviser Denis McDonough did the same
on Friday.
In an interview with a French television network, Obama also stressed the need for a better dialogue and the common ground
between East and West.
"One of the points I want to make is, is that if you actually took the number of Muslims Americans, we'd be one of the largest
Muslim countries in the world," he said.
And while addressing the Turkish Parliament two months ago, Obama said the United States has been "enriched" by Muslims.
"Many other Americans have Muslims in their families or have lived in a Muslim-majority country -- I know, because I am one
of them," Obama said.
Obama administration officials acknowledged Wednesday that they have emphasized certain elements of the president's Muslim
background as he prepares to deliver his speech.
"The background is appropriate in this speech," a senior administration official said. "It partially opens the door to dialogue.
I don't think there's any question he has a unique background that has value."
Obama's father, stepfather, brother and grandfather were Muslims, and his name means "Blessed" in Arabic. But "although
my father had been raised a Muslim, by the time he met my mother he was a confirmed atheist," Obama wrote in "Audacity
of Hope."
When Obama was 2 years old, his parents divorced and his father moved away from the family's home in Hawaii. Four years later,
his mother married an Indonesian man, Lolo Soetoro, who moved his new wife and stepson to Jakarta. Obama attended
a Muslim school in Indonesia for two years as a child, he wrote in "Dreams From My Father," his first memoir.
"The teacher wrote to tell my mother that I made faces during Koranic studies," he said.
Obama was exposed to a variety of religious experiences at a young age.
"During the five years that we would live with my stepfather in Indonesia, I was sent first to a neighborhood Catholic school and
then to a predominately Muslim school," Obama wrote in "Audacity." "In our household, the Bible, the Koran, and the Bhagavad
Gita sat on the shelf."
And yet, he was not raised as a Muslim. Nor was he raised as a Christian by his mother, an American named Stanley Ann Dunham
who was deeply skeptical of religion.
As a result, he said, "I was not raised in a religious household."
As an adult, while working as a community organizer for a group of churches in Chicago, Obama was repeatedly asked to
join Christian congregations, but begged off.
"I remained a reluctant skeptic, doubtful of my own motives, wary of expedient conversion, having too many quarrels with God
to accept a salvation too easily won," he wrote, but after much soul searching, he was baptized at Chicago's Trinity United Church
of Christ.
"It came about as a choice and not an epiphany; the questions I had did not magically disappear," he explained. "But kneeling
beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago, I felt God's spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated
myself to discovering His truth."
FOX News' Bill Sammon and Kelly Chernenkoff contributed to this report.
Dave Kistler
Brethren:
Today, Barack Obama released a proclamation declaring June to be the "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.
" This unbelievable proclamation is featured below in its entirety and was taken directly from the White House website.
Pastors and concerned citizens, I hope you realize just how arrogant and defiant this proclamation is. This president is no friend
whatsoever to Christianity. He is committed to doing all he can to shake his fist in the face of Almighty God. I wonder if, in the
name of diversity and fairness, Obama will sign Congressman Paul Broun's proposed "Year of the Bible" resolution.
I think not!!!
The agenda now is for everyone, except Christians, to have rights, and then to totally silence us.
My friends, I trust that this underscores how vital our June 15 and 16, FAITH AND FREEDOM CONFERENCE, in Hickory, NC is.
I strongly urge you to clear your calendar and plan to attend this absolutely essential meeting. If you love Biblical truth and
this blessed nation as I do, then you dare not miss this strategic conference. If you have any questions regarding this free event,
please contact me via e-mail, or at 828-302-2060. Above all, pray earnestly for God's powerful hand of blessing to
once again rest on America. For this to occur, we who name the name of Christ (preachers especially) must repent of our arrogant,
self-willed, critical, viciously independent attitudes. We must humbly acknowledge our spiritual barrenness and plead (along with
all who are committed to Biblical truth) for God's gracious work of revival in our lives and churches.
For the next four days, our family is on the SC coast enjoying some much needed family time. As well, we are doing some critical
praying and preparation for future ministry. The Lord has been doing some deep things in my heart recently, the
extent of which I am not at liberty to share at this point. Pray for God's wisdom and direction for me and the things He has placed
on my heart for the future. These are incredible days of ministry opportunity. The last thing I want is to do is to be trapped in the
routine and mundane. As never before, I long to be on the cutting edge, the tip of the spear as it were, for my Lord. Whatever this
might require, I can honestly say that I am ready and willing to follow my Savior's leading.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_____________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 1, 2009
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION
Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted
police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights
movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events
of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.
LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that
continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected
LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities.
LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic
and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.
Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement,
more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to
be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in
the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we
seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the
Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and
professionalism.
The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done.
LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and
seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.
My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of
initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to
decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures
to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include
enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples,
outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national
security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing
the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with
HIV/AIDS across the United States.
These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the
promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work
together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will
benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the
American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual
orientation or gender identity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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
June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the
United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, 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.
BARACK OBAMA
Dave Kistler
Brethren,
INTERESTING FACTS: Two polls released today (FOX News and Gallup) reveal some interesting findings. According to the
Gallup Poll, 51 % of Americans consider themselves to be pro-life. This is the highest percentage of Americans who consider
themselves such since Gallup began asking this question in 1995.
Similarly, according to the FOX News Poll, 71% of Americans want less (NOT more) government in their lives.
To listen to the current administration, you'd think that America has become a people obsessed with big government and
unrestrained abortion rights. Not so!! Fact is, America is a far more conservative, value based country than the liberal left
would ever have us believe.
When are we going to realize that a very vocal minority (supported by a VERY left-leaning media) is shaping the direction of
culture. Preachers, we MUST become engaged in addressing the issues that shape our culture. We must become more
engaged (not less) in the affairs of our communities.
In order to assist with this, the FAITH AND FREEDOM INSTITUTE (of which I am a co-founder) is hosting its first FAITH AND
FREEDOM CONFERENCE in Hickory, NC, on June 15 and 16. The conference will be held at the Hickory Metro Convention
Center, and will include the following dynamic speakers:
Congressman Paul Broun (R-GA)- who will be presenting his powerful conversion testimony
Dr. Gary Dull-dynamic pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Altoona, PA
Dr. Johnny Hunter-director of LEARN (Life Education And Resource Network) the largest
African-American pro-life organization in America
Dr. Stephen Broden-pastor of the Fair Park Bible Fellowship in Dallas, TX
Evangelist Dave Kistler -president of H.O.P.E. Ministries International
We will begin the conference on Monday evening, June 15 at 7:00 pm. At this first session, there will be stirring music and
Cong. Broun's powerful testimony. On Tuesday, June 16, from 8:30 am-12:00 noon , we will hear from Dr. Hunter and Dr.
Broden (both incredibly passionate black pastors) along with Dr. Dull and myself. We will be clearly communicating where we
are, where we are headed (if things don't change) and a strategy for changing the current course.
There is no charge for this day and a half event, which is open to pastors and their wives, as well as to all concerned church
members and citizens.
I cannot urge you strongly enough to attend this highly informative and motivational event. For those of us who care deeply
about the future of our nation and our beloved freedoms, this is a must attend gathering. Please feel free to contact me at
828-302-2060 or via e-mail (davekistler@hopeministriesonline.com ) if you have any questions. In addition, to appropriately
plan for refreshments, please let me know how many will be attending with you. I promise you this will be a day and a half
you'll not forget!
Dave Kistler
Brethren,
In light of recent statements by our president (i.e. "We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation."), and his refusal to
publicly participate in the recent National Day of Prayer, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) has put forward a phenomenal resolution
(H.R. 397) that outlines the progression of faith and freedom in our nation from our inception to the present, and calls for
Congress to recognize the first week of May as "America's Spiritual Heritage Week."
Rep. Forbes is not alone, but is accompanied by a strong contingency of men and women on Capitol Hill, who have joined him
in both refuting Obama and making clear their intent to preserve our Judeo-Christian heritage. You can contact your legislators
and encourage them to participate in supporting H.R. 397, thereby protecting our undeniable Christian history. As Randy Forbes
said so eloquently, "If in fact we WERE a Judeo-Christian nation, at what point in time did we CEASE being one?"
For your information, the text of Rep. Forbes resolution is included below, and makes irrevocably clear our undeniable Christian
history.
HRES 397 IH
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 397
Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation's founding and subsequent history and expressing support for
designation of the first week in May as 'America's Spiritual Heritage Week' for the appreciation of and education on America's
history of religious faith.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 4, 2009
Mr. FORBES (for himself, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. NEUGEBAUER, Mr. AKIN, Mr. LATTA, Mr. JORDAN
of Ohio, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Ms. FOXX, Mr. GINGREY of Georgia, Mr. JONES,
Mr. WOLF, Mr. TURNER, Mr. ADERHOLT, Mr. CONAWAY, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. HOEKSTRA, Mr. YOUNG of Florida, Mr. WAMP,
Mr. KLINE of Minnesota, Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee, and Mr. BISHOP of Utah) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
----------
RESOLUTION
Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation's founding and subsequent history and expressing support for
designation of the first week in May as 'America's Spiritual Heritage Week' for the appreciation of and education on America's
history of religious faith.
Whereas religious faith was not only important in official American life during the periods of discovery, exploration, colonization,
and growth but has also been acknowledged and incorporated into all 3 branches of the Federal Government from their very
beginning;
Whereas the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed this self-evident fact in a unanimous ruling declaring 'This is
a religious people . . . From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this
affirmation';
Whereas political scientists have documented that the most frequently cited source in the political period known as The
Founding Era was the Bible;
Whereas the first act of America's first Congress in 1774 was to ask a minister to open with prayer and to lead Congress in the
reading of 4 chapters of the Bible;
Whereas Congress regularly attended church and Divine service together en masse;
Whereas throughout the American Founding, Congress frequently appropriated money for missionaries and for religious
instruction, a practice that Congress repeated for decades after the passage of the Constitution and the First Amendment;
Whereas in 1776, Congress approved the Declaration of Independence with its four direct religious acknowledgments referring
to God as the Creator ('All people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness'), the Lawgiver ('the laws of nature and nature's God'), the Judge ('appealing to the Supreme
Judge of the world'), and the Protector ('with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence');
Whereas upon approving the Declaration of Independence, John Adams declared that theFourth of July 'ought to be
commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty';
Whereas 4 days after approving the Declaration, the Liberty Bell was rung;
Whereas the Liberty Bell was named for the Biblical inscription from Leviticus 25:10 emblazoned around it: 'Proclaim liberty
throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof';
Whereas in 1777, Congress, facing a National shortage of 'Bibles for our schools, and families, and for the public worship of God
in our churches,' announced that they 'desired to have a Bible printed under their care & by their encouragement' and
therefore ordered 20,000 copies of the Bible to be imported 'into the different ports of the States of the Union';
Whereas in 1782, Congress pursued a plan to print a Bible that would be 'a neat edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of
schools' and therefore approved the production of the first English language Bible printed in America that contained the
congressional endorsement that 'the United States in Congress assembled . . . recommend this edition of the Bible to the
inhabitants of the United States';
Whereas in 1782, Congress adopted (and has reaffirmed on numerous subsequent occasions) the National Seal with its Latin
motto 'Annuit Coeptis,' meaning 'God has favored our undertakings,' along with the eye of Providence in a triangle over a pyramid,
the eye and the motto 'allude to the many signal interpositions of Providence in favor of the American cause';
Whereas the 1783 Treaty of Paris that officially ended the Revolution and established America as an independent begins with the
appellation 'In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity';
Whereas in 1787, at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin declared, 'God governs in the affairs of men.
And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? . . .
Without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel';
Whereas the delegates to the Constitutional Convention concluded their work by in effect placing a religious punctuation mark
at the end of the Constitution in the Attestation Clause, noting not only that they had completed the work with 'the unanimous
consent of the States present' but they had done so 'in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven';
Whereas James Madison declared that he saw the finished Constitution as a product of 'the finger of that Almighty
Hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the Revolution,' and George
Washington viewed it as 'little short of a miracle,' and Benjamin Franklin believed that its writing had been 'influenced, guided,
and governed by that omnipotent, omnipresent, and beneficent Ruler, in Whom all inferior spirits live, and move, and have their
being';
Whereas, from 1787 to 1788, State conventions to ratify the United States Constitution not only began with prayer but even met
in church buildings;
Whereas in 1795, during construction of the Capitol, a practice was instituted whereby 'public worship is now regularly
administered at the Capitol, every Sunday morning, at 11 o'clock';
Whereas in 1789, the first Federal Congress, the Congress that framed the Bill of Rights, including the First Amendment,
appropriated Federal funds to pay chaplains to pray at the opening of all sessions, a practice that has continued to this day,
with Congress not only funding its congressional chaplains but also the salaries and operations of more than 4,500 military
chaplains;
Whereas in 1789, Congress, in the midst of framing the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment, passed the first Federal law
touching education, declaring that 'Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness
of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged';
Whereas in 1789, on the same day that Congress finished drafting the First Amendment, it requested President Washington to
declare a National day of prayer and thanksgiving, resulting in the first Federal official Thanksgiving proclamation that declared
'it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits,
and humbly to implore His protection and favor';
Whereas in 1800, Congress enacted naval regulations requiring that Divine service be performed twice every day aboard 'all ships
and vessels in the navy,' with a sermon preached each Sunday;
Whereas in 1800, Congress approved the use of the just-completed Capitol structure as a church building, with Divine services to
be held each Sunday in the Hall of the House, alternately administered by the House and Senate chaplains;
Whereas in 1853, Congress declared that congressional chaplains have a 'duty . . . to conduct religious services weekly in the Hall
of the House of Representatives';
Whereas by 1867, the church at the Capitol was the largest church in Washington, DC, with up to 2,000 people a week attending
Sunday service in the Hall of the House;
Whereas by 1815, over 2,000 official governmental calls to prayer had been issued at both the State and the Federal levels, with
thousands more issued since 1815;
Whereas in 1853, the United States Senate declared that the Founding Fathers 'had no fear or jealousy of religion itself, nor did
they wish to see us an irreligious people . . . they did not intend to spread over all the public authorities and the whole public
action of the nation the dead and revolting spectacle of atheistical apathy';
Whereas in 1854, the United States House of Representatives declared 'It [religion] must be considered as the foundation on
which the whole structure rests . . . Christianity; in its general principles, is the great conservative element on which we must
rely for the purity and permanence of free institutions'; Whereas in 1864, by law Congress added 'In God We Trust' to American
coinage;
Whereas in 1864, Congress passed an act authorizing each State to display statues of 2 of its heroes in the United States Capitol,
resulting in numerous statues of noted Christian clergymen and leaders at the Capitol, including Gospel ministers such as the
Revs. James A. Garfield, John Peter Muhlenberg, Jonathan Trumbull, Roger Williams, Jason Lee, Marcus Whitman, and Martin
Luther King Jr., Gospel theologians such as Roger Sherman, Catholic priests such as Father Damien, Jacques Marquette, Eusebio
Kino, and Junipero Serra, Catholic nuns such as Mother Joseph, and numerous other religious leaders;
Whereas in 1870, the Federal Government made Christmas (a recognition of the birth of Christ, an event described by the U.S.
Supreme Court as 'acknowledged in the Western World for 20 centuries, and in this country by the people, the Executive Branch,
Congress, and the courts for 2 centuries') and Thanksgiving as official holidays;
Whereas, beginning in 1904 and continuing for the next half-century, the Federal Government printed and distributed The Life
and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth for the use of Members of Congress because of the important teachings it contained;
Whereas in 1931, Congress by law adopted the Star-Spangled Banner as the official National Anthem, with its phrases such as
'may the Heav'n-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation,' and 'this be our motto, 'In God is our
trust!';
Whereas in 1954, Congress by law added the phrase 'one nation under God' to the Pledge of Allegiance;
Whereas in 1954, a special Congressional Prayer Room was added to the Capitol with a kneeling bench, an altar, an open Bible,
an inspiring stained-glass window with George Washington kneeling in prayer, the declaration of Psalm 16:1: 'Preserve me, O God,
for in Thee do I put my trust,' and the phrase 'This Nation Under God' displayed above the kneeling, prayerful Washington;
Whereas in 1956, Congress by law made 'In God We Trust' the National Motto, and added the phrase to American currency;
Whereas the constitutions of each of the 50 States, either in the preamble or body, explicitly recognize or express gratitude
to God;
Whereas America's first Presidential Inauguration incorporated 7 specific religious activities, including--
(1) the use of the Bible to administer the oath;
(2) affirming the religious nature of the oath by the adding the prayer 'So help me God!' to the oath;
(3) inaugural prayers offered by the President;
(4) religious content in the inaugural address;
(5) civil leaders calling the people to prayer or acknowledgment of God;
(6) inaugural worship services attended en masse by Congress as an official part of congressional activities; and
(7) clergy-led inaugural prayers, activities which have been replicated in whole or part by every subsequent President;
Whereas President George Washington declared 'Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion
and morality are indispensable supports';
Whereas President John Adams, one of only 2 signers of the Bill of Rights and First Amendment, declared 'As the safety and
prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national
acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him';
Whereas President Jefferson not only attended Divine services at the Capitol throughout his presidency and had the Marine
Band play at the services, but during his administration church services were also begun in the War Department and the
Treasury Department, thus allowing worshippers on any given Sunday the choice to attend church at either the United States
Capitol, the War Department, or the Treasury Department if they so desired;
Whereas Thomas Jefferson urged local governments to make land available specifically for Christian purposes, provided Federal
funding for missionary work among Indian tribes, and declared that religious schools would receive 'the patronage of the
government';
Whereas President Andrew Jackson declared that the Bible 'is the rock on which our Republic rests';
Whereas President Abraham Lincoln declared that the Bible 'is the best gift God has given to men . . . But for it, we could not
know right from wrong'
Whereas President William McKinley declared that 'Our faith teaches us that there is no safer reliance than upon the God of
our fathers, Who has so singularly favored the American people in every national trial and Who will not forsake us so long as we
obey His commandments and walk humbly in His footsteps';
Whereas President Teddy Roosevelt declared 'The Decalogue and the Golden Rule must stand as the foundation of every
successful effort to better either our social or our political life';
Whereas President Woodrow Wilson declared that 'America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of
righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scripture';
Whereas President Herbert Hoover declared that 'American life is builded, and can alone survive, upon . . . [the] fundamental
philosophy announced by the Savior nineteen centuries ago';
Whereas President Franklin D. Roosevelt not only led the Nation in a 6 minute prayer during D-Day on June 6, 1944, but he also
declared that 'If we will not prepare to give all that we have and all that we are to preserve Christian civilization in our land, we
shall go to destruction';
Whereas President Harry S. Truman declared that 'The fundamental basis of this Nation's law was given to Moses on the Mount.
The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings which we get from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah
and St. Paul';
Whereas President Harry S. Truman told a group touring Washington, DC, that 'You will see, as you make your rounds, that this
Nation was established by men who believed in God. . . . You will see the evidence of this deep religious faith on every hand';
Whereas President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared that 'Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an
American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic, expression of Americanism. Thus, the
founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God's help, it will continue to be' in a declaration later repeated with
approval by President Gerald Ford;
Whereas President John F. Kennedy declared that 'The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the
hand of God';
Whereas President Ronald Reagan, after noting 'The Congress of the United States, in recognition of the unique contribution of
the Bible in shaping the history and character of this Nation and so many of its citizens, has . . . requested the President to
designate the year 1983 as the 'Year of the Bible', officially declared 1983 as 'The Year of the Bible';
Whereas every other President has similarly recognized the role of God and religious faith in the public life of America;
Whereas all sessions of the United States Supreme Court begin with the Court's Marshal announcing, 'God save the United States
and this honorable court';
Whereas a regular and integral part of official activities in the Federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court, was
the inclusion of prayer by a minister of the Gospel;
Whereas the United States Supreme Court has declared throughout the course of our Nation's history that the United States is
'a Christian country', 'a Christian nation', 'a Christian people', 'a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being',
and that 'we cannot read into the Bill of Rights a philosophy of hostility to religion';
Whereas Justice John Jay, an author of the Federalist Papers and original Justice of the United States Supreme Court, urged
'The most effectual means of securing the continuance of our civil and religious liberties is always to remember with reverence
and gratitude the Source from which they flow';
Whereas Justice James Wilson, a signer of the Constitution, declared that 'Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon
the authority of that law which is Divine . . . Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and
mutual assistants';
Whereas Justice William Paterson, a signer of the Constitution, declared that 'Religion and morality . . . [are] necessary to
good government, good order, and good laws';
Whereas President George Washington, who passed into law the first legal acts organizing the Federal judiciary, asked, 'where
is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths in the courts of justice?';
Whereas some of the most important monuments, buildings, and landmarks in Washington, DC, include religious words, symbols,
and imagery;
Whereas in the United States Capitol the declaration 'In God We Trust' is prominently displayed in both the United States House
and Senate Chambers;
Whereas around the top of the walls in the House Chamber appear images of 23 great lawgivers from across the centuries, but
Moses (the lawgiver, who--according to the Bible--originally received the law from God,) is the only lawgiver honored with a full
face view, looking down on the proceedings of the House;
Whereas religious artwork is found throughout the United States Capitol, including in the Rotunda where the prayer service of
Christopher Columbus, the Baptism of Pocahontas, and the prayer and Bible study of the Pilgrims are all prominently displayed; i
n the Cox Corridor of the Capitol where the words 'America! God shed His grace on thee' are inscribed; at the east Senate
entrance with the words 'Annuit Coeptis' which is Latin for 'God has favored our undertakings'; and in numerous other locations;
Whereas images of the Ten Commandments are found in many Federal buildings across Washington, DC, including in bronze in
the floor of the National Archives; in a bronze statue of Moses in the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress; in numerous
locations at the U.S. Supreme Court, including in the frieze above the Justices, the oak door at the rear of the Chamber, the
gable apex, and in dozens of locations on the bronze latticework surrounding the Supreme Court Bar seating;
Whereas in the Washington Monument not only are numerous Bible verses and religious acknowledgments carved on memorial
blocks in the walls, including the phrases: 'Holiness to the Lord' (Exodus 28:26, 30:30, Isaiah 23:18, Zechariah 14:20), 'Search the Scriptures' (John 5:39), 'The memory of the just is blessed' (Proverbs 10:7), 'May Heaven to this Union continue its beneficence',
and 'In God We Trust', but the Latin inscription Laus Deo meaning 'Praise be to God' is engraved on the monument's capstone;
Whereas of the 5 areas inside the Jefferson Memorial into which Jefferson's words have been carved, 4 are God-centered,
including Jefferson's declaration that 'God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we
have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is
just, that His justice cannot sleep forever';
Whereas the Lincoln Memorial contains numerous acknowledgments of God and citations of Bible verses, including the
declarations that 'we here highly resolve that . . . this nation under God . . . shall not perish from the earth'; 'The Almighty has
His own purposes. 'Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by
whom the offense cometh' (Matthew 18:7),'as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said 'the judgments of the
Lord are true and righteous altogether' (Psalms 19:9), 'one day every valley shall be exalted and every hill and mountain shall be
made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be
revealed and all flesh see it together' (Dr. Martin Luther King's speech, based on Isaiah 40:4-5);
Whereas in the Library of Congress, The Giant Bible of Mainz, and The Gutenberg Bible are on prominent permanent display and
etched on the walls are Bible verses, including: 'The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not' (John 1:5),
'Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom and with all thy getting, get understanding' (Proverbs 4:7), 'What doth
the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God' (Micah 6:8), and 'The heavens
declare the Glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork' (Psalm 19:1);
Whereas numerous other of the most important American government leaders, institutions, monuments, buildings, and landmarks
both openly acknowledge and incorporate religious words, symbols, and imagery into official venues;
Whereas such acknowledgments are even more frequent at the State and local level than at the Federal level, where thousands
of such acknowledgments exist, and
Whereas the first week in May each year would be an appropriate week to designate as 'America's Spiritual Heritage Week': Now,
therefore, be it Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
(1) affirms the rich spiritual and diverse religious history of our Nation's founding and subsequent history, including up to the
current day;
(2) recognizes that the religious foundations of faith on which America was built are critical underpinnings of our Nation's most
valuable institutions and form the inseparable foundation for America's representative processes, legal systems, and societal
structures;
(3) rejects, in the strongest possible terms, any effort to remove, obscure, or purposely omit such history from our Nation's
public buildings and educational resources; and
(4) expresses support for designation of a 'America's Spiritual Heritage Week' every year for the appreciation of and education
on America's history of religious faith.
Dave Kistler
History Unfolding
I am a student of history. Professionally, I have written 15 books on history that have been published in six languages, and I
have studied history all my life. I have come to think there is something monumentally large afoot, and I do not believe it is
simply a banking crisis, or a mortgage crisis, or a credit crisis. Yes these exist, but they are merely single facets on a very
large gemstone that is only now coming into a sharper focus.
Something of historic proportions is happening. I can sense it because I know how it feels, smells, what it looks like, and
how people react to it. Yes, a perfect storm may be brewing, but there is something happening within our country that has
been evolving for about ten to fifteen years. The pace has dramatically quickened in the past two.
We demand and then codify into law the requirement that our banks make massive loans to people we know they can never
pay back? Why?
We learned just days ago that the Federal Reserve, which has little or no real oversight by anyone, has "loaned" two trillion
dollars (that is $2,000,000,000,000) over the past few months, but will not tell us to whom or why or disclose the terms.
That is our money.
Yours and mine. And that is three times the $700 billion we all argued about so strenuously just this past September. Who
has this money? Why do they have it? Why are the terms unavailable to us? Who asked for it? Who authorized it? I thought
this was a government of "we the people," who loaned our powers to our elected leaders. Apparently not.
We have spent two or more decades intentionally de-industrializing our economy. Why? We have intentionally dumbed down
our schools, ignored our history, and no longer teach our founding documents, why we are exceptional, and why we are worth
preserving. Students by and large cannot write, think critically, read, or articulate. Parents are not revolting, teachers are not
picketing,school boards continue to back mediocrity. Why?
We have now established the precedent of protesting every close election (violently in California over a proposition that is so
controversial that it simply wants marriage to remain defined as between one man and one woman. Did you ever think such a
thing possible just a decade ago?) We have corrupted our sacred political process by allowing unelected judges to write laws
that radically change our way of life, and then mainstream Marxist groups like ACORN and others to turn our voting system
into a banana republic. To what purpose?
Now our mortgage industry is collapsing, housing prices are in free fall, major industries are failing, our banking system is on
the verge of collapse, social security is nearly bankrupt, as is medicare and our entire government. Our education system is
worse than a joke (I teach college and I know precisely what I am talking about) - the list is staggering in its length, breadth,
and depth… It is potentially 1929 x ten... And we are at war with an enemy we cannot even name for fear of offending people
of the same religion, who, in turn, cannot wait to slit the throats of your children if they have the opportunity to do so.
And finally, we have elected a man that no one really knows anything about, who has never run so much as a Dairy Queen, let
alone a town as big as Wasilla, Alaska. All of his associations and alliances are with real radicals in their chosen fields of
employment, and everything we learn about him, drip by drip, is unsettling if not downright scary (Surely you have heard him
speak about his idea to create and fund a mandatory civilian defense force stronger than our military for use inside our borders?
No? Oh, of course. The media would never play that for you over and over and then demand he answer it. Sarah Palin's pregnant
daughter and $150,000 wardrobe is more important.)
Mr. Obama's winning platform can be boiled down to one word: Change. Why?
I have never been so afraid for my country and for my children as I am now.
This man campaigned on bringing people together, something he has never, ever done in his professional life. In my assessment,
Obama will divide us along philosophical lines, push us apart, and then try to realign the pieces into a new and different power
structure. Change is indeed coming. And when it comes, you will never see the same nation again.
And that is only the beginning…
As a serious student of history, I thought I would never come to experience what the ordinary, moral German must have felt in
the mid-1930s. In those times, the "savior" was a former smooth-talking rabble-rouser from the streets, about whom the average
German knew next to nothing. What they should have known was that he was associated with groups that shouted, shoved, and
pushed around people with whom they disagreed; he edged his way onto the political stage through great oratory.
Conservative "losers" read it right now.
And there were the promises. Economic times were tough, people were losing jobs, and he was a great speaker. And he smiled
and frowned and waved a lot. And people, even newspapers, were afraid to speak out for fear that his "brown shirts" would
bully and beat them into submission. Which they did -regularly. And then, he was duly elected to office, while a full-throttled
economic crisis bloomed at hand - the Great Depression. Slowly, but surely he seized the controls of government power, person
by person, department by department, bureaucracy by bureaucracy. The children of German citizens were at first, encouraged
to join a Youth Movement in his name where they were taught exactly what to think. Later, they were required to do so.
No Jews of course,
How did he get people on his side? He did it by promising jobs to the jobless, money to the money-less, and rewards for the
military-industrial complex. He did it by indoctrinating the children, advocating gun control, health care for all, better wages,
better jobs, and promising to re-instill pride once again in the country, across Europe, and across the world. He did it with a
compliant media - did you know that? And he did this all in the name of justice and....... change. And the people surely got
what they voted for.
If you think I am exaggerating, look it up. It's all there in the history books.
So read your history books. Many people of conscience objected in 1933 and were shouted down, called names, laughed at, and
ridiculed. When Winston Churchill pointed out the obvious in the late 1930s while seated in the House of Lords in England (he
was not yet Prime Minister), he was booed into his seat and called a crazy troublemaker. He was right, though. And the world
came to regret that he was not listened to.
Do not forget that Germany was the most educated, the most cultured country in Europe. It was full of music, art, museums,
hospitals, laboratories, and universities. And yet, in less than six years (a shorter time span than just two terms of the U. S.
presidency) it was rounding up its own citizens, killing others, abrogating its laws, turning children against parents, and
neighbors against neighbors… All with the best of intentions, of course. The road to Hell is paved with them.
As a practical thinker, one not overly prone to emotional decisions, I have a choice: I can either believe what the objective
pieces of evidence tell me (even if they make me cringe with disgust); I can believe what history is shouting to me from across
the chasm of seven decades; or I can hope I am wrong by closing my eyes, having another latte, and ignoring what is transpiring
around me..
I choose to believe the evidence. No doubt some people will scoff at me, others laugh, or think I am foolish, naive, or both.
To some degree, perhaps I am. But I have never been afraid to look people in the eye and tell them exactly what I believe-and
why I believe it.
I pray I am wrong. I do not think I am. Perhaps the only hope is our vote in the next elections.
Brethren:
I just returned from a speaking engagement at Piedmont Baptist College (praise the Lord for a wonderful chapel) to learn that
the "Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Bill" passed today in the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 15-12. It will now go
before the entire House of Representatives for a vote prior to going to the Senate. The bill adds the following categories to
those who are protected by federal hate crime law: gender, gender identity (including perceived gender identity) and sexual
orientation. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) said that the terms "gender" and "gender identity", as well as "sexual orientation" need
to be more narrowly defined. However, the House Judiciary Committee rejected his claims.
Rep. King offered an amendment that would have barred pedophiles from receiving "special protection" under this bill, but his
amendment was defeated along party lines by a vote of 13-10, being called by other congressmen on the committee "unnecessary
and inflammatory." This now means that if this bill passes the full House and Senate, pedophiles will receive protection from
prosecution, basically legalizing pedophilia.
Pastors, WAKE UP!!! If this bill passes both House and Senate, your speech from the pulpit will be critiqued as to whether it
is inducing hate crimes. To put it bluntly, if you preach from Genesis 19, and label sodomy and homosexuality as sinful, you
will be considered guilty of "inducing or encouraging a hate crime." Men, we must stop debating about issues that are of no
consequence and band together for a battle in which we are ALL involved. Pardon my bluntness, but let's "get our heads out
of the sand, stop speaking in rosy, reality-denying language, step up to the plate and get involved." If we fail to do so, we will
forever lose precious liberties--the most precious being our ability to proclaim the gospel.
In case you did not see it, this past week Miss California, during the Miss USA competition, answered a question regarding the
legalization of same-sex marriage. She stated that she supported traditional marriage, and has almost been crucified ever since.
While we have been "fiddling" with issues of minutia, America has been burning to the ground. As my dear friend, Rep. Paul
Broun (R-GA), said so eloquently, "America's problems are, above all others, pulpit problems!" Men, lets stand up, straighten our
backbone, and involve ourselves in proclamation of the truth. Let's lead our people, educate our people, love our people and
challenge our people to lovingly confront the culture with the truth. Equally important is our involvement in being salt and light
both nationally and locally through community involvement. We dare not allow our communities to go to hell without there being
a prophetic voice (lovingly, but directly) crying out a warning. Trust me, it will not be popular! But, it will be right!!! I've been on
the receiving end of doing what is not popular, and it's not pleasant. However, I am not called, nor are you, to be popular, liked,
or praised. We are called to be faithful to God and His truth!
As communism gained increased influence in Bulgaria in the 40's, the pastors were, for the most part, silent regarding any warning
that was issued. When they, one by one, began to be arrested for their stand for Biblical truth, they realized it was too late! If
you want to see the cost of silence, read Harlan Popov's captivating book, "Tortured For His Faith." I pray that we will not be
guilty of the same "sin of silence" in America.
Dave Kistler
Brother Dave,
I just want to say "Thank you" from the bottom of my heart for being a voice for believers and letting that voice be heard in
Washington. I sit in disbelief almost daily as I watch the news, listen to reports and read what our appointed leaders believe
is in the best interest of this nation. I listen and become angry and want to just shout that anger to the top of my lung. But
I know that would to little more than raise my blood pressure.
I become more angry when I talk to fellow countrymen and listen to confirm what I suspect. That they know little to nothing
about the facts of the Constitution and the fact that all of our documents penned by our forefathers were done so with
scripture to back up its principles.
It is evident that those we elect have no clue of the ordinance from God that their purpose is to protect our Governmental
laws and that the purpose of civil government, according to the Bible, is to simply to be God's servant to restrain evil and reward
good (Romans 13:1-7)
Romans 13
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves
damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good,
and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain:
for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to
whom honor.
Then I have to listen to the director of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano's report in which she says right wing extremist
"may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration". That
covers every, single Bible believing Christian in America. Then she goes further to state that "some veterans could be susceptible
to extremist recruiters, or commit lone acts of violence." By that logic every woman in America has the potential for prostitution.
It is very evident that the single mission of President Obama's administration is to completely crush any conservative opposition
or points of view. As Christians, I realize that some of us call ourselves Republicans and some Democrats, but we MUST listen to
what beliefs or moral ideals are being categorized as a "threat" to America. We can no longer sit by and simply say, "well, I hope
it works out" and not hit our knees and voice our support of God's word.
The warning for us should be that is that there is no longer the consensus that Biblical ethics are truly absolute.
Our freedoms and liberties are being eroded as the government attempts to take over where our Biblical consensus left off.
Unless we reverse this trend, tyranny will be the result. The very things that our fighting men and women have spilled their life
blood to protect against, is what we will become.
The warning for us should be that is that there is no longer the consensus that Biblical ethics are truly absolute.
I pray for you and what you are doing for us everyday.
Dave Kistler
Brethren:
The last two weeks have been blessed times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord! I cannot remember times when
I've enjoyed preaching to teens more than the last two weeks. There has been a great spirit of receptivity and responsiveness
among all the teenagers, especially the young men. In addition to souls saved, today, over 25 teens responded to yield their
lives to Christ for some area of full-time ministry. The testimonies that followed the service were stirring.
From the early part of 1904, through the middle of 1906, God moved in mighty power across the principality of Wales.
In approximately 18 months, over 120,000 were swept into the kingdom of God. I have read the only copy (that I know of)
of one man's day by day account of that revival, chronicling the conversions that occurred in each Welsh city. I have, also,
visited the two churches, in Lougher, Wales, where the revival began.
What is most striking is that awesome move of God began with a small assembly of young people.
Perhaps what God is beginning to do in America is stir the hearts of young people with the desperate need for Him to, once
again, touch our nation, and our world, with His reviving power. Maybe the older generation has lost its expectation that God
can shake up an entire nation with His Word and by His Spirit. If that is the case, count me among the young ones, for I firmly
believe that God is more than able, more than willing, and more than ready to do so. If we (His people) will humbly and
desperately admit our need (our fancy buildings, elaborate sound systems, impressive organizations, impressive educations,
and even more impressive personalities are not enough to bring God's blessing) and call out to Him in honest confession of our sin,
then He will (for He has promised to do so) respond.
From the White House to our house, we are in desperate need of God's Divine intervention. May we grasp firmly His promises,
call earnestly for His power, and desire exclusively His glory to be displayed in our land! Having done so, by faith may we wait
patiently for His response.
"If my people...will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (II Chron. 7:14)
Dave Kistler
THE CHRISTIAN'S INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Several years ago I was verbally rebuked for involving myself in, and speaking out about, things governmental and political.
The basis upon which the rebuke came was that " in his day, Paul never involved himself in the arena of politics. He never
spoke out against the government and never protested governmental tyranny." My answer was then, and is now, that I am
not living in the Roman Empire. I am not a foreigner in a strange land. I am a citizen of the United States of America, a country
with a unique history, and an even more unique
document that governs (at least it's supposed to) all we do.
That document (the U.S. Constitution) guarantees me rights and privileges--opportunities granted to all Americans. Because
I live under the laws enacted by elected politicians, I must exercise my constitutional right and moral obligation to speak out
against that which is against the Constitution and God's Divine law.
Once in a great while, something will come across my desk that presents, in a very concise way, exactly what I believe about
an issue. Such was the case this week. The following statement is an excerpt from a sermon preached by Dr. Noel Smith
(former editor of the Baptist Bible Tribune) at the North American Baptist Congress.
"I have a contempt for this flabby attitude that in this country a Christian shouldn't do anything but pay, vote, and keep his
mouth shut. I am going to pay, I am going to vote, I am going to obey the laws-- and I am going totalk and write and act.
The Apostle Paul was proud of his Roman citizenship, and he exercised his rights under that citizenship. Listen to him at
Philippi, talking loud enough for everybody to hear him:
"They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out
privily? Nay verily, but let them come themselves and fetch us out." (Act16:37)
He is saying there: You are not going to treat us as though we were a couple of bums preaching a crackpot religion.
I am clothed in the dignity of Roman citizenship. I was born a Roman citizen, which is more than most of the authorities here
can say. You have publicly beaten us and humiliated us and imprisoned us, and now you are going to publicly admit that you
violated all our rights, and you are going to publicly apologize for doing it.
That's not the talk of a lot of the flabby, insipid, sentimental religion we have today. That's the talk of self-respecting manhood!"
Amen! I couldn't have said it better! Paul's Roman citizenship granted him rights and privileges which he cherished and used.
In like fashion, with American citizenship comes great responsibility. We are, not only, the beneficiaries of the freedom
afforded us in this land, we are also the stewards (responsible protectors) of that freedom. It is not just to our benefit to speak
up against evil (and with God's help change it), it is our constitutional and moral obligation!!!
My friends (especially my pastor friends), let's do our moral and constitutional duty. Let's stand for, and speak up in behalf of,
the faith and freedom for which our founders lived and died. If they (as citizens of this great land) believed it important enough
to do so, can we, to whom freedom's baton has been passed, do anything less?
I think not!
Dave Kistler
THE TRUTH IS IN THE TIME-LINE
As of January 27, 2009, the Obama Administration has pledged to send an additional $20.3 million in humanitarian and relief aid
to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This is part of the Emergency Refugee and Migration Fund.
Though aid, of this sort, to Palestinian refugees is not necessarily new, what is striking is that this comes after other interesting
choices made by President Obama.
You may remember the following "time-line."
-The first call Obama made to a foreign leader, following his inauguration, was to Mahmoud Abbas, the Fatah Party leader in the
Palestinian Territory
-The first one on one interview that President Obama granted, following his inauguration, was to Al Arabia TV.
-One of Obama's first acts as President was to guarantee closure of Guantanamo Bay within a year (this done via executive order).
-Very quickly after his order to close Gitmo was Obama's "withdrawal" of all charges against the masterminds of the USS Cole attack.
-All overseas CIA interrogation sites (called by some "black sites") have been ordered closed by Obama.
The closing of Gitmo, the withdrawal of charges against the USS Cole attackers, and the closure of the CIA sites has, in effect,
totally dismantled former President Bush's architecture for waging the war on terror, a war he managed quite successfully (as we
have not been attacked since 2001). Is it me, or does anyone else see a pattern here? I have grave concerns about our current
president's ability and resolve to fight a successful campaign against those who hate us and desire to kill us. I am, also, greatly
concerned about our future relationship with the nation of Israel, a relationship that has direct and potentially dire consequences
for us ("I (God) will bless those that bless thee (Israel), and curse those that curse thee").
In case there should be any doubt about the "peaceful nature" of radical Islam, merely look to the incident in NY,
where the owner of a pro-Islam TV station beheaded his wife for filing for divorce.
Friends, we must pray for the blinders to be lifted from the eyes of our national leaders - blinders that have totally obscured their
ability to see things as they truly are (certainly in the area of terrorism, but most importantly in the area of TRUTH and MORALITY).
We must pray earnestly that a national prophet will arise (like Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel, John the Baptist, etc.), with a volcano for
a heart and a thunderstorm for a voice, who will call America (specifically the church) back to the God of her fathers and the God
of the Bible!
It is time for America's Christian citizens to stand up and speak (loudly, but lovingly) with a united voice in behalf of truth, morality
and Biblical values. Enough with the excuses as to why we cannot/should not do so! We MUST do so for the glory of God, the good
of our children, and the proclamation of the gospel of Christ!
Dave Kistler
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: March 16, 2009
WHAT AMERICA NEEDS TODAY IS MORE OF GOD!
What does America need? That is a question many are probably asking as we see so many things taking place across
the nation that are shaking people in their emotions. Think of it for a moment. Prices are going up. People are getting
poorer. Companies are folding. Marriages are breaking up. Young people are becoming less respectful of the older.
The soon. Same-sex relationships are becoming more accepted. Fewer people are attending church. Indeed, I could
go on and on, but this is just a sample of how people are being shaken in their boots today. An other thing to consider
is that each one of those things I have mentioned are not in line with what America was for the first two centuries of
existence. Why are things such a mess? Could it be it is because God has been placed on the "back porch" of American
thought? I believe it is. Since prayer and Bible reading was taken out of the public schools in the early 1960's, morals,
integrity, character, and solid tradition have gone out of the window in a rapid fashion. So, to answer the question of
what America needs, I personally believe we need more of God. Following God and biblical principles is what made
America great, but the forsaking of such will bring America down. There is a verse of scripture that says, "Seek ye
first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." That is found in
Matthew 6:33. What does the verse say? Simply, when a person, a group, or a nation seeks God's way, He (God)
will see that everything comes together in the proper fashion. However, history shows that when God is not sought,
chaos enters the picture, and that is what we are watching take place in America today. I firmly believe that if we
would bring God back into the picture in America, as He was since the founding of the nation, things would turn
around for the better. On the other hand, if we deny God His place in America, we can only anticipate destruction.
In the Bible, Hosea 4:6 presents that clear principle. e-mail: ffi@faithandfreedominstitute.com
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: March 12, 2009
THE PA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONSIDERS A SEXUAL ORIENTATION BILL. HOW SAD!
A bill to extend anti-discrimination protections to include sexual orientation passed a PA House committee on a
party-line vote Wednesday, and thus as I understand it, the bill will now go to the full house for debate. Democratic supporters hailed it as a "necessary step" to end bias in housing, employment, credit or public accommodations,
while Republican opponents said it would "infringe on religious beliefs and was being pushed through too quickly."
In my opinion, the democratic position is very sad. When are we going to learn that "same-sex" relationships are
wrong in every way?
They are wrong biblically. They are wrong morally. They are wrong physically. They are wrong medically. They
are wrong socially. They are just plain wrong. Therefore for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to establish a bill
that would make it easier for those in "same-sex" relationships to receive benefits of any sort is also wrong and will
further the moral decline of society. I am glad to see that all of the Republicans in the committee voted against the
bill, but I feel sorry for the Democrats who voted in favor of the bill. May God have mercy on them! If we are going
to strengthen our society, we must strengthen the family unit which is based on heterosexual, rather than
homosexual relationships. When will we learn that "same-sex" unions of any sort are really out of line? In my opinion,
it is time that we stop tolerating "anything that goes," and start standing for moral absolutes that build strength and
stability into a civilization.
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: March 10, 2009
PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS "YES" TO EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH.
Yesterday, President Obama overturned the President Bush restrictions on using embryonic stem cells for
research. Scientists all across the nation are thrilled with this as they believe their research will contribute to a
cure for diseases like diabetes, parkinson's and maybe even Alzheimer's. Certainly we are all in favor of eliminating
disease, but at what cost? Is it right to take one life to save another? That is the real situation with embryonic stem
cell research. You see, an embryo is in all actuality a human being. Oh, it may be a tiny, undeveloped human being,
but a human being nonetheless. In the process of embryonic stem cell research, the embryo is actually destroyed.
In other words, embryonic stem cell treatment involves the deliberate killing of a human being in order to use his
body parts to treat another human being. In my opinion, such an act is a moral sin and should not be done. To be
more pointed, there is no reason for taking cells from embryo's because the same cells are able to be received from
fat tissue and umbilical cords. So why embryonic stem cell research? Because our President and many of our scientists
do not value the sanctity of life. They do not realize that life is a gift of God and that only God has the right to take life
in His own way. I believe that since America has legalized abortion, God has been judging the country, and now, with
the signature of a hand, killing human beings through embryonic stem cell research has been legalized, we can only
expect harder times for America. Folks, as a nation, we must turn back to our founding fathers' principles of valuing
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That is why God blessed America, but doing away with that trilogy will
prevent God from blessing America. I want our nation to be strong and blessed by God, but that will only happen as
we stand up for life on every level. Embryonic stem cell research and treatment is a sinful shame and must be
reversed asap. Rather than standing up for life, embryonic stem cell research devalues life!
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: March 9, 2009
COULD THERE BE AN OBAMAN DICTATORSHIP?
Last week on YOUR TALK SHOW WITH GARY DULL, the question was asked if President Obama's administration
could end up in a virtual dictatorship? It was interesting to me to hear the response of the listeners on both sides of
the issue. But last Thursday I attended a FAITH AND FREEDOM INSTITUTE meeting in Washington, and that
same question was asked to a conservative beltway insider. His response was a rapid "yes." He then went on to say "
we have only a two year window to prevent that from taking place." Wow! A two year window to prevent President
Obama from portraying dictatorship tactics? That is what he said. I then asked him the question, "what can we do to
prevent that?" His answer was, "work to get a conservative majority in Congress." That sounds very reasonable.
Therefore, let's get to work! Let's reach out to every person we know across the United States and encourage them
to get involved in government and establish a conservative return to Congress. If we do not, and if President Obama
is able to then govern as a virtual dictator, we will all be in great big trouble.
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: March 4, 2009
CONTRADICTIONS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CABINET
Folks, I am getting sick and tired of the double talk and contradictions we are seeing in President Obama's Cabinet.
The most recent event that has me outraged took place yesterday when Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner
went before Congress to talk about how the administration is going to "clean" up the federal tax system. In doing so,
he indicated that he will be working to end certain tax shelters, prosecute those who abuse the tax code, and punish
those who do not pay their taxes. CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT? Remember that Timothy Geithner is the man who
did NOT pay his taxes before he was selected to head the Department of the Treasury. How hypocritical. What is
even worse is that the committee before which he was testifying had the flamboyant Representative Charlie Wrangle
sitting there in judgment, and he, too, has a tax problem! These guys are saying they are going to end tax fraud and
they are guilty of it themselves. Don't you think we should call for them to come clean? Yesterday I heard a story
where the I.R.S. is after a 20 year old man because he messed up on his taxes and owes $288.00. Actually, they had
been after him hard until the problem was resolved. I wonder how much money the I.R.S. spent to recover the
$288.00 from the college student. Certainly, I believe the young man should make things right (by the way, he did
not attempt to cheat the I.R.S., he just made an honest mistake), and he has. But what really bothers me is that the
"powers to be" have gone after this young man, when a couple of those who head up the tax collection system have
avoided paying their own. I am outraged at
that situation and believe once again that it is so important that we, the people, demand integrity in government.
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: February 25, 2009
OUR GOVERNMENT NEEDS A CHANGE
During Barak Obama's Presidential campaign he emphasized over and over again that the American Government
needs a change. Without a doubt, I agree with that statement, but the question is, what kind of a change does it
need? I was thinking about this the other day and came to the conclusion that the change we need is in attitude
and personnel. To me, the attitude in government seems to be based on greed and selfishness rather than on serving
and concern for others. Regarding personnel, I believe a lot of the folks who have been in government for years and
years should step down and let others with new ideas, new goals, and a greater commitment to the American values
take their places. Take a closer look at our government. Both parties seem to spend and spend. Elected officials seem
to be out of touch with the American people. The size of government is growing by leaps and bounds. Corruption is so
evident and in many cases goes without correction. Officials are becoming more and more powerful. Many problems
are given band-aids instead of real long term solutions. Morality seems to be fading away at every turn. It is time that
we, the American public, who really are the government according to our Constitution, demand accountability from all government officials and do all we can to replace those who are "dead-wooded, inefficient, stale-minded, career
desiring politicians" who seem to be feeding their own ego rather than the true needs of America.
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: February 24, 2009
SAVING HEALTH CARE COSTS
In a report just released we have been told that "health care costs will top $8,000.00 a person this year, consuming
an ever-bigger slice of a shrinking economic pie," according to the Department of Health and Human Services. That
sounds like a lot of money to me. Actually, health care costs will average $8,160.00 this year for every man, woman
and child which is an increase of $356.00 per person from last year, according to reports. What's more is that the
report reveals that medicare could be out of money by 2016 if trends continue on the current direction. What
should we do about that? Many will say, "nothing," just let it happen. I sure hope that is not the way we will go.
I believe this is another indication why we as the American citizens need to get involved, voice our opinion and
contribute to valid solutions. My suggestions for the increase cost in health care is not a greater form of socialized
medicine, as that leads to bigger socialized government, but that increased efforts be made to improve personal
physician care, make law suits for medical mal-practice practically impossible to achieve (that raises costs
tremendously), and strive for more personal responsibility for cost care. For instance, rather than the government
paying over $8,000.00 per person in the coming year, reduce our taxes and the other related items that raise health
care costs, and allow every person to strive for their own care. Does that make senses? Certainly those who must be
on welfare could benefit from government support, but if we followed my suggestions, I truly believe in time we could
see this trend in "out of control" health care costs increasing.
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: February 19, 2009
IS A PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION "WATCH" IN ORDER?
Have you noticed how much President Obama has traveled since he has been in office? Have you heard statements
made by some of the Presidential Cabinet? If you have, perhaps you feel like me that maybe a "PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION WATCH" is in order. For instance, just this week alone, President Obama has traveled in Air
Force One to Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, and today, to Canada. That costs us a lot of money (at least $600,000.00
on the Phoenix trip alone) and does not support the "green" philosophy our President speaks of a lot. In fact,
yesterday, it was reported on FOX news that the President sets the heat in the White House at 80 degrees because
he likes the "feel of Hawaii! " It seems to me that once on the campaign trail Mr. Obama told us all to keep the
thermostat down in our homes in order to save energy. Along with that, some of the words coming from his Cabinet
members are interesting as well. This week, his Attorney General stated that "America is a nation of cowards."
WOW! Is that something a high level leader should be saying? What about our military who fights on the front lines?
What about our police who fight crime? What about those in our communities who have to make the tough decisions?
Such statements are not good when made by our national leaders. So, perhaps it is time for us to establish
a "PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION WATCH" in order to keep the President and his leadership circle to their
word and in line with what national leaders should portray. Of course, this would probably be a busy task. But, I think
it is something we must do.
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G.Dull
Posted: February 17, 2009
DID WE HURRY UP TO FAST?
Over the last three weeks about all we heard coming from Washington was that it was necessary for us to have a
stimulus package signed immediately or America would not survive. In fact, on several occasions Harry Reid,
Nancy Pelosi, and President Obama said that we could not go "one more day" without a stimulus plan or the nation
would become closer to destruction due to the loss of jobs and the lack of money. Was that true? Was it a joke?
Was it a lie? What was it? I felt that the "powers to be" saw the situation was so bad that as soon as the plan was
passed by the Congress, the President would sign it into law within the hour. But that did not quite happen. Instead
of signing the stimulus bill Friday night, President Obama left Washington for a long weekend in Chicago! He took a
mini vacation. According to his words, America was on the face of demise, but he went away from the Capitol and
failed to do what he thought he had to do in order to save the nation! What does that say to you? To me it says the
situation was not as serious as he, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi made it out to be. To me, it says the American people
were deceived. To me, it ways the President does not know what he is doing. To me, it says that we are going to be
in for four years of "reactionary knee jerking" policies rather than strategic planning that will really strengthen the
economy. That concerns me greatly! As one caller to my radio program said, "President Obama is like a young child
in the kitchen trying to make dinner and does not even know what a pot is." The next four years could be a real
tragedy for America if we are not careful. Therefore, I suggest that we all do what we can to be informed about the
issues, and then stand up and speak out so that the administration and congress does not steal us blind, run us amok,
or ruin our freedoms. Let's take America back!
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: February 10, 2009
WHERE WILL PRESIDENT OBAMA LEAD US?
I must admit that I did not get to hear every second of President Obama's press conference last night. I had an
appointment and thus joined the broadcast while it was already in progress a bit. But there is one statement the
President made that concerns me greatly. Mr. Obama said, "ONLY GOVERNMENT CAN SHOCK THE
ECONOMY." Did you hear that statement? If you did, I hope it it caused you to raise your eyebrows. What is that
statement saying? It really shows the President's philosophy in leading America. He believes that government is
the answer to our problems. That sure is opposed to what President Ronald Reagan believed as was revealed in
his words, "GOVERNMENT IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEMS. GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM."
What a difference! President Obama's belief will lead to greater government involvement in our lives which means
we will lose some freedom. That concerns me. What is even of a greater concern is that philosophy leads to socialism
which will make you and me nothing more than a number or an object that needs to depend upon government for
our existence. Folks, we have great reason to be concerned! It is time to take America back?
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: February 9, 2009
SENATOR ARLEN SPECTOR SHOWS HIS COLORS
For many years I have been saying that Senator Arlen Spector is not a real Republican, but rather a liberal
democrat in disguise. His decision to support the Stimulus Package gives me another reason to believe he is not
a real Republican at all. I do not know why he just does not change his party affiliation. The only benefit he has
to the Republican Party is the count he registers in the Senate. Saying he is a Republican gives the party one more
seat on the right side of theb isle in DC, but so often he takes the left side of the isle's position on issues. The present
Stimulus Package has a whole lot of wasted spending on programs that will not create jobs. Some of those programs
may not be bad, but they do not belong in a stimulus package. For instance, one item in the package calls for $600
million to go for new cars for top government bureaucrats. How will that create new jobs? The current Stimulus
Package is a liberal waste and if it is passed, the Democrats will probably come back for more. Regarding Senator
Spector, I think he is wrong and has betrayed his party. He should be brought to account for his actions. Regarding
the Stimulus Package, it should not pass as it will create a debt that our great grandchildren will have to pay off.
That is not fair. It is time for us all to speak up. So, give Senator Spector a call and let him know how your feel.
He may not listen, but at least, you have told him what you think, and that is important these days.
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: January 29, 2009
IT IS TIME TO TAKE AMERICA BACK
Where is America going? To me it appears to be headed down the wrong path, a path that is rapidly taking us
away from the intent of our founding fathers. Does that bother you? It sure bothers me. So, what do we do?
Do we just sit back and allow the liberals to steal America from us, or do we stand up and fight for the principles
that made America great and do so for the sake of our children and grandchildren? I say we fight. I am not calling
for a revolution, but rather for involvement. That is, I would encourage all American citizens to stand up for and
do all they can to guide America back to our founding principles. How can we do that? Well, I have come up with
eight things to consider, which I want to list for you in this commentary. At this point, I am not going to take the
time to elaborate on each one, but I just want to present them for your thought and perhaps you will come up with
some personal and original ways to put them into action. In time, I will deal with each one of them in detail. But,
here they are for your consideration and action.
1) Do all you can to understand and promote the U.S. Constitution and Constitutional Law.
2) Put forth efforts to raise up leaders with integrity.
3) Endeavor to be informed with what is going on in the nation.
4) Vote out "dead wood" in government.
5) Let your voice of concern be heard through talk radio, the newspapers, and by contacting law makers.
6) Be willing to run for office.
7) Demand accountability from those in leadership positions.
8) Push for a return to basic American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
There may be other things to add to this list in time. But, don't just sit back and allow liberalism to ruin America.
Stand up for the right, the truth and purposes upon which The United States was founded. MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: January 27, 2009
IT IS TIME TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT!
I fully believe there are those in government who want to take our rights away from us and do what they desire,
no matter what the Constitution says, or what is right verses what is wrong. Perhaps this is nothing new, but it
sure seems like it is becoming more and more prevalent in our beloved America. The latest case involves
yesterday's decision by the U.S. Senate to approve Timothy Geithner as the next Treasury secretary. Mr. Geithner
will have the responsibility to oversee our current economic situation in America and he has proven that he cannot
legally handle his own financial matters by avoiding to pay his own taxes. How can one who has cheated on his own
taxes be rightfully put in charge of seeing that the nation's finances be handled properly and with the highest
integrity? Does that make any sense to you? It sure does not to me. It makes one wonder what in the world many
of our Senators are thinking! It is my opinion that the selection of Mr. Geithner to head the Treasury Department is
as criminal as his own act of not paying taxes, and therefore the guilty ones are those who voted for his appointment,
along with President Obama for selecting him for the position. It is time for Americans to speak out and demand that
our elected officials live according to the law. It they don't live according to the law, how should they expect others to
do so? I don't think they can. By confirming Mr. Geithner as Treasury Secretary, I believe every one in the nation
who has avoided paying taxes should be redeemed from any liability. Don't you?
My Commentary
Dr. Gary G. Dull
Posted: January 26, 2009
WHAT WILL PRESIDENT OBAMA BRING?
Here we are six days into the new President Obama administration, and boy, have things been hopping in the
White House. Already we have started to see the liberal thought of the new President reveal itself in the decisions
he has been making. For instance, since last Tuesday, the President has issued an order to conduct embryonic stem
cell research, the funding of abortions in other countries, and the closing down of GITMO! That is just in six days!
What is to come? President Obama confuses me. He has the reputation of being one of the most liberal men who
ever served in the Senate, but in getting folks to serve in his administration it appeared that he was going to govern
from the center right. However, the decisions he has made so far have been from the far left. Do you think he knows
what he is doing? Or, do you think he is stumbling along? It is hard to tell, but time will tell. I can only say, HOLD ON,
because I believe we are in for a bouncy ride for the next four years in America.
