I'm part of a commitment of daily prayer for the upcoming November 5th election through the Presidential Prayer Team (PPT) website. Today's scripture note from them is Exodus 18:21.
Moses' father-in-law is giving him some guidance in how to govern his people. The many "small" questions and issues could not all be settled by Moses alone. He was to select Godly men (people) of character, that fear God, that hate covetousness and unrighteous gain. These people were selected to hold judgment over groups of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, of tens. Just like our court system is set up by our founding fathers - our CHRISTIAN founding fathers. As things get more and more complicated, they are to be sent up the food chain to the most righteous of judges.
That should indicate to you how important the choice of our supreme court judges is - and the President is responsible for choosing those seats. Keep this in mind in your prayers and who stands to rule as the "ultimate, righteous judge" over our country. This is the prayer I submit to you. May the Lord God convict your heart to see who He would choose to lead this nation's hierarchy of judgment.
Also, keep in mind, our great President Abraham Lincoln's quote: "The philosophy of the classroom of one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next." This was indeed prophetic wisdom... and something President Lincoln fought for - that our country's past unrighteous embrace of slavery and racism would be cast from the schoolroom. Our current battle has far greater consequence - God was removed from America's classroom in a New York Supreme Court decision on June 25th, 1962. Justice Hugo Black, from Alabama, was a staunch liberal, the justice that made the judgement in the Engel v. Vitale (1962) case. This "leader" judge was called out early on, in Newsweek magazine, on his membership to the KKK. (Reference) Not exactly a guy who had his head wrapped around God's righteousness. Lesson learned?
Here's the prayer from PPT for today...
Awesome, God: You are awesome and mighty, lifting up those who You desire to lift up and putting down those You desire to put down. You love it when Your people come to You with longing for righteousness and godliness.
As our nation looks to the elections this fall, I ask that You will move among the people of our country, causing us to desire righteous, godly leaders. May we yearn for godly leaders and, desiring that, may we vote in such a way that we elect at every level those who will honor and obey You in godliness and wisdom. I pray this, honoring the holy name of Jesus, amen.
Be blessed, be courageous, be filled with passion for righteousness. DON'T be lukewarm... (Rev 3:14-22)
For the record, I'm neither a Democrat or Republican. I beleive in choosing the best man for the job, not a party. My "party" is that of the righteous laws and views of my Lord and Savior. And unfortunately, I usually feel the pressure to choose the "lesser of two evils" rather than the most qualified and best man for the job. I still like Mike! Now, Huck and Palin (or Palin and Huck) - that's a team!
First off, there is no way that you and I should be paying for Fanny and Freddie screw ups while their crummy management make out like bandits, receiving "compensation" for a job-crappily-done. Of course, we're lead to believe by the Clinton News Network (CNN), ABC, NBC, etc. that this is all recent and a result of Bush's poor economics. Right. Here's a little history lesson for you...
And lets not forget to mention Senator Obama's compensation...
Fanny and Freddie put themselves into these situations. They went off buying tons and tons of high risk mortgages. High-risk. That's right. Identified back in 2001 by President Bush's informants, and pushed hard for regulation by Senator McCain. But, that's not covered on "network TV" - what's interesting is that people are obviously il-informed, based on the polls taken regarding this specific question (Reference): When asked... "Who do you think is most to blame for the current financial crisis? 1. Greedy corporate and Wall Street executives 2. Incompetent government regulators who let things get out of control 3. Congress not minding the store 4. The Bush administration not minding the store 5. All of above equally 6. Other 7. Don't know Democrats: Execs-15%, Regs-9%, Congress-6%, Bush admin-32%, All-33%, Other-2%, DK-3% Republicans: Execs-25%, Regs-14%, Congress-26%, Bush admin-2%, All-27%, Other-1%, DK-2% Independents: Execs-21%, Regs-9%, Congress-12%, Bush admin-12%, All-41%, Other-2%, DK-2%
Interesting how much liberal media has misconstrued things for us. Notice how the Dem's don't want to blame their Congress of the last 2 years... or the regulatotions that were violantly lacking - nope, to the Dem's, it's largely Bush's fault - despite his announced fears of Fanny and Freddie explicitly back in 2001! And of course, the Rep's want to put more blame toward the (now) Democratic Congress of the last 2 years... and have the tendency to blame the real people at fault - the executives. Interesting how things play out.
At least they were trying to prevent the problem, rather than lining their pockets with dirty money. I don't agree with the Government bail-outs at all. Let Fanny and Freddie go under. Hold their CEO's and upper management accountable!
Believe this: Dan Mudd, CEO of Fannie Mae, is getting $9.3 million of severance for running his company into the ground... and while doing it, he's received $12.4 million in pay and stock option GAINS since 2004 while the company's been on a steady decline assuming the risk that they were so eager to absorb. (Reference)
Believe this: Richard Syron, the CEO of Freddie Mac, is slated for $14.1 million in his severance package, largely in part because of a clause he added to his employment contract last November, when, ALREADY, it was clear Freddie was following the path of poopy in a toilet. He has already received $17.1 million in pay and stock option GAINS since 2003 when he took over as CEO. (Reference)
Here's the crux - YOU AND I are paying for their severance packages. How do you like them apples?
If the superintendant of your schools implemented changes and curriculum that reduced your districts test scores drastically to the point of dismal state funding, would you concede to offering them a HUGE dismissal severance package? Yeah, I kinda' doubt that'd make the next referrendum funding sheet. So why is government effectively buying out Fannie and Freddie losses to the point of paying these guys off for creating the problem in the first place?
If you and I make a gamble on an investment, does Uncle Sam come to our rescue? Do they pull us out of bankruptcy? What the heck are these guys in Washington doing???
Next topic: Obama's brother Denesh D'Souza reports the real story (Reference) Obama has a half brother (same father) living in Nairobi, making $1 per day, despite CNN's attempt at a cover up (Reference). They met in 2006, and while Obama exploits this as his "African-American" blood, he makes no attempt to help sustain or enable a self-starting, hard-working, driven individual who happens to be his brother.
In 2nd Thessalonians, Chapter 3, Paul tells us that a man that doesn't work, shouldn't eat. But this is not the case with Obama's brother. He's working as a mechanic, and helping leading youth groups in his home area. I know, I know - easy to point fingers. Here's my rub - Barack and Michelle raked in $4.2 million in 2007, $3.9 million of which was from the Senator's book... a lofty increase from their 2006 return filing of $996k. They dumped $50k into the United Negro College Fund, but not a penny to his own blood. (Reference)
I'm in no place to judge, but it seems a bit odd.
Next topic: Lies in Obama ads... WI Governor Doyle used the same woman, Jody Montgomery, in an ad in 2006 when competing against Mark Green for the seat. Jody's daughter, Maddy, was diagnosed with early onset diabetes and has to be tested 6 times a day. I offer compassion and prayer to the Montgomery's in dealing with such a terrible circumstance. (Reference) The problem is that the ad quoted Jody as stating that Mark Green was against stem cell research, repeatedly voting against it. This is largely false. There is a distinction - Green voted against EMBRYONIC stem cell research, not the common adult stem cell research that has been done for years and years. Here's the BOGUS ad...
And here we go again. Obama's campaign is up to the same dirty tricks. The SCRIPT for the new BOGUS "Obama Understands" ad broadcasting in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania is below:
Jody Montgomery: My name is Jody Montgomery and my daughter Maddy was diagnosed with Type I Juvenile Diabetes at age 3. Six times a day, I take her blood. Six times a day, I pray for a cure. Researchers are working hard to do just that. Our best hope is stem cell research, and that's why we support Barack Obama.
Announcer: Stem cell research could unlock cures for diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's too. But John McCain has stood in the way...he's opposed stem cell research. Picked a running mate who's against it...And he's running on a platform even more extreme than George Bush's on this vital research. John McCain doesn't understand that medical research benefiting millions shouldn't be held hostage by the political views of a few.
Jody Montgomery: For Maddy and millions of others, stem cell research can unlock cures. Barack Obama understands that. But John McCain just doesn't.
And what's even worse, is that McCain has proven track record for promoting and voting for embryonic stem cell research. I personally do not agree with this approach, but the Obama campaign ads stating blatant lies really get my goat. (Reference) The utter nerve of these guys...
Next topic: Even Clinton isn't interested in supporting Obama? OK, maybe I'm reading into this... here's an interview on The View with former President Bill Clinton, commenting on Senator Hilary Clinton's potential request to serve as the Dem's VP on the ticket this November. Here's a condensed version. The full length can be found in Part 1 and Part 2.
So, she'd do it out of "duty" for her country, or perhaps her party... but she's not interested in going as VP under his wing... interesting.
I lured Christina to the Oconomowoc Lake Club for a "meeting" with the event coordinator for our upcoming reception there on February 14, 2009. Thanks to Sue, Angela, Rick and the rest of the gang that helped set everything up for us at the Club!!
After presenting her with the evening's program, I played a few pieces on the piano for her, and then asked her to sing her favorite Sara Groves song, Awakening, while I accompanied her. I finished the program with my 3 favorite Yanni tunes. Turns out, much to her dismay, Christina DOES like Yanni. LOL.
Here's the program... (FYI, "Yiannis Hrysomallis" is Yanni's birthname)
Following the recital, there were some "closing remarks." Christina and I talked about some things that we want for our lives down the road. After telling her a few things I wanted to do to manage proper health of our relationship, I got down on one knee... and, well... turns out she's in. Her face says it all...
Below are a couple shots of the ring. Its a loaner from Barnes Jewelers. They're custom designing a ring for me (OK, for her). But, this is, in some generic ways, similar. For those good coworker friends... "It's exactly the same as, EXCEPT..." mine's so cool they wanna' add it to they're permanent portfolio :-) This one is beautiful in it's own right, so we felt it worthy of a few pictures.
Here's a couple pics of the setup of the beautiful piano and ballroom at the Lake Club. Christina sat in the chair next to the fireplace as I played...
