Jimmy Carter Tribute

There has been a low groan of people being in dismay at the Evangelicals lifting up and comparing Donald Trump to heroic figures of the Christian Bible. There have been some people who openly state he is in the role of a SAVIOR for America.

While watching the Trump trials, no one is testifying to any "Christlike" qualities defendant Trump possesses. Quite the opposite. He behaves more like Judas Iscariot, ready and willing to turn on those in his close circle.

One defining thing about the Savior of the Bible is that he was a carpenter's son, and it is assumed he was also trained to be a carpenter like his father, Joseph.

There is every evidence from Scripture that, before He began His ministry, Jesus was employed as a carpenter. His earthly father, Joseph, was also a carpenter, which means that Jesus was likely His father’s apprentice. It is bizarre to think that God Incarnate was taught to build things by a human man, but it seems that in this, as in all other aspects of His earthly life, Jesus submitted Himself to the humility of being fully human (Philippians 2:6-8). People called Jesus a carpenter (Mark 6:3), and He was known as a carpenter’s son (Matthew 13:55). There is some evidence that the Greek word used for “carpenter” (tekton) could also be translated more broadly as “artisan,” “contractor,” or “handyman.” It is possible, therefore, that Jesus and Joseph were the sort of men you call when something needs to be fixed—be it made of wood, stone, or something else.

The MAGA right tend to believe they have all claims on Christianity and God. So, of course they also lay claims to knowing Jesus Christ and what is Christlike behavior. For THEM, Trump has their stamp of approval and is a champion for Christian beliefs. But there was a BETTER example of Christlike behavior by a president before there was a Donald Trump and that was Jimmy Carter.

Jimmy Carter served as president from Jan. 20, 1977, to Jan. 20, 1981.Significant foreign policy accomplishments of his administration included the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, the treaty of peace between Egypt and Israel, the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union, and the establishment of U.S. diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. He championed human rights throughout the world. In these accomplishments it is easy to see that PEACE, not divisiveness mattered to him. This is a major part of Christian doctrine. Romans 12:18 says, "If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

Trump does not offer peace.

On December 10, 2002, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2002 to Jimmy Carter “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.”

Former President Jimmy Carter also exemplified a Christian mandate regarding LOVE. The Bible verse "Love your neighbor as yourself" appears in Leviticus 19:18, which is part of a list of laws about ethical relationships. The verse reads, "You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD". The New Testament of the Bible would establish this as the Golden Rule. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. “This is the first and great commandment. “And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” Once again, Carter demonstrated this in his presidency and lifetime.

In 1982, he became University Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and with Rosalynn Carter founded The Carter Center. The nonpartisan and nonprofit Center addresses national and international issues of public policy. Carter Center staff and associates have joined with President Carter in efforts to resolve conflict, promote democracy, protect human rights, and prevent disease and other afflictions.

President Carter and The Carter Center have engaged in conflict mediation in Ethiopia and Eritrea (1989), North Korea (1994), Liberia (1994), Haiti (1994), Bosnia (1994), Sudan (1995), the Great Lakes region of Africa (1995-96), Sudan and Uganda (1999), Venezuela (2002-2003), Nepal (2004-2008), Ecuador and Colombia (2008), the Middle East (2003-present), and Mali (2018-present).

Trump offers name calling, threatening, and bullying to those who are "OTHER" than himself, even our allies. 

Back to the simple life of Jesus Christ before he began his ministry. The Gospel of Luke (Luke 3:23) states that Jesus was "about 30 years of age" at the start of his ministry. A chronology of Jesus typically sets the date of the start of his ministry at around AD 27–29 and the end in the range AD 30–36. Jesus was a carpenter. Who else was a carpenter?

Every year since 1984, former US president Jimmy Carter has donated one week of his time – and his building skills – to Habitat for Humanity. Each year, he and his wife Rosalynn lead a major volunteer building event that attracts thousands of volunteers. Usually, the event takes place in the USA one year and overseas the next. In November 2009, the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project took place across sites in Thailand, southwestern China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. This was the fourth time the former US president and his wife have built with Habitat for Humanity in Asia.

Speaking of his wife by his side as he did charitable work of carpentry, Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, at the time of her death, were married for more than 77 years. Of course, marriage is a sacred institution for Christians. And the Bible holds husbands to a high standard. 1 Peter 3:7 says, "Likewise husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered." 

As President Carter cared for his wife publicly, there was no doubt he respected women in general. From terms of endearment to openly praising and acknowledging how important his wife's contributions were to his life, we can see his heart.  

The former president proved he was a man ahead of his time when, as a smitten young Naval officer in the 1940s, he coined the acronym "ILYTG.""'I love you the goodest' When speaking to his wife. The monogram is inscribed on a compact he once gave his bride, the future first lady, that today is on display at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta.

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” the former president said in a statement. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

Trump's treatment of his 3 wives and how he treats women, which have included criminal charges of rape, is far from Christlike.

If people are looking for an example of what it looks like to walk as a CHRISTIAN, then there is no better example than our carpenter president Jimmy Carter.

Outward actions expose the heart. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" appears in the New Testament in Mathew 6:21. It is clear to see from the life, former President Jimmy Carter lived, demonstrating through deeds where his heart was and what it was filled with. His concern, it seems, was not in gaining great wealth or fame. Matthew 6:19-21 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also".

In living his life publicly, with care and concern for others, it is almost certain, instead of facing criminal charges for behaviors that leans to be viewed as criminal, Jimmy Carter, at the end of his long life will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant" appears in Matthew 25:23. 

REST WELL PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER