Presidents Day With No God

 

It's Presidents Day and we are in presidential election season. America has been lucky to have had some great presidents. The political atmosphere and the caliber of people running for the highest office has not been up to the standards of past leaders. What is missing in the people who have been running for president in the last decade?

Looking back to past presidents there is one thing that can be noticed. They had a strong faith in God. I beleve there SHOULD be a separation of church and state, but NOT the separation of man from God. Religious faith, if lived out, encompasses a moral standard, and love for your fellow man. It is accountability and responsibility to a greater SOURCE. Religous faith reminds a person they have a duty to their fellow man and the universe to do no harm and to show love and respect for CREATION. It teaches to strive to be a BETTER person who represents the philosophy of the religion. 

Of course their are religious beliefs that have factions who go astray. After all, Jesus even had a Judas who became radical in the political arena and strayed from the teachings of Jesus which encompassed love and compassion. There will always be religious zealots who do not model their faith. We are to RECOGNIZE those who use religion as a sheild to do nefarious thing in the name of thier god. But faith or spirituality does SHAPE a person, hopefully for the BETTER.

Below are some words from several of our presidents. In reading their words in regards to their faith, I ask you if you think they lived a life and served their country in a way that DEMONSTRATED they were guided and shaped in some way by their faith. I HIGHLIGHT President Abrahm Lincoln because his presidency was at a time when religious faith played an important role in shaping a country.

One of Lincoln's earliest statements on the subject of his faith came in 1846:

"That I am not a member of any Christian church is true; but I have never denied the truth of the Scriptures; and I have never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general, or of any denomination of Christians in particular....I do not think I could myself be brought to support a man for office whom I knew to be an open enemy of, or scoffer at, religion." [July 31, 1846]

Mrs. Lincoln stated that after the demise of their son Willy in early 1862, her husband drew much closer to God. The evidence of this increases steadily while he is in the White House. Many of Lincoln's presidential speeches are superb examples of a man seeking God. Below is one of Lincoln's many proclamations, as president, for a national day of fasting and prayer. Few ministers of the gospel could have done better:

 "It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, and to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in Holy Scripture, and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord. And, insomuch (sic) as we know that by His divine law nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisement in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which has preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness." [March 30, 1863]

 On January 5, 1863 Lincoln responded to a letter from some Quakers that had written to encourage him and tell him they were praying for him:

 "It is most cheering and encouraging for me to know that in the efforts which I have made and am making for the restoration of a righteous peace to our country, I am upheld and sustained by the good wishes and prayers of God’s people. No one is more deeply than myself aware that without His favor our highest wisdom is but as foolishness and that our most strenuous efforts would avail nothing in the shadow of His displeasure."

On September 4, 1864 Lincoln responded to Elizah P. Guerney, another Quaker, thanking her for her prayers and kind letter:

 "The purposes of the Almighty are perfect, and must prevail, though we erring mortals may fail to accurately perceive them in advance. We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this; but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise. We shall yet acknowledge His wisdom, and our own error therein. Meanwhile we must work earnestly in the best lights He gives us, trusting that so working still conduces to the great ends He ordains. Surely He intends some great good to follow this mighty convulsion, which no mortal could make, and no mortal could stay."

 The following demonstrates Lincoln's humble, unquestioned dependence on God's aid. Rarely do our history books tell the story of a president on his knees in prayer! This was a statement he made to General Dan Sickles, a participant in the battle of Gettysburg:

 "Well, I will tell you how it was. In the pinch of the campaign up there (at Gettysburg) when everybody seemed panic stricken and nobody could tell what was going to happen, oppressed by the gravity of our affairs, I went to my room one day and locked the door and got down on my knees before Almighty God and prayed to Him mightily for victory at Gettysburg. I told Him that this war was His war, and our cause His cause, but we could not stand another Fredericksburg or Chancellorsville... And after that, I don't know how it was, and I cannot explain it, but soon a sweet comfort crept into my soul. The feeling came that God had taken the whole business into His own hands and that things would go right at Gettysburg and that is why I had no fears about you." [July 5, 1863]

Lincoln stated the following upon receiving a gift of a Bible from a group of African-Americans from Baltimore:

  "In regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to men. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it." [Sept. 9, 1864]

 PRAYERS BY PRESIDENTS

 From George Washington to George W. Bush, a sampling of personal and public prayers of America's presidents.

George Washington

A Prayer for Guidance

O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before thy Divine majesty, beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day, in which I beseech thee to defend me from all perils of body and soul....

Increase my faith in the sweet promises of the gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings, and direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation; teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run in the ways of thy commandments; make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber, but daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life bless my family, friends, and kindred.

--An undated prayer from Washington's prayer journal, Mount Vernon

Thomas Jefferson (Attributed to Jefferson but actually from the Book of Common Prayers, 1928.)

A Prayer for the Nation

Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--Washington D.C., March 4, 1801

Abraham Lincoln
A Prayer for Peace

Fondly do we hoPe, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet if God wills that it continues... until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid another drawn with the sword... so still it must be said that the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and for his orphans, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

--Second Inaugural address, March 4, 1865

Franklin D. Roosevelt

A Prayer in Dark Times

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity...

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph...

Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. And for us at home--fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice... Give us strength, too--strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace--a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

--D-Day, June 6, 1944

John F. Kennedy

A Prayer of Gratitude

Let us therefore proclaim our gratitude to Providence for manifold blessings--let us be humbly thankful for inherited ideals--and let us resolve to share those blessings and those ideals with our fellow human beings throughout the world.

On that day let us gather in sanctuaries dedicated to worship and in homes blessed by family affection to express our gratitude for the glorious gifts of God; and let us earnestly and humbly pray that He will continue to guide and sustain us in the great unfinished tasks of achieving peace, justice, and understanding among all men and nations and of ending misery and suffering wherever they exist.

--Thanksgiving Day, 1963

Jimmy Carter

A Prayer for a Meaningful Life

I would like to have my frequent prayer answered that God let my life be meaningful in the enhancement of His kingdom and that my life might be meaningful in the enhancement of the lives of my fellow human beings.

I call upon all the people of our Nation to give thanks on that day for the blessings Almighty God has bestowed upon us, and to join the fervent prayer of George Washington who as President asked God to "impart all the blessings we possess, or ask for ourselves to the whole family of mankind."

--Prayers from his inaugural address, January 20, 1977, and his Thanksgiving speech to the nation, November 27, 1980

Ronald Reagan

A Prayer for Healing

To preserve our blessed land we must look to God... It is time to realize that we need God more than He needs us... We also have His promise that we could take to heart with regard to our country, that "If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Let us, young and old, join together, as did the First Continental Congress, in the first step, in humble heartfelt prayer. Let us do so for the love of God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings, His peace, and the resting of His kind and holy hands on ourselves, our nation, our friends in the defense of freedom, and all mankind, now and always.

The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America... Our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal. Today, we utter no prayer more fervently than the ancient prayer for peace on Earth.

If I had a prayer for you today, among those that hhave all been uttered, it is that one we're so familiar with: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace...." And God bless you all.

--From a speech to the American people, February 6, 1986

George H. W. Bush

A Prayer to Help Others

My first act as President is a prayer. I ask you to bow your heads.

Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and thank You for Your love. Accept our thanks for the peace that yields this day and the shared faith that makes its continuance likely. Make us strong to do Your work, willing to heed and hear Your will, and write on our hearts these words: "Use power to help people."

For we are given power not to advance our own purposes, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve people. Help us to remember it, Lord.

The Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers; may He not leave us or forsake us; so that He may incline our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways... that all peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.

--Inaugural address, January 20, 1989

Bill Clinton

A Prayer for People in Public Office

May Those generations whose faces we cannot yet see, whose names we may never know, say of us here that we led our beloved land into a new century with the American Dream alive for all her children; with the American promise of a more perfect union a reality for all her people; with America's bright flame of freedom spreading throughout all the world. From the height of this place and the summit of this century, let us go forth. May God strengthen our hands for the good work ahead--and always, always, bless our America.

--Second Inaugural address, January 20, 1997

George W. Bush

A Prayer for the Departed

We come before God to pray for the missing and the dead, and for those who love them... On this national day of prayer and remembrance, we ask Almighty God to watch over our nation, and grant us patience and resolve in all that is to come. We pray that He will comfort and console those who now walk in sorrow. We thank Him for each life we now must mourn, and the promise of a life to come.

As we have been assured, neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, can separate us from God's love. May He bless the souls of the departed. May He comfort our own. And may He always guide our country.

--From his address to the nation after the World Trade Center attacks, September 14, 2001

America is a country of many religious practices. We expect our leaders to represent the morality of our nation. They are the representation of the people that elected them to speak for us, to us, and other world leaders. They have a responsibility to show the world the philosophical worldview the people of our country believe and live out. We have STRAYED from this concept.

Other nations are beginning to doubt the United States and our IMAGE as a super power is crumbling. The philosophy of the United States is splintering. We are at a pivotal point in history where each individual must decide if the reputation of America is more important than personal ideology peppered with skewed religious leanings. 

Hopefully, America will live up to its pledge, "... one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,..."

Don't forget to buy my book, The Politics of Prayer available on amazon.com Please like share comment and follow me. Thank you.

What Power Does Your Name Have?

 

   There is a spiritual movement saying you can speak wealth or happiness into existence by the words you say and use. You say it and proclaim it. If you ask these people "How are you?" their response will be "I'm blessed." because they want to receive blessings. They are using words as power for manifestation.

    When raising my children, I told them to never say anything negative about themselves to people, because how you talk/speak about yourself, others will do also. Words matter.

    People (mothers) take great pain trying to select new and clever names for their newborn babies. They try to spell those names in unique ways. Looking to the Bible as an example, the names of people within the Bible all had DESTINY meanings. New mothers don't necessarily select destiny names for their babies, but names that are cute. But when you say any word it echos in the universe with power. 

    During slavery, it was understood yet not understood the power of a person's name. Slaves were never addressed as sir/maam or Mr./Mrs. because that would elevate them in stature and position. In the South many black people insist on children addressing people as sir or maam still as a show of respect. Sadly, I must say, black people address white people as sir or maam, but white people do not address black people as sir or maam. 

    Slaves were given their master's last name as in ownership. Slaves established a practice of calling nonrelatives auntie and uncle due to the fact that their blood family relatives were sold breaking family ties so substitute family members were created. This is a practice still in the black community as to claiming God mothers and such. So, the names we use and give ourselves matter. They are spoken powerful words.

     I don't know how many years it has been exactly, but there was a time when women were addressed by the name of their husband e.g. Mrs. Tom Jones and not as Mrs. Mary Jones. This also was to show ownership in that time period when women did not have any rights. 

    I began to think more about "What does a name say about us as women?" Does taking our husband's name make any dramatic statement one way or the other? I have often posted that one of the biggest signs that a man truly loves you is when he wants/does give you and your future children his last name; he is willing to proclaim to the world 'I love HER enough for her to be a complete part of me by sharing my name.' Lovely sentiment when viewed through my rose-colored glasses. I guess there are those who will hold to the old truth of the surname being a moniker of ownership and possession.

    Let's move from surnames to first names. I read the credits for movies and televisions shows and I can barely pronounce the names. The more difficult the name is to spell or say, the prouder the mother seems to be. In my family, my girls and I agreed we wanted the world to know our names and thus wanted our names to be easy to spell and pronounce. I guess vanity has its place.

WHAT DOES YOUR NAME SAY ABOUT YOU?

    I think I have said in prior posts how proud I am of my name: DOROTHY. In my youth I dreamed of the day when I would become an adult and petition the court to change my name. Somewhere along the way, I gained respect for the name I was coronated with at the day of my birth. Somewhere along the line I became DOROTHY.

    Let's look at what you speak when you say the name of person. If you are a married mother, then your name is CALLED at least a hundred times a day. So, the universe is bombarded by your name 700 times in a week at least. That's a lot of energy going out on your behalf. Let's use my name as an example.

Dorothy \d(o)-ro-thy\ as a girl's name its pronounced DOR-a-thee. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Dorothy is "gift of God". This is how the Greek phrase Δώρων Θεός meaning "Gift of God looks. Theodora is the synonym of Dorothy. Literary: the heroine of Frank Baum's "The Wonderful World of Oz", published in 1900. Writers Dorothy Parker, Dorothy Sayers; actresses Dorothy Gish, Dorothy Lamour are a few famous Dorothys.

    Dorothy has 40 variant forms: Dasha, Dasya, Dodie, Dody, Doe, Doll, Dolley, Dolli, Dollie, Dolly, Doortje, Dora, Doretta, Dori, Dorika, Dorinda, Dorit, Dorita, Doritha, Dorlisa, Doro, Doronit, Dorota, Dorotea, Dorotha, Dorothea, Dorothee, Dortha, Dorrit, Dorthea, Dorthy, Dory, Dosha, Dosya, Dot, Dottey, Dottie, Dotty, Tea and Thea.

    Dorothy is a very popular first name for women (#10 out of 4276) and also a very popular surname or last name for all people (#19719 out of 88799). (1990 U.S. Census) 
 
    My Greek name meaning 'Gift of God' has put some pressure on me. I asked myself "Was I born a Gift of God or am I supposed to live up to and become or do something worthy to be called a Gift of God?"
 

    If words have power, as the Bible tells us, there is power in the words we speak; we can murder with our words. While on the subject of the bible, we are given definitions of the names of key people in the Bible. Many of their destinies were in line with their names and some names were changed as their destiny/purpose changed.
 
    From 1880-1950, Dorothy was a popular name, ranking in the top 5 of names for girls. In 2000 the name bottomed out.
In Hebrew my name is spelled:  דּוֹרוֹתִּי
 
Looks pretty good in Chinese           桃乐丝
    The first section or character of my name in Chinese means peach or a surname.
The second section or character means Happy, glad, joyful, cheerful.  Enjoy, be glad to, love, find pleasure in; laugh, be amused.  Pleasure, enjoyment.  Gladly, happily, willingly, or a surname.
The third section or character of my name means Silk; a threadlike thing; a tiny bit. A unit of weight (=0.0005 grams).
 
    Even in numerology my name has meaning. Numerology is an ancient science which was developed by Pythagoras. Numerology offers an insight into the personality by assigning numeric values to the letters contained in names. The results provide the hidden meaning of the name Dorothy. Each letter contained in the name is assigned a number. Every number is associated with specific characteristics. Work out the value of each of the letters in your name using the following table: GIVE IT A TRY.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

A B C D E F G H I

J K L M N O P Q R

S T U V W X Y Z

Example: Cathy

C A T H Y       B R O W N E

3 1 2 8 7          2 9 6 5 5 5

Add together all the numbers of the name Cathy (3+1+2+8+7) = 21 and Browne (2+9+6+5+5+5) = 32

Then add together the values 21+32 = 53

Then add together 5+3 = 8
    The numerological value, or Name Number, of the example name is therefore 8. Use this method of numerology to calculate the value of your full name and find the hidden meanings and characteristics of the name Dorothy together with any middle names and your last name. ***My number is 1 when using my first, middle, and last name.

Number Meaning & Characteristics


1 Competitive - a leader, independent, strength, creative and original

2 Diplomatic - friendly, tactful, peaceful, gentle and sensitive

3 Optimistic - Easygoing, sociable, spontaneous and humorous

4 Traditionalist - Determined, reliable, conservative, activist and organized

5 Creative - Free spirited, artistic, enquiring, innovative and influential

6 Contributor - Responsible, careful, conventional and reliable

7 Inventive - Imaginative, resourceful, eccentric, quiet and thoughtful

8 Organizer - Leadership skills, planner, strong, high achiever and sound judgment

9 Humanitarian - Compassionate, caring, charitable and civilized


The numerical value of just DOROTHY is 5:
    Numerological Analysis: Represents people who are impulsive, instinctive, like changes, dynamic, need freedom and space with unconventional personality. Able to do several things at once, adaptive, charismatic and acceptable in society. Have a sense of distinction and sense of criticism. Like freedom and tend to lack a sense of time. I say that's me.

   The man who tried to assassinate Ronald Reagan said his first, middle, and last name added together was 666. Like I say, man (humans can take what is meant for good and make it bad). It is evident that when you say my name, a name I once hated, you are saying a mouthful. It doesn't have any unique vowel combinations and it is not a compilation of my mother's and father's name, but I think it was the perfect choice.

    So, for those manifesting desires and dreams with their usage of words I hope it works out well for you. Prayers are just that. Using choice select words to petition or thank the Creator. Many who practice Witchcraft say their chants are no different than prayers, they are using select choice words to petition the universe for desires and dreams. The difference is they petition the creation and not the Creator and people believe they only do it for bad outcomes. I hope your name is a DESTINY name or has some significant meaning where every time your name is called it echos into the universe with power, intention, and blessings. I hope you use WORDS with POWER in your everyday life.

 

The Law Of The Land

   ARE YOU READY????

 

    Today SCOTUS decides whether Donald Trump can hold public office after engaging in insurrection by his actions on January 6, 2021, when citizens stormed the Capitol Building. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in one of the most consequential election cases in the nation’s history. Does the Civil War-era insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment disqualify Donald Trump from holding higher office? The court will hear a case out of Colorado, where its state Supreme Court ruled Trump is ineligible to be on the ballot. All eyes will be on the decision of the Supreme Court Justices. All eyes will be on supporters of Donald Trump. 

WILL THERE BE A VIOLENT REACTION TO THE RULING SCOTUS DECIDES?

   WILL PEOPLE REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT?

    My book is ready for purchase (amazon.com) and just in time for the 2024 elections. Why is my book a timely read? Because it highlights how people handled and survived governments they believed were corrupt or not acting in the best interest of its people. What I mainly focus on in my book is how Christians are to behave when there is chaos all around. But, it also serves as a reminder for healthy behavior whether you are a Christian or not.   Speaking of the Civil War era, President Lincoln was not looked upon favorably by many citizens of the United States because of his stance on slavery. Lincoln was morally opposed to slavery and politically opposed to any expansion of it. At issue was its extension into the western territories. On October 16, 1854, in his Peoria speech, Lincoln declared his opposition to slavery, which he repeated as he sought the presidency. The governing body of the United States took a stand against slavery and not everyobne was on board. The president's decision caused states to choose sides and fight it out on the battle field. This was just one of many insurrection in American History. The president was victorious in battle, but was dispised by many of his countrymen. What was the reward for a president establishing humane laws of the land? On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending the play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Shot in the head as he watched the play, Lincoln died of his wounds the following day at 7:22 am in the Petersen House opposite the theater. He was the first U.S. president to be assassinated. His funeral and burial were marked by an extended period of national mourning. Doing what is right doesn't ensure acceptance of what is right.     

    

    There are lesser known inserrections which have occured in America such as one of the earliest large-scale insurrection, Bacon's Rebellion. In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led a group of disgruntled citizens from the western part of Virginia eastward in search of justice. They felt their interests were not represented by Virginia's colonial legislature. At least 250 insurrections have been documented; between 1780 and 1864, ninety-one African Americans were convicted of insurrection in Virginia alone. The first revolt in what became the United States took place in 1526 at a Spanish settlement near the mouth of the Pee Dee River in South Carolina.

    Only 10 days after the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg, New York City became embroiled in the largest popular insurrection in American history. The incident began on the morning of July 13, 1863, when hundreds of young men poured into the streets to protest the federal draft lottery.

    What is to be done for those who incite or participate in an insurrection in the United States? 18 U.S.C. 2383 says, “Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.” It's funny. No one is calling for a fine or imprisonment of former President Donald Trump. People simply and rightfully wants his name not to be elligible to be on the ballot as a presidential candidate 2024.

    The last successful coup in the United States happened on November 10 1898 when white supremacists overthrew the city government of the majority Black city of Wilmington, North Carolina. It followed years of  race-baiting from Democrats, echoed and amplified by local partisan media. The insurrection started with the mob burning down the office of Black-run newspaper The Daily Record, and would eventually result in the killing of an unknown number of Black residents. The mayor, the alderman and the chief of police were forced to resign while prominent members of the Black community (along with unsympathetic whites) where expelled by threats or physical removal. The mob went on to alter the law to disenfranchise Black voters for generations, dropping enrolment numbers from over a 100,000 to less than 10. No one was ever prosecuted.

    My book, The Politics of Prayer" reminds the reader to examine self. What kind of human do you choose to be no matter what is happening politically or in the world at large. We all have a duty, as citizens of a democracy, to vote and be engaged in creating a country that serves the greater good. But, historically, that has gone off of the rails at times. But we don't give up and we don't become violent. We use the law to create better laws. That's the process America signed up for.

    We reach points in our lives and points in time when we wonder how in the heck did people vote for a particular government official. I offer you 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly thing of the world and the depised things --- and the things that are not --- to nullify the things that are, so no one may boast before him."

    My book says praying and politics go together. I also add that politics, praying, and voting go together too. No matter what SCOTUS decision regarding Trump is today, there are going to be angry people. So, I offer a prayer from Psalm 140:1-13

    "Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men who devise evil things in their hearts; they continually stir up wars. They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; poison of a viper is under their lips. Keep me, O Lord from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men who have purposed to trip up my feet. The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords; they have spread a net by my wayside; they have set snares for me. I said to the Lord, You are my God; Give ear, O Lord, to the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle. Do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted. As for the head of those who surround me, may the mischief of their lips cover them. May burning coals fall upon them; may they be cast into the fire, into deep pits from which they cannot rise. May a slanderer not be established in the earth, may evil hunt the violent man speedily. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice will dwell in Your presence."

    Now that's a prayer!!!

Please purchase The Politics of Prayer available on amazon.com Please like, comment, share, and follow. Thank you.

    

Blue wave 2024

 

VOTING TODAY and planning to vote NOVEMBER?

 There are two things on the minds of people today, STOP Trump by any means necessary and ELECT Trump by any means necessary.

   

    What happens when politics meets religion? Well, sometimes you end up with a President Trump. No one could have predicted it, but it happened and more and more Trump like candidates have been elected to various other public offices to the dismay of an even larger group of Americans. 

    Evangelicals encapsulated former President Trump in prayer and praise and their ferver for him has not decreased since he has left office. The face of Christian religion is facing a reputation crisis as it throws it's weight behind a man of questionable character, ethics, morals, and finances. They insist his character does not matter, he does the Lord's work, and the means by which he does it does not matter. Christian results matter. THE END. I say not so fast.

    In my book, The Politics of Prayer, I remind the reader this frustrating, polarized, even currupt time in government of a nation is nothing new and it can be survived. The back excerpt reads:

JUDAS DEMANDED REVOLT! CHRIST COMMANDED LOVE!

    In a time of governmental tyranny, persecution, and religious corruption in Jerusalem; a new religion, Christianity, would change nations and individuals on a scale never seen before. Some called for the overthrow of goverment and religious leaders, but Jesus taught: "BEGIN WITH SELF."

    The Politics of Prayer examins the power of prayer and wisdom in times of economic uncertainty, govermental chaos, and religious corruption. Through Scripture and various quotes, this book gives specific tools for the reader to use while dealing with the stresses of an ever changing nation much like that of Jesus' time. A must read for those involved in the political process. A must read for people concerned by the deterioration of their nation.

    The call for separation of church and state remains a sound request, but a country will always be shaped and influenced by its religious observer's beliefs. Religion does not have to be destroyed for a country to flourish. After mass murders in schools, movie theaters, and grocery stores, political leaders will call for prayer. Those against assault weapons say the time for prayer is gone and new laws are the answer. Who is right and who is wrong?

    There is an answer for both camps and it does not have to be an either or situation. Prayer is not an enemy of politics, the heart of man is the enemy of politics. We must always remember, Judas served a purpose, and corruption in goverment and in religion have served purposes throughout history: CHANGE. 

    In my book I hope to calm those who feel evil always wins and the poor are forever forgotten. I attempt to encourage those who have grown tired of doing good when it seems like a dropped pebble in an ocean of ignorance and hate. I remind those who have become disappointed with the heart and action of their neighbor, family, and friend not to become bitter, but to stay the course of being his brother's keeper. I support each and every person exercising their free will by using their right to vote. In the end, all important, pivotal change began with one brave person. CHANGE always begins with SELF Democrat or Republican.

My book, The Politics of Prayer, is available on amazon.com