Friday, November 30, 2012

California: A Profile Of The Future

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Most agree that California has become one of the most progressive left states in the country.

Many also agree that if far left politicians are elected and their policies enacted, it is certainly a profile of the future of many states---perhaps the country.

Many of you know I served as youth pastor in a large church in North Hollywood for a number of years. In those days Hollywood was a moral cesspool, but the state itself had not drifted nearly as far left.

Progressivism.

Now California, with far left Governor Jerry Brown, has cast aside all restraint.

This is important to all states, but particularly Washington State. In fact WA state is laying similar tracks that lead to the same destination. And that is one that includes an outrageous, extreme advancement of the homosexual agenda, including censorship of Christian organizations in public schools and outright discrimination.

Heads up Washington.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Deifying Barack Obama

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While we mock God by re-defining His most basic human model---marriage between one man and one woman, we are also creating our own "new gods".

At a recent BET "Soul Train Awards" special, actor Jamie Foxx told the crowd to, "Give honor to God and our lord and savior Barack Obama."

Left wing activist, artist Michael D' Antuono, is showing his painting titled, "The Truth," which features Barack Obama with a crown of thrones on his head, in a position that reminds one of the crucifixion.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Re-Thinking Christian Activism in WA State

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Yesterday, I wrote about the GOP and its obsession to become more "moderate," more like the Democratic Party, so they can win. They are not winning. It is a false and broken model, and Christians are re-thinking their political affiliations and how to save the GOP from itself.

Some of the same issues that are endemic in the GOP are also destroying the effectiveness of Christian influence in our culture.

This was never more clear than during the past election and the failed campaign to protect marriage.

Some, including myself, feel a rush to be "moderate," to be non-controversial, coupled with arrogance, cost us marriage in WA state.

Should we continue as we are, or is there a better way?

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Re-Thinking the GOP and Faith Based Activism in WA State

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This past election has given most of us who care about our country and our culture reason for pause.

The State GOP threw their full weight behind Rob McKenna and a few other candidates who generally fell into the "moderate" category and came up, as they say in the Yakima Valley, "skunked." That's a bad thing.

While Christian activists generally agree that marriage is between one man and one woman, they not only failed to work together, but in some cases worked to undermine others who were working for the same cause---defending marriage. We all lost.

So where do we go from here?

What about the state Republican Party? What about some of the leadership in the faith community?

Monday, November 26, 2012

US Supreme Court: Will They Rule On Same Sex "Marriage"?

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This week the US Supreme Court will go behind closed doors to decide whether this is the right time to rule on re-defining marriage.

The issue of "how" to rule will obviously follow the decision of "whether" to rule at this time.

The Court has been criticized for, in some cases, ruling too soon on significant moral issues, and in other cases waiting too long to rule.

California's Proposition 8 and the case known as "Hollingsworth vs. Perry" is what has brought the issue of marriage to the forefront.

This issue is monumental to the moral and cultural health of our nation.

We will follow this and keep you updated.

Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A Time To Be Thankful

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The notion to "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (I Thess. 5:18 NIV), runs contrary to human nature.

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, there are many reasons or "circumstances" to be anxious, overwhelmed and fearful. An uncertain economy, an electorate seemingly obsessed with removing God and biblical values from our culture and deteriorating world conditions do not, on their own, invoke a spirit of thanksgiving.

However, the scriptural truth is to be thankful "in" all circumstances, not "for" all circumstances.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Math Teacher Wears "No On 74" Button In Class

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Cynthia Deford, a lesbian from Port Angeles, is very upset and her middle school daughter says she is afraid to go to class, "Now she has to worry about discrimination," her mom says.

Her daughter's math teacher wore a "No On 74" button in class.

Here's what the mother is doing and demanding and why she is inadvertently raising a good point.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Obamacare and State's Rights

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Many conservatives and people of faith felt the sting of the election. It hurt to see nearly every biblical value on the ballot defeated, not only in Washington, but across the country.

And 4 more years of the most socialistic, far left secularist president in anyones memory, strikes terror in the heart of decent people.

However, there are a couple of positives.

Following the election, 30 of the 50 governors are now Republican. Mostly, I'm told, conservative.

These governors have a significant opportunity in regard to how Obamacare is administrated in their state.

While we have been led to believe otherwise, the administration of Obamacare will go through the governor's office of each state.

How each governor chooses to administrate it will set a marked course for their state both culturally and economically.

Some states will be "trapped" in a relationship with the federal government that will both diminish the livability and the economy of their state, while others will reject the model being advocated by Obama's government and create an expanding economic environment and an improving heath care environment in the state.

These decisions are presently in play during 2013 and every citizen must be informed.

Here's how it works:

Friday, November 16, 2012

Obama: "I'm Here To Fix It"

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The Weekly Standard carried a story yesterday that reminded me of something Ronald Reagan said during his presidency.

President Obama stood in front of a damaged church in a damaged neighborhood in New York and told the people he wanted them to know he was there to "fix" their problems.

As you watch the news from New York and the surrounding area this weekend, please remember what Reagan once said.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Atheists Going After Billy Graham

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With the Christmas season, we have come to expect the various atheist organizations to go after Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus and even the shepherds, but this year, they are going after Billy Graham as well.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Sen Ed Murray Tagged as "Biggest Winner" in Election -- But is He a Winner?

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Paid for by Faith and Freedom PAC

Seattle's Publicola reported that one of the biggest winners in the election "wasn't even on the ballot."

Senator Ed Murray.

Josh Feit writes, in celebration, that Murray is responsible for shepherding through a series of incremental legislative actions that has given Washington State gay marriage. Indeed he has. His work as a legislator has redefined marriage and the family, impacted how sexuality and family relations are taught in public school and has changed the culture of Washington State forever.

And he could not have done it without the never failing support of Seattle's news media.

Feit says Murray is poised to have a "working majority" as he becomes the new senate majority leader in the 2013 session.

He says this will give him the perfect entree to become Seattle's Mayor.

But why has the press been, on the one hand, so careful to chronicle all his systematic re-engineering of the culture while ignoring the allegations of his foster son? And at least a couple of his foster son's friends.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Creating a Less Perfect Union

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I failed to include this paragraph and link earlier in Today's Blog.

I have drawn from an excellent written by Bruce Thornton titled, "Explaining the Democrat's Success." I encourage you to read the entire article.

I apologize for this oversight. We are very careful to link all stories and articles used in our daily blog. Only a few days out of the hospital, the error was mine, not that of our office.

Gary Randall

By now we've heard all the reasons why the Republicans lost the election: the woman vote or the Hispanic vote -- or the social issues. "Republicans should not address social issues," some wise Republicans have said. In fact,Harry Reid told the press this week that, "Americans don't care about gay marriage or abortion." That didn't seem to make much of a difference for Rob McKenna, Reagan Dunn and others who tried to be Republican while denying the written platform of the Republican Party.

Why did Republicans lose?

Look to Greece---not present day bankrupt Greece, ancient Greece, who once led the world in many ways.

Obviously some of the mechanisms of ancient Greece are different than those of present day America, but one is strikingly the same.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Government Now Wants To Redefine Religious Activity

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In a stunning argument against religious freedom, a federal judge is arguing that Tyndale House, one of the world's largest Bible publishers, is not actually "exercising religion."

Is this a glimpse at the newly empowered and unrestrained leadership in America? I think it is.

It fits nicely with past decisions where the President decided that DOMA is unconstitutional and will therefore not defend it---where this same president decided "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is not constitutional and abolished it.

Why would this kind of unrestrained power not be capable of deciding what is and what is not "exercising religion?"

Here's what happened last week.

Friday, November 09, 2012

Marriage and Marijuana

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Michael Mahoney at the Seattle Weekly probably spoke for most of the secular progressives around the state yesterday when he said, "A political earthquake shook our state on Tuesday, as a majority of Washington voters seized the opportunity to vote in favor of recreational use of marijuana, gave the thumbs-up to same-sex marriage, and re-elected a biracial president."

Mahoney said, "Don't know about you, but I plan to get thoroughly blazed at a gay wedding sometime in the not-too-distant future."

And so the party has begun.

Yesterday, Joseph Backholm, director of the Preserve Marriage Washington, conceded that this particular battle for marriage has been lost. And why.

And using marijuana is now a legal recreational sport.

I have some very candid, straightforward comments and observations about marriage and marijuana.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

An Unrestrained President--A Morally Conflicted Electorate

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My friend Franklin Graham told CNN that he believes America is on "a path to destruction" due to the election results.

He said, "If we are allowed to go down this road in the path the president wants us to go down, I think it will be to our peril and to the destruction of this nation."

A majority of the electorate did not agree.

Did this election happen according to God's will?

If so, why did He allow it?

Last March, in what he thought was a private moment, the President leaned over, tapped Russian leader Medvedev on the arm and whispered, "This is my last election, after the election I will have more flexibility."

Medvedev whispered back, "I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir."

Russia gave him some space and now the electorate has given him flexibility.

Hopefully we will all eventually "understand."

An Unrestrained President, A Morally Conflicted Electorate: Can any good come from this?

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Gary Randall Medical Update

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Some of our readers and supporters are aware that Gary Randall underwent total knee replacement surgery a few days ago.

The surgery was successful, Gary is recovering very well and the other knee will be replaced in the near future. He says this surgery was necessary because "there are promises to keep, and miles to travel before we sleep."

Thank you for all your prayers.

Gary, as I'm sure you are, is profoundly disappointed with the results of the election yesterday. He will be publishing some thoughts regarding the presidential and local elections, marriage and marijuana.

He said marriage, family and biblical values are worthy of our active support. We must not allow disappointment to become defeat.

He also says he will be sharing some very candid thoughts and suggestions regarding action, Christian leadership and the Republican Party going forward. While this is not a time to point fingers, it is certainly a time to take honest evaluation.

Gary would ask that we, Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.

--Faith and Freedom Staff 


Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Who Will Win?

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The pundits and pollsters have made their predictions as to who will win the presidential election today. All have been published, parsed and discussed. Now the people vote.

However, before you vote, the Seattle PI published one more prediction.

Kenyan witch doctor, John Dimo, has made a prediction.

Sitting in front of his hut, in Kogel Kenya, the ancestral home of Barrack Obama and his father, John the witch doctor threw a few shells, bones and magic items to help make the prediction.

He found the shells, bones and magic told him Obama would win.

I have been in Kogel and other villages in and around the Kisumu area of Kenya. There are some strong Christian churches in the area. I have lived with these people and can assure you their lives are not guided by shells, bones or magic items.

Their lives are directed and protected by the Holy Spirit of God. And His Word.

May we find that direction today, as we seek God's will for the country and the state.

Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.

Monday, November 05, 2012

Barack Obama: "Voting Is The Best Revenge"

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In the closing moments of what is the most important election of our lifetime, the two candidates who would be president, are defining themselves with their closing arguments to the American public.

In these defining moments, a human profile of the two candidates has emerged.

Romney has said Americans don't want to trade in the vision of our Founders for a European nightmare.

Obama wants to "Be" someone big in this country..

Romney wants to "Do" something big for this country.

But in their finale statements this weekend, they clearly identified themselves and their understanding of the American dream.

Speaking in Ohio, Barack Obama told America, "Voting is the best revenge."

Revenge?

In response, Romney said no, that's not what voting is about, "Vote out of love for the country."

The President of the United States believes our right to vote is simply a way to get revenge?

Daniel Webster, one of America's finest statesman stands with Romney. At a reception for the "Ladies of Richmond," October 5, 1840, he said, "Impress upon children that the exercise of the elective franchise is a social duty of as solemn nature as man can be called upon to perform; that a man may not innocently trifle with his vote: that every elector is a trustee as well for others as for himself."

Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.

Friday, November 02, 2012

Rep Matt Shea: An Appeal to Christians

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AN APPEAL TO CHRISTIANS THIS ELECTION

Politics is a Mission Field

When you think of the darkest, most corrupt, ungodly places in current contemporary culture, do not Washington D.C. and Olympia come to mind? Well they should, and I would submit to you that from a mission’s perspective the Pygmies Peoples in Africa have been ministered to more than the politicians in Washington D.C. and Olympia. As Christians we must treat politics as a ministry.

The Rev. John Witherspoon became president of the College of New Jersey, today's Princeton University, in 1767. As one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, Witherspoon taught close attention to the Scripture, salvation by Grace, and a pure and uncompromised Gospel. He also taught believers how to obey the commands of Christ by instilling in his pupils to love and care for the needs and welfare of others, to love liberty balanced by love for order, and to love active responsible citizenship. In fact, of the 478 men who graduated under his supervision, there were 114 ministers of the Gospel, 13 state governors, 3 US Supreme Court Justices, 20 US Senators, 33 US Congressmen, one Vice President, and one President, James Madison.[1]

Why did this well known teacher and preacher of the Gospel send so many Christians into the political sphere?

The answer is quite simple; politics is a mission field.


Christians Have a Duty to Participate in Politics

Of the men who framed the US Constitution, there were 29 Anglicans, 18 Calvinists, 2 Methodists, 2 Lutherans, 2 Roman Catholics, 1 lapsed Quaker and sometime Anglican, and 1 so-called Deist—Benjamin Franklin (Jefferson was clearly and demonstrably not a Deist), who attended every kind of Christian worship, called for public prayer, and contributed to all denominations. Our entire Constitutional Republic is based on the assumption that Christians must participate in politics because all law is based on some concept of morality. In fact, according to David Barton the first mass printing of Bibles in our new Republic was done under the “care and…encouragement” of the U.S. Congress[2]. Never read that in school did you? Why the founders believed it is a Christian’s duty to participate in politics is answered, as odd as it may seem, with two simple questions.

What is the temple of the Holy Spirit? The body of the believer…

What is the government of the United States? “We the people” or the body of the believer…

This presupposed two things: 1. You are a believer, and 2. You showed up, participated, and voted so the Holy Spirit can work through you. That was the true genius of the Founders and the only way they could make their battle cry “no king but King Jesus” a reality.

Therefore, it is not wrong to participate in politics it is your Christian duty.


Christians Make the Difference

"Christians" comprise the largest potential voting bloc in Washington State. However, Christians also comprise the largest number of un-registered voters and comprise the largest numbers of people who while registered to vote, do not vote. “In the primary elections this year, Christian voter turnout was about 25% from people in your church.”[3]

Many races on the west side of our great state are determined by 500 to 2000 votes. If Christians show up that margin is easily made up and those who believe in restoring a God Honoring Constitutional Republic win. If we do not, it is our fault that un-principled, immoral, and unethical representatives get voted into office. Likewise ballot measures like R-74, which redefines marriage and would force Christian businesses to participate in same-s*x wedding ceremonies, are easily rejected. Christians make the difference.

Today, the Christian voting bloc has seemingly ignored the ethical and moral consciousness the Founders depended on to provide a viable society. The Christian voting bloc has seemingly ignored the fact that Christian participation is as foundational to a strong and vibrant church as it is to a strong and vibrant government. I hope you will join me in not only praying but making this election the turning point when we returned God to the center of our lives so that He may return to the center of our Country.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” ~John Adams, October 11, 1798

Your Brother in Christ,

Matt Shea
State Rep. (4th L.D. – R)


Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.

Thursday, November 01, 2012

Seattle Woman Thanked by Obama Team for Voting in North Carolina

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A Seattle area woman received an email this week from President Obama's "Organizing For America," thanking her for voting last week in the North Carolina election and asking her to further volunteer to help the Obama campaign.

Here's the email: