What a Christian thinks...

[Bullypulpit]

<blockquote>Fire and Brimstone
A letter from a Pastor to the President


Dear President Bush,

When you were running for office, you stated that Jesus Christ was your favorite philosopher. You have made a point of proclaiming your Christian faith. You have put time and energy in an attempt to link the church's mission with state social security. You have, particularly since September 11, continually preached GOD BLESS AMERICA on almost every public occasion.

As a Pastor and fellow United Methodist, I need to ask you: Do you know what the values and vision of Jesus are?

I ask the question because I am baffled and confused by your behavior. You claim Christ but act like Caesar. There is blood all over your hands, with the promise of even more blood to come. You sit atop the nations like the biblical Whore of Babylon, openly fornicating with the military men of might, their corporate sponsors, their nuclear madness, and their insatiable hunger for global armament. Is this how you learned Christ?

You claim the benevolence of your Administration toward the rest of the world. But the treaties you make, and the treaties you un-make, continue to be laced with a tightened rope around the neck of the poor. Is this how you learned to "forgive our debtors"? Is it really Christ-like to insist on cuts in life-supporting infrastructure while increasing military budgets and allowing the plunder of nations to accrue to a very small financial elite? Have you not been taught that Jesus was crucified by these same Principalities and Powers?

You practice a patriotic righteousness that visualizes never-ending war against enemies of great evil. You bombed Afghanistan, with both guns and butter, to show the difference. But do you really think the few crumbs of bread airlifted to Afghanistan shield the reality: that you have no intention to assist in building a sustainable society there? Is this how Christ taught you to avenge the wrongs done unto you?

I am troubled by your spirit, George. You claim you are of the Sustainer of Life, but you practice the terror of Death. You are spreading the war. Afghanistan is only the beginning. Military presence crops up world-wide. You bait us with Iraq and shield what you are doing in Columbia. You lay the groundwork for disrupting Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina. You allow the dogs of capitalism to sink their teeth into the battered body of a raped Central America. And the buck stops on your desk, George: Is this what Jesus would do?

The Spirit of Death rises, and nations tremble. We the people of the United States tremble. We discover how truly powerless we have become. Our military budget grows to obscene levels, bankrupting the social infrastructure from which our security and freedom rise. We see basic medical care costs increase, even as more and more Americans find themselves without health care. We see environmental treaties subverted, ignored, and disappeared, even as Mother Earth signals increasing distress. Labor rights are made secondary to the rights of corporations, resulting in wage reductions and growing financial insecurity. Homelessness exposes itself through tented cities. Education becomes the victim of budget knife cuts. A few benefit but the groan of the masses is growing. Whose side are you on, George?

Perhaps you think that God has chosen you for this hour. Perhaps God has. So again I ask you, Is this how you learned Christ? If God has chosen you for this hour then, in Christ's name, serve the values and vision of Jesus: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, release the prisoners, cancel the debt, forgive your enemies, practice Jubilee. Then, through you, this nation and all nations will be blessed.

But beware: the road of the sword will bring division and much blood. Those who take it up will be devoured by it. Many people, in the name of God, have taken up the sword. And many have come to ruin. Thinking themselves capable of naming evil, they have become the very evil they name.

Seek Christ first,
Rev. Rich Lang, Pastor


Rev. Rich Lang ministers to Trinity United Methodist Church</blockquote>

Modern Pharisees...That's what the religious right in America is. And we will all pay dearly for their sins.

 

[theim]

<blockquote>Fire and Brimstone
A letter from a Pastor to the President


Dear President Bush,

When you were running for office, you stated that Jesus Christ was your favorite philosopher. You have made a point of proclaiming your Christian faith. You have put time and energy in an attempt to link the church's mission with state social security. You have, particularly since September 11, continually preached GOD BLESS AMERICA on almost every public occasion.

As a Pastor and fellow United Methodist, I need to ask you: Do you know what the values and vision of Jesus are?

I ask the question because I am baffled and confused by your behavior. You claim Christ but act like Caesar. There is blood all over your hands, with the promise of even more blood to come. You sit atop the nations like the biblical Whore of Babylon, openly fornicating with the military men of might, their corporate sponsors, their nuclear madness, and their insatiable hunger for global armament. Is this how you learned Christ?

You claim the benevolence of your Administration toward the rest of the world. But the treaties you make, and the treaties you un-make, continue to be laced with a tightened rope around the neck of the poor. Is this how you learned to "forgive our debtors"? Is it really Christ-like to insist on cuts in life-supporting infrastructure while increasing military budgets and allowing the plunder of nations to accrue to a very small financial elite? Have you not been taught that Jesus was crucified by these same Principalities and Powers?

You practice a patriotic righteousness that visualizes never-ending war against enemies of great evil. You bombed Afghanistan, with both guns and butter, to show the difference. But do you really think the few crumbs of bread airlifted to Afghanistan shield the reality: that you have no intention to assist in building a sustainable society there? Is this how Christ taught you to avenge the wrongs done unto you?

I am troubled by your spirit, George. You claim you are of the Sustainer of Life, but you practice the terror of Death. You are spreading the war. Afghanistan is only the beginning. Military presence crops up world-wide. You bait us with Iraq and shield what you are doing in Columbia. You lay the groundwork for disrupting Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina. You allow the dogs of capitalism to sink their teeth into the battered body of a raped Central America. And the buck stops on your desk, George: Is this what Jesus would do?

The Spirit of Death rises, and nations tremble. We the people of the United States tremble. We discover how truly powerless we have become. Our military budget grows to obscene levels, bankrupting the social infrastructure from which our security and freedom rise. We see basic medical care costs increase, even as more and more Americans find themselves without health care. We see environmental treaties subverted, ignored, and disappeared, even as Mother Earth signals increasing distress. Labor rights are made secondary to the rights of corporations, resulting in wage reductions and growing financial insecurity. Homelessness exposes itself through tented cities. Education becomes the victim of budget knife cuts. A few benefit but the groan of the masses is growing. Whose side are you on, George?

Perhaps you think that God has chosen you for this hour. Perhaps God has. So again I ask you, Is this how you learned Christ? If God has chosen you for this hour then, in Christ's name, serve the values and vision of Jesus: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, release the prisoners, cancel the debt, forgive your enemies, practice Jubilee. Then, through you, this nation and all nations will be blessed.

But beware: the road of the sword will bring division and much blood. Those who take it up will be devoured by it. Many people, in the name of God, have taken up the sword. And many have come to ruin. Thinking themselves capable of naming evil, they have become the very evil they name.

Seek Christ first,
Rev. Rich Lang, Pastor


Rev. Rich Lang ministers to Trinity United Methodist Church</blockquote>

Modern Pharisees...That's what the religious right in America is. And we will all pay dearly for their sins.

Well whatever. If this nut wants to play "turn the other cheek" with psychoes who killed 3000 people he can just sit and rant all day for all I care. Yeah, lets just forgive them and practice Jubilee and all will be well! I mean, once OBL hears that we officially forgive him, and by the way are cancelling the debt owed by Africa, of course he will come around!

KUUUMMMBAYAAAAAAAAA MY LORRRRRRRRRRD!

 

[Merlin]

Someone must be doing something wrong. They let this fellow escape from his straight jacket long enough to write that article.

 

[Gem]

I feel sorry for the people who look to this man for any sort of guidance...

 

[no1tovote4]

Wow a Modern Pharisee of his own right. Here is a man who judges poorly those who follow what they believe simply because he thinks it is wrong not because he knows better than they do what his God thinks about things. I guess he forgot the whole Judge Not portion of the Bible.

Well I guess he gets his earthly reward.

I personally think his next reincarnation will not be very pleasant.

 

[Avatar4321]

Im not even sure where to start with this one.

When you were running for office, you stated that Jesus Christ was your favorite philosopher. You have made a point of proclaiming your Christian faith. You have put time and energy in an attempt to link the church's mission with state social security. You have, particularly since September 11, continually preached GOD BLESS AMERICA on almost every public occasion.

Has he really? Maybe its just me but I dont see him making it a point to proclaim his Christian faith. He talks about it when he was asked about it. Christ was my favorite philosopher too. Which church's mission has he linked with state social security? This is the first I've heard about it. Just reading that first paragraph makes me highly suspicious it acts like there is one Christian Church, unfortunately there are many. I would think a Pastor would be aware of this.

Also whats wrong with God blessing America? Should America not want God's blessing? I dont know about anyone else but I deffinately want God to be on my side, or rather I want to be on God's side. I want to be able to lay claim to every blessing He wants to give me. Since when is it bad to want God's blessing?

As a Pastor and fellow United Methodist, I need to ask you: Do you know what the values and vision of Jesus are?

Im curious what this pastor thinks the values and vision of Jesus are and how they are so different than what the President is trying to do. The President is definately a man of faith. He tries to do whats right with the options placed before him. I would hope any President would try to do that. Doing whats right isnt always easy. There are some tough choices and so far the President has been making good choices. Because of the President's actions and the actions of a very capable administration and military Osama has been on the run, America has not been attacked since and two nations have been liberated. We still have a long way to go but these are long term solutions. They have been going well so far and i expect they will continue to do so as long as the President is in office.

I ask the question because I am baffled and confused by your behavior. You claim Christ but act like Caesar. There is blood all over your hands, with the promise of even more blood to come. You sit atop the nations like the biblical Whore of Babylon, openly fornicating with the military men of might, their corporate sponsors, their nuclear madness, and their insatiable hunger for global armament. Is this how you learned Christ?

In what way has President Bush ever acted like Caesar? He is the emperor now? What on earth does this pastor base such a conclusion on? We were attacked, what are we supposed to do let the terrorist slaughter our wives and children? We did not start this. in fact as our critics have pointed out we were friends with Osama, the Taliban, and even Saddam. We tried to help them stay free from Soviet influence, yet despite our help they turned their backs on us and betrayed us. Osama and the Taliban turned on us with 911 and Saddam back when he used our friendship to attack Kuwait for his own lust for power. America is not the aggressors. Al Queda attacked us multiple times before we finally fought back.

Also i think this man has a very ignorant view of the military. While its true that ancient militaries fought for glory and power, we have a unique military. Our military fights not for power but to pull power down. We fight not to oppress but to free people. Because of our soldiers and these so called military men of might we are somehow fornicating with, men and women can live as a free people with very little fear of safety. Because our soldiers love freedom and their fellow men they are willing to sacrifice it all, even their life if needs be, so that their brethren can be free. How can an association with such noble warriors be bad? Sometimes good men have to fight because evil triumphs would good men do nothing.

You claim the benevolence of your Administration toward the rest of the world. But the treaties you make, and the treaties you un-make, continue to be laced with a tightened rope around the neck of the poor. Is this how you learned to "forgive our debtors"? Is it really Christ-like to insist on cuts in life-supporting infrastructure while increasing military budgets and allowing the plunder of nations to accrue to a very small financial elite? Have you not been taught that Jesus was crucified by these same Principalities and Powers?

What treaties have the administration made or unmade that tightened ropes around the necks of the poor? We continue to give more money to help the poor around the world than any other nation. We have forgiven more debt to foriegn nations than some nations see in their budget for the past century. We also pour money in global education. We pour funding into AIDS funding an education. President Bush has probably done more for the people in poor nations suffering from AIDS than any President before him. This hurts the poor and oppresses them? how?

What life supporting infrastructure has President Bush cut while increasing our military budgets? What plunder of nations is this man talking about? Ive seen alot of accusastions, typical of the left, but accusations don't become true just because you make them. Id like to see this pastor back up his accusations or he should admit that he was wrong and apologize.

You practice a patriotic righteousness that visualizes never-ending war against enemies of great evil. You bombed Afghanistan, with both guns and butter, to show the difference. But do you really think the few crumbs of bread airlifted to Afghanistan shield the reality: that you have no intention to assist in building a sustainable society there? Is this how Christ taught you to avenge the wrongs done unto you?

I would think that a pastor of all people would be very much aware of the constant battle against evil. The battle will not end until the Savior comes in Glory. Against his makes me alittle suspicious of who he claims to be.

Also we are building Aghanistan into a sustainable society. I know the left likes to pretend we ignored them, but we are assisting them. Alot of what they do must come from themselves though. We cant force them to build the infrastructure we can only give them the opportunity. We are giving our support along with other nations. We are doing the same with Iraq. Thanks to us both nations now have many schools and hospitals than they did before. Thanks to us they have hope. And perhaps with the grace of God someday the Gospel may be preached openly in both nations so that the hope that comes only through Christ can be within their reach as well.

I would think that a man of God would be appreciative that we have stopped the torture and opression of the governments there and given the people a chance to leave. I know I may not be a man of God persay but im grateful that people have a chance for freedom now. I hope they can live up to the Responsibility. I think they will.

The people were oppressed. we have liberated them. We were there to punish the bad guys not the people. we were there to free them. Christ's mission was to make men free. I think the President has that same vision to make the nations of the world free even if it must be one at a time.

I am troubled by your spirit, George. You claim you are of the Sustainer of Life, but you practice the terror of Death. You are spreading the war. Afghanistan is only the beginning. Military presence crops up world-wide. You bait us with Iraq and shield what you are doing in Columbia. You lay the groundwork for disrupting Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina. You allow the dogs of capitalism to sink their teeth into the battered body of a raped Central America. And the buck stops on your desk, George: Is this what Jesus would do?

He claimed he was the sustainer of life? when? Im pretty sure the President is very much aware that he is not God. Aghanistan wasnt the beginning of the war. September 11th was. It amazes me how the left cant seem to understand the simple concept We did not start this war! If they had not attacked us we would not be attacking them. But since they have attacked us we have two choices we either (1) fight back or (2) we die. This isnt a war for pleasure or for gain. Its a war for survival and freedom. And as long as those on the left like this pastor fail to understand this they will continue to lose elections.

Also, what is wrong with Capitalism? What is wrong with letting people choose to purchase what they want and letting that dictate what is bought and sold? Does the pastor have an alternative to Capitalism? We know that socialism and communism dont work. Should we return to fuedalism?

The Spirit of Death rises, and nations tremble. We the people of the United States tremble. We discover how truly powerless we have become. Our military budget grows to obscene levels, bankrupting the social infrastructure from which our security and freedom rise. We see basic medical care costs increase, even as more and more Americans find themselves without health care. We see environmental treaties subverted, ignored, and disappeared, even as Mother Earth signals increasing distress. Labor rights are made secondary to the rights of corporations, resulting in wage reductions and growing financial insecurity. Homelessness exposes itself through tented cities. Education becomes the victim of budget knife cuts. A few benefit but the groan of the masses is growing. Whose side are you on, George?

Our military budget is growing to obscene levels? Compared to what? The military budget is a rather small amount of the overall budget. From what i understand Education budget far exceeds it, heck it might double it.

Also, the military is the infrastructure from which our security and freedom rise. Without the military we would soon be a very oppressed people cause some dictator thugs would walk right over us. In fact the military infrastructure is the governments first priority. The federal government doesnt have alot of official responsibilities but the main one is to defend the American people. Kind of hard to do that without a military isnt it?

You want to know what is bankrupting the social infrustructure from which our security and freedom rises? The Social programs this man is complaining that arent getting enough funding. Bosh. The government isnt responsible for Medicare. The government isnt responsible for environmental actions. Heck the Government isnt even responsible for Education. The government is responsible for a very small list of things first being national defense, second being regulating trade, and third making treaties with other nations.

What i think is amazing about this is this letter Bully posted to attack the President highlights exactly what is wrong with the left. They have the wrong priorities. Tell me how important is social security if we ignore national security and get killed next week? How important are labor rights? How important will fighting for the earths environment be if our children are killed because of our failure to defend ourselves? The earth will adapt to anything we throw out at it good or bad. But we cant get back our mortal lives or those of our love ones if we fail to defend ourselves. It may be the Economy stupid, but money doesnt matter that much if we are dead.

Perhaps you think that God has chosen you for this hour. Perhaps God has. So again I ask you, Is this how you learned Christ? If God has chosen you for this hour then, in Christ's name, serve the values and vision of Jesus: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, release the prisoners, cancel the debt, forgive your enemies, practice Jubilee. Then, through you, this nation and all nations will be blessed.

Then why complain when that is exactly what he is doing! We feed the hungry. We the people of Iran after the eathqakes despite the oppresive government. we fed the people of Afghanistan, which was even mentioned in this letter. President Bush himself helped feed the hungry and cloth the naked of those who suffered in the hurricanes of Florida. On the day of the first debate while Kerry was getting his manicure the President was out working with the people in helping the relief effort.

We are releasing the prisoners. Because of President Bush and the United States military we have freed the people of Aghanistan and Iraq who were being oppressed by ruthless dictators. We do what you are telling us and you are complaining about it! Make up your mind. you either support the freeing of people or we are hypocrites for doing it. you cant take both positions.

As for the rest I've covered that already this post.

But beware: the road of the sword will bring division and much blood. Those who take it up will be devoured by it. Many people, in the name of God, have taken up the sword. And many have come to ruin. Thinking themselves capable of naming evil, they have become the very evil they name.

What is evil about freeing people?!? How can you do evil by selflessly giving your life so that others can live and that evil men can be stopped? How can you be evil by freeing the Prisoners, bringing food to the hungry and clothes to the naked? If these are truly your goals then you should be fully supporting the liberation of our brothers and sisters in Iraq and Aghanistan. Yet you are angry that President Bush has arranged for their liberation. Why?

Let go of your irrational hatred. Come unto Christ and live. Pull the beam from your eye before you complain about a mote in the President's that may or may not be there. How does making false accusations and bearly false witness help the cause of Christ?

Modern Pharisees...That's what the religious right in America is. And we will all pay dearly for their sins.

No Bully. We pay for our own sins and not for the sins of others. That is unless we come to Christ and then He has paid for our mistakes. If you want to live, worry about your own sins and when you have overcome your sins then you wont have to worry. God will be with you.

BTW please stop being self righteous bully. I know you are a religious bigot and think us Christians are nothing but blind sheep, youve made that clear in the past. But just because someone claims to be Christian, and may even be a pastor doesnt mean we have to blindly follow them. That is the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God doesnt send ministers out to teach the people and expect the people to blindly follow them. Quite the opposite. Ministers are to teach the message of the Gospel. and then those who hear must find out for themselves whether the message is true by going to God. So please stop condecending and acting like simply because someone who is Christian or someone who is "conservative" and disagrees with what the President is doing must blindly be followed. Its annoying and it doesnt help the conversation. Instead you might want to actually humble yourself and have a decent conversation rather than a hit and run post like this.

 

[007]

Someone must be doing something wrong. They let this fellow escape from his straight jacket long enough to write that article.

That's pulit's favorite kind of nut...

 

[dmp]

The Methodist Church allows Gay Ministers. They are far from being a voice of what is or isn't Christian.

Read the following - use your judgement to determin if GWB is a man who follows Christ.

I'm at the 8:00 am service at my church, St. Johns at Lafayette Square, across from the White House. (I wanted to go early because I was going for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Manassas.) Much of the service was uneventful — nice, but uneventful — until it comes to the part of the service when the Minister says, "Greet one another in the name of the Lord." I turn to my right to exchange the peace with my friend, Amy Fox Smythe, who was on the other end of my pew. I then shake hands with the person in front of me, and turn around to say hello to the person behind me.

The person behind me was our 43rd President, George W. Bush. I am not kidding. A small crowd was forming around him, and not wanting to delay the church service or bother him by waiting to shake his hand, I turned back around and sat down and talked to Amy. About 30 seconds later I felt a hand on my left shoulder and turned around to see President Bush with his hand extended. "Peace of the Lord, " he said, and held my hand with both of his. "Peace of the Lord," I replied, and held both his hands and smiled at him.

I turned back around and was remarkably calm about the fact that the most powerful person in the world was sitting two feet behind me. I could hear him flipping through his bulletin as the Minister made the announcements. I loved the idea of him thinking, "Oh, there's a covered dish next Sunday."

We prayed and when I stood up to go to the communion rail, he got up and walked down the aisle behind me. We passed a little old lady who said, "Mr. President, I pray for you every day." To which he said, "That's a very special gift. Thank you so much." We got to the communion rail and there were two spaces, one in front of us and one around the side of the altar . I started off around the corner. He stopped me and whispered, "No, no. I'll go around" and motioned for me to take the closer spot.

The only exception made in the entire service was that the President was allowed to leave first and then the rest of the congregation followed.

With all sincerity, and partisanship aside, I tell you: This is a special man! There is a peace and a Godliness about him. It radiates from him. It is the only reason that I was able to remain calm. It was more than the adrenaline I've felt when I've met other famous people. A goodness flows through this man. He has more than my vote in November. He has my respect, my prayers, and my gratitude. Whatever your political affiliation, and whether or not you agree with his decisions, you should take comfort in the fact that — despite recent press attacks — this is a man of integrity who makes decisions because he believes that they are RIGHT, not popular. He makes these decisions with a heavy heart and through prayer

As you may know, the President and Mrs. Bush visited the Washington Burn Center on Friday 14 September. Among those they visited was LTC Brian Birdwell, who was badly burned in the Pentagon attack.
Mrs. Bush went into Brian's room, spoke to him for about a minute, all the time as if they had been long acquaintances. She then turned to Brian's wife Mel, who at this time had been at the hospital for probably 2 1/2 days, and apparently, according to Mel herself, was dirty, grimy and had blood on her shirt.

Mrs. Bush hugged Mel for what Mel said seemed like an eternity, just as if Mel were one of her closest family members.

Mrs. Bush then told Brian and Mel that there was "someone" there to see him.

The President then walked in, stood by Brian's bedside, asked Brian how he was doing, told him that he was very proud of them both and that they were his heroes.

The President then saluted Brian. Now, at this point in time, Brian is bandaged up pretty well. His hands are burned very badly as well as the back of him from the head down. His movements were very restricted.

Upon seeing the President saluting him, Brian began to slowly return the salute, taking, from the accounts so far, about 15-20 seconds to get his hand up to his head.

During all of this, 15-20 seconds, President Bush never moved, never dropped his salute. The President dropped his salute only when Brian was finished with his, and then gave Mel a huge hug for what also probably seemed like an eternity.

Pray for our leadership. Thank God for what we are, have, and will be.

As a note to those of you who might not be familiar with military protocol, the subordinate normally initiates a salute and will hold it until the superior officer returns the salute.

In the above incident, President Bush acted in the role of the subordinate to show his respect and high regard for the injured man.

Dear Family!

It is a dull, polluted Monday morning here in Shanghai and we await news of President Bush's safe arrival back in Washington D.C. He just left here less than twelve hours ago. Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief that no terrorist incidents occurred here over the past days. Security was tight, as you will have seen on TV.

On Friday afternoon, a crowd of 600 consulate/embassy staff + families were invited to a reception in the Atrium of the Shanghai/Portman complex, at 3:15pm, to meet both GW and Colin Powell. We waited a LONG time (due to all the security we had to go through), but our anticipation outweighed our tired bodies and sore feet. [We had left the house just after 10:30am in order to do all this!]. Finally, Bush was announced, and it was SO INCREDIBLE to see him walk in with Powell and take the podium before us, especially with all the recent events. Quite emotional for us all, actually.

He gave a tremendous, candid yet heartening speech, and then was escorted down to the floor to meet the crowds. Everyone was of course behind a tight rope, and there were Secret Service men and security everywhere. There was no way he could meet all, but he sure did a great job of shaking hands with as many as possible. Colin Powell followed immediately behind him; he did not seem so engaging, surprisingly. Maybe the Secretary was (understandably) tired and distracted after his previous trips to Pakistan and India.

Anyway, the three kids and I were in the very front row, and had an extraordinary experience with President Bush. Bush came along and shook Chris's hand first, noticing that he was all dressed up, and said, "You're looking sharp today, boy!" Chris was SO PROUD and SO PLEASED at the recognition (if only GW had known what a struggle I'd had to get him to wear a jacket and a tie!). Then he shook my hand and I told him how much we value his strong leadership at this time, that we are 100% behind him. He went on and took the girls' hands and talked to them.

Then I leaned over and mentioned that we pray for him every day. He stopped dead in his tracks (a definite security NO-NO . . . the SS men got REALLY antsy). He searched my eyes as if to see how much I really meant what I was saying. Then he gave me the most amazing and unexpected personal response, Paul said for a good 20-30 seconds.

He told me what the effect has been on him, waking up every day of the crisis and knowing within himself that he is being faithfully prayed for. He almost pleaded with me not to give up, but to persist with it, for this is only the beginning. Then he looked me even more squarely in my eyes, and gave me a very personal and specific series of instructions about the very things he most needs prayer for, on behalf of himself and of the nation.

He urged me that the threat against America is very great, and that one of our focuses in prayer to God needs to be "the shielding of America" . . . and wisdom for him as he leads the country through this time. I don't know why, but as I looked straight back at him directly into his face, he let me see for those brief moments a tiny part of the agony he himself is going through, and the weariness. He finished the conversation by putting his hand on my right shoulder, almost as if it were the close of a commissioning, but affectionate too in a brotherly sort of way.

People were pressing in at this point and almost knocking the four of us right into Bush. Many of them were the Chinese staff who work for Paul, who would not have understood ANY of that conversation; but others caught snippets and came afterwards to ask me WHAT we had been talking about. The President moved on.

Needless to say, the whole experience was unforgettable. I cannot begin to tell you how deeply it has affected me. Certainly, I do not think I have ever prayed for a leader or government or nation (or world!) so extensively has I have done since then. It was really quite an unusual and unexpected and powerful encounter.

At the Foot of the Cross
A Story You Haven't Heard

Angel Tree, our Prison Fellowship program for prisoners' children, is one of the great unheralded volunteer outreaches in America. Over the Christmas holidays these past few weeks, approximately 100,000 volunteers delivered Angel Tree gifts to more than 525,000 children of inmates.

You didn't read about this in the newspapers, nor would I expect that you should. It's not really that newsworthy that Christians help people in need. But there are two of our volunteers, who delivered forty presents, that I think you should have read about but didn't. For reasons best known to themselves, the media ignored the fact that two of the volunteers were President and Mrs. George Bush. And they delivered gifts to forty inner-city kids in a church basement three days before Christmas.

President and Mrs. Bush arrived at three-o'clock, Monday, December 22, at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Now, presidents don't move anywhere without a great deal of fuss. The police were out, the roads blocked, and Secret Service were roaming around the church. And when the president arrived, he was accompanied not only by his own team, but also by a pool of reporters, forty or so members of the press. For ten minutes they popped their flashbulbs, scribbled their notes, and then were ushered out.

I remember from my days with President Nixon what photo opportunities are: Get the picture and leave. So I thought the Bushes would shortly depart, but they didn't. They stayed long after the cameras were gone to greet every child, to have their picture taken with them, their mothers, and their grandmothers, to talk with them, and to ask questions. Though the press didn't report it, I noticed that both the president and Mrs. Bush talked to the Hispanic children in Spanish.

Just before the president left, I introduced him to Al Lawrence, a member of our staff. I told the president that I had met Al more than twenty years ago in a prison. Jesus had got hold of Al's life, and he's been working for us ever since. Then I told the president that Al's son was now a freshman at Yale. At that point the president stopped, exclaimed, "We're both Yale parents," and threw his arms around Al Lawrence - an African-American ex-offender being embraced by the president of the United States in a church basement. The ground is indeed level at the foot of the cross.

I tell you this story because it's a wonderful Christmas story, and you probably haven't heard it. With all those reporters who crowded into that basement, the visit resulted in almost universal media silence.

I suppose there are many explanations for this, but I'll offer mine. The president is a Christian who really cares for "the least of these," who does this not for photo ops, but because he's genuine. That is something that his detractors in the media simply can't handle. Conservatives caring for the poor? Never. It dashes the stereotypes.

But surely Christians ought to be rejoicing that the most powerful man in the world and his wife, a couple of days before Christmas, had a wonderful visit with the most powerless people in our society.

After all, that echoes the Christmas message, doesn't it? The most powerful came to be with the least powerful to give us hope.

For those of us who sometimes find ourselves having doubts about our President, here is an excellent piece — worth every minute it takes to read it.

This is from a man, Bruce Vincent, from Montana who received an award from the President.

He writes: I've written the following narrative to chronicle the day of the award ceremony in DC. I'm still working on a press release but the White House press corps has yet to provide a photo to go with it. When the photo comes I'll ship it out. When you get done reading this you'll understand the dilemma I face in telling this story beyond my circle of close friends.

The moment with the President in the Oval Office was incredible. I want to protect the memory because it was an intensely private moment between two men. At the same time I'd like to share it on a broader scale because I'd like others to know what I know about the man sitting at the desk in the Oval Office. For now, I'll just tell it to you folks.

As you know, our efforts concerning the reintroduction of our rural, resource providing cultures to the ever more urbane society of our nation has been honored with an award from the President and First Lady Bush. Nominated by the Forest Service for the first ever Preserve America President's Award was our cultural exchange program Provider PalsT and our restoration of an abandoned CCC built Forest Service ranger station (Raven Ranger Station) for use as a learning center for students from throughout the nation that are now engaged in our cultural exchange. The award was given at a White House ceremony on Monday, May 3. Guests at the East Room ceremony (the Rose Garden was going to be used but it rained) included Secretary of Interior Gorton, Secretary of Agriculture Venneman, Undersecretary Mark Rey, Chief Bosworth, President's Advisory Council for Preserve America, and others. The East Wing was closed to the public for the event and those who attended enjoyed brunch and live chamber music.

Provider PalsT was able to bring members of our board of directors, staff from our partner Communities for a Great Northwest, our Kootenai Forest Supervisor and Forest Archaeologist, and two officials from our major sponsor Ford Motor Company. Thankfully, I was also able to bring PJ and all four children. In the East Room, Secretaries Venneman and Gorton spoke as did First Lady Bush and Preserve America's Chairman John Nau. The First Lady then gave autographed copies of a White House book to award winners in this ceremony and posed for pictures. When the ceremony concluded, the First Lady stayed for a bit in the Green Room and chatted and posed for pictures. She was then escorted outside to meet the President and board a Marine One helicopter waiting to whisk them off to the airport.

For me, however, the biggest event of the day had already happened when the East Room Ceremony started up. While the East Room ceremony was being prepared, the four national award winners and the entities that nominated them were taken to the Oval Office for the official award presentation by President Bush and First Lady Bush. There were eight of us in total. Stepping into the Oval Office, each of us was introduced to the President and Mrs. Bush. We shook hands and participated in small talk. When the President was told that we were from Libby, Montana, I reminded him that Marc Racicot is our native son and the President offered his warm thoughts about Governor Racicot.

I have to tell you, I was blown away by two things upon entering the office. First, the Oval Office sense of 'place' is unreal. The President later shared a story of Russian President Putin entering the room prepared to tackle the President in a tough negotiation and upon entering the atheist muttered his first words to the President and they were "Oh, my God." I concurred. I could feel the history in my bones. Second, the man that inhabits the office engaged me with a firm handshake and a look that can only be described as penetrating. Warm, alive, fully engaged, disarmingly penetrating. I was admittedly concerned about meeting the man.

I think all of us have an inner hope that the most powerful man in our country is worthy of the responsibility and authority that we bestow upon them through our vote. I admit that part of me was afraid that I would be let down by the moment — that the person and the place could not meet the lofty expectations of my fantasy world. This says nothing about my esteem for President Bush but just my practical realization that reality may not match my 'dream.'

 

[dmp]

continued...

Once inside the office, President Bush got right down to business and, standing in front of his desk, handed out the awards one at a time while posing for photos with the winners and Mrs. Bush. With the mission accomplished, the President and Mrs. Bush relaxed and initiated a lengthy, informal conversation about a number of things with our entire small group. He and the First Lady talked about such things as the rug in the office. It is traditionally designed by the First Lady to make a statement about the President, and Mrs. Bush chose a brilliant yellow sunburst pattern to reflect 'hope.' President Bush talked about the absolute need to believe that with hard work and faith in God there is every reason to start each day in the Oval Office with hope.

He and the First Lady were asked about the impact of the Presidency on their marriage and, with an arm casually wrapped around Laura, he said that he thought the place may be hard on weak marriages but that it had the ability to make strong marriages even stronger and that he was blessed with a strong one. When asked what the biggest challenge of the Presidency was, he talked about the daily frustration of partisan politics. 'This from a politician,' he said. He said that when he was elected he promised that he would do in DC what he had done in Texas and that was build alliances and coalitions that bridged party lines in order to move the nation forward. He had quickly learned that there are those in the nation's capital that would rather see the nation dismantled than work together to achieve a common good. That, he said is a bitter and continuing disappointment.

The President talked about the artwork and other items of interest in the room. For instance the desk he uses is the one that was given to the U.S. by Queen Victoria and used by FDR and JFK. In fact FDR had a front panel added to the desk to cover the mid section because FDR did not want the country to know he was in a wheelchair. President Bush laughed and said, "My how things have changed, FDR hid a wheelchair and if I eat a pretzel and get a tingle in my arm it's front page news around the globe." That little desk faux front is hinged by the way, and is the door that we all have seen John-John sticking his head from behind in the famous photo of JFK at work.

The President also noted that much of the artwork in the office is from Texas or about Texas. He said that it made sense for him to have it in his office because Texas is part of who he is. He talked about family and place and faith helping to build the person you end up being and noted that the Oval Office reflected who he is. He noted that it would be a mistake to come to the Oval Office and entertain a mission to 'find yourself.' He said that with all of the pressures and responsibilities that go with the job, you'd best know who you are when you put your nameplate on the desk in the Oval Office. He said he knows who he is and now America has had four years to learn about who he is. If they like what they see, he may have another four years. If not, then he may be going back to Texas.

After about 30 or 35 minutes, it was time to go. By then we were all relaxed and I felt as if I had just had an excellent visit with a friend. The President and First Lady made one more pass down the line of awardees, shaking hands and offering congratulations. When the President shook my hand I said, "thank you Mr. President and God bless you and your family." He was already in motion to the next person in line, but he stopped abruptly, turned fully back to me, gave me a piercing look, renewed the vigor of his handshake and said, "Thank you — and God bless you and yours as well."

On our way out of the office we were to leave by the glass doors on the west side of the office. I was the last person in the exit line. As I shook his hand one final time, President Bush said, "I'll be sure to tell Marc hello and give him your regards."

I then did something that surprised even me. I said to him, "Mr. President, I know you are a busy man and your time is precious. I also know you to be a man of strong faith and have a favor to ask you."

As he shook my hand he looked me in the eye and said, "Just name it."

I told him that my step-Mom was at that moment in a hospital in Kalispell, Montana, having a tumor removed from her skull and it would mean a great deal to me if he would consider adding her to his prayers that day.

He grabbed me by the arm and took me back toward his desk as he said, "So that's it. I could tell that something is weighing heavy on your heart today. I could see it in your eyes. This explains it."

From the top drawer of his desk he retrieved a pen and a note card with his seal on it and asked, "How do you spell her name?" He then jotted a note to her while discussing the importance of family and the strength of prayer. When he handed me the card, he asked about the surgery and the prognosis. I told him we were hoping that it is not a recurrence of an earlier cancer and that if it is they can get it all with this surgery.

He said, "If it's okay with you, we'll take care of the prayer right now. Would you pray with me?" I told him yes and he turned to the staff that remained in the office and hand motioned the folks to step back or leave.

He said, "Bruce and I would like some private time for a prayer."

As they left he turned back to me and took my hands in his. I was prepared to do a traditional prayer stance — standing with each other with heads bowed. Instead, he reached for my head with his right hand and pulling gently forward, he placed my head on his shoulder. With his left arm on my mid back, he pulled me to him in a prayerful embrace. He started to pray softly. I started to cry. He continued his prayer for Loretta and for God's perfect will to be done. I cried some more. My body shook a bit as I cried and he just held tighter. He closed by asking God's blessing on Loretta and the family during the coming months.

I stepped away from our embrace, wiped my eyes, swiped at the tears I'd left on his shoulder, and looked into the eyes of our President. I thanked him as best I could and told him that me and my family would continue praying for he and his.

As I write this account down and reflect upon what it means, I have to tell you that all I really know is that his simple act left me humbled and believing. I so hoped that the man I thought him to be was the man that he is. I know that our nation needs a man such as this in the Oval Office.

George W. Bush is the real deal. I've read Internet stories about the President praying with troops in hospitals and other such uplifting accounts. Each time I read them I hope them to be true and not an Internet perpetuated myth. This one, I know to be true. I was there. He is real. He has a pile of incredible stuff on his plate each day - and yet he is tuned in so well to the here and now that he 'sensed' something heavy on my heart. He took time out of his life to care, to share, and to seek God's blessing for my family in a simple man-to-man, father-to-father, son-to-son, husband-to-husband, Christian-to-Christian prayerful embrace.

He's not what I had hoped he would be. He is, in fact, so very, very much more

 

[CSM]

Once again, Bully is posting something from 2002. Here is a link to the original letter:

http://216.197.101.64/trinity/pictures/openlettertobush.pdf

Also note that the good Rev. Lang is very anti -war, anti Bush and has been since Bush first ran for office. Lang is member of the staff at the University of southern Oregon.

Once agin, I thought Bully was better than this...guess not.

 

[theim]

Ah. Reading this again, a bit more carefully, I have discerned the Reverend's true motivator, which is not that the war is un-Christian. The real reason he wrote this:

"You allow the dogs of capitalism to sink their teeth into the battered body of a raped Central America."

 

[Mr. P]

When I was a kid...some of the other kids would gather dog poop in a brown paper bag,
squirt some lighter fluid in it. They place the bag on a neighbors porch that they didn't really like,
ignite it and ring the bell or knock on the door. Of course the first thing the occupant would do is stomp the fire, resulting in dog poop all over the foot.
That's how I see MOST of bullys' posts, just a bag of dog shit.

Stop answering the door, gang.

 

[Hobbit]

This is why you have to take the Bible as a whole. Jesus did preach pacifism, but he can't have had a problem with soldiers, as he aided a few centurions and told everyone to obey the law, one of which was mandatory military service for all Roman citizens. Also, do recall the time he tore up the temple grounds because of the merchants.

 

[OCA]

The Methodist Church allows Gay Ministers. They are far from being a voice of what is or isn't Christian.

Read the following - use your judgement to determin if GWB is a man who follows Christ.

LMFAO! I was just about to say the same thing, HLCP ministers and this jackoff wants to tell us what a Christian is?

 

[OCA]

Once again, Bully is posting something from 2002. Here is a link to the original letter:

http://216.197.101.64/trinity/pictures/openlettertobush.pdf

Also note that the good Rev. Lang is very anti -war, anti Bush and has been since Bush first ran for office. Lang is member of the staff at the University of southern Oregon.

Once agin, I thought Bully was better than this...guess not.

My wife is from Oregon, Southern Oregon, specifically Eugene used to be the favorite stomping grounds of the Grateful Dead, its still 1967 there. Does this put this LSD addict's rant in perspective?

 

[5stringJeff]

Ah. Reading this again, a bit more carefully, I have discerned the Reverend's true motivator, which is not that the war is un-Christian. The real reason he wrote this:

"You allow the dogs of capitalism to sink their teeth into the battered body of a raped Central America."

Theim, you hit the nail on the head. I stopped reading the article when I came to this particular line because it really is the underlying theme: Reverend Lang is apparently more motivated by partisan politics (health care, environment, social economic policy) than by true Christianity.

For Bully (and everyone else): there is a lot of room for disagreement within the Christian Church. There are many pacifists, though Christ Himself never denounced war or the profession of soldiering. There are many - including myself - who believe that the Church should be more concerned with the welfare of the poor, the oppressed, and the widows of our world than we are about abortion. There are differing opinions on how involved the Church should be in politics, especially in America. But for every Reverend Lang, who has frankly written a terribly shallow letter, there are many other Christians who believe that President Bush is justified in the war against terrorism (as Avatar replied).

 

[NATO AIR]

Theim, you hit the nail on the head. I stopped reading the article when I came to this particular line because it really is the underlying theme: Reverend Lang is apparently more motivated by partisan politics (health care, environment, social economic policy) than by true Christianity.

For Bully (and everyone else): there is a lot of room for disagreement within the Christian Church. There are many pacifists, though Christ Himself never denounced war or the profession of soldiering. There are many - including myself - who believe that the Church should be more concerned with the welfare of the poor, the oppressed, and the widows of our world than we are about abortion. There are differing opinions on how involved the Church should be in politics, especially in America. But for every Reverend Lang, who has frankly written a terribly shallow letter, there are many other Christians who believe that President Bush is justified in the war against terrorism (as Avatar replied).

Amen x 99, dissent is tolerated in christianity... something increasingly not tolerated in the far leftist wing of this country.