Three thousand people thought the same thing as they prepared for their day on September 11, 2001. Unfortunately, they were wrong. Evil came to our shores that day. Or more properly, we saw evil’s presence on our shores that terrible morning.

It may make many uncomfortable to consider, but we live in a fallen world where the effects of this fall are all around us. Sometimes they are seen in smaller, individual ways like a ghetto child beaten to death by a drugged up parent. Sometimes we see it in more traumatic acts like the attacks on the twin towers and pentagon.

One question is, do we see greater evil in the deaths of 3000 men, women and children or in the death of a single innocent child? Are there degrees of evil? Was Nazi Germany the most evil because they killed six million Jews?

Are there degrees of evil? Does evil even exist? Could it be that it is just the absence of goodness… the absence of God’s goodness? It has been argued that there really is no such thing as evil, yet the absence of good does not account for the terrible things people have done. There is the fallen nature of man that tells us that man can do nothing that is really good, but some of the grotesque acts of violence show a more extreme influence than mere humanity.

The Bible tells us that no one is good. Some seem to be doing good things, but some people have done really bad things. Were they really worthy of greater condemnation than you or me? To human thinking, probably, but that is not the way our creator sees it.

Understanding that there is a part of the world around us that we cannot see… a spiritual world populated by angels of goodness and angels of darkness will give us a better insight into the cosmic struggle that goes unseen. There have been records of possession by these evil entities who have driven their victims to do unspeakable deeds. Some things are right and some things are wrong – it’s not just a difference of opinion.

Some among us would like us to believe that possessions and aberrant behavior are just the result of mental malfunctioning. Like many “scientific conclusions”, one must look at the predispositions of those spreading their theories. If we have scientists, commentators or whatever to have no spiritual understanding, it is simply not possible for them to understand the dynamics of evil anymore than these same people can understand the wonders of creation.

Other than the personal consequences of this intellectual failing, this “naturalistic” thinking that has permeated the academic world has left us totally unequipped to handle our adversaries – both seen and unseen. The introduction to Eric Mertaxes book on Bonhoeffer describes World War II as a massive exorcism of the evil of Nazi Germany.

This brings us to our current situation in our country and the world. Some, taking the “naturalistic” approach would have us believe our problems are strictly economic. These people are from both ends of the political spectrum. One side sees man as simply a physical being who can be content if only their physical needs are met, preferably by a government program. The other side sees man as more of an intellectual being who can be happy if he is free to express himself and accomplish his goals.

The fact is that neither having ones physical needs met nor unrestrained freedom will bring happiness. Our founders knew this. Many of our politicians seem to have forgotten this. They have also forgotten the source of our freedom and rights.

Consider what the personification of evil would like to do to this jewel of God’s goodness in our world. Consider how the downfall of this “Christian nation” would bring joy to the underworld. Consider, also, the dark world we would be passing on to those who come on behind us if we fail.

In recognizing the nature of the conflict we are facing, it is important that, for the most part, those standing against us have good intentions and are not consciously attempting to destroy our country and freedom. Does this mean they should not be opposed with everything we have? No it does not. As Jesus said, “they know not what they do.” It should not be personal, but they still need to be soundly defeated.

We are doing no one any favors by letting our country slip away. Yet, in most cases, we must treat them as people God sent his son to die for. We need to be as patient in showing uncomprehending followers the error of their ways as our creator was with us before we entered the kingdom.

For those blatantly pushing an agenda that will destroy our wonderful nation and the souls of so many of their followers, we just need to pray for help in stopping them, do our best put the kibosh on their plans, and place the results in the hands of the God whose divine providence brought this country into existence and will ultimately defeat the same evil we stand against today.

[Editors note: so many people want to get their face time as the public turns its attention to the tenth anniversary of the September 11th tragedy. Congressman Forbes is not one of them.  He is the real deal, one of he good guys in congress who voted against every single bailout and stood up for America at every opportunity.]

It is ten years later. Most of us remember where we were. We remember who we were with. We remember the phone calls we made, desperate to hear the sounds of our loved ones’ voices, to know they were OK. We remember the images of the twin towers crashing to the ground, the thick, gray ash that covered the New York City streets, the papers that littered the sidewalks, and the panic that followed. We remember the eery, weighty silence that swept the country in the days that followed. The images are burned into our minds.

Over the course of ten years since September 11, 2001, our nation has collectively gone through stages of grief: shock and denial that such a horrific act could have occurred. Anger at those who sought to take the lives of thousands of innocent people. Deep sadness over the senseless loss of lives and reflection as we try desperately to understand.

The final stage of grief is acceptance. While we have come to accept that this tragedy happened, we are resolved to never forget. As we enter a second decade of a post-9/11 nation, we face the reality that those Americans entering college this year were only eight years old when the attacks happened; old enough to know that something terrible had occurred, but probably too young to fully understand the gravity of the situation. Our nation’s high school freshmen very likely do not have any first-hand memories of that day.

It is natural to fear that, with each decade, our nation will forget a little more. Many worry that our younger generations will never grasp the sense of terror, the fear, and the vulnerability we felt that day as a nation – that they will never truly understand how it changed our nation forever.

But September 11th is not just a memory. It is a reminder.

It is a reminder of community. No matter the political, ideological, religious, or socioeconomic differences, America relies on the strength of her communities in great times of national need. Community is what helps us to prevail over tragedy.

It is a reminder of how vital our security, defense and law enforcement agencies are to our nation. They are in place to keep us safe. Without them we are vulnerable, and we cannot afford to hollow out our defense and national security structure. We must be vigilant to invest in resources and systems to protect our nation from those who would seek to destroy it.

It is a reminder that prayer has sustained our nation. Victims of the attacks prayed for help; family members prayed to be reunited with loved ones; first-responders prayed for strength and wisdom as they risked their lives; millions of Americans asked God for comfort, protection, and peace. Today, ten years later, Americans will join in pray again as individuals gather in churches, neighborhoods and with families to remember those who lost their lives that day.

It is a reminder that there are always those who are willing to give their all for others. There are men and women on the front lines and working behind the scenes to continue to defend America and to keep us safe. They are willing to go into a burning building or take down a hijacked plane in an act of selflessness. It is on their backs that we are able to stand.

We do not have to have first-hand memories to be reminded of something. But we do need to have someone tell us. As another decade passes, may the anniversary of September 11th be more than a memory. May it be a reminder. May those of us who experienced the day first-hand tell our stories to our youngest citizens. Make we make it a teachable moment for our nation. May we be reminded that our freedoms are precious and take pride in America as the home of the brave and the land of the free.

Mayer Rep. Ernie Leidiger Invited Controversial Pastor: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

Sometimes the opportunity presents itself to speak the truth to people unaccustomed to hearing it. Sometimes it’s accepted, sometimes it’s not, yet that does not change our responsibility. II Timothy 2:4 tells us, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.”

The opportunity came to pastor Bradlee Dean. Someone from his ministry convinced Rep. Ernie Leidiger go invite him to open the Minnesota House session with a prayer. I’m not sure that his attire was entirely appropriate… yet his words were completely on target. He spoke the truth to a body not used to hearing it. He spoke to people who were used to the deference given to the “Honorables”.

Majority Leader Kurt Zellers was so incensed, he declared, “I denounce him, his actions and his words. A person like that will never, ever be allowed on this House floor again as long as I am speaker.” Dean must have hit a nerve with his words. This type of response is not uncommon, and is, in some ways, a confirmation of the need for such an approach.

And what were the terrible things the pastor told the legislators? Was it that awful? Was he wrong? Listen to the prayer and pastors’ comments, and decide for yourself. If you come to the conclusion that he did what was necessary, then consider where you can carry the truth, in love, to those around you.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is standing at such a crossroads. He could follow the desires of most of the world and allow the enemies of his country to possess land that was given to his ancestors and promised to succeeding generations, or he could do the right thing. The left in this country and his own are saying all manner of evil about him. They are plotting his political demise… although the people of his homeland believe otherwise.

He understands the principle that doing the right thing is more important than being popular.

Yet this thinking is nothing new. Many years ago, during one of the children of Israel’s detours into the land of idolatry, Joshua called the people together, reviewed their history and chastised them for the error of their ways. He included in his exhortation to righteousness, the following words:

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15 NIV)

Joshua was willing to stand alone if he had to. Fortunately, he didn’t need to go alone as the people heeded his words and told him, “We will serve the LORD”. The question of whether or not they would have seen the light without his dedication is probably the point of the Biblical account. If his declaration was not important, it would not have been included.

More recently, in our own country’s history Patrick Henry turned the tide of timid fellow Virginians with his impassioned plea for their support of the New Englanders who had been attacked by the British.

Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Not everyone was convinced, but his passion was sufficient to carry the day and the Virginians were prepared when the struggle for liberty turned south. Would the history of the United States be the same without the single minded leadership of Henry and the other men who risked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in the quest for freedom. It is doubtful, but thankfully we don’t have to wonder since the victory was won.

Does this mean that this only applies to big decisions or life and death situations like the Chinese man facing down the government’s tanks in Tienanman Square in 1989. Not really. If you don’t strengthen your moral muscles in the small decisions, there is hardly any way you can handle the big ones.

These decisions can involve honesty in the workplace, standing for the truth in academia, or just not buying arguments like “everybody does it”. The choice is yours and the choice is mine. I hope none of us every have to face down the regimes tanks or SWAT teams… but if the time comes… would we be able to stand alone?

Israel can be thankful that they have a leader with such courage… but then like Ruth and like David, this man was raised up for such a time as this.

Air superiority is a necessity in any battle here on earth because the upper atmosphere controls all that is underneath it.

This principle truth had relevance long before Bildad the Shuhite ‘s dialogue with Job. The “heights of heaven” is the location of the Lord’s success in spiritual warfare against Satan (Rev. 12: 7 – 8). The heavens are also a powerful witness to Bildad’s forefather Abraham (through Keturah). G-d used them as a celestial screen to showcase His covenant to Abraham; to be the father of many nations (Gen 17:4).

Genesis 22: 17: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

The heavens are a showcase for divine promise and for battle.

Libya is now a prime example of this; as the international community, as represented through the 28 countries of NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization), seriously consider enforcing a “no -fly zone” over his country to stop him from bombing his fellow countrymen; who are calling for him to step down from his dictatorial leadership.

Colonel Gaddafi has been in power longer than most of the protestors on the streets of Libya have been alive. Since September 1st, 1969 he seized control of that nation in a bloodless coup d’état against King Idris while he was in Turkey for medical treatment.

Now, 42 years later, it is a mystery to Gaddafi to see all of this sudden international outrage over his leadership considering how many international organizations and prominent, wealthy people have profited from his wealth. The main company that the Gaddafi family has used to have such a global impact has been through the $70 billion Libyan Investment Authority.

Proverbs 17:23: A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

Gaddafi’s character and misdeeds have been no global secret, since taking power in the 70’s he turned his nation into a safe haven for anti-Western and anti-Jewish radicals, allegedly personally financing and arming many radical and terrorist groups. In 1972, Gaddafi created the Islamic Legion as a tool to unify and Arabize the African region.

Gaddafi has a long list of terrorist and tyrannical friends; including brutal Ugandan President and General Idid Amin, who he gave refuge to after Amin had slaughtered hundreds of thousands of his own citizens before fleeing to the protection of Libya. In gratitude, Amin even married Gaddafi’s daughter while there.

One of the things that Gaddafi was best known for was allegedly being behind the bombing of Pan American World Airways flight 103, over Lockerbie Scotland. Two hundred and seventy passengers and innocent victims on the ground were killed in this strike.

Just recently as a result of the current uprising in Libya and the exodus of many of Gaddafi’s leaders, the former Justice Secretary of that nation, Mustafa Mohamed Abud Al Jeleil, in an interview with a Sweedish newspaper, claimed to have evidence that Gaddafi personally ordered Abdelbaset Mohmed Ali al-Megrahi (an alleged Libyan secret operative) to carry out the bombing.

In 2001, Megrahi was convicted of the bombing. But, in August of 2009, following “doctors reports” that Megrahi had terminal prostate cancer, and was expected to only have three months left to live he was released. He is still alive to this day in Tripoli, Libya.

Many people see a powerful money and oil trail behind the release of Megrahi that leads to governmental quarters in Scotland. In response to growing outrage over this, in a Sunday Times article dated August 30th , 2009, British Minister for Justice Jack W. Straw wrote to his Scotland counterpart, “I had previously accepted the importance of the al-Megrahi issue to Scotland and said I would try to get an exclusion for him on the face of the agreement. I have not been able to secure an explicit exclusion.

“The wider negotiations with the Libyans are reaching a critical stage and, in view of the overwhelming interests for the UK, I have agreed that in this instance the [PTA] should be in the standard form and not mention any individual,” Minister Straw wrote.

Flash forward now to the present day; as the fighting intensifies in Libya with most nations taking the right stand to strongly condemn the Colonel’s use of force against innocent civilians. Mixed within that chorus of condemnation are also the voices of many people that perverted justice because of rich gifts and oil.

Oil reserves in Libya are the largest in Africa and the 9th largest in the world. As the current chaos in that nation sends the very speculative market of finance into a frenzied tail spin, the big focus of the day with regards to the implementation of justice is in securing the airspace over that nation.

Whether or not Gaddafi retains his power or Libya become fractured with warring factions grabbing control of her oil fields, we must learn to take our eyes of the present and look up, with hope to the Or-Boker Mimarom (Our Dayspring from on High):

Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.”

There is a different dimension of warfare that must be waged in the Heavenlies since “air superiority” is a necessity for any battle here on earth. Friends, I believe that we are about to experience the skies and the Heavenlies used as a very unique theater for something even more fascinating than this present crisis in the Middle East.

Shalom aleichem,

Pastor S. Alexis Wallace

The world was created in Seven Days

Success can be achieved in Seven Ways

1. Setting a goal just isn’t enough. You need a vision. You need to work hard to implement your plan, tweaking it as you go along. Learn from your mistakes knowing mistakes are stepping stones to success most people don’t  acknowledge as life’s greatest lessons.

2. Yes, follow your passion after all it is passion and dedication that create success. Be dedicated. Believe in yourself. Make time to look for opportunities to do something better than just about everyone else being mindful to act responsibly to everyone, keeping family and colleagues happy knowing the people you pass on the way up are the same people you pass on the way down. Up or down, the gift is their willingness and desire to reach their hands out to you.

3. There is no reinventing the wheel. There are countless variations thereof so while risk is a necessary evil, more important is making time to learn from others inventions while risking making your own the time you invest into learning makes for much less competition.

4. While some pursuits are worth any price, if the nuts and bolts aren’t in place, all your time invested with be for naught. As wonderfully supportive as friends,family are in your ambition or goal, no matter what you or they believe, if the math doesn’t work, passion or no passion, neither will your idea.

5. Make sure the people you bring on board are with your program, are on the same page as you, working with understanding toward your shared goal. It is better to keep a friend a friend if they don’t share your vision, no matter how long you have known them or how necessary you think their skills are.

6. There will be good times. There will be bad times. Just know time is moments fleeting. Time spent complaining is time gone forever, never to be replaced. Come to each new day with a smile on your face, sunshine in your heart and positivity in your portfolio looking forward towards what can be done rather than ruminating over what did not.

7. It’s not just about the money, it’s about the result. Good results bring a multitude of wealth in ways you will not predict. The road to success is filled with sacrifice. Know that saving money is as important as making money so in time if you take time to make balance, in time you will balance. A sunrise without friends to share it with is a moment you will find yourself saying, “you had to be there…” Use the wealth of your gift to make a difference. Most important, take your moment to embrace the sunshine of each beautiful day. Be in the moments life gifts us and you will succeed.

(c) Carrie Devorah 2010 along with May Be Reprinted With Permission Only

[This article was originally published in Foundation For God In The Temples Of Government.]

The new Christine O’Donnell ad running in Delaware is a little different than the type of thing we are accustomed to seeing. It is a peaceful presence in a political world dominated by nasty, negative sounds and images. To be sure, going negative works or it would not be done with such annoying frequency, but not right now.

Ms. O’Donnell is in the midst of a firestorm of hostility, not just from her opponent, but from elements within her own party. The funny thing about her situation is that the more the opposition rants and raves about her imaginary faults, the larger and more loyal her cadre of followers grows. While many of us, myself included, smile every time we see Chris Christie tear the rhetorical heart of some n’er do well progressive, there is a time and place for everything. There certainly will be a time for that in her current campaign, given complete unsuitability for the position of her opponent, Cris Coons.

The press, Coons, who bills himself as “strong, progressive voice for Delaware”, party insiders and even some so-called conservative pundits have tried to label her as a kook, with some flaky ideas and a checkered past. Now just may be the time for some calm, personal assurance the Ms. O’Donnell is, indeed, just like us… disgusted with politics as usual… and wanting to return to the country they knew.

In a time when the gulf between the commoners and the ruling elite is wider than it has ever been, a calm assurance that she just like the voters is what we need. The same pundits that want us to believe she is a bit strange have also complained about the ad. It’s not traditional enough to be to their liking. This may be its primary virtue. It breaks with the business as usual politics.

Not being raised in the aristocracy of politically connected and protected family, she is a non-traditional candidate who won the nomination by non-traditional means. Sure, the grassroots efforts have always been praised by party leaders, but only when they perform as directed… not when they assume control of the process. If she should roll out slick looking ads with, whatever the feminine equivalent of the candidate with his sleeves rolled up and jacket slung over his shoulder looking all the visionary as he gazes off into the distance, it would be difficult to convince the voters she has not been sucked into the organizational system.

A lot of people have given unsolicited advice, and probably much of is it well intentioned and a lot of it is good. However, her campaign has a vision that must be the primary focus, not the niceties of political tradition. Instead of disparaging an ad that may not fit the mold, we should be wishing her well and doing what we can to help.

Books could be written on this subject, but I believe Brad Stine gets to the point.  Even as you read this, some think it’s not right to call someone a wuss.  They prefer terms like metrosexual to refer to someone who is still kind of straight, but has adapted some of the effeminate habits of those who are not.   They believe the urban denizens who value almost nothing that doesn’t revolve around them are superior to good old boys who love their country… and are the ones who fight and die for it. It is a culture that considers a blue collar guy like Todd Palin a bit of a barbarian, yet believes Perez Hilton is someone whose opinion should be heard.  We’re in a heap of trouble folks!

With racing season in full swing, I thought it would be helpful to provide some advice for the few Democrats brave enough to read this blog.  For those of you intelligent enough not to fall into this category, you may find tips on how to help your less perceptive friends navigate among real Americans.  Watch and enjoy!

We often think of men like Washington, Jefferson, Adams… presidents all, but they were not alone in building the fledgling nation. There were others who drove the cause of freedom, helping pave the way to our independence. Patrick Henry was one of these who guided the our country into the light of independence. This future governor of Virginia is credited with helping his contemporaries see the need for independence and helping them to commit to fighting for it.

Through the years, his words have inspired many to a greater belief in both liberty and themselves. He demonstrated a single minded dedication to his country and its people. In view of the hazardous days ahead for our nation, it would be well to study these ideas coming from this man who loved his land and loved liberty.

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.

It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.

Perfect freedom is as necessary to the health and vigor of commerce as it is to the health and vigor of citizenship.

Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?

The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government — lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.

The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.

Fear is the passion of slaves.

O sir, we should have fine times, indeed, if, to punish tyrants, it were only sufficient to assemble the people! Your arms, wherewith you could defend yourselves, are gone; and you have no longer an aristocratical, no longer a democratical spirit. Did you ever read of any revolution in a nation, brought about by the punishment of those in power, inflicted by those who had no power at all?

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! – I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

If This Be Treason, Make The Most Of It!

Today we honor this man and his devotion. We see him as a hero of the first American revolution, yet are we ready to emulate him? Often our respect for law and order turns us into compliant servants of a government that is taking us down the road to financial and spiritual ruin. As we sing the praises of Patrick Henry, we need to remember that had the revolution failed, he would have experienced the short drop with a sudden stop at the end of a hangman’s rope… and we are afraid of minor infractions in our fight to remain free.