Letter I Emailed To President Obama Concerning Government Sanctioned Prayers

President Obama: I am a Christian woman who has long defended you even though I did not vote for you. There are many ways in which I believe you will be good for this nation. However, your latest stance on government sanctioned prayers is not only wrong, but goes against our religious freedom.

I know that Christ is present whether you will allow his name to be said in prayers or not. I highly object to this stance and hope that you will honor the fact that Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith, and that will offend, just as the mention of Mohammed or Buddah, will offend Christians. But recognizing religious freedom, we must allow ourselves to be offended. That is what freedoms do. I will continue to oppose these restrictions as a threat to my freedom as an American and a Christian. Without Christ there is no Christianity. He is the only way to heaven, through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Sincerely,
Debbie Kaufman
Follower of Jesus Christ

I don’t normally sign petitions or email letters to the government, but in cases like this I do make exceptions.

You may email your objections to this policy by going to www.whitehouse.gov and clicking on the contact page. I urge you to do so in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Inauguration: What Do You Expect

Five days ago, Martin Luther King would have turned 80 years old. Yesterday was Martin Luther King day. Since Barack Obama won the election, the I Have A Dream Speech is probably one of the most quoted speeches. It’s a day where history is being made. I am excited. I am one who did not know if we would have a black man,who at one time in our nations history was said to be 3/4 of a man, as president in my lifetime. But we have.

One of the topics surrounding this event has been the buzz on Barack’s speaker choices. John Piper has written a blog post entitled How Barak Obama Will Make Christians A Minister of Condemnation, in which the point is made that Barack Obama’s choice of Gene Robinson will cause the church to look as if it is endorsing homosexuality. Several people have posted on this particular post.

We then have several posts that have as the subject matter, the beginning Inaugural prayer and Gene Robinson keeping his promise to not give a Christian prayer.

My question is what did you expect? We keep expecting the government to provide a doctrinally correct ceremony. It’s not going to happen. Didn’t we learn anything by putting George Bush on a Christian pedestal? This is why Christians should be about the gospel and quit trying to mix Christianity and politics. It’s oil and water. And Christ is about people, not government. He is in control.

Being a student of history in college, the President of the United States is everyone’s President. That includes homosexuals, non-Christians, atheists, abortion supporters, pro-life supporters. People from all races and walks of life. In fact that is one of the first things Obama said after his election.

I believe that Obama is showing this by the selections he has made in speakers and those he has asked to give a prayer. He is going to be everyone’s President. I don’t see him as personally endorsing everyone he has asked. He and Rick Warren publicly had differences. But if he is, that should come as no surprise.

Now before you say that I am endorsing all the speakers, I am not. But get a grip folks. We have history in the making. We should be praying for Barack Obama and not rely on those whom he has chosen. If that is what is going to happen, there are going to be a lot of blog posts for every speaker out there. Rick Warren will be fodder for months. Again, we have freedom of religion in this country. That includes you and I. With that freedom comes things we are not going to like, things that actually go against God and not for him. That comes with freedom, and give me freedom first.

Paul wrote to pray for our leaders. Instead of criticizing every prayer that is said today, prayers that we know are not Christian, let’s offer our prayers for the new President and his staff. For protection over him and wisdom for the job he is about to do.

His election has already brought us together as a nation. Far more than any other Presidency has. That is his message in the selection of ministers today. He is not just President of the Christians. But everyone. That’s as it should be. Meanwhile, we see the work we must do in the giving of the Gospel. God is showing us what we must do. How will we respond?

Level, Biblical, Heads Prevail Reminding Us That God Is In Control

From time to time, I am going to be directing links to those Christians who are sensible, have a balanced, and Biblical in their approach to things such as the recent Presidential election. People we should be listening to instead of overzealous cultural warriors. Lee Saunders is one I have listened to for two or three years now.

His post on politics, the recent election, and the truth of God being in control is not only calming, but is the only way a Christian should respond. Cooler heads should prevail. Lee is a man of integrity, honesty, and like other Christians that I will be pointing to, is leadership material in my opinion. The type of leadership that more churches could learn from instead of the James Dobsons, Ann Coulters, or a number of other well known people I could name.

Take note of what he says about extremists, then follow that when thinking that yelling and screaming, threats, are the right way to go. The only results you will get from doing that will be more incidents such as the recent racist actions done at Baylor or worse violence.

Also take note of what Lee has to say about how Christians should instead respond. Two of the points I would like to emphasize are these:

• Turn Off Talk Radio
• Find Out A Way To Develop An Understanding As To Why African Americans, In Particular Christian African Americans, See The Election Of Barack Obama As An Answer To Prayer

Congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama

Barack Obama is officially declared the next President of the United States. This is a historic moment as the first African American has been elected President of the United States. I am thankful that I live in a country where every individual can speak with their votes. I will be praying for President-elect Obama as he leads our country. Congratulations. May you lead with honor and wisdom.