Make America Great Again!

     Make America Great Again is the slogan of our current President, Donald Trump.

America is a place of Liberty

     Make America Great Again is the desire of many American people. Whether a Republican who desires status quo or an citizen who feels our nation has slipped, most people want to live in a country known for its greatness.
     The question is, what is God’s definition of Greatness?
     Many people believe that Greatness is evidenced through great wealth, much success, or huge popularity, The “Great” are able to gather a huge tribe of followers who hang on every bit of news and seek to copy their ways. In effect, because of their worldly success, they become Messiahs. Jesus said, “if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Mt 24:23-24)

Every citizen should VOTE

     In an election year, voters in the United States have the opportunity to place candidates (often who are common men and women) into positions of great influence. As a voter I worry about which candidate is right. Do I chose through a study of individual candidates or by choice of party. Do I look at issues, experience or past success. I worry about which candidate to mark on my individual ballot. We can make right and wrong choices.
     As a person of faith I began to search out what makes a candidate great. I first looked the words of Jesus for a guide in making right choices when I cast my ballot. I found some great advice in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said, “whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:19) A great person is one who does two things: 1) practices the lifestyle taught by the ten commandments; 2) seeks to lead others into a life of morality and love for God. How do candidates measure up according to this word from God?

Our Veterans showed the testimony of greatness

     We can in the beginning look at the ninth command, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” (Ex 20:16) Our media driven society is swamped with political ads. Do the candidates tell the truth, or do they bear false witness? (Do we fact check? Or just lazily follow the wide path that leads to our nation’s destruction?) Choosing our nation’s leaders is serious business, not just following a crowd.
     Other moral commandments make a difference also. Do candidates honor parents, murder others to get their way, commit adultery, steal or covet? We should measure the men and women we are choosing for office. Honesty and morality are important!

We should be proud of our nation!

     The question comes, can the voters expect all candidates to follow God in a secular society? Moses taught that observation of God’s laws will show “wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?’”
     Is it OK for candidates to be put under the microscope and examined? Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5:11-12)

Our flag is American Tradition

     Across the spectrum of world history many men and women have achieved the human status of “Greatness.” Their names fill books of history and conversations of common people. Some great people do good for others. Most great people do good for themselves. Often personal greatness comes at the expense of others. The Bible teaches, You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)

Executive Orders and Legal Laws

None can doubt the winds of change are blowing and our government is at work. Cabinet members for the new Trump administration have entered their positions through a contentious votes. Our new President is working hard in order to keep campaign promises. One of those promises was to install a Supreme Court justice who would uphold the Constitution. The masses hope the era of creating legal social (and moral) change through court system is over.

The United States Capitol

The cry has gone out for a justice who would honor the constitution. Our founding fathers wrote, “The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.” The courts are to judge cases from existing laws and  test the validity of new laws through the constitution and its amendments. The Courts are not to create new laws and because justice is blind they are not to become caught up in social issues.

In like manner the President is to “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed” being careful to enforce existing laws. He shall “have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur.” Neither the courts nor the President of the United States are to create laws. They are guided by existing laws made by congress.

Loading a canon in Yorktown, VA

But in recent years the Presidents have sought to create laws, just like kings. They issue “executive orders,” just like kings (such as King George III). A simple reading of the Declaration of Independence will lead to the discovery that our founding fathers would be horrified to discover our president is making laws (like King George III). There is no constitutional provision or statute that explicitly permits executive orders.

Executive Orders signed by the President are are growing phenomena. Franklin Roosevelt ordered over 3,000 executive orders. Theodore Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge each ordered over 1,000. Ronald Reagan 381, George HW Bush 166, Bill Clinton 308, George W. Bush 291, and Barack Obama 276. Donald Trump is issuing orders almost every day.

At first executive orders were not laws at all, they clarified laws or helped people understand the purpose of existing laws. George Washington issued an executive order in 1789 recognizing Thanksgiving Day. Other orders asked citizens to recognize treaties with the Indians, pay taxes on liquor, and urged citizens not to interfere in foreign wars.

Independence Day Parade in Washington DC

Today the issuing of an executive order is different. The purpose is often to bypass congress, which is charged by the Constitution “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.” Congress is called to establish a uniform rule of naturalization.” The Constitution also says (catch the spirit of the document here) “The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person.”

Presidents see the signing of an executive order as a way to push issues which would fail in congress (this is the problem so many have with the Supreme Court) such as executive order 11478 which was written to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (the bathroom law). Executive orders can also be used as a means to appear efficient and expedite campaign promises, such as the executive order imposing a 120-day suspension of the refugee program and a 90-day ban on travel to the U.S. from citizens of seven terror hot spots: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Sudan.

Militia Drummers in Williamsburg, VA

When Presidents bypass congress we lose a strength which comes from collective wisdom. Congress was created to include people with opposing views (such as northerners and southerners; republicans and democrats). They work through negotiation and compromise, examining every aspect of every bill so mistakes will not be made.  The process, though slow and at times messy creates stronger and more lasting laws. Executive Order 13770 brought cost and inconvenience to thousands of people with the stroke of a pen by causing the State Department to cancel 60,000 visas. It has also led to a fight between the President and the Courts which could have been avoided by following due process when laws are created.

The Constitution gives the following process for making laws, “Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States.” We need to return to the process which made America Great, even if it is slower and less convenient because the process outlined by our forefathers helps prevent mistakes and has the power to bring stability and unity.

Of Presidents and Royalty

Today the baton passes from Barack Hussein Obama to Donald John Trump. With the changing of the guard we will see differences in rhetoric, communication style and outward focus on the public side of Washington. Away from public view, because of the bureaucracy, some things will remain same.

Program near the steps of the Capitol in Washington, DC

Eight years ago I looked at the name of our President: Barack Hussein Obama. Barack is Hebrew for blessing (or lightning), Hussein is Arabic for a good or beautiful child. It is also a name for kings, such as the King of Jordan and former king of Iraq. Obama is a family name.

Parade in Washington, DC

Our new President also has an interesting name, Donald John Trump. Donald from the Gaelic Domhnall means ruler of the world. John or Johannan comes from the Hebrew word (יוֹחָנָן) God has graced. Our new President’s last name is a shortened form of an occupational term, Trumpeter. This is appropriate because twittering can be seen as a different form of trumpeting.

Constitution Hall in Philadelphia, PA

Today in Washington D.C. we transition from the reign of “Lightning beautiful child Obama” to the ascendancy of the “Trumpeter who is by the grace of God a Ruler of the World.”

Statue of Liberty welcomes immigrants to the USA

So, what will the administration of Donald John Trump look like? I borrow a line from Fiddler on the Roof, “I tell you, I don’t know.” For the time being I just observe. In four years we will know, and in fifty years historians will decide what “really” happened during Trump’s tenure.

What a fractured world looks like from World Trade Center

One thing we do know (and that we have already seen), promises will be broken. This is true of all Presidents. They can not be blamed, especially a man like Donald Trump, for he comes with no experience in government. And even if he had experience, there is no way to anticipate future events which will torment or bless his dynasty.

Festival on the Mall in Washington DC

A second thing which our new President will discover is that the office of the President changes a person. Contrast the philosophies of Barack Obama eight years ago with what we see in him today, there is change. This can be said of any President. During each year of our President Trump’s sovereignty we will see changing strategy. And if his hairdresser does not mess with it, we will see the graying of the hair which comes with wisdom.

Changing of seasons in the mountains

My prayer for our new President is that he will bring to pass the self-evident truth “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” By this I mean that all people: Black, White or Brown; Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Agnostic or Atheist; Rich or Poor, Democrat, Republican or Libertarian; Inner City, Suburban or Rural, will come to have value.

A street in New York City

The scripture tells us, “When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20)

The President should defend the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and love the foreigner residing among within our land. (Dt. 10:18)  He should guard the common laborer and make sure they receive a fair wage “because they are poor and are counting on it.” Our bankruptcy laws should be overhauled to make sure workmen and small business owners are always paid for work performed. (Sorry about the rant but too many Christians have told me there was no problem with Donald Trump’s declaration of bankruptcies in order not to pay small businesses because the law allows it). “Otherwise they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.” (Dt. 24:15) The President (and all of his men) should not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false testimony or send wrongful tweets. (Exodus 20)

Lincoln Monument and Reflecting Pool in Washington DC

We are to “be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1) and submit to the king as the supreme authority.” (1 Peter 2:13) Paul wrote, “that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Many approach the next four years with great hope. Others move forward in great trepidation. I pray that in the end we will find unity, prosperity and peace.

Politics 2016

Yes, we are in that season … like it or not.

The politicians (Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Republican, Publican and Sinners) are attempting to out Trump each other and spreading Hillarity on the evening comedy shows. They are collecting money and spending money. They are pounding on doors, making telephones ring around the nation and will soon be pushing out anything other than political advertisements on television.

The politicians are spreading truths and half-truths alongside believable non-truths. How do you know which is what? Through commentators, of course! And the commentators are easy to find, on every newsstand, in many magazines, on the radio and television. They can even be found spreading like summer weeds and viruses by twitterpated followers on Facebook and other social media.

Will they help us or hurt us? Only time will tell, not the near future but in the time beyond what is called current. We will have a clue by the end of their term, and then they will be judged by history in about fifty years.

Will they solve our problems? For some of them, the answer is yes.

So, where can we find a savior offering the hope and help we desire? [ok, the hint was obvious] He is the One who tells us, “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.”

If we want to change our communities, our counties, our states, our nation and the world, it must be done by us. Jesus set the pattern, sending His disciples saying, “preach this message: `The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.”

We, members of “the church” are to solve the world’s problems … one life at a time. We are to bring light into the darkness. What about the sin issues of our nation? The government was never intended to solve those. We are to go and share the Gospel. [have you ever shared the gospel with anyone?] What about poverty? Look at the government’s track record on solving this problem, it is abysmal. Only the Love of Christ can change hearts and lives, cleansing our souls and our nation. [for more info read Deuteronomy 27-28 … also Deuteronomy 17:14-20]