#356 (11/7) - The Day After - "Father Forgive Them..."

AS I SEE IT:  Last night, after 40 days of praying daily (and doing a limited fast), I sat down what I considered cautious optimism. Everything in me said that the American people may have been willing to elect Barack Obama for President knowing little about him 4 years ago, but certainly after seeing his ideology and some say his incompetence (or possibly unwillingness) to address the needs of our economy effectively, they would surely (as the sign in my front yard says) Fire him. As the evening wore on, I had a sickening feeling grow in me until I saw the words ''President Obama Re-Elected" flash on my television screen. It was like I was having an out of body experience and having a nightmare watching some horror film.
     When they started to show pictures of the Obama supporters in Chicago and outside the White House cheering, I almost got  physically sick. I quickly turned off the TV, finally broke my all day food fast and gorged myself on a late dinner, and then did the same with some of the ice cream I had been saving for a celebration. By then, my body had so much to digest I knew I couldn't sleep so I watched some mindless films for several hours. (I suppose if I was a more spiritual person I would have just had some deep prayer. But I guess I'm just not that spiritually mature. It probably shows weakness but that's how I chose to deal with my severe disappointment. If I need forgiveness for that, I trust that I have that in Christ.)
      As I was listening to some conservative talk show this morning, I started jotting down some random thoughts. Here are some of them, in no particular order. I hope that you find something that speaks to you:

1. As I considered the Americans who voted for to give our President a second term, despite all that he has done to our nation's detriment as well as all that he has not done to its betterment, I thought of Jesus' words on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)  I choose to believe that most of those who voted for the President were somehow ignorant of the facts about him and his policies. It scares me to think that of those who were aware of those things but just didn't care, or worse, actually thought they were good things.

2. Before the election, I heard some commentartors say that they had confidence that the American people would make the right decision with their votes. Even after last night, I still believe that. Last night reflected the decision the barest majority of those who voted.   I just don't believe that really represented the majority of Americans. I believe that the true majority of Americans don't want the United States to be continue to be transformed into a socialist state as exists throughout Europe (where many nations are going bankrupt, as are some of our largest U.S. states) and much of the world. We need to be educated ourselves as to Biblical principles for society (get the book "Indivisible") and be sharing them with people as well as introducing people to Christ and the Word of God. That's being proactive in rescuing our country, and not settling for a defeatest attitude.

3. Days in modern American history that will live in infamy: December 7th, 1941; September 11th, 2001; and now November 6th, 2012. Those other  days had a fixed number of casualties. The results of last night can easily last for generations (besides the economy, think of the social impact of the President possibly appointing 2 or more Supreme Court justices in the next 4 years!; America being dangerously reduced as a military superpower, etc.); if you think things haved gotten bad the past few years, "you ain't seen nothing yet."

4. As a reminder of  last night, I choose to make Tuesdays from now on a day for FASTING as I take time every day to PRAY for our nation.

5. A Day After Election Day Funny: This morning, as I was collecting my thoughts about last night, my cat Purrty walked passed me, stopped, and upchucked. I pause to look at her and thought, "So you really do understand how I feel."

6. I don't think I'll ever fully understand those who voted for the President. It's like you have been riding in a car for 4 years that was driven by someone who has been driving destructively, ruining lives everywher. Common sense tells you that very soon he wil surely drive you over a cliff. When you finally get a chance to throw the driver out of the car, you inexplicably say, "Go on, man. [Recall the Presdient's campagin slogan "Forward."]  Don't worry that you are not just destroying us but also future generations. I like what you're doing. Drive on." Pure insanity.

7. If you feel anything like I do, may I suggest that, like me, you avoid any mainstream media news (at least the first half) for at least the rest of the week. I promise you, their liberal slant will make any reporting on the election reflect the gloating of Obama supporters everywhere going on. If you have to watch, try not to watch it after having eaten or you risk having an upchuck experience like my cat Purrty had.

8. Consider the followiing wording of 2 Corinthians 12:7-10: "To keep [America] from becoming conceited [by God's many blessings over the years] ... , there was given [us] a thorn in the flesh [Barack Obama], a messenger of Satan [too strong?], to torment [us]. [How many millions pleaded with God to remove Barack Obama] But he said to [us], "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore,[let us] boast all the more gladly about our weaknesses [or trials], so that Christ's power may rest on [us]. That is why, for Christis sake, [let us] delight in weaknesses, in insults[as people of faith], in hardships, in persecutions [again, as people of faith- think Obamacare], in difficulties. For when [we] are weak, then [we are] strong." In other words, let's accept President Obama's continued leadership of our country as God's sovereign will. And let us trust that He will give us - and other nations - the grace to endure the consequences of that leadership. Who knows, it just may be His way of further driving us to our knees and sparking a real spiritual awakening, which is what America ultimately needs. We can only hope.

9. Today, even some conservatives are saying Republicans need to find ways to work with the President for the country's sake. But that's nothing new, and with this President it has almost always shown to be a fruitless gesture. Early on in his administration, he just bluntly told the Republican leaders gathered to discuss a budget impass that he won (the election) and there was nothing to discuss and walked out of the room. Rather than work WITH Congress, President Obama has repeatedly gone around them with executive orders, special regulations, and unaccountable czars to head departments in his administration. Yes, the President could be more concilliatory, but with re-election behind him, there is even less to motivate him to do so. Sure, it's still possible. But I really wouldn't hold  your breath.

10. Of course, I will be PRAYING for the President, and more so as we face even more dire consequences from his future actions. And yes, I will continue to plug away at this blog to keep YOU informed of the TRUTH OF THE MATTER regarding what goes on. AND while I may remove my Romney/Ryan and Connie Mack (Tea Party person who ran for the Senate in Florida) yard signs, I will NOT remove the other sign that says (ala as Clint Eastwood said at the Republican Convention), "FIRE OBAMA." We may have lost our one chance to do that, but unless he acts differently, I don't see the sentiment of that sign going away anytime soon.