President Barack Obama!

[GodsBabyGirl]

Originally Posted by scotty

I hope it is the exception and not just a show

I hear ya, I hear ya...I do, too.

But you know, I don't believe it is a show.

I believe America knows when folks are frontin' and when it's real.

Barak and Michelle really seem to be in love and have a solid union.

God Bless them!

[ChristopherHall]

One word...character.

Obama has far more character than anyone else running. Sure, I disagree with him on some things. But I just feel he's sincerely wanting to make a difference and to do good things for our country. Will he be able to? I don't know. But if I had to bet on someone making a difference, a real difference, a positive difference...I'd have to place my bets on Barack Obama.

If Obama becomes the nominee and he wins the General Election...I think I'm going to be so proud of this country. My wife and I were talking the other day about how we're so proud so many are getting behind him. I'm so proud already. I'm seeing a movement. A movement made up of every color, every faith, every political point of view coming together to try and heal our country. Our country is hurting. Come aboard. There's room for everyone in this movement. I'm convinced that if we win, future generations of conservatives are going to look back wondering why we didn't come together here. Christians shouldn't be the ones sitting on the fence pouting while unbelievers actually begin to love their neighbors as themselves.

"43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." - Matthew 5:43-48

"And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." - Luke 10:27

This is a time to come together and undo the damage that has been done to our country. This is a time to put hatred and racism behind us. This is a time to mend the very fabric of our country.

History repeats itself. This could quite possibly be a movement that defines the 21st Century. I'm sure many conservatives today wonder why so many conservatives supported the most brainless ideas and policies like separate drinking fountains for whites and blacks before the Civil Rights Movement. What will your children and grandchildren think about where you stand this election?

Really think about it.

[ChristopherHall]

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

See, this is where you are sadly mistaken Chris, when did I say that I was for McCain? I didn't, you just assume that I was. I've noticed that you enjoy assuming others motives. I've put you in a box, because you've allowed yourself to be identified with a lover of the homosexual act. You can't put me in that box because I do not identify with the Republicans, and I do not allow them to represent me because of their discrepencies.
You crack me up Chris.

Mr. Eastman,

You you know in your heart that Barack isn't a "lover of the homosexual act". Barack is a liberal Christian. And yes, he believes in civil unions for homosexuals. That doesn't mean he, "loves the homosexual act." I support laws that allow for freedom of religion. I served in the military sworn to protect religious liberties of all Americans...even Satanists. Yes, I believe that an American should have the right to be a Satanist if they wish. That doesn't mean that "I love Satanism". Your statement is simplistic, ignorant, and antagonistic. It reveals a lot about you. Sure, you and I can talk and agree about how we believe Obama is incorrect on this issue...but to accuse Obama of "loving the homosexual act" is far below the caliber of person I thought you were.

And to imply that I am somehow "in the box" with the idea is insulting. I disagree with Obama on this one. But there's a big difference between you and me. It's the Church's job to focus on morality. Let the Government secure our economy and protect our boarders. Leave dealing with homosexuals to the Church.

[ChristopherHall]

We had an interesting study tonight in our men's meeting. The title of the discussion was, "Loving Flawed People". We covered the following passage:

1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." - John 8:1-11

Notice that Jesus didn't condone the sin...however, he didn't allow the Pharisees to criminalize the sinner in his presence in their efforts to accuse him either. Instead he convicted their own hearts by reminding them that they too are sinners.

I'm taking a little liberty here, but could it also read?....

1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a man caught in homosexuality. They made him stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this man was caught in the act of homosexuality. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such men. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at him." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the man still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked him, "Man, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," he said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

It was said above that I am somehow in the box with those who love the homosexual act. Be it known, I don't love the homosexual act. It's sin. However, I'm not ashamed to profess that I love the homosexual sinner. Those of us who are straight will never know how horrible it is to be in their condition. Although the world sees them as "gay", they are often the most tormented souls on earth.

Saint of God, you're a sinner saved by God's grace and covered in his mercies. All your "righteousness" is as filthy rags in God's sight. You've not impressed God in any way. You're no more righteous than the homosexual sinner in God's eyes. Both you and the homosexual are immeasurably debased. And I have news for you...the very same blood that cried out in mercy for your salvation cries out for the homosexual sinner.

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

One word...character.

Obama has far more character than anyone else running.

Really?
How did you determine that he has "far more character" than, say, John McCain?

(And yes, its known that McCain had affairs in the 1970's before he and his wife divorced in 1980. But that was 28 years ago. Tell us what makes you determine that Barack has far more character in 2008, than anyone else running)

[BrotherEastman]

Originally Posted by TRFrance

Really?
How did you determine that he has "far more character" than, say, John McCain?

(And yes, its known that McCain had affairs in the 1970's before he and his wife divorced in 1980. But that was 28 years ago. Tell us what makes you determine that Barack has far more character in 2008, than anyone else running)

When someone's character supports Homosexuality "civil unions" and abortions, I would say their character shows through pretty loud and clear, Christopher seems to be missing the point by trying to make a bunch of rhetoric. It's what I call smoke screening for one who is supposed to be Godly, but in reality isn't. I do agree with him on one point, McCain really isn't the answer either, but thats no reason to embrace someone who supposedly has the answer to his needs.

[BrotherEastman]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

Mr. Eastman,

You you know in your heart that Barack isn't a "lover of the homosexual act". Barack is a liberal Christian. And yes, he believes in civil unions for homosexuals. That doesn't mean he, "loves the homosexual act." I support laws that allow for freedom of religion. I served in the military sworn to protect religious liberties of all Americans...even Satanists. Yes, I believe that an American should have the right to be a Satanist if they wish. That doesn't mean that "I love Satanism". Your statement is simplistic, ignorant, and antagonistic. It reveals a lot about you. Sure, you and I can talk and agree about how we believe Obama is incorrect on this issue...but to accuse Obama of "loving the homosexual act" is far below the caliber of person I thought you were.

And to imply that I am somehow "in the box" with the idea is insulting. I disagree with Obama on this one. But there's a big difference between you and me. It's the Church's job to focus on morality. Let the Government secure our economy and protect our boarders. Leave dealing with homosexuals to the Church.

I know in my heart that Barak isn't going to represent me, and I know in my heart that this "Christian" isn't really a "Christian". Too bad you feel insulted, it wasn't my intent, and without going into a lot of reasons why, your character is coming through Chris. You cannot even debate without getting your feelings hurt.......How abouts some cheese to go with that Whine?

[Rico]

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

When someone's character supports Homosexuality "civil unions" and abortions, I would say their character shows through pretty loud and clear, Christopher seems to be missing the point by trying to make a bunch of rhetoric. It's what I call smoke screening for one who is supposed to be Godly, but in reality isn't. I do agree with him on one point, McCain really isn't the answer either, but thats no reason to embrace someone who supposedly has the answer to his needs.

Brother, I haven't really been following this thread very much, but I would like to throw this in: It seems to me that people who are "in favor" of things like homosexual civil unions, abortions, and things of that nature are really more in favor of people being having the freedom to live as they see fit, more than it being a case of being in favor of whatever thing it is that can be considered morally objectionable.

[ChristopherHall]

Mr. Eastman,

This is more about jobs and navigating us out of Iraq. If you want a theocracy where your religious beliefs are represented in the government and policy, I think you should consider moving to a theocracy.

[BrotherEastman]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

Mr. Eastman,

This is more about jobs and navigating us out of Iraq. If you want a theocracy where your religious beliefs are represented in the government and policy, I think you should consider moving to a theocracy.

Brother Hall,( emphasis on Brother) I'm crushed by your sensibilities, and confounded by your articulated words. You have put me in my place, congrats! You have led me to tears and anger, I'm hurt that you would call me Mr. instead of brother, I will now need counseling because of the way you feel about me. I leave you with your misguided notions that the Democrats are going to create jobs, and that the Democrats are going to pull us out of Iraq. If a company wants to move out of country, there will be no Democrat that will be able to stop them, I'm sure you don't believe that, but its true. God bless you Brother Hall. Point me to the country that is governed by a theocracy, and I will take your advice since you want me expelled. As a veteran that has served in combat and gave 14years to the service of Uncle Sam, I know when a democrat can care less about what I've done for this country, and you as a veteran brother of all people, tsk, tsk, tsk. Yup, I'll go see a counselor now, thanks to you my Holy Ghost Filled Apostolic Veteran Brother in Jesus Christ. :biggrin: