I spent a wonderful weekend at America's Keswick speaking with my friend Ray Pritchard of KeepBelieving.com. It was a thrill to sing in their production - "I Love America!!" i am a hopeless, sappy patriot -- i love this country and I can not take the way some of our own politicians speak in condescending ways of this great country. Even on a day where we are to honor those who gave their lives for our freedom, some in high office make apologies for Americans having to "take life unnecessarily." Like our soldiers' lives were wasted or unnecessary! This morning I recieved this blog for James MacDoonald -- RIGHT ON!! Not bad for a Canadian!! Maybe some of us who were born in this great land should have the same philosophy.....
- Posted By James MacDonald on May 25, 2009
I hope you have a great day with your loved ones today. I received a comment on one of my blogs from a guy named David. He took a piece of message shrapnel that he claims is a quote from one of my messages and it reminded me how careful I need to be in making a ‘passing comment.’ Here’s what he wrote:
Well - so what does the famous pastor think about torture? You mentioned in church that you supported Bush’s War On Terror (I bet you would love a never ending war). What is your stance on water boarding? Still supporting US soldiers being sacrificial lambs in Iraq?? How come your sons are not in Iraq-Afganistan? You want honesty - u got it.
1. I am a patriot not a party member so I support whomever is president with prayer and belief in a God who is bigger than their errors in judgment and even bigger than their unbiblical, in some cases, evil policies.
2. I am not a pacifist. I believe America has a right/obligation to defend itself and that governments have been ordained by God with the ‘punishment of wrongdoers,’ as one of their highest responsibilities (Romans 13:1-7).
3. I was privileged to attend several private White House briefings where President Bush made a very strong case that the war on terror and the ongoing battle against insurgents in Iraq was the same thing. I do believe Americans are killing terrorists and establishing a potential foothold for democracy in an area of the world that threatens both America and our allies.
4. I believe that war involves, and even requires, levels of brutality that are beyond the ability of the average citizen to comprehend. I do not believe the cause of our soldiers or our government is advanced by the sensationalizing of an issue of interrogation for the sake of political gain (i.e., House Speaker Pelosi who has now apologized).
5. I believe that President Obama is naively heading down a very dangerous road thinking that we can reduce terrorist intent through compassionate reason. His error is rooted in a failure to understand the true nature of evil.
6. I believe we have seen that America is also capable of cruel actions toward enemy combatants, but I do not believe that harsh interrogation methods are examples of that cruelty (as the Abu Grabe prison etc. would be).
7. I am thankful for a country where freedom is worth fighting for. I am thankful to have my home in a place where the debate over what is legal and legitimate in times of war can be carried on by its citizens and elected officials in a civilized and mutually respectful manner.
8. Most importantly. I believe today is a very difficult day for families whose children are serving in a war they may or may not agree with and certainly have many legitimate issues to object to. Nothing touches us like the lives of our children do, and I pray for every family with an empty place at the table today, especially for those facing a future where that place will never again be filled.
I’m gonna go pray about all this. Have a good Memorial Day.
james