GO VOTE

This is a great country!

To keep it that way,

We each have a role

and a part we must play.

With different opinions,

we won't all agree,

Who to elect,

but thank God we are free!

So make up your mind and go vote.

Know what you believe and who you support.

And who are the judges you want on the court.

Ask the hard questions,

then you must decide,

The person you choose.

Let your heart be your guide.

Just remember you have to go vote.

The party's important.

Know where you stand.

But choosing a leader

is more than a brand.

One nation, united. "In God we trust".

He answers our prayers,

but remember you must,

Go pick up your ballot and vote.

Poem by Peter Enns

I'll be working at my polling assignment tomorrow from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to all the elected position spots we will be voting on, we, here in Oklahoma, also have 11 very important questions to vote on. I trust all Oklahomans have studied them well and will vote.

Voting is a privilege many have died for and many in the world would give anything to be able to do. So do your duty

VOTE!!!

CATCHING UP!!!

Life has been so busy for me this month that I have only posted 9 times in the past 29 days of July. I am using this post to try and play some "catch up".

On July 2nd, which by the way would have been my Mother's birthday, I received the following award,

The RULES are:

•Thank the blogger who awarded it to you: Thank you so much Bobbi of Great Adventures II

•Sum up your blogging philosophy, motivation, and experience using five (5) words:

TRUTHFUL, SPIRITUAL, HERITAGE, REWARDING, FUN

Pass it on to 10 other blogs which you feel have real substance: Every other reward I have received I have always passed it along as required.....BUT this time I am going to leave it up to my readers. If I read & comment on your blog and you consider your blog to be "A Blog With Substance" please accept this award from Penless Writer. Thanks~!

Some close friends of ours gave us these wonderful looking and tasting peaches from their very own peach tree!!! Aren't they beautiful? Trust me, they are very tasty.

With our wonderful blueberries, & these peaches I added a store bought banana and have been enjoying a delightful bowl of this healthy eating every morning. Yum and double yummy!!!

Tomato's galore from Mickey's garden this year :o) He planted 4 plants and he has been bringing in a supply like this every few days. We have eaten tomato's almost every day, sliced, in salads, & bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches. We have given some away and I have 9 (to date) 2 cup containers full in our freezer. Have this many to work up this morning. They will continue coming until frost time, that is a l-o-n-g way off!! Thank you Lord for your bounty, blessing & harvest.

I had recently attended a 3 hour training class, put on by our local County Election Board, to learn about assisting at elections. Shortly after attending the class I was assigned to participate at one of the election sites.

Tuesday was our Primary Election here in Oklahoma and I worked as a Clerk from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. (you can take a lunch but you cannot leave the premise). It was a totally new experience for me and I enjoyed it thoroughly: found it both fun and very interesting. I worked with 3 other delightful woman. I love meeting new people. It was also fun having people I know coming in to vote and saying (with a shocked look on their face) "Hi Susan - What are you doing here?"

There are 1500 registered voters in the precinct I worked and we ended up with 324 voters. Isn't that sad?!!!! Only 21.6%. Of course some people vote by Absentee Ballot I realize, but it's still so sad that so few people take their privilege and responsibility so lightly. I know a lot higher percentage do vote in the General Election but they should realize how important it is to research and get the right candidate, of their party or choice, on the ballot for the General Election. SO please VOTE!!!!

Yesterday, I received a call from the Election Board asking me first to work the Run-Off Election, which will be held on August 24th, and then asked if I would be willing to be assigned to this Precinct to work on a permanent basis. I was delighted to be asked, and delighted to accept.

We had both Aric & Oksana this week on Wednesday & Thursday. On Wednesday we took them to eat at McD's and then to see the movie, Despicable Me. They thought it was cute and enjoyed it......me, not so much!!! I am always appalled at the price you have to pay at the movies for pop-corn and soda drinks......but....what's the movies without those things? Then it was home and to Wednesday night Church services.

Yesterday, after they got up (which wasn't early!) it was off to the dough-nut shop. Then Oksana and I spent a good part of the day cooking. I'll post about that in another post tomorrow.......so please come back to read it.

Aric & Oksana had to be up at 5:30 a.m. this morning and are flying off to California to spend 2 weeking with their Aunt, Uncle & Cousins. They will also be seeing their Maternal Grandparents, their Great-Grandmother, other Aunts and Cousins. I know they'll have a grand time. Aric was a little apprehensive about the plane flight but he'll do fine. Thankfully they do not have to change flights either going or coming back.

I am truly blessed to live a wonderful, busy, satisfying and very happy life!!!!!

THE PEOPLE SPEAK

Scott Brown ran on the slogan, "The People's Seat" and now we see the people speak and take this seat for The People and not for a party.

Brown: Mass. victory sends 'Very powerful message'

Hopefully, this is the turn that has been needed for THE PEOPLE, all across our great Country, to take our freedom back and out of the hands of Politicians and Parties and Lobbiest, and pay attention to the wishes of the people who sent them to office to represent "the people" not special interest & selfish gain.

It is certainly a first answer to prayer for this nation to return to the roots upon which it was founded, Christianity.

We must keep praying and keep working for RIGHT.

REGARDING GEORGE W. BUSH

It is hard to believe this is only the 5th day Obama has been in office.

The fact that he reversed the abortion fund policy on his 4th day in office speaks volumns to us that did not support him. It speaks volumns of the fears we have of what he is yet to do, and what he is about.

I was appalled at the booing that occurred when President Bush was announced at the ceremonies Tuesday. This great man that has been so vilified by so many, I believe, will get the honor and glory due him as history unfolds and tells the true story.

My friend, Maxine, of Nanna's Reflections, sent me two links about President Bush that I would like to share with you. I do not know how to transfer these from e-mail to my blog so all I can do is give the links :o(

If you respect George W. Bush and wish the best for him I ask you to please go to these two links and spend a little time on them.

The first is his speech and arrival as he and Laura arrived in Midland, TX.

http://www.kwes.com/global/story.asp?s=9705398/

It just blessed my heart to see them so happy, relaxed, and standing on right.

The second one is called Mission 1 Accomplished.

http://mission1accomplished.com/

BY ME KINGS REIGN............

"By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me: and those that seek me early shall find me." Proverbs 8:15

I pray, if you are reading this blog, you already know The Lord. If you do not, I pray you seek Him early so that you shall find him. For us who call Him Lord, we know how important it is for us to read and KNOW God's Word and the prophecies.

God is sovereign!!!!!

The people in the Old Testament wanted a King, and would not listen to God, so God gave them their King. Soloman wrote, "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall b done; and there is no new thing under the sun". Ecclesiastes 1:9

Get out of debt...start simplifying your life...live a frugal life style...and start now.

Rely on and trust God and keep your eyes on JESUS!!!

The true and soon returning King.

*************

I had this comment from a Darian Hickman this morning

"I heard from a friend that attended the Call in San Diego that you prophesied McCain would win? Are you going to admit that you heard wrong publicly? "
November 5, 2008 12:30 AM

Darian, I am not a prophet and I did not make any prophesy. My call was for God's people to pray. Now that the election is over my call is still for God's people to pray daily for Our Country, Our President, Our Vice President, and The Church.

GO VOTE

This is a great country! To keep it that way,

We each have a role and a part we must play.

With different opinions, we won't all agree,

Who to elect, but thank God we are free!

So Make up your mind and go vote.

Know what you believe and who you support.

And who are the judges you want on the court.

Ask the hard questions, then you must decide,

The person you choose. Let your heart be your guide.

Just remember you have to go vote.

The party's important. Know where you stand.

But choosing a leader is more than a brand.

One nation, united. "In God we trust".

He answers our prayers, but remember you must,

Go pick up your ballot and vote.

Poem by Peter Enns

************

"We've grown in numbers and wealth and power as no other nation has grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us. We've vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our own hearts that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behoves us then to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins and to pray for redemption and forgiveness." Abraham Lincoln

DOWN SYNDROME CHILD MEETS JOHN McCAIN & SARAH PALIN

I posted yesterday about my choice of John McCain based on Biblical principles and integrity & honor.

We are blessed that John McCain picked a running mate of integrity & honor to match his and a living demonstration of Walking the Walk & not just Talking the Talk.

I will be proud to cast my vote for the ticket of

McCain/Palin

Family with Down Syndrome Child Meets John McCain and Sarah Palin

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT from RUSH LIMBAUGH PROGRAM - September 9, 2008

RUSH: Kurt in Pittsburgh, hello, sir. Nice to have you on the EIB Network, and how about the Steelers defense?
CALLER: How about those Steelers, huh?
RUSH: How about that?
CALLER: Hey, listen, Rush, longtime listener, first-time caller, one of those Bible, family, gun clingers from western Pennsylvania.
RUSH: Thank you.
CALLER: And I wanted to share a story with you. A week ago last Saturday we went to the Palin-McCain rally in Washington, Pennsylvania, was the day after he announced her, and we have a five-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, and we made a sign that said: "We Love Kids with Down Syndrome." So when they pulled in in their bus the sign did catch their, McCain and Palin and the rest of their family, it caught their eye, we could tell, they gave us a thumbs-up from the bus, so we were all excited just by that --
RUSH: Wait, wait, wait. Who gave you the thumbs up, McCain and Palin?

CALLER: McCain, Palin, Cindy McCain, we could see them from the bus. We were in a position where we had eye contact with them --

RUSH: Oh, cool!

CALLER: My wife was holding our daughter.
RUSH: Very, very, very cool.

CALLER: It was really cool, Rush. I was like, "Wow, that's awesome," because I love Governor Palin and so I thought that's really neat. So then we moved around as the bus was getting ready to pull out, we kind of positioned ourselves so we could just wave them on and a Secret Service agent came up to us and said, "Hey, can you come with us?" I was like, "Do we have a choice?"

RUSH: (laughing) You shouldn't have worried. It's not the Clinton administration.

CALLER: Right. So we accompanied them up the hill, we went right to the bus, where it was, and Governor Palin, Senator McCain, Cindy, Todd Palin, they're all standing there. We're in this inner circle with just us and them, and the Secret Service agent, and they came right up to us and thanked us for coming out, said they loved our sign, and Governor Palin immediately said, "May I hold your daughter?" and our daughter Chloe, who's five, went right to her, and I have some pictures I'd love to send you maybe when I'm done here, but Governor Palin was hugging Chloe, and then her little daughter brought their baby Trig who has Down syndrome from the bus, he was napping, and Chloe went right over and kissed him on the cheek, and my son Nolan who's nine, he thanked her.
RUSH: This is amazing.

CALLER: I will send you all the stuff, Senator McCain was talking to my son, and we thanked him for his service, and he asked my son if he wanted to see the bus, and we were hanging out and it was very surreal. I felt like we could have had a pizza and a beer with them, they were so warm.

RUSH: You know what? I want to put you on hold. I want Snerdley to give you our super-secret, known-only-to-three-people here, e-mail address.

CALLER: I will send you everything, Rush.

RUSH: And then could you send us these pictures? Would you mind if we put them on the website?

CALLER: I would be honored, and my main thing is they are warm, kind, genuine people, and they represent the best of this country.
RUSH: That's right. And when you send these pictures, make sure you identify them. I mean, we'll know Palin and McCain, of course. Identify yourselves.

CALLER: I will, I will identify everybody in the picture, Rush, and God bless you for being a beacon of hope and truth in this country.

RUSH: Oh, no, no. It's nothing, it's nothing. You're doing the Lord's work.

CALLER: Well, we're very blessed and I want people to know what a blessing it is to have a child with Down syndrome. These kids, they're angels.

RUSH: That's the thing. There's always good to be found in everything that happens. It may be a while before it reveals itself.

CALLER: Absolutely. Right, and when she hugged my daughter I said, here's the difference, this candidate embraces life and all its limitless possibilities.

RUSH: All right.

CALLER: That's what she is.

RUSH: Terrific, okay, I gotta run here, but I'm going to put you on hold.

CALLER: Thank you, Rush.

RUSH: Thank you, Kurt. I really appreciate it.

END TRANSCRIPT

MY VOTE - MY VOICE - MY CHOICE FOR INTEGRITY

As I prepare to vote for the next President of our great country on Tuesday, November 4th, I have based my choice on the principles found in the Bible.

I find McCain to be a man of integrity, honor & truth.

A man I feel not only can, but will, lead our country back to the moral standards so needed to day.

'The Pledge of Allegiance'

by Senator John McCain

As you may know, I spent five and one half years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. In the early years of our imprisonment, the NVA kept us in solitary confinement or two or three to a cell. In 1971 the NVA moved us from these conditions of isolation into large rooms with as many as 30 to 4o men to a room.

This was, as you can imagine, a wonderful change and was a direct result of the efforts of millions of Americans on behalf of a few hundred POW's, 10,000 miles from home.

One of the men who moved into my room was a young man named Mike Christian.

Mike came from a small town near Selma, Alabama. He didn't wear a pair of shoes until he was 13 years old. At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He later earned a commission by going to Officer Training School. Then he became a Naval Flight Officer and was shot down and captured in 1967. Mike had a keen and deep appreciation of the opportunities this country and our military provide for people who want to work and want to succeed.

As part of the change in treatment, the Vietnamese allowed some prisoners to receive packages from home. In some of these packages were handkerchiefs, scarves and other items of clothing.

Mike got himself a bamboo needle. Over a period of a couple of months, he created an American flag and sewed on the inside of his shirt.

Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang Mike's shirt on the wall of the cell and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

I know the Pledge of Allegiance may not seem the most important part of our day now, but I can assure you that in that stark cell, it was indeed the most important and meaningful event.

One day the Vietnamese searched our cell, as they did periodically, and discovered Mike's shirt with the flag sewn inside and removed it.

That evening they returned, opened the door of the cell, and for the benefit of all of us, beat Mike Christian severely for the next couple of hours. Then they opened the door of the cell and threw him in. We cleaned him up as well as we could.

The cell in which we lived had a concrete slab in the middle on which we slept, four naked, light bulbs hung in each corner of the room

As I said, we tried to clean up Mike as well as we could. After the excitement died down, I looked in the corner of the room, and sitting there beneath that dim light bulb with a piece of red cloth, another shirt and his bamboo needle, was my friend, Mike Christian. He was sitting there with his eyes almost shut from the beating he had received, making another American Flag. He was not making the flag because it made Mike Christian feel better. He was making that flag because he knewhow important it was to us to be able to pledge our allegiance to our flag and country.

So the next time you say the 'Pledge of Allegiance', you must never forget the sacrifice and courage that thousands of Americans have made to build our nation and promote freedom around the world.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

NO SHORTCUTS - You've got to work for it!

In light of the upcoming election and some proclaiming all the things "Government" is going to do for us I think it's time to hear what God's word has to say about the matter.

"Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth."

Proverbs 10:4 NIV

When questioned about his incredible success, Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, offered these ten insights to anyone starting out. They are worth considering.

(1) Life isn't fair -- get used to it.

(2) The world doesn't care about your self-esteem; it expects you to accomplish something before feeling good about yourself.

(3) You won't make $60K a year right out of school, or be a vice president with a cell phone. You have to earn it.

(4) Do you think your teacher is tough? Wait till you have a boss -- he's not tenured.

(5) Flipping burgers isn't beneath you; your grandparents called it opportunity.

(6) Your parents weren't always boring, it came from feeding you, cleaning your clothes and paying your bills. So before you rush out to save the rain forest from the "parasites" of your parents' generation, try delousing your own closet.

(7) Some schools may have abolished winners and losers, but life hasn't. They may have eradicated "failing grades" and given you as long as you want to get the right answer. This bears no resemblance to reality.

(8) Life isn't divided into semesters. You don't get summers off. Employers aren't interest in helping you "find yourself;" you do that on your own times.

(9) Unlike television, real people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to work.

(10) Be nice to nerds; chances are, you'll end up working for one someday!

The Bible says: "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied" Proverbs 13:4 NIV.

No shortcuts - you've got to work for it!

ANOTHER CALL TO PRAYER FOR THE ELECTION

Now is the time to walk on waves like Peter as we pray for these elections!



We must obey every prompting of the Lord instructing us how to pray, and every command He gives, even if it seems as crazy as walking on water.



We must keep our eyes on Jesus - not on the polls or the pundits, but on the risen Jesus who vanquished every principality & power on the cross!



Obeying the directions of the Lord has led us as a ministry to DC on several trips this month. We've participated in 24/7 prayer lifting up the cross of Christ on the Capitol grounds, seiged with LIFE tape at the Supreme Court, interceded at JHOP DC, and waged war in the heavenlies at Lafayette Park next door to the White House. We're going for one last prayer strike this weekend before the election.



Obeying the directions of the Lord has meant praying out of the revelation He's showed us:


Fasting as He directs us


Praying for the women voters of America to rise up as Deborah, and as Jael, who defeated the enemy with a tent peg - Judges 4


Believing for the women in the families of each of the candidates to have a revelation from God, as Pilot's wife did - Matthew 27:19


Declaring Jesus victorious over all principalities & powers, triumphing over them at the cross


Rebuking fear of economic uncertainty, as well as spirits of anarchy, racism, death, and occultic influence, in Jesus' name


Praying Psalm 91 protection over each candidate & his or her family


Prophesying Psalm 103 over the nation, that youth would be renewed like the eagle's, and for removal of transgression as far as the east is from the west


Proclaiming that Sarah Palin would fulfill her destiny in God's timing, and have a George Washington anointing of protection, statesmanship, and leadership


Asking for the cry for mercy to be louder than the cry for change


Proclaiming that strategy from heaven will be given to intercessors, as Joshua received strategy to defeat Jericho



How is God directing you to pray? Obey his promptings! If He calls you to pray with anyone, anywhere, in any specific way, obey Him with all your heart!



Obeying the directions of the Lord has led us to take our stand regularly in TheCause Prayer Room on Wednesday nights, to seek the mind of Christ & earnestly intercede on behalf of a nation at a piont of decision.



God is on the move in America. Let the Church walk on water for the elections, and the Awakening that is to come.



Faith-walking,
TheCause team

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5

I have wrestled with what true unity is. The knee-jerk elementary definition would drive us to fellowship, socialize, and interact only with those that see things our way. But the unity Paul is urging us to is a focus on God, an intention to set ourselves on Him, His ways, and the things precious on His heart. The ability and maturity to set aside that which would divide us, and choose instead to focus on that which unites us in Him. (These are not my words and I cannot remember where I copied them down from.....if perchance you are reading this and recognize them as yours please let me know so I can give you the proper credit). When I saw the above statement it fit in so completely with the view I hold when I speak of The Body of Christ and THE Church. I think this is so important ,and true, as we focus on and wind down to this election in 8 days.

I have recently read 2 wonderful posts that I want to link you to.

The first is another great one by Dan, The Bumbling Genius , on Wednesday, October 22, titled "Can Obama be Beaten?" Dan always blows me away with his insight.

The second is by Nancy, In My Neck Of The Woods, on Thursday, October 23, titled "Christian Citizenship".

A CALL TO PRAYER - from Dutch Sheets

I know this is very long, but please take time to read it. He points out why we must pray about this election.


Dear Praying Friend,

In 2000, I wrote the 2nd most important letter of my life-a call to prayer for the elections of that year. I'm now writing what may be my most important letter. I knew the importance of those elections in 2000 was beyond any in my life up to that point and that the spiritual warfare surrounding them would be unlike anything any of us had ever seen. That letter was read by millions of people and I believe millions of them responded by praying. I also believe the prayers turned the tide.

You may question whether President Bush was the right choice; obviously, he has made some blunders in his tenure as president. But two of his decisions alone left no doubt he was God's choice: Roberts and Alito

These two Supreme Court Justices have proven critical in the process of breaking the hold of humanism, death and anti-God agendas that have ruled the Court for 50 years. I assure you that more devastation-the shedding of innocent blood, immorality, decay of the family and an erosion of our godly heritage-has flowed into our nation through that institution than any other door in America. Many times more. The poison allowed into America through their decisions is beyond any of our abilities to articulate. The reality in America is that you don't need to control Congress or the White Hose to rule the nation. You only need 5 people - 5 out of 9 on the Supreme Court. And for decades those who disagree with just about everything you and I stand for have been in control!

In Bush's two terms, the process of turning this around began with the appointments of Roberts and Alito. Now, we win some cases 5-4 and lose some 4-5. (We barely outlawed partial birth abortion. The vote of one judge saved thousands of babies from this horror.) We need one more conservative Justice for a consistent majority, then more to build a strong majority.

In Obama's own words, "the next president will appoint at least one, perhaps two or more Supreme Court Justices." He's right. Almost certainly two or more older, liberal Justices are waiting until after the elections to retire, in hopes of Obama winning and appointing more liberals to replace them. And he certainly would. He voted against the confirmation of Roberts and Alito. So did Biden. And Biden led the fight against Justice Thomas several years back, another of the 4 solid conservatives. Make no mistake about it, the two of them do have a litmus test for Supreme Court Justices, and a major part of that test is Roe vs. Wade. McCain and Palin, on the other hand, both have very strong pro-life positions. This alone makes the choice for President simple. To vote for the 2nd and 3rd most liberal senators (Obama and Biden), both of whom are firmly and blatantly pro-abortion, would be unconscionable.

Obama has actually said that if he wins, he would like his first action as president to be the signing of the Freedom of Choice Act, which would eliminate every other law against any aspect of abortion (partial birth abortion, parental notification, etc.). And with a democratic majority in the House and Senate, pretty much any legislation he and Biden want to pass will be a slam-dunk. There are many other unrighteous positions they hold but this position alone makes the choice easy. If they win this election, it will set America back decades in the cause of life and the restoration we seek.

Just as many of you do, I too, want to see a first black President, but not Senator Obama. To allow that noble and godly desire, the economy or one's position on the war to trump this issue of life and death for the innocent unborn is simply wrong. The scriptures teach that if we choose first to exalt righteousness and turn from evil, God promises to heal our land (see Proverbs 14:34; 2 Chronicles 7:14). It is righteousness that exalts a nation, not wealth, prosperity or armies. If we will finish the process of removing the curses of death and anti-God laws off of America by electing a president that will continue to shift the Court, God will grace us with breakthrough in other areas such as the economy, the war against terrorism, etc.

My faith is not in a person, and certainly not a political party, for the healing of America, but I know God's word and His ways well enough to know that our decisions do move Him to action or inaction. Now to the heart of my reason for writing this letter (I realize I am "preaching to the choir"-most of you who know or listen to me are conservative enough to vote for McCain and Palin.)

I have not written any appeals for prayer concerning this election because: 1) others have, and 2) I believe our movement has matured to the point that the prayer base of the Church is already praying.

But I now feel the need to raise my voice. I am appealing to you to pray for these elections the next two weeks like you've never prayed for any in the past. Faithfully. Passionately. Boldly. Ask God for His mercy and grace. We deserve His judgment for removing His influence and authority from our government, schools, homes and businesses; for the killing of 50 million babies; for leading the world in the consumption and exporting of pornography; for passing laws to reject His; etc. But mercy triumphs over judgment and in His wrath He remembers mercy. In 2000 we actually lost the popular vote and won the election-talk about grace! Please pray for this grace to be released again.

But I am also asking you for something more than normal prayer. For those of you who understand spiritual warfare, I am asking you to also include this aspect of prayer. There is no doubt that we have entered a Daniel 10 moment in time: "Then he said to me, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia'" (Daniel 10: 12-13 NAS). The spiritual warfare in this election is incredibly fierce, and just as it was in Daniel's day, is all about the restoration of a nation. And also like Daniel, we must keep praying until we win the battle in the heavens.

In August of this year I predicted that September would mark a shift in momentum for these elections. This happened with the appointment of Sarah Palin as the Vice Presidential nominee (who is a true Esther in our generation), but when the economy began its meltdown and the media ramped up their unprecedented attacks on Palin, that momentum wasn't sustained. But we can see it turn again if we approach this battle as the spiritual warfare it truly is and bind the evil forces involved (see Matthew 16:18-19). The reality is that this election can be the breakthrough we need to fully shift the Court (and ultimately our nation) or it will be an immeasurable setback that could take many years to reverse-if ever. (Italics/Hilites, Mine - David Crowe)

Please understand what I am saying: if we engage in this battle and do what I am asking-in mass-we will win; if we do not, we will lose. I, for one, don't intend to allow the latter.

I am in Washington, D.C. now (October 20-22) with Lou Engle and a team of prayer leaders from around the nation to war for this election. Join us! Lose some sleep, miss some meals- pray! Pray like never before for these elections. And as you do, involve yourself not only in petitioning prayer but also in spiritual warfare. Use your God-given authority over the plans and strategies of satan's kingdom. Bind all witchcraft that is working to control the outcome, including occultic powers that are suppressing truth. Release Christ's Kingdom rule in every way the Holy Spirit leads you

Don't be deceived and don't lose hope (if you have to, turn off the TV.) It is not too late to turn these elections. God is plenty powerful enough to do so. The real question is will we rise to the level of prayer and spiritual warfare necessary to release that power. And remember, we don't need a majority of Christians who are willing and able to do this-only a praying remnant. We can do it!

Here are some practical suggestions to consider:
1) Fast (a meal a day; a day a week; a Daniel fast; 3 days; 10 days; TV; etc.) and spend the time praying.
2) Agree in prayer with someone everyday for God's will to be done.
3) Form/participate in prayer groups regularly. Churches could pray everyday. 4) Take time in every gathering to pray. (Take 15 minutes in every service to pray for the elections. Turn an entire service to harp and bowl style intercession-worship and prayer combined.)
5) Join 2 or more on a conference call and pray for 15, 20, or 30 minutes.
6) Pray on the way to work (and on the way home).
7) Pray before you go to sleep.
8) Pray before church services.
9) Ask God to give you His strategy-He will!

In His grip,
Dutch Sheets
Senior Pastor, Freedom Church, Colorado Springs

10 DAYS & COUNTING - Until this election is finished

I think we are all sick and tired of this election process.....I know we are!!!!! During the next 10 days I am going to be posting some things about my views on the election.
I would remind anyone who comes to read, and I welcome you, who does not agree with me that I acknowledge your right to believe as you do, BUT I do ask that you be
respectful. This is my blog and no one is making you come here to read it, least of all me. My choices in this, as with every aspect of my life, are based on the fact that I am a Christian and Jesus the Christ is my Lord & Savior. My priorities are 1) Christ first - 2) Family second - 3) Country third.

In light of all this I want to post the following devotion. Even though this is geared for family and personal relationships I think it is very fitting to us here in Blogland, too.

"Watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." Galatians 5:15

HOW TO FIGHT SO EVERYBODY WINS

Healthy relationships aren't conflict free; they're conflict resolving. The problem is: we fight for victories instead of fighting for solutions. The result is: one wins, one loses, and the relationship suffers! Here are some practical insights for fighting so that the relationship wins.

(1) Differences are inevitable, normal, and potentially beneficial. They're inevitable, because relationships bring together very different people. They're normal, because all relationships, including great ones, experience them. They're potentially beneficial, because handled effectively, relationships grow through them.

(2) Here are three conflicting handling styles:

(a) The avoid style. These are the "don't want to rock the boat" and "let sleeping dogs lie" people. They fear confrontation, so they bury their feelings, not realizing they're buried alive and will rise again down the road. They go from clam-up, to build-up, inviting physical and emotional illness. Meanwhile offenses accumulate, unaddressed issues multiply, and unfinished business erodes the relationship.

(b) The attack style. These are the "get them before they get you" people; ruthless fighters who refuse to give in, they inflict terminal wounds on each other. The Bible says, "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." Attack begets counterattack, both sides "dig in" and nothing gets resolved.

(c) The approach-assert style: These are the "no price is too high for a good relationship" people. They're sensitive to the feelings of others, yet insist on dealing directly with important issues. They're sensitive to the feelings of others, yet insist on dealing directly with important issues. They avoid blaming, confront the issue, not the individual, and invite others to partner with them in solving the problem and saving the relationship!

From: The WORD For You TODAY

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER

Given the current national economic crisis, you may find this interesting.

The Benefits of the Inevitable Economic Depression

Americans will reduce their overall national obesity rate because they will have less money to spend daily on fatty, fast foods.



Americans will walk or ride their bicycles more because they will have less money to spend on gasoline.



Americans will spend less time on their computers because they will have less money to spend on Internet pornography and gambling.



Americans will spend more time reading than watching television because they will have less money to spend on outrageous cable and satellite fees.



Americans will spend more time worshipping God rather than Hollywood and sports celebrities because they will finally realize that during a depression the latter NEVER cared about them.



Americans will appreciate the value of a dollar and what it takes to earn one before they squander their money on frivolous things they don’t need.



Americans will appreciate that being employed is more honorable than being unemployed because, during a depression, the federal government has no money for welfare and human services.



Americans will finally demand leaders of integrity and principle who truly care about the Nation’s welfare rather than lecherous, self-serving politicians who shamelessly lust for money and power.



Americans will finally embrace hard work, personal accountability, self-achievement, and success.



Americans will finally despise sloth, irresponsibility, government waste, and failure.



Americans will finally realize the family unit, and not government, is the most important element of our society.

A LINK - NOAH'S ARK - AWARD

First I'd like to invite all of you to visit this blog and participate in Maxine's project. I truly thing this is of The Lord and it truly got me to slow down and really THINK about what I do want and yearn for my country, and especially for my children & grandchildren in this country.

We all need to give serious thought to this election that will be in just 41 days and I think Maxine is helping us to do that. I would also appreciate hearing your comments about how you feel about this after you visit her blog. Thanks!!

******************************

I received this and thought it was so facinating. It certainly is bigger than I think most of us have pictures in our minds from the little Noahs Arc toys we've seen.

Working Replica of Noah's Ark
Opens In SCHAGEN, Netherlands

The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was thrown open Saturday
for the first crowd of curious Pilgrims and townsfolk to behold the wonder.
Of course, it's only a replica of the biblical Ark , built by Dutch
Creationist Johan Huibers as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible.


The ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house.

Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras,
bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold.

A contractor by trade, Huibers built the ark of cedar and pine -
Biblical Scholars debate exactly what the wood used by Noah would have been.
Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools
and with occasional help from his son Roy... Construction began in May 2005.
On the uncovered top deck - not quite ready in time for the opening
- will come a petting zoo, with baby lambs and chickens, and goats,
and one camel.

Visitors on the first day were stunned.
'It's past comprehension, ' said Mary Louise Starosciak, who
happened to be bicycling by with her husband while on vacation
when they saw The ark looming over the local landscape.
'I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big.'
There is enough space near the keel for a 50-seat film theater where kids can
watch a video that tells the story of Noah and his ark.
�

Huibers said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in
the Netherlands , where church going has fallen dramatically in the past 50 years.
''If You Need Help, Ask God. If You Don't, Thank God''...
'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.' Psalm 23:6
When there is nothing left but God, that is when you
find out that God is all you need. Live today to the
fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

Now that I am old and gray...give me the time to tell this new generation(and their children too) about all your mighty miracles. Psalm 71:18

**************************

A special thanks to Sandra, Watercoulour Dreams, for this Kreativ Blogger Award.

Since it was very similar to the one I received and posted about on September 9th I am not doing this one but wanted to acknowledge Sandra and thank her publicly.

CINDY McCAIN -

This is an e-mail I received

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal on Cindy McCain, John's wife. All I ever saw was this attractive woman standing beside John. I was surprised how talented and involved with world problems she is. This is a summary of the article.

She graduated from Southern Cal and was a special-needs teacher. After her Dad died she became involved with his beer distributing firm and is now the chairwoman. Sales have doubled since she has taken over from her father.

They have a marriage prenuptial agreement, her assets remain separate. She is involved around the world clearing land mines - travels to these countries on a detonation team and serves on their board.


They have a 19 year old serving in Iraq - another son in the Naval Academy, a daughter recentrly graduated from Columbia University, and adopted daughter in high school, and a son who is the finance guy at the beer firm.


Raised kids in Phoenix, AZ rather than Washington DC (better atmosphere) He commuted.

In 1991, Mrs. McCain came across a girl in an orphanage in Bangladesh with a severe cleft palate. The couple adopted the girl who has had a dozen operations to repair her cleft palate and other medical problems.


They have a Family Foundation for children's causes.


She's active with "Halo Trust" - to clear land mines, provide water and food in was ravaged and developing countries.


She will join an overseas mission of "Operation Smile", a charity for corrective surgery on children's faces.


She has had two back surgeries and became addicted to pain killers. She talks openly about it, which she says is part of the recovery process.


I'm surprised the media is so quiet about her attributes. We would really get two for the price of one. A person with business and international experience. John did work for the firm for awhile when he left the Navy. She, however, has the real business experience.

McCAIN/PALIN - Right On!!!!

Sarah Palin

Boy McCain has done us right on this one!!!!!! Mickey & I were totally blown away with her speech yesterday in Ohio when McCain introduced her, and HER FAMILY!!! It was all we could do to not run around the room shouting Hallelujah!!

This is an answer to much prayer and this is going to be one interesting election and the remaining 67 days of this campaign are going to be very exciting.

Let the "talking heads" talk and put down and nay-say all they want ...... we are on our way to taking this country back to the values it was founded on. Christian, married for 20 years, proud of her WORKING husband, mother of 5 even one with Downs Syndrome, anti-abortion, pro-gun, ready to stand up for right, meeting the "good-old boys" head on, and on-on. I loved it that she told congress "You keep your bridge to no-where.....when we want a bridge we'll build it!"

I was already supporting McCain and definitely anti Obama but I will really do all I can to promote the ticket of

McCain/Palin

What are your thoughts?

EDITORIAL

I have purposely stayed away from blogging my political views and opinions, although I clearly have who I support in the upcoming Presidential Election on my side bar for all to see. Prior to the primary we had supported Huckabee.

I just want to comment on two programs that have been shown lately. The hour long each Rick Warren Forum of Obama & McCain last Friday night and the McCain - Obama Revealed programs aired last night on CNN. Since we have church on Wednesday nights we taped the broadcasts and viewed them this morning.

Regardless of who you support, or why, I just hope everyone is availing themselves to these types of programs which are truly giving us a broad view of the two candidates.

My first election to vote in after turning 21 was the 1960 election of Kennedy vs Nixon. I have voted in every election since, which is a total of 13 Presidential elections.

Never before, in all these many years, have we been privileged to get a "real" look at the 2 men running for this great office. Nor have we ever had, so easily at our fingertips, so much information about the candidates. In past years we have had to depend on Political Advertising by the candidates and "sound bites" the press chose to pick up and highlight.

I know CNN has a very liberal bent, but we are not able to get Fox News on our D*is*h network without paying extra for it, which we don't do. I am grateful to CNN for airing these informative shows about these two men, their background, where they have come from, their good points and their faults. I have felt like the coverage was fair. I feel these shows and the Rick Warren Form have given all of us the information we need to confirm our decision, help us make a decision if we were undecided, or even perhaps change our minds.

I would love to hear your opinions about the shows and if you agree that we have never before had the information needed to make an intelligent decision as we have this election.

November 4, 2008 a most important date-------VOTE!!!!!!

CATCHING UP & THIS and THAT

It just dawned on me that in all that has been going on in our lives this month I failed to mention that David moved out of the 5th wheel in our back yard and in closer to his work in Tulsa. He actually moved July 1st and Mickey & I took over the last load of his stuff on Saturday, July 12th.

Yesterday we had the carpets professionally cleaned and now the 5th wheel is in tip-top shape. Don't know yet what we are going to do with it: just let it sit where it is, try and sell it, etc. 3 of our 4 children have had occasion to live in it temporarily during the past 4 years since we parked it for good. Suzette & Dave for 3 months while their new home was being built, Jacque for a year after losing everything in Katrina, and now David for these 9 months. It has served this family well.....plus our wonderful years, and miles of travel all over (although all of that was not done in this unit).

We are going to miss having him right here with us and I especially will miss our long, meaningful talks but it truly was time for all of us for him to move on to the next step in his life.

Aric & Oksana's great-grandmother was in town this week, she lives in Texarkansas. She took all of us out to dinner last Thursday night to Te*xas Ro*ad*hou*se for a delightful meal and a wonderful visit. She was so surprised at how much Aric & Oksana had both grown. She had been here 9 months ago, right after David came from California, and we had taken all of us out to eat on that occasion. She is a delightful woman and has become a great friend of ours.

Monday I went back to the surgeon who did my knee surgery 3 months ago. He took x-rays of my knee, both ankles and looked at previous back x-rays and is satisfied all is well even though the lower part of my back is out of alignment by a 1/2 inch. I still have considerable pain, especially at night trying to sleep. Oh well. I've learned to live with it.

Last night our dear friends, Jack & Mary, had 5 of us over for one of Mary's gourmet meals. Always a treat and a wonderful time of fellowship. 3 of the 7 of us present have had heart surgeries of one type or another so there was much encouraging of Mickey about the upcoming event.

Today is election day in our little town. We are voting for a 1/2 penny sales tax increase. Our sales tax is already higher than Tulsa's but we are growing and there are needs to be met so we will vote for it. It is to be used for: 1) an additional fire station 2) new playground equipment 2) new splash park 3) additional police equipment 4) road improvements & 5 POSSIBILY lower home insurance rates (this is based on IF the added new fire station moves our town into a lower risk factor with the insurance rates).

I've told Mickey I want a clothes line. We talked about it 4 years ago when we came back home and have never done it. Don't know whether to get one of those purchased umbrella style bought ones or have him run some clothes line. He is in the "thinking about it phase". Do your husbands do that? Mine does on everything. I'd appreciate imput from those of you who have & use a clothes line as to what you like and think would be best for me.

I told you this was a lot of this & that!!!! Have a blessed day.

THANK YOU & A SERIOUS ISSUE

First, thank you to all who stayed with me during 8, yes count them 8, posts answering your questions. Many of you probably learned way more than you wanted to know about what I thought!!! I was stunned at the number and depth of the questions I was asked. You truly made the climax of my first year a very special event for me. My blog friend, Barbara, from England just received the package of the give-away items for my drawing. I'm so glad they arrived safe and sound.

Thanks also for the sweet comments about Oksana's birthday celebration for her and her friends. Today is actually her 13th birthday. How, or how, did she get to be a teenager so quickly!!!! She is a very mature 13 year old and we are so extremely proud of her and the decisions she has made and making. Since this is her birthday the family will be celebrating it tonight with dinner at Macaroni Grill. (See why I don't lose weight........we eat all the time.....our social life it around food!!.) I'm sure I'll post a picture or two tomorrow of this event.

**********

Now to a very serious issue. As you all know I am an avid reader. My preference for reading are books of a spiritual nature but a friend at church recently shared with Mickey & I about a book he had just read that really disturbed him and asked if we would like to read it. He told us briefly about it and I said yes. He brought me the book and we had it read in 3 days!!! It is CRASH PROOF by Peter D. Schiff. He is actually giving investment advice, which is not why I read it or why I encourage you to read it, but it's because he tells the terribly shape America is in that I do so.

In 1999 we went to Dallas and attended a Hal Lindsey conference. At the time we purchased Cliff Ford's book, BLOOD, MONEY & GREED. We read it back then and after reading Crash Proof I pulled it off my shelf and are almost finished re-reading this book again now 8 years later and see how "right on" Cliff was.

We are in a VERY critical time in the life of our country. We Christians know how very serious this upcoming election is to America. We must start making some of the serious decisions in our personal life and in the life of our nation. We must not elect people who promise us all the "something for nothing" mentality that American's want to hear. There is no "Free Lunch" and we are ruining our nation and destroying the future for our children and grandchildren. I personally feel the return of the Lord is VERY near, but the Bible tells us to "Occupy until I return" and that is what we must do.

I would love to hear your comments, feelings and thoughts about the condition of our country. I would encourage you to read either or both of these books and if any of you have other ones to refer to us I would appreciate it.

**********

I am happy that I see the glass 1/2 full and not 1/2 empty. Even though I am moved enough to be concerned I still know that God is on the throne and that we win. I know "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14

I don't know how many of you are familiar with THE CALL (Lou Engle) but Mickey & I are participating in this call to pray and fasting. Lou is asking us to read Joel 2:12-23 for 21 days (this began on February 13th) and to add Isaiah 22:20-22 and Daniel 2:20-22 for February 20-22. Any who would like to join in I encourage you to do so.