Presidents In My Lifetime

Heard this question on talk radio this morning and it got me thinking, "How many presidents have served during your lifetime?" I was born in October in 1960, so for me the answer is 13. 

That also started me thinking about my earliest memories of a president and I think it was Lyndon B. Johnson, our 36th president. I vaguely remember watching him on TV addressing the nation about the Vietnam war. I don't remember Kennedy or Eisenhower at all. Nixon was a powerful presence because he served during my middle school years and because Watergate and his attempts to finally end the war in Vietnam were daily national stories. In fact, I vividly remember Nixon's attempts to end the Vietnam war because of the direct impact it would have as I neared draft age.

Anyway, here are the list of presidents in my lifetime, in order: 

The Principle Of Exclusion

I understand that most of us have neither the time nor the inclination to venture too far off the beaten path with our theologies, but I have to say how astonishing it is that many people hold onto the belief that God treats everyone the same. Now it is true that God's desire is for everyone to be saved and to live with Him forever in Heaven. (John 3:16) 

But His love, and His promises are all dependent upon conditions that He has prescribed. For example, most people have heard of the verse in the Bible that refers to the promise that the prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16). It's easier to focus on the promise of God's response rather than the fact that God answers prayers differently depending on the obedience of who is asking. 

Here is another stark truth, if you do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Bible says that God is not listening to any of your prayers. There is only one prayer that you can pray as an unbeliever that He will respond to and that is the prayer of forgiveness and surrender. (And please don't take my word for it, google how many times God says in His scripture that He will not hear the prayers of people because of their disobedience.) If you are not a follower of Jesus I encourage you to click HERE for more information on that subject.

Bring The Insurrectionists To Justice

(This is a reprint of Peggy Noonan's column on January 7th, 2021)

How do we deal with all that has happened?

We remember who we are. We are a great nation and a strong one; we have, since our beginning, been a miracle in the political history of man. We have brought much good. We are also in trouble, no point not admitting it.

We regain our confidence. We’ve got through trouble before. We love this place and will keep it. We have a Constitution that’s gotten us this far and will get us further.

Arrest Me! We lower the boom. No civilized country can accept or allow what we saw Wednesday with the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol. This was an attack on democracy itself. That is not just a phrase. Rule by the people relies on adherence to law and process. The assault and siege was an attempt to stop the work of democracy by halting the peaceful transfer of presidential power, our crowning glory for more than two centuries.

This was a sin against history.

Elton John - Your Song

In my opinion, one of the greatest songs ever written.