The Light is Still Here
I believe America is at a pivotal moment. Like the Israelites, we can choose to either go into the Promised Land -- the "shining city on a hill" -- or be satisfied with wilderness living.
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"In the hour of my favour I gave heed to you; On the day of deliverance I came to your aid. The hour of favour has now come; now, I say, has the day of deliverance dawned.” (II Cor. 6:2)
Some years ago the Mills family, long time friends of mine, ministered the Word of God at the Fairbanks Inn in Fairbanks, Alaska. Fairbanks was experiencing an ice storm; the temperature was between 15-20 degrees below zero. They had never experienced such cold weather.
About 11:15 a.m. an Eskimo couple came into the room fully dressed for the cold weather. They had come 26 miles from a small village populated with only 10 - 12 families. They were the only Christians in the village, and the husband functioned as the Constable. Both were very concerned about the spiritual condition of their community and were discouraged by the lack of response to God and His Word.
Pastor Mills ministered to the couple saying, "The Lord will create over your dwelling place a light! A pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. This covering shall be a canopy and a defense." (Isaiah 4:5). The message was given at 11:45 a.m..
At that same moment in the couple’s village, a light appeared over their home. Light phenomena in the North Country is not unusual. Such terms as "Northern Lights", "Prismatic Refractions" and "Aurora Bourealis" go with the territory. However this light over their home stayed and stayed. The next day, the couple returned home and were greeted by the ladies in the village saying that the light over their home appeared shortly before noon Saturday (the men of the village were away hunting caribou). The Constable’s wife showed the women Isaiah 4:5 and told them the message they had received from the Lord. All of the villagers became Christians.
The village became a missinary outpost, and two years later when the Mills returned to Fairbanks, the whole village came and gave their testimony. The thrilling conclusion happened when one of the women said, "When we left yesterday the light was still there!"
America, the light it still here. And like the light seen over the village near Fairbanks, it comes from the North Star in the voice of Governor Sarah Palin. She is like a bright light illuminating the darkness of the current White House Administration. Don't despise the light, and don't confuse it with darkness. That is what America's enemies do.
Like President Ronald Reagan, Gov. Palin sees a strong, prosperous America as an example to the rest of the world. She unapologetically and unconditionally loves our country and believes that the best days are ahead. Gov. Palin connects with people. She "gets it".
Remember the Israelites? After the death of Moses, the children of Israel once again stood at the edge of what God had promised them. They had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and were about to enter the Promised Land.
The last time they’d stood at this place, they had refused to cross the Jordan River. But 40 years later, they were finally going to step into the blessings of God.
During the Israelites’ time in the wilderness, they had to rely constantly on God to provide food and water. They had only just enough to get by and never came into the fullness of what God intended for them.
Unfortunately, many of us today feel as though we are living in a wilderness. We need to realize, however, that God wants us to have everything He promised in His Word. He wants to do some wonderful things in our lives.
Before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, Joshua told them, “Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Josh. 3:5)
Joshua was telling the people to get ready, because they were going to a new level of living. They were going to experience a new level of provision and blessing. This was the hour they had been waiting for. This was a new day—a pivotal moment for them.
I believe America is also at a pivotal moment. Like the Israelites, we can choose to either go into the Promised Land -- the "shining city on a hill" -- or be satisfied with wilderness living. It's time to cast off the darkness of the past and realize that the dawn -- the light -- of a new day is here.
"This is our time for choosing... how we answer will be our glory or our shame." - Gov. Sarah Palin speaking at Reagan Ranch Center on February 4, 2011.
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Magnification & Resolution
Maybe it was the endorphins pulsating through my body as I sped to nowhere Friday afternoon on a stationary bike in the fitness center, or perhaps it was the forbidden pieces of chocolate I savored earlier in the day. Whatever the culprit, a single photograph featured in the Washingtonian caught my eye as together the periodical and I raced toward the weekend.
Follow:
American author Mark Twain once said, “Hawaii is the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean”. No one would argue with Twain that the Hawaiian Islands’ tropical weather, low humidity and infrequent severe storms make it a traveler’s dream destination. Hawaii not only boasts of its great beauty but also claims to be the birthplace of Barack Obama.
By contrast, Alaska’s majestic mountain peaks and rugged topography covered with glaciers, countless rivers and lakes, huge tracks of forested land, and over 34,000 miles of tidal shoreline is beauty personified. Alaska is a constant adventure for those that live there, and for those fortunate enough (or smart enough) to travel there, it often proves to be their most exhilarating and worthwhile adventure. The Last Frontier is the beloved home of Sarah Palin, the youngest and the first female governor of that state, and is like no other place on our planet.
No doubt these two states are uniquely and breathtakingly beautiful, but under a microscope the resolution of their great beauty becomes a study in contrasts. Their magnification and resolution prove to be an eerily accurate characterization of their most famous residents.
Take a look at this photo from National Geographic. Believe it or not, this is the magnification of a dipperful of Hawaiian seawater. Describing the photo, journalist Jennifer S. Holland, writes, “Gelatinous shape-shifters lazily ride the currents (dead fish going with the flow). Familiar [and unfamiliar] forms — wide-eyed fish larvae, baby squid and octopuses—dart liberally (left wing radicals). Their lives are precarious (reckless decisions). Some wear shells (disguises) or exude toxins (media malpractice) against enemies (Main Street America); others are active only after dark (opaque government).” Even the name of the photograph is telling- The Secret Life [of Marine Microfauna].
No two alike? According to Discover, physicist Kenneth Libbrecht says it’s essentially impossible for any two ice crystals to have the exact same molecular structure (unique and one of a kind). He claims that, “Out of all the complex (smart, intelligent, quick study) snow crystals ever made over the history of the planet, it’s unlikely that any two ever looked completely alike (unprecedented). The elaborate branching structure indicates that the crystal was formed under high pressure (hard work, dedication, boldly speaking the truth, fearless), even where molecules encounter more resistance (‘drill, baby, drill’; ‘we eat, therefore we hunt’; ‘quit making things up’). The more easily the clear branches (government transparency) accumulate molecules, the more fabulous the shapes take form”.
We the People are like magnifying glasses making it possible for all to see self-serving political agendas purposely hidden to the naked eye. We must magnify our lawmakers’ policies to a point of resolution where lines are not blurred but clearly defined and transparent.
Who knew such musings could come from looking at a single photo published by a liberal medium while riding a stationary bike? Maybe next Friday I will join the line dancing class where Britney tunes are blared at a thousand decibels. Who knows I may oops, do it again.
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Palin on Reagan: He was "America's Lifeguard"
by Sarah Palin as published in USA Today, January 24, 2011
"We were told that we must accept that the era of American greatness was over; but with his optimism and common sense, President Reagan held up a mirror to the American soul to remind us of our exceptionalism."
I had the privilege of coming of age during the era of Ronald Reagan. I like to think of him as America's lifeguard. As a teenager, Ronald Reagan saved 77 lives as a lifeguard on the Rock River, which ran through his hometown of Dixon, Ill. The day he was inaugurated in 1981, a local radio announcer famously declared, "The Rock River flows for you tonight, Mr. President."
The image of the lifeguard seems to represent what Reagan was to America and to the freedom-loving people of the world. He lifted our country up at a time when we were in the depths of economic, cultural and spiritual malaise. We were told that we must accept that the era of American greatness was over; but with his optimism and common sense, President Reagan held up a mirror to the American soul to remind us of our exceptionalism.
Reagan as lifeguard on Rock River in 1926
Reagan showed us that despite a deep recession, there could still be morning in America. He could speak to the economic troubles facing ordinary Americans because he understood what it was like to live through a Great Depression where families scraped to get by. And yet, he saw us recover from our Great Depression, and under his leadership we experienced the greatest peacetime economic boom in our history. He could speak to our fears that our years as a superpower were over, because he understood what it was like to see America at war and really fear that we might lose. And yet, he saw us win two world wars, and under his leadership we won the Cold War without firing a single shot. Reagan's belief in American greatness was rooted in historic fact, not blind optimism. He was a sunny optimist because he knew that our best days are yet to come.
Reagan at Brandenburg Gate, West Germany, 1987
Today, when we hear the worry in the voices of Americans wondering where the jobs will be for our children and grandchildren and wondering if the world will be safe and prosperous in the years to come, we should remember Reagan's faith in our inherent heroism and greatness. When we see people around the globe looking to the White House for leadership, we should remember Reagan's steel spine. He understood America's purpose in this world and what we need to do to secure liberty. As Margaret Thatcher said of him, "He sought to mend America's wounded spirit, to restore the strength of the free world, and to free the slaves of communism." He sought those things and he succeeded.
This year, as we celebrate the centennial of Reagan's birth, let's remember the lifeguard from the Rock River who rescued us with his optimism and common sense. We need more lifeguards like him.
-Sarah Palin
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Author's Note:
Prayer is our spiritual oxygen, and just as oxygen is vital to natural life, so is prayer vital to spiritual life. We need to pray regularly and continually for Governor Sarah Palin and her family as she "lifeguards" to protect our country's future. Her message of American exceptionalism breathes new life --- oxygen --- into our belief that we are the greatest nation on earth. God bless you, Governor Palin.
Governor Palin is "America's Oxygen"
"Pray at all times --- on every occasion, in every season-- in the Spirit with all manner of prayer and entreaty." - Ephesians 6:18
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Billy makes this comment
Tuesday 25 October, 2011
It's Billy from over at TS. I saw your link over on the Blue suedes shoes article. I love this "Don't stop Believing" I surely haven't. I will always believe in Sarah. Hope you're doing well !!