Barack Obama: Worst President Ever

I am forever thankful to the people who passed the twenty-second Amendment. Without a limit on a third term, it just seems we would be stuck with Barack Obama as the commander-in-chief until the day he died in office. My greatest joy is that the carnage this man has been inflicting on the U.S. will finally come to an end.

The liberal media certainly do not see this as a joyous occasion. They are crying like they are about to lose a political leader in equal stature to our Founding Fathers. From the moment Obama showed up on the national stage to address the Democratic convention in 2004, the news media fell wildly in love with him.

“Obama is a rock star,” NBC’s Andrea Mitchell exclaimed during MSNBC’s live convention coverage back on July 27, 2004. The next morning, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos echoed Mitchell’s enthusiasm: “He’s the Tiger Woods of the Democratic Party right now.”

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews had the most famous response to an Obama speech: “I have to tell you, you know, it’s part of reporting this case, this election, the feeling most people get when they hear Barack Obama’s speech. My — I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don’t have that too often.” That weird moment occurred during MSNBC’s coverage of the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. primaries, February 12, 2008.

Most of the praise that has been poured on Obama is cultish drivel:

Presidential campaigns have destroyed many bright and capable politicians. But there’s ample evidence that Obama is something special—a man who makes difficult tasks look easy, who seems to touch millions of diverse people with a message of hope that somehow doesn’t sound Pollyannaish. — AP writer Charles Babington in a May 10, 2008 dispatch.

My recollection of Obama’s two terms is one disaster after another. There can be no doubt that he has been the worst president ever. Conservatives have been compiling his record of dubious achievements for several years. To get a grasp of the evil this man has inflicted upon America, I’ve compiled a condensed list of firsts that sets him apart from other U.S. presidents:

The first president to apply for college aid as a foreign student, then deny he is a foreigner. The first president to have a social security number from a state in which he has never lived.

The first president to preside over a cut to the credit-rating of the United States. The first president to violate the War Powers Act.

The first president to be held in contempt of court for illegally obstructing oil drilling in the Gulf. The first president to require all Americans to purchase a product from a third party.

The first president to abrogate bankruptcy laws to turn over control of companies to his union supporters. The first President to by-pass Congress and implement the Dream Act through executive fiat.

The first president to order a secret amnesty program for illegal immigrants. The first president to demand a company hand-over $20 billion to one of his political appointees.

The first president to tell a CEO of a major corporation (Chrysler) to resign. The first and only president to cancel the National Day of Prayer.

The first and only president to say that America is no longer a Christian nation. The first president to have a law signed by an auto-pen without being present.

The first president to arbitrarily declare an existing law unconstitutional and refuse to enforce it. The first president to tell a company in which state it is allowed to locate a factory.

The first president to file lawsuits against the states he swore an oath to protect (AZ, WI, OH, IN). The first president to withdraw an existing coal permit that had been properly issued years ago.

The first president to actively try to bankrupt an American industry (coal). The first president to surround himself with radical left wing anarchists.

The first president to golf more than 300 separate times during his term in office. The first president to hide his birth, medical, educational and travel records and not be held accountable.

The first president to win a Nobel Peace Prize for doing NOTHING to earn it. The first president to be in a continuous state of war throughout his entire presidency.

The first president to go on multiple “global apology tours.” The first president to have personal servants (taxpayer funded) for his wife.

The first president to keep a dog trainer on retainer for $102,000 a year at taxpayer expense. The first president to repeat words in the Quran.

The first president to say the Islamic call to worship is “the most beautiful sound on earth.” The first president to increase the food stamp spending by more than 100% in a single term.

The first president to conceal food stamp data from public scrutiny. The first president to side with a foreign nation over one of the American 50 states (Mexico vs. Arizona).

The first president to (inconceivably) allow Iran to inspect their own facilities. The first to president to trade 5 terrorist for a traitor. The first president to use the IRS to unfairly target political enemies. The first president to terminate America’s ability to put a man in space.

The first president to facilitate the Iranians to acquire nuclear weapons. The first president to light up the White House in rainbow colors to honor homosexuality.

The first president to allow men in women’s restrooms and showers. The first president to conduct the marriage of two men.

The first president to actively medal in an Israeli election. The first president to be named by the AP as the least transparent administration in history.

The first president to develop an openly hostile relationship with the nation of Israel.

At the end of this week, Obama will leave the White House and start working on a series of books that will be pure fluff and will sell poorly, but none the less, he will receive a multi-million dollar advances for each book. I’m sure he will follow the Clinton’s playbook; collecting huge speaking fees for implied lobbying efforts back in Washington.

There have been nearly a dozen other presidents who left office in disgrace because of far more minor misdeeds. I think what has allowed Obama to escape justice is our nearness to the Tribulation. Since God is about to judge the whole world, there is no need to discredit Obama with some minor scandal.

“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed” (Romans 2:5 NIV).

–Todd

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World’s Greatest Threat

Global order plans are up in the air while the would-be one-world architects contemplate the installation of America’s 45th president. The soon-to-be new leader of the free world has made it clear he intends to keep America–at least–free of their insidious grab for America’s wealth through their climate change and other such liberty-diminishing machinations.

The new-world-order builders fearmonger that America’s refusal to submit to their plans is a formula for guaranteeing the demise of the planet.

Israel is, as usual, at the center of concern in the minds of the world’s diplomats. The newly elected president will, he has vowed, move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This will, if it eventuates, put the U.S. stamp of validation upon Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the Jewish state.

This rates as a threat to world peace in the minds of most all U.N. leaders. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has declared there will absolutely be no chance of peace between the Palestinians and Israel if this happens.

Russia has popped up as a perceived threat so great that some think Vladimir Putin could start World War III before the Trump inauguration.

Even Christian writers within pre-trib prophecy who are touted to be highly regarded journalists–observers of tensions that might lead to war–fear that Putin is on the verge of starting a conflict that might go nuclear at some point. To me, this flies in the face of things as they are foretold to be at the time of His next intervention into the affairs of mankind (the Rapture). The Lord said it will be a time of life going on possibly more robust than usual at the time He breaks in on the world like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:36-42, Luke 17:26-30).

This prophecy by Christ Himself precludes nuclear war occurring before the Rapture, from my perspective. However, the fear is expressed by some such as Joel Rosenberg that we are likely to, in the immediate future, face war that will take the world out of that think-not time Jesus talked about in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:44).

The new president-to-be, himself, is so feared as a threat that nearly half the nation seems to be having a collective nervous breakdown in anticipation of his assuming office.

A man was arrested in Ithaca, New York, a couple of weeks ago, for shooting to death a UPS delivery man, then running over the body. He did so, he told those who interrogated him, because he thought the man was Donald Trump, the president-elect.

There are hundreds of reports of people who have become mentally unhinged over this election result. We remember, for example, the man and his “husband” who verbally assaulted the president’s daughter on a commercial flight, shouting that her father was going to destroy the nation. Those who see the Trump victory as the worst possible thing for life on planet earth, like the globalists and those who have near phobic fears of Russia, see 2017 as a year of unprecedented threat.

Wall Street and the economic gurus, on the other hand, seem to be seeing an opposite effect regarding Mr. Trump’s rise to power. The year 2017 looks pretty good to these supposed wizards of the financial world, apparently, and we know this because we can see their vote through the stock market and other forums of fiscal prognostication.

Additionally–and this is the most telling, prophetically speaking, I think–the great, collective sigh of relief by other members of American society is overtly obvious. The sigh of the evangelical Christian segment of this half of the American populace leaps out–or should do so–at those who are students of Bible prophecy from the pre-trib view.

We are excited to get a “reprieve,” as it has been termed. It appears, at least, that Christians who stand upon biblical principles and openly display their faith will experience a more tolerant acceptance from the incoming administration and the federal courts that should develop as a result. However, it must be noted that along with the sigh of relief there is developing a settling-back into comfortable complacency.

Based upon the level of observation I’ve done and the kinds of email and news stories I receive, it seems to me that the fervency of the prayers of God’s people and concerns for aggressively pursuing a biblically moral agenda is just about nonexistent.

This, to my way of thinking, based upon prophetic Scripture, presents the greatest threat of all as we proceed into 2017.

Again, Jesus forewarned of just such a time, I believe.

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24: 42-44)

For this reason, the threat to the world, populated mostly by those who don’t know Christ for salvation, is at great risk. A complacent church is a threat greater in this way, perhaps, than the threats we most often consider.

Let us vow to make 2017 a year dedicated to actively carrying out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

–Terry

Death and the Cult of Celebrity

The year 2016 is being reflected upon as a bad year for people who had attained celebrity status. Several major icons from the world of film, sports, music and television have died. The carnage was perceived to be so bad there were suggestions on social media that Time magazine’s Person of the Year shouldn’t be Donald Trump but the Grim Reaper himself.

The folks at the BCC keep a good record of obituaries, and they found that there had indeed been a spike in celebrity deaths. In the first three months of last year, there were five times as many deaths as in the first quarter of 2012. As the year 2016 progressed the number of celebrity deaths quickly flatten out; with the number of obituaries only being 30 percent more than the previous year.

A possible reason why there has been so much news on this subject is because we live in a culture that is fixated on celebrities. Someone who helped develop a vaccine that saved millions of lives can die without notice, but if a minor rock star dies from a drug overdose, people will mourn like he was one of their family members.

The death of famous people should only cause us to reflect on our own mortality and our need for the Saviour. The premature death a famous person should warn everyone that there is a narrow path to everlasting life.

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14).

Most of the celebrities who died last year should be shown as an example of what not to do. I can think of two major singers who had perverse lives and their deaths were directly related to their sinful lifestyles. The media coverage made them out to be angels because they sold a few million records.

The worst example of the cult of celebrity and its relationship with death is the story of Zsa Zsa Gabor passing. After she was cremated, her ashes were scattered from a Louis Vuitton bag because she was considered the queen of style. Gabor’s husband, Frederic von Anhalt, gave a 40-minute eulogy that focused on Gabor’s thirst for the limelight.

“I want to remember the way she walked the red carpet,” von Anhalt said. “She loved it so much. Her life was only red carpet, nothing else.” The priest at Gabor’s memorial service gave the same glowing praise. “She epitomized and personified Hollywood glamour,” Father Edward Benioff said. “She could write. She could act. She had many, many talents.”

It may be true that Zsa Zsa Gabor was a queen of style and the embodiment of Hollywood glamour, but these are not qualities that are productive for the kingdom of God. If you have people boasting at your funeral how much you conformed to the world, you clearly made tragic choices in your life.

Debbie Reynolds died the day after the passing of her daughter, Carrie Fisher. The media said that this was “destiny” and “such a beautiful sentiment” that they died together.

These observations are just wishful thinking. Sure, they both had wonderful lives and meant very much to each other, but a positive outcome depends entirely on their standing with the Son of God.

We live in a world where even the worst of celebrities get positive press. When Fidel Castro died, he was hailed by many at the UN as an iconic leader of the 20th century. He was said to be an activist in pursuing independence, justice and development. In reality, Castro was an evil dictator who murdered in order to hold on to power.

I think it is a bad sign for anyone to make an annual list of dead celebrities. Author Tim LaHaye died last year, and I didn’t see him on any list. He had one of the bestselling books of the last two decades, and he helped establish numerous productive Christian organizations. When I read that Alexis Arquette, a D-List transgender actress was on most lists, I thought, clearly LaHaye should out rank this weirdo.

The only list that dying should hope to be on is the one in the book of life. The money, fame, and power all become void in the end. The only thing that matters is Jesus Christ’s saving grace.

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

–Todd

 

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Verify But Trust

Russian/American relations are front and center in the news at the moment of this new year’s dawning. Conflicting approaches to these relations are also very much in the headlines.

The outgoing Obama administration, it is offered for public consumption, wants Russia punished for hacking into the presidential election process. The incoming Trump administration, mainstream news purveyors put forth, wants to cozy up to Russia and its President Vladimir Putin, because Mr. Trump is–they claim–Mr. Putin’s pal. The perception they want to create is that Trump doesn’t trust U.S. intelligence sources who, according to the mainstreamers, all agree that Russia hacked into the Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails, etc.–thus in order to help Donald Trump get elected.

Fact is, however, all the U.S. intelligence services aren’t in complete agreement. They neither are of consensus opinion that Russia did the cyber-hacking, nor that Putin’s intention was to help Trump’s election effort. But, as we all know, the facts have little to do with mainstream reporting within today’s reality. The president-elect has embraced many of President Ronald Reagan’s thoughts, particularly with regard to Russia–in Mr. Reagan’s case, the Soviet Union. “Trust but verify” was perhaps the most famous statement/position stated by Reagan that best frames his position in dealing with the Soviets.

Reagan signed the Intermediate range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on December 8, 1987. He used the phrase “trust but verify” to explain the in-depth procedures that would be in place to make certain the treaty stayed on the up and up.

The statement was from the Russian proverb Doveryai, no proveryai, taught him by a Russian translator in preparation for the meetings with Gorbachev. This requirement for dealing with the Russians will be highly necessary when Trump takes the oath on January 20. It is a precautionary thought that hasn’t been followed by Barack Obama for the last eight years and the present state of disarray with regard to the cyber-hacking hubbub proves the statement’s worth. Besides Israel, there is no more relevant nation than Russia in view for Bible prophecy yet to unfold. Let’s pray that some within the new president’s close circle of advisers can add prophetic understanding in Mr. Trump’s dealing with the Russians.

With that trust-but-verify relationship between America and Russia as a foundational premise for the further thoughts I hope to present, I would like to get into the reasons the title of this commentary has Mr. Reagan’s statement reversed–“verify but trust.”

I wish to try to apply this reversal to the personal relationship each of us–you and I–has with our Lord.

If you might indulge me for a brief time, I will, in order to hopefully make the point I wish to convey, reveal a small bit of relational goings-on in my own life at present. Realization of what all is involved in those goings-on completely escaped me until I began thinking on and praying about this commentary. The Holy Spirit was clear and to the point in whispering to my own, more often than not dull-of-hearing spiritual ears.

When the epiphany struck, it was so obvious that its simplicity sort of stunned me. My uncomfortable relationship of the moment with the uncertainties of life wasn’t mere chance. It involved the things I have believed–have taught and written about most all of my Christian life.

My wife, Margaret, had just had a car accident. It was one in which only she was involved, but it was a bad one, so far as the damage done to the car was concerned. Thankfully, Margaret had only her heel badly fractured as a result of the big sedan rolling over and ending right side up.

The state police officer who worked the wreck said it could have easily been a deadly accident. The car was totaled. So, needless to say, we are grateful to the Lord for His protection–and to the car manufacturer for the sixteen air bags that deployed during the violent rollover.

However, I’ve nevertheless been lamenting ever since that accident that happened on the Monday leading up to Christmas. Poor me. I’ve been so inconvenienced by it all. Christmas this year was, in my commercially minded self-centeredness, a disaster. Plus, I’ve been called into service as caregiver for Miss Margaret–and me a poor, old, blind guy.

The epiphany, that hit just this morning, is that this was no accident in the purest sense. This was a faith- and character-tester–to my own life, at least. It was a test to see how I would react to an occurrence allowed, not caused, by the Lord. His only involvement in the accident itself was that of protecting Margaret’s life. What part Satan and his minions had in it, I have no way of assessing. I failed the test miserably, dwelling only on how deleteriously it affected my daily routine–which I do not under any circumstance want to be disrupted.

Well, that routine is continuing to be disrupted. I still don’t like it, but the Lord has most assuredly spoken to me and let me know that it is sinful indulgence to expect the world to revolve around one’s self.

I would hope that from this point forward, for however much time I’m allowed in this life, I would–after this lesson–at the very outset of life’s such disruptions, understand the spiritual implications. I hope that I will immediately verify in my spiritual understanding that nothing happens in the believer’s life in which our Lord is not intimately interested. We do not believe in and serve an existential God. Then, I would hope that I would always apply this primary “trust” Scripture to my life: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Verify but trust. That’s my prayerful New Year’s wish for you as well when you face life’s sometimes unpleasant surprises.

–Terry