O Holy Night – What Christ has Wrought for Us
Opening Passage – Psalm 138.
O Holy Night was written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau as a Christmas Poem at the request of his parish priest in Paris France. The poem was later put to music by Adolphe Adam. The year the Christmas Carol was written is significant as we shall see when we look at verse three.
1. O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
Chorus
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine.
Romans 3:10-18
Romans 5:6-8 – “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Isaiah 9:2-3 – “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
2. Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend.
Chorus
He knows our need, He guardeth us from danger
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Isaiah 49:7 -- "...Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel; snd He has chosen You."
Psalm 138:4 – “All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD…”
1 Timothy 6:15 – “…He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords…”
Hebrews 2:17-18 – “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
Psalm 95:6 – “Oh come, let us worship and bow down;Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”
3. Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Chorus
Christ is the Lord, O praise His name forever!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
When the Christmas Carol was written slavery was universally practiced. The carol was banned in French Churches but was adopted by the abolitionists in the United States. Today we look back on slavery with disdain. One day we will look back on abortion as we now look back on slavery. No one today would say I wouldn’t personally own a slave but I wouldn’t stop someone else from owning one, yet pro abortion and pro-choice advocates and politicians make this very argument when they say I wouldn’t personally have an abortion but I wouldn’t stop anyone else from having one. When we talk about abortion, we’re talking about killing preborn baby girls and boys and wounding their mothers. We must pray and work until all human life is protected and oppression ceases!
Matthew 22:37-40 – “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Romans 10:15 – “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Exodus 21 – In Biblical slavery, the slave voluntarily chose to be a slave, personally benefited monetarily from the slavery, and would serve no more than six years, unless he loved his master and voluntarily chose to serve his master for life.
Psalm 98:4 – “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.”
Luke 2:11 – “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Jude 24-25 – “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy -- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”
Pastor Bryan Longworth serves as the associate pastor at Covenant Tabernacle in Port St. Lucie, FL and the director of Personhood FL, a prolife organization working to pass the Florida Personhood Amendment that will end abortion in FL. Longworth continues to be involved in the pro-life movement and in calling the church and our nation to repentance. The church and America needs revival and reformation like never before. The blood of over 55 million children cries from the ground for vengeance, and God will avenge! God send us a true move of God lest we perish in our iniquity!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
12/19/10 Sermon, O Holy Night, What Christ has Wrought for Us, Christmas Carol, Jesus, God
Sunday, December 12, 2010
12/5/10 Sermon, Has the Government Exceeded Its Biblical Authority, the Constitution, limited Government, founding fathers, food safety bill, bake sal
Has Government Exceeded its Biblical Authority
We have seen ever increasingly the ever expanding role of government in America. This expansion has greatly accelerated in the last two years as President Barack Obama has aggressively pushed his radical, socialist agenda.
We've been told, you can keep your own health plan. That much is true; however, it will cost you 40% more to do so. Why? Because I now have to pay for the extra coverage that I don't need but the government mandates. Since insurance companies can't charge the individuals needing the coverage extra, they have to charge everyone extra.
Recently the federal government in a lame duck session passed outrageous acts that expanded their control over our lives by passing the food safety act which gives the federal government the right to shut down small farms and even gardens and a bill that regulate bake sales at schools and includes a push to provide breakfast, lunch, and supper for school children. These acts and most of the other things the federal government does are unconstitutional. Look in the constitution and the Bible, and you won't find the authority for 95% of what the federal government does.
But it's not just the Federal Government that's at fault. In Florida, someone who wants to paint someone's fence has to go to four government offices in different locations and pay fees to get an occupational permit. You shouldn't need the governments permission to work!
You can't change your windows in your own house without the governments permission. You can't change your doors in your own house without your governments permission. In some cities, you can't hold a yard sale or change your hot water heater without a permit. Pretty soon, you'll have to get the governments permission to change your toilette seat.
How did the founding fathers make it without permits? How did their houses stand up. How did they make it without welfare? How did they survive without Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security? How did they send their kids to college without government loans? How did they make it without government regulation?
In November, the American people said enough is enough. We're taking our country back! As we move forward, let us look at what the Bible says about the size and scope of the government and taxes.
Has Government Exceeded its Biblical Authority Sermon Notes
Opening Passage – Psalm 18.
What is the Biblical Role of Government
1 Samuel 8:11-20.
Romans 13:1-7 – “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” (NKJV)
Who is Your Protector?
“Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” Ezra 8:21-22.
In Whom Do You Trust?
Psalm 18:2, 30, 35 – “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.”
Who is Your Provider?
Matthew 6:31-34 -- “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
What’s at Stake
Luke 22:24-27
Sermon, Has the Government Exceeded Its Biblical Authority, the Constitution, limited Government, founding fathers, food safety bill, bake sales at school, permits, occupational licenses, taxes, regulation, tea party, Revival, Reformation, Great Awakening, Repentance, Restoration. Pastor Bryan Longworth, Covenant Tabernacle Worship Service. Prolife, pro-life, abortion, Repentance, Revival, Reformation, A True Move of God. Join us as we worship the King of King and Lord of Lords and call the church and our city, state, and nation to repent before a holy God. For information about Covenant Tabernacle, Port St. Lucie, visit Covenant Tabernacle's website http://www.CovenantTabernacle.com.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
On My Birthday, I'm Asking for Three Gifts that Won't Cost You a Dime
Yes it's my birthday today. I'm a year older and hopefully wiser than the year before. (I don't think I'll take my skateboard down the ramps at the skateboard park like I did last year when I broke my wrist!) The past year has been difficult with the economic struggles presently facing America, yet God has provided. Certainly, I could ask for thing; however, on my birthday, I'm asking for three gifts that won't cost you a dime. (This doesn't mean that I don't need socks from my wife and kids!) These three gifts will also not directly benefit me but will benefit you, those around you, and society as a whole. Can you help make my birthday the best ever by doing three simple things? Read on...
Will you commit your life to Jesus Christ and pray and work to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven? Will you join me in taking back our nation? Will you gather 10 Personhood Petitions in the next week to help us end abortion in Florida and the US? Read on...
Will you commit your life to Jesus Christ and pray and work to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven? Over 2,000 years ago, God sent His son into the world to pay the price you and I deserved to pay for our sins. The Bible tells us in Romans that he died while we were dead in our trespasses of sin. Because of His sacrifice, our sins can be forgiven! If you haven't done so already, I urge you to commit your life to Christ. If you're already a Christian, I urge you to examine your life and make sure that you are in the faith. Serve Him as fervently as you did when you first accepted Christ as Savior.
There's more to this request, however. Jesus didn't just come to save us from our sins. He came to rule the world, and He has asked us to pray and work to see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Most Christians today believe this is impossible since their eschatology teaches them that things must get worse and worse until Christ comes back to rescue His pathetic church who will fail to carry out His great commission. I submit to you, that had the apostles though the way many Christians think today, they would have never left the upper room! Had Martin Luther held this pessimistic view, he never would have nailed those 99 thesis to the door of the church and launched the Reformation that led the church out of the dark ages. Had the other reformers believe the church would never triumph, they wouldn't have laid down their lives so that the truth of the gospel could be preached, heard, and read in our native tongues. Had the Pilgrims and the Puritans believed the best days of the church were behind her, they would have never left England. Had our founding fathers believed their mission was doomed, they wouldn't have pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to establish this great experiment in self government we call the United States of America. Friends, we do not find ourselves in our current dilemma because of end times prophesy. We find ourselves in this dilemma because we have sat idly by while a few wicked men and women have stolen our country from us, but there is still hope. We can still turn back to God and take this country back! That leads me to my next birthday request.
Will you join me in taking back our nation? We sat idly by and gave the mercy ministries to the government not realizing the truth in the principle Jesus taught His disciples: he who serves, leads. We sat by when the Federal Reserve board was created. We sat by when our money was devalued by changing and then eliminating the gold standard. We sat by when evolution (the idea that nothing created everything out of nothing and that by random mutation) replaced the idea that we were created by God and have a special purpose in life. We stood by as the sexual norms were loosened so that men and women did whatever they wanted to do with whomever they wanted to do it with, without any regard for the consequence. We stood by as the courts allowed the consequences of such action, preborn babies, to be murdered by abortion. We stood by when prayer, the Bible, and the Ten Commandments were removed from public schools and from nearly every area of public life. And we've stood by while politicians of both parties have overburdened us with regulation, charged tax rates that our founding fathers never fathomed, and have borrowed so much that our great grandchildren will pay for the irresponsibility spending in Washington. We have been silent for far too long. We simply cannot stand by any longer! We must stand up and take our country back! Will you join me in taking our country back? Much damage has been done, and God's fierce wrath awaits us for departing from Him as a nation; however, there is hope if we turn back to God. As we read in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Will you gather 10 Personhood Petitions in the next week to help us end abortion in Florida? When we look at our wicked ways, the biggest issue we must deal with is not losing our freedoms, taxation, regulations, etc. The biggest issue facing our country today is abortion. We have now killed over 50,000,000 preborn children by abortion. Each year we stand by while 1,200,000 babies in the US, over 95,000 babies in Florida, and 1,000 babies in Fort Pierce are ripped to pieces with a suction machine, cut apart piece by piece, burned to death with saline solution, or mostly delivered prior to crushing their skulls. Each form of abortion is horrific and should be unthinkable. God promises to judge nations and communities that stand by and allow this kind of bloodshed to take place. The right to life is the preeminent right we possess. Our founders placed this right before liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness because without life you can't posses any other right. Our founders rightly stated that our right to life comes FROM OUR CREATOR (written in all caps for Mr Obama who chose to omit these words in several speaches) and that no person shall be deprived of life... without due process. Our constitution doesn't define who is a person however. In the past, black men and women were considered non-persons and could be owned. Today, preborn children, the elderly, and the sick are considered non-persons. We are working to pass personhood amendments or acts in over 40 states. These would define persons to include all humans, including preborn children, the elderly, and the infirmed. In Florida, we need to gather over 700,000 petition signed by registered voters to get the Florida Personhood Amendment on the ballot. Will you gather 10 Personhood Petitions in the next week to help us end abortion in Florida? (If you gather 1,000 petitions, we'll give you a Personhood FL t-shirt!) If you live in another state, will you ask your friends in Florida to gather petitions or even come to Florida yourself for a personhood vacation? (If you live in a northern state, this would be a great reason to escape the cold weather, so come suffer for the Lord in sunny Florida!) You can learn more about Personhood FL and download the Personhood Florida petition at http://www.PersonhoodFL.com. You can learn more about personhood amendments and acts in other states at Personhood USA's website: http://www.PersonhoodUSA.com.
Will you help make this birthday my best ever by giving me these three gifts? Will you commit your life to Jesus Christ and pray and work to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven? Will you join me in taking back our nation? Will you gather 10 Personhood Petitions in the next week to help us end abortion in Florida and the US?
P.S. I realize that I have touched on several concepts in this post without fully laying the foundation for holding such positions. I have preached sermons on all of these concepts, however, where I have laid forth the grounds for such beliefs using scripture as the basis for such beliefs. If you have any questions, feel free to ask your question by commenting to this post, and I will respond with links where I more fully lay out the principles.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Early Voting Starts - Political & ProLife Events Today
In this e-mail:
Early Voting Starts Today
Hear Scott Klusendorf, The Case For Life Today
Fort Pierce Utility Hearing Tonight
Endorsement and Recommendations
Local Voter Guide
Upcoming Events
Early Voting Starts Today - Help Elect Conservatives!
Early voting starts today, and the Glenn Beck 912 group will be distributing campaign literature at early voting locations in St Lucie County. (If you live in another county, please contact your local tea party or volunteer for a conservative candidate.) Conservative candidates need your help to win. Could you volunteer to fill a two hour shift at the early voting polls? To volunteer, contact me by e-mail. We need to take back our country, state, county, and city.
Author Scott Klusendorf, The Case for Life Today
Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture
Date: October 18, 2010
Place: Kight Center, Bldg. V Room 110, IRSC, Ft. Pierce Campus
Time: 1:00 pm—2: 30 pm
Bring a friend to share the TRUTH with!
for more information call or email:
Mrs. Brenda MacMenamin 772-924-1154
Sue Chess (Care Net) 772-871-2211
Elsie Mokoban 772-559-8325
Fort Pierce Utilities Hearing - Tonight
ARE YOU TIRED OF PAYING HIGH UTILITY BILLS?
COME OUT AND VOICE YOUR OPINION!
Date: OCTOBER 18, 2010
Time: 6:15 PM
Place: FORT PIERCE CITY HALL
LET’S GIVE THE POWER BACK TO THE PEOPLE!!!!!!
Endorsements and Recomendations
Florida Constitutional Amendment Recomendations
Amendment 1 – Yes
Amendment 2 – Yes
Amendment 4 – No
Amendments 5 & 6 – No
Amendment 8 – Yes
Nonbinding Statewide Advisory Referendum - Yes.
To view my full rationale behind my recomendations, visit: http://bryanlongworth.com/2010/10/16/florida-constitutional-amendment-recomendations/
Local Candidates
Port Saint Lucie City Council District 1 - Endorse Carl Iken
Local 2010 General Election Voter Guides for Saint Lucie County are ready for distribution!
Visit http://www.flvotesvalues.com/voter_guides/fl/st_lucie_county/2010-slc-fl-general-voter-guide.pdf to download and print the voter guide. When viewing online, you can also click on each candidate's answers to see his/her complete questionnaire. Please print the voter guides and pass them out to your friends, family, and neighbors; ask your pastor and church leadership to pass out the voter guides at church; and let me know if your church is passing out the voter guides by commenting on this message online.
It is fully legal for churches to pass out non partisan voter guides that inform their members about where the candidates stand on the issues. Visit (http://www.lc.org/index.cfm?PID=16245#pastors) to learn what pastors and churches can legally do in regards to voter registration, voter guides, and other activities.
Upcoming ProLife Events
40 Days for Life
It’s not too late to sign up to pray at home or at the abortuary, or fast during 40 Days. Nationwide, 317 women and children have been saved from the horrors of abortion! In Fort Pierce, abortion numbers are down! Sign up at www.40daysforlife.com/stlucie (772-240-6186). You can also RSVP at Facebook. We have over 100 people participating so far, but can always use more. Click here (http://www.sohltc.com/flyers/abortion-woman-preborn/Abortion-Prayer-Guidlines.pdf) for a list of guidelines for those involved with 40 Days for Life.
More ProLife Events and News
Visit http://www.SOHLTC.com for more prolife events and news.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Don't Like What's Happening in Government? Do Something About It!
Do Something About It!
We often hear people complaining about government. While we need to watch what government does and voice our opposition to harmful policy, if we really want to make a difference, we must get involved in the political process! We must be registered to vote, and we must actively support the election of conservative candidates.
Are you as tired as I am at seeing liberal candidates whose policies are destroying our cities, counties, states, and nation get elected? Are you tired of seeing your God given rights trampled? Are you tired of seeing good, conservative candidates and the values we hold dear lose? Then, you must turn off the TV, get off of your couch, and join me in campaigning for conservative candidates. I'll tell you how you can be involved below, but first, let's look at the candidates.
The Candidates
We have several conservative candidates running for local, state, and national positions. Of those that I endorsed or supported in the primary, we have the following:
Carl Iken - Candidate for Port St Lucie City Council, District 1. I endorsed Carl because he truly believes in limited, constitutional government and shares our values.
Tod Mowery - Candidate for St Lucie County Commission, District 2. I endorsed Tod because of his conservative values.
I will announce more names and elaborate in the near future.
Glenn Beck 912 Political Committee
Additionally, the Glenn Beck 9-12 Meetup group has formed a committee to actively support conservatives running for office. The candidates and amendments the group decided to support are as follows:
Carl Iken - Candidate for Port St Lucie City Council, District 1.
Gayle Harrell - Candidate for Florida State House, District 81.
Pam Bondi - Candidate for Florida Attorney General.
Rick Scott - Candidate for Florida Governor.
Marco Rubio - Candidate for one of Florida's US Senate seats.
No on Amendment 4.
Volunteers can choose to work on local, state, or federal races or the state constitutional amendments.
How Can You Help Elect Conservatives?
If you want to join me in electing conservative candidates, please contact the campaign directly, send me an e-mail, or comment on this post. If your home, business, or property is located on a major road, and you'd be willing to display yard signs of conservative candidates, contact the campaigns directly, or let me know.
Christian Coalition Voter Guide Distribution
I need 20 volunteers in each county to distribute Local and State Christian Coalition to local churches, synagogues, ministerial associations, and civic organizations. If you are interested in helping, please let me know.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
We Will Never Forget 911
On that day, one's political party, race, or church didn't matter. We joined together and cried out for our country that we love so dearly. We joined hands with strangers and cried to God for mercy. The whole world stopped: yes, even our enemies prayed for America. We had taken God out of America, yet 911 put God back into America … for one week! How quickly we went back to our lives forgetting the God who made this country great because American was good, because America feared God!
As we mourn those who died 9/11/2001, let us remember that each day in America since January 22, 1973, we have killed more babies through abortion than the number of lives lost 911! We have now murdered more than 55,000,000 preborn children and have left millions of wounded moms and dads who believed a lie that their babies were merely a blob of tissue.
On September 11, 2009, one year ago today, Personhood Florida filed the Florida Personhood Constitutional Petition. When the Personhood Amendment is added to our constitution, it will define all humans as persons from their earliest biological beginning. This will mean that preborn baby girls and boy, the sick, and the elderly will have a constitutional right to life! The Florida Personhood Amendment will end abortion in Florida and directly challenge Roe vs Wade. Isn't it time we ended the killing of innocent preborn children? Isn't it time to end abortion in Florida, America, and the World. We must not rest: we must not faint: we must not falter until every innocent human is protected by love and by law. Let's end abortion!
If you're a registered Florida voter and haven't yet signed the FL Personhood Petition, please go to http://www.PersonhoodFL.com and sign it today. While there, click the Get Involved button to learn how you can help Personhood Florida's Constitutional Petition drive! Let's end abortion NOW!
Monday, August 9, 2010
15 Days to Vote – Support Conservative Candidates, Saint Lucie County, FL!
I have also preached two sermons on the importance of voting recently and invite you to listen as I apply Biblical principles to local, state, and national governments as well as provide historical quotes from our founding fathers and others.
Sermon: The Importance of Voting.
Sermon: The Importance of Voting – The Issues.
Personal Endorsements
Several have asked me to provide a list of candidates I’m endorsing and/or supporting in the primary election. I am going to provide this list for State and St Lucie County Races. My decision to endorse or support a candidate is my own decision and does not indicate the support or endorsement of any organization I am associated with. In some races, there is no clear cut conservative, or not enough information is available at this time to make a recommendation that I am comfortable with. In such cases, I will provide any insight I have into the candidates and point you to other sources. I will support a candidate if I feel that he/she is the best candidate for the position and holds to conservative values. I reserve endorsements only for those candidates who are clearly fiscal and social conservatives based on their survey responses, their record, and other indicators. I will only endorse candidates who are 100% prolife which means they support the proposed Florida Personhood Amendment which gives constitutional rights to preborn children, oppose funding Planned Parenthood and medical organizations that provide abortion counseling, and oppose condom ed. In the end however, you are responsible for your vote. Please do your homework, and vote your values.
I do apologize in advance for the length of this e-mail. I do normally try to keep e-mails brief; however, the nature of this e-mail requires space to explain. I also have provided headings for each race so that you can read the races that apply to you and skip the others. Feel free to forward this to friends as well. Future E-mails will list names and recommendations only, so I won’t bombard you with volumes of information every day.
Florida House District 80
Florida House District 80 covers parts of St Lucie, Indian River, and Brevard Counties. This race pits the incumbent who voted for the train to nowhere, raided trust funds, raised the budget, used stimulus funds to balance the budget, and raised your taxes on drivers and fishing licenses. I’m endorsing the challenger, Art Argenio who is one of the few politicians I know who truly believes in limited government. Art Argenio served in the Florida House and sat next to Marco Rubio when both were freshmen representatives. Art fought for TEA party principles long before the TEA Party existed and is a founding member of the Treasure Coast TEA Party. Art is also 100% prolife and helped bring to Florida the personhood movement which will provide constitutional rights to all humans. If you live in district 80 and value life, liberty, property, and prosperity, vote for Art Argenio.
I endorse Art Argenio for Florida House District 80, and I ask you to vote for Art Argenio August 24.
Governor
This is an interesting race pitting a career politician, Bill McCollum, verses a new comer, Rick Scott, who is funding his own campaign. Both have fought Obama care with McCollum leading a lawsuit against the federal government and Scott running adds against the program prior to its passage. You’ve probably heard the challenges going back and forth between the two. McCollum has charged Scott with ripping off taxpayers in the HCA Medicare fraud case. Scott has pointed out that McCollum voted to raise taxes 42 times while in congress. On the prolife front, McCollum has pointed out that while Scott was CEO of HCA, HCA purchased hospitals that performed abortions and allowed them to continue doing so. Scott has countered that McCollum’s position on stem cell research is virtually identical to Obama’s. Indeed, Politifact.com has shown that this assertion is essentially correct and that McCollum supports using frozen test tube babies from fertility clinics for experimentation. On the surface, I would like to support Scott if for nothing less than to shake up the Republican establishment that all too often talks limited government even as it grows the size of government; however, running hospitals that murder innocent babies is no light matter.
The other candidate, Mike McCalister, failed to fill out the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey and has worked for Upjohn which makes a drug used in 2nd trimester abortions. "This form of abortion ... causes the uterus to contract intensely, pushing out the developing baby. The contractions are more violent than normal, natural contractions, so the unborn baby is frequently killed by them -- some have even been decapitated. Many, however, have also been born alive." Reference: http://www.lifesitenews.com/abortiontypes/
Unless one of these candidates endorses personhood, I will likely refrain from endorsing or supporting in this race.
Attorney General
This race has pitted Pam Bondi, a well spoken candidate promoting limited government versus the party establishment candidate Jeff Kottkamp. On first glance, I liked Bondi; however, Florida Family Policy Council’s John Stemberger has pointed out some troubling issues with Bondi including her tepidness on defending adoption against homosexual adoption and the fact that she didn’t care enough about the values community to reach out to any of the state values groups for support or even return their phone calls. You can read Stemberger's article here.
I support Jeff Kottkamp for Florida Attorney General, and I ask you to vote for Jeff Kottkamp August 24 or sooner.
St Lucie County School Board District 1
I believe that Sandy Krischke is the best candidate for the job. Sandy was raised in the Catholic Church and has helped lead the youth at St Anastasia Catholic Church in Ft Pierce. Sandy has children in the St Lucie County School system and has been an advocate for improvements in our education system. Sandy Krischke is the only candidate in this race that is 100% opposed to condom ed. This is why I contacted her when looking for a values candidate for District 1 and asked her to run.
I endorse Sandy Krischke for St Lucie County School Board District 1, and I ask you to vote for Sandy Krischke August 24.
St Lucie County School Board District 3
Thankfully, this race has several candidates who oppose the condom ed curriculum currently in place in St Lucie County Schools. Of the candidates running, only one actively opposed the curriculum when it was debated. His name is Dr Mike Hofstee. Dr Mike Hofstee is a board member of SOHL (Sanctity of Human Life of the Treasure Coast) and a former board member of CareNet Pregnancy Center. He has also led the fight against tax payer funding of Planned Parenthood by the Children’s Services Council in St Lucie County. Dr Mike Hofstee is a board member of Morningside academy, a successful private school that regularly outperforms public schools at just over half the cost per student/per year. Hofstee is also a business man who can get things done, and he truly believes in limited government.
I am friends with another candidate who entered the race late, Donna Mills. Our church sent Kenny and Donna Mills into ministry in North Fort Pierce, and we have supported them ever since. They have done a wonderful job in their ministry to children in North Fort Pierce. Sadly, Mills has taken a stand in support of the condom ed curriculum in place, however. St Lucie County children deserve to be told the truth about the failure rates of condoms, which the current curriculum doesn't do; they need to receive training in refusal skills, which the current curriculum doesn't adequately do; and they deserve to have an education that prioritizes basic proficiencies such as reading, writing, and arithmetic over social indoctrination.
I endorse Dr Mike Hostee for St Lucie County School Board District 3 and ask you to vote for him August 24.
St Lucie County Commission District 2
Democratic Primary
If you are a Democrat, I encourage you to support Ken Waters. Ken Waters is the only Democratic candidate in District 2 that responded to the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey. Ken was running on TEA Party principles before there was a TEA Party. His answers this year were slightly less conservative on fiscal policy, but he’s still the most conservative candidate in this democratic primary.
In the Democratic Primary for St Lucie County Commission District 2, I support Ken Waters and ask any Democrats to vote for him August 24.
Republican Primary
Republican candidate Paul Hiott has served the veteran community of Saint Lucie County well, and I wanted to support him. His support of the roll back rate (where millage rates are increased to bring in the same amount of property tax even though the property values declined). This wouldn't be a problem if the budget were where it should be. The county budget is too big in my opinion though. Certainly, we must maintain support for law enforcement and roads, but much of what the county government does is unnecessary and needs to be cut. Moreover I have problems with several of Hiott's answers on the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey concerning both fiscal and social issues.
Tod Mowery’s experience as a regional land planner has alarmed some, including myself. I have asked Mowery whether he supports Agenda 21, and he assured me that he does not. On the Scripps/TC Palm Candidate Survey, Mowery argued against complicated land use schemes including TVC (Towns, Villages, and Countryside Land Use Planning). Both Republican candidates seem to have the same position on the development of agricultural land west of town though Mowery has more experience dealing with these issues than Hiott.
Todd Mowery’s fiscal and social conservative values on the other hand set him apart from Hiott. Mowery has managed cities in cash strapped Michigan. He knows how to balance budgets with limited funds, even if doing so requires consolidation or community volunteers. This perspective is a breath of fresh air in an environment where our politicians threaten to cut essential services, raise taxes, or both. Mowery’s answers on the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey also show that he is both a fiscal and social conservative.
In the Republican Primary for St Lucie County Commission District 2, I endorse Tod Mowery and ask any Republicans to vote for him August 24.
St Lucie County Commission District 4
In this race, Al Rivett is the only candidate who filled out the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey. His answers show that he is a fiscal and social conservative. Having known Rivett for over 10 years, I believe that his answers accurately reflect his values. Rivett's extensive experience in economic development as the director of the St Lucie County Chamber of Commerce make him a great choice in a time when St Lucie County's unemployment rate is at 14%. Prior to Rivett taking the reigns at St Lucie Habitat for Humanity, the organization was virtually nonexistent. The productivity that St Lucie Habitat for Humanity achieved while Rivett was director, shows that he knows how to get an organization moving.
In the Republican Primary for St Lucie County Commission District 4, I endorse Al Rivett and ask any Republicans to vote for him August 24.
City of Port St Lucie Mayor
The Mayor’s race in Port Saint Lucie is a difficult one. In this race, there is no clear conservative; however, I will give my insight on several candidates below.
In the 2008 City races, I supported Victoria Huggins for City Council over Jack Kelly because she was moderately more conservative (though not as conservative as I would like). Of the candidates running, Huggins knows the city budget better than any candidate and is likely the most fiscally conservative; however, Huggins failed to submit a Christian Coalition Candidate Survey this year and is supporting Amendment 4. Amendment 4 will require voter approval of all land use changes. This means that voters who don’t own vacant land will make decisions affecting whether owners of vacant land can develop their property. This flies in the face of property rights and freedom and will harm Florida’s economy for years to come. This amendment will also have an adverse affect on the poor and others who don’t presently own homes since future development will be less likely thus increasing the price of existing homes, commercial property, and rents. I therefore cannot support Huggins in this race.
Christopher Cooper appears to be a social conservative on the Christian Coalition Voter Guide; however, Cooper was a part of growing the City’s budget from 200,000,000 to nearly 900,000,000 and saddling the City with debt to fund various city projects, including the city golf course and the Civic Center, both of which operate at a loss each year. Had the current city council not grown the size of government as fast as they did, they wouldn’t need to cut back now. Cooper also answered on his candidate survey that he supports having a nativity and menorah as a part of Christmas/Hanukah celebrations; however, he opposed it when the issue came before the city council. Anyone who wants more big government and more taxes should consider voting for Cooper. I do not support Cooper.
The following deserve honorable mentions. They are listed in alphabetical order to not show preference.
Shirley Copenhaver’s answers on the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey come close to warranting support or endorsement, but Copenhaver’s willingness to contract with medical providers that also offer abortion counseling prevents me from supporting her.
Joann Faiella answered the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey fairly conservatively. I also attended a meeting with her and area pastors and conservative leaders. I was impressed with her and her stand on most social issues. However, she does work for the police department and does have union support. I fear that she may make contracts with city employees that are unsustainable. She also opposed Amendment 4 in the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey but seems to support it in the Scripps/TC Palm candidate questionnaire. Faiella failed to answer the roll back rate question on the Scripps/TC Palm candidate questionnaire. Faiella answered on the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey that she would support to contracting with medical providers that also offer abortion counseling, but in the pastor’s meeting, she said that the counseling should be from a prolife perspective.
Albert Hickey’s answers on the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey come close to warranting support or endorsement, but Hickey’s willingness to contract with medical providers that also offer abortion counseling prevents me from supporting him.
Jim Rich answered many of the questions on the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey from a conservative perspective. From an economic development standpoint, he’s the best for the job in my opinion; however, he didn’t answer the roll back question in the Scripps/TC Palm candidate questionnaire and stated that he would support the roll back rate in the League of Women Voters forum. If the city’s budget were at an appropriate lever, I would have no problem with the rollback rate; however, the city’s budget needs to be cut not maintained. Rich also answered on the Christian Coalition Candidate Survey that he would support to contracting with medical providers that also offer abortion counseling, that he would participate in gay pride parades, and that he supports giving same sex and live in couples the same health benefits awarded married couples. This last issue is both fiscally and socially liberal. Though I would like to support Rich, I must pass.
I invite you to refer to the Christian Coalition Voter Guide (www.FLVotesValues.com) and the other mentioned resources in making your choice in this election.
City of Port St Lucie City Council District 1
This race thankfully has a clear conservative, Carl Iken. Iken is a founding member of the Treasure Coast TEA Party who will work to reign in wasteful spending. Iken is also a social conservative though perhaps for different reasons than me. I am confident that Carl Iken truly believes in limited government and will fight to bring fiscal and social conservative values to government on a city level. I also love Carl’s slogan and website: www.IkenDoIt.com!
I endorse Carl Iken for City of Port St Lucie City Council District 1, and I ask you to vote for Carl Iken August 24.
City of Port St Lucie City Council District 3
No recommendation: See the Christian Coalition Voter Guide at www.FLVotesValues.com.
City of Fort Pierce City Council District 2
No recommendation: See the Christian Coalition Voter Guide at www.FLVotesValues.com.
St Lucie County Judge Group 1
I believe that Clif Barnes has made strides in improving efficiency in the courts; however, Barnes answer yes to questions 1 & 2. It is beyond me how anyone can believe that the constitution means what it meant when it was written and that the constitution is a living breathing document that changes over time is concerning. George Dugan didn't feel comfortable answering questions 2 & 3, however, he stated to me that questions 1 & 2 are mutually exclusive questions. If you believe in one, you can't believe in the other.
In the St Lucie County Judge Group 1, I support George Dugan and ask any Republicans to vote for him August 24.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
How the War on Poverty has Destroyed Fatherhood, the American Family, and Especially the Black Family and has Increased Poverty
- More than twice as likely to be arrested for a juvenile crime;
- Three times more likely to end up in jail by the time they reach age 30
- Twice as likely to be treated for emotional and behavioral problems;
- Roughly twice as likely to be suspended or expelled from school; and
- A third more likely to drop out before completing high school.
- Girls from single-parent homes are more than twice as likely to have a child without being married, thereby repeating the negative cycle for another generation.
- Children living in single parent homes are 50 percent more likely to experience poverty as adults when compared to children from intact married homes.1
3The Welfare State Versus Values and the Mind, by Andrew Bernstein, retreived June 20, 2010, from http://www.andrewbernstein.net/articles/7_welfarestate.htm.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
National Day of Prayer
Today, we find ourselves in a situation where we need God. Our economy has failed, our money system is on the verge of collapse, natural disasters are taking their toll, and terrorist feel emboldened to attack us on our own soil. At the same time, Republican and Democrat administrations have trampled the constitution under foot, and we now see the very real possibility of losing this great nation we call our own.
We didn’t get here by accident. You see, over 100 years ago, Christians withdrew from the culture, politics, and mercy ministries. The result has been a slow but steady decline in our country’s morals. We’ve seen evolution replace creationism and the Bible, Prayer, and the 10 Commandments removed from public schools and nearly every area of the public square. We’ve seen the sexual revolution, followed by abortion on demand and epidemic STD rates. We’ve seen chewing gum and being tardy replaced with rape, murder, drugs and alcohol in our public schools, and we have seen even many churches reject the clear teachings of the Bible in an attempt to appease sinners who don’t want to repent.
It is time that we repent of our sins and cry out to God on behalf of our nation. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 says, “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” There is still hope for America! If we humble ourselves and pray, turn back to God, and turn from our wicked ways, He will hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land! Join me today for the National Day of Prayer. There are several churches that are open for prayer. I’ll be at Port St Lucie City Hall, PSL Blvd and Airoso from Noon to 1 PM. I hope to see you there.
If you haven’t yet watched my National Day of Prayer sermon, do so today! http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/6619380 In the sermon, I cover scriptural examples of national prayer and go over some of the historic proclamations for prayer and humiliation made by our forefathers.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Personhood FL Tour Distributes Over 3,000 Pieces of Literature in Hispanic, Black, and White Neighborhoods in Miami
The Missionary to the PreBorn - Personhood FL Tour had a tremendous day today. The day started in a Hispanic neighborhood on a street in front of an abortion mill and the Hialeah Senior High School where 3,000 students drove past large signs of born, preborn, and aborted babies. The missionaries were able to distribute 2,000 pieces of literature to students, pedestrians, and stopped cars. Some even signed the Personhood FL constitutional petition right on the street! The missionaries also went into the abortion mill, passed out prolife literature, and urged the women to choose life for their children! The missionaries literally passed out every piece of literature they had prepared!
The next stop was in an African American community located near the North Miami Pregnancy Help Medical Clinic, a prolife pregnancy center that I was able to tour in October with Dr Johnny Hunter and Dr O'Niel Dozier. A representative from the center came out and thanked the missionaries for coming out to stand for life in a neighborhood where Planned Parenthood targets black babies for abortion. The missionaries had reloaded their supply of material and were able to pass out more literature.
The next stop was supposed to be at the 163rd St Mall, but we changed the intersection yesterday. As with the other stops, God's providence prevailed. It so happened that traffic leading to the 163rd St mall was blocked off for blocks in all directions due to a strange bag left at a bank. The missionaries meanwhile were busy holding signs, passing out literature, and meeting friends and foe at another busy intersection in an upscale area of North Miami.
Tomorrow, the Personhood Tour will be in Ft Lauderdale, West Palm, and Port St Lucie. Wednesday, the tour will be in Orlando and Daytona Beach before ending in Jacksonville Thursday. If you live near any of these cities, consider joining us. (Click here for times and inter sec tions in each city.) If not, please join Personhood FL in your city to stop abortion. Let’s make history by ending abortion in Florida!
A few post abortive women have contacted me with concerns over the signs. Please know that the signs do include pictures of born and preborn children as well as aborted babies. We don't mean to condemn anyone. We want post abortive women to know that full confession leads to full forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Jesus loves you, and we love you. The signs are not meant to condemn anyone for past actions. Rather our message is simply: If abortion is so horrible that we can’t stand to look at pictures of the mutilated babies, should we really tolerate it? I say no! It’s time to end abortion and protect women and children from the horrors of abortion.
These are just some of my thoughts on the signs. For a more in depth analysis on this see my blog, or watch my sermon both titled Why We Show Pictures of PreBorn and Aborted Babies.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Why Do We Show Pictures of PreBorn and Aborted Babies
The Personhood FL Tour is coming to Port St Lucie Tuesday afternoon, and already it has caused quite a stir. Thursday’s Article: Group to bring oversized photos of abortions to main PSL intersection has received 217 comments so far, and an online poll showed that TC Palm readers don’t want to see pictures of what they blissfully tolerate in our community. Sunday’s paper features a new article by Editor Anthony Westbury: Anti-abortion pictures unlikely to have impact. Please take a moment to read the articles, take the poll, and comment on them.Ephesians 5:11-12 – “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.”
I invite you to listen to and watch my sermon, Why Do We Show Pictures of PreBorn and Aborted Babies? Afterward, listen to and watch other sermons that apply God's word says about Sin, Obeying God, the divinity of Jesus Christ, abortion, pro-life, taxes, homosexuality, homosexual marriage, government, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, parents, reading, studying, and meditating on the Bible, prayer, and more.
