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Roon
PO2
Joined: 12 Sep 2004
Posts: 393
Location: Lilburn, GA
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 Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:28 am Post subject: |
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This is very long but it is so good although old. I first received it in print form during the 2000 election with the info about being a response for a testimony from Bush and Gore. I've been thinking about it lately so I dug it out tonight and scanned it. I did a little researching on it and on a very liberal website, I found that it probably wasn't a response for a testimony but that it is from Bush's book A Charge to Keep. (Not sure if it is ok to post, forgive me as you delete it if it isn't.) It is still our President's own testimony and an encouragement to all. This seemed like an appropriate place to post it.
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From George Bush:
Actually, the seeds of my decision had been planted the year before, by the Reverend Billy Graham. He visited my family for a summer weekend in Maine. I saw him preach at the small summer church, St. Ann’s by the Sea. We all had lunch on the patio overlooking the ocean. One evening my dad asked Billy to answer questions from a big group of family gathered for the weekend. He sat by the fire and talked. And what he said sparked a change in my heart. I don’t remember the exact words. It was more the power of his example. The Lord was so clearly reflected in his gentle and loving demeanor. The next day we walked and talked at Walker’s Point, and I knew I was in the presence of a great man. He was like a magnet; I felt drawn to seek something different. He didn’t lecture or admonish; he shared warmth and concern. Billy Graham didn’t make you feel guilty; he made you feel loved.
Over the course of that weekend, Reverend Graham planted a mustard seed in my soul, a seed that grew over the next year. He led me to the path, and I began walking. It was the beginning of a change in my life, I had always been a “religious” person, had regularly attended church, even taught Sunday School and served as an altar boy. But that weekend my faith took on a new meaning. It was the beginning of a new walk where I would commit my heart to Jesus Christ. I was humbled to learn that God sent His Son to die for a sinner like me. I was comforted to know that through the Son, I could find God’s amazing grace, a grace that crosses every border, every barrier and is open to everyone. Through the love of Christ’s life, I could understand the life changing powers of faith.
When I returned to Midland, I began reading the Bible regularly. Don Evans talked me into joining him and another friend, Don Jones, at a men’s community Bible study. The group had first assembled the year before, in Spring of 1984, at the beginning of the downturn in the energy industry. Midland was hurting. A lot of people were looking for comfort and strength and direction. A couple of men started the Bible study as a support group, and it grew. By the time I began attending, in the fall of 1985, almost 120 men would gather. We met in small discussion groups of ten or twelve, then joined the larger group for full meetings. Don Jones picked me up every week for the meetings. I remember looking forward to them. My interest in reading the Bible grew stronger and stronger, and the words became clearer and more meaningful. We studied Acts, the story of the Apostles building the Christian Church, and next year, the Gospel of Luke.
The preparation for each meeting took several hours, reading the Scripture passages and thinking through responses to discussion questions. I took it seriously, with my usual touch of humor....Laura and I were active members of the First Methodist Church of Midland, and we participated in many family programs, including James Dobson’s Focus on the Family series on raising children. As I studied and learned, Scripture took on greater meaning, and gained confidence and understanding in my faith. I read the Bible regularly. Don Evans gave me the “one-year” Bible, a Bible divided into 365 daily readings, each one including a section from the New Testament, the Old Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. I read through that Bible every other year. During the years in between, I pick different chapters to study at different times.
I have also learned the power of prayer. I pray for guidance. I do not pray for earthly things, but for heavenly things, for wisdom and patience and understanding. My faith gives me focus and perspective. It teaches humility. But I also recognize that faith can be misinterpreted in the political process. Faith is an important part of my life. I believe it is important to live my faith, not flaunt it.
America is a great country because of our religious freedoms. It is important for any leader to respect the faith of others. That point was driven home when Laura and I visited Israel in 1998. We had traveled to Rome to spend Thanksgiving with our daughter, who was attending a school program there, and spent three days in Israel on the way home. It was an incredible experience. I remember waking up at the Jerusalem Hilton and opening the curtains and seeing the Old City before us, the Jerusalem stone glowing gold. We visited the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. And we went to the Sea of Galilee and stood atop the hill where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. It was an overwhelming feeling to stand in the spot where the most famous speech in the history of the world was delivered, the spot where Jesus outlined the character and conduct of a believer and gave his disciples and the world the beatitudes, the golden rule, and the Lord’s Prayer.
Our delegation included four gentile governors-one Methodist, two Catholics, and a Mormon, and several Jewish-American friends. Someone suggested we read Scripture. I chose to read Amazing Grace,” my favorite hymn. Later that night we all gathered at a restaurant in Tel Aviv for dinner before we boarded our middle-of-night flight back to America. We talked about the wonderful experiences and thanked the guides and government officials who had introduced us to their country. And toward the end of the meal, one of our friends rose to share a story, to tell us how he, a gentile, and his friend, a Jew, had (unbeknownst to the rest of us) walked down to the Sea of Galilee, joined hands underwater, and prayed together, on bended knee. Then out of his mouth came a hymn he had known as a child, a hymn he hadn’t thought about in years. He got every word right:
Now is the time approaching, by prophets long foretold,
when all shall dwell together, One Shepherd and one fold.
Now Jew and gentile, meeting, from many a distant shore,
around an altar kneeling, one common Lord.
Faith changes lives. I know, because faith has changed mine. I could not be governor if I did not believe in a divine plan that supersedes all human plans. Politics is a fickle business. Polls change. Today’s friend is tomorrow’s adversary. People lavish praise and attention. Many times it is genuine; sometimes it is not. Yet I build my life on a foundation that will not shift. My faith frees me. Frees me to put the problem of the moment in proper perspective. Frees me to make decisions that others might not like. Frees me to try to do the right thing, even though it may not poll well...The death penalty is a difficult issue for supporters as well as its opponents. I have a reverence for life; my faith teaches that life is a gift from our Creator. In a perfect world, life is given by God and only taken by God. I hope someday our society will respect life, the full spectrum of life, from the unborn to the elderly. I hope someday unborn children will be protected by law and welcomed in life. I support the, death penalty because I believe, if administered swiftly and justly, capital punishment is a deterrent against future violence and will save other innocent lives. Some advocates of life will challenge why I oppose abortion yet support the death penalty. To me, it’s the difference between innocence and guilt.
Today, two weeks after Jeb’s inauguration, in my church in downtown Austin, Pastor Mark Craig, was telling me that my re-election was the first Governor to win back-to-back, four-year terms in the history of the State of Texas. It was a beginning, not an end.... People are starved for faithfulness. He talked of the need for honesty in government. He warned that leaders who cheat on their wives will cheat their country, will cheat their colleagues, will cheat themselves. Pastor Craig said that America is starved for honest leaders. He told the story of Moses, asked by God to lead his people to a land of milk and honey. Moses had a lot of reasons to shirk the task. As the Pastor told it, Moses’ basic reaction was, “Sorry, God, I’m busy. I’ve got a family. I’ve got sheep to tend. I’ve got a life. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? The people won’t believe me, he protested. I’m not a very good speaker. Oh, my Lord, send, I pray, some other person,” Moses pleaded. But God did not, and Moses ultimately did His bidding, leading his people through forty years of wilderness and wandering, relying on God for strength and direction and inspiration.
“People are starved for leadership, “Pastor Craig said, “starved for leaders who have ethical and moral courage.” “It is not enough to have an ethical compass to know right from wrong,” he argued. “America needs leaders who have the moral courage to do what is right for the right reason. It’s not always easy or convenient for leaders to step forward,” he acknowledged. “Remember, even Moses had doubts.” “He was talking to you,” my mother later said. The pastor was, of course, talking to all of us, challenging each one of us to make the most of our lives, to assume the mantle of leadership and responsibility wherever we find it. He was calling on us to use whatever power we have, in business, in politics, in our communities, and in our families, to do good for the right reason. And his sermon spoke directly to my heart and m~ life.... There was no magic moment of decision. After talking with my family during the Christmas holidays, then hearing this rousing sermon, to make most of every moment, during my inaugural church service, I gradually felt more comfortable with the prospect of a presidential campaign. My family would love me, my faith would sustain me, no matter what.
“During the more than half century of my life, we have seen an unprecedented decay in our American culture, a decay that has eroded the foundations of our collective values and moral standards of conduct. Our sense of personal responsibility has declined dramatically, just as the role and responsibility of the federal government have increased. The changing culture blurred the sharp contrast between right and wrong and created a new standard of conduct:
‘If it feels good, do it.’ and ‘If you’ve got a problem, blame somebody else’.” “Individuals are not responsible for their actions,’ the new culture has said. “We are all victims of forces beyond our control. We have gone from a culture of sacrifice and saving to a culture obsessed with grabbing all the gusto.
We went from accepting responsibility to assigning blame. As government did more and more, individuals were required to do less and less. The new culture said: if people were poor, the government should feed them. If someone had no house, the government should provide one. If criminals are not responsible for their acts, then the answers are not prisons, but social programs .... “For our culture to change, it must change one heart, one soul, and one conscience at a time. Government can spend money, but it cannot put hope in our hearts or a sense of purpose in our lives.”... “But government should welcome the active involvement of people who are following a religious imperative to love their neighbors through after school programs, child care, drug treatment, maternity group homes, and a range of other services. Supporting these men and women - the soldiers in the armies of compassion - is the next bold step of welfare reform, because I know that changing hearts will change our entire society.”
During the opening months of my presidential campaign, I have traveled our country and my heart has been warmed. My experiences have reinvigorated my faith in the greatness of Americans. They have reminded me that societies are renewed from the bottom up, not the top down. Everywhere I go, I see people of love and faith, taking time to help a neighbor in need... These people and thousands like them are the heart and soul and greatness of America. And I want to do my part. I am running for President because I believe America must seize this moment, America must lead. We must give our prosperity a greater purpose, a purpose of peace and freedom and hope. We are a great nation of good and loving people. And together, we have a charge to keep.
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I thank God for this man of faith!
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twicearound
PO2
Joined: 02 Sep 2004
Posts: 362
Location: San Antonio
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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"Bump"
_________________
twicearound |
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momofthreegirls
Seaman
Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 174
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." --Romans 12:12
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."--Romans 12:21
Keep praying my "faith full" friends.  |
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jataylor11
Vice Admiral
Joined: 10 Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Location: Woodbridge, Virginia
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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President Bush: "I have also learned the power of prayer. I pray for guidance. I do not pray for earthly things, but for heavenly things, for wisdom and patience and understanding. My faith gives me focus and perspective. It teaches humility. But I also recognize that faith can be misinterpreted in the political process. Faith is an important part of my life. I believe it is important to live my faith, not flaunt it."
I think this says it all.
The difference between the two candidates could not be more profound .... the desire for earthly things? |
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Roon
PO2
Joined: 12 Sep 2004
Posts: 393
Location: Lilburn, GA
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 1:01 am Post subject: |
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As I said, I first read this in 2000. Now reading this post 9/11 and all the criticism of Bush, this is the part I found interesting:
| Quote: | | My faith frees me. Frees me to put the problem of the moment in proper perspective. Frees me to make decisions that others might not like. Frees me to try to do the right thing, even though it may not poll well... |
This summer I read the book John Adams. If you haven't read the book, in the end Adams and Jefferson die 2 hours apart and the weather is so dramatic. Almost immediately after finishing that book, I began Purpose Driven Life and was struck with how I feel that Adams and Jefferson were put on this earth for a specific purpose. I believe God puts people with specific talents on this earth and we call them to the purpose through our prayer. I believe George W. Bush is one of these people that we call to purpose through our prayer. |
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ProudDaughterofVet
Commander
Joined: 13 Aug 2004
Posts: 340
Location: New York
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 1:20 am Post subject: |
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Each day my faith becomes stronger..in regards to the outcome of this election..although at times, even I get frustrated ..as I am sure our President does..what you all posted today, in particular from W's book A Charge to Keep..is perfect. The election is only now 11 days away..each day I pray longer, and more focused..I pray that we all can keep the momentum..strengh and focus we neeed. This is not easy..I know that, but the outcome will benefit our nation..and that is more important..
God Bless our President..and his family..keep them safe, strong and calm in the storms of the next 11 days.
PD
_________________
"We will not tire, We will not falter, We will not fail."
-President George W. Bush
www.timetotakeastand.blogspot.com |
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Roon
PO2
Joined: 12 Sep 2004
Posts: 393
Location: Lilburn, GA
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:41 am Post subject: |
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I was blessed enough to attend college with Max Lucado, interestingly enough in Abilene Texas (before Kinkos was there.) I was on our college alumni page in the time between 9/11 and the taking of Bagdad in 2002 and there was a posting from Max. It has stuck with me and I have quoted it often in Bible discussions and reading this thread made me think of it. I went in search of it and was able to find a version of it written in 3rd person where I had originally read it in 1st person. I think you will all enjoy it, and once again, it is George W Bush reminding us of the power of our prayers. From researching it, I can see it has been sent around the internet, so you may have seen it before.
| Quote: | Max Lucado is a Christian author who is very popular
for his many wonderful books about the Lord.
This week, Max was invited (along with several
other famous preachers) to have lunch at the
White House with President Bush.
Their meeting took place on Thursday and
Max shared with us this morning how it had gone.
As the ministers sat down to lunch and
waited for President Bush to appear, Max
said that he was expecting G.W. to walk in
the room looking tired, serious, and depressed.
When the President came in, Max said he
looked totally the opposite of tired:
he was energetic, joyful, and very
focused on his talk with the ministers.
Max asked President Bush how he could seem so
calm and peaceful in the midst of all the tragedy.
The president's reply was, "I'm feeling
stronger now than I've ever been in my life.
And the reason is because every person
in America is praying for me. "When I stay
on my knees, that's when I have power."
The ministers then asked the President how
he would like them to pray for him, and how
their congregations back home should be praying.
Mr. Bush asked, first, for clarity of mind
so that he could make wise decisions,
and then he asked that we pray specifically
for his wife and two daughters,
as he is very concerned about their safety.
I knew that you would be as encouraged
as I was to hear about this meeting.
We must thank God that we have a President
who loves and fears the Lord.
No human leader is perfect, but God is perfect,
so let's keep President Bush lifted up
in prayer before the Father.
MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA AND MAY HIS GLORY BE DONE IN THE MIDST OF THIS TRAGEDY! OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD AND REIGNS OVER HEAVEN AND EARTH.
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13)
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SooZQ
PO2
Joined: 21 Aug 2004
Posts: 369
Location: Central Kentucky
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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Dear folks, As you think of it, please
ask the Lord to stall the rain front that is
headed in to Ohio for Saturday. We
know that weather forecasters have been
proven wrong by Him before!
And ask that the crowds be receptive at
our Operation Street Corner displays.
Thanks so much!
Sue |
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momofthreegirls
Seaman
Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 174
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."--Galations 1:3
Thank you to all of you that are remaining "faithful in prayer." I know that a lot of you are going to be fasting in the coming week, so just know that you are being uplifted in prayer too. I can't fast for a whole week, I wouldn't be fit to live with, but I am giving up chocolate for the week (my most favorite food  ) . I also got my sister to give it up too, even though she whined about it. I am planning to give it up Monday-Tuesday. I am going to fast Nov 1 though. SooZQ we will keep all of you in our prayers this weekend. Thank you for your efforts.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything , to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." --Ephesians 6:12-18
Lord, fit all those working so hard in this campaign with your armor. Fit them with the "belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit." Give them a sure, straight path that leads them to victory over the enemy. In this as in all things we pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen |
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momofthreegirls
Seaman
Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 174
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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To all you "prayer warriors" out there "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Galations 1:3
I though I would give this a "bump" with another verse that I love.
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Phillipians 4:13
I have found this to be so true in life. Keep praying and trusting. God is listening and He won't abandon us. |
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twicearound
PO2
Joined: 02 Sep 2004
Posts: 362
Location: San Antonio
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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Still here praying and thankful for all of you. My small group is meeting tonight just to pray for election. It seems my every thought is consumed by this and everytime I think I pray. Voted today, with such thankfulness.
Psalm 20 May the Lord answer us in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set our nation up on high and defend us. Send us help from the sanctuary and support, refresh, and strengthen us from Zion: May He remember all our offerings and accept our burn sacrifice. May He grant us according to our hearts desire and fulfill all our plans. We will shout in triumph at the salvation and the victory and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all our petitions. Now I know the Lord saves his annointed. He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we will boast in the name of the Lord our God. They are bowed down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright. O Lord, give victory; let the King answer us when we call.
We are not fearful of the plans of men boasted of by our enemies. We trust in the saving power of His right hand for God opposed the proud and gives grace to the humble. We trust in you Lord for this election and for our nation. Father we stand in the gap for our nation and Israel, both are close to your heart. You say you search to and fro to find those in the gap and we say here we are. Arise O God and let our enemies be scattered, humble the proud and lofty and exhalt our humble President. In the precious name of Jesus AMEN
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twicearound |
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joeshero
Commander
Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 321
Location: Midwest
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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AN ARMY OF PRAYERS! GO! The challenge is so huge, from voter frauds to extreme biased by the mainstream media. The darkness is getting darker and crazier. We need to have a regular daily prayer twice a day, morning and night.
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All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. |
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twicearound
PO2
Joined: 02 Sep 2004
Posts: 362
Location: San Antonio
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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The Word says that even the darkness is light to Him. Lord God illumin the darkness and expose every evil deed and shout them from the mountain top (the MSM mountain top) IN YOU NAME JESUS
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twicearound |
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ProudDaughterofVet
Commander
Joined: 13 Aug 2004
Posts: 340
Location: New York
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| Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 2:00 am Post subject: |
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I want to thank all my fellow prayer warriors..as we now enter the last phase of this long battle..I am too, keeping those of you who are about to enter the fasting..as I am..God will be with us all..
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts.." Psalm 28.7
PD
_________________
"We will not tire, We will not falter, We will not fail."
-President George W. Bush
www.timetotakeastand.blogspot.com |
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momofthreegirls
Seaman
Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 174
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| Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2004 2:07 am Post subject: |
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Hey all. I just talked to my family in Ohio. They just went to a Republican fundraiser for my brother-in-law and they talked to a congressman from there and they are REALLY concerned about Ohio. Maybe we should all focus our prayers this weekend specifically on Ohio. I know the "Truth Train" is rolling so we could include them too. So lets focus people focus!!! Pray that the enemy becomes confused and stumbles. Pray that the fraudulent voters don't vote. Pray that the "Truth Train" is able to reach some people.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Romans 12:12
Okay, time to put it in God's hands for the rest of the night. Blessings on all of you. |
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