Monday, November 5, 2012

Four more years of Obama: Updated and expanded

Barack Obama has been reelected and it was not as close as many predicted. I am not much of a political prophet but I had already pondered this outcome and have decided how I will handle four more years of an Obama presidency.

For examples of voices with whom I will not join see this. For the prime example of conservative Republican candidates self-destructing, see this. I predict a surfeit of similar things in the weeks ahead. Count me out.

I encourage my conservative friends to take the rest of today and gripe all you want...and then join me in the following. 

I WILL BE PRAYING FOR THE PRESIDENT. We followers of Christ are asked to do no less. My prayers will be for his safety, for his decisions, for his leadership. My prayers will be genuine and authentic rather than some contrived, boilerplate, grudging pseudo-prayers.

I WILL NOT BE LAMENTING THE DEMISE OF AMERICA. The republic will survive another four years of an Obama administration. The country survived a couple of generations of Democratic control of the House of Representatives. We survived a civil war. We have endured much over the centuries at the hands of corrupt, inept, and incompetent politicians and have survived. I have no exit America plan.

I WILL CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL ARENA. Not that my vote and voice count for much, but I have no plans to relinquish either in a fit of despair.

I WILL NOT JOIN THE DISGRUNTLED, 'TAKE BACK AMERICA' CROWD, sometimes presenting itself as the 'Wake Up America' crowd. There is a pretty substantial civil rights industry and a sizable poverty industry. Lots of folks make good money in these and in like fashion, there is a growing evangelical, 'Take Back America' industry wherein not a few demagogic Christian ministers and others gain a following and often make good money out of it.  This industry is counterproductive, futile, and often unchristian. No thanks. If you want a more Christian America, then get out of politics and get back to preaching and living the Gospel and winning souls. There is no political salvation for this country.

I WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT SPEND THE NEXT FOUR YEARS BEING ANGRY, WHINING AND COMPLAINING. At my age I look back on far more years that I have the right to look ahead to and it makes little sense to spend any of these years in an angry, unhappy snit over national politics. I will not spend much time around those whose lives are dominated by an unending stream political complaints. This is a great country. Does anyone prefer the America of the depressed 1930s or racist 1850s to the one we have now? Does anyone prefer the dirty, grimy America of the late 19th century to the America of today? A little perspective, please.

I was up early this morning and checked closely: Yep. The sun rose again; birds are singing. Later today I expect to see children playing and people smiling. Did I say already that this is a great country?

My hope is built on nothing less...than...Jesus blood and righteousness.

36 comments:

John Wylie said...

William,
The bottom line is that whoever wins Tuesday it will be because God placed them there. Ultimately God is advancing his kingdom.

Anonymous said...

“We have endured much at the hands of corrupt, inept, and incompetent politicians and have survived.”

Thus, we will endure the corrupt, inept, and incompetent Obama administration.


“I truly hope this ariticle is made irrelevanty by the election tomorrow but whether it is or not...”

Thus, if Romney wins, God is in his heaven and all is well and we will be rid of the corrupt, inept, and incompetent Obama administration.

Thanks, William, for the "I'm above it all post.” Inspiring.

Unknown said...

Aw, come on bro...get a life.

If you read my comment as applying to the current administration, that was not my intent.

I did not nor do not name the Obamacy as being in the class with, say, U. S. Grant on corruption, Carter on ineptness, or others in incompetency, nor did I assert that all will be well if Obama loses.

You made your point. I allowed it to stand and offered my reaction. I'm not interested in an argument with an anonymous commenter. Bye.

Gary Snowden said...

Thanks, William, for a balanced perspective on the upcoming elections and the commitment to pray sincerely for whomever is elected. I read an interesting article on the Ethics Daily website this morning that quoted Tip O'Neill who in turn quoted Sam Rayburn as the House Minority leader. I include that here as an example of positive statesmanship that is needed to overcome congressional gridlock.

In his memoir "Man of the House," the late Tip O'Neill wrote about his colorful and distinguished career as a Democratic representative from Massachusetts.
O'Neill was first elected to the Congress in the same year that Eisenhower was elected president.

In that election, the Democrats lost both the White House and their majority in the House of Representatives.

When O'Neil attended his first Democratic caucus meeting, he heard minority leader Sam Rayburn say, "We're in the minority now. But we're still going to be helpful and constructive. Remember, any jackass [that's a donkey!] can kick over a barn door. It takes a carpenter to build one."

Gary Snowden said...

Thanks, William, for a balanced perspective on the upcoming elections and the commitment to pray sincerely for whomever is elected. I read an interesting article on the Ethics Daily website this morning that quoted Tip O'Neill who in turn quoted Sam Rayburn as the House Minority leader. I include that here as an example of positive statesmanship that is needed to overcome congressional gridlock.

In his memoir "Man of the House," the late Tip O'Neill wrote about his colorful and distinguished career as a Democratic representative from Massachusetts.
O'Neill was first elected to the Congress in the same year that Eisenhower was elected president.

In that election, the Democrats lost both the White House and their majority in the House of Representatives.

When O'Neil attended his first Democratic caucus meeting, he heard minority leader Sam Rayburn say, "We're in the minority now. But we're still going to be helpful and constructive. Remember, any jackass [that's a donkey!] can kick over a barn door. It takes a carpenter to build one."

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
William Thornton said...

No discussion unless you ID yourself

Anonymous said...

Anon must not like Williams position. Surprise, surprise.

Hey, Anon... Do you have a blog or web site I can go to and read where you share your thoughts as something more than a voice from the shadows? You must since these topics are so important to you.

Jon L. Estes

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Tom Parker said...

John Wylie:
'
You said:"William,
The bottom line is that whoever wins Tuesday it will be because God placed them there. Ultimately God is advancing his kingdom."

How does God place the President of the United States in the White House?

Unknown said...

Good bye, old friend. I have an email address. Feel free to use it. I promise to read whatever you send.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Peter Reilly CPA said...

God bless you Rev. There is a reall good chance that my candidate won't get in. (That would be Jill Stein), but I'm sure the world won't end if we end up with Romney.

Do you mind if I quote you ?

BTW you really have to be forgiving of Dr. Stein on that Confederate flag thing. What can you expect from a Harvard graduate ?

William Thornton said...

You may quote me.

If not for you I would know nothing about Jill Stein. Interesting.

Lee said...

I'm not a big believer in dispensational, pre-millenial futurism, so I don't see the world coming to an end in the next four years, regardless of who gets elected. Other than concern about Mitt Romney launching a 2 trillion dollar war against Iran to self fulfill Mormon prophecy, I don't see things changing much regardless of who is elected. The US economy is so tied into the global economy that a President's economic plan won't make much of a difference. Four years is not a long time. Of course, I would prefer that Mormonism not be advanced or endorsed by the religious right, so I won't vote for Romney, but complaining about who is in and who isn't is unproductive. You vote, you watch the returns if you want to, and the sun comes up the next day.

John Wylie said...

Tom,

People vote but God knew the outcome of the election before the world was created. If you read Daniel 2, and 4 you discover it is God who places authorities into power. And Romans 13 tells us that the powers that be are appointed by God. Do you not believe this?

Unknown said...

John:

I'm sure God gets tired of being blamed for things he is not responsible for.

If President Obama gets re-elected did God really place him there?

Blanket statements about God can mighty tricky.

John Wylie said...

Tom,

I want to make this crystal clear whoever wins today will be president because God placed them there. It's not a blanket statement, it's what the bible teaches. Once again you don't believe the Bible when it tells us that is the case?

Tom Parker said...

John Wylie:

You said to me:"I want to make this crystal clear whoever wins today will be president because God placed them there. It's not a blanket statement, it's what the bible teaches. Once again you don't believe the Bible when it tells us that is the case?"

So, I do not believe about the Presidential election the way you do, and then you all of a sudden know that I do not believe the Bible. That is amazing how you do that.

Nicest word I can use for that is baloney.

My friend, I am very familiar with CR tactics and that is sadly one of the best--a lot of lives were ruined over this one tactic.

I feel sorry for folks like you that must always be right about what you believe--I call that NARROW MINDEDNESS!

Joe McGee said...

William

As I see it, the Lord had allowed, at certain times, for Israel's enemies to be successful against the nation when sin was on the increase. This would often bring the people of Israel to their knees resulting in repentance. They found that it was not a good thing to reject God's word or to tick Him off. Why is it that many Christians think that God only chooses the people who we like and feel comfortable with as our leaders. Granted it wouod be nice to have someone who beleives the same social concerns as us and will fight for our Christian rights; in which the present presidents has restricted. The question I propose is this, "Have we ticked God off to the point that His will is for the president to be re-elected (Lord help us) to get our attention? Would such a drastic move bring us closer to Him? I hope the president is defeated, if not, knowing that it could be God's will shoud I respond by complaining and gripping? Or should my response be that I commit myself to work harder by crying out to our nation that we have sinned and call on God's people to repent? Just a thought. William, good post. P.S, you do the right thing when you deleat the negative comments of those who are gutless and do not provide their names.

Anonymous said...

"Christian rights"

Really?

"Have we ticked God off to the point that His will is for the president to be re-elected (Lord help us) to get our attention?"

Really?

It is supportable that change comes from the outside, however the thoughts above are pretty fringe in nature.

John Wylie said...

Tom,

Sorry but if you don't believe that God sovereignly places government leaders wherever He pleases, you are at odds with what the bible teaches.

Tom Parker said...

John:

My last comment to you. I do not care to try to explain to you what I believe in this type of forum.

If you want to believe I do not believe the Bible--go for it--I frankly do not care what you think.

We've done battle before and I do not wish to--life is to short.

John Wylie said...

Tom,

If you don't care what I think then quit asking me questions. You are the one who always asks me what I think and then you get mad when you don't like the answer.

John Wylie said...

Tom,

I really don't want to fight with you we just disagree strenuously on several things. I apologize for offending you.

Unknown said...

William:

The 2 examples of Jeffress and Akin does not help there causes or the ones who support their causes at all.

Both are old enough to know better.

Anonymous said...

The GOP is not the power it can be nor will it have the influence that it is capable of in the near future if so many fringe voices are continually given a microphone to promote a multiplicity of inane and tired viewpoints. Did religious people supporting the GOP learn anything yesterday? Too early to know, but some early writings, probably written in an emotional and rational fog (?) such as that which is posted at SBC Voices (A New Era: Where Christians Are a Cultural Minority?) suggests there is a good deal of learning that needs to take place.

Anonymous said...

You pastors need to concentrate on getting souls saved and saints edified and not worry about politics. Satan is the god of this world.

Stephen M. Fox said...

Dr. Thornton: I will be blogging in a few days stating the Bama SBC and the Bama GOP are soul Molesters, to co opt Will Campbell's term. The honest conversation in my opinion begins with the drshow.org hour long conversation of Nov 6 on religion and politics; and embraces the revelations of Norm Ornstein today on Fresh Air of NPR
I hope you will read my blog these coming days as I have attracted the attention of much of the Bama Delegation, and Senator Lindsey Graham of S.C. who Ornstein said today is the target of the SBC abetted cabal of the Koch Brothers and NC's Art Pope.
We will be talking here and at bl.com. Billy Graham helped re elect Roy Moore in Bama with the complicity of the State SBC and George Truett and Judge Frank Johnson are not pleased.
I have to believe the Truth will out in spite of some of your misguided convictions on the matter.

Kevin said...

I agree with you on this post, my brother.

I get a little frustrated with end-of-the-world talks over this election. Jesus can come back at any time and America is not the center of the universe. I love America dearly, but we cannot continue lamenting over losing our home field advantage in the culture.

Let's focus on making disciples.

Anonymous said...

"You pastors need to concentrate on getting souls saved and saints edified and not worry about politics. Satan is the god of this world."

You have to be kidding or worse. Where do you come up with this stuff?

Jon L. Estes

Unknown said...

Jon:

You said anon:""You pastors need to concentrate on getting souls saved and saints edified and not worry about politics. Satan is the god of this world."

You have to be kidding or worse. Where do you come up with this stuff?"

I'm not anon-but I believe I know what he or she is saying--Pastors need to focus on sharing the gospel with those that do not know Christ and quit spending so much time focusing on politics.

Surely you could agree with could you not?

Anonymous said...

Tom,

If true, wouldn't this be true for all Christians, not just pastors?

That is one point I find disagreement with, especially coming from a Christian who is talking politics.

If a person says this and they are not a Christian, it would seem their motive is to quiet the conservative voice (in this case).

Surely you could agree could you not?

The part I put in bold italics is the kicker for me. Who would be out there telling me I need to quit worrying about politics? Only someone who disagrees with "my" politics.

I may be a pastor but I am still a citizen of this country and have a responsibility and accountability to be politically involved.

Jon L. Estes

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
foxofbama said...

Quoting NPR and Fresh Air of Nov 7. Google the Ornstein interview

So you wrote an article in April that got a really big response that was headlined "Let's Just Say It: The Republicans Are the Problem." And in that article you wrote: We have criticized both parties - because this was co-authored with Thomas Mann from the Brookings Institution, with whom you've co-authored your new book - and so you wrote: We have criticized both parties when we believed it was warranted. Today, however, we have no choice but to acknowledge that the core of the problem lies within the Republican Party.

The GOP has become an insurgent outlier in American politics. It is ideologically extreme, scornful of compromise, unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science, and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition. When one party moves this far from the mainstream, it makes it nearly possible for the political system to deal constructively with the country's challenge.

What did it take for you to say that, since you've tried to have this kind of, you know, nonpartisan, bipartisan outlook?

Unknown said...

Jon:

What is your main job as Pastor? Preaching the Gospel or trying to get Republicans elected.