Carol Purcell

Lots of sizzle in politics this year!  And, far from boring….I find myself wondering, ‘What’s next?’  What is the moral of this story of Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright, Jr.?

Be careful who you hang out with!

Normally that would not be a question about where we go to church, or would it?  I have found in attending church it took months before I had some insight into what doctrine was being taught,  even though every church has a mission statement.  All too often, in my opinion, and this is my blog,  Men and Women of God teach more on social ills, moral sins and our need to be Wright, oh I meant right and Holy instead of how Holy, Right and Powerful God is.  How wonderful it would be if we were taught to take the place, authority and power God intended, not lectures on how bad we are–shucks we know that.

Reverend Wright, Jr. has a very interesting name.  Jeremiah the name of an Old Testament Prophet and Wright,  are good foundations for a man to build on, especially a man in leadership in the church.  Unfortunately most of America and the world will remember his loud screaming voice (which I found hard to understand) cursing the country in which he has the freedom to do so.

Obama is caught in lime light of his association of several men of question to those of us who value the freedom and opportunity we enjoy in America, both Black and White….and Hispanic….and on and on.  There have been so many injustices in the past for the Blacks, the Jews, the Indians, the Italians and the Irish….on and on.  There is no way to make it right, but we could sure prevent more of it with some tolerance and good sense. 

I have always thought if I were Muslim or Buddhist I would want Christians in office to maintain the Christian idea that all men are free to worship as they choose.  What a naive idea right?  God gives us free will and let’s us choose, so I vote with Him.  And, will fight to keep that right, that I  surely  do not see perpetuated through out the world.

Reverend Wright, Jr. needs a vacation and time to remember God is a God of love, kindness and mercy.  Not just Black Americans but all people need to know the power of God available through prayer….the power of God through His Son Jesus….the power of forgiveness to heal and solve problems.  The very power we enjoy because of the events we celebrate this coming Easter Sunday.

Barack Obama needs to have a ’wisdom’ check on his friends and associates.  How will he pick his running mate?  How will he pick his cabinet?  Will it be someone he has known for  years but didn’t know they had anger and hate for the very country he is passionately wanting to serve?  Is he or Hillary, or John a good judge of character to rule and rein in this country?  Oh, I meant serve in this country.

This is not only true for Obama but all of us.  Who do we associate with?  Are we judged, trusted or criticized by our associates?  It is one thing to pray and want the best for people but quite another to include them in our ‘inner circle’ of relationships.  And I would say a man who baptizes you, marries you and preaches to you for 20 years would become transparent enough to know what he believes and stands for.

May God help them, help us to keep our eyes open, our hearts guarded and move with compassion and mercy to whatever we are called as individual to do!  And, most passionately I declare,  GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Allegations that Planned Parenthood has committed $180 Million in fraud should make us wake up and take notice….well, some of us have taken notice of Planned Parenthood in the past, unhappily.

For those who have learned,  speaking of myself,  I had to learn that life begins at conception and abortion gives no choice to the baby that was just conceived. So some of the activities of Planned Parenthood have not been in the best interest of bringing Kingdom of Heaven to earth as Jesus taught us to pray.

Life is a privilege not a choice!

Is this all about religion?  No, it is a moral stand for equality of life.  It was easy to see how compassion would create a venue for this destruction of unborn babies.  Who in their right mind would condone unwanted pregnancies–bringing in more children to add to the roles of single mothers and children on welfare.  It sounds good, but behind the curtain of ignorant mercy hides an evil desire to do away with the genius, inventors and oh yes, politicians of tomorrow.

Who would condone unwanted pregnancies?  No one!  But, who would want the demise of millions of babies.  I would hope no one.  That does not seem to be the case.  We have hundreds if not thousands trying to have a baby, and turn to all kinds of alternative methods instead of healing the flow of unwanted babies, by adoption. 

“Abortions are very common. In fact, more than one in three women in the U.S. have an abortion by the time they are 45 years old. ” is a fact from the Planned Parenthood website.  This is a reason to offer abortion instead of assistance and adoption?

My hope and prayer is, that this allegation will lead to investigation and an overhaul of Planned Parenthood with new people, guide lines and agenda.  That the political machine behind replacing abstinence with abortion will come to naught.

Whatever the devil and his demons cause for evil God can turn to good with prayer, and dedication of purpose on the part of His children who are called by His Name.

I do not believe we can forgive behavior, but the people involved in the behavior.  Let us storm the Heavenlies with our prayer, declaring the Will of God and the Desires of His Heart be done on earth as it is in Heaven!

Wheeee….that sound like a good plan!  (excuse the pun) 

One last comment on Mr. Spitzer that he and others caught up in destructive activities will seek out a church that offers healing and deliverance!   A personal responsibility!

Two top items on our news today, strike at the very heart of ethics and morals for America!  I have heard that if a Pastor taught on certain sins a lot it was because that was his own struggle.  How interesting that Eliot Spitzer (we are told) was dogmatically ruthless and tough on prostitution and yet alledgedly indulged himself in that ‘profession’.   

The press is asking “Why” would someone like Eliot take a chance on losing everything, for something like that.  There are a lot of answers, and here is mine.  Somewhere in his life he came into agreement in his mind with prostitution, or possibly suffered some kind of sexual abuse, got a hold of some porn magazines, etc.  An array of sexual improprieties will open the door to a spirit of lust. 

We hesitate to talk about such evil agents as though they don’t exist and yet we cannot explain things like this miss-guided action that could de-rail a person’s life and cause pain to family and friends. Once an evil spirit has access to the mind of their victim, they wait patiently to temp and motivate action. And they may only work on one area.  Does the person, such as Eliot think he is too powerful and clever to get caught?  Of course, evil spirits tell their victims whatever they need to hear to take action and they seem to know what that is. Possibly give the person a  picture of how pleasant it would be and tops it off with something like—how exciting it would be, especially as a Public servant, or in ministry. 

C. S. Lewis wrote a great little book called the SCREWTAPE LETTERS that is an insight into a reality that most are not willing to face.  Frank Peretti wrote several fiction books (THIS PRESENT DARKNESS and others) that well describe the work of the devil and his demons.  Hollywood makes movies about such things, not quite so accurately, as I have written about in my own book ANGELS AND DEMONS, HOLLYWOOD KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE. If that is the problem as I suggest, the person is a victim as well as the people injured by their actions.  One great difference,  people are held accountable by the world and by God for our free will decisions. 

The devil made me do it  is a reason not an excuse.   And, how difficult it would be to try and legislate deliverance and restoration for offenders.  So what is the answer? Better education in the church and the world about the results of sin and immoral decisions.  We are too eager to condemn sin instead of giving reasons why God hates behavior that will harm us. More education on the devil, evil in the world, and the demons made from a positive offensive position–explaining there are better choices to be made and what those choices are.

The Catholic Church had a good idea in offering confession to someone sworn to secrecy.  Anyone in a shameful awkward place should be able to confess to some one who can help.  But not just a listener but a believing Jesus following person who is willing to help with resolution or take them to someone who can help.

Most of all the church needs responsibility to be the church.  You know, a place where the wounded go, not just a hang-out for those of us who are not presently facing the same situation.  But for the grace of God there go I.  We don’t think we would do whatever they have done  but we haven’t walked in his or her shoes.  Deliverance should not be something to fear, but something to face with hope and desire for a better life.   I am not speaking of the world because barring a miracle of God the person will reap what they sow, and pay for an act they have commited against society.  I am speaking of being more concerned about their spiritual well-being than their physical position in life. What can we do?  We can pray the same way I suggested in the last Blog:

•  First forgive the person, (not the behavior)  John 20:23

•  Second, ask God for the grace to cleanse me of all  judgment of that person’s character and nature; since that is God’s business and not mine.  

• Third, ask the Holy Spirit to draw them into the Divine wisdom, mercy and grace that they need to become men and women of God in their position, what ever that may be.

• Fourth, I ask God to bless them with attributes opposite of those in the offense.

• Fifth, I ask the Holy Spirit to release the Spirit of Prophecy (of Jesus) in their presence.

• Six, I bind the forces of darkness, deaf and dumb spirits, spirits of lust and greed not to interfere.  I declare there will be no retaliation against me, my family, property or  finances for these prayers.

• Seven, I thank the Holy Spirit, Jesus and my Heavenly Father for all they have done and are doing!  Then rejoice!

Of course there are times to sign petitions,  to go to congress,  to protest,  to boycott; absolutely stand for the things of God.  But, always with prayer beforehand, committing the way unto God and believing for His favor–without condemning individuals. 

I have learned how easy it is to curse a person with my words, or condemn them with my opinions.  Curses always boom-a-rang on those who make them, and condemnation creates anger,  bitterness and hostility.  And how am I doing with all of this?  I’m a work in progress, and the more I share, the better I become.

Eliot  Spitzer and family need our prayer.  Our officials, those in authority–home, church, school, government–need our prayers of protection.  And what about Planned Parenthood alledged fraud?    More on that in Part Two!

Well, I am the one who blew it.  One act of Christian failure is so painful, especially when it involves a principal you try to live by.  I have been so caught up in the political rhetoric of who did what and when, that I just teamed up with the enemy to be an accuser with a capital A.  Not because I changed or added to the message but because I was so judgmental of the person involved.  

Absolutely I am required to look at the behavior and the platform of those who are in office and those who are running for office.  But there is that one little verse–well, maybe several hundred–about not judging others, not running to evil, especially not to lie about others.

I sent out an email to personal friends about someone in office, believing that the email I received was true.  Well, it was not!  It was about a person already in office and it did sound like the person, from what I have heard.  I have known for years when I receive something of that kind, there are steps I should take. 

The Bible says,  It is the goodness of God that brings one to repentance!  It is down dog awful hard to be the goodness of God while accusing and condemning another person.  The steps I have learned and practice (when I am not in a fog bank of stupid) are:

Of course there are times to sign petitions, to go to congress, to protest, to boycott; absolutely stand for the things of God.  But, always with prayer beforehand, committing the way unto God and believing for His favor–without condemning individuals. 

I have learned how easy it is to curse a person with my words, or condemn them with my opinions.  Curses always boom-a-rang on those who make them, and condemnation creates anger, bitterness and hostility.  And how am I doing with all of this?  I’m a work in progress, and the more I share, the better I become.

The good that has come out of my rinky-dink mistake is that the Lord has put on my heart to start a prayer campaign for the candidates, starting the week after Easter until the election.   One candidate and family per week!  Think of the power of all that prayer in agreement! 

So, my hope is, that you will join with me as we make a difference in the lives of those courageous enough to run for office and put themselves in the gladiator arena of the media and public opinion. 

Was this ’sin’ so awful?  There are no major or minor sins in the Kingdom of God, just plain ole’ sin– a better get it right mistake.  I am so grateful for the ones I can find and change, God help us for the ones we don’t see.

Just when I think I have enough to do, the Lord has another idea, and I stepped right into this one.  I am grateful for that, the friend who called me on the error and very grateful to the Lord that He will use what the enemy meant for evil to energize and create good!

The Bible to me has more interesting stories than even Hollywood. Even more amazing is what Hollywood does with those stories–forget that for now–there is one particular story that is on my heart this morning.

That is the story of King Abah and Queen Jezebel in First and Second Kings. Jezebel is the picture of evil, selfishness, lust and power. Abah on the other hand allows whatever Jezebel wants and does what she tells him. Ahab is the king of indifference. Many things in the Old Testament of the Bible are physical stories that apply spiritually in the New Testament–and present day. This to me is one of those stories.

Many books have been written about the spirit of Jezebel, such as the one by Pastor Francis Frangipane, THE THREE BATTLEGROUNDS, that give good coverage of this spirit and how it works.

I want to suggest that both spirits are alive and well hovering and working in our country in our politics. I am not about to suggest where Jezebel is working but rather my concern is how active the spirit of Ahab is, especially in the Christian community. Ahab has a strong apathetic influence over minds, even entire areas (more like a principality than a spirit–check out Ephesians Chapter Six) to do nothing.

We Christians can be very critical…choosing not to like any candidate running for office and think in some bazaar way, not taking any action, not voting will in some way speak for us. Great balls of fire, something is better than nothing. Others Christians may say well, it is in God’s hands, we don’t need to do anything. (Ahab is really busy with dispensing those thoughts)

I am reminded of the Jewish people in the Old Testament telling Samuel they wanted a king to judge over them like all other nations. Samuel argued with them, God argued with them, but they contended and insisted they have a king. God relented and had Samuel appoint Saul King. Notice the peer pressure–”like all other nations”. (I Samuel 8:5) The kings they got from that time forward were evil and oppressive, not all, thank God but many!

We get the people we vote for and pray for. How many of us raise our children to go into politics and make a difference in strong moral, ethical and Godly ways? I know I didn’t.

Most of us do not have the time or the resources to raise up a candidate of our choice, but we sure can campaign, call, email, protest and vote. The spirit of Ahab dulls our minds to a true agenda of responsibility, and Jezebel jumps in with all the reasons we are too busy, too tired, too broke and actually just too preoccupied. You don’t believe that spirits do that—WOW, I hate to think we are void of social conscience all on our own.

Joan, a new friend, reminded me this week of ‘our condition’ and I thank her for that. Busy or not, and I am busy, I am going to start sending protests to Sacramento, because I live in California, against some of the new legislation. Also, to Washington, D.C. I have hesitated in the past because, I reasoned and Ahab agreed, they probably wouldn’t listen anyway. Happy horse-feathers, that’s a lousy excuse, Ahab and Jezebel probably toast champagne on that one!

More importantly I am going to pray for those running for office until the election, as well as those in office. Prayer the Bible says, will move mountains, and I know that to be true. I am not going to moan in my prayers or condemn but forgive and bless the men and women and their families. Not just the candidate I personally support but all the candidates–that God would move on behalf of this country, that the Holy Spirit will draw them into the wisdom and knowledge that will benefit all mankind, and bless our Nation.

Well, Ahab, Jezebel, your term in office for influencing me is over. I plan to take the authority Jesus died and was resurrected to give me, to push for better things, action not apathy, and Divine intervention in all the affairs of men. I pray for supernatural protection for myself, my family and all those who choose to join me in this effort to save the country we know as One Nation Under God!