There’s another gnat that has been buzzing around the campaign trails lately. It is usually some form of “creating jobs for the
American people.” This political jargon is accompanied with some staged events. For starters, a stop at the local diner is a sure way to communicate a down home image. Next, there are plenty of handshakes, autographs and promises to fight for our jobs. Finally, the stump speech is spiced up with a few stories of out of work families and some vague plan to “put America back to work.” The image we have is of a sleeves-rolled politician ready to crank out jobs.

Is all that really true? Here are a couple of problems with this gnat. First, what is the true role of government? Government exists to protect life, liberty and property of its people. It punishes those who infringe upon the rights of others and gains restitution for the victims. It defends against foreign and domestic threats. It takes care of those who are really in need. It oversees environment protection, patent protection, product safety, fair business transactions, transportation systems and other interests that protect and enhance our standard of living. As the Declaration of Independence clearly states: “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed.” In other words, job production was never part of the job description of the Government. 

Second, can Government create jobs? Employers create jobs not Government. When there is a demand for a product, employers put up a “now hiring” sign. This is backwards with the Government-created jobs program. It puts up a “now hiring” sign and then looks for some artificial demand to justify it. Recently, there has been growing talks of targeted stimulus towards infrastructure repairs, clean energy and education. Where will the Government find money to pay these new employees? Unlike the private sector employer who withdraws from his savings to pay his employees, the Government digs into our wallet when it is time to write the paycheck. When the money runs out, the only available option is to raise the taxes on the “rich” (a.k.a. the private sector
employers). What is the natural recourse for these employers? Cut backs. In the final analysis, the Government destroys jobs rather than creates them. Furthermore, Government-created jobs have no clear accountability or bottom line. Projects can drag on for decades with an endless supply of tax payer dollars.

Third, what role can the Government play in our job crisis? To start with, the Government needs to stop taking ownership of the private sector. In 2009, the Government took some unprecedented steps to acquire near controlling interest in the nation’s banks and auto industry. The following year, the Congress passed legislation that will put a significant portion of the nation’s healthcare under Government control. As a result, the American economy will be largely owned by the Government rather than by businesses or shareholders. Such actions will eventually stamp out any prospect of business and job growth in our nation. Instead, the Government should make every effort to create a business friendly environment in our nation. Unnecessary mandates, which lead to higher cost of labor and hold back the supply, should be removed. Employers should not be threatened with tax increases which only lead to a protective mode and further job cuts. President Calvin Coolidge understood that unnecessary Government interference in the flow of society will only lead to economic stagnation. He was known for taking a mid-afternoon nap daily. When he awoke, he would remark jokingly, “Is the country still here?” Those were the days of great financial growth in our nation.

As Reagan remarked on several occasions, “The most dangerous words in the English language were: ‘Hi, I’m from the Government and I’m here to help.” It’s time we swat that gnat.

Someone said: “Children would all be brought up perfectly if families would just swap kids. Everyone knows what ought to be done with the neighbor’s kids.” How true! I tried to Google “how to raise kids” and there were more rules and principles on the subject than I have time to read in this lifetime. Who are these experts? How do we know if their lists even worked for them?

This list is not to judge your parents or blame them for not doing it right. Instead, thank them for doing the best they knew under the circumstances. Ephesians 6:2-3 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

One indication that election year is getting closer is the swarming of political jargons and clichés. It reminds me of the Gnat line in the Carolinas and Georgia. You know you have crossed it when a cloud of gnats start circling your head and buzzing in your ears. If that is not annoying enough, these pests start aiming for your eyes, nose and mouth. Instinctively, you start the human windshield wiper by waving your hands from left to right in front of your face. My mother-in-law calls it the ‘Georgia wave.’

Political catch-phrases are just as annoying. They start buzzing all around as we get closer to the elections. No amount of swatting will drive them away permanently but not doing anything can be miserable. Let’s swat at a few of the popular ones. Here’s one that has been buzzing lately – “Corporate jet owners.” What comes to mind when we hear that? We picture money hoarding corporate executives arriving in their swanky limousines and striding across the red carpet to their multi-million dollar jets. On board they are greeted by attendants serving the finest champagnes. As they puff their Cuban cigars, their cronies whisper in their ears of yet another way to avoid paying their “fair share of taxes.” We can almost hear their sinister laughs as the plane leaves the runaway.

Is all that really true? Here are just a couple of problems with this gnat. First, who are these elites who would rather have their own jets than fly with the rest of us commoners? Does their $250,000 salary qualify them to be upgraded from first class to “jet owner” status? Reality check – a private jet can cost anywhere from five to fifty million dollars. This does not include hangar charges, maintenance costs, fuel, and pilot fees. The point is that we have way more jet-fliers than jet owners. Any revenue generated from taxing those who can afford a jet is negligible in light of the debt. As columnist Charles Krauthammer remarked: “I did the math on this. If you collect the corporate jet tax every year for the next 5,000 years, you will cover one year of the debt . . .”

Second, are the rich paying their fair share? According to the SOI (Statistics of Income) tax stats available on the IRS website, the top one percent of the wealthiest Americans paid 38.02 percent of the total income tax. If you still think that it’s not enough, here is one statistic that will blow your mind. The top 50 percent of the tax payers pay 97% of the total income tax. This means that half of all Americans pay only 3% of the revenue! Do we still think that these wealthy “fat cats” are not paying their fair share? In fact, they are the small business owners who are the heart of American business. Seems to me that they are being penalized enough already.

Finally, the third point goes to the heart of the problem. We need to stop thinking of economy as a zero sum game. This idea assumes that the economy is a fixed pie where the rich get richer at the expense of the poor. Think of a hard working and law abiding farmer. He sweats all day under the hot sun. He hires laborers and pays them their fair wages. After the harvest, he sells his produce and gains a profit. Who did he rob? Or, how about the athlete who works hard and stays clean? Who did he rob to get that contract? Or, that talented girl who makes it big in the music industry through hard work and focus. Who
did she rob?

Should we punish people for working hard and doing more than their fair share? It’s time we swat that gnat.

On May 16^th, the United States reached its debt limit of $ 14.3 trillion dollars. That’s a lot of zeroes! I did some calculations and it takes somewhere about 31,000 years just to count to 1 trillion! Obviously, I didn’t finish counting. How much is the American public actually concerned and focused on this crisis? In the world of political sound bites and a million distractions, do we have enough time and understanding to tackle this problem? Wait a minute....what’s this? Anthony Weiner to address the press. Wonder what he has to say. He finally admitted! I knew he was lying the whole time. When did he find time to do all that? Anyways, where were we? Oh yes – the “debt crisis.” The administration is claiming that if the borrowing cap is not raised by August 2, our nation could face its first default ever. That does sound important. What does that mean? For starters, it could topple the already fledgling U.S. economy. That’s not good. What else? It could also impact the financial markets and raise U.S. interest rates. Whoa! We can’t have that. We need to get to work on this problem immediately......maybe right after we get the latest on Casey Anthony. This trial is so addictive. Just can’t seem to turn it off. That girl should just go ahead and confess. Funny, how it reminds me of another high profile case. Time out! Have we solved the “debt ceiling” problem yet? Well, the President is meeting with John Boehner at the Joint Base Andrews’ golf course. That’s it! We just need to come together on a friendly round of golf and these things just work themselves out. Sigh!!! If only it were that simple. But it was a great photo-op. We might just see that photo in the campaign for 2012 with the caption – “Reaching across the aisle.” Hey! There’s an idea. Why don’t we try a bi-partisan negotiation to resolve the debt-crisis? Who can we find to lead something so crucial and diplomatic? How about Joe Biden? But first, someone should brief him on the matter. Didn’t he fall asleep during the President’s speech on the deficit reduction at George Washington University? Two weeks later....the discussion has reached an impasse. No surprise. That seemed too easy. C’mon people – the clock is ticking. We really need to get to work on this debt crisis. Whoa!!! Put it all on hold. The jury has the verdict for Casey Anthony. WHAT??? NOT GUILTY!!! Are you kidding?!! How can they do that? I have to post my feelings on Facebook. Too late....About a million others beat me to it. I guess I’ll just watch people discuss this ad nauseam. Okay...I’m sick of this. Can we please get back to resolving our economic catastrophe? Tim Geithner (Treasury Secretary) is about to run out of all his “legal hoop-jumping” tricks. By the way, it is July now and the jobs report is in. The unemployment rate rose to 9.3% last month and there seems to be little hope that the hiring will increase in the second half of the year. This problem is getting worse and worse! The pressure is on! Partisan politics have to be set aside to fix a bigger problem. We can deal later with all the tax issues. Let’s just save the nation from the impending doom. While we’re at it - let’s not settle for a band-aid on the financial problem. We need something BIG and we need it now. If not now, when?!!

SNAP! Let’s focus. Before we get caught up in all this rhetoric and believe all these doomsday predictions, here are some answers that the awakened American demands: Is the $1.6 trillion tax raise over the next decade really a matter that we can “discuss later”? Has anyone actually seen the $4 trillion dollar deal with the entitlement reform? Isn’t the already existing tax revenue enough to prevent any immediate debt default? Is the threat of the “debt ceiling” simply a ploy to railroad a budget without any spending cuts? To claim that “professional politicians” know what to do and the average American has no understanding of how things work is condescending and underestimating. We might seem distracted and pre-occupied at times but we know when something isn’t right.

It’s that time again. Slogans, promises, and book tours are in the air. Media pundits are prognosticating their presidential hopeful for 2012. Well-worn clichés are back – “grassroots movement,” “energy independence,” “create new jobs,” “yes we can” and so on. After a while, they all sound the same. What should we look for? Here are the seven things that I am looking for in the next president:

1.       Someone who is a person of integrity. Any person who is unfaithful on the home front cannot be trusted on the forefront. This past week has shown that Americans still care about the character of our leaders. We need a President who has been faithful to his/her marital vows.

2.       Someone who holds to traditional family values. The family is the building block of society. All great societies disintegrated when the home fell apart. We need a President who will unashamedly support and celebrate the traditional American family.

3.       Someone who believes in a free market economy. Recent corporate scandals have led some to think that we need more government regulations in business. This has never worked for the best. Listen to Thomas Jefferson’s remark in his first inaugural address: “A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labour the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government...” We need a President who will fight greed but not capitalism.

4.       Someone who believes in a strong military. To dismantle our defences is to assume that human beings are no longer sinful and prone to evil. There will come a time when the Prince of Peace will reign on the Earth but until then we need to heed George Washington’s dictum in his first annual address to Congress, “To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” We need a President who is not naive about the constant threat against liberty.

5.       Someone who believes in the value of human life. All life is sacred. Listen to the Psalmist: “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139) When did freedom in America include the freedom to kill the innocent? We need a President who will stand for the rights of the millions of unborn.

6.       Someone who stands for American exceptionalism. Our nation was birthed on the belief that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Amazingly, the American idea has worked! In fact, it has become a model for the rest of the world to follow. As Dinesh D’Souza remarks:  “This country, once an experiment unique in the world, is now the last best hope for the world.” We need a President who will not beg forgiveness for being an American.

7.       Someone who understands American history. The Bible was the most quoted source in our nation’s Constitution. Our founding fathers were well aware of the “hand of Providence” throughout the War for Independence. They prayed daily for God’s wisdom and protection. We need a President who will recognize and appreciate our Judeo-Christian heritage.

Is all this asking too much? Maybe. Then again, we are Americans and we demand the best.

Harold Camping is at it again. He had predicted once that Christ would return in 1994. Obviously, Christ did not return and Camping’s only response to his failed prediction was that he had not studied the Bible enough. Therefore, he has a revised prediction for May 21^st 2011.

The verse commonly invoked against Camping is Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Camping dismisses such verses by pointing out that the church cannot be trusted in matters of Biblical interpretation because it has become apostate.

The place to deal with Camping is by questioning his hermeneutical approach to the Bible. Hermeneutics comes from the Greek word meaning, “to interpret.” Camping interprets the Bible allegorically, wherein a passage can mean whatever the interpreter can twist it to mean. Although, he claims to believe the Bible, he manipulates it to mean whatever dates and events he
chooses.

The correct principle in interpreting the Bible is: “If the plain sense makes good sense, then any other sense is non-sense.” When the Bible is talking about the sign-less rapture, it means that Christ will come for his church without any warning before the Tribulation. When the Bible is talking about the signs of Christ’s second coming, it is referring to the return of Christ at the end of the Tribulation. When the Bible is talking about Israel, it is referring to Israel. When it is talking about the church, it is the church. The prophecies concerning Israel should not be applied to the church. The list goes on and on.

I believe the Bible tells us to keep our eyes on the skies but our hands on the plough. Knowing that Christ can come at any moment, we should strive to live holy lives and tell others about Jesus. Not knowing the time or the season should motivate us to make this world a better place for our children and our grandchildren. Harold Camping and other “date-setters” are the false prophets of our times and should not be believed. Neither should we support those TV evangelists who are trying to sell emergency food packets. I guess we have our Charlie Sheens too!

The straight stick of the Bible tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We are all violators of God’s laws and His holiness demands that sinners be punished. We need righteousness to avoid His wrath. Only God possesses righteousness and is willing to justify us “freely by His grace” (Romans 3:24). This He did by sending His Son, Jesus, to became a “propitiation by His blood” (Romans 3:25). Propitiation means that Jesus took our penalty of sin by shedding His blood to satisfy God’s wrath against us.

People shy away from the fact that God’s wrath is against us. They offer several reasons for the crucifixion. Some say that Jesus died to destroy the work of Satan and Death. Others think that His death was an example for us. Some argue that that He died to pay our ransom to Satan, while others think that He satisfied God for our sin. One even dares to bring up God’s wrath but points to sin as the object of that wrath. Although there is some truth in all of these reasons, they all fail to point out that we are the real offenders against God’s Holiness.

Someone asked me, “Isn’t God all-loving? Doesn’t He understand that we are hopeless sinners? Why doesn’t He just forgive us?” Because God is perfect and perfection cannot be compromised. He is all-holy and He is all-loving. His perfect Holiness demands that sin be punished and His perfect love understands that we cannot bear the punishment. Hence, God’s perfect holiness met His perfect love at the cross where Jesus Christ became our substitute.“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

We receive God’s righteousness and avoid His wrath the moment we trust in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:26). We do not saunter, stroll, or wander casually over to God. The wrath of God drives us to fling ourselves upon the love of God. We rush to Him just the way we are. If you try to clean up yourself before you come, it will never happen. If you try to bring tears or remorse, you are wasting your time. If you try to turn everything over to Him before you come, it is putting the cart before the horse. Run to Him as you are and in an instant, He will save you. If you reject Christ’s Atonement, you choose Hell – “the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)This is the gospel of Luther and Wesley.

 “The only hope of Christianity is in the rehabilitating of the Pauline theology. It is back, back, back, to an incarnate Christ and the atoning blood, or it is on, on, on, to atheism and despair.” Francis L. Patton, President of Princeton University (1888-1902).

1.       NO SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT: Although progress was made in architecture, mathematics and medicine, there was a “standstill, a stillbirth, as far as science was concerned.” (Stanley Jaki, “The Savior of Science”). Modern science came out of the Middle Ages when Western Christians began to see their world as a rational, ordered cosmos that could be probed, harnessed and improved. The sun was not a god to be worshipped but a burning star that gave light and energy. Scientific reasonings were patterned after theological arguments by Christian theologians like Augustine, Aquinas and Anselm (Dinesh D’Souza “What’s so Great about Christianity”).

2.       NO PUBLIC EDUCATION: In ancient times education was either restricted to the elites or passed down from father to son. The roots of mass education lie in the Christian emphasis on Biblical education for all. Early on Christians became known as the “people of the Book.” They took their cue from Judaism to regularly educate the young –“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deut 6:7). Even universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and others were originally founded to educate Christian ministers.

3.       NO VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE: Ancient cultures practiced child sacrifices and child marriages until recent times. Jesus gave a strong indictment against those who would hurt children (Matt 18:6). The abuse of women was also widespread and continues to this day in cultures that have remained untouched by Christianity. Alvin Schmidt notes, “Christians took their cue from Jesus, who never had a problem teaching women along with men.” (“How Christianity Transformed Civilization”). Overall, the Bible elevated the value of all life when it proclaimed: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28). It reminds me of the story of the South Pacific Islander who proudly showed his Bible to an American G.I. To which the G.I. said: “Oh the Bible – we don’t believe in that stuff anymore.” The islander had a smile on his face and said: “You better be glad we still believe in this stuff or you would be a meal by now.”

4.       NO HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE: Jesus came in this world to bring us forgiveness of sin and life eternal. As Christians we have so much more to be thankful for. Our benefits continue beyond this life.

D. James Kennedy in his book “What if Jesus had never been born?” remarked: “The greatest tragedy of the Christmas holiday each year is not so much its commercialization, but its trivialization. How tragic it is that people have forgotten Him to whom they owe so very much.”

It’s a shame that those who oppose our freedom and our values have intimidated us for so long. Pastors and churches should understand the permissible boundaries with regard to politics in the pulpit. Although, churches cannot endorse or oppose political candidates, there is much that they can do. In his book “Eternal Vigilance: Knowing and Protecting Your Religious Freedom,” Mathew Staver lists a few: “voter registration and ‘get out the vote’ drives, distribution of objective voter guides, candidate forums and debates, and most importantly, addressing social and political issues.” Pastors can even express their opinions regarding the candidates, as long as they do it as individual citizens. It’s time we stopped giving in to what Jerry Falwell called the “fright tactic.”

In his book, “When a Nation Forgets God,” Erwin Lutzer relates the chilling account of a person who lived during the Nazi Holocaust in Germany: “I considered myself a Christian. We heard stories of what was happening to the Jews, but we tried to distance ourselves from it, because, what could anyone do to stop it? A railroad track ran behind our small church and each Sunday morning we could hear the whistle in the distance and then the wheels coming over the tracks. We became disturbed when we heard the cries coming from the train as it passed by. We realized that it was carrying Jews like cattle in the cars! Week after week the whistle would blow. We dreaded to hear the sound of those wheels because we knew that we would hear the cries of the Jews en route to a death camp. Their screams tormented us. We knew the time the train was coming and when we heard the whistle blow we began singing hymns. By the time the train came past our church we were singing at the top of our voices. If we heard the screams, we sang more loudly and soon we heard them no more. Years have passed and no one talks about it anymore. But I still hear that train whistle in my sleep. God forgive me; forgive all of us who called ourselves Christians yet did nothing to intervene.”

While I believe that it is the gospel alone that transforms the hearts of people, I also believe that it is our vote that guarantees that we can still preach that gospel. Our vote determines the future of our children and our grandchildren. Our churches have been singing loudly for some time. Only a few have dared to walk outside and hear the cries. There is a time to sing and then there is a time to vote.

Let me explain what I mean by “Keeping the Lord’s Day.” God gave the Sabbath to His people Israel. It was one day in a week (Saturday) to cease work and worship Him. He patterned it by His own rest on the seventh day after creation. Was God tired? Of course not. It was a pause of reflection, as an artist steps back to admire his handiwork. In time the people turned the Sabbath into a legalistic day. They made laws against looking in a mirror, taking a bath, rescuing an animal, and so on. Jesus reminded them that “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27).

While the Sabbath rest was important, it was just a shadow of the things to come (Col 2:15-17). Keeping the Sabbath today is like a child chasing their shadow. It is amusing yet futile. Our rest is no longer found in a day but in a person. Remember, Jesus said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Our day of rest became Sunday, when Jesus finished the work of redemption by coming out of the grave. Interestingly, Sunday was also the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came in power and the church was born. Hence, the first Christians began worshipping on Sunday (Acts 20:7) and called it the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:10).

Although we no longer follow the Sabbath, the principle is still valid in keeping the Lord’s Day. Sunday should be a day set aside to go to church and honor God with our lives. Growing up it was understood that Sunday was church day. Nowadays people could care less. I am not condemning those who have to work jobs like public safety, health, or have shifts that require them to work on Sundays. Neither am I advocating a return to the “blue laws.” I am simply challenging us to make the Lord’s Day sacred again. Consider the example of R.G. LeTourneau, the inventor of earthmoving machineries. He refused to work on Sundays. He was threatened with losing the contract. This seemed like a foolish decision during the Great Depression. But, God blessed him tremendously for that. Similarly, Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire) refused to compete in the 100m heats  because they were held on Sunday. People were mad at him and mocked him. He held to his conviction. On a different day he won a gold medal in the 400m and set a world record (1924 Olympics). His motto: “God honors those who honor Him.”

Every American who cares about this nation should heed the words of that great Civil War General Stonewall Jackson. When he heard that Congress was considering mail carrying on Sunday, he wrote to his friend: “I do not see how a nation that thus arrays itself, by such a law, against God’s holy day, can expect to escape His wrath. The punishment of national sins must be confined to this world, as there are no nationalities beyond the grave.” Before getting called to the war, he not only faithfully attended church on Sundays but spent his afternoons in organizing and leading a Sunday School for the black community.

The Lord’s Day symbolizes victory and hope. Let us honor it and look forward to it. As one of my favorite preachers, Dr. S.M. Lockridge (famous black pastor from San Diego), would say “It’s Friday but Sunday is coming.”

The past three months have been riddled with questions like: “who will pay the damages?” “why can’t they stop it?” and “what is the government doing?” As of Thursday, BP engineers began a 48-hour experiment by placing a 75-ton metal cap to stop the gusher. This has worked so far but it remains to be seen whether it will do the trick. A potential problem might still be a new leak or leaks in the oil well. The damage has been widespread already. The oil spill has hurt marine life, the fisheries and the tourism industry. Scientists predict that environmental effects will be felt for years to come. Some of the coastal states are now afraid that new regulations against oil companies will further affect jobs of many who work on the rigs. Needless to say, this calamity could not have come at a worse time.

As bad as the oil spill has been, it does not come close to topping the list of the worst manmade disasters in America. This top disaster did not start with an explosion. Neither did it happen deep under the sea. It took place overtime and in broad daylight in the hearts and minds of everyday Americans. The award for the worst manmade disaster in America goes to the EROSION OF BIBLICAL VALUES.

Just like the oil spill, it went unnoticed at first. It began with the teaching of evolution as fact, removal of prayer from schools, legalized abortions, non-traditional family values, and many other anti-Christian sentiments. The church as a pipeline of God’s truth failed to hold up against the pressure of the world. Christians forgot to give God glory and share Christ with their neighbors. Now the plume of immorality has spread from coast to coast across the United States. Through the years we have expected the government to put a cap on the damaged wellhead of human depravity. This has only made matters worse. Now we have a full blown gusher of economic and moral confusion in our nation. Unlike the oil spill, the impact of this disaster will have eternal consequences.

What can be done? Unlike the Gulf spill, this disaster does not cost billions of dollars in compensation and cleanup. I saw the solution this summer as our family visited Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. In his first inaugural address he said: “[I]t would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect.” Washington understood that we can’t fix our problems. We need the living God to step in. (II Chronicles 7:14)

1.       Try to see it from the other side: It is true that the majority of illegal immigrants come because of desperation to feed their children and loved ones. At the same time our nation cannot ignore the fact that as many as 12 million people are living unlawfully within our borders and hundreds are trying to break the law across the border every day. As Benjamin Rush (one of the founding fathers) wrote “(W)here there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing deserves the name of law but that which is certain and universal in its operation upon all the members of the community.” We need a solution that will uphold the law without tearing families apart. I agree with Richard Land (President of Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention) that “the Arizona law is a symptom, not a solution.”

2.       It’s time to fly the American flag: It is true that many immigrants are more grateful to be here than those born and raised in America. One of the greatest moments in my life was when I took the oath to become the citizen of this great nation. We have many service men and women in our armed forces that are of immigrant background. We chose this nation over our birth nation. As Dinesh D’Souza remarks “For what is the immigrant doing but voting with his feet – in the most dramatic way possible – against his culture and in favor of a new culture?” Nevertheless, there are those who complain and criticize everything about America. If it was so good back there, why did you come here? As Teddy Roosevelt wrote in a letter: There can be no divided allegiance here. . . We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house; and we have room for but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people.” America has a great culture and heritage. It’s time to join in.

My prayer is first and foremost that our leaders will remain strong in upholding the law and defending its citizens against foreign threat. Second, we will always remember Deuteronomy 10:19 “Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” As Tony Blair, former British prime minister, once said, “For all their faults and all nations have them, the US are a force for good . . . I sometimes think it is a good rule of thumb to ask of a country: are people trying to get into it or out of it? It's not a bad guide to what sort of country it is.”

There is nothing more delicate and sensitive than the “apple of one’s eye.” The apple/pupil is the gate through which light enters the retina. It is very painful if touched by accident. I have seen people get extremely angry when someone poked them in the eye. In the same way, God goes into a blind rage when anyone touches the apple of His eye – the people of Israel. He is very protective over His chosen ones.

Some people have a hard time with Jews being called God’s chosen people. To be honest – being the chosen ones is not all it’s cracked up to be. Next time you wish God had chosen you instead, just take a look at their history. It included being in slavery, kicked out of their homeland, thrown into a fiery furnace, locked up in ghettos...Oh yes – almost forgot...the holocaust! They did not ask to be chosen. I’m often reminded of my favorite line from the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” when Tevye looks up and says to God “I know, I know. We are your chosen people. But, once in a while, can’t you choose someone else?”

God chose the Jewish people to carry His promise to the world. He made a covenant with Abraham, the father of the nation, that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3) The blessing was the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. That’s the reason Satan has tried to destroy them through the ages. But God had vowed to Abraham: “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:7-8) Even though they were dispersed from their land for two thousand years, God did not forget His promise. On May 14, 1948, the Jewish people returned to their homeland and became a nation again. In the future God will fulfill all His promises towards them.

God had given Abraham one more promise - I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you.” (Genesis 12:3)Through the centuries people and nations who have recognized this promise to the Jews have been blessed by God and those who have gone against them have faced His wrath. One of the secrets of America’s success has been our historic support of Israel. President Truman actually wept when he was thanked for recognizing the newly formed state of Israel. On the other hand, three nations (Germany, Poland and Russia) turned their backs on them in the past century and great devastation came upon them. God was not bluffing when He said – “And I will curse him who curses you.” Today, we would do well as a nation to remember that and stand with Israel. After all, Israel has always been a loyal supporter of the United States.

It’s been a rough ride for you and your wife since November 25^th, when the National Enquirer broke the story of your adulterous relationship. Although, you apologized last week, many people found it to be “coached,” “fake” and “not enough.” I will not attempt to judge your intents here. Instead, I want to address some questions that someone in your situation is bound to have.

How I play golf and what consenting adults do in private are two separate matters. Not really. Because they both involve character and integrity. How can we be sure that the cheating ends in a hotel room and is not carried over on the golf course? Character is tested by opportunity.

People mess up all that time. Why am I any different?  Because athletes and celebrities (including former Presidents) are public figures. You became a role model to millions all over the world, especially kids. You signed deals to promote different companies. Your commercials told us that if Tiger wears or uses something then it is good enough for the rest of us. Remember, people don’t just imitate your golf swing but also your lifestyle. Consequently, it’s not just your marriage that is in jeopardy but the countless others who want to be like you.

I took responsibility for my behavior and apologized. Why do people think I am not sincere? Because people can read between the lines. In your apology you said, “I do plan to return to golf one day. I just don't know when that day will be. I don't rule out that it will be this year.” That sounded like a press release of your upcoming tour to many people. Sometimes, youcan't have your cake and eat it, too.

How can people love me one minute and hate me the next? You’re right. Our society has made gods out of athletes and actors. They worship them until they fail to deliver. Then they tear them to pieces and set someone else up. There is only one God and He loves you unconditionally.

I didn’t think it would go this far. Real friends would have stopped you at the first sign of danger. Potential young athletes are surrounded by adults who are trying to relive their own dreams or fill their pockets or both. In fact, this is a good time to rethink who your true friends are. Friends don’t let friends wreck their marriage.

This will cost me a lot. It is obvious that the loss of big endorsements might affect your lifestyle. It might cost you a house or two in Florida, Wyoming, California or Sweden. The real question is “Do you want a house or a home?”

I’m Tiger and I have always done it my way.  At one time it was inspiring to see you live on your own terms but now it appears unrepentant. What got you here may not take you where you need to go. A wise person recognizes the difference and is humble.

I have a long way to go. You are right. But what you need is not just a plan or a process but a person. His name is Jesus. He will meet you right where you are, just as He did the adulterous woman from Samaria. He did not condemn her but gave her a gift which is also available to you and Elin. Jesus Christ will trade your thirsty life and give you the living water that will “become in you a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

From,

Just a Sinner Saved by Grace.