AND NOW ON TO OUR MAIN STUDY…

MAIN STUDY—WHO ARE WE ELECTING—A PRESIDENT, THE MESSIAH, OR BOTH?

     How I first came to the realization of this need of this particular topic to be this session’s MAIN STUDY came about originally in a couple of ways—one, observation of how our political primaries on both sides of the aisle have shaped up in recent months; and two, the weird desire and thought to encapsulate a summation of this political climate in a unique version of Chris Rice’s “What If Cartoons Got Saved?” (Why, I’m not exactly sure—except that it seems to be a good way to laugh at the seeming insanity and obsession of it all…See the following lyrics and see whether or not this might resonate with you…)

 

I was thinkin' the other day
"What if cartoons got saved?
They'd start singing praise
In a whole new way"

Yeah, I was thinkin' the other day
"What if cartoons got saved?
They'd start singing praise
In a whole new way", Yeah yeah

Fred and Wilma Flintstone
Sing, "Yabba dabba do yah"
Scooby Doo and Shaggy
"Scooby dooby doo yah"
And the Jetsons' dog named Astro
"Rough rough roo yah"

'Cause, I was thinkin' the other day
"What if cartoons got saved?
They'd start singing praise
In a whole new way", Yeah yeah yeah
....
RICE, CHRISTOPHER M.

Published by
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

 

Makes you wonder how you could apply this to what’s going on politically right now, eh?

But before I get into the red meat of this topic, I must needfully introduce you to what has been my own political background through the years. When I was in college (and then for a few years afterwards), due to my pre-split Worldwide Church of God beliefs about not serving on juries, etc.—I dared not even think about going near a voting booth for any sort of important local, state, or national race.  After the WCG split, though (strangely enough), politics became one of the big things that changed for me. (FYI—this was during the years of the 1st Bush and then subsequent Clinton Administrations….)

My personal political leanings afterwards tended to lean more to the GOP and the conservative views of political commentators such as Rush Limbaugh. This was usually in part to all the rodeos I have had to go through for many years (and, in some ways, STILL DO) being forced to depend on various forms of government and even corporate bureaucratic assistance in order to literally survive hand-to-mouth when income from work wasn’t usually enough to sustain me personally.

I could tell you a bunch of personal thoughts about whether or not former Senator and Secretary Clinton (as in our former First Lady—NOT the former President) and her husband should NEVER, EVER be allowed again to even be within a thousand miles of the White House. But why bore you with that when I actually had a Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles experience in Hot Springs, AR that more succinctly wraps up my personal views of our former First Couple. (FYI—please note that I must say all of the following very reluctantly and with clinched teeth in deference and respect to their previous offices and NOT necessarily in reference to the particular individuals involved…)

The situation was like this—the very last day of my first trip to the city of Hot Springs, I realized that I didn’t have enough pictures of the sights of Hot Springs that were taken during the course of my trip up to that point in time. (Keep in mind, also (for those of you who weren’t born before Y2K) that this was in the era BEFORE digital cameras came into being and you actually had to pay to get film developed FROM your camera such as Polaroids.) So I got the idea to take one last ride on the city trolley in an attempt to get the final pictures I needed before it was time to get on the Greyhound bus back home.

One of the stops actually happened to actually be our former President’s boyhood home. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of actually taking the pictures of that boyhood home WHILE the trolley was still in motion. The results after I got the film developed from the trip said it all—just like the former President’s administration, the pictures of that home—sad to say—were COMPLETELY and SORELY out of focus!

As to my current views to the state of the GOP primary races between Messrs. Trump, Cruz, and Kasich, two separate pictures on that speak to my mind right now. Although I will admit that during the recent TX primary I personally voted for Sen. Cruz [mainly for two reasons—one, others I would have preferred to vote for dropped out of the race before I could even get a chance to vote for them; and second, ONLY because of Cruz’s home state ties to here (this in spite of my personal concern of the Senator’s very limited record showing me what grade school teachers would probably call his inability to work well, play, and get along with others is extremely suspect to me)…]—I personally regard our currently remaining GOP candidates as basically a bunch of stupid Neanderthals too narrowly focused on constantly clubbing each other in the head and declaring to themselves and the rest of the world their abject stupidity in believing that they’re much more of a big “HE-MAN” than the other guys—and in equally trying to prove that myth unnecessarily at the expense of the others.

Ergo comes the second personal picture of the current GOP race—the recent views I’m now stating that UNTIL cooler heads FINALLY prevail in the race and the Neanderthals stop clubbing each other in the head and giving each other unnecessary headaches in the process (plus the fact that they forgot about Someone Else bigger than all of them combined that they still might need to beat in November)---

As of now, I publically declare my personal views about the current GOP race (believe it or not) are now exactly about the same as those about the Rapture! Just like I now after hard experience have declared myself to be PAN-TRIB (although secretly leaning pre-trib, of course), I now ALSO declare myself to the PAN-GOP PRIMARY—which means, of course, I’m going to wait on how it all pans out BEFORE I go out and formally endorse ANY candidate personally. (Anyone wishing to join my new PAN-GOP PRIMARY cause can stop by GOPPANOUT.fake OR call me at (855) GOP-PANOUTFAKE…LOL…) (Not necessarily endorsed by BSPM, BSPOP, etc…of course….)

But seriously—what has really concerned me lately are things I’ve heard in some of our pulpits—especially about particular candidates that have amounted to holy war over things that shouldn’t necessarily be. For example, recently in one of those pulpits I personally had a chance to hear a message from, I sadly heard what amounted to be absolute viotriol about the frontrunners in both primary races in contrast to almost seeming worship of the merits of another candidate (despite the fact that other brethren in the Lord may have already lined themselves up with one of the frontrunning candidates because of their feeling politically that their chances for winning the election might be better in Nov.).

It sadly keeps looking like the ONLY person some folks will ever be satisfied with to be our next President has to either be the equivalent of the Muslim Madhi OR Jesus/Y’shua Himself. That person’s GOT to meet every jot, line, and tittle of what they believe—or, bleep forbid, we’ll stay home and NOT vote for anyone AT ALL in November! AND YET—we in the Church bawl and squawl to our God to “…send us more Godly Christian leaders NOW!!” Reminds me of what God told His Chosen People about their desire for a kind…it probably WASN’T what He preferred to do in the first place—but in their reprobate minds and out of His permissive will, He let them have what they wanted regardless—and the children of Israel suffered horribly afterwards as a result.

Come on, folks—can we cut out all of these unnecessary jihads over trifling things such as what one candidate said something bad about another candidate at an earlier debate and start getting our focus back on those things HE might want us to think on in the first place? Maybe He might have a few overall points that can get all of us as believers in Him back to the common ground of the Cross and at the same time do our part to make this nation in His sight. Answer the following questions to yourself and think REAL HARD about the meaning…

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT:

• When our Savior found Himself in situations where the crowds he ministered to wanted to set Him up as a PHYSICAL king, did he encourage this stirring in them—or was His usual desire and impulse to run and get away from Dodge as fast as possible? [(Ex.) John chapter 6…]

• When as a part of the overall Scriptural prophetic plan He finally allowed Himself to hear the shouts of a king from the crowd (whether misguided or not), was EVERYONE in Israel totally enthusiastic about it—or were there actually groups working in outright opposition against Him? [(Ex.) John 12:12 and following…]

• And about that tide of popular opinion after His triumphal entry in Jerusalem—was He able to sustain that favorable tide of public opinion—or did the crowd eventually turn against Him?

• If He was just originally a humble carpenter from a little town called Nazareth, why were the religious leaders and even the Roman government so scared about over Him? Why in the world did He make such a big bleeping fuss on their radar screen for?

• As far as the parallels our Savior has to the actual story of Pesach—when we actually call Him “the Lamb of God”, how long was a Pesach-designated lamb allowed to live afterwards before it was finally killed? Was it carefully and constantly inspected for a certain period of time for blemished or anything that would disqualify it from being a worthy sacrifice? [(Ex.) Exodus 12:1-11]

• It’s stated at times in the Gospels that even his disciples didn’t fully understand why He even came to earth in the first place until AFTER he ascended back to His Father in heaven? WHAT above all else did they FINALLY begin to understand about His First Coming?

 

Maybe it’s good to ask ourselves questions like these from time to time and remind ourselves of some important stuff we apparently forgot about on our way to the Forum. We need a good occasional swift kick in the pants to remind ourselves WHY He probably felt it necessary to come here onto this terra firma. My overall consensus and safe assumption would probably be that it was NOT to get the nomination of ANY political party for President or to even (more appropriately for that particular historical time) become some sort of physical king (at least NOT YET at that place in history).

It was probably INSTEAD involving something bigger and of far more importance—our individual desperate need for salvation from in and its far-more gut wrenching consequences. THAT’S something that neither Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, nor ANY other presidential candidate can realistically do within their paygrade.  ONLY the King of Kings, the Suffering Servant, and Ultimate Lamb of God can even take care of much more vital issues to each of us individually than what is on a particular party’s platform.

So during the remainder of this particular election and Spring Holy Days season, we would probably do well to consider just exactly WHO we are trying to elect—the next President of the United States OR the Messiah/Savior of your soul and life. If you’re looking for Mr. Trump to be your financial savior you need to pay off your debts, car, etc., I wouldn’t necessarily keep waiting on a check from him to come across your mailbox. Neither would I expect Secretary Clinton to serve as your babysitter for your next date night or expect Gov. Kasich, Sen. Sanders, or Sen. Cruz to be available when you might personally need them to help you out in the areas of auto mechanics, plumbing, or lawn maintainance. BUT we should ALWAYS expect the very Captain of our salvation who Himself served as our Pesach Lamb to be RIGHT THERE when we call upon His Name and need Him most.

Does that necessarily mean that we should avoid our civic responsibilities within reason in ways that do not otherwise compromise our faith? ABSOLUTELY NOT…after all, even the Apostle Paul did talk some about submission to authorities. And when you DO have the opportunity to be involved in the political process (whether small or great), it would be pennywise and poundfoolish NOT to be obedient to do what He would have you to do as far as working within our current political system in concerned.

What I feel He IS asking me to remind you about is that it’s NOT ALL there is. There will be a time somewhere down the road where democratic processes will be obsolete because of the FINAL establishment of His Kingdom upon this earth. I think that He wants to remind you of the most important things you should ALWAYS keep in mind whether you’re heading to the ballot box or going about your daily routine:

Psalm 20:6-8 (NIV)

6 Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
    but we rise up and stand firm.

 

Remember that your ultimate trust, hope, and confidence should never be in the rise, fall, or fortunes of a particular political leader or candidate for office. You might be better served instead to keep your sights solely and entirely focused on Him. Or, to say it better this way via a chorus of an old Imperials song…

No, it won't be old Buddha who’s sitting on the throne
And it won't be old Mohammed who’s callin' us home
And it won't be Hare' Krishna who plays that trumpet tune
And we're goin' to see the Son--NOT Reverend Moon.  

(Oh—I’ve just gotta do this…I can’t resist….one more time on this chorus…)

Oh, it won’t be Hillary Clinton that’s sitting on the throne

Donald Trump won’t be at his tower to call us all Home

And it won’t be Bernie Sanders who sings that socialist tune…

The Messiah WON’T be Cruz—NOR Kasich, too!

----------------------------------------------------------

Some final thoughts before I leave you once again until the next edition....Remember that it’s folks like YOU who have joined in the area of prayer, financial provision, and other ways that have made these Divine connections and opportunities possible. My tip of the hat personally goes out to each one of you for playing YOUR part in helping these ministry efforts go a little further down the road than it has been. I only simply ask that you not only continue to do so even more and more, but that each of you out there reading these things that’s interested in keeping these efforts going and being of some assistance to myself and these particular ministry efforts consider doing the following:

• AGAIN ONE MORE TIME--BUY, BUY, BUY any one and/or ALL of the books I now have available on Amazon! That’s an IMMEDIATE way you can be of some help to me not only in the area of my own personal finances, but in also even helping me begin to reach some of the goals I have for this future ministry including such things as:

• Formal filing of all form necessary for eventual formal incorporation and granting of IRS 501(c)(3) status of what would be called “Broken and Shattered Promises Ministries”

• I also already have plans in the works once more financial and/or other resources become available to me to see that special edition copies of all of my new books would be sent and made available FREE of charge to various prison ministries and prison chaplains, domestic violence and/or sexual assault facilities and/or organizations, correctional officers and other law enforcement officials, families of offenders and/or ex-offenders, and victims of violent crime.

For too long, most of the Church and universal Body of Christ has given short shrift to those who have been affected by the criminal justice system here in Texas (or worse--done absolutely NOTHING at all while Rome burns). Through personal experience, I have seen in many ways that in the eyes of those affected by crime, the Church has a TON more work to do than it realizes. I say that very soon, though--if I have anything to do with this thing (as He gives me the grace, ability, and resources to do so), this will NO longer be the case...at least as far as things here in the immediate Plainview/Hale County area might be eventually concerned! Even if it’s ONLY a teaspoon full amount that can be done on my end initially, it’ll at least in my eyes be better than doing nothing at all.

• And that, my friends, is where you can come in and participate...FIRST, seek the Lord and see what He might have you to do in regards to these things. If He doesn’t say anything, don’t sweat it. I am confident as always that if He has kept me from stumbling as I’ve walked for Him up to this point...then He’s more than able to provide all that I may need to continue to go the rest of the way that He may need me to go. But if He does point something that He wants you to be obedient to do (whether through intercession and/or something else), then I simply ask that you do what He says for you to do...and let me know once you do find out as well so that I can help you plug in and find a way to get involved.

• One final prayer request for me personally as you’re led to participate on this—The best way that I can sum up the true desperation cry I’m shouting aloud to Him this Pesach and Spring Holy Day season can be best summed up by the very words of King David in Psalm 142 (with SPECIAL emphasis on the FINAL two verses)…

Psalm 142[a]

A maskil[b] of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.

1 I cry aloud to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
2 I pour out before him my complaint;
    before him I tell my trouble.

3 When my spirit grows faint within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
    people have hidden a snare for me.
4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
    no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
    no one cares for my life.

5 I cry to you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,
    my portion in the land of the living.”

6 Listen to my cry,
    for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong for me.
7 Set me free from my prison,
    that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.

Have a great Pesach, Spring Holy Days, and election season—and see ya’ll when the Neanderthals stop fighting each other with their clubs!

In the very Name of the One True APPOINTED AND NOT POPULARLY ELECTED Lamb of God and Savior of the World,

Coy Reece Holley

Broken and Shattered Promises Online Publishing AND Broken and Shattered Promises Ministries