Empowering Heroes (Part 2): Maintaining the Element of Surprise

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Joshua 8:18-20

Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand." And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand toward the city. 19 So those in ambush arose quickly out of their place; they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand, and they entered the city and took it, and hurried to set the city on fire. 20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to heaven. So they had no power to flee this way or that way, and the people who had fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers.

NKJV

This passage of scripture illustrates how the element of surprise is useful in battle.  The army of Ai had previously defeated the army of Israel (Joshua 7:1-5).  After seeking the Lord, which they failed to do previously, the army of Israel now plans to embark on a strategy of surprise.  Joshua divided the army into three divisions.  He led the first division that moved on the army of Ai as before.  Believing they could defeat the army of Israel as they did before, the army of Ai went out from the city and attacked Joshua’s division leaving the city defenseless.  When Joshua turned around and stretched out his spear, the other two divisions moved in to conquer the city. 

Since the defeat of Ai by Israel, there have been other successful surprise attacks:

1)      The Sack of Rome by the Visigoths, A.D. 410

2)      The Battle of Trenton, 1776

3)      The Battle of France, 1940

4)      The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 1941

5)      The Six Day War, 1967

6)      The terrorist attacks of 9/11  (1)

History demonstrates that the element of surprise is vital to success in battle.  This is especially true when an army is outnumbered.  However, in our age of 24-hour news coverage, the internet, social media, and politicians that telegraph their moves to either appease their base or appear tough on the world stage, the element of surprise is becoming difficult to preserve. 

Talk of a planned “surge” in Iraq in 2007 led to one of the deadliest runs by enemy combatants in Iraq. 

1)      Saturday January 20, 2007 – 25 U.S. troops were killed, 12 in a downed helicopter and 5 others while guarding a security meeting in Karbala

2)      Monday January 22, 2007 – A carefully coordinated bomb strike hits Baghdad featuring a suicide bomber and a stationary car bomb.  Resulting in 88 deaths. 

In total, there were 137 civilian deaths during that weekend in 2007, the deadliest run by insurgents in Iraq in several months.  (2)  As we were telegraphing our intentions, in order to appear tough, to conduct a surge in Iraq, insurgents were conducting successful surprise attacks.  One would think that our leaders would learn a lesson from this event and cease projecting their intentions, preserving the element of surprise.  However, this is not the case. 

In his September 10, 2014 speech on the fight with ISIS, Obama made it clear that action against ISIS would not include ground troops.  (3)  Obama made this statement to appease his base that voted for him on the promise he would end the war in Iraq.  However, ISIS most likely sees this statement as telling them that all they needed to do was bunker down until the airstrikes are over and then resume operations. 

Fortunately, military experts advising Obama are skeptical that using only pinpoint airstrikes can stop ISIS.  One of these experts, testifying in front of the House Intelligence Committee, told the committee that a blanket prohibition on ground combat ties the military’s hands.  A blanket prohibition against troops on the ground reassures our enemies whereas the possibility of boots on the ground adds the potential element of surprise that a ground attack might occur.  (4)  The only strategy now would be to allow ISIS to believe no ground war will occur and then to surprise them with boots on the ground, something that could occur but something I believe is highly unlikely with this administration.

In the information age, maintaining the element of surprise is difficult but not impossible.  In the lead up to the ground assault in the Gulf War, troops massed at the southern border with Iraq in Saudi Arabia.  Believing that the ground assault would begin from the south, Sadam Hussein massed his troop on Iraq’s southern border.  The 24-hour news media, monitored by Hussein, helped telegraph an intention by U.S. troops to begin an assault from the south.  However, when the ground assault began, the attack came from the west catching Hussein by surprise.  (5)  The U.S. Military, in essence, used the same strategy Israel used against Ai thousands of years earlier. 

If we are to properly empower our military for victory, it is essential that military leaders and political leaders preserve the important element of surprise.  In the information age, this will most likely require using deception by leaking information to media to appease them while preserving the secrecy of the genuine plan.  We can only hope this is what President Obama is doing with his plan to use pinpoint airstrikes coupled with his statement against any ground attack against ISIS. 

1. Weeks, Linton. 5 Other Surprise Attacks That Changed History. www.npr.org. [Online] NPR, September 6, 2011. [Cited: September 25, 2014.] http://www.npr.org/2011/09/06/140156564/5-other-surprise-attacks-that-changed-history.

2. Dunn, J.R. The Media Have Changed War. www.americanthinker.com. [Online] American Thinker, January 29, 2007. [Cited: September 25, 2014.] http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/01/the_media_have_changed_war.html.

3. New York Times. Transcript of Obama’s Remarks on the Fight Against ISIS. www.nytimes.com. [Online] The New York Times, September 10, 2014. [Cited: September 25, 2014.] http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/world/middleeast/obamas-remarks-on-the-fight-against-isis.html?_r=0.

4. Whitlock, Craig. Rift widens between Obama, U.S. military over strategy to fight Islamic State. www.washingtonpost.com. [Online] The Washington Post, September 18, 2014. [Cited: September 25, 2014.] http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/rift-widens-between-obama-us-military-over-strategy-to-fight-islamic-state/2014/09/18/ebdb422e-3f5c-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html.

5. Broder, John M. Schwarzkopf's War Plan Based on Deception. articles.latimes.com. [Online] The Los Angeles Times, February 28, 1991. [Cited: September 25, 2014.] http://articles.latimes.com/1991-02-28/news/mn-2834_1_war-plan.

Engaging Opposition

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Acts 26:22

Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come

NKJV

Paul, a Pharisee who once wreaked havoc on the church by dragging believers off and committing them to prison (Acts 8:3) is now professing his desire to stand as a witness to everyone he comes into contact with, professing what Moses and the prophets said would come.  What would come is Messiah whom Paul dramatically met on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9).  Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus caused him to go from prominence as a Pharisee to suffering beatings, time in prison, and eventually death for his faith.  Of course, during these times of persecution, Paul authored letters that would become most of the books of the New Testament of the Bible. 

Paul had a dogmatic belief in what he knew was right, his belief in Jesus as his savior, and even in the face of pain, imprisonment, and death, would not back down but took a stand.  Paul stands as an example to Christians and Non-Christians alike of what one person can accomplish when he or she has a dogmatic belief in something and does not back down from that belief.  It is this dogmatic belief that I believe is missing in our culture today. 

This does not mean that I favor murdering anyone not agreeing with my beliefs as we see today in radical Islam.  What I am talking about is not backing down from ones faith and belief based on truth and instead engaging in conversation with people trying to bring them over to your side.  This is what Paul did as he traveled, evidenced by the numerous churches he started during his journeys. 

Unfortunately, the Republican establishment appears unwilling to confront opposition evidenced by the recent swift passage of a continuing resolution with little debate.  (1)  Once again, the Republicans have allowed an opportunity to stand against the encroachment of government into the lives of Americans and the erosion of liberty slip away and instead have adopted a strategy of not opposing Democrats on social issues vital to energizing the base out of fear it will cost them in the upcoming election.  (2)  Of course, this strategy fails to consider how failing to engage Democrats on these important issues continues to erode the base, which stays home in increasing numbers each election cycle.  (3)  My advice to Republicans, get a spine and take a stand. 

It is time for the GOP to stop saying they are not Obama and outline a plan for victory.  The American voter is not just looking for an anti-Obama agenda they demand Constitutional leadership not afraid to confront those attempting the shred the Constitution and its guarantees of liberty.  They are dogmatic in their belief that Abortion is murder and do not want the government to force them to pay for abortions and abortion pills.  They believe marriage is between a man and a woman just as God intended.  They believe that the best way to save the economy is to let individuals pursue their dreams through the free market and not by taxing, spending, and regulating the free market to death believing we are slaying some evil environment destroying capitalist beast threatening to kill us all and fairly redistributing wealth.

The GOP leadership must come to the realization that they cannot get along with the Democrats for the Democrat Party is no longer a liberal or progressive party, it is a tyrannical socialist party on a mission to radically remove this country from its Constitutional roots and create a European style socialist republic.  Someone needs to tell them that socialism fails wherever it is tried.  (4)  However, the GOP can learn a lesson from the Democrats.

Even though the agenda of the Democrats is appalling to conservatives, the Democrats continue to gain ground on their agenda because they are more dogmatic in their beliefs than conservatives.  Even when the Democrats lose an election, as they did in 2010, they simply regroup and plan for victory in the next election as they did to in 2012.  They usually accomplish this by getting Republicans to cross the isle and make concessions to the socialist agenda instead of engaging in debate over these issues.  In other words, even when they are not in power after losing an election, the socialist agenda still gains ground. 

We need leaders like the Apostle Paul who even in the face of serious opposition, did not waver from his mission of spreading the Gospel.  We need leaders that believe in the Constitution and its limitations on government.  The founders of this great nation were dogmatic in their desire to avoid tyranny like the one they gained independence from by forming a limited republic with power separated between three coequal branches of government.  To achieve lasting victory, the GOP must embrace its conservative base by taking a stand against the socialist leviathan attempting to transform this country into the type of country our founders fought to gain independence from. 

It’s time to take a stand!!!

1. Harper, John. We Have a CR! washingtonwatch.com. [Online] Washington Watch, September 21, 2014. [Cited: September 23, 2014.] https://washingtonwatch.com/blog/2014/09/21/we-have-a-cr/.

2. Gallagher, Maggie. No Wave for the GOP . www.nationalreview.com. [Online] National Review, September 19, 2014. [Cited: September 23, 2014.] http://www.nationalreview.com/article/388403/no-wave-gop-maggie-gallagher.

3. Trende, Sean. The Case of the Missing White Voters. www.realcleapolitics.com. [Online] Real Clear Politics, November 8, 2012. [Cited: July 5, 2013.] http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2012/11/08/the_case_of_the_missing_white_voters_116106-2.html.

4. McCann, Steve. Socialism's Downfall. www.americanthinker.com. [Online] American Thinker, May 24, 2010. [Cited: September 23, 2014.] http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/socialisms_downfall.html.

Empowering Heroes (Part 1): We Need a Plan

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Proverbs 11:14

14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;

But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

NKJV

Part of success in any project is planning.  The time to seek counsel on a project is during this planning stage.  Unfortunately, when politicians fight wars, they often jump right in placing troops in harm’s way without considering the formulation of a plan for victory. 

Unfortunately, this has been the process for fighting wars since our troops achieved victory in World War II.  Since then, politicians fight wars using the military as their political pawns.  Troops often fight wars today in the interest of protecting politicians’ political interests instead of to achieve victory over an enemy of the country.  Politicians also micromanage wars instead of allowing the generals on the ground to manage the war.  (1)  This strategy has led to unfinished wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and soon Afghanistan. 

In spite of never serving in the military myself, I have always supported the men and women of our military and believe politicians should never send them into combat without first seeking counsel and developing a plan for victory.  A plan for victory must include:

1)      Formulation of a mission statement - The statement must clearly define the purpose for military intervention.  The mission statement must also explain why military intervention is important for national security. 

2)      Defining what constitutes victory – In World War II victory was defined as the destroying the axes powers of Japan, Germany, and Italy.  This clear definition of victory is lacking in wars since World War II.  Without this clear definition of victory, commanders in the field of battle have no idea what the goal of the mission is and just move on from one battle to the next.  Unfortunately, each battle results in more casualties. 

3)      Allowing military leaders in the field of battle to lead – Generals close to the field of battle have a better idea of what the troops need for victory and should have autonomy to make decisions that will best achieve the stated goal of victory.  Unfortunately, politicians in Washington now micromanage wars and all too often make battlefield decisions based on insuring nothing happens that will harm their chances for reelection. 

4)      Supplying troops with the weapons and resources they need for victory – The best mission statement, a clear definition of victory, and strong leadership on the battlefield are useless without the weapons and resources needed for victory.  Unfortunately, when the battle gets tough and there is a need to cut spending to balance the budget, politicians have no problem cutting defense spending leaving our troops lacking the weapons and resources they need to achieve victory. 

There is little doubt that ISIS poses a real threat to our national security.  (2)  With reports of ISIS terrorists possibly crossing our wide open southern border, (3)  we must stop ISIS before they stage terrorist attacks on our soil.  A strategy of keeping them busy in Iraq and Syria fighting for their survival instead of staging attacks on our soil is best.  After all, when we engaged terrorists with our military after 9/11, there were no more attacks on our soil for they were busy fighting for their survival at home.  (4)  Unfortunately, now that we have abandoned that strategy by prematurely pulling out of Iraq, we once again face the very real possibility of another deadly terrorist attack at home. 

There is a clear reason for a mission against ISIS in light of the brutality with which they have retaken much of the territory gained in the War in Iraq.  It is also clear that intervention by the military is vital to national security.  However, Obama has yet to define what constitutes victory and instead believes he can somehow bring ISIS to their knees through pinpoint airstrikes.  (5)  As of the writing of this post, there is much disagreement between the Pentagon and President Obama on the issue of ground troops.  (6)  President Obama needs to read Proverbs 11:14 and heed the counsel of his military experts.  Failure to do this will most likely result in the unnecessary deaths of civilians and troops. 

We must have a plan involving a combination of airstrikes and ground troops as we did in Iraq, causing ISIS to call back their people in the United States to assist them in fighting our ground troops.  This worked after 9/11 and as long as we kept the pressure on the Al Qaeda in Iraq and Afghanistan, no further attacks occurred on our soil.  The difference this time is we have an opportunity to be proactive and prevent an attack on our own soil before it occurs.

Unfortunately, ground wars become ugly and with 24/7 media providing real time coverage of the war, citizens at home witness the horrors of war without complete understanding of what is happening.  Politicians interested in getting the votes of these horrified citizens are all too eager to promise withdrawing troops so they are no longer killed or injured in a failed war caused by their policies. 

In next Saturday’s posting, we will look at how real time media coverage of wars since World War II is hindering the ability of our military to achieve victory. 

1. Lane, Moe. Attention, whoever in the White House monitors this site. Google ‘Lyndon Johnson micromanagement Vietnam.’. www.redstate.com. [Online] Red State, September 17, 2014. [Cited: September 18, 2014.] http://www.redstate.com/2014/09/17/attention-whoever-white-house-monitors-site-google-lyndon-johnson-micromanagement-vietnam/.

2. Hall, Wynton. 7 ISIS FACTS EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD KNOW. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, September 14, 2014. [Cited: September 18, 2014.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2014/09/13/7-ISIS-Facts-Every-American-Should-Know.

3. Kredo, Adam. Dem Rep: 40 American ISIS fighters have already returned to the United States. www.foxnews.com. [Online] Fox News, September 19, 2014. [Cited: September 19, 2014.] http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/09/19/dem-rep-40-american-isis-fighters-have-already-returned-to-united-states/.

4. U.S. Department of State. National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. 2001-2009.state.gov. [Online] U.S. Department of State, September 2006. [Cited: September 18, 2014.] http://2001-2009.state.gov/s/ct/rls/wh/71803.htm.

5. Masi, Alessandria. Does The US Need Ground Forces To Fight ISIS In Iraq, Syria? The Impact Of Airstrikes Vs. Combat Troops. www.ibtimes.com. [Online] International Business Times, September 17, 2014. [Cited: September 18, 2014.] http://www.ibtimes.com/does-us-need-ground-forces-fight-isis-iraq-syria-impact-airstrikes-vs-combat-troops-1690915.

6. Whitlock, Craig. Rift widens between Obama, U.S. military over strategy to fight Islamic State. www.washingtonpost.com. [Online] The Washington Post, September 18, 2014. [Cited: September 19, 2014.] http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/rift-widens-between-obama-us-military-over-strategy-to-fight-islamic-state/2014/09/18/ebdb422e-3f5c-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html.

Happiness versus Joy

By:  Dale Weckbacher

James 1:2-5

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

NKJV

This passage of scripture used to bother me, as I am sure it does many who read it.  It seems cruel for scripture to tell us to find joy in the middle of trials.  However, it goes on to tell us why we can find joy for the trials in our lives serve to make our faith stronger and help us develop patience.  The problem is that we mistake happiness for joy. 

Leah was happy in Genesis 30:13 for Zilpah had just borne Jacob a second son, Asher.  Moses declared in Deuteronomy 33:29 that Israel was happy for The Lord had saved them.  Happiness also comes when we trust in the Lord (Proverbs 16:20).

Happiness is the result of something good happening in our lives as it was with Leah.  We are also happy when God does something momentous in our lives such as when we He saves us from our sins.  We also experience happiness when we place our trust in the Lord. 

Joy however is much deeper than happiness.  As a believer in Jesus as my Messiah, I can have joy knowing that I have eternal life and that no matter what happens in my life, it will work out for my good (Romans 8:28).  This Joy of the Lord is the strength that gets us through the sorrowful or troublesome times in life (Nehemiah 8:10). 

However, one of the greatest joys we as believers have is that the Lord is coming back (Acts 1:11).  We read the news and it seems the world around us is falling apart.  There is a breakout of Ebola that some estimate may kill 5 million people and go global.  (1)  ISIS is committing brutal beheadings and creating fear by posting them on the Internet in an effort to create terror.  (2)  David Haines the latest victim of a brutal beheading was working as an aid worker.  Apparently, the hatred of ISIS is so deep that they are not interested in any aid from the outside. 

Domestically, the southern border of the United States is being inundated by an influx of immigrants from Central and South America.  This influx of illegals threatens to place a strain on already strained entitlement programs and creates competition for a shrinking number of jobs.  Evidence for this is seen in a record 20% of households receiving food stamps in 2013 (3) and the labor participation rate, which measures the percentage of the population working, continuing to decline.  (4)  These statistics only promise to get worse with the continued influx of illegals into the country. 

However, as shocking and surprising these statistics may appear, God is not surprised and knew these things would occur.  Therefore, I can have joy in knowing that my God will take care of me and that he will return to straighten out everything.  However, some may rightfully argue, Christians have been telling of the return of Christ for decades and nothing has happened.  However, these sceptics must understand that God is a merciful and gracious God and is waiting for everyone, including them, to have a chance to accept Jesus as their savior so they can have the joy of the Lord in their hearts too (2 Peter 3:8-9). 

Since none of us knows the exact time of the Lords return, the wisest thing for anyone to do is be ready and when we do, we receive the added benefit of the Joy of the Lord to strengthen us during these challenging times.  To insure you are ready for the Lords return and to experience joy in these troubling times, I urge you to pray the following prayer.

Dear Lord, I know I have sinned.  I know that the wages of sin is death but I also know that you came to earth and died on the cross.  You were buried in the grave for three days and on the third day You arose from the dead.  I ask you to come into my heart and I make you Lord of my life, Amen. 

You are now ready for the Lord’s return and even though the problems of this world and even our personal problems may still exist, we now have an eternal hope of eternal life and the return of Jesus to straighten out what is wrong with this world.  You now have the Joy of the Lord, which is so deep that even when unhappy times come, you can experience joy, which is what James was writing about in James 1:3.  We also now have a miracle working God on our side who has the power to bring solutions to our problems and protection from what is going on in our world. 

My prayer is that your walk with the Lord will be joyous and that your joy would grow as you learn more about your new Lord.  I encourage you to begin studying the Bible for it is Gods message to us and how we learn more about Him.  I also encourage you to find a local church that teaches the Bible so you can learn more and develop friendships with others who believe as you now do.

May God bless everyone reading this. 

1. Martel, Frances. AS OBAMA SENDS TROOPS TO FIGHT EBOLA, EXPERT SAYS 'FIVE MILLION COULD DIE'. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, September 16, 2014. [Cited: September 16, 2014.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2014/09/16/As-Obama-Sends-Troops-to-Fight-Ebola-Liberian-Newspaper-Declares-The-Fight-is-Lost.

2. Adams, Sam. David Haines beheading: Stars lead Twitter outrage over murder of British aid worker by ISIS. www.mirror.co.uk. [Online] Mirror, September 14, 2014. [Cited: September 16, 2014.] http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/david-haines-beheading-stars-lead-4257850.

3. Meyer, Ali. Record 20% of Households on Food Stamps in 2013. cnsnews.com. [Online] CNS News, January 21, 2014. [Cited: September 16, 2014.] http://cnsnews.com/news/article/ali-meyer/record-20-households-food-stamps-2013.

4. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate. research.stlouisfed.org. [Online] Federal Reserve Bank, August 2014. [Cited: September 16, 2014.] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/CIVPART/.

Equipping our Heroes for Victory

By:  Dale Weckbacher

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

NKJV

Heroes willing to lay down their lives in service to their country have blessed the United States throughout its history.  These people stood up against the British Army, the greatest army in the world at that time during the Revolutionary War, which formed the nation.  These people then stood up against the same army as they attempted to take the nation back in the War of 1812.  These individuals fought to maintain the unity of the nation during the Civil War, in the process securing freedom for thousands of African Americans in slavery.  They then fought in two world wars, protecting the nation, and the rest of the world from tyrannical rule.

Fortunately for the United States, heroes like this still exist in the current War on Terrorism.  Unfortunately, however, since World War II, our politicians send troops into harm’s way but fail to allow them to complete their mission and finish strong.  As a result, we have the unfinished wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and soon Afghanistan if things do not change. 

Most of us know what it is like to begin a project and fail to complete it.  For those of us that are married, we usually have a spouse to remind us of our unfinished projects, encouraging us to follow through and complete them.  However, in spite of a spouses goading, most of us still have unfinished projects in our lives. 

The Bible gives examples of unfinished projects that we can learn from.

1)      Joshua led the nation of Israel into the Promised Land but as we see in Joshua 13; 1-7, they failed run out all or their enemies.  Most notably, among those people remaining in the land were the Philistines who would continue to be a thorn in Israel’s side.  An unfinished project in this example caused grief for the nation of Israel for several future generations and may even be responsible for the ideology behind the current War on Terrorism.

2)      David had a desire in his heart to build a house or temple in which God could dwell.  However, this planned project was not in God’s will and God instructed David to have his son Solomon complete the project (1 Chronicles 17:1-14).

3)      The Israelites that left Egypt witnessed God miraculously delivering them from Egyptian bondage.  However, after sending twelve spies to spy out the Promised Land, all but two of them returned reporting on giants in the land creating doubt in their ability to occupy the land (Numbers 13:31-33, 14:26-30).  Their lack of faith that God could miraculously help them slay the giants in the land the same way as he allowed them to leave Egypt caused them to stop short of their goal. 

It is shameful when a nation such as the United States sends young men and women into combat and fails to provide the tools and plan for them to finish their mission and finish strong.  Instead, our soldiers return from combat and are made to feel inferior.  Is it any wonder many of them return suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  We owe these brave heroes better than this. 

On September 10, 2014, on the eve of the 13^th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President Obama outlined his strategy to take care of another group of terrorist thugs, ISIS, or is it ISIL, who are occupying territory in Iraq that our brave soldiers fought to liberate.  (1)  Many of our soldiers even paid the ultimate price, their lives, to free the people of Iraq from the ravages of Sadam Hussein.  Now these people probably think we have deserted them as they face a threat from ISIS that may make rule under Sadam Hussein look like a cakewalk. 

As part of Obama’s speech, he cites strategies used in Yemen and Somalia.  Citing these strategies would be comforting if they had been successful but the U.S. has been conducting airstrikes in Yemen for more than a decade and Al Qaeda continues to have a presence in the Arabian Peninsula.  (2)  In addition, Secretary of State John Kerry also insists that the ISIS offensive is not a war.  (3)  Once again, our politicians appear ready to send the military into harm’s way without a plan for victory or even the proper weapons of warfare they will need to achieve victory. 

The United States possesses one of the strongest, most well equipped, and trained militaries in history.  However, if we continue to fail giving them a plan and the equipment necessary for victory, the U.S. Military will continue to suffer failure after failure until morale will deteriorate to a point where victory may no longer be possible.  For our nation to remain secure it must return to providing and training our military for victory, enabling them to finish their mission and finish strong.  

Next Saturday, we will begin a series exploring what we as a nation must do to begin equipping our brave heroes for victory. 

1. New York Times. Obama's Full Speech About ISIS. www.nytimes.com. [Online] The New York Times, September 10, 2014. [Cited: September 12, 2014.] http://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000003107090/obama-addresses-the-nation-about-isis.html.

2. Hawkins, Awr. OBAMA CITES MIXED RESULTS IN YEMEN, SOMALIA AS MODELS FOR FIGHTING ISIS. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, September 11, 2014. [Cited: September 12, 2014.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2014/09/11/Obama-Cites-Mixed-Results-In-Yemen-Somalia-As-Models-For-Fighting-ISIS.

3. Marquardt, Alexander. Obama's ISIS Offensive Is Not 'War,' Kerry Insists. abcnews.go.com. [Online] ABC News, September 11, 2014. [Cited: September 12, 2014.] http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obamas-isis-offensive-war-kerry-insists/story?id=25443905.

Consistency of God and the Law

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Exodus 12:49

One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you."

NKJV

In our world where change is certain and often not for our good, it is great to know that God and His Word are changeless and consistent.  This is why God commanded the People of Israel to have one law for both native-born people and strangers.  Failure of consistency in the law would have caused class warfare and division in the land.  It also would have violated the consistency of an unchanging God. 

The United States experienced such division when the nation failed to abolish slavery at the Constitutional Convention.  The reason the issue was left unresolved at the convention was that the southern states, for economic reasons, would have never ratified a Constitution that abolished it.  The compromise reached at the convention allowed each state to decide the issue of slavery within their state.  This appeased the southern states.  Northern states were appeased when it was decided that slaves would not be counted as full persons but as three-fifths of a person.  (1)

The reason the northern states did not want slaves counted as full persons was not because they were racist but to prevent southern states from importing slaves and gaining an electoral advantage over the north thus further entrenching the practice of slavery in the nation.  However, this compromise in essence set up two laws with some areas of the country banning the practice of slavery and others condoning it.  Obviously, slaves seeking freedom would attempt to escape to states banning the practice of slavery but would be prevented from doing so by their slave owners.  As the years went on, the division in the nation over the issue of slavery grew until the nation found itself in a bloody Civil War over the issue. 

Some may argue that the issue of slavery was a state’s rights issue and thus, the southern states should have been allowed to continue the practice.  However, the Declaration of Independence guarantees all people the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  The practice of slavery took the God given right of liberty away from certain citizens of the country.  It is correct that states, under our federalist system do have rights to make laws of their own, but these laws cannot violate anyone’s God given right to liberty.  The practice of slavery violated the premise of liberty that the United States was founded on and therefore, it was right for the nation to abolish the practice. 

Now with the abolishing of slavery, there is one law in the nation and people of all races, regardless of what state the live in, have liberty, and cannot be enslaved.  However, does this mean that anyone living in the country has the right to liberty?  The answer to that question is no. 

As of the writing of this posting, President Obama has delayed his threatened executive amnesty for those illegally in the country until after the 2014 mid-term elections.  Even though the delay is a victory, after the election there is little doubt President Obama will press on with his promise of executive amnesty.  I am sure that at some time during the amnesty debate it will be justified using the argument that all people living in the nation have the right to liberty.  However, when someone breaks the laws of the nation, they forfeit their right to liberty and must suffer the consequences of their actions. 

Slaves in the United States prior to the Civil War were in the country against their will.  However, those illegally crossing the border now have made a conscious decision to violate the laws of the United States.  As such, they must suffer the consequences of their actions, which include deportation. 

If President Obama creates executive amnesty, he will be creating in essence two sets of laws.  Those paying to legally enter the country will feel ripped off as those entering illegally get a free pass.  Those born in the country will see their wages and opportunities decrease as the already shrinking labor market is flooded with cheap labor.  Finally, since these illegals are mostly unskilled, they will put a strain on our nation’s safety net, which will eventually result in higher taxes, taxes most likely paid by citizens and those legally in the country. 

Just as God is consistent and the laws of the land of Israel were to be consistent, the United States must have consistency in its laws.  We cannot grant people choosing to break the immigration laws of the United States some form of amnesty for in doing so we will create envy between the illegal and legal class.  The founders of the United States envisioned a nation without any classes.  They envisioned a nation governed by the rule of law, laws equally enforced upon all people in the land.  We therefore must block any attempt by the President or Legislature to grant special privileges to law breakers living in the nation. 

President Obama has decided to hit the pause button and not implement executive amnesty until after the 2014 mid-terms.  We must keep the pressure on and insure he does not hit the play button after the election and implement any form of amnesty.  This is the only way to preserve the God given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness the founders of the United States envisioned for the citizens of the nation. 

1. Eddie01. Constitutional Convention: The Problem of Slavery. www.freerepublic.com. [Online] Free Republic, November 27, 2010. [Cited: September 9, 2014.] http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2633657/posts.

Convert and Live vs. Convert or Die

By: Dale Weckbacher

Mark 16:15

15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 

NKJV

As a child, I remember going to the theater with my parents and seeing the movie “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”  For those reading this that have not seen the movie the movie is about the life of Jesus Christ.  The Greek word for gospel in Mark 16:15 is euaggelion (1) which means good tidings or good news.  The producer of the movie The Greatest Story Ever Told was no doubt inspired by the fact that the Gospel was indeed the greatest story ever told. 

The story of the Gospel started interestingly enough in Genesis 3:15.  God is speaking to the serpent that had deceived Adam and Eve.  The serpent is also symbolic of Satan.  In Genesis 3:15 we have the first Messianic prophecy where God promises that the seed of the woman will bruise the serpent, or Satan’s head.  Since the man and not the woman have the seed of conception, this birth would be a miraculous birth or a virgin birth.  In hindsight, we now know that this miraculous birth is Jesus of Nazareth, born of the Virgin Mary, who indeed did bruise the head of the serpent by his death, burial, and resurrection.

Christianity has grown through the spreading by believers of the Gospel.  Christians do not force others to convert for conversion is a free choice for each individual.  Christians depend on the power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of non-believers, convincing them that belief in Jesus Christ is the key to eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10).  Conversion to Christianity is a peaceful conversion for the convert is a willing convert.  Converts to Islam are also willing converts but this is where the similarity ends.  (2)

Christianity teaches showing kindness to our neighbors, even if they are enemies (Matthew 5:44).  When a Christian shares his or her faith with someone and they experience rejection or even persecution for their faith, a Christian will actually pray for them and continue to treat them as a friend.  This is in essence following the example of Jesus who, as the Son of God, could have stopped his executioners at any time but instead chose to willingly sacrifice himself as payment for our sins. 

The Quran, however, contains 109 verses calling for Muslims to go to war with nonbelievers for the sake of Islamic rule.  Some of these references are quite graphic calling for chopping off heads and fingers and calling for Muslims to kill infidels wherever they may be hiding.  (3)  With the brutal decapitation of two journalists in the past week, we are witnessing the fact that believers in Islam that experience rejection when attempting to convert a nonbeliever still believe they are serving god by resorting to brutal violence.  (4) (5) Then we have the charter of Hamas calling for the killing of Jews wherever they are found (6) and we can see that those refusing to convert to Islam are not loved by Muslims but face death in the name of Allah. 

Now that we understand the difference in conversion to Christianity and conversion to Islam, we must ask ourselves what Phil Robertson meant in his comments during an interview on the Hannity show where when asked how we should deal with ISIS said, “Convert them or kill them.”  (7)  On the surface, it would indeed appear Mr. Robertson is calling for some form of Christian Caliphate where those failing to convert from Islam to Christianity face death.

To understand Mr. Robertson’s comment we must put it in the context of both his faith and the events that had occurred at the time of his interview.  Phil Robertson is a devout Christian and to my knowledge has never called for the outright brutal murder of anyone simply for not converting to Christianity.  His comments came after the brutal decapitation of two American journalists at the hands of members of ISIS.  Even though Christianity is a religion of peace calling for one to love their enemies, Christians do have the right to defend themselves when threatened.  I therefore believe that Phil Robertson was telling members of radical Islam that if he were the one making the decision, anyone refusing to convert or abandon their culture of hatred and violence would face death, as he would defend the nation and its citizens against such brutal violence. 

We are a nation that embraces freedom of religion, which means that people are free to share their faith and attempt to convert others to their faith.  However, those choosing to reject conversion to a religion are also free to reject it and live without the threat of death.  Those choosing to murder people rejecting their religion lose their right to seek converts and will face the consequences of their crimes.   

1. Apostolic-churches. Strongs Greek Definition for #2098. www.apostolic-churches.net. [Online] [Cited: September 5, 2014.] http://www.apostolic-churches.net/bible/strongs/ref/?stgh=greek&stnm=2098.

2. Huda Islam Expert. How to Convert to Islam. islam.about.com. [Online] About Religion. [Cited: September 5, 2014.] http://islam.about.com/od/converts/ht/convert.htm.

3. Religionof peace.com. What does the Religion of Peace Teach About. www.religionofpeace.com. [Online] Religionofpeace.com. [Cited: September 5, 2014.] http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/quran/023-violence.htm.

4. JAMES NYE FOR MAILONLINE and MICHAEL ZENNIE FOR MAILONLINE and DAVID MARTOSKO, US POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE. 'I'm back, Obama': ISIS executioner Jihadi John taunts President as he beheads second US journalist, Steven Sotloff . . . and then threatens to kill a British hostage next. www.dailymail.co.uk. [Online] Daily Mail, September 2, 2014. [Cited: September 5, 2014.] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2740998/ISIS-release-video-showing-beheading-American-journalist-Steven-Sotloff.html.

5. Yablonski, Steven. ISIS video shows journalist James Foley's beheading, U.S. officials say. www.wcvb.com. [Online] wcvb.com, August 19, 2014. [Cited: September 5, 2014.] http://www.wcvb.com/news/isis-video-appears-to-show-journalist-james-foleys-beheading/27619126.

6. Information Division, Israel Foreign Ministry - Jerusalem. THE COVENANT OF THE HAMAS - MAIN POINTS. fas.org. [Online] Israel foreign Ministry - Jerusalem. [Cited: August 12, 2014.] http://fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/880818a.htm.

7. Breitbart TV. PHIL ROBERTSON ON ISIS: 'CONVERT THEM OR KILL THEM'. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, September 2, 2014. [Cited: September 5, 2014.] http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2014/09/02/Phil-Robertson-on-ISIS-Convert-Them-or-Kill-Them.

Law Enforcer not Lawmaker

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Leviticus 16:29-30

29 "This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. 30 For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

NKJV

The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur is one of the most important observances in Israel.  Leviticus 16 explains all of the priestly requirements for this observance.  In Israel’s history when they had a Temple or Tabernacle, they would offer up animal sacrifices to atone for their sins.  These sacrifices however, did not actually atone for their sins but were a sign pointing forward to when Messiah, Jesus Christ would make the ultimate eternal blood sacrifice for the sins of mankind (Hebrews 10:11-12).  Jesus sits at the right hand of God instead of continually standing in the presence of God because as He said on the Cross “It is finished.”  (John 19:30)  Every person, Gentile or Jew, is in need of atonement (Romans 3:23) but today, this does not require making annual sacrifices for sins but only that we accept Jesus free gift of salvation (Romans 10:9-10). 

Failure to adhere to the Day of Atonement in Israel meant that the nation’s sins would go unatoned.  This would mean that the citizens of Israel and foreigners living in the land would risk dying in their sins.  An individual dying in their sins faced eternity separated from God.  This is why even today, the observance of Yon Kippur is an extremely important day in Israel. 

The immigration laws in the United States may not carry an eternal death penalty like failing to observe Yom Kippur does but in a nation governed by the rule of law, there are penalties for breaking the nation’s laws and in order to maintain an orderly society, these laws must be enforced.  However, the Obama administration has been negligent in its duty to enforce the nation’s laws. 

The President of the United States is the nation’s chief executive.  (1)  According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary an executive of a nation is "responsible for making sure laws are carried out and for managing the affairs of a nation.”  (2)  The President is not the one making laws for the constitution in making the President the nation’s chief executive limits his powers to enforcing the laws passed by the Legislature. 

Current immigration laws in the United States were passed by Congress and signed by the President.  The fact that President Obama is not the President that signed the laws means nothing for when he took office he promised to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, which includes enforcing all the constitutionally passed laws of the nation.  By vowing not to enforce the immigration laws of the United States through the granting executive amnesty to those illegally in the country, President Obama is playing the role of lawmaker and neglecting his constitutional duty as law enforcer. 

Unfortunately, immigration is not the only instance where President Obama has failed to be the enforcer of the nation’s laws.  Numerous times President Obama has changed the time for implementation of mandates specifically mentioned in Obamacare.  (3)  When Congress passes legislation, the President has a duty to enforce every part of the legislation.  Any changes must occur in the legislature and then be signed by the president. 

Congress can and should impeach President Obama for the commission of “High crimes and misdemeanors.”  However, there is disagreement over what constitutes a high crime or misdemeanor.  In order to understand its constitutional definition, we must interpret it using the viewpoint of the authors of the constitution. 

To the authors of the constitution the word high did not mean more serious but crimes applying to persons holding high office, such as the President of the United States.  They held persons holding high office to a higher standard.  As such, activities of persons holding high office not viewed as criminal for the ordinary person can constitute a high crime or misdemeanor for a person holding high office.  (4)

Since the President takes an oath to defend and uphold the Constitution, failure to fulfill his or her constitutional duty to enforce laws passed by the legislative branch constitutes a high crime and is thus an impeachable offence.  However, the U.S. House of Representatives initiates the impeachment process and since the Majority Leader of the House has taken impeachment off the table (5), and since the House continues to fund Obamacare (6), we will most likely spend the remainder of Obama’s term in office dealing with Obama’s dereliction of constitutional duty. 

The United States is a nation of laws and violation of the nation’s laws carries with it a penalty.  For the President of the United States, the Constitution has a penalty of impeachment.  However, when the legislature fails to have the spine to impeach the President, the people must impeach the President by electing a legislature that will obstruct any plans the President has and by electing a new president in 2016 that vows to follow the Constitution and enforce the laws of the nation. 

The United States, unlike Israel, does not have a Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur but we do have a constitution.  The occupant of the highest office of the land, the President of the United States, must be held accountable for his or her activities while holding office.  When they fail to fulfill their duties, they face the threat of impeachment just as we face a speeding ticket if we choose to drive over the speed limit.  However, if the legislature fails to impeach, the voters must turn these holders of high office out of office.  This is our mission in the upcoming elections. 

1. Hillsdale College. The Constitution of the United States of America. [book auth.] Hillsdale College. The U.S. Constitution: A Reader. Hillsdale MI : Hillsdale College Press, 2012.

2. Merriam Webster Dictionary. Executive. www.merriam-webster.com. [Online] Encyclopedia Britannica Company. [Cited: September 1, 2014.] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive.

3. Levine, David Nather and Susan. A brief history of Obamacare delays. www.politico.com. [Online] Politico, March 25, 2014. [Cited: September 1, 2014.] http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/obamacare-affordable-care-act-105036.html.

4. Roland, Jon. Meaning of "High Crimes and Misdemeanors". www.constitution.org. [Online] Constitution Society. [Cited: September 2, 2014.] http://www.constitution.org/cmt/high_crimes.htm.

5. Lee, Tony. HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER KEVIN MCCARTHY: IMPEACHMENT OFF THE TABLE. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, August 14, 2014. [Cited: September 1, 2014.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/08/14/House-Maj-Leader-McCarthy-Impeachment-Off-the-Table.

6. Book, Doug. Cowardly House Republicans refuse to defund ObamaCare. www.westernjournalism.com. [Online] Western Journalism, July 30, 2012. [Cited: September 1, 2014.] http://www.westernjournalism.com/cowardly-house-republicans-refuse-to-defund-obamacare/.