Why I'm Republican and Voting for Trump

As a kid, I didn’t follow politics too closely but for some reason identified with the Republican Party. In 1972 I saw a TV ad about that year’s election between Richard Nixon and George McGovern. When the announcer said the word “Democrat”, I had a negative impression even though I was too young to understand what each political party represented.

The 1984 presidential election was the first I was old enough to participate in. Originally I planned to vote for Walter Mondale simply because he was from my home state of Minnesota. That changed after I heard on the news Mondale supported gay rights. At that time I became increasingly aware (and troubled) about homosexuality gaining acceptance in society. So on Election Day, I voted for Ronald Reagan. Back then I wasn’t totally fond of The Gipper but now appreciate how his presidency helped end the Cold War.

Since committing my life to Jesus in 1991, I’ve always voted Republican. That party’s candidates usually have policies closer to the Judeo-Christian ethic. Still, I look at voter guides to make sure I’m not voting for a RINO (Republican In Name Only). On the other hand, practically all Democrats nowadays support abortion and other liberal causes contrary to the word of God.

This past week the Republican National Convention took place in Cleveland, Ohio. My Facebook newsfeed has been flooded with comments regarding that. A few of my friends declared they will not vote for Donald Trump and instead cast their ballot for a third-party candidate. I won’t belittle their convictions but question how that will make a difference. 

The last third party candidate who made a noticeable dent in a presidential election was Ross Perot. In 1992 he participated in debates and received 19% of the popular vote but no electoral votes (which determines the outcome of an election). Although I agreed with Perot’s concerns over government spending and the national debt, I would not vote for him because he supported abortion and gay rights.

Shortly after the 1992 election, I heard Billye Brim talk about how when she was on her way to vote, “Bill Clinton” came up in her spirit. Billye stopped dead in her tracks and said, “Lord, I cannot vote for killing babies.” The Lord told her, “You vote your conscience but Clinton is going to win.”

A year ago I expressed misgivings about Donald Trump’s character and his standing with the Lord. Since then many Christian leaders have endorsed him. Focus on the Family’s James Dobson is part of a group serving on a faith advisory committee for Trump. Dobson posted the following comments in his blog…

“If anything, this man [Trump] is a baby Christian who doesn’t have a clue about how believers think, talk, and act. All I can tell you is that we have only two choices, Hillary or Donald. Hillary scares me to death. And, if Christians stay home because he isn’t a better candidate, Hillary will run the world for perhaps eight years. The very thought of that haunts my nights and days. One thing is sure: we need to be in prayer for our nation at this time of crisis.”

I’ve read and heard many prophecies about Donald Trump being used as God’s “trumpet” in this day and hour. A couple of friends even suggested his selecting Mike Pence as his running mate is prophetic (“TrumPence”). Regardless, keep in mind we are voting for a president…not a pastor. One major reason I’m voting for Trump is that I don’t want the Clintons back in the White House.

So if you’re a fellow American who isn’t fond of the choices available for this upcoming election, don’t let that stop you from going to the polls in November. Pray and ask God to guide you in who to vote for. That would include congressmen and other officials who have the guts to keep a bad president in check. Every election is determined by the people who show up. If you stay home and the wrong people are elected, then you have no right to complain.

”When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” - Proverbs 29:2

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Halloween Ca
Read more