I liked that. I think what he had to say was true.

I'm praying.

Thanks Phil.

Pat Ferguson
I'm trusting in Jesus for a complete healing for my loving Vernon

At 10:25 AM 11/7/2008, you wrote:
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Dutch Sheets Ministries
>
>Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 11:23 AM
>Subject: Dutch Sheets' response to the recent presidential election
>
>Greetings!
>
>November 6, 2008
>
>I feel certain that many in my stream of the Church want a statement from me
>concerning Tuesday's presidential election. I will be frank in my remarks
>but
>I do not, however, intend to vent anger or attack anyone. I have read
>several statements from friends and colleagues I respect very much.
>Their thoughts are well stated and, for the most part, insightful. None of
>them, however, seem to want to say some things that I believe need to be
>said.
>I do not claim infallibility or to have the final word, but my convictions
>run deep and I believe I bear a God-given responsibility to share them.
>
>Was This God's Will?
>
>Was what happened Tuesday God's will? I am quite confident it was not.
>America was offered a very clear choice between moving further toward
>protecting
>the unborn or further away; between a Supreme Court that would move toward
>honoring God, life and morality or away from it. The stakes couldn't have
>been
>higher nor the cost greater. As a nation we put on blinders concerning Barak
>Obama's background, associations, beliefs and practices, and set these
>causes
>back years, possibly decades.
>And in doing so we took another step away from God and His plans for
>America, and another step toward judgment.
>
>Judgment Will Increase
>
>This is not a fire and brimstone warning from an angry, legalistic preacher.
>In fact, I feel more sadness and grief than anything else.
>Perhaps I feel what Jesus felt as He wept for Jerusalem while announcing its
>judgment. I am not hoping for judgment; I am saying it is inevitable. I
>don't
>know where the unbiblical belief comes from that says a nation can live any
>way it pleases, can reject God and His ways-even mock Him-and not receive
>His
>judgments. Nor do I know when the belief came that it is always
>mean-spirited or judgmental to warn of these things. To the contrary, I
>believe it is our
>responsibility.
>
>In warning of judgment, I am not suggesting that God is going to intentially
>and directly hurt people. Much judgment is simply the absence of God's
>protection
>and provision, caused by a rejection of His laws and ways. We have been
>experiencing some forms of judgment in America for years, but God in His
>incredible
>patience and mercy has kept us from the level we've deserved. I believe this
>will change to a degree and judgment will now
>increase:
>
>* For those in the Church who aligned themselves with pro-abortionforces, I
>believe judgment will result.
>* For leaders in the Body of Christ who refused to take a stand for fear of
>losing people, money, and tax-exempt status-I believe there will be a degree
>of judgment.
>* For those, both within the Church and without, who voted money over
>morality-a potential raise or better health insurance over the life of a
>baby-there
>will be judgment. (The irony is that this decision to base one's vote on the
>hopes of a better economy won't produce the hoped for result anyway. The
>scriptures
>teach that it is righteousness which exalts a nation and that the nation is
>blessed whose God is the Lord.)
>
>I have heard the argument that God cares as much about social justice issues
>(such as poverty and racism) as He does abortion, making a vote for Obama
>OK.
>I certainly believe God puts a very high priority on caring for the poor and
>I, too, have wanted to see equality demonstrated through a "minority"
>president.
>But to equate having a better income or the desire for a first black
>president, regardless of his positions on abortion and morality, to the
>issue of killing
>50 million babies is not justice-it is a gross distortion of justice and
>great deception. I fear that we have been desensitized to this issue of
>abortion.
>I believe it kills babies and takes innocent life. I also believe it is
>blood sacrifice that empowers demons. Let's not forget this in our noble
>attempts
>to be kind and conciliatory.
>For African Americans I can easily see how it could bring healing to have a
>first black president, just as it would be for Native Americans to achieve
>this
>or for women if a woman were elected president. Again, I have wanted to see
>justice in this way. I am only saddened that the price for this healing
>ended
>up being Barak Obama, a man that will set the cause of life and,
>most-likely, our God-given destiny as a nation back so drastically. (I also
>realize there
>are some who interpret any criticism of Obama as racism. Racism is so NOT
>what I am about nor what I live, that I will not even dignify any such
>accusations
>with a response.)
>
>What Can We Expect?
>
>What are some of the judgments we can expect on our nation from this
>election?
>
>* More economic woes
>* More violence in an already violent nation
>* Disease and death (satan, who is responsible for these things will have
>greater inroads to our nation.)
>* Natural disasters (weather-tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, drought; fires;
>earthquakes; etc.)
>* Terrorism (they will fear us much less now)
>* War, perhaps on our own soil
>* Judgments relating to the Court. The stacking of the Supreme Court against
>the sanctity of life and God's influence on America will occur, which will
>in turn cause the shedding of more innocent blood, more rejection of God's
>laws and the stealing from us of our godly heritage-all of which will
>perpetuate
>a cycle of even more judgment.
>
>How Did This Happen?
>
>I've been asked if this could have been averted had there been more prayer.
>I'm not sure. I believe there was a remnant of Christians fervently praying
>over these elections-I don't think there was anything more they could have
>done. Others, obviously, should have done more. The complacency and lack of
>discernment concerning our real condition in America-especially by the
>Church-is both appalling and horrifying. America is in serious trouble and
>it seems
>no one wants to say it. Fewer still are willing to do anything to change it.
>
>Though I understand our reasons, we must be careful in our attempts to
>placate our feelings and calm our fears through religious phrases like "God
>is still
>on the throne" or "God has a plan". He was on His throne 35 years and 50
>million babies ago. And He had a plan back then. The problem is, it was us.
>I
>understand our reasons for waving high the banner of God's sovereignty at
>times like these-it gives us hope. I will wave it, as well.
>But please be careful with this. Too much emphasis on God's sovereignty and
>we're worthless; too little and we're hopeless. Maybe we should say, "we
>lost
>a critical battle but God will give us strategy to win the war." Then find
>the strategy.
>
>But still yet, since God is usually willing to work through a remnant, I
>thought we had enough prayer. Obviously, God decided otherwise. There comes
>a time
>when He will not forgive or bless the majority based on the prayers or
>actions of only a few. America rejected God and asked for a king; I believe
>we now
>have our Saul (see 1 Samuel 8:5-7)-a man who does not have God's heart for
>America but his own. Like Israel in scripture, our nation believes it can
>turn
>from God and still be blessed. In His mercy and justice He will show us
>otherwise.
>
>Like many, believing I had many promises and confirmations that God would
>"grace" us with a pro-life president in this election, I failed to consider
>strongly
>enough that all promises-even scripture-are conditional 99.9% of the time.
>Though I never prophesied or made guarantees that McCain-Palin would win,
>failing
>to factor this principle in strongly enough no doubt caused me to share my
>optimism with others inappropriately. If this caused any harm or confusion,
>I apologize.
>
>Has the fact that my prayers weren't answered shaken my faith? No. I'm a
>little confused and discouraged. I'm also somewhat angry at the nation in
>general
>and much of the Church. Mostly I'm grieving over the nation and what this
>will cost us. I am not, however, angry with God and do not question His
>justice.
>And it is not true that we wasted our time, energy and money in our efforts
>anymore than it is a waste when we share the gospel with people who don't
>get
>saved. We must keep in the forefront of our thinking the fact that
>ultimately we are doing this for Him and that He will reward us for our
>faithfulness.
>And who knows, perhaps He will store up all those prayers for the next
>battle (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-5).
>
>A friend and fellow warrior said it well,
>
>"We did 'give it our all.' I know the Lord was pleased with that. A coach
>wants to know one thing at the end of a heartbreaking sports loss: 'Did you
>leave
>it all on the field?' (your passion, your commitment, your strength, your
>courage, etc.) I know that we 'left it all on the field.' We didn't hold
>anything
>back until the game ended. Tragically, it ended in defeat. We will rise for
>another day because Jesus is worthy."
>
>Where Do We Go from Here?
>
>Does this election outcome shake my faith that we can see a great awakening
>and ultimately reformation in America? Absolutely not (and it strengthens my
>resolve). We will simply get there through greater pain and loss. Even my
>passion to see the Supreme Court shift is not from a presupposition that
>there
>can be no spiritual awakening without it. It is simply due to my deep
>conviction that their decisions bring so much death, destruction, curses and
>judgment
>to America; and because our full destiny as a nation is unquestionably
>linked to their decisions. So, yes, we will get an awakening and
>reformation; but
>the reality is that this reformation of the nation will reform the Supreme
>Court (and government, in general), not vice-versa. My faith has never been
>in people or a political party; my faith is in the God who works through
>them.
>
>I've been asked if my feelings about Sarah Palin have changed. They have
>not. I believe she is an Esther, a Deborah, with a huge mantle from God for
>reformation.
>God has a great destiny for her related to this nation if she chooses to
>continue down this path.
>
>So, in conclusion, we must re-group as an apostolic, praying church and
>advance. We must maintain an immovable faith in God, His plans for America
>and His
>mercy. And we must move beyond simply asking God for a spiritual awakening
>and ask Him for strategy to produce reformation, as well. I, for one, am
>just
>getting started!
>
>For God and this great nation,
>Dutch Sheets
>
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