In response to a post in Mario Murillo's blog about an article written By Michael Barone - February 14, 2013

I wrote this in response to Mario's Comments concerning this article.

http://mariomurilloministries.wordpress.com/

Back in 2008 many said that this president would bring Chicago style politics to Washington. But I wonder if they really had any idea just how blatant he would be in doing so.

But for those who had entered into that election season prayerfully were able to see through the smoke screen of nostalgia for having our first black president and recognize certain tactics used in the primaries as those used frequently by an ancient foe to Truth and righteousness. The ruthlessness of character assassination, the deceit and spin of fact and truth and the use of fear as a weapon against hope and faith have been the devil's modus operandi since the beginning.

I'm not saying he is the anti-christ, thats giving him too much credit. No, he is just without Christ, therefore lacking any Godly power to act righteously, and consequentially a useful pawn of the enemy of God like some demonic puppet.

You stated in your comments, and I quote, "There are millions of Christians praying for revival and God will hear them" and I believe you are right Mario. If the people of God would pray and believe then God will hear. And I believe we have and He has!

And in comment to his blog I asked Mario some questions that I will ask the readers to this blog. Please feel free to leave your thoughts to these questions yourself.

But do you feel that He will just come in and deliver us yet again, just to allow our ignorance and arrogance to bring us right back to this same place in another 4 years? Or should there be some public recognition of our Deliverer and proclamation made once that deliverance comes with decrees put in place against future attacks to Godly standards in government? Do you feel that there is any one individual who can carry this banner or is it carried collectively by a party or by the church? And if none of these are willing or are found to be disqualified, can a righteous few be enough to halt the advance of the enemy and also restore to us the Godly nation we once were? Or, do you feel that the lines have shifted and we are to, from this point on, fight a gorilla war from behind enemy lines hoping at most to hold some ground, like Texas, and liberate the few and teach them to become the same?

Your thoughts please...

Does Your Faith Meet Adversity or Does Adversity Meet Your Faith?

I got to lay in a little this morning and as I was I was thinking about peoples comments on fb last night.
The first were comments from Niner fans filled with confidence, bravado and hope. Even if you believed it was going to be a hard won game you didn't admit it in print, only in thought, but our words were positive and boastful.
And of course Raider fans hated on us for even being in the game.
Then the comments began to change as the first half played out. The Ravens scored and made it look easy, Kaep threw an interception, the defense began to break down and the offense was no better, even Aikers missed an attempt at a fieldgoal. And the comments were no longer so positive or faithful. Those earlier thoughts of unsureness and doubt left the mind and became fb posts.
And of course the raider fans hated on us for even being in the game.
By halftime, for most, all hope of a victory was lost and their comments reflected it. Not even Beyonce could cheer you up.
And of course the Raider fans hated on us and predicted our doom and threw around the "I told you so's" like candy at a parade.
Then the unthinkable happened, 109 yards away was the nail in the coffin of hope for just about every person watching this great contest. and it only took 11 seconds to destroy the memory of every victory won in what was an amazing season and even the one memory that should have remained fresh in all of our minds, the NFC Championship win. And the comments all but admitted defeat. And our course the Raider fans hated on us for even being in the game and their glee and smugness at this devastating run back covered my wall for the next few minutes.
Forgotten was the fact that these were two championship teams, forgotten were the passed victories, forgotten were their own words, their own declarations, their own predictions of a victory. For before the world was a man in one end-zone who had been in the other just 11 seconds before. Surrendered was all hope because at that moment the comments, posts and taunts of all the haters confirmed those doubts you harbored from the very beginning.
The Niners get the ball back and there is no wind in the sails by third down they are 14 yards away from hope. It looks bleak. It looks over for sure. It feels bad and the taste in the month is bitter indeed......Then, well then it happened. Don Meredith used to sing a song on Monday nights for moments like this and it went something like this, "Turn out the lights the party's over. ..."
And the lights went out!
For all it was a sign. It was symbolic of what was to come. It was, well it was the manifestation of everyone's feelings.
And of course the Raider fans blamed the Niners.
This morning I am encouraged. This morning I am grateful to God. You see, the two years I spent at Celebration Church Salinas has taught me something about faith and yesterday that faith was tested.
I took every thought captive, I spoke only words of life and victory, my comments may have reflected my surprise but never my defeat. I tried to inspire others with my faith in my team. I truly did believe they still had a chance. Not because I believe in God, He didn't pic the winner He only picked the players. How much win in a player is not up to God it's up to the players themselves. That's called "heart". It's also up to the fans and even the cheerleaders as to how much fight is in a winner. You see believe it or not, your cheers, your encouragement, your words if affirmation do give life.
Just as the words of a hater will breed death to a dream or defeat to a fight.
The lights going out were not a sign, they were not an omen or a prophetic manifestation. They were an opportunity for pause.
I'm sure that just as the fb posts reflected the thoughts of us all they also reflected those of the players as well. Imagine how the Niner players must have been feeling, what thoughts must have been plaguing their minds. ....
30+ minutes of pause. Time to gather the thoughts, refocus the mind and face your situation like the true champion you are.
I never stopped believing because I knew who was on that field and not a one of them was ever a loser. You just don't get that far unless you have Heart.
My friends, the players on our field of battle are mighty indeed! The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit are truly everything that you need for victory! Enter into every day with confidence, face every adversary with the heart of a warrior, never give in, and most of all, face every hater who will say anything to discourage, say anything to destroy your hope and say anything to mock your faith with the one thing that will drain their words of any power they may possess, The Truth in Gods Word.
Today be someone's fan, be that fans cheerleader and bring to the weary and beaten warrior words of encouragement, words of life, words of victory. .....Speak Faith and Awaken the Champion in a friend.
Be blessed today and may you be the winner God made you to be.

Never Give In!

My friends the fight for your soul still rages on. Do not grow complacent, do not get distracted, do not be deceived with simple parlor tricks, smoke screens or with misdirection. Never back down, back up or back away because I can assure you, your enemy will not. He is relentless, tireless and abounds in resources. You cannot wait him out, you cannot starve him out, you cannot flee, or surrender because no quarter will be given you.

YOU MUST STAND YOUR GROUND AND FIGHT! You possess the ONE THING that he fears! Within you lies the only Weapon given to man that rout his army and send them and him back to the darkness from whence he has come! This One Thing has the power for Victory and you have immeasurable access to it!

 Never Give In! Never Give In! Never Give In!!! For you have not only been commissioned as a warrior of The King of ALL kings but you have been given His Name, the Name Of JESUS! And thusly armed you are made powerful! You are made invincible! YOU ARE MADE VICTORIOUS! !!!

 Your soul stands secure in His Name! Your families stand secure in His Name! Your friends, co-workers and neighbors stand secure in His Name! Because you hold the line with weapon in hand and the Name that is above every other name upon your tongue no weapon formed against you shall prosper!

Your finances will not be looted! Your loved ones will live in liberty! Your fences will be expanded and your tents enlarged!!!

 SO STAND YOUR GROUND! HOLD FIRM THE LINE! ADVANCE AS THE ENEMY RETREATS! TAKE BACK WHAT HAS BEEN STOLEN! SET FREE EVERY CAPTIVE! TAKE YOUR CITY, YOUR NATION AND THE LAND LOST IN PAST BATTLES! THE WAR IS NOT OVER, THE BATTLE RAGES ON! LOOK TO THE HORIZON AND BEHOLD THE COMING VICTORY! BEHOLD THE COMING OF THE LORD! ALL VICTORY IS HIS! AND YOU MY FRIENDS WILL TAKE HOME, TO THE COMING GLORY, ALL THE SPOILS OF EVERY VICTORY EVER WON IN HIS NAME!!!

 BUT YOU MUST NEVER GIVE IN! NEVER NEVER NEVER!

Trying Times, Found Hope

The last few months of 2012 have been the worst of my entire life, I almost wish the world would have ended as the Mayans had pridicted lol. I can't even remember a more trying time or remember ever having my faith and trust in God tested more strongly than then.
First I moved to an unfamiliar city with no friends to follow my calling and take on a challenging position with the greatest organization in the world, Teen Challenge. Only to be laid off three months later and stuck in leases and commitments that keep me here. Then I struggle medically, financially, and finally emotionally. Having to look in a direction other than TC for employment was very difficult for me to realize was needed for my next level and I was very tempted to give into the familiar securities and miss what God has for me. Leaving fulltime ministrty hurt me greatly and stepping out from beneath such a covering was scary for me. I entered into that covering coming out of exteme addiction and suicidal depression.
Then my greatest pain; losing my mother.
No words can describe that kind of pain.
Shortly afterward my Uncle Bill joined her in heaven. And again I spend most of my days alone with my grief, interrupted occasionally by some weekend visits with my love, Lisa (that is if she can find a place to stay here in Sac). If it werent for her then I dont know if I would be writing this now.
My knees were buckled, my faith rocked, my hope lost. Some days I didn't even get out of bed. Depression has always been a struggle of mine, it kept me homeless and lost in addiction and alcoholism for seven years in the past, and even now as a Christian I have to face that demon and battle with it from time to time. I dont always win, but I never remain defeated, thanks be to God! This time, not only do I have Christ in my life but He showed up stronger than ever.
Christ is my Lord! Not self pity or depression.

I was sad when I stepped away from full-time ministry but God still led me. I was lonely when I came here to live but Jesus was ever present. I was devistated when I lost my Mom, but my Heavenly Father is the Great Creator and He would not allow me to remain undone!
I awoke this morning as from a terrible dream and realized I am on the other side of this great trial. Lisa and I have spent the weekend talking about and planning our wedding. We have voiced our hopes to one another as well as our fears. We have planned how together we can help those we love and we have blessed one another and encouraged each other and together our excitement for the future is mounting.
These last few months have been trying, and yes, the most trying of my life. But I believe they have been the best for my growth, in faith in God than any I have ever lived and I now look forward to the future.

I also look back, but only to give me hope that my future is not just manageable, but that it is bright indeed.
Thank you Jesus for your love and thank you Mother for always loving me.