Howard Phillips – America’s Loss of a Great Christian Patriot

In the wake of America’s loss this past Saturday of a true Christian patriot, Howard Phillips, I am reminded of my response to a web post that I read a few months back. In commenting on an article posted at forbes.com, an individual stated that “My natural desire is that a new group of Founding Fathers would arise in the spirit of the original Founding Fathers.” My response to that individual was that America already has patriots in our midst with the spirit of America’s Founding Fathers, we’re just not electing them to office these days.  While the ratio of those with the spirit of the founders may be lessor today than it was in 1776, that spirit of respect for the Creator, honor for His laws and treasuring of the blessings of liberty, is still present in a handful of true patriots that this generation has been blessed with. Chief among those patriots has been Howard Phillips.

As I consider the God honoring, Constitution upholding, liberty loving men of this generation who possess the knowledge, intellect, experience and skills necessary to make them fit for the Presidency of our great nation, only a handful come to mind, with Howard topping the list. Had Howard been born a couple hundred years earlier, I am persuaded we would have found him in attendance at the Constitutional Convention and would likely see his name affixed to the Declaration of Independence. I expect Howard would have been found competing with Patrick Henry for the privilege of saying “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!” Today Howard has obtained that liberty.

The primary difference between Howard Phillips (and the handful like him in our generation) and the founding fathers, is that the people of the founding era saw fit to elect God honoring men of high moral character to public offices. In contrast, our present generation sentences such men to obscurity, choosing instead to be governed and lead by opportunists, power seekers, narcissists, man pleasers and those who are unprincipled enough to buy our vote with favors purchased at the expense of our neighbor. Had Howard lived during our nation’s founding era, I expect the American’s of that time would have elected him to high office, perhaps even the Presidency.

But rejection by the masses never bothered Howard, as I recall his commenting after a resounding election defeat, “we may have a right to be disappointed, but never to be discouraged,” as he continued to march forward for the the righteous cause undaunted. Rejection by this world didn’t bother Howard and it should not be a source of consternation for the rest of us. We should recall the words of Hebrews, chapter 11, which remind us that those who choose the path of faith and of honoring the Lord are commonly rejected by this world with “cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; ‘OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY.‘”

While none of us can by our own deeds make ourselves worthy of entrance into the joy of our Lord, we can know that on April 20, 2013, our friend, Howard Phillips, heard those words that we all long to hear – “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

May those of us who were blessed to know His servant remember the things that we learned from him and emulate his devotion to God, country, Constitution and the principles of liberty. The greatest honor that we can bring to our friend, Howard Phillips, is to go forth and be the example to the next generation that he has been to us, teaching them to honor God, obey His laws, uphold the Constitution and offer ourselves as the Lord’s instruments for the healing of the land.

PS. For those who were not privileged to have known Howard Phillips, my condolences. You missed an opportunity to learn how to think like a Christian patriot and apply the principles of the U.S. Constitution in the manner that the founders intended. Every speech that Howard gave was a lesson in Constitutionalism. It’s one thing to hear the words, but it’s quite another to be challenged by the spirit that goes with the words. They say that some things are taught and some things are caught. I am grateful to have caught what Howard taught.

Boston Marathon Bombings and The Only True Source of Safety

Whatever the final story behind the Boston Marathon bombings turns out to be, one thing is already evident.  No amount of bombs dropped on far away countries, drones flying overhead, airport security scanners, warrantless wiretaps, or gun free zones can make a people safe.  Safety – true safety – is only of the Lord.

I am mindful of the first words that bubbled up within me upon seeing the twin towers falling on 9-11, “America, how long will you be proud?”  That is to say, how long will we trust in ourselves, thinking we don’t need God, that we are sufficient in ourselves, can fix our own problems and meet our own needs?

Cures for the Health Care Act that Ails Us – Also Works on Gun Control

I recently heard a comment on the radio about this being the year that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare) will begin to be implemented. Actually, ObamaCare began to be implemented in 2010 and is not scheduled to reach full implementation until 2018. This is merely the year in which certain of the more egregious aspects of the act begin to be implemented, as the Hobby Lobby case has brought to our attention. That reminder as to the violative nature of this act, combined with the President’s recent call for an assault

Ichabod – The Real Message of the 2012 Elections (Part 3)

Part 3: Ichabod

We’ve been discussing the departure of the Christian-conservative-religious right from the Biblical and Constitutional values that we have told ourselves we were contending for. We looked at an allegorical example of how this has happened gradually and subtly over a generation or more without our even noticing our departure from the God prescribed path or the departure of His presence and favor upon our political endeavors. But can such a thing really happen? Is there a historical precedent for it?

Ichabod – The Real Message of the 2012 Elections (Part 2)

Part 2: Lost in the Forest

In Part 1 of this series we looked at the departure of the Christian-conservative-religious right from the Biblical and Constitutional principles that it once represented. We saw how that departure was documented in black and white in the 2012 primary elections. Remember, the primary election is where the Christian-conservative-religious right (which predominately votes Republican and serves as that party’s base of support) chooses the candidates who best represent their values and which they want to be represented by in the general election.

Ichabod – The Real Message of the 2012 Elections (Part 1)

Part 1: The Departure Observed

For a month now, the Christian-conservative-religious right has been reeling from the outcome of the 2012 elections like a boxer staggering under the effect of a near knockout blow. While some are vowing to return to the ring with renewed fervor, others are in a funk, despairing the outcome of the election. The odd fact of the matter is that despite the emotional trauma suffered by conservatives, the 2012 elections didn’t really change anything. We have the same President, the same party still controls the U.S. House of Representatives and the same party is in control in the Senate. Even the party control of state governorships only changed by one state. So if nothing has changed, why the despair?

How to Vote Like a Christian

With election day bearing down on us, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss how Christians should vote. I’m not talking about which party or candidate to vote for, but about the qualities that God requires in those who will govern over us. Yes, the Bible really does set forth criteria for civil leaders and those of us who seek to honor God would do well to observe it. It is found in Exodus 18:21.