Norma McCorvey's ("Roe v Wade") First Church Experience as a Believer - DR. JIM GARLOW/SKYLINE CHURCH, SAN DIEGO

Pastor Flip Benham baptizes Norma McCorvey on Aug. 8, 1995. (Courtesy)

Norma McCorvey's First Church Experience as a Believer

 2/18/2017 DR. JIM GARLOW/SKYLINE CHURCH, SAN DIEGO   chariSMa news

Norma McCorvey, the "Jane Roe" of the infamous Roe v. Wade case—Henry Wade was District Attorney in Dallas, TX at the time—that decriminalized the killing of pre-born babies (and with its companion case, Doe v. Bolton, allowed the killing to continue right through the third trimester), died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at age 69.

It has been often noted that this case was built on a lie. Equally well known is the fact that McCorvey felt very "used" by the radical feminists at whose urging she was thrust into the national limelight. She would later explain that she never actually had an abortion and admitted the case was the "biggest mistake of her life."

But there is more—much more—to the story. And that is McCorvey's first encounter with Christians after her conversion. 

History will remember her as "Jane Roe." But eternity will forever know her as Norma McCorvey, a child of God. Why? Because she made a commitment to Christ more than two decades ago. While that fact is fairly well known, I would like to shed some additional light on her conversion and the first few days after that.

McCorvey worked in Dallas out of a pro-abortion office. Pastor Flip Benham, leader of Operation Rescue Dallas at the time, worked nearby in a pro-life office. Through that, McCorvey met Flip. Although they were polar opposites on the abortion issue, Flip demonstrated the love of Christ to her.

Flip was then and still is one of the greatest preacher/prophets in America. He is likely one of the boldest, most courageous persons I have ever met. He is fearless. But he is tender and loving. His Bible is worn out by its constant use, and he pleads with fellow Christians to read it through a minimum of once a year. His celebrity sons—Jason and David (known for being cut from a national TV show for their stand for traditional, biblical marriage)—have followed their dad as a role model and have read the entire Bible through a minimum of once a year since they were young teens.

McCorvey was stunned at Flip's gentle, Christ-like love. She thought pro-lifers were, in accordance with pro-abortion reports, hateful and mean. What she encountered was the love of Jesus. Flip—who always carries a big Bible—began tenderly to share the Word with her. As a result, she received Jesus as Savior for her sins and became "a new creature" in the summer of 1995 and was baptized Aug. 8.

Flip had been a Free Methodist (not to be confused with the liberal United Methodist denomination) pastor, but he was not at that time pastoring a church. Since Flip and I were extremely close friends, he invited McCorvey to the church I was pastoring.

The first church she attended—just a few days after she became a believer—was Metroplex Chapel (Church of the Nazarene), located in Euless, Texas, in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

But what happened that day was almost as profound as her conversion. She was afraid to come to the church as she did not know how Christians might respond to her, given her identification with abortion. She arrived at the church building but was too fearful to come in. She drove around the parking lot several times trying to get the courage to get out of her car. She was afraid of what people might say to her or even do to her.

Finally, she saw Flip standing on the church steps looking for her. She trusted him, so she parked her car and came to Flip. He escorted her into the church. She sat with Flip during the service. I still recall exactly where they sat that Sunday, off to my left from my view from the platform, about two-thirds of the way to the back of the church.

With her and Flip's permission, I introduced her at the end of the service, telling the congregation that "Jane Roe" of Roe v. Wade had come to Christ and had experienced forgiveness for her sins. I explained that she was present in the auditorium. I asked her to stand. She did. The crowd erupted in an extended standing ovation. McCorvey was shocked. She did not expect that.

After the service ended, nearly the entire church congregation formed an extremely long line to give her a hug and welcome her into the family of God. It was a profoundly moving and tender moment. Norma McCorvey, the "Jane Roe" of the infamous Roe v. Wade case had not only experienced the love and forgiveness of Jesus. She had now experienced the love and forgiveness of the body of Christ—the church. It was an exhilarating day for us all.

McCorvey would later say in a television ad, "You read about me in history books, but now I am dedicated to spreading the truth about preserving the dignity of all human life from natural conception to natural death."

During the first half of her life, she was on the wrong side of history.  But that changed when she repented of her sins.  She joined "the right side of history." But more importantly, she now enjoys the right side of eternity. 

Dr. Jim Garlow is pastor of Skyline Church in the San Diego, California, area. His latest book is Well Versed: Biblical Answers to Today's Tough Issues.

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Evangelical Faith Leaders Plan to Hold a 'Special Inaugural Prayer Event' - BOB ESCHLIMAN CHARISMA NEWS

A number of evangelical faith leaders are going to gather in Washington, D.C., Thursday to pray for the new administration. (Reuters photo)

Evangelical Faith Leaders Plan to Hold a 'Special Inaugural Prayer Event'

1/19/2017 BOB ESCHLIMAN  CHARISMA NEWS

Also on Thursday afternoon, evangelical faith leaders from around the country are going to gather in Washington, D.C., for a special prayer event.

Dr. Jim Garlow and Pastor Dan Cummins of Skyline Church in San Diego, Calif., and The Jefferson Gathering—a weekly worship service held for members of Congress and Capitol Hill staffers, are leading the event with support from Tony Perkins of Family Research Council and David Barton of Wallbuilders. Additionally, Mike Evans of Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem will also take part.

The event will begin at noon EST at Greater New Hope Baptist Church, located about a mile and a half from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. It will be a time of worship and prayer to thank God for what He has done.

A description of the event states:

This "Special Inaugural Prayer Event" will focus on prayers for the nation, Administration, the Cabinet, Congress and Appointees, racial unity and for millennials. Masters of ceremonies for the event will be Jim Garlow and Audrea Taylor. Those participating include Congressman Trent Franks, Congressman Jody Hice and leaders including Bishop Melvin Brown, Dan Cummins, James and Shirley Dobson, Bishop Harry Jackson, James Robison, Samuel Rodriquez, Alveda King, David Barton, Robert Morris, Judy Wade, Michele Bachmann, Jentezen Franklin, Charles Huang, Ralph Reed, Ronnie Floyd, Robert Jeffress, Tony Perkins, Jonathan Cahn and others. Worship for the event will be lead by Josh Garlow.

Stephen Amerson, who frequently sings at Jefferson Gathering services, will perform during the pre-inauguration prayer service.

Following the prayer service, beginning at approximately 1 p.m. EST, participants will have an opportunity to hear from Israeli members of the Knesset and U.S. members of Congress. They will be discussing the U.S.-Israeli relationship, and there will be a Genesis 12:3 call to "bless Israel." 

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Sound the Shofars in the Nation's Capital - DAN CUMMINS CHARISMA NEWS

The Jefferson Memorial (David/Flickr/CC)

Sound the Shofars in the Nation's Capital

 10/31/2016 DAN CUMMINS  CHARISMA NEWS

Nov. 6, 7 and 8—three nights leading up to the most important presidential election since the Civil War, concerned citizens will be gathering at the Upper Senate Park across Constitution Avenue from the U.S. Capitol to pray for the election and the nation's future.

Leading the three-night prayer vigil are hosts Pastor Dan and JoAnn Cummins of The Jefferson Gathering Worship Services and led by well-known Christian churches and organizations including the Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, Triumph Church of D.C., Concerned Women for America, Family Research Council, Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, Somebody Cares International of Houston, Texas, Faith & Action in the Nation's Capital, and Hombres De Palabra (Men of Their Word) both of Washington, D.C.

The organizers believe that prayer, not politics, is the only hope and answer to America's problems. "Where people are praying, there is hope. When people pray things happen," says Pastor Dan Cummins, an associate pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, California, and the onsite pastor of The Jefferson Gathering Worship Services which are held weekly in the nation's Capitol building for members of Congress, staff and all federal employees. Cummins and his wife, JoAnn, first began holding "Come Pray With Me" rallies in the small rural East Texas town of Bullard in 2010. 

The public is welcome to join the non-partisan evening vespers.

"Skyline Church is involved because we understand that America is in a crisis moment. The nation—as we know it—is gasping for air.  This is neither melodramatic nor defeatist. It is simply fact," says Dr. Jim Garlow, senior pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego and oversite pastor of the Jefferson Gathering. "The kingdom of God will be fine—with or without America. But America may not survive. We pray for voters to enter the voting booth with a healthy reverence of God, casting a ballot for biblical concepts and principles."

Doug Stringer, of Houston, Texas, and founder of Somebody Cares International, believes that "we are living in very challenging, critical and volatile times. Every day the news is filled with more human tragedy or disaster. Crises are escalating at an unprecedented rate. As the body of Christ, we must respond." The reason Stringer and many from his organization are flying to Washington, D.C., to participate, "It's about the church humbling herself and crying out before God. Our private posture affects our public influence. Our private choices have public consequences. There is a battle for the soul of our nation."

Though the event is advertised as "non-partisan" the focus of its prayers will be for the nation and the election. Organizers believe that it was upon the influence of Judeo-Christian ethics that America was founded. They hope that this election will be influential in bringing the nation back to its core values.

"There is a steady undercurrent of targeted efforts to remove God from every vestige of American life and culture. These battles confirm a tangible reality that the things we hold sacred are slowly eroding away all around us," says Lea Carawan, president and executive director of the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation. "Thankfully, God's people are unifying with one heart and one voice in prayer for the country and those who lead her. God has been and always will be our only source of hope."

The focus of evening prayers will span from the White House to every house in America. The Supreme Court nominees and the judicial system will be a center of focus.

"If ever the American people needed to talk and listen to God—it is now. Faith & Action in the Nation's Capital is a missional ministry to our nation's leaders, no matter who they are. It is clear, that our work on Capitol Hill is more important now than it has been before," says Peggy Nienaber, vice president of programs and operations for "Faith & Action in the Nation's Capital," an organization that ministers primarily to the Supreme Court.

Other organizations participating in the Upper Senate Park pray vigil are Concerned Women for America, Family Research Council, Triumph Church of D.C. and Hombres De Palabra (Men of Their Word).

Individuals and church groups are invited to attend. The organizers ask that no political clothing, apparel, banners or signs be worn or brought to the event. This also includes any type of musical interments or shofars. You may bring lawn chairs and blankets. Suggested parking for cars and buses is provided at Union Station just north of Upper State Park.  

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Could Donald Trump Reverse the Curse Over America? - DR. JIM GARLOW CHARISMA NEWS

Donald Trump (Reuters )

Could Donald Trump Reverse the Curse Over America?

 9/7/2016 DR. JIM GARLOW  CHARISMA NEWS

Editor's Note: Dr. Jim Garlow recently wrote an article for charismanews.com titled "If You're on the Fence About Your Vote, This Pastor Clarifies How the Very Future of America Is at Stake." The article quickly went viral and has garnered more than 1 million shares in four weeks.

In part one of this article, we covered five key points that lay out the background for understanding Donald Trump's view of Israel. Today, part two will cover the nine key points with allow us to understand Trump's stand on Israel:

1. Trump and Israel. So how does Donald Trump view Israel? (I have made it known in other writings that I was originally for Huckabee, and then when his campaign ended, supported Cruz. And I have commented here why I am supporting Trump over Hillary.)

Succinctly stated: Trump supports Israel. Yes, I am aware of his February statement about being "neutral" in negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, which is restated in this online video. Frankly, that is unrealistic. One cannot be "neutral" with two parties when one party would merely like to peacefully exist in its own tiny country and the other party has in its charter that it wants the other side dead and provides proof of that with suicide bombers sent into shopping centers. What are clues to where Trump stands on Israel.    

2. Israel adviser.  Who is Trump's closest adviser on Israel?  His name is Jason Greenblatt, an acquaintance of mine. Who is he? He is a Jew. He has been Trump's attorney for 20 years. He is the executive vice president/chief legal officer of the Trump Organization and he is co-chairman of Mr. Trump's Israel Advisory Committee. Mr. Greenblatt's voluminous writing provides clues as to where Trump stands.

There are those who attempt to paint Trump as an anti-Semite. This charge is so absurd, I will respond only briefly. The July 8, 2016, Washington Post headline for Jason Greenblatt's op-ed column says it all, "I'm a Jew who has worked with Donald Trump for years. He's no anti-Semite."

3. Jerusalem as capital. Imagine with me if the rest of the world demanded that the U.S. keep its capital in a city of their choosing, but not Washington, D.C., as we have chosen. That is what has happened to Israel. The U.S.—and others—have demanded that Israel not be allowed to select its own capital city!  

Donald Trump rightly believes that Israel should choose its own capital (CNN, published June 29, 2016). What a novel thought: A nation getting to select its own capital! By the way, the capital of Israel was resolved approximately 3,000 years ago! Clue: It's Jerusalem.

4. BDS. If you don't know what those three letters mean, you should. This is an attempt by the American "left" (I don't care for the "right vs. left" delineations since I believe this is actually a case of "right vs. wrong." However I will use "left" here as common jargon.) to strangle Israel's economy by:  B (boycotting Israeli products), D (divesting of funds in Israel's growing and glowing economy) and S (sanctioning or ostracizing the nation). There is a name for BDS. It is called anti-Semitism. Trump stands against BDS anti-Semitism (Fox News, published June 9, 2016).

5. War.  The people of Israel want peace, but they can't have it. Within 24 hours after they came into existence, surrounding nations attacked them! They fought their War for Independence from 1947 to 1949 and wars have continued: 1956, 1967, 1973, 1971-1983 (Palestinian aggression from Lebanon), 1982, 1987-93, 2000-2005, 2006, 2008-10, 2014.  

When can Israel just be left alone? By all indications, Trump seems to understand this.

6. The T-shirt. My favorite T-shirt was purchased in Jerusalem. It states, "Civilizations, nations and empires that have tried to destroy the Jewish People." Following that are two columns: one with "nation," the other with the "status."

Working down the columns: "Ancient Egypt—Gone. Philistines—Gone. Assyrian Empire—Gone. Babylonian Empire—Gone. Persian Empire—Gone. Greek Empire—Gone. Roman Empire—Gone. Byzantine Empire—Gone. Crusaders—Gone. Spanish Empire—Gone. Nazi Germany—Gone. Soviet Union—Gone. Iran—???" The implication of the "???" is essentially saying: "Your time is coming!"  

Across the bottom of the T-shirt are these words: "The Jewish People: The smallest of nations but with a Friend in the highest of places! So...BE NICE!" How true!

I repeat, God will bless those who bless Israel. Curse Israel and ... you get the picture. If for some reason you won't stand with Israel, God will! At donaldtrump.com, there is a brief video in which Trump states, "I love Israel.  I am very pro-Israel. ... Israel, I love you." Are these words important? They would be to me if I were an Israeli. Given the fact that God will bless those who bless Israel, they are important to me as an American as well.

7. While in Israel.  I am now preparing to leave for my 11th trip to Israel as my wife prepares for her 58th trip. Thus we are in Israel with frequency. While in Israel, I would feel considerably safer with a Trump presidency than a Hillary presidency. All our Israeli friends feel the same way. 

8. Platforms matter. The GOP platform has Trump's tacit approval. The Democratic platform has Hillary's. The platforms are a "window" into the candidate. The allows us to see what the respective parties actually believe. These two platforms are different.

The Republicans rejected a "two-state solution" and refuse to call Israel an "occupier." The GOP platform states:

"We oppose any measures intended to impose an agreement or to dictate borders or other terms, and call for the immediate termination of all U.S. funding of any entity that attempts to do so. Our party is proud to stand with Israel now and always."

The Democratic Platform states:

"We will continue to work toward a two-state solution of the Israel-Palestinian conflict negotiated directly by the parties that guarantees Israel's future as a secure and democratic Jewish state with recognized borders, and provides the Palestinians with independence, sovereignty and dignity."  

One problem: the Palestinian leaders don't merely want the above listed items. They want the Jews dead and Israel gone.  

Reminder: The phrase "two-state solution" is a way of lopping off a big piece of Israel, thus rendering the Jewish state defenseless. How would you like it if some nation or nations demanded that we surrender a huge section of America to give it to people who want us dead or at least driven out?

Based on the party platforms, you have two clear choices this election: 1) a party that calls for Israel to become defenseless, that is, a vote for Hillary, or 2) a party that recognizes Israel's right to exist and defend itself, which is, a vote for Trump.

9. "Occupier." To her credit, Hillary prevailed on her party platform not to call Israel an "occupier." However her motivation was faulty. She claimed that it might enflame the emotions in the Middle East. However, this is not about "enflaming emotions." It is about speaking truth. Just for the record: Israel does not "occupy" the land. It owns it! 

Dr. Jim Garlow, author of Well Versed: Biblical Answers to Today's Tough Issues, commentator on The Garlow Perspective, a one-minute commentary on 850 radio outlets daily, pastor of Skyline Church in the San Diego area, and co-founder of The Jefferson Gathering, a weekly worship service for Members of Congress in the U.S. Capitol Building. Garlow has a Ph.D. from Drew University in historical theology and master's degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary, Asbury Theological Seminary and Southern Nazarene University.

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Will Obama's Betrayal of Israel Bring America Down? - DR. JIM GARLOW CHARISMA NEWS

President Barack Obama has sent mixed signals to Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Reuters file photo )

Will Obama's Betrayal of Israel Bring America Down?

 9/6/2016 DR. JIM GARLOW  CHARISMA NEWS

Editor's Note: Dr. Jim Garlow recently wrote an article for Charismanews.com titled, "If You're on the Fence About Your Vote, This Pastor Clarifies How the Very Future of America Is at Stake." The article quickly went viral and has garnered more than 1 million shares in four weeks.

Why should Donald Trump—or any American presidential candidate—care about one tiny nation halfway around the world? After all, there are approximately 200 nations on the Earth. Why all the attention on just one?

A few weeks ago, my book Well Versed: Biblical Answers to Today's Tough Issues was released, laying out the biblical underpinnings to 30 political and social issues. Only one nation—of all the nations in the world—got its own chapter.

It is Israel. But why all this fascination with Israel?

Why should we care about a land mass no bigger than New Jersey? After all, it only occupies less than ½ of 1 percent of all the land in the Middle East. Why this tiny state?

My wife, Rosemary Schindler Garlow (yes, she is distantly related, by her first marriage, to Oskar Schindler of Schindler's List fame)—is about to make her 58th trip to Israel. I am about to make my 11th. Why this one nation?

And why should we care about Donald Trump's Israel policy? Why Israel?

Part One (points 1-5 below) will help us understand the background to answer that question. Part Two (points 6-14)—which will post on Wednesday—centers upon Trump's stand on Israel.

Part 1

1. Our survival. Let me cut to the chase: God has not changed His mind. Genesis 12:3 has not been repealed by Him. God's covenant cannot be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is not "supreme" on this! Neither will God's promise be nullified by the United Nations, the Palestinian Authority or ISIS.

Genesis 12:3, referring to Abraham's descendants—that is, Israel—says: "I will bless them who bless you, and curse those who curse you."

Pretty blunt, yes? So the choice is yours: Bless Israel and you get blessed. Curse Israel and you are toast.

America has great strengths, but we also acknowledge America's many "national sins," including violations of treaties with and horrific treatment of Native Americans, and the kidnapping and enslavement of Africans. We recall our mistreatment of Jews in the horrific 1939 St. Louis ship incident that gave Hitler the green light for "The Final Solution"—the killing of all Jews.

We are aware of FDR's full knowledge of the concentration and death camps and the fact that the Allied Forces could have taken out the railroad track to these killing centers, which would have saved countless Jewish lives. We confess the Jim Crow laws against blacks. We mourn the killing of 56 million of our citizens before they even descended the birth canal. We just witnessed the Supreme Court's June 2015 definitional decimation of marriage, robbing many children of the right to have both a mommy and a daddy.

Given that list, don't we wonder why God has not already destroyed this nation? Allow me to shake your thinking a bit. Is it possible that the only reason America has escaped full and complete judgment is because our country has—at least until quite recently—been a nation that "blesses" (key word) Israel? The blessing of Israel may be our last remaining key to survival. Ponder that.

2. Our treatment of Israel. Unfortunately, President Obama has sent mixed signals regarding Israel. Yes, he has continued financial aid, but that may be where the good news ends. Obama's egregious snubbing of Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House in March 2010, leaving the Prime Minister sitting and waiting while the U.S. president went to the private quarters of the White House for dinner, is iconic Obama-to-Netanyahu treatment.

When the pouty president did not get what he demanded out of Bibi, "Mr. Obama rose from his seat declaring: 'I'm going to the residential wing to have dinner with Michelle and the girls,'" leaving the Prime Minister sitting alone.

Next consider Obama's objection to Netanyahu addressing Congress in May of 2015.

Why did the GOP Congressmen invite the Israeli Prime Minister to speak? The short answer is: Because Obama didn't.

3. Our betrayal of Israel. Worst of all is Obama's "love affair" with Iranian leadership that wants Israel gone, followed by the killing of all Christians. (Doubt this? What do chants of "death to America" mean to you?)

To ensure that the Israelis were protected from Iranian nuclear bombs, Obama's Secretary of State, John Kerry, arranged for an absurd provision: Iran to report on itself, to make sure that Iran is telling the truth about its own nuclear bomb capability.

The moral equivalency? Imagine Hitler monitoring himself to make sure he is not gassing the Jews. Imagine ISIS "self-reporting" to us that they are not beheading anyone. Imagine Planned Parenthood as its own accountability partner, so they can tell us that they are not dismembering babies in the womb. Or, Satan filing reports that he is not doing harm! For good reasons, Donald Trump called the Obama/Kerry (and Hillary affirmed) arrangement "the worst deal ever made."

So Obama's "support of Israel" is obliterated when you consider that he has set up the most terrorist-prone nation in the world to be in a posture to (soon?) attempt to obliterate Israel, and others. And for good measure, Obama threw in $150 billion and then another $400 million ransom cash we only recently discovered.

4. Land for peace. But the most historically uninformed Obama statement was when he called for Israel to give land for peace. Does he not know about such an offer in 1937? And again in 1947? And Israel making the offer in 1967? And again in 2000? And in 2008?

The Palestinian Authority does not merely want some land. They want all the land. What's more, they want Israel wiped off the map. They actually have maps in which Israel does not exist!

In May of 2011, Obama called for Israel to go back to its "pre-1967 borders." Have you been to Israel? Do you know what that means? Israel would only be seven miles across at one point and would not be able to defend itself. This absurd policy is a way of saying "we want Israel gone."

5. The two-state solution. This is once again a strategy to carve off more of Israel's tiny land mass. There is already a de facto "two-state solution." It is called Jordan. Seventy-five percent of what could be Israel is now Jordan.

Note: This is part one of a two-part article on "Donald Trump and Israel." Stay tuned for part two on Wednesday. 

Dr. Jim Garlow, is author of Well Versed: Biblical Answers to Today's Tough Issues; commentator on "The Garlow Perspective," a one-minute commentary on 850 radio outlets daily; pastor of Skyline Church in the San Diego area; and co-founder of The Jefferson Gathering, a weekly worship service for members of Congress in the U.S. Capitol Building. Garlow has a Ph.D. from Drew University in historical theology, and master's degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary, Asbury Theological Seminary and Southern Nazarene University.

3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God's presence 3) Hear God's voice clearly! Go deeper!

Has God called you to be a leader? Ministry Today magazine is the source that Christian leaders who want to serve with passion and purpose turn to. Subscribe now and receive a free leadership book.

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If You're On the Fence About Your Vote, This Pastor Clarifies How the Very Future of America Is At Stake - DR. JIM GARLOW/SKYLINE CHURCH, SAN DIEGO CHARISMA NEWS

(Composite Image of Reuters Photos)

If You're On the Fence About Your Vote, This Pastor Clarifies How the Very Future of America Is At Stake

8/11/2016 DR. JIM GARLOW/SKYLINE CHURCH, SAN DIEGO  CHARISMA NEWS

I have been asked "the question" so many times regarding Trump or Hillary. By way of background, I have followed every national convention—Republican and Democrat—from the time I was age 9, and have attended most of the GOP Conventions from 1984 to the present. I have watched the news virtually every day from the age of 8. I have never seen anything like what we are observing.

In spite of the unprecedented nature of this election cycle, I will attempt to respond to "the question." I am not demanding that anyone else share my view. But I was asked. Here is my best attempt to answer as I am able to see things at this time:

1.   The Democratic and Republican party platforms are as different as night and day, in my opinion, as far apart as evil vs. good. The 51-page Democratic platform is the most leftist ever. (I don't care for the "right vs. left" nomenclature. I am far more concerned with "right vs. wrong.") The Democratic platform contains many points which are anti-biblical. (Time does not permit me here to identify what is meant by "anti-biblical," which is covered in my new book Well Versed: Biblical Answers to Today's Tough Issues.) It is thoroughly socialistic (a socialist is a communist without a gun). The 54-page GOP platform is one of the strongest GOP platforms ever. A biblically alert person could be comfortable with almost all of it. Party platforms are a big issue to me. Although some "blow off" party platforms, I do not. Nor do many people up and down the ballot who are running for office. This is a serious and very important item. I have a hard copy of both platforms in front of me now. Most people have never checked out what the party platforms say. They should. If a person is not drawn to the "top-of-the-ballot" candidate, they ought to at least consider voting for the candidate attached to the best party platform.

2.   Analogy #1: Both candidates are flawed. We all know that. But permit me an analogy: As a pastor, I would rather deal with a church attendee who is blatant and brash in his sinning than one who is devious, lying, cunning and deceptive. Both are problematic, but one is easier to deal with than the other. If I were a pastor bringing correction to a parishioner, I would prefer dealing with a "Trump-type" any day over a "Hillary-type." The chances of making progress with the "Trump-type" are many times greater than the "Hillary-type."

3.   Analogy #2: When my (late) wife's remarkable and much loved oncologist said, "Don't take Carol to that alternative (non FDA approved) treatment." I asked, "Why not?" He said, "The unknown." I said, "Doctor, your 'known' is much worse than the alternative treatment's 'unknown.'" I took her to that alternative treatment. One year later that same oncologist went to the alternative treatment doctor to see how it was that Carol had improved so much. While this alternative treatment did not ultimately save her life, it likely stretched two to three years of life to six years of life—by the admission of another one of her brilliant young oncologists who later said, "Without any medical training or scientific fact, you have put together a protocol of treatment that has moved her into the top fraction of 1 percent of survival rates of all patients with Carol's particular cancer. Application of the analogy: Hillary's "known" is considerably worse—many times over—than Trump's "unknown."

4.   Trump has lots of sins in his past (actually, we all do), and—in the present—says things he should not say. I make no attempt to defend any of the things he has said. There is no need to rehearse the wrong things he has said. We know what they are. He should not have thought or said them. But there is no need to rehash them here. So we won't. But let's turn to the other candidate. Although America has had some scandal-ridden candidates in its history, we have never seen any one major party candidate more constantly scandalous as Hillary (along with her husband). She seems to exceed all previous boundaries for wrongdoing. The scandals just don't stop. In the same way we did not take time to list all of Trump's misstatements, neither will we here rehash the seemingly continuous string of horrific scandals of the Clintons.

5.   Trump is slowly being surrounded by increasingly good people. From time to time, I receive encouraging calls regarding this. Can these good people impact Trump? We will see. In contrast, I see no reason for any encouragement regarding the people who surround Hillary.

6.   Trump is right on approximately 75 percent of the issues. I wish it was 100 percent. It is not. I am in hopes that those beginning to surround him can help him connect the dots on more issues. Hillary is wrong on 100 percent of the issues.

7.   This next issue might be one of the most important, but I suspect few will understand its significance. Trump opposes globalism. Hillary thrives on it. Globalism is far more than "geographical" or "eliminating national borders and boundaries." It is spiritual and demonic at its core. Few—very few—understand this. This is quite likely one of the main reasons why Trump is hated. Do your homework on this one. Think "principalities and powers." Serious. Extremely serious.

8.   Not voting is not a viable option, contrary to what the "purists" claim. It is not my intention to begin a war of the issue. I know that some radically disagree with this. My view? They have the right to be wrong.

9.   Voting for a third party candidate is—regardless of what is said—a complete "throw-away." No third party candidate will be elected, or even come remotely close to being elected. And yes, that matters to me. And for the record, the Libertarian ticket—Johnson and Weld—is nearly as bad on many issues as Hillary. When I listen to them, I am stunned people of their ability have ever made it to elective office.

10.   Trump has moved pro-life. Hillary is pro-baby killing, and prides herself on that, and honors the organization—Planned Parenthood—that actually traffics human parts from dead babies whom they have killed. This is below anything we have seen since Nazi Germany. The gall of Hillary! The Clintons have evaded justice for decades and likely will continue to. But they will someday stand before the Great White Throne. They will have to give account of their support of the ripping babies to shreds in the womb. For the record, those who vote for those who support the genocide of pre-borns will also have to give an account.

11.   Trump wants to defend the nation (which is the purpose of government). Hillary has a horrific track record as Secretary of State, and due to hundreds of millions of dollars given to her and her husband's foundation, she is beholden to those who want us dead.

12.   Hillary claims "everything is fine" in America. This defies every single fact, but facts have never been an interest of Hillary's. Trump understands that it is 11:59 p.m. on the "cultural clock." America is near the end—morally, economically, militarily and, sadly, spiritually. There are very clear identifiable indicators—measurable ones—that America is no longer the world's leading power. That day is over. Hillary will hasten the final destruction. Trump could either slow that down—or possibly, with God's help—reverse it. Maybe.

13.   Trump will address the massive government spending. Hillary will expand it above the existing unsustainable debt the U.S. currently is carrying (almost $20 trillion plus unfunded liabilities to Social Security, etc).

14.   Trump will expose—and I pray, bring down—"the systemic evil" (crony, deceitful, misuse of capitalism) that reigns among many high-dollar lobbyists. Hillary thrives because of them.

15.   Trump will stop the massive overreach of government. Hillary will extend it.

16.   Freedoms come in "threes." Political freedom, economic freedom and religious liberty coexist together. Take one away and the other two will eventually disappear. One cannot exist without the other two. The genius of America is that it had all three, until recently. Trump fully grasps the loss of religious liberty. I have heard him speak on it in person on several occasions. He knows that economic and political freedoms are evaporating. He will reverse that. Hillary will decimate all three.

17.   Every rational person knows the Supreme Court appointments are paramount. Trump has listed 11 superb potential nominees. Hillary's appointments would snuff out the tiny vestige of the three freedoms that are left (mentioned in the statement above).

18.   I make no excuse for wrongdoing or wrongful, hurtful words from either candidate. Candidly, I want King Jesus. He rules in my heart. And yours too, I suspect. And I want Him to rule here—now. But that day is not fully manifested—yet. In the meantime, we prayerfully, carefully navigate this challenging election season, with great concern that above all, we honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in every arena of our lives, including the voting booth. That is my hope. I believe it is yours as well. 

Dr. Jim Garlow is pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego. He is also co-founder of The Jefferson Gathering, a weekly worship service for members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

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