Looking For Christian Reviews On This Essay!

When I read the title of the latest post over at Herescope: Restoring the Gospel of Salvation, I was excited to read it. The title of the article, however, was a bit different from the title of the post, which asks, "Does not the salvation of sinners trump national restoration?"



Without revealing my reaction after reading the editorial, I present it here - in its entirety - so that readers can write their own thoughts, comments, positive and/or critical reviews about what was written in the essay. I am especially interested in what other Christians think about the article, though all are invited to share their opinions as well. I plan to reveal my thoughts, comments and reactions to the post sometime over the next two days.

Happy reading! I encourage each Christian reading here to put on your apologetics hat and take some time to comment about what you have read!

In Christ,

Christine

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Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Restoring the Gospel of Salvation

Does not the salvation of sinners trump national restoration?




An Editorial by Rev. Dr. Orrel Steinkamp



There is a new virus going around. Its called Christian political war gaming. Once the virus strikes it becomes a near obsession. I know a number of people who don’t get enough sleep because they are at their computers doing political war games. Once they lived healthy Christian lives. Their passion was the Gospel of saving individual sinners. Now they rarely have the time or energy for their former passion. Their affections have been alienated. They need a Gospel intervention.

Former websites that defended the Gospel of salvation now are mostly devoted to restoring an illusive American past and proving our present president is a stealth Muslim attempting to make America a Muslim caliphate. Joseph Farah, World Net Daily Christian conspiracy expert, is sure Obama has specific plans for Christian concentration camps.

Even if all this is true, why should this divert us from our mandate of preaching the Gospel to every creature? Why should we be attempting to infiltrate and dominate every political entity before the time of God's vengeance?

Paul wasn't worried about imperial palace intrigue in Rome. Obama is just being a politician from the Left. Like all politicians before him he has an agenda. We do not have to accept these principles and we can vote our conscience and financially support the campaigns of our choice. In the current political stalemate this could qualify me as a liberal. Well! I didn’t vote for Obama and I didn’t vote for McCain. I was comfortable with making a write-in choice, one I know my every reader would support. I don't like Obama's stance on many things personally, and I deeply resent his reference to two fathers on fathers day. But neither did I appreciate "born-again" President Bush's statement to Muslim leaders that we both pray to the same God.

Nevertheless, Romans 13 states with clarity that God puts up rulers of His choice for His purposes. I may not agree with God's choice and can't always see His purpose, but I am commanded to pray for the rulers our Sovereign God raises up.

Is it for Christian evangelists to suffer near frenetic emotional exhaustion in the political war games arcade? Is the eternal purpose of God hanging on such a thin thread? Is the biblical Jehovah really such a wimp deity, and a weak onlooker to the affairs of men, hoping Christians will overcome politically and take back dominion our God supposedly lost in the Garden of Eden and a establish the kingdom of God in the earth?

America survived Clinton, Hoover, and a corrupt Ulysses Grant, and it will continue to survive if it is God’s will. My God is a sovereign who could overcome Egyptian Pharaohs (after Israel was in bondage for 300 years) and could even raise up Cyrus, a pagan ruler, to accommodate Israel’s return to Jerusalem. Paul never ever looked to Rome except to use his Roman citizenship for the furtherance of the Gospel.

How must we look to the persecuted church? Are we by example suggesting they become political terrorists for the Kingdom of God and unnecessary martyrs? Janet Porter, in her June 8, 2010 WorldNetDaily column, suggested that some of us were like the pious Germans who held high their hymnbooks so they wouldn’t see the cattle cars on their way to exterminate Jews. (A classic false dichotomy.) What could they have done? Lay themselves on the tracks? The German Christians were culpable, not because of their hymn singing but because they made common cause with the goals and destiny of the Third Reich, as did the Vatican in Rome.

Jesus, whom we say is our example, shunned (not a strong enough word) political pursuits in the name of the Kingdom of God. Recall the story of when Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane. Peter rushed to action and struck off the soldiers ear. Jesus was so perturbed that He instantly restored it and said to Peter "put your sward [sic] in its sheath" (John 18:11).

The Jerusalem that Jesus entered was a political hotbed. The people were involved in every possible action to drive out the pagan Romans from the holy city. When Jesus entered on Palm Sunday He purposefully fulfilled an Old Testament prophesy of the coming messiah by riding into the city on a young donkey. "Hosanna in the Highest" the crowd cried. Hosanna means “save us now." They treated Him as political messiah who would use his supernatural powers to drive out the Romans and RESTORE JERUSALEM. Did they look for a suffering savior who would bear the sins of the people? Hardly! By the time Jesus went to the cross they were all long gone.

Even the Romans saw Jesus as political threat. The quisling Jewish leaders, in collaboration with the Romans, were afraid of a political uprising. But the Messiah came for the redemption of sinners, not a political restoration of the Jewish State. It is safe to say the reason Jesus died nearly alone is because it was not "His Hour" to Judge the nations. It was only "His hour" to go to the cross. Why did He die nearly alone?

The Jews, and even His disciples, expected Jesus "to save now, hosanna." The Dominionists today are crying "hosanna now." They claim we can restore what Jesus failed to do in His first advent. But the resurrected Jesus had to tell His disciples that it was not for them to know the times and the season that the Father has fixed, by His own authority," to restore the Kingdom to Israel.

On the cross Jesus could have called 10,000 angels for His rescue. But this would have totally contravened the plan of redemption from sin decreed by God (not "decreed" by a fake apostle!) from the foundation of the world. Redemption from sin remains to this day the focus of the kingdom of God. Jerusalem was filled with zealots (we would call them undercover militia). They were called the sicarii (Latin for dagger), for they hid daggers in their robes to assassinate Romans and collaborators. Even the Essene community at the Dead Sea was calling for a final battle between the Sons of God (Israel) and the Sons of Darkness.

Into this political milieu Jesus never uttered a solitary political word. He made it plain that “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). He, however, looked forward to when the Son of Man would RETURN and when He then would judge the nations. But until that great and awesome Day of the Lord, when the Savior would return on the clouds of glory, He was not striving for an earthly kingdom. He was content with establishing a church, His body upon the earth. Many in His day were offended by Him because He apparently had not political ambitions. Judas is speculated to be among them. Jesus asserted with force that His day to rule the nations awaited His second return, when He would judge the nations like a shepherd divides His sheep from the goats.

G. Peter Wagner, chief apostle of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), made a tactical decision to see Dominionism as temporarily consistent with democracy. I have not been able to locate when and where Wagner made such an "apostolic decree." But, indeed, the Kingdom of God cannot ultimately be a democracy. For Wagner and any other Dominionist, the democratic process can only be a way station on the road to their "kingdom of God on the earth," which is prior to the real Parousia.

Wagner's tactical decision (as opposed to strategic decision) was a major change. It opened the way for the false apostles and prophets to enter the political arena. So now "apostle" Lou Engle is free to lay apostolic hands of blessing on 3-time divorcee Newt Gingrich. Now the NAR apostles and prophets, thanks to Janet Porter and WorldNetDaily, can take their equal places in politics. Now they have the blessing of James Dobson, who endorsed Janet Porter’s May Day event at the Lincoln Memorial. Now Cindy Jacobs, prophetess extraordinaire, who had a visit of the Seraphim in her room that caught it on fire, can share the stage with Newt Gingrich. Now Rick Joyner, who has his own political action organization which he calls the Oak Initiative -- and who reportedly made a trip to heaven and heard Martin Luther repent of the Reformation -- can rub shoulders with James Dobson.

So now these self-anointed, self-appointed apostles of the NAR, laden down with false signs and wonders, false apostolic decrees, and false prophets -- who compete with each other in imaginary "can you top this" fraudulent oracles supposed to be from God -- have been given the kiss of acceptance by Christian Right politicians, including James Dobson. The apostles and prophets see this as a match made in heaven, a giant step toward appointing apostles as governors of every state and province in the world, complete with in-house prophetic seers to make supernatural decisions.

But I for one see it as blip in church history (like the Montanists of the 1st century), a match made in the pit of political desire for power before our King returns in His glory.

Just How Committed Are We?

Read a great political opinion piece in the Good News Etc. April edition that asks the question, Just how committed are we?

Author Frank Kacer writes:

Over the years I've called many to task for not being engaged in the cultural battles, and in particular the political realm that's failed us at virtually every level of government. I've shown a particular concern over pastoral leadership that is more concerned about church growth and not offending than openly proclaiming righteousness and equipping their flocks to influence our society -- whether our neighborhood, cities, state, nation, or beyond.

In some sense, the opposite has occurred. Instead of us being the salty antiseptic and preservative, we're called to be for the common good -- the rotting culture has invaded our personal lives, families, and even our worship. Instead of being thoroughly equipped to share God's truths and light, in many ways we've settled for a designer faith suited to our individual, compromised tastes. Instead of fulfilling our mandate to love our neighbor, the government and a myriad number of secular organizations have co-opted our role, seeing our Christian witness as irrelevant to the decay around us.

Are there exceptions? Of course there are. But far too few compared to the number that claim the name of Christ. In some sense, the culture is a reflection of us. As our community of faith has become compromised (drug abuse, divorce, abortion, immorality, etc.) the society has just taken it further with no accountability.

Where has this slide into a weak, unengaged Christendom brought us?

The recent battle over passage of Health Care legislation shows how unrestrained and out of touch our government has become. We share responsibility for this through a long term pattern of apathy and inward, not outward focus. This fiasco has shown the incredible power and arrogance of politicians unmoved by any understanding of the need for limited government, the baseness of man's nature, and the destructiveness of fiscal irresponsibility.

The impact of total government control of health on the sanctity of life, and the treatment of the elderly and the frail will be devastating as it takes over life and death decisions from conception to death, and removes any allowance for conscience by health practitioners and distributors. The cascade of legislation we can now expect will be dizzying: amnesty of illegal aliens, overturning of the federal DOMA, silencing of conservative talk radio, direct confrontation of biblical preaching as hate speech, and on and on.

If the "Christian" community doesn't wake up, if it thinks government will leave it alone -- if it just wants to be comfortable while virtually all major media, entertainment and government power is being arrayed against it -- then the time will come, rather quickly, that it will be forced to face persecution unseen in our nation's history. As this begins to happen, how committed will you be? How much have you weighed the cost, thought through whether you'll hide or take up your cross each day and fight for righteousness and the glory of God?

Like it or not, recognize it or not, we are in a war for life itself. Our generation has seen the tipping point and it will only get worse if we ignore the warning signs. Bear in mind, the rest of this year is crucial in many ways. Christians as well as non-Christians are finally upset with the failure of government to show any restraint. Primaries and mid-term elections in the fall can send a powerful message that enough is enough. I'll ask again, how committed are we? Are we willing to do everything we can to elect those that represent our values? Are we willing to remove from government those with an ideological blindness trying to create an environment corrosive to the gospel and our fulfilling our cultural mandate? Are we willing to research candidates, encourage good one, walk precincts, fund campaigns, call friends and neighbors and encourage them to become actively involved? Are we willing to tithe our time, talents, treasures, and prayers to turn the tide in removing elitists and replacing them with men and women that respect and support our values, our freedoms and our faith?

If the last year has not brought you to the point of doing something, what will? If not this year, when?

Frank Kacer is director of the Christian Citizenship council of San Diego. He can be reached at frankkacer@hotmail.com.

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When I read that essay, it seemed like Kacer was reading my mind!! I have been very disappointed in some fellow Christian friends and acquaintances who have sat on their rears and not spoken out against this gangster government that is robbing us blind of our wealth, our freedoms, our moral, values, and ethics, and are running up a tab of debt that will be impossible for our children and grandchildren to ever pay back!

Despite all of these facts, there are people who just choose to keep their heads in the sand. Case in point.

Many months ago, a fellow Christian friend encouraged me to join Facebook. I must have received three email invitations from her over the course of several months. I also received invitations from two other blogging friends. Finally, I decided to join and my daughter set me up. I linked my Talk Wisdom blog via Networkedblogs, and my postings appear on my home page and the pages of my friends. The following is a description of an incident that recently happened. The names have been changed for privacy purposes.

I went to my Facebook email system and attempted to invite four friends to a new Bible study on the topic of Heaven. One of the four friend links wasn't showing up and I wondered what had happened. We had been friends for several months now. I come to find out that "Terry" deleted me from her friends list! I thought that maybe some kind of error occurred, so I sent an new friend request message to her.

Meanwhile, another friend told me that she was told by "Terry" that she had deleted me because she thought that her other friends might be offended by what I post.

Oh my....how controlling can a person get?

As soon as I found this out, I rescinded my "friend request." She gave me some lame excuse about not wanting "anything political" on her page. I wrote back:

Did you know that there is an icon to the right of each post on the Newsfeed that says "hide"?

Did you know that there is an icon to the right of each post on your profile page that says "remove"?

All you need to do is run your cursor over there and the words will appear so that you can either hide or remove any "objectionable" post.

I always knew that you were a very controlling type of person, but I never dreamed that you would be THIS controlling! Free speech and all that - you know - the rights that our Constitution guarantees all of us.

Sorry, but I think that your excuse that some of my posts might "offend" your other friends is quite lame.

When I told my daughter what you did she said, "A real friend would never do that."

I think I agree.

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I also wrote back to my other friend "Karen" and said:

Look. I know that there are people in my husband's family who are raging liberals and probably don't like what I write. But even THEY never thought to delete me!

If she apologizes to me then I will reconsider. If she doesn't, then forget it! This incident will always be in the back of my mind as quite the insult.

What I write about at my blog are important things about what is happening in our country today. Heck! Her own brother moved to another country because of Obama's policies! What does that tell us?

I know that much of what I write at my blog doesn't interest you either. So be it! But you didn't delete me.

I think that she is a coward if she has to be so "frightened" about what her other friends may think about my postings. I would really like to know just who complained?

On the other hand, I write a LOT of good blog posts that are Christian and encouraging in nature. Therefore, she and her friends are missing out on them.

Because of the error of the Obama election, I have been reading, reporting, observing, writing and protesting (at local TEA Parties) over the past two years. We are in danger of losing many of the freedoms that most Americans have taken for granted!

I hope to God that I am wrong and that our nation will survive as the Constitutional Republic that the Founders began when the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were written.

Ben Franklin once said (to a lady who asked "what kind of government have you given us, sir?) "A Republic - if you can keep it." Ronald Reagan once stated that if we aren't careful and diligent, we are only one generation away from losing our Republic. He also stated:

“Are you willing to spend time studying the issues, making yourself aware, and then conveying that information to family and friends? Will you resist the temptation to get a government handout for your community? Realize that the doctor’s fight against socialized medicine is your fight. We can’t socialize the doctors without socializing the patients.

Recognize that government invasion of public power is eventually an assault upon your own business. If some among you fear taking a stand because you are afraid of reprisals from customers, clients, or even government, recognize that you are just feeding the crocodile hoping he’ll eat you last.” - Ronald Reagan

If informing people about the dangers of this current terrible gangster government is something that "Terry" wants suppressed from her friends, then I REALLY feel sorry for her!

Now that "Terry" knows that she can hide any objectionable posts that she sees posted by me, she has NO EXCUSE for not adding me back to her friend list. It is the height of insult to do what she did and if she doesn't apologize and admit that she was wrong, then I have no choice but to believe that she just could care less about our friendship.

It's really ironic! "Terry" was one of the first people to email me (months before I decided to join) and invite me to join Facebook. I had accumulated about 5 invitations from people before I took the "plunge" and joined. I thought that since I was too busy blogging, I wouldn't have time to attend to the Facebook page. Then, my daughter told me that lots of people connect their blogs to their Facebook pages. That convinced me to join.

I am so sorry that you are in the middle of all of this. But it just couldn't be helped. It's not your fault and I don't blame you one bit. I blame "Terry." I know that you think that she "didn't mean anything by it," and "didn't mean to hurt me." If those are true and genuine statements, then she should take the necessary actions to repair the situation.

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Everyone reading this will have their own opinion about this particular incident. So be it. But my opinion isn't any less valid.

In fact, I think that sounding the alarm bells is greatly needed amongst those who would lay down and let the Marxists set up a tyranny right before our very own eyes here in America!

I am used to rejection. I have gone through it in the sales industry and while attempting to witness about the Gospel of Jesus Christ to nonbelievers. But when a friend is willing to turn a blind eye from the current government takeover of our Constitutional Republic and let radicals in power turn it into a repressed socialist country like that Commie Hugo Chavez did in Venezuela, then I think that it is THEY who need to wake up from their stupor and do all that they can to help spread the word and work to save the nation for our children and grandchildren!

Letting this horrible regime run roughshod over our Constitution, Declaration of Independence, freedoms, liberty and inalienable rights guaranteed by God our Creator; while not doing anything within our power to turn the tide back for the sake of our country's future, is a terrible sin!

There are examples in the Bible where women faced possible death for confronting kings! Did they shrink away from their responsibility? NO!

I don't think that we should shrink away from our current responsibility to change the direction of this country from the evil track it is on today. We desperately need to get America back to a sane, conservative morals, values, ethics, and limited government!

This is no time for apathy!! We all need to become Christian culture warriors in this current war against our liberty and freedom!

These clowns in Congress are supposed to serve US! WE THE PEOPLE surround THEM - NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!

November will be a huge wake up call. VOTE OUT ALL THE BUMS THAT DIDN'T LISTEN TO WE THE PEOPLE!

I continue to listen, report, work, and pray that our nation survives this national nightmare.

I hope and pray that readers here will wake up and do the same!






Hat Tip:

Good News Etc. online edition

Congrats Charlie!

I'd like to take this opportunity to share with readers here how very proud I am of my son! He has been named "Trainer of the Month" at Fitness Together!

The following is a portion of the newsletter announcement:


Charlie works very hard around the studio and helps out in many ways, but mostly his clients think he is motivating, fun and gets them to their fitness goals. Here is a quote from Charlie's client Linnea Goodrich.

"I can honestly say that Charlie is the main reason I am so committed right now. Having started with him before my accident, he is aware of my potential and has been able to tailor my workouts specifically to me. It has been challenging for both of us to keep our sessions interesting since I was so physically limited in what I could do. He has been my biggest fan in cheering me on every step of the way, knowing exactly when to push me to do more and understanding what I can not do. He really knows how to motivate me and has done a great job with playful competitions between my Dad and Mikael and me. (since he trains all three of us)"

Another client, Ken Coley, has this to say about Charlie:

In July of 2008 I came to Fitness Together with some very specific goals. I wanted to loose about 17-18 pounds, 2 inches on my waist, to gain flexibility and strength, and generally wanted to improve my overall health. Charlie did a fitness and diet evaluation. He then designed a workout program and a healthy diet for me. I was working out 2-3 times a week and also exercising on my own. Within 6-8 weeks I was at my desired weight and I went from a 36" to a 34"trouser size. Charlie was great at working with my special needs. With tendinitis in my right shoulder and sciatica in my right hip, he made sure I worked those areas in a way that gained strength but did not further any injury or pain. I traveled extensively during that time, so Charlie would recommend workout programs for me when out of town. Charlie then changed my workouts to focus more on strength training. I have maintained my desired weight while gaining strength and flexibility. Charlie did a great job of working with my personal needs and goals, while making the entire process fun and challenging. Thanks Charlie and Congratulations on being named Trainer of the Month.

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Charlie has been with Fitness Together for about one and a half years. The studio where he works just started the "Trainer of the Month" award and Charlie is the first recipient getting such recognition.

Congratulations Charlie! Our entire family is SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!

Glenn Beck's "We Surround Them"

I am a big fan of Glenn Beck's radio show and his new television show on the Fox News Channel. With all of the craziness that surrounds Resident Obama and his neo-Marxist policies, it is a breath of fresh air to discover that there are many people across America who profoundly reject what this new administration is trying to do to America.

Read all about We Surround Them at Glenn Beck's website. Take special note of the nine principles and 12 values.

The Nine Principles

1. America is good.

2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.

3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.

4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.

5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.

7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

12 Values

Honesty
Reverence
Hope
Thrift
Humility
Charity
Sincerity
Moderation
Hard Work
Courage
Personal Responsibility
Friendship

You Are Not Alone

Now THAT'S a very comforting statement in the midst of all the turmoil and liberal left lies that we are experiencing on a daily basis today!

Glenn's site states:

If you agree with at least seven of those principles, then you are not alone. Please send a digital version of your picture to: wesurroundthem@foxnews.com and then stay tuned to the radio and television shows over the coming weeks to see how we intend to pull back the curtain.

We Surround Them-The Unveiling
March 13th on FOX News 5pm ET

HT: Glenn Beck.com

Also see article about this at WorldNetDaily:

OBAMA WATCH CENTRAL
Will 'We Surround Them' launch revolution?
Glenn Beck warns about falling for 'Wizard of Oz lie'

His Country's Man

I found John McCain's speech very patriotic, genuine, and filled with America's greatness. This is quite a contrast from the constant negativity being spewed during the DNC convention last week. Obama's speech "among the Greek pillars" was a show - not very genuine IMO.

McCain shared many great points. I think that the best statement was when he stated that after his captivity for five years in a cell in Vietnam, he was no longer "his own man - he was his country's man."

What a contrast between Cindy McCain's life and love of country vs. Michele Obama's statements in the past like when she said, "for the first time in my adult life - I am proud of my country."

Michele must have been coached to change her image at the DNC convention. She certainly wasn't "herself" there. She tried to re-make herself and hide her previously nasty tones. The coaches helped her to put on a new wardrobe and a new hairdo - all with the goal of putting forth a kinder, gentler image. For me? It didn't work. I already knew the real Michele Obama - all too well.

While watching the video of Cindy McCain and all that she has done to help others, I couldn't help but think about one of Michele Obama's most disturbing lines during the campaign. It was when she was "encouraging" a crowd of supporters to get out and work. She also told them, 'Barack will NEVER let you go back to the way you used to live' - or something like that. How arrogant a statement is that?? Does she think that she and her husband will get into office and create some kind of Marxist-type utopia complete with their minions of "worker bees" at their beck and call?

What a HUGE contrast there is between the two would-be First Ladies.

Back to McCain's speech.

Our choice couldn't be more stark, or more clear. Either the country will elect an inexperienced candidate - who is known for his corrupt associates and was was "selected" by the DNC, the MSM, the Soros millionaire types, the Hollywood crowd, and the Obamabot followers - or, they will be wise enough to see through that charade and elect a true patriot, America lover and defender who will work for YOU, protect and defend our nation, and put country first - rather than get into office for the purpose of his own glory.

I continue to pray for the election of John McCain.

More tomorrow. Goodnight!

Transcript link: 'I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe'

Excerpt:

I was in solitary confinement when my captors offered to release me. I knew why. If I went home, they would use it as propaganda to demoralize my fellow prisoners. Our Code said we could only go home in the order of our capture, and there were men who had been shot down before me. I thought about it, though. I wasn't in great shape, and I missed everything about America. But I turned it down.

A lot of prisoners had it worse than I did. I'd been mistreated before, but not as badly as others. I always liked to strut a little after I'd been roughed up to show the other guys I was tough enough to take it. But after I turned down their offer, they worked me over harder than they ever had before. For a long time. And they broke me.

When they brought me back to my cell, I was hurt and ashamed, and I didn't know how I could face my fellow prisoners. The good man in the cell next door, my friend, Bob Craner, saved me. Through taps on a wall he told me I had fought as hard as I could. No man can always stand alone. And then he told me to get back up and fight again for our country and for the men I had the honor to serve with. Because every day they fought for me.

I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's.

I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.

HT: Politico