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We no longer live in a time when isolationism is possible. Through the power of technology, those across the world are as accessible to us as those next door to us. What happens in one part of the world now impacts the entire world.

Often, I am asked, “Michael, why do you spend so much time focusing on other nations? We have so many problems here at home.” While I agree our problems here need to be addressed, and I do address them daily, the time has passed when America can be our sole focus. What is happening in the world politically, economically, and spiritually impacts each one of us sooner or later.

This is why I am spending this week in Jakarta, Indonesia—the world’s largest Muslim nation. I am meeting with pastors, political and business leaders, and am sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with thousands of people over three nights from May 23^rd-25^th in Istora Stadium. The event is also being broadcast throughout the entire nation of Indonesia on LIFE Channel and across the Arab world on THE KINGDOM SAT channel. You can watch it here from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. FULL POST

Politicians accuse each other of failure, which is to be expected. Each side has their “narrative,” and the truth often loses out (although I am thankful for the honest and courageous ones who do speak the truth).

But since I’m not a politician, but instead have a prophetic journalistic voice, I will speak the truth and let the chips fall where they may.

There is one area in particular where it is hard to find the truth spoken by either Republicans or Democrats: namely, this whole idea that Muslim people yearn for democracy. It is a glaring short-sightedness that both sides hold in common.

To be sure, many of my Muslim friends long for Western-style democracy and freedom. But they are always thwarted (and always will be) by the majority view. That is why even those friends of mine would admit that democracy is incompatible with Islamic ideology.

Knowledgeable people will agree that democracy and freedom is a delicate rose that was planted in the soil of the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation turned the people of the dark ages back to the Bible, with its deeply-rooted respect for the individual. FULL POST

In Jeffrey Toobin’s recent article in The New Yorker, Wedding Bells, he resorted to name-calling to malign pro-marriage advocates, an all-too common tactic among the gay lobby.

In his article, Toobin wrote: “There are really only two reasons that gay marriage is still illegal in more than three-quarters of the country: that’s the way it has always been; and the very idea of same-sex marriage makes some people, well, uncomfortable.”

Then he went on to define that discomfort as “tradition and bigotry.” So much for returning the tolerance they preach and demand from others—others who actually have legitimate reasons for their beliefs.

The gay lobby—which I contend is the most powerful lobby in America today—has successfully infiltrated the minds of the less-grounded generation. And with that infiltration, they have dismissed the importance of what the Creator Himself demands of His creation.

They have succeeded in framing the argument, not from the creation point of view, but from one of justice and human rights. And who could oppose human rights? I, for one, applaud every effort to give the 100 million persecuted Christians around the world their human right to be left alone in peace. FULL POST

When it comes to the persecution of Christians, President Obama appears to have a tin ear. The question is: why?

Why would a president who claims to be a Christian seem to deliberately help install and collaborate with an Islamist government in Egypt? Many highly-placed Egyptian leaders have revealed that his collaboration with the Muslim Brotherhood began long before President Mubarak’s fall.

Why would Mr. Obama remain silent after being informed again and again of the atrocities committed against Christians in Egypt—atrocities committed by the very government he helped bring to power?

Why would Mr. Obama allow Egypt to remain as the second-highest recipient of U.S. foreign aid while the greatest terrorist build up since al Qaida in Afghanistan now takes place in the Sinai Desert?

Why would Mr. Obama offer no public criticism of the Muslim Brotherhood after their police stood watch while the Coptic Cathedral was attacked by Islamists and then tear-gassed by the police themselves?

Why would the so-called “leader” of the so-called “free world” remain silent while other world leaders speak up? Recently, Angela Merkel of Germany boldly stated that “Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world” Mr. Obama, however, says nothing. FULL POST

Having just returned from a three-country Middle Eastern speaking tour, I cannot help but reflect on how much more complex the situation in the Middle East has become.

On the one hand, there is a powder keg ready to explode in countries like Lebanon and Egypt. On the other hand, more people than ever have become disenchanted with Islam’s dark ideology. Some are turning to atheism and agnosticism, but I am thankful there are many more who are seeking the Truth of the Christian faith.

Four years ago, I was privileged to create a satellite television station, The KINGDOM SAT, to broadcast into the Arab world and Europe 24/7. Since its creation, the viewing audience has grown from a few hundred thousand to the millions.

Many have explained to me how The KINGDOM SAT is helping them investigate the claims of Christ in a calm and rational manner. It is a stark contrast against the screaming and harrowing accusations they receive from their religious channels. FULL POST

Photo: Flickr/Johnny Jet - Creative Commons

During a time when we are about to celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, the United States Supreme Court is deliberating the possible crucifixion of the moral foundation of America.

We are entering a historical period that’s reminiscent of the book of Judges when everyone in Israel “did what was right in his own eyes.”

We have come a long way, America…. the wrong way

We have come a long way since April 19, 1775—the day after Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride—when the British redcoats, under the command of Major John Pitcairn, arrived in Lexington, Massachusetts.

There, they confronted a ragtag regiment of Minutemen, with Pitcairn demanding that they lay down their arms “in the name of George the Sovereign King of England.”

A Lexington minister by the name of Rev. Jonas Clarke was said to have responded on behalf of all the Minutemen: “We recognize no Sovereign but God and no King but Jesus.” FULL POST

When evangelical preachers lose their way and turn their backs on biblical Christianity, why is it they end up in the Episcopal Church?

As a preacher who traveled in the opposite direction and left the Episcopal Church 22 years ago—or I should say the Episcopal Church left me—I think I have a clue.

On March 18, the Huffington Post reported that Rob Bell, the one-time evangelical pastor who rejected the core of Christian faith, has endorsed homosexual marriage.

Where was that endorsement made? Surprise, surprise: Grace Cathedral, the Episcopal Cathedral of the Diocese of California. Grace Cathedral is located in San Francisco, the Mecca of homosexuality and all things anti-biblical.

Bell is now living in California, where he’s promoting his book, Love Wins. The book has propelled Bell to a stardom of sorts, even though it rejected a cornerstone of Christian faith—that no salvation is possible except through faith in Jesus Christ. Ultimately, that rejection caused his split with mega-church Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan. FULL POST

Not only is The New York Times editorial page known for often being thin on facts, it is known for its cheerleading of the Obama administration—especially the administration’s shortsightedness regarding the Middle East.

To prove that point, they recently published their March 4 editorial: Egypt Needs to Act. In the course of attempting to make their argument, the Times not only butchered the facts, they praised the terrible decision by the Obama administration to hand Egypt wads of US money. Go figure.

They hailed Obama’s decision to send $250 million of hard-earned, taxpayer money to the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt as “a vote of confidence in a country that is critical to stability in the region . . .”

That quarter of billion dollars would have produced better results if it had been reduced to ashes in the treasury department’s incinerator. You may think that is an exaggeration, but think about it: The money will be handed out to the brotherhoods cronies and to enable them to continue buying tear gas to blind true freedom-loving young people who have been peacefully demonstrating against Egypt’s new dictatorship. The dictatorship is Islamist and not secular, which pleases President Obama, so the money gets forwarded without restraint. FULL POST

Nearly every American immigrant like me came to this country because of the American dream.

For some, it meant coming to America penniless and making a billion dollars like George Soros. Stories like that abound, although they are less prevalent today than in the past. For others like me, the American Dream represented freedom from a life of servitude and fear, especially to those of us who came out of brutal dictatorships.

But regardless of the reason, American life has been renowned for being the freest in the world.

Just ponder the words on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Those words summarize the allure of American freedom and deliverance from discrimination and oppression. That is especially true for Christians who have paid a hefty price for their faith.

So imagine my amazement and horror when I read that an Obamacare mandate is forcing small business owners with Christian convictions to go against their beliefs or pay a fine that could destroy their businesses. FULL POST

The media, including some in the Christian media, throw around the word evangelical with little understanding of its proper definition. Most recently, the media has done this in referring to Pope Benedict XVI as the “Evangelical Pope.”

In an attempt to say he’s a missionary-minded Pope, or a proselytizing Pope, they impart a title that would probably make him most uncomfortable.

I have a deep respect for Pope Benedict. Respect for his impressive intellect. Respect for his strong stand on moral issues. Respect for his belief in the uniqueness of Jesus Christ for salvation. Respect for his levelheadedness in understanding other religions. The list could go on and on.

But to label the Roman Catholic Pontiff as evangelical is an attempt to mix oil and water. About the only thing those two elements have in common is they are both liquids.

Evangelical is a word that was invented to define protestant believers who attest to the fact that salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

The evangelium, or the gospel, is the good news that any sinner can come to Jesus in repentance and faith, believing that His death and resurrection as a substitute for their own deserved punishment. That is the only way that sinners (which includes all of humanity by birth) can be eternally saved. FULL POST