 
This week marks an unprecedented time in American history This week marks an unprecedented time in American history. As Rich B. stated in an earlier blog comment, “…for the first time in our history we’ve elected a member from a race that had been oppressed in the not so distant past.” I believe it is fair to say that this would not be possible if it weren’t for the courageous work of the Rev. Dr. King. Rich goes on to say, “I did not vote for the man but I pray for his success while he holds the office and beyond.”
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The Bible directs us to pray for our kings and leaders. I encourage you to pray Pastor Brian Brown’s prayer that he delivered in our worship celebrations this past weekend. I also encourage you to watch the video segments that we used to honor Dr. King’s life and work on this historic occasion. Almighty Father, God, You merely spoke and the heavens were created. You breathed the Word, and all the stars were born. You assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. We praise Your name forever and ever, for You possess all wisdom and power. Father, thank You for blessing the United States of America with abundance and prosperity. Thank You for surrounding our nation with Your favor, grace, and mercy. Jesus, thank You for shedding Your blood for our redemption. Holy Spirit, thank You for Your guidance and power. You are an awesome God! Heavenly Father, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in our nation. Your Word states that we are to pray for kings and all people who are in authority, so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives that are marked by godliness and dignity. We know that this is good and acceptable in Your sight. Today, we pray for our new President, Barack Obama, and his presidential administration. We declare that as they prepare to lead our nation, they will trust in You with all of their hearts. They will not depend on their own understanding, but they will seek Your will in all they do and we expect that You, Lord, will show them which path to take when making decisions for the American people. We decree that our local, state, and national leaders will not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful; but their delight will be in the law of the Lord and in His law they will meditate day and night. They will be like trees planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf will not wither and whatever they do will prosper. Gracious Father, some nations boast of their chariots and horses; but we boast in the Name of the Lord, our God. We submit to Your care, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, Timothy Geithner, Robert Gates, Eric Holder, Ken Salazar, Thomas Vilsack, Hilda Solis, Tom Daschle, Shaun Donovan, Ray LaHood, Steven Chu, Arne Duncan, Eric Shinseki, Janet Napolitano, Leon Panetta, Dennis Blair, Lisa Jackson, Robert Mueller, Lawrence Summers, James Jones, Susan Rice, Peter Orszag, Ron Kirk, Robert Gibbs, Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. Congress and all governmental officials. Holy Spirit, unite this new administration and remind all of our leaders that they are working for the good of the nation and not for the advancement of self. Please help our leaders to put aside “politics” and operate in the best interest of the American people. Heal the wounds that negative politics, fear and ignorance have created within our nation. Empower us, the Body of Christ, to lead the effort in the healing process. Eternal God, Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we ask You to bless and protect our leaders’ families. Please continue to protect our troops and our borders. Increase the courage and strength of our servicemen and women as they fight courageously for our country. Merciful Father, we repent on behalf of our nation for our many sins. We acknowledge that our actions have created problems that only You can solve. Forgive us for all sin, including greed, arrogance, selfish ambition, disobedience, rebellion, hypocrisy, injustice, jealousy, hatred, violence, ageism, sexism, racism, and dissension. Father, forgive us for shedding innocent blood and denying Your power. We confess that we have not loved the world as You love the world. We ask You to heal our land and make us one, even as You and Jesus are One. Please have mercy upon all of us and help us! As a nation, show us those we need to forgive and help us to forgive. Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one. Now, unto You, the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
*prayer provided courtesy of Kingdom Builders Prayer Institute God bless... 
1 Timothy 2: 1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (NASB) As I read this portion of the Bible, that was alluded to in the context of the blog, it appears that the intent of the author is that his readers pray for everyone, not just leaders, with the purpose that those who are prayed for will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
I agree that “This week marks an unprecedented time in American history”. A time when many who are followers of Jesus’ teachings are praying for the United States of America as if it is the Kingdom of God. Though I am not a Biblical scholar, it seems as though the authors of the Bible mention only one nation that is God’s nation and it is not the United States of America.
As stated in the prayer in the blog lets pray Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. A kingdom that values life, even the life of a child that has yet to be born.
Posted By: Harry Dilger aka Fig Grower (Amos 7:14) hdilger@hotmail.com on Feb 09, 2009 10:10PM
 Interviewing Bill Dallas of CCN Last week I had the opportunity to interview Bill Dallas who is the founder and president of CCN (Christian Communication Network). He flew into Dayton from California last Friday for a preparation meeting for an upcoming program on the Sudan Project that will be satellite broadcasted from the Ginghamsburg campus on March 29th.
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Bill made his mark as a top California real estate entrepreneur. His life was filled with sports cars, penthouses, and women, until he was convicted of grand theft embezzlement. Bill found himself in one of the nation’s most infamous institutions-San Quentin. This is an “unstuck” story that you are going to want to listen to. Click here to listen to the interview. God bless…
Posted By: Pastor Mike Slaughter on Jan 13, 2009 10:00AM
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I am starting a new sermon message series this week. The theme is “Unstuck: from toxic attitudes and paralyzing life habits.” The next two weeks will be based on the text found in John 5 where Jesus encounters the man who had been in a state of paralysis for 38 years. I am going to focus on the life inhibitors of paralyzing excuses and toxic religion over the next two weekends. I asked my friends on Facebook for helpful input and was overwhelmed by the response. Kim Miller said, “Unstuck: When the pain of procrastination looks to exceed the discomfort of actually doing the next right thing, that’s discipline. So I feel the pain and do it anyway. Procrastination actually produces pain worse than the fear of doing what I know I need to do!”
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I would really appreciate any input that you may offer, especially on the topic of toxic religion. Majorities of people are not involved with the church, not because they don’t believe in God, but because they perceive Christians to be so judgmental and unloving. Jesus was rejected by sincere, well-intended, toxic religious folk. How have you experienced faith in its toxic forms? God bless…
Posted By: Pastor Mike Slaughter on Jan 07, 2009 10:00AM
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 Dr. Steve Guy and I with Miss Gloria in Jamaica It’s easy to understand why people are anxious to move beyond 2008. I share this from a very personal standpoint in the loss of dear friends and Ginghamsburg church leaders due to illness and death. The economic meltdown has had severe consequences in the Dayton community, devastating 401k’s, and leaving economic experts uttering the unthinkable: “depression.”
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On this last day of the year, I find myself thanking God for his goodness and for all the ways he has demonstrated his love and faithfulness in ’08. In spite of the circumstances, God’s promises and faithfulness stand eternal. The faithfulness of God shines like light in darkness through his people who faithfully and sacrificially live daily by his promises. These are just a few of the stories where I have seen the powerful hand of God during the last year. Serving in Jamaica Saving children in Darfur God @ work in the Gulf Where have you seen the goodness of God in 2008? God bless…
Posted By: Pastor Mike Slaughter on Dec 31, 2008 10:00AM
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 GM plant workers in Dayton head to work for the last time The last General Motors plant will close its doors in Dayton today ending almost a 100-year legacy in this city. This community has lost 26,000 automotive jobs since the early 2000’s. I was reminded in my devotional reading this morning that God goes before us and stands behind us when we face seemingly insurmountable challenges. When the Egyptian army had Israel trapped at the Red Sea, Moses reminded the people of this simple truth. “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
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The great reality of Christmas is that God has given us a sign. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (God with Us)!”  The most recent water yard built by The Sudan Project in Darfur I never cease to be amazed by the great faith demonstrated through the people of Ginghamsburg Church. In spite of the challenging economic times, you are contributing yet again hundreds of thousand of dollars for the victims of a senseless tragedy in Darfur. You are participating in the miraculous resurrection of Fort McKinley Church in an economically challenged part of the city. I preached there two times Sunday morning. It is amazing to witness this miracle of God! I want to thank you for your demonstration of faithfulness and wish you a peaceful and joyful Christmas season! God bless…
I fully think that GM and the UAW (Ford and Chrysler) are in toxic relationships. They only can come out of this if they both realize it. Many years of disturst and greed on both sides may doom the US industry.
Posted By: Kevin on Feb 21, 2009 08:36PM
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