[Paradigm Shift]

Okay, time for my first real "serious" post. First off let me say that I know that discussing the new president can be a touchy subject and that I am NOT trying to start a "bash Obama" thread.

Ever since the election, I have felt a spirit of heaviness about America. Just for clarification, I don't mean like "I've felt possessed" or anything like that, just that for the first time, I have really, truly noticed how far gone our nation has become.

Let me say for the record, I do not believe Obama is the antichrist. I am not a conspiracy theorist (at least in the nutty sense of the word.) However, I truly do believe that his election has signalled a turning point in our country's history. Never before (and perhaps I am wrong, I'm 38) in my lifetime have I seen such a godless, immoral, totally unfit person elected president. Bill Clinton was bad. REALLY BAD. But even after his election, there was still some hope that America might turn around again.

My fear is that America is now on a rapid downward spiral, both morally and in our leadership position in the world. Our days as the world's foremost superpower, both financially and militarily, are quickly coming to an end.

By electing Obama, America has (like the Jewish nation of Old Testament times) finally put its thumb in the eye of God for the last time. I believe that He is going to withdraw most, if not all, of his protection that we have enjoyed since our founding. We (as a country) cannot go on flagrantly violating his holy laws without consequences. I believe that 9/11 was only a taste of what is to come. Sadly, we are so short-sighted and stubborn that the horror of that day (which at first turned many back to God) has now been scrubbed from our memory.

Like I said, I am not blaming America's downfall on Obama. He is only a symptom of our problem. We (and I include the church first and foremost) have left God and His ways. We have allowed the once greatest missionary country in the world to become a moral cesspool in which abortion, homosexuality, immorality of every stripe, vulgar "entertainment" and games to become so ingrained in our culture that now Christians are looked at as intolerant bigots who need to be "shut up." I truly believe that in spite of Obama's claims to be a "Christian," we will soon see more and more restrictions on witnessing, using the name of Christ in public and worship.

Sorry if this post is a downer, but I want to know if I am the only one here who is sensing this. God has really been dealing with me to get my walk back on track with him and be consistent. Honestly, I have never before so wanted to see the rapture come as I do now. For the first time, I truly see Bible prophecies coming true almost on a daily basis.

For example, the Bible speaks of a spirit of deception overtaking the people in the final days. If that does not describe America and its attitude towards President Obama, then I don't know what does. What do we really know about this man? The news mafia has so totally protected him during the election that it is nearly impossible to even raise a criticism of him, no matter how legitimate, without incurring their wrath.

But what is truly scary to me is that people WANT TO BE DECEIVED. They don't WANT to know the truth. "Itching ears," indeed. Not just the unsaved, but the church as well. How in the world can so many so-called Christians get taken in by Rick Warren and his ilk? Are we that Biblically illiterate in this country?

So am I totally off base here? Lately I feel that God has really been impressing on me the importance of getting back in His Word. If there was ever a time for a "John the Baptist" style preacher, then today is the time. We (I), especially the church, need to REPENT. Repent from our dead works, our pride, our self-satisfied routine. We must wake up and "redeem the days" because our Lord Jesus is coming back very shortly.

I know this might be a bit of a rambling post. Hope a few good points were made along the way. So, what do you guys think?

Anyone else here feel that we are rapidly approaching the close of the church age?