|
President George W. Bush- A Man of Faith
This article is based on the book, "A Man of Faith- The Spiritual Journey of George W. Bush", as well as a collaboration of material I've collected in writing this article.
In my own observation, Christ is a vibrant testimony in his life. He and his wife, First Lady Laura have committed their lives as a couple, and as individuals for His service. Their service is shaping and molding America into what God created it to be in the first place- a nation under Him.
President Bush endures hard ridicule for his deep-seated faith, because of his love for his Saviour.
As a young man, he seemed to connect with the inner-city kids that flocked often to PULL, an outreach ministry.
One seemingly unreachable youngster, Jimmy, began attending and a special bonding took place between he and young Bush. Bush began helping him with clothes and shoes, as he needed them, "hanging out" with him often, becoming his "Big Brother", doing guy things.
In the summer of 2003, President Bush paid a visit to the Power Center, the outreach program under the Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas.
While there, Rev. Kirbyjon told a story of a young African-American who had approached him, a few months prior. He told the pastor, "Let me tell you something about the president. When the president was a younger man, he spent an entire summer with me, and I am the person I am today because President George W. Bush spent personal time with me some years ago during the summer."
That man was Jimmy.
Even as a child, President Bush loved spending time with people, learning their various backgrounds, their dreams, their goals.
Then he met Laura Welch, a quiet dark haired beauty. It was the case of opposites attracting. She a librarian, he involved in politics. She calm, he energetic, loud and boisterous.
Their differing styles exaggerated their differences. They shared the same West Texas upbringing that taught them priceless values- That each individual is equal and equally important, but also that each individual has a responsibility to be a good neighbor and a good citizen.
George loved reading, fishing, spending time with friends and family. But he had a fault-he also loved his liquor. For years he struggled to end his drinking. He knew it hurt Laura deeply, in their married life, that he still clung to the whiskey.
It took one night, when he and Laura had gathered with friends over social drinks, that he had had one too many bottles of wine and fell under a hangover.
The next morning he rose as usual for his regular three-mile run, but this time, feeling worse than ever. He determined then and there, never to fall beneath the spell of alcohol again.
He tells the nation today, that it was the right decision. At that moment, he felt very different inside. He found more time on his hands to read, felt more energized than ever in his life, found that he was calmer and became a better listener, rather than the incessant talker that he used to be.
He firmly committed his life to Christ and has grown more spiritual by God's grace.
Of his favored hymns is "A Charge to Keep" by Charles Wesley.
Daily devotions are a regular part of his day. Much of his devotional activities are spent with his One Year Bible as well as devotional books written by Charles Stanley, Charles Spurgeon and Oswald Chambers.
In a September 2003 interview with Brit Hume of FOX News, President Bush reportedly said, "-Well I pray daily, and I pray in all kinds of places. I mean, I pray in bed, I pray in the Oval Office. I pray a lot...as the Spirit moved me. And faith is an integral part of my life."
Justin Webb, correspondent for the British Broadcasting Corporation says of the President- "Nobody spends more time on his knees than George W. Bush. The Bush administration hums to the sound of prayer. Prayer meetings take place day and night. It's not uncommon to see White House functionaries hurrying down the corridors carrying Bibles."
Could that have ever been said of Senator John Kerry, ex-running presidential candidate? The man who called the President an f-ing idiot, when he saw President Bush's ratings rise in April of 2004. The man who professed in a speech, to have hated Christians and promised his adoring public, to do everything in his power to silence them. The man, who professes religion from one side of his mouth, yet ruins his own testimony, the next.
I think not!
Anyone who knows President Bush intimately says that there is nearly always a Bible by his bed and that the White House meals begin with prayer.
I was deeply humbled by this story I'm about to tell you. It begins with a White House courier entering the Oval Office, with an important delivery for the President. He had come unannounced, because of its importance. But a quick survey of the room brought a startling discovery-the President was nowhere in sight!
Then the courier caught a glimpse of the tops of his shoes, beneath the desk. President Bush was lying prostrate on the floor, not hurt, but deep in prayer.
It is said that before President Bush gained the Presidential office, as Governor, he prayed over the phone, each evening with one of his two most trusted evangelist friends, Rev. James Robison or Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell.
After the tragic event of 9/11, President Bush's calming words were a balm to the hurting souls.
"God's signs are not always the ones we look for. We learn in tragedy that his purposes are not always our own. Yet the prayers of private suffering, whether in our homes or in this great cathedral, are known and heard and understood."
Then he gave a paraphrase from Scripture.
"As we have been assured. Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth can separate us from God's love".
I believe, and the television networks have backed up what I'm about to say, that the reason President Bush is our President again today, for four more years is because the truly committed Christians thronged to the voting polls and kept him in, at a record of 70% turn out. And because the Christians held prayer meetings, pleading with God to put the man He wanted in there, into office. For either a blessing on our nation, or an usherance of His coming.
My husband and I, along with millions of Americans were held spell bound before the television, wondering what the outcome would be on election night. At one point in the evening, when the polls seemed to be held captive, the fate of our President hanging on a handful of states, we switched over to Cornerstone Television. We were just coming in on a phone call from a Grassroots supporter. She told the television audience of the prayer meeting she and her church had held the evening before, for the election. And while praying, she was given a vision. Christ's' arms were stretched our over the nation, water flowing through His fingers. He gave her the words, "I have heard your prayers. I will bless your nation."
Even as my stomach was twisted in fear that somehow fraud would take place, putting Senator Kerry into office, I felt reassured by this woman's vision. Holding on to that hope that Christ would indeed bless our nation, and give us Christians more time to get His children into the fold, before His coming.
I am so thankful to God for giving us a President such as George W. Bush-- Our man in office,
A man of faith.
|
|