I have to admit I had second thoughts about the title of this column….especially in light of the words of James in chapter 2 verse 18; "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."  I also had second thoughts when I consider the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the peacemakers because they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9 HCSB). 

     But when I read the words of Paul written to his young protégée Timothy encouraging him to "fight the good fight for the faith" (1 Timothy 6:12a) and I when I hear Paul say at the end of his life "I have fought the good fight…." (2 Timothy 4:7a), I am convinced the title is appropriate. 

    Charles Colson, former Nixon advisor and founder and President of Prison Ministry Fellowship, verbally paints an accurate and disturbing picture of the challenges evangelical Christians face in the world today.  Colson said, "Christians face two serious threats, one from the East (radical Muslim extremism) and one from within (the culture war). 

     The threat from Islamofacism is growing exponentially as radical elements within the Muslim faith try to destroy the very foundations of Christianity.  Extremists use both the sword and fear of the sword to gain an advantage over the complacent hearts and minds of Westerners.  Many Christians in the West believe the extremists represent a minor departure from the mainstream of the Muslim faith and that we should not be too worried about the possibility of another 911 type of attack.  These misguided brothers and sisters in Christ believe if we will just leave the extremists alone they will leave us alone. 

     That line of thinking applied to Adolph Hitler by the Europeans prior to World War II left most of Europe in ruins and cost the lives of well over a million people.  We make the same mistake today if we do not take the threat of an Iran armed with nuclear weapons seriously.  We make it when we fail to realize the influence the terrorist nation of Iran has in Iraq, in Syria, in Afghanistan, in Lebanon, and most recently, in Gaza. 

We should remember it took the defeat of the Turks by the Polish cavalry in 1683 as the Turks encircled Vienna to stem the fast rising tide of radical Islam.  If the United States loses its resolve to win the war on terror, however and wherever that war manifests itself, we may well see the day when all we hold dear will be relegated to the dust bin of history. 

     The second enemy Colson mentioned is what he calls "Neo-atheism."  This new brand of 21^st century atheism is much more pervasive and exceedingly more dangerous than any of its earlier manifestations.  Neo-atheism goes much farther than the mere denial of God's existence.  It actually calls for the eradication of all forms of Christianity.  One prominent Neo-atheist has gone so far as to suggest that Christian parents should be prohibited by law from passing their religious values down to their children. They consider the teachings of Jesus Christ to be the moral equivalent of child abuse.   They believe absolute truth is a myth and objective, fact-based reality is a fairytale told by fools. 

Relativism has so infested the thinking of many Christians that they are slowly beginning to buy into the ideas put forth by the Left concerning what true Christianity is all about.  Moral relativists on the political Left reduce abortion to nothing more than a woman's right to choose and homosexuality to nothing more than one lifestyle choice among many.  They turn the "faith once delivered to the saints" into the "faith once distorted for the sake of political gain." 

     If Colson is right (and I believe he is), how can Islamofacism and Neo-atheism threaten a culture that claims to be overwhelmingly Christian?  The answer lies in understanding the real threat to Christianity is not the philosophies we face but the faith we lack.  It is what I call "Regressive Christianity."  Regressive Christianity's main problem is the lack of standing room.  In fact, every Church in America could use a sign posted prominently over the pulpit that says, "Standing Room Only."  The Apostle Paul, after reminding the Ephesians that our fight is not against "flesh and blood" but against rulers, authorities, the world powers of this darkness and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens" exhorted them to "stand therefore…"(Ephesians 6:10-17).  He essentially called them to fight not with the weapons of the enemy but through the enablement of God with "truth like a belt, righteousness like armor, faith like a shield, salvation like a helmet, God's Word like a sword, all while standing in the shoes of the gospel." 

    A strange thing happened at the first Battle of Bull Run during the Civil War.  People packed up their picnic lunches and loaded up in their fine carriages to ride out and watch the opposing armies do battle.  But shortly after the battle began those sideline thrill seekers realized being mere bystanders was not an option. Three times in this passage Paul says the key to the fight is to stand.  It really doesn't matter how well equipped we are to charge the gates of hell if we retreat or outright refuse to enter the battle.  We must replace "Regressive Christianity" with the mystery of an aggressive yet gentle faith that is firmly grounded in God's Word and faithfully demonstrated in the lives of God's people. 

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     Panic is an ugly thing…especially when it rises out of a sense of political desperation.  Right now, the political Left is coming unhinged at precisely the moment a very real sense of cohesion is beginning to build on the political Right.  At this writing, political independents and conservatives are celebrating the Left-wing meltdown in Massachusetts that has given Republican Scott Brown a solid 5 point victory over Democrat Martha Coakley. 

     A race that was supposed to be over before it began for Democrats could signal the beginning of the end of the Obama Administration.  Even if Coakley had somehow managed to squeak out a win in a last minute come-from-behind thriller her victory would have done little to assuage the panic that is building on the Left.   Democrat gubernatorial losses in New Jersey and Virginia pale in comparison to the fact the race for a seat Ted Kennedy held for forty years has now been lost.  In an unprecedented display of political panic, left wing pundits prepared in advance to shield President Obama and offer cover to embattled Senate Democrats by throwing Martha Coakley under the bus before the first Election Day vote was cast. 

     Writing for Boston.com, Globe columnist Brian McGrory says, "She (Coakley) strolled into the general election with high name recognition, strong favorability ratings, and as the Democratic candidate in a state that hasn't elected a Republican to the Senate since 1972.  It looked as if it would be impossible to lose.  So what did she do?  Apparently, she's tried to accomplish the impossible."  Well, so much for hanging in with the team.  Referring to Coakley's sudden shyness for public appearances McGrory wrote, "She may have gone the first month of the campaign without ever meeting an honest-to-goodness rank-and-file undecided resident."  Only panic could cause a Democrat supporting columnist to write something like that BEFORE the election. 

     There are plenty of other signs of panic on the Left.  Last week, MSNBC's Ed Schultz stated on his radio show that if he lived in Massachusetts he would commit voter fraud.  Schultz even gave tips on how he would carry out the stealing of the election.  He said he would stuff the ballot box and vote as many as ten times. 

     In similar fashion Hardball host Chris Matthews waxed nostalgic when talking about the days when machine bosses in Massachusetts to motivate Democrat voters distributed "street money".  It's one thing when left leaning commentators talk about the glory days of "street money" behind closed doors.  It's a sign of panic when those discussions flow freely over the airwaves.  It makes you want to ask Chris if he realized he was talking about loud.  As the election results poured in from Massachusetts and the unbelievable fact of a Brown victory became a reality, MSNBC hosts Rachael Maddow and Chris Matthews created a fantasy world for themselves in their reactions to the Brown win.   They actually said they believed Coakley's loss happened because President Obama hasn't been liberal enough! 

     More evidence of panic…according to AP reporter Charles Babington, the White House and their Democratic allies are scrambling to come up with a way to convince the House to simply adopt the Senate version of the healthcare reform bill.  This would avoid the reconciliation process that would bypass a Senate vote now that Brown has defeated Coakley. 

     Other options being discussed include pushing the reconciliation process and forcing a Senate vote before Brown could be seated. This option would lead to a firestorm of criticism against the Democrat majority but many Democrats would rather feel the heat of Republicans than face the wrath of their Left-wing base.  Or, Democrats could simply start over with a scaled back version of the bill and resort to budget reconciliation that would require only fifty-one votes to pass.

     The fact any of these measures are being seriously discussed are signs of panic in the Democrat Party.  They began 2009 with a super majority in both the House and the Senate.  They should be able to pass any legislation they want without so much as a whimper from Republicans.  But the President's plummeting poll numbers and an electorate who now oppose any healthcare reform by a whopping 14% margin (57 percent are opposed with just 43% in favor) have caused Democrats to head for the nearest political exit ramp.  When you add in the high-profile deal making by Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, and special deals for union members, you have an angry, fed up public and a panicked, backpedaling bunch of Democrats. 

    December 2009 and January 2010 will go down in history as very bad months for Democrats.  The failed but too-close-for-comfort terrorist attack on Christmas day followed by confusion from both the White House and Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano left Americans nervous about our security.  Closed door healthcare negotiations coupled with Vice-President Biden meeting behind closed doors with the Administration's transparency chief has left Americans suspicious and Democrats sweating.  I have often said when the Left gets under pressure they begin to slip up and allow some of the tinted windows of their true thinking to be forced open giving the electorate a quick glance at who they really are.  Once enough people take time to look at what Left-wing governance really looks like the panic on the Left will be justified. 

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     Do you remember the saying, "When the going gets tough the tough get going?" Or, how about, "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."  I think this one is my favorite, "Risk more than other think is safe. Care more than others think is wise.  Dream more than others think is practical.  Expect more than others think is possible." 

     These are all fairly famous quotes on desire and determination to win.  The spirit of America is the spirit of winning.  Maybe Patton said it best to his troops in the movie that bears his name.  "Americans love a winner.  Americans will not tolerate a loser.  Americans despise cowards.  Americans play to win all the time. That's why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war; for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American."

     In American society, the cherished American value of winning has been under attack for years.  People on the left think winning is somehow unfair.  When you win that means someone else is going to lose.  Committed leftists want to transform the world into a place where everyone wins and no one ever loses.  They would change "When the going gets tough the tough get going" into "When the going gets tough the tough take a break."  They would transform "winning isn't everything…it's the only thing" into "winning isn't anything…It's a bad thing." 

     I have no doubt the Indianapolis Colts were not intentionally trying to send a bad message about winning when they decided take out their starters and forfeit the possibility of an undefeated season to the New York Jets.  They were trying to rest their starters so they will be ready for the playoffs.  The Colts wrapped up a playoff spot and home field advantage though the playoffs early in the season.  The only goal left to them was the prize of an undefeated season…something that hasn't happened since the 1972 Miami Dolphins concluded a perfect season with a Super Bowl win. 

     But with that goal in sight, Head Coach Jim Caldwell made the decision in the third quarter to pull Payton Manning and the other starters with the Colts leading 15-10.  The Jets came roaring back against the subs and won the game 29-15.  Right or wrong, the decision was made that it was more important to rest the starters than to win the game.  If that idea catches on in football I would suggest that in the future, all teams that have secured a place in the playoffs simply forfeit the rest of their games.  If you are going to play the game you need to play to win.  If you are in the game, you should give your all until the final gun.

     That leads me to Usain Bolt and Sarah Palin.  I like Bolt and I am frankly just as blown away as the next person as his speed as a sprinter.  There is not doubt that he is the fastest man on the planet.  He has proved that at every national, international, and Olympic event he has participated in over the last two years.  But here is the rub…we may never know how fast Bolt really is.  Why?  Because just before he crosses the finish line he backs off.  It's only a split second and it has never cost him a race but if you watch closely, you will see what I am talking about.  He runs all out until the final second and then, right before he crosses the finish line, he backs off.  For me, the fact he doesn't finish the race with the same effort he uses throughout taints an otherwise very impressive accomplishment. 

     The same is true for Sarah Palin.  I like Palin's political stands on just about every issue.  I read her book over Christmas break and the more I read the more I like her…until I got to the part where she resigned as Governor of Alaska because it the cost of staying, both financially and emotionally, got too high.  I understand her enemies were coming after her family and costing her and her state millions of dollars with their frivolous, baseless, ethics complaints and lawsuits. 

     But I like what her son Trek (who was serving his country with honor in Afghanistan) told her when she asked him what she should do about her job.  From 6,000 miles away Trek said, "Don't let the jerks get you down!"  His advice was don't quit, don't violate your contract, where there is pain you push through and you stick it out.  Hoo-rah, Trek! 

     But Governor Palin ultimately decided it was just too hard and too expensive to stay in office her last year.  She walked away even though every lawsuit and every ethics complaint were found to be without merit.  Again, I admire Governor Palin and her values but I question ever allowing your enemies to win because you just got tired of the fight.

     The greatness of America lies in the fighting spirit of the people.  Whether it's Colonel Chamberlin fixing his bayonet and leading the charge down Little Round Top at the battle of Gettysburg or the soldiers of Point Du Hoc braving withering fire to scale the cliff and help secure victory on D-Day, Americans are known for their never say die commitment to finishing a task.  When we fight, we win.  When we commit ourselves to a task we finish the job.  When we run the race we cross the finish line with the same effort we had when the gun sounded to start the race.

     When the Apostle Paul surveyed his life he was able to leave an inspirational example to young Timothy.  "I have fought the good fight," Paul said.  "I have finished the course and I have kept the faith."  I pray that we as Americans will always do the same. 

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     I was raised in a Democrat household in a Democrat town in a Democrat state.  I am an active member of the Republican Party today for one reason…Ronald Wilson Reagan.  Between the time Reagan served as Governor of California and his run for the Republican nomination for president, he produced a series of nationally syndicated radio programs that clearly laid out his vision for America.  Over 1000 of these short programs were produced with the vast majority written by Reagan's own hand on a legal pad.  Reagan's writing was clear, concise, inspirational, and powerful.  The programs were foundational to the development of my vision of America and they were the catalyst that made me decide at age 18 to register as a Republican.

     I was delighted to hear approximately 65 of these programs have been re-mastered and made available for broadcast.  The Republican Party leadership would do well to listen to Reagan's programs. They contain the core values that led to the two landslide victories for conservatism that put America on track to defeat the Soviet Union and raise America to the position of the world's loan superpower. 

     Republicans have lost the core values that captured the imagination of a nation.  I really believe President Bush meant well but during the last two and a half years of his presidency he compromised the core principals of Reagan and the party went into a state of decline.  Confusion and a lack of confidence in the leadership led to a leftwing takeover of the federal legislative branch in 2006 and of the executive branch in 2008. 

     Can true conservatism make a comeback?  It can and it will but only if the people of this country are willing to rise up and demand the Republican Party abide by the party platform and by the United States Constitution.  I have heard several Republican leaders suggest that we need a new "contract with America" similar to the one that led to the 1994 take over of the House of Representatives.  Here's my idea of a contract with America…every true conservative Republican running for office should hold up a copy of the Constitution and say, "Here is my contract with America!  Vote for me and I will do everything in my power to lead us back to real constitutional government."

     Nowhere has the slide from Republican core values been more on display than in the handling of the Sanford affair.  Most Republicans run on a platform of family values that support the family as the cornerstone institution of society.  The Republican Party platform is pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, and it emphasizes personal responsibility and integrity.  Elected officials enter into a sacred trust with their constituents when they are sworn into office.  When that sacred trust is broken, that official is no longer fit to serve.  They can be forgiven, reconciled, and eventually restored to a place of respect in society but it is very hard to regain the level of trust that is necessary to lead in the public arena. 

      If Tiger Woods latest statement concerning his multiple affairs can be taken at face value it appears he understands better than Governor Sanford what needs to be done to have a chance to restore the public trust.  After apologizing for the "disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people," Tiger went on to announce, "after much soul searching I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf."  He then expressed his desire to focus on being a better father, a better husband, and a better person. 

     If Tiger is as good as his word his decision could have a profound effect on his family and it could send a much needed message from a mega superstar with an international platform that there are many things in this world more important than money, power, and fame. Only time will tell but I pray that Tiger will turn to God for forgiveness and for the strength he will need to become a better husband and a better person.  It can't be easy for Tiger to walk away from golf.  It has made him a billionaire and the most recognizable person on the planet.  The pressure on him to continue the gravy grain for the PGA must have been enormous.  Obviously, he has a long way to go but so far, Tiger is taking the first step in doing the right thing. 

     If Governor Sanford had resigned at his now infamous press conference perhaps his wife would not have announced this week that she is filing for divorce.  Maybe another family would be saved from the ravages of divorce and maybe the South Carolina Republican Party would not have revealed their complete lack of resolve in holding its leaders accountable to the moral standards of its own platform. 

     Personal responsibility, accountability, and a determination to do what is right regardless of the cost are paramount to a conservative resurgence in the public arena.  These characteristics begin with honesty and end with consistency in their application in life.  Tiger Woods has certainly failed to exemplify these characteristics but if his willingness to walk away from his public persona to get his private life in order turns out to be sincere it will serve as a valuable lesson in how to regain trust. 

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