In This Month's Report:
* Editorial - Charisma Trumps Character
* Health Update - More Complicated Than We Thought
* January Events - Inauguration Eye Witness
* January Ministry - Impacting the Northeast and Beyond
* News and Resources - Mystery Roar from Space
* Products - Four Exciting Resources (see link below)
* Partnership - Invest in God's Program for the Northeast of America
* God Thoughts - Don Cheedle

We would love to hear from you; please send us your feedback today. Don’t forget the ever-popular 'GOD THOUGHTS' at the end of this report. Enjoy! JB

INTRODUCTION

Over the last year, we have entered into a new era in western culture. 'The old guard has finally been put to rest and the new guard has risen!'

Friend and ministry colleague Mark Pfeifer recently made this acute observation, "Whether you realize it or not, our nation experienced a mega-shift in 2008. The last time we saw such a seismographic move was in 1968, precisely 40 years ago. Most sociologists pinpoint that year as the defining moment of the cultural revolution of the Sixties. From that moment forward, our nation embarked on a new journey. Today, we are facing a new future having experienced such an event."

FROM WOODSTOCK TO D.C.

The defining event that consolidated the 'seismographic move' of '68 was Woodstock, a music festival, held a year later on a dairy farm in the rural town of Bethel, New York in August 1969. This event exemplified the counterculture of the late 1960s to early 1970s and the "hippie era." This was the three day festival of art and music that consolidated the alternative culture into a major societal influence. What was then radical new age philosophies colliding with western culture has moved to established policies in Washington D.C. today.

GENERATIONAL JUMP

The recent event that Pfeifer asserts will have the same potential impact as '68 was typified by the presidential election. Here we saw the baton jump a generation, from the 'builders,' missing the 'boomers' and landing directly in the hands of the 'busters!'

The character of the 'builder' generation was forged in the Great Depression of the thirties and WWII. Self-sacrifice, courage and integrity were the necessary ingredients of character that insured the continuing freedom of our western way of life. These values enabled John McCain, the last of the 'builders,' to endure the horrifying reality of five years in a Vietnamese prison camp.

GENERATION TRUMPS IDEOLOGY

There is no questioning McCain's character, but with all due respect, when they handed out charisma, he must have been at the end of the line! On the other hand, President Obama typifies an MTV generation that has been conditioned to value charisma more that character. This is confirmed by the fact that nearly 70% of people under 35, liberal and conservative, voted for Obama. In this case, generation trumped ideology! (Photo on left by Chuck Burton, AP)

EXPEDIENCY ABOVE INTEGRITY

The present administration is already being typified by charisma and pragmatism! The recent acceptance of several cabinet positions, involving people with questionable tax issues, demonstrates our willingness to place expediency above integrity. The defensive phrase often used is that these issues are all 'relative anyway and they are the best people for the job.' We truly have entered the era of 'if it can be done, let's do it!' without bothering to ask if we should do it. Has a silent church allowed this to happen?

THE BALANCE OF POWER

From God's perspective, the balance of power in this world does not depend on the manipulative machinations of media, governments or administrations. Although those things are forces to be reckoned with, the future of our way of life does not depend on them, but rests entirely on the stance of the Church! In the Kingdom of God, we understand that "...we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:12-13).

Faith is our shield, prayer is our weapon, and truth is the two-edged sword that penetrates the encroaching darkness of this age. #

I am so grateful to everyone who responded to our appeal for prayer and support after my recent diagnosis of cancer in my esophagus. Please continue to ardently pray as the medical reports are getting less encouraging.

Last week, I met with the chief surgeon at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick. He checked the results of all the tests I have had so far and said that the cancer has penetrated the wall of the esophagus, so may not be as contained as we had hoped it would be.

He said that at best, the treatment including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, will take at least six months. However, he has a concern that it may have spread to my liver. If this is the case, there are not a lot of medical options.

I am having a Pet Scan today (Wed.) to find out if the liver is clear. Please pray that this will be the case.

We will send you an update toward the end of this week.

Update from the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America

This report is from Michael Faulkner, a covenant partner with me in our New York-based Christ Covenant Coalition network.

"It was one of the coldest and warmest experiences of my life.

I was blessed to have a seat about 100 yards from the steps of the capitol. All 1.5 million of us were caught in the moment that we realized was bigger than the sum total of our parts. We shared with the world the joy of this moment and all that it means and will mean years from now. We have such hope and promise but, to be honest, many people understood that it is beyond President Obama.

We were called to serve the nation and the world through selfless service. There were three especially moving moments for me. The first was Rev. Rick Warren's invocation. When he was introduced, I could hear people around me gasp with reservation. Some of those same people were applauding during moments of his prayer. Then, at the end, as he led us all in the Lord's Prayer, I heard those same people praying with us! It was an amazing moment.

Then it was time for President Obama's speech. I loved it and look forward to unpacking it over the next few days for quotes. I believe that great speeches define and clarify the call to action — this was one for the history books.

Last, the benediction given by Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery was amazing. First, he is and always has been one of the greatest African American theologians of our day. He is a living link between Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement and Barack Obama. It was an amazing connection between the past, the present, and the future. It tied everything together. I left speechless. The people around me were moved as well. We all shared a common moment that changed our lives for the better.

Grace and Peace, Rev. Michel Faulkner"