Award-winning freelance writer and columnist Joanne Brokaw covers entertainment for The Christian Examiner newspapers, The Minnesota Christian Chronicle, and The Ozarks Christian News.
Her other writing credits include Breakaway and Brio Magazines, OnCourse Magazine, ChristianMusicPlanet.com, BuddyHollywood.com and AGreaterFreedom.com. Her humor column, A Big Slice of Life, appears monthly in the Christian Voice Magazine and she pens a regular humor column on The Writing Life for ByLine Magazine.
Joanne lives in Western New York with her darling husband David, their Border collie Scout and their cat Murphy. Their almost adult daughter Cassie drops by often. Find out more about Joanne at
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So, what do you think? Creepy? Cult-like? Offensive use of a worship song?
I think it's indicative of today's "worship music" that something like this could be done in the first place.
Don't get mad at Obama or his supporters. Get mad at the writers of these "worship" or "praise" songs that don't even name which god they're worshipping in the first place.
The only Santuray Obama will offer is to the 14-40 million illegals costing our country 285 billion dollars a year in health care, closed hospitols, pandemics like TB, Changna and Leprocy, education, welfare, social security,criminal justice system, and inpact on our infrastructure.
Let God be our santuary and keep America out of the hands of Obama!
Pauline,
that's quite the chicken little scenario you've got going there!
I take it you haven't read Obama's policy positions on illegal immigration, education, welfare, entitlement programs, or, well, anything.
And don't say you don't have to. If you're going to comment on the man, have enough respect for him as a fellow brother in Christ to understand what in the world he's talking about.
I agree that God needs to be our San(c)tuary.
I also think that if Christian songwriters want their songs to be only about God the Father, then they should write them in such a way as to ensure that they can't be understood to be about anything else.
This is sick. This mocks Christ, and I wouldn't want to be this person who married this song with hero worship politics.
Looks like these idiots are worshiping BO as if he were a god. My feeling is if he wins, the first and second amendments are history.
Jazzy, as a praise and worship musician, i can tell you that usually any person of Christian Faith knows only of one God. There are no others in comparison, so therefore there is no clarification needed. Truly, anyone could take this song and marry it with anything they choose. However, the use of this song does not bother me so much, because I didn't write it, record it, nor am i owed any royalties for it's use. What does bother me is this constant idolatry committed by so many Obama supporters. This man is no better than anyone else, and honestly offers not change, but just more of the same of the Clinton and Carter days. However i think Bill Clinton put it best; If you had a new bright candidate who offered you all of what you wanted as a voter and a "Not So New" candidate who only offered you half. Would you choose the one who offers you everything yet can't deliver any of it, or the one who offers you half and can give you some. Even if Obama can deliver everything he's promising (Socialism, Marxism in disguise, Frankfurt Teaching, Radical associations, Radical beliefs, and an Un-Christian-like support of abortion, Still can't figure that one out), none of the things he is offering is of any benefit to anyone who actually follows the grain of true America. Someone who Works, Fights, Struggles, Bleeds, Sweats for everything they earn, and someone who is well deserving of it. This does nothing more than put the working man on a government IV while Foreign laborers are brought in to complete tasks the new American public are too lazy to complete, due to the incompetence a government reliant welfare system will have created. My Mexican Grandfather served this great nation for 7 years in the military 2 of which in support of a conflict that he had nothing to do with, all to take part in the freedoms this country offers. So why in the world would i ever support the allowance of total border freedom. Under Obama's plan I am to pay for someone elses college?!? Since when was College a right? What happened to sacrificing to reach a goal? Seems like it might take some of the luster out of toting a degree around that, oh yeah, 305,000,000 other Americans have. If you want it, work for it. I'm not even rich, and i see no reason to tax the rich. The Obama people make it sound like McCain's Tax plan, much like Bush's, is just giving money away to all the greedy low life non-donating pieces of poo. Thats not it, and i love how Obama supporters say that. He's just doesn't want to take any more from them. They make it sound like their giving them 300,000 extra every year and he's not, their just not going to tax the 300,000 that they worked hard to earn. Even if he would tax it, he's not going to re-distribute the wealth around to sad saps who are most of which to lazy to go out and earn it. The same ones that you see in the welfare line everyday, are the same ones who would be picking up this generous donation. Also the same ones that aren't even paying any type of Tax other than a payroll tax would receive a check in the mail, straight out of some other guys pocket, who's only mistake was to finally make it to the American dream. "Affordability". Well so much for "Affordability", Obama just knocked your pour butt back into the gutter. I'm out.
P-Rez
Um....
Well....I would have to mention that just because Obama supporters made this video it doesn't mean that Obama supports it or wants to be idolized like that.
People make all kinds of stupid videos and post them on YouTube, it doesn't mean there is any credibility.
And what's the source for all of the negative claims? Obama's plan doesn't seem bad, and he seems very tolerant of all people (not just those of one particular religion)
I could say a lot more..but not tonight.
Frankly, I don't see what all the hub-bub is about. God (the one, true God)is going to place in the presidential position who HE wants there, despite our intervention through voting. Look at this old world; read what the Bible says in Revelation (and Daniel) and then make an educated decision. If John McCain wins I'll be surprised, not because he's not my choice, but because I feel Mr. Obama is going to play a large part in the end times.....and that's that. I could be wrong. The Bible says (paraphrased) NO MAN knows the day nor hour when Christ will return (and all the REAL big mess starts down here), not even the Son of Man. In the meantime, however, we're here - living through all of this.
We reap what we sow. Always. Way past time to get on our knees and humbly beg for God's mercy, but it wouldn't hurt to try. Consequently, we're going to have to live with the consequences of our sins - and part of those consequences could be Mr. Obama as president.
Enough said.
I am so inspired by both future President Obama and this video. Calling the people who created the video and who appear it the video "new age cultists" is a libelous smear, designed to distort and inflame, by people who should know better.
Doesn't your spiritual path remind you to be accepting and tolerant? Mine does. Even if yours doesn't, I think your spiritual path might say something about not spreading untruths, yes? Are you really so intolerant of others' views that you are willing to create, believe and promote lies? Who are you really lying to?
The First Amendment (remember that?) protects the freedom of speech of the people who created the video and who appear in it. Yes, others might not share their view, and that is fine. But slander and libel are crimes, and people are entitled to peace and privacy, which is being threatened in this instance by the lies and hostility being promulgated and "whipped up" by irresponsible people.
I guess some of you still don't realize that for the past eight years, your president has been attempting to emotionally manipulate you into being terrorized and fearful, so he can justify what he chooses to do, so you'll go along with it. It's been working, but the blinders are about to come off, and that may be painful for you. I'm sorry you are going through this at this time.
Where is the inspiring video of Senator McCain? I'd like to see it.
Ananda, the video was actually made by the folks at Wisdomology.com, which would in fact be defined as a New Age, inner wisdom site. "Cult like" is a legitimate observation on some of Obama's supporters. Not him or all of his followers, but certainly a valid thought on this whole mantra.
Joanne
host of the GS blog
Jazzypaul - that's like saying Psalm 23 is watered down because it doesn't name the god the writer's talking about. The song "Sanctuary" is a very clear prayer to God as a preparation for worship. Seriously - do you think these lyrics are vague:
It is you, Lord
Who came to save
The heart and soul
Of every man
It is you Lord
who knows my weakness
Who gives me strength,
With thine own hand.
Lead Me on Lord
From temptation
Purify me
From within
Fill my heart with
Your holy spirit
Take away all my sin
Joanne
host of the GS blog
Joanne (host of the GS blog),
You're right. The lyrics are not vague. You know that we're talking about the Christian God of Moses and Abraham who gave his only begotten son to ensure our salvation who is one God, yet in three parts in...
the second to last line.
Many of these modern day "worship" tunes are lame melodies mated to lame harmonies with limp rhythms that are so inoffensive as to be nothing but offensive.
I am not happy that anyone is "envisioning" Barack Obama as sanctuary or as anything else, but if someone just put a stake through the heart of that flacid tune, I am all for it.
Jazzypaul, well, if you read this blog long enough you'll see that I'm with you on the whole worship music thing, in general. I don't know if you saw my post on the new Hillsong CD.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/10/hillsong-london-releases-new-c.html
I think Jon Foreman's song "Summer" offered some interesting insights - that link is included at the end of the post.
It's more than a big church releasing a CD. It's forgetting that we're often singing words from GOD, and that the emphasis seems to be a more egocentric, big show mentality wrapped in a worship song.
Anyway, I won't get back on that soapbox, LOL.
Joanne
host of the GS blog
It just seems to add to the image of "Obama-Rockstar" to me. Just makes me feel badly for those poor deluded people.
So people are visualizing an Obama win as part of their religious meditations. So what?
Y'know, I think that this isn't anywhere near as creepy as the people who're praying that McCain will be elected and then die so that Sarah Palin can take over.
http://www.forerunner.com/blog/2008/08/sarah-palin-sigh-factor.html
"So here is my three point plan:
1. Vote Constitution Party. (I vote my conscience and cannot support McCain even with Palin.)
2. Hope and pray for McCain/Palin to win. (I am an idealist, but also a realist!)
3. Pray for John McCain's salvation and pray specific imprecatory prayers if he fails to pro-actively defend the sanctity of human life."
So, what do you think? Creepy? Cult-like? Offensive use of one's relationship with Christ?
I dunno if my first comment went through (my connection is a sad panda today), so I'll try again.
So people are visualizing an Obama win as part of their religious meditations. So what?
Y'know, I think that this isn't anywhere near as creepy as the people who're praying that McCain will be elected and then die so that Sarah Palin can take over.
http://www.forerunner.com/blog/2008/08/sarah-palin-sigh-factor.html
So, what do you think? Creepy? Cult-like? Offensive use of one's relationship with Christ?
I do not see anything creepy or cult-like about people envisioning a positive (to them) outcome. This is used all the time in sports and business, just to name two places, and I know that it is much better to use prayer, hope and wishing in a positive manner than in a negative manner. So you may not like the use of this particular tune (you know, it isn't just used by Christians, it is also used by many other faiths who also believe in a godhead).
Is the reason you don't care for this video because they are using positive visualisation and a nice song for Barack Obama? Would it be alright if it was for John McCain? Or is it just the use of the song in this context that is bothering you?
After reading all of your comments, it just confirms what God has given to me. The main comments I hear conservative's scream about is Barack Obama supports abortion. I agree that abortion is sin, but have you considered that the bible does speak about us having to so that we would give to others. It's not meant for us to keep. He has blessed us so we can be a blessing to others. It also says that a Godly man should leave an inheritance to our children. Even if we had universal college level education, everyone would still not make that choice. The truth of the matter is people are threatened by what is about to happen. This country was born on theft (taking land from the Natives),murder (killing them in the process), and laziness (having Africans work like dogs to make them rich). Why shouldn't we want better for our next generation. That would only be too much like right. Everyone is so greedy (gimmy, gimmy, gimmy)! If McCain was such a good candidate, why didn't you all elect him that last two times he ran for President? And finally, if you want to talk about morals lets talk about how John and Cindy McCain make their living........by distributing beer! What kind of reaping do you think they will sow for feeding alcohol into the American people? Alcohol is a trick of the enemy and I've known plenty of people who have become hooked by just tasting every now and again. Marinate on that!
Meren, clearly, as I stated, the use of a WORSHIP song, alluding to a political candidate as the savior, is just wrong. I don't care which candidate it is.
There's a difference between wishing and hoping, and spending a minute a day to envision something with the intent to make it happen by tapping into your own inner power. Christian faith is clear about power coming from God, not from man.
As for the other faiths using the song - I would be very surprised if other faiths used the song "Sanctuary" to worship another godhead. It's clearly a song that asked for forgiveness for sin, not something a lot of faiths adhere to in the whole "do what you want as long as you don't hurt anyone else." What other faiths are you talking about, and what other godheads?
Joanne
host of the GS blog
You should check out the Frontline special The Choice 2008. It's very interesting and surprisingly balanced. That'll answer your question about why we didn't elect McCain and give you some interesting things to think about on both sides.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/choice2008/
Joanne
host of the GS blog
I am staying very neutral on this year's election, praying that God's ill will be done. I believe God is in control and that we will get the leader we deserve as a nation, good or bad. The church needs to be about the business of sharing the love of Jesus if we want to see positive change happen in this nation.
That being said I am troubled that we would take a song which is blatantly about Jesus and make it about a political candidate. I have been somewhat troubled with the messianic view many people have over Senator Obama. The role of savior is too big for any man and the job has already been filled. I already have a savior, I am trying to elect a president. May the best man win and in my opinion the best man is the one who will faithfully follow God in the execution of his duties.
Wow!! That is so wrong and disturbing! I can not believe someone used a worship song that is meant to be sung in worship to God, not used as music in a political video! Like you said, it doesn't matter what canidate it was, it's still wrong!! This song should only be used to worship God and that is it!! I could not even finish watching the video, I was so disturbed by it.
this has to be the most disturbing thing i have ever seen
This video is just another in a string of events centering worship around the global warming agenda and now, it appears, Barack Obama. Another pre-election video was titled "Obama Youth - Junior Fraternity Regiment". It came out before the election and featuring middle school children in military style uniforms. As they march into the room, they're chanting "Alpha Omega, Alpha Omega".
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