Time for New Leadership and New Journalism

America's representative government has failed!  America's journalists have failed!

The day when Americans could live their lives by working hard and trusting their elected officials to do what is right for America is over!  The day when Americans could live their lives by working hard and trusting the news media to faithfully report what is happening in the nation is over!

The new reality is that American citizens must now "go the extra mile" and be engaged in their communities and in their nation as well as take care of themselves and their families.   This model of trusting others to work on your behalf (whether the President or your elected officials) no longer exists. 

The old model was based on citizens living by shared values and principles.  This old model was based on love of neighbor, community and nation.  The new model does not work because it is self-centered based on one man's rule over another.  The new model does not work because it is based on entitlement ("taking what is not yours") and is based on big, inefficient government programs which try to equalize the playing field, independent of individual effort or character.  Systems and bureaucracies are in charge of people's fate.

What America needs now is new thinkers and networkers.   What America needs now is servant leaders.  What America needs now is new leaders to rise.  Yet, the old leaders refuse to empower the new or even the young.  The old leaders wish to maintain their control over everyone and impose their will on all.  The old leaders do not wish to ever surrender their power.  The old leaders remain unaccountable to anyone.  These old leaders seek a new America.

This new order brought on by the old leaders has removed all principles and values.   These old leaders would seek a principle-less society.  Truth is not absolute but relative.  Truth is what these old leaders proclaim it to be.  Today, has become the "day of the big lie."  Our old leaders believe if they repeat something enough times, citizens will believe them.

Journalists are now the agents of these old leaders.  The fourth estate no longer exists.  Journalists no longer seek truth.  Journalists are no longer "watchdogs" for liberty and freedom.

Where do we go from here? I believe that the development of a Citizens Journalist Network in America is fundamental for our future.   I believe that the mission of such a Citizens Journalist Network is not only to "seek truth" but to "mobilize citizens" to become engaged in their communities  before a "new America" led by old leaders takes over.

It is time for new leaders to arise and return America to its former greatness.  It is time for a new journalism that really is based on old notions that once made journalism a noble profession.  It is time for the Citizens Journalist Network to be launched.  Let's go forth!

Why The Citizens Journalist Network?

America needs an alternative news organization that citizens can believe for their news, features, and viewpoints.  I believe that The Citizens Journalist Network is that alternative.  Truth is at the core of The Citizens Journalist Network—which reflects “balanced” not “slanted” reporting. 

I believe it is imperative that such an alternative news organization not be a reactionary news organization—presenting an ideology or framework that is opposite of the “left wing” news media making it a conservative or “right wing” news outlet.   Rather, The Citizens Journalist Network is a “trusted” news operation by those who “choose to view” whether on the left, middle, or right.

For me, such a news operation, articulates spheres (citizens action in society and the culture) and principles (Judeo-Christian).   No, this news organization is not “religious” by any means but is truthful which means:  “ethical, fair, and balanced.” What a novel concept?  These are the fundamental or core values that birthed journalism and that all journalists were trained to appreciate and strive for in a bygone era.

I believe that The Citizens Journalist Network is uplifting to its citizens and its core mission is to “build America—not bring it down.”   Those engaged in The Citizens Journalist Network are “to lead”—to become “servant leaders” to the citizens and to serve a “Great Awakening” where citizens become engaged in their communities, State and Nation—not leaving America or their communities in the “hands of elected officials” who continually fail them.

Frankly, all of us have a political or philosophical “bent” that defines us as a human being.  We need to recognize this inherent “bias” and choose to be “balanced.”  The reality is that “truth” always wins out if we choose to participate in “two way communication” and trust that “informed citizens” will make the right choices.  The problem we face in America today is that the citizens information choices are “so biased” and “untruthful” that there is “confusion, cynicism, and unbelief.”

The Citizens Journalist Network has an opportunity to provide a “ray of hope” that Americans can reach the appropriate conclusions when given objective “facts” from all sides of an issue.   Let us be “truthful,” let us be “balanced” and put our faith and hope in our Creator rather than a person such as the President.

If we are willing to re-do the actions of our famous forefathers in the birth of this nation; we can see America turn back to its greatness.  If we are willing to tell the “stories” that make people think; that inspire; that transform Americans; we can see America rise up again as a great nation and world power.   The choice is ours.  Will we dare to organize in such a fashion as to create The Citizens Journalist Network?  I say we have no other choice.   “Let’s do it!”

A Stunning Debate Knockout: Mitt Romney Over Barack Obama

The excuses started coming in "fast and furious" as soon as the first Presidential Debate between President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney was over this past Wednesday (Oct. 3rd).  "President Barack Obama needs his teleprompter."  "It was attitude sickness."  "Gee, it was his anniversary, he didn't want to be there."  "President Obama was looking down."  "Governor Romney was looking Presidential."

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney easily defeated President Barack Obama in the first presidential debate broadcast from the University of Denver by the Commission on Presidential Debates and moderated by PBS host Jim Lehrer and in which four million Tweets were posted.

Governor Romney outlined a five-point plan he would bring to Washington:

1. Make America energy independent
2. Open up trade to Latin America
3. Create schools that succeed
4. Fight for a balanced national budget
5. Champion small business:  Create jobs for America

While President Barack Obama was calling Americans to "embrace a new economic patriotism," Governor Romney was championing a charge to "restore the vitality that gets America working again."  Romney called Americans to "look at the evidence of the last four years:  23 million people out of work or have stopped working, 32 million Americans on food stamps...49 percent of our college grads cannot find work."

Governor Romney called for Americans to embrace the constitution and return to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and to the understanding that "we are endowed by our Creator" that we need to have "religious tolerance and freedom" and that "we have the right to pursue happiness as we choose, the right to pursue our dreams."  Governor Romney spoke against crushing the middle class--which would inevitably happen as taxes are raised to pay for new government programs.

Governor Romney spoke that citizens must decide "what kind of America they want to have" and this choice is between "two paths" that will "lead in quite different directions."

I choose the path that Governor Romney is taking!  Do you agree?

  

Washington Has Failed; A Citizens Revolt Is Launched

A new day has come in America. The people’s representatives have failed them. In previous eras—the citizens elected their government officials and expected them to look after their best interests while they worked hard to provide not only for their families but for society.

Now, this is no longer true. Elected officials in Washington no longer care what their constituents want. They function as an aristocracy subject to no one. They portray the viewpoint that they know best what America needs.

A citizens revolt has begun. This revolt is not being driven by radicals or terrorists as one elected representative claimed but by the average citizen who realizes they can no longer trust their elected officials to represent them in Washington. This is not about a political party but this is about returning America to the ideas and principles that made it a great nation.

Prayer for Revival and Spiritual Awakening

“Do not let your heart be troubled, trust in God.” (John 14:1)

Lord,

We pray for revival. Bring revival in our families in our nation. We pray for spiritual awakening in America.

Dr. Patrick Morley (a Florida businessman who founded Man in the Mirror, a non-profit organization to help men find meaning and purpose in life) writes about revivals in America: The Great Awakening (1734-43); The Second Great Awakening (1800-1840); The Businessmen’s Revival of 1857; The Civil War Revival (1861-65); The Urban Revivals (1875-1885); The Revivals of 1905-06; The Azusa Street Revival (1906); The Post World War Awakening; the Charistmatic Renewal and Jesus Movement; the 1970 Asbury College Revival, the mid-1990s Revivals; and The Promise Keepers Revival.

We can now ask: “Is America Ripe for Revival Today?” How can we hasten revival today? Dr. Morley suggests humble repentant prayer. “Let us pray that God will have mercy on us all.”

Christians Arise!

“Restore us, O Lord God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” (Psalm 80: 3, 7, 19)

Christians in America have given over their nation to the concept that “bigger government” will take care of us and save us. We have given ourselves over to fiscal irresponsibility. We have kept ourselves out of the world—not realizing that it was Jesus who though not of the world engaged the world with His gospel. We have isolated ourselves and “shrunk” the Church so that it is irrelevant to the majority of those who are engaged in life (and live beyond themselves).

Lord, forgive us for not seeing how we need to steward all of life. Forgive us for being divided. Forgive us for concentrating just on ourselves. Forgive us for turning our backs on life in the United States and in the world.

It is time for Christians to arise and become “true citizens” of the Kingdom. Let us, arise!

Choosing Jesus

Lord,

Forgive us for yielding to selfish diversions. We are consumed with sports, recreation, and entertainment and we cannot see what is happening in America.

Others, see what is happening but are selling the nation for “perks” or “personal benefits” thinking that is good politics. We’re divided and blinded on the true battle for America. We are willing to accept the “bad” so that we can gain what we perceive as “personal advantage.” We are willing to broker deals with the devil himself, believing we can come out ahead. What a lie! Actions taken with these notions results in loss of freedom as we become slaves to hell. We deserve this judgment.

Is there not a true “hope” for us. A hope not brokered by the slogans of a man or a political campaign but “hope” that arises from lifting up the name of Jesus Christ. From returning to our heritage as a Christian nation—from turning back to the one and true God.

Jesus, we call upon you to bring us revival. Jesus, we call upon you to come and visit us once again. We ask your forgiveness for turning our backs on you. We choose to surrender to your authority. We choose you—Jesus--to be our Lord and Saviour!