“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever  state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11) I confess. More than occasionally I dream of living in a state other than muggy Mississippi.  Okay, so I think about it more than occasionally, and in my search for greener pastures, I came across these tidbits. Mississippi has more than 2 million people, Alaska has approximately 700,000 people. Mississippi is nearly 49,000 square miles while Alaska is a sweeping 663,267 square miles.  In winter, Mississippi is green, Alaska is white. Mississippi borders four other states, Alaska borders none. Mississippi’s highest point is a hilly 807 feet but Alaska’s is a majestic 20,320 feet. Alaska's Kenai River (photo by Rick Small) Mint The Restaurant’s mint julep chicken and waffles is a Mississippi favorite, and while Alaska has no Mint, they do have a Nordstrom’s, my favorite department store for those stuffy-but-work-required business suits. Want to taste Mississippi’s mouth-watering catfish? Going once… going twice… wait, maybe you’d prefer Alaska’s healthy Omega 3-rich King Salmon. Residents of both states enjoy the great outdoors. Mississippians water ski while Alaskans snow ski.  Deer hunting in Mississippi or moose hunting in Alaska… take your pick. Line your pockets with Mississippi “white gold”, cotton.  On second thought, it’d be more profitable to line them with Alaska gold. So what am I driving at?  Here’s the bottom line. Both states have their unique landscapes, local color, and differences… much like people. Governor Sarah Palin has made a life in Alaska. I’ve made a life in Mississippi. We’ve both decided to “bloom where we were planted”, or maybe grow where we landed. No matter, we both have a home, family, friends, and fun things we like to do. We are using our skills, gifts, and talents to make a mark where we live.     Sarah Heath is Warrior #22 Looking to Governor Palin, she made a mark on Wasilla High School as point guard for the Warriors basketball team leading them to their very first state championship. She made a mark on Alaska small business by slaying salmon on Bristol Bay alongside her commercial fisherman husband Todd. When not knee-deep in fish slime, the self-described sports enthusiast was making her mark on the pageant world winning such titles as Miss Wasilla and Miss Alaska Congeniality, all for the sake of scholarship money for college. As a mom, Governor Palin made her mark on the community by getting involved with the PTA at her children’s school. And no one --- and I do mean no one -- can refute the indelible mark she made on the Mat-Su Valley as Wasilla City Councilwoman and Mayor or as the Alaska Oil and Gas Commissioner and Governor of the Last Frontier. Reaching beyond Alaska, Governor Palin splashed her mark across America as the 2008 Republican Vice Presidential nominee. Today she continues to make her mark as a wife, mom, and “Na Na”… a daughter, sister, niece, friend, prayer warrior, caribou-hunter, best-selling author, political analyst, keynote speaker, travelogue star via "Sarah Palin's Alaska", and endorsee of commonsense conservative candidates running for office, to name just a few of her providential “marks”. Sarah Palin was the mayor of Wasilla 1996 - 2002         Governor Palin of the great State of Alaska 2008 Vice Presidential Candidate Palin Are you making a mark where you live? Your circle of influence has eternal ramifications, you know that... right? God is looking for people to stand up and make their mark. He’s waiting for somebody who will be a leader in this hour—someone who’s not just waiting for the door to be opened, but who’s opening the door and pressing through. This is not the time to sit back and just watch what’s happening. Follow Governor Palin's example. It’s time to make your mark!  

  I challenge you to find someone who has received more vile and vicious hate hurled at them than Governor Sarah Palin. It seems adversity comes her way no matter what she says or does, as in the latest media-generated hysteria over her timely and most appropriate video response to the terrible tragedy in Tucson on January 8th leaving many wounded or dead. Liberals are up in arms over Governor Palin’s use of the term “blood libel” to describe the left-wing and lamestream media elite attacks on conservatives following the horrific events wielded from one lone loon with a gun; however, attorney and Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz agreed that the former vice presidential candidate used the term correctly saying: “There is nothing improper and certainly nothing anti-Semitic in Sarah Palin using the term to characterize what she reasonably believes are false accusations that her words or images may have caused a mentally disturbed individual to kill and maim.” “Falsely accusing someone of shedding blood is the definition of a blood libel,” said a spokesperson for Jewish Americans for Sarah Palin in an interview with the Daily Caller. “Sarah Palin got it right.” It is time to wake up, America. The Tucson tragedy was not the fault of Governor Palin or the Tea Party. We must understand that such hatred driving one to commit an act of extreme violence begins silently within the mind and is incubated over time. As the hatred is mentally rehearsed, it grows to such proportions that it soon affects the person’s attitude and perception toward an individual or a group of individuals. As the hatred festers, it moves into the realm of influencing the person’s words and actions, often resulting in a violent rampage. Point in case? Jared Loughner, the disturbed man who aimed a gun and pulled the trigger wrecking havoc and taking lives during an otherwise peaceful gathering of American patriots in Tucson on a sunny Saturday morning. However, we can expect the left and the media elite to forever point an accusing finger at Governor Palin no matter the circumstance or situation. Why? Reverend Franklin Graham founder of Samaritan's Purse said it best: “She [Governor Palin] is a kind and compassionate God-fearing woman who believes with all her heart that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”      Rev. Franklin Graham and Gov. Sarah Palin in Wasilla, Alaska leading a group in prayer before a Samaritan's Purse mission to distribute boxes of food to remote Alaskan villages in February 2009   Gov. Palin on a mission of mercy in Haiti with Samaritan's Purse in December 2010   The Bible says in I John 3:13 to, “Marvel not if the world hate you,” and “… if you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of this world, the world hates you.” (see John 15:19-21). The “world” in this context refers to non-Christian believers. Here's the bottom line. Because Governor Palin is a woman of prayer and strong faith, adversity will always be aimed at her. But as her track record has proven time and time again, she will never allow it to move her or shake her, nor will she allow it to defeat her or keep her from her God-ordained destiny. So Governor Palin, be encouraged and never back down!  Don’t let anyone say you can’t. You can! The thing God created you to do, you will do. And you will rock and shake the world. Whatever God speaks to your heart, step out and walk on water like Peter[1], and watch God be God. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all to stand." (Ephesians 6:13) As for me and my house, we stand with Sarah. [1] Bible verse: Matthew 14:22-33   

Known by its Athabascan name “Denali”, meaning “Great One”, majestic Mount McKinley is located in Alaska’s Denali National Park.  With a peak at 20,320 feet high, Denali is the tallest mountain in the United States.  History tells us that the first settlers are believed to be nomadic hunters and fishermen who developed villages and fish camps on the rugged terrain, and by the early 1900s, settlers came to Denali for the prospect of finding gold and striking it rich.  President Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act on July 7, 1958 which made Alaska the 49th state of the United States of America, and Old Glory was proud to boast seven rows of seven stars. Despite the destructive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck south central Alaska on Good Friday in 1964, hard working Americans with pioneering spirits from the Lower 48 continued to pack up their belongings and move north to Alaska in search of adventure and a better life.  Chuck Heath, Sr. and his family from Sandpoint, Idaho were no exception. Can you imagine what the Heath family thought as they soared above the Rocky Mountains and the Yukon in a Grumman Goose marveling at the lofty summits and snowy peaks of the Land of the Midnight Sun?  Never becoming dismayed at the enormity of their challenge or the uncertainty of their future, the young family pressed onward to Skagway via Juneau when others would have turned around and headed back home. Just as the Heath family encountered physical mountains upon their move to Alaska, our nation today is confronted with figurative mountains:  energy dependence, illegal immigration, socialized healthcare, record-high unemployment, disregard for the unborn, the debt crisis, and the war situation.  These troubling issues can seem daunting and permanent.  Never learn to live with a mountain of difficulty.  Instead, like the Heath family, move forward in faith without fear or intimidation.  As Chuck, Sr. moved his family into a small house in the tiny town of Skagway, he had no way of knowing that his infant daughter, Sarah Louise, would grow up to be a city councilwoman, a mayor, a governor, a vice presidential nominee, a best-selling author, and a serious contender for the American Presidency. Fast-forward to Fairbanks on July 26, 2009, as the infant daughter is now Governor Sarah Palin bidding farewell to the Alaska governorship by wholeheartedly thanking its citizens for allowing her to serve and challenging the media to respect freedom of speech and honor the American soldier by, “Quit making things up.”  Governor Palin may have walked off that Fairbanks stage into an unknown political future, but she had mountain-moving faith in that, “The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord.” (Psalm 37:23)  Governor Palin stepped out of one realm and into another as she has effectively endorsed common-sense conservative candidates like Alaska’s Joe Miller, Washington’s Clint Didier, and California’s Carly Fiorina, who are ready to take the U.S. Sentate by storm, and gubernatorial candidates like Iowa’s Terry Branstad, South Carolina’s Nikki Haley, and New Mexico’s Susan Martinez who are principled leaders and know what is right for their state. Encountering mountains--- difficulties, problems, hardships, the unknown – in life is inevitable.  Like the Heath and Palin families, we all come across them.  Some of our “mountains” are big like the Rockies, and some are as intimidating as Denali. The secret to moving mountains is to never become separated from our statement of faith.  We must keep our words connected to our faith as we stand alongside Governor Palin to take our country back in the 2010 mid-term elections.  America’s best days are ahead, and there ain't no mountain high enough that can't be conquerored as we move toward conservative victory in 2010!

  I believe America is at a pivotal moment. Like the Israelites, we can choose to either go into the Promised Land -- the "shining city on a hill" -- or be satisfied with wilderness living. ___________________________________________________________________ "In the hour of my favour I gave heed to you; On the day of deliverance I came to your aid. The hour of favour has now come; now, I say, has the day of deliverance dawned.” (II Cor. 6:2) Some years ago the Mills family, long time friends of mine, ministered the Word of God at the Fairbanks Inn in Fairbanks, Alaska. Fairbanks was experiencing an ice storm; the temperature was between 15-20 degrees below zero. They had never experienced such cold weather. About 11:15 a.m. an Eskimo couple came into the room fully dressed for the cold weather. They had come 26 miles from a small village populated with only 10 - 12 families. They were the only Christians in the village, and the husband functioned as the Constable. Both were very concerned about the spiritual condition of their community and were discouraged by the lack of response to God and His Word. Pastor Mills ministered to the couple saying, "The Lord will create over your dwelling place a light! A pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. This covering shall be a canopy and a defense." (Isaiah 4:5). The message was given at 11:45 a.m.. At that same moment in the couple’s village, a light appeared over their home. Light phenomena in the North Country is not unusual. Such terms as "Northern Lights", "Prismatic Refractions" and "Aurora Bourealis" go with the territory. However this light over their home stayed and stayed. The next day, the couple returned home and were greeted by the ladies in the village saying that the light over their home appeared shortly before noon Saturday (the men of the village were away hunting caribou). The Constable’s wife showed the women Isaiah 4:5 and told them the message they had received from the Lord. All of the villagers became Christians. The village became a missinary outpost, and two years later when the Mills returned to Fairbanks, the whole village came and gave their testimony. The thrilling conclusion happened when one of the women said, "When we left yesterday the light was still there!" America, the light it still here. And like the light seen over the village near Fairbanks, it comes from the North Star in the voice of Governor Sarah Palin. She is like a bright light illuminating the darkness of the current White House Administration. Don't despise the light, and don't confuse it with darkness. That is what America's enemies do.    Like President Ronald Reagan, Gov. Palin sees a strong, prosperous America as an example to the rest of the world. She unapologetically and unconditionally loves our country and believes that the best days are ahead. Gov. Palin connects with people. She "gets it". Remember the Israelites? After the death of Moses, the children of Israel once again stood at the edge of what God had promised them. They had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and were about to enter the Promised Land. The last time they’d stood at this place, they had refused to cross the Jordan River. But 40 years later, they were finally going to step into the blessings of God. During the Israelites’ time in the wilderness, they had to rely constantly on God to provide food and water. They had only just enough to get by and never came into the fullness of what God intended for them. Unfortunately, many of us today feel as though we are living in a wilderness. We need to realize, however, that God wants us to have everything He promised in His Word. He wants to do some wonderful things in our lives. Before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, Joshua told them, “Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Josh. 3:5) Joshua was telling the people to get ready, because they were going to a new level of living. They were going to experience a new level of provision and blessing. This was the hour they had been waiting for. This was a new day—a pivotal moment for them.     I believe America is also at a pivotal moment. Like the Israelites, we can choose to either go into the Promised Land -- the "shining city on a hill" -- or be satisfied with wilderness living.  It's time to cast off the darkness of the past and realize that the dawn -- the light -- of a new day is here. "This is our time for choosing... how we answer will be our glory or our shame." - Gov. Sarah Palin speaking at Reagan Ranch Center on February 4, 2011.   

  “Great to be in the hometown of Elvis Presley-- Tupelo, Mississippi!  I went out jogging this morning… as I’m running down the street seeing all those guitars [street art] and signs of Elvis Presley, I thought well it’s a good thing in honor of Elvis I got to borrow my daughter Bristol’s blue suede shoes!” Elvis Presley may be Tupelo’s favorite son, but after Governor Sarah Palin took the stage sporting blue suede shoes before a crowd of more than 8,000 cheering supporters, there’s no doubt she’s Tupelo’s favorite daughter. Governor Palin was in Tupelo as the keynote speaker for the Extraordinary Women’s Conference on Saturday, October 22, 2011. The former vice-presidential candidate spoke of Mississippi’s native land and waters being a crossroads in America, making the point that America is now at a crossroads: “I believe that God has shed His grace on thee, America, and I don’t want us to sit back and squander what it is that He has blessed us with… our forefathers and our foremothers fought and died to protect our freedoms today. I do not believe that we shall fulfill our destiny as a nation that puts its trust in God if we sit back and watch some fundamental transformation of our country, turning it in to something that we don’t recognize.  We don’t need a fundamental transformation of America, we need a fundamental restoration of America!” Governor Palin then spoke of her own personal challenges and crossroads, specifically about callus criticism of her son, Trig, who was born with Down Syndrome almost four years ago: “Look, when society wants to eliminate their weakest links, as some would refer to the disabled or the very old… when society destroys them, it also destroy any ability or need for compassion, for tenderness, for empathy, even for goodwill, and those are the very best parts of humanity and the characteristics of a country that can embrace and know and share true hope comes from people like Trig… Trig is the best thing that has ever happened to our family.” “America is indeed the last best hope of man on earth”, she told the audience, explaining that  “some people are waiting on a superman or a superwoman to come in and fix the problems that we face, but we know that it’s going to be His [God’s] light, and His truth, and His love that makes all the difference. There’s not going to be a politician or a celebrity or a government program that meets the needs of our families and our nation. It’s all about Him and His everlasting hope that He gives us.” Governor Palin closed by encouraging everyone to “get up, get out there, and do good” because America is a shining city on a hill and God has shed His grace on America. Governor Palin receives the Key to the City of Tupelo Before leaving the stage, Governor Palin was presented the Key to the City of Tupelo by Fred Pitts, Tupelo City Council President. Thank you, Governor Palin and Todd, for visiting my home state of Mississippi. Words cannot express my gratitude for your graciousness and words of encouragement to me and my state. Like you said, Governor, there are no coincidences, just Divine appointments. God bless you both as you continue on His path to fulfill your destinies.... Missy

  Submitted by ClarkAK I once heard a description of Margaret Thatcher that's stuck with me all these years - "Everyone is against her, except the People". The same is certainly true of Sarah Palin - "Everybody is against Sarah Palin (Except the People)". Seemingly it's Sarah against "all of the powers that be". I admire and respect Sarah Palin tremendously. She is an honorable, decent, God-fearing, pro-life woman who has been vilified for being all of these things. Thankfully I'm not held captive to liberal network news presentations and biased newspapers and magazines anymore. Truth has no agenda with me. And the truth is that Sarah Palin is a true American spirit whose heart bleeds red, white and blue. She has the typical American family, and has a son who courageously served in our US military.  She is a woman of sincere faith, and has a strong moral compass, from which she won't waver. She is so grounded in the Constitution that it will always be her guide in leading the country. Her love for America joyfully and effortlessly pours out of her. She wants what's best for our country and yet some people just hate her for the sake of hating. Go figure. Sarah Palin shares a laugh with family gathered on her parents' lawn in Wasilla, AK (Photo: TLC) Never dismiss a person with character. Governor Palin is full of selfless grace and dignity. She has expressed more than once that if there is someone else out there who she believes knows how important it is to fight for freedom and to protect our Constitution, she would support them for President. With all due respect to Governor Palin, my answer is - "There is no one else out there Sarah! Please run for the sake of our nation and our children's future!" True reform has to come from without since the insiders resist all attempts at breaking the status-quo and their own selfish self-interests. As Palin noted during her recent speech in India, "Too often, Republicans have the fighting instinct of sheep." Insiders never do what they promise they are going do. They never fix any problems and care more what the media thinks of them then the people who voted for them. Sarah Palin is a threat to every over-educated, elitist, upper crust, insider in DC. Their ability to take shots at her comes as easy as taking their next breath. But the truth is, if she were elected president, their lofty-throned lives would be forever changed. The fear from the Left is obvious and predictable. The Left is scared of strength, because they know they can't bully and defeat it. Sarah Palin is not only strong but intelligent and they hate that. But, there's fear also from the entrenched armchair Beltway Republicans. Fear that Governor Palin will win and take away their power-cookie jars. This is what happened to the Alaska's 'Corrupt Bastards Club' after she won in 2006. They scurried deep into the shadows like cockroaches when Sarah became governor. Among her many other achievments, remember folks, she cut spending when Alaska had a surplus. That kind of practical thinking scares the moose snot out of big government wanna-bees. Many Republicans have the fighting instinct of sheep. (Except when it comes to fighting against Sarah Palin running for President) When Republican snobs like George Will and Charles Krauthammer feel compelled to join the liberal chorus and insult Governor Palin, they also insult middle America. They don't think like us or for us. To them, Sarah is "The One Who Shall Not Be Named" in their suave Foo-Foo cocktail parties and a more dangerous threat than Obama and the Democrats. How revealing that GOP elites echo the Left's same talking points in attacking Governor Palin. I'm still waiting to see any substantive criticism of Palin from any of them. What policies has she advanced that doesn't stand up to their critical analysis? How come these so-called "conservatives" tear down the one person that stands up for the same principles that they have professed to stand for as well? At my age and with my 'hard-knocks' life experiences, I don't need a George Will, Karl Rove or Politico to tell me what to believe, or to instruct me about their version of 'conservatism'. I used to think these talking heads researched and came to their conclusions based on facts and principles. Not any more. That train left the station long ago. When a housewife-turned-politician runs circles around you, steal your base out from under your noses and make you all appear like idiots on issue-after-issue it's time to hang up your hat. Sarah is an existential threat to Washington because they will never own her. Run, Sarah, Run!! I want a president who can delegate and manage, and knows enough to seek out the proper consultants. Governor Sarah Palin has the background, expertise and most of all the moral fortitude to take a stand to do all this and preserve America as Reagan's "shining city on a hill." I trust her 100% that she would do what she was elected to do. That is to be a conservative first and foremost. April 19th marks the 237th year anniversary of "the shot heard around the world". The first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War erupted at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. I support Sarah no matter what she and her wonderful family decides, but should she decide to run for president, this would truly be a second "shot heard around the world." Everybody Is Against Sarah Palin (Except The People). I stand with Sarah Palin! I like the odds!  Sarah Palin: We Need To Restore America