Dear President Barack Obama,
My name is Tony Miano. I am a citizen of the United States and you are my president.
While we live in the same country, we also live worlds apart. We are very different--you and I. You are a politician and the most powerful man in the world--known to virtually everyone. I am a retired deputy sheriff, who is now serving in the ministry--known to very few.
Yet while we are different, we have several things in common. We are about the same age. We are both married to lovely, supportive women. We are raising daughters (although two of mine are now in college). We're protective of our families. And we both profess to be followers of Jesus Christ.
Here are some of the statements you have made about your faith:
"I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life."
"I am a Christian. So, I have a deep faith. So I draw from the Christian faith."
"I've been to the same church-- the same Christian church-- for almost 20 years . . .I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible."
"It is a precept of my Christian faith that my redemption comes through Christ, but I am also a big believer in the Golden Rule, which I think is an essential pillar not only of my faith but of my values and my ideals and my experience here on Earth."
"My faith teaches me that I can sit in church and pray all I want, but I won't be fulfilling God's will unless I go out and do the Lord's work."
Mr. President, you profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ, yet you have said nothing about this...
You have said nothing publicly about the use of your image to blaspheme God.The artist canceled the public unveiling of this blasphemous work, due to the public, moral outrage over the work's content.
Mr. President, since your image was used to blaspheme the God in whom you say you believe, why hasn't your voice been the first and the loudest to be heard? As a professing Christian and the present leader of our country, why aren't you the leading Christian voice to say that you do not condone or appreciate the use of your image to blaspheme the Lord Jesus Christ?
If you were to try to make the case that as a "community organizer" you want to bring people together, and to speak publicly about this would alienate non-Christians; or if you were to try to make the case that this is a "freedom of speech" issue and you would not want to be seen as infringing upon the artist's right to free expression; then I would humbly submit to you, Mr. President, that anything and/or anyone you place before or above God, is your god.
Mr. President, any time you refuse to make a stand for God you are denying God. And the Word of God is clear. "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:33).
Could making such a public stand for the name and holiness of Jesus Christ prove costly? Could it cost you your popularity among the masses, both here and abroad? Could it cost you support within the halls of government? Could it cost you the White House? Could it cost you your very life? Jesus had an answer for concerns such as these.
"And calling the crowd to Him with His disciples, He said to them, 'If anyone would come after Me, let Him deny Himself and take up His cross and follow Me'" (Mark 8:34).
Mr. President, whatever you are unwilling to sacrifice (even your life) for the sake of Jesus Christ is, in reality, your god. Whatever you love more than Christ; whatever you treasure more than Christ; whatever you will not forfeit for Christ is your god.
While there is only one Lawgiver and Judge and while there is only One who is able to save and destroy (James 4:12), and while I cannot know your heart, because I care about you as a human being I must tell you this. Your seeming indifference to this latest effort to dub you messiah, coupled with many things you have said in the past that run contrary to the Christian faith and the infallible Word of God; I must tell you that I do not believe you are a Christian. While you assert that you believe in Jesus Christ (even the demons believe and shudder--James 2:19), I do not believe you have received Him as Lord and Savior. I believe you are lost and in need of salvation.
Mr. President, I do not make such a statement--one that many professing Christians and non-Christians alike would wrongly deem judgmental--with any ill-will toward you whatsoever. On the contrary, Mr. President: I make such a statement because I care enough about you as a human being to tell you the truth. I love you enough to tell you the truth and run the risk of having you hate me for it.
Mr. President, there is yet another way you and I are very similar. We are both sinners. We have both violated the Law of God. Mr. President, if you have ever lied, stolen, taken God's name in vain, looked at someone other than your wife with lust, or ever hated anyone then God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterous, murderer at heart.
Because God is good--because He is holy, righteous, and just--He must punish your sin. All sin is against God. The punishment God has ascribed for sin is eternity in hell, Mr. President. When you die and stand before Almighty God, He will not see you mounted on a donkey. He will not see you wearing the crown of thorns He allowed His only Son to wear. He will see you naked--clothed only in the filthy garments of your sin. And He will say to you on that great and terrible day, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you worker of lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23b).
Mr. President, I do not want that for you. My wish for you is a very long and healthy life on this earth. I wish the same for your wife and your children; as well as your children's children. But I want so much more than that for you. I want you to receive the free gift of eternal life that only God can give.
Mr. President, allow me to introduce you to the real Messiah--the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Two thousand years ago, God the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ (fully God and fully man) to this earth (John 1:14). He lived the perfect life that you cannot live. He was nailed to a cross, shed His blood, and died taking upon Himself the wrath of God sinners deserve (Mark 15:22-26). Three days later, He rose from the dead defeating sin and death. As a result of Jesus Christ's perfect life, shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection, God grants forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who believe (John 3:16). But in order for this to happen, Jesus said you must be "born again" (John 3:3). Being born again is a supernatural work that only God can do when He gives you a new heart and dwells in you in the person of the Holy Spirit. This change results in a hunger for righteousness that will cause you to repent, turn from your sins, and put your faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Please, Mr. President, repent and believe the gospel. Turn from your sins and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Neither you, nor the ecumenical, pluralistic, unjust god you have fashioned in your mind are the true Messiah. There is only One. His name is Jesus Christ--the God of the Scriptures--the Living Word.
Mr. President, it matters not to me whether thousands of people join me by signing this letter or it bears only my signature. What matters to me, Mr. President, is where you will spend eternity. What matters to me, Mr. President, is whether you will stand with me to exalt and glorify the name that is above every name--the name before which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess--Jesus Christ the Lord.
Respectfully yours,
Tony Miano
A Bondslave of the Lord Jesus Christ
(If you would like to add your name to the list of signors, please e-mail me at thelawman104@gmail.com. Please include your full name, city, and state or city and country).
Signers:
Renee Heaton -- Frisco, TX
Katie Neilsen -- Golden River, BC, Canada
Paula Coyle -- Hutchinson, MN
Jason Coyle -- Hutchinson, MN
Jason McClaren -- Witchita, KS
Sarah DuBois -- Middletown, OH
Jeff Guill -- Paducah, KY
Ann Osborne-Reed -- Colonial Beach, VA
Angela Williams -- Hershey, PA
Michelle Miano -- Valencia, CA
Kevin Mollahan -- Topeka, KS
Justine Jacobson -- Farmington, MN
Mahria Miano -- Valencia, CA
Melissa Jarvis Reed -- Benton, KY
Dale Jackson -- Lakewood, CA
Rachel Liebregt -- Redondo Beach, CA
Russ Nymeyer -- Mentone, CA
Patty Nymeyer -- Mentone, CA
Chris Pawlowski -- Annapolis, MD
Robert Hornak -- Sacramento, CA
Mike Leonhardt -- Pheonix, AZ
Kurt A. Simms -- Crosby, TX
Mary J. Simms -- Crosby, TX
Nathan Frost -- Binghamton, NY
Amy Frost, -- Binghamton, NY
Tim Brown -- Galesburg, IL
Dan Duffy -- Bishop, CA
Margi Duffy -- Bishop, CA
Meagan Duffy -- Bishop, CA
Billy Jack Morris -- Witchita Falls, TX
Amy Corinne Morris -- Witchita Falls, TX
Vicki Rumore -- Billings, MT
Kathy Shortridge -- Billings, MT
Rusty Beals -- Rock Creek, OH
Elliot Lui -- Wheaton, IL
Peter Sylvester -- Langley, BC, Canada
Glnis Sylvester -- Langley, BC, Canada
Jason M. Shoots -- Douglasville, GA
Bobby McCreery -- Winder, GA
Kara McCreery -- Winder, GA
Matt Johnson -- Oglethorpe, GA
Billy M. Lauderdale -- Booneville, MS
Rob Vanderzel -- Charleston, SC
Heather Vanderzel -- Charleston, SC
David Barnes -- Manitoulin Island, ONT, Canada
Dan White -- Fairfield, PA
Paul Wilcoxen -- Mount Vernon, IL
Stefano Ashbridge -- Los Angeles, CA
Ian Pari -- Valencia, CA
Cheryl Pari -- Valencia, CA (50)
Evan Miller -- North Canton, OH
Mark Applegate -- Stockton, MO
Alex Burt -- Bethlehem, GA
Sharon Pease -- Fountain Valley, CA
Rick Comforth -- Sycamore, IL
Thomas Paulikas -- Monroe, NJ
Ed Hinckley -- Larkspur, CO
Tama Hinckley -- Larkspur, CO
Dian Corbett -- Jacksonville, FL
Joseph A. Modica -- Charleston, SC
Palmira K. Modica -- Charleston, SC
Jennifer Good -- Melbourne Beach, FL
Patti Golden -- Auburn, AL
William Brannon -- Purcellville, VA
Paul Harvey -- Madison, AL
Christopher Yarzab -- Arleta, CA
Chris Hobeck -- Manassas, VA
Timothy Bock, Jr. -- Fontana, CA
Guy Reynolds -- Ashland, KY
Judy K. Guentzel -- Temple, TX
Susan Altamirano -- Charleston, WV
Gary Upton -- Tulsa, OK
Jeff Wisterman -- Holly, MI
Thomas Foley -- Pawcatuck, CT
Tamara Cline -- Morgantown, WV
Donna Hebert -- Waterboro, ME
Mike Nutini -- Sylmar, CA
Daniel Beaudoin -- San Jose, CA
Terri Nettles -- Houston, TX
Greg Sandoval -- Fontana, CA
Yvette Sandoval -- Fontana, CA
Gary Rink -- Seattle, WA
Joe Harrison -- Monroeville, NJ
Tiffany Marie Soto -- Beaumont, CA
Sherry Pierce -- Sun Lakes, AZ
Chrstopher M. Hohnholz -- Fernley, NV
Kristine J. Hohnholz -- Fernley, NV
Adam Gray -- Juneau, AK
Daniel Kamilchu -- Sacramento, CA
Glenda Barnard -- Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Lisa Cybul -- Castaic, CA
Lili Nguyen -- Vancouver, BC, Canada
Bart McCurdy -- Cottonwood, CA
Scott Bryant -- Ewing, KY
Mistry Bryant -- Ewing, KY
Todd Arnold -- Independence, MO
JonPaul Arth -- Maple Grove, MN
Shari Arth -- Maple Grove, MN
Kurt Michaelson -- Nyack, NY
Grace Nauroth -- Saylorsburg, PA (100)
Darryl Spriggs -- N. Charleston, SC
Devin Schultz -- Hepburn, SK, Canada
Paul Latour -- Ottawa, ONT, Canada
Kim Noel -- Ottawa, ONT, Canada
Chris Jones -- Suffolk, VA
Tammy Jones -- Suffolk, VA
Eric King -- Charleston, SC
Matthew Hadley -- Baltimore, MD
Andrew Ruth -- Myerstown, PA
Mee Leng Foo -- Melaka, West Malaysia
Sara Parrott -- Bolivar, MO
Robert Clinkenbeard -- Sunnyvale, CA
Rob-roy Nelson -- Mesa, AZ
Harry A. Barnes III -- Damascus, OR
Nancy Barnes -- Damascus, OR
Mark Sennett -- Los Angeles, CA
Dorothy Randall -- Sun Lakes, AZ
Gary Crous -- Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Sue Connor -- South Harrow, Middlesex, England
Thomas Zepeda -- Grand Terrace, CA
Evita Zepeda -- Grand Terrace, CA
Danny Allen -- Louisville, KY
John Murphy -- San Martin, CA
Nancy Murphy -- San Martin, CA
Shane Wright -- Lathrop, MO
David P. Schneck -- Cunningham, TN
Evelyn Brister, M.D. -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Thams Bonner -- Kemp, TX
Susan Bonner -- Kemp, TX
James Thompson -- Willow Springs, NC
Vernon Costolo -- Huntington, WV
Ron Berg -- Mesa, AZ
Shauna Lopez -- McKinney, TX
Kenny Swanson -- Chesapeake Beach, MD
Jerry Dorris -- Louisville, KY
Lorene Bevans -- Simi Vally, CA
Ray Comfort -- Bellflower, CA
Alan Pearson -- Riverside, CA
Kimberly Bennett -- Pooler, GA
Angela Snipes -- Mayfield, KY
Mark Phillippo, Jr. -- Northport, AL
Andrew Henske -- Manchester, MO
Cassandra Kyle -- Susanville, CA
Kim Matthews -- Marietta, GA
Joel Nava -- Anaheim, CA
Ralph M. Petersen -- Hemet, CA
Gabriel J. Gonzalez -- Chicago, IL
Danny Goodall -- Pico Rivera, CA
James Braaten -- Burnsville, MN
Jaylene Daugherty -- Bellflower, CA (150)
Michael Ayers -- Providence, KY
S. Robert Musso -- Spanish Fork, UT
Brian Persson -- La Center, WA
Terry Kent -- Orland Park, IL
Jan Kent -- Orland Park, IL
Michael Koiner -- Arlington, TX
Myron "Mike" Taylor -- Mayer, MN
Lisa Taylor -- Morristown, TN
Kenneth Taylor -- Morristown, TN
Justin Taylor -- Morristown, TN
Jesse Taylor -- Morristown, TN
Mark Hall -- Roanoke, AL
Linda Essary -- Apache Junction, AZ
Charles Lowry -- Pampa, TX
Amy Engle -- Kettering, OH
G. Wayne Dodrill -- Frisco, TX
Hector Sanchez -- Rego Park, NY
Wayne Owens -- Frisco, TX
Dennis Cain -- Fort Worth, TX
Laura Smith -- Port Orchard, WA
Nigel Titus -- Cape Town, South Africa
Annie Dearth -- Murrayville, GA
Carl Kalbfleisch -- Carrollton, TX
Doug Tollett -- Auburn, AL
Palmira T. Modica -- Charleston, SC
Berry Davis -- Las Vega, NV
Erin Philleo -- Wausau, WI
Mark Mackey -- Hemet, CA
Frank Redman, Jr. -- San Antonio, TX
Lupe Redman -- San Antonio, TX
Deanna Thompson -- Willow Spring, NC
Norman "Todd" Messenger -- Salem, OR
Lillian Isabel Garcia -- Las Vegas, NV
Larry Vena -- La Crescenta, CA
Dimitra A. Vena -- La Crescenta, CA
Shawn Atchison -- Butte, MT
John Bensley -- Lawrenceville, GA
Toni Gilbert -- Santa Ana, CA
Regina Swart -- Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Gretchen McCauley -- Orange, TX
Joel Jenson -- Thorne Bay, AK
Deidre Jenson -- Thorne Bay, AK
Jay Phillips -- Dothan, AL
Jason Gallagher -- Redondo Beach, CA
Ryan Sprang -- Kenton, OH
Kathryn Billups -- Los Angeles, CA
Tina Carlson -- Derby, CT
Byron Porter -- Allen, TX
Linda Emery -- Greeley, CO
Donald MacPhee -- Abilene, TX (200)
Joel Anderson -- Bagley, MN
Jamie Anderson -- Bagley, MN
Travis Yates -- Tulsa, OK
Amy Barta -- Marion, IA
Betty Taylor -- Brownwood, TX
Gerhard Stander -- South Africa
Ivan Rivera -- Lake Dallas, TX
Corinne Mahan -- San Diego, CA
Adrian Castro -- Las Vegas, NV
Benjamin M. Coyne -- Carroll, IA
Steve P. Sanchez -- Redondo Beach, CA
Jennifer Mattingly -- Chandler, AZ
Pradeep Chellathurai -- Bengaluru, India
Eric Pearson -- Milan, IL
Natasha Millard -- Surrey, BC, Canada
Jill Vanderzel -- Holland, MI
Herbert L. Blickhan -- San Clemente, CA
Gary B. Carter -- Reno, NV
Jeff Weaver -- Palm Bay, FL
... list as at date of this posting. Tony will update the signers so check back at "An Open Letter to President Obama."
