On Monday September 14th Bernie spoke to the students, and faculty of the Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia a Christian school founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell who was a strong Republican. I was very impressed by the current President of the University Rev. Falwell Jr. for opening up his doors to Bernie. Knowing his issues, and being that they are in two different political parties I thought it was very big for Falwell Jr. to open up, and let him plead his case to those in attendance.

One of the things that I love about Bernie is that he doesn’t bite his tongue when it comes to saying what he believes in. Right from the very beginning he informs everyone that he acknowledges the fact that he, and Liberty have very different views. He said he believes in a woman’s rights, as well as gay rights, and gay marriage, and that his issues are not a secret. He further went on to say that it is vitally important for those of us who hold different views to be able to engage in a civil discourse. Wow is all I could say.

As a Pastor, and public speaker for twenty years I’ve learned that how you start off a sermon or a speech in this particular case determines on whether or not you will keep your crowd. I must say that my attention span isn’t long at all. If you aren’t keeping me interested I tune you out after about 10 minutes. That wasn’t the case with Bernie, and it never has been. He had the students, and faculty right where he wanted them to be. It was kind of quiet at first, but I’ve learned that quiet isn’t always a bad thing, quiet sometimes means that the people are listening.

As a Pastor there are some things that I believe biblically that others may not agree with. I’m just being honest, but one of the things that I’ve realized it that this is not “The United States Baptist or Catholic Church”. This is “The United States of America”, and as a US Citizen every person has a right to equality on this earth. Some of you may have Alcoholics or Drug Addicts in your family. I’m sure that you hate what they do, but regardless of their actions you still love them, and you still are there for them.

When President Obama came into office I was very displeased with a lot of the African American community because they bashed him for his support of Same Sex marriage. I had to explain to several parishioners, and friends that he is not “Pastor Obama” or “Father Obama” or “Rabbi Obama”, but he is President Obama. No matter who you are, no matters your religious beliefs, and no matter your race or ethnicity you are not always going to agree with how things are done, but as long as at the end of the day you can end up respecting one another then things will be so much better for everyone.

Bernie stressed the importance of finding common ground amongst people across this country. Those whom we have been seeking support from, and those whom we have worked tirelessly to get their endorsement for Bernie we have won them. Now it’s important to go after those who don’t know any better, and think that Hillary is going to be our Savior, lol. (I hope that doesn’t get me in trouble). Everyday we are getting more, and more people to join on to this political revolution. A lot of you are saying how do we approach people? What do we say? My answer is “Talk about the Issues”. Ask them who they are supporting, and try, and have a syllabus of each candidates issues democratic, and republican, and do a side by side comparison of Bernie, and their candidates issues, and drill into their brains that Bernie cannot be beat on the issues in both political parties.

Another key point in Bernie’s speech was getting people to understand what it means to live a moral life. Bernie explained in all honesty the fact that he is not a perfect human being which a lot of Republicans hate to admit (except for Jeb Bush who admitted to smoking pot forty years ago, lol) He went on to quote a new testament scripture from Matthew 7:12 which says “So in everything, do to others what you would have them to do to you, for this sums up the war and the prophets. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. You don’t have to be a Christian, or a consistent bible reader to appreciate this text. What if all of our Government leaders, and Presidents thought this way? What kind of impact would it make on the major decisions made for the betterment of our US Citizens? Who knows? One thing I do know is that all of those positive characteristics that we long for are in a man by the name of Bernie Sanders.

Some of you may say “Well he is just another man like everybody else, or he’s just talking the talk to get into office”. I have to disagree with the naysayers. Let me ask you a question. What do you truly, and honestly feel when you hear Bernie speak. Do you hear garbage, lies, or the same ole same ole, or do you hear compassion, trustworthiness, hope? I feel all of that, and so much more. I could care less what people think of me switching my support from Hillary to Bernie. Your word is your bond, and if I am going to support a candidate I need your morals to be on point, and need you to keep your word.

Bernie has a heart for the people. Those who otherwise don’t have someone to stand up, and speak for them. Bernie stated Monday that when we talk about Morality, and when we talk about Justice we have to understand that there is no justice when so few have so much, and so many have so little. There is no justice when the top one-tenth of one percent in America owns almost as much wealth as the bottom ninety percent. Millions of people are working long hours making $7-$9 an hour, but still unable to feed their kids.

I would ask us one question. Where are our priorities? Are we more concerned with having the latest Mercedes Benz than making sure the less fortunate children who are being raised by single parent homes, and elderly grandparents like I was are being fed decent meals. How does it make you feel to order three, and four pair of Gucci shoes while kids are walking to school everyday with cardboard in their shoes. How does it feel to purchase cases upon cases of Voss Water (which is my favorite) when kids go without because their parents can’t afford to pay the water bill. Am I saying that these material things are bad? No not at all, but what I am saying is SHARE THE WEALTH!!! It’s better to give than to receive. Knowing that you helped someone who was truly in need is much better than receiving some type of award or trophy.

In Conclusion what is the after affect of Bernie’s Liberty University Speech? The message has been the same as it always has, but it was just delivered to a new crowd of people. I know your approach to people getting them to support Bernie can become repetitive, and you probably have every word down verbatim, but the big picture is to get the word to as many different people as possible, and when you do make sure that you do as Bernie did at Liberty. Bernie was speaking at a Christian University, but his message didn’t change. Stand firm on what you believe in. People may not like or agree with everything you believe in, but one thing they must do is respect you at the end of the day. Keep up the great work my friends, and don’t get weary. We have a long way to go. Bern Baby Bern!!!