By CHUCK GRIFFITH
Religion Columnist

What a speech! I am referring to George W. Bush's acceptance speech given last Thursday night at the Republican National Convention. Last week when I wrote that I was looking forward to quoting George W. Bush in the future I was not thinking it would be this soon. George W's speech was more of a message than a speech. It was filled with passion and compassion, faith and inspiration, goals and responsibility.

Since Thursday night I have been reading some other comments that George W. has made. He has been consistent and faithful to the themes in his speech which seem to be the convictions of his life.

In his speech he spoke of the government supporting “the heroic work of homeless shelters and hospices, food pantries and crisis pregnancy centers.” Supporting the “people reclaiming their communities block by block and heart by heart.” He said “Government cannot do this work. It can feed the body, but it cannot reach the soul.”

In his book, “A Charge To Keep” he wrote, “For our culture to change, it must change one heart, one soul, and one conscience at a time. Government can spend money, but it cannot put hope in our hearts or a sense of purpose in our lives...” His book stated “...government should welcome the active involvement of people who are following a religious imperative to love their neighbors through after-school programs, child care drug treatment, maternity group homes, and a range of other services. Supporting these men and women—the soldiers in the armies of compassion—is the next bold step in welfare reform, because I know that changing hearts will change our entire society.”

In his speech he spoke of the importance of values. He said his generation has discovered that “who we are is more important than what we have...we must renew our values to restore our country.” He said, “We must give our children a spirit of moral courage because their character is our destiny. Our schools must support the ideals of parents, elevating character and abstinence from afterthoughts to urgent goals.” In his book he referred to this when he wrote, “We have seen an unprecedented decay in our American culture, a decay that has eroded the foundations of our collective values and moral standards of conduct.”

In his speech the value he emphasized most was the dignity of human life. He said, “But most of all, we must teach our children the values that defeat violence. I will lead our nation toward a culture that values life—the life of the elderly and sick, the life of the young and the life of the unborn.” He is unashamedly pro-life.

He is also unashamed of his faith. In his speech he mentioned it in several ways but he put it concisely when he said, “I believe in grace because I've seen it, and peace because I've felt it, and forgiveness because I've needed it.” In his book he wrote, “I was humbled to learn that God sent His Son to die for a sinner like me. I was comforted to know that through the Son, I could find God's amazing grace, a grace that crosses every border, every barrier and is open to everyone. Through the love of Christ's life, I could understand the life-changing powers of faith.”

Space does not allow me to visit all the themes of his speech. Suffice it to say that whether he is elected President or not I would still love to hear more of his message.

Chuck Griffith is pastor of Fayette Assembly of God, 1144 Ga. Highway 92 South in Fayetteville, 770-719-0322.

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