Man, I got to be honest I am little depressed, the whole debacle with economy and Sarah Palin with the ethics violations dealing with ex-brother in law state trooper. McCain supporters at rallies yelling out concerning Obama "Terrorist, off with his head, he is an Arab!" This is untrue and grossly wrong. Then there Obama with his duplicity, love of abortion and ever changing views. Things look just from a political standpoint pretty abysmal.
I have to remember that from a Christ-Centered standpoint that Isaiah 6:1-4 is ture "I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple. (2) Seraphim were standing above Him; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. (3) And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth. (4) The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke." I have king and I am part of a kingdom that far transcends the party-politics of this nation.
I try and remember that if politics could save the world, we would not need Jesus. So, instead of being afraid and our being depressed run to God in prayer. I pray the words of Rev 22:20 “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”
ZHAO XIAO, a former Communist Party official and convert to Christianity, smiles over a cup of tea and says he thinks there are up to 130m Christians in China. This is far larger than previous estimates. The government says there are 21m (16m Protestants, 5m Catholics). Unofficial figures, such as one given by the Centre for the Study of Global Christianity in Massachusetts, put the number at about 70m. But Mr Zhao is not alone in his reckoning. A study of China by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, an American think-tank, says indirect survey evidence suggests many unaffiliated Christians are not in the official figures. And according to China Aid Association (CAA), a Texas-based lobby group, the director of the government body which supervises all religions in China said privately that the figure was indeed as much as 130m in early 2008.
If so, it would mean China contains more Christians than Communists (party membership is 74m) and there may be more active Christians in China than in any other country. In 1949, when the Communists took power, less than 1% of the population had been baptised, most of them Catholics. Now the largest, fastest-growing number of Christians belong to Protestant “house churches”.
In a suburb of Shanghai, off Haining Road, neighbours peer warily across the hallway as visitors file into a living room, bringing the number to 25, the maximum gathering allowed by law without official permission. Inside, young urban professionals sit on sofas and folding chairs. A young woman in a Che Guevara T-shirt blesses the group and a man projects material downloaded from the internet from his laptop onto the wall. Heads turn towards the display and sing along: “Glory, Glory Glory; Holy, Holy, Holy; God is near to each one of us.” It is Sunday morning, and worship is beginning in one of thousands of house churches across China.
House churches are small congregations who meet privately—usually in apartments—to worship away from the gaze of the Communist Party. In the 1950s, the Catholic and main Protestant churches were turned into branches of the religious-affairs administration. House churches have an unclear status, neither banned nor fully approved of. As long as they avoid neighbourly confrontation and keep their congregations below a certain size (usually about 25), the Protestant ones are mostly tolerated, grudgingly. Catholic ones are kept under closer scrutiny, reflecting China’s tense relationship with the Vatican. To read the rest of the article more click here trouble. (This keeps me from getting in trouble)
Here are some new pictures that Brandi Miller kindly took of our family. She did a great job! But, let's honest it is hard to make a family that is this good looking look bad, right!
Here is some food for thought in preparation for this Sunday's sermon. I found this here. I will be going in a different direction, but is too interesting and too good for someone not to be able to get something out of it.
Parallels in Genesis 1-3 and Revelation 20-22
Genesis
Revelation
In the beginning (1:1)
I am. . .the Beginning and the End (21:6)
God created the heavens and the earth (1:1)
I saw a new heaven and a new earth (21:1)
Let there be light (1:3)
God gives it light (21:23)
The darkness He called “night” (1:5)
There will be no night there (21:25)
The gathered waters He called “seas” (1:10)
There was no longer any sea (21:1)
God made the two great lights (1:16)
Does not need the sun/moon (21:23)
He also made the stars (1:16)
The Morning Star (22:16)
Subdue [the earth]. Rule over (1:28)
And they will reign forever (22:5)
God blessed the 7th day (2:2-3)
7 angels, 7 bowls, 7 last plagues (21:9)
[God] made it holy (2:3)
The HolyCity (21:2, 10; 22:19)
Tree of Life (2:9)
He must not take from the Tree of Life (3:22-23)
Tree of Life (22:2)
God will take away His share in the Tree of Life (22:19)
A river watering the garden (2:10)
River of the Water of Life (22:1)
The free gift of the Water of Life (22:17)
There is gold (the gold of that land is good) (2:11-12)
A measuring rod of gold (21:15)
The city was. . .pure gold (21:18)
The street. . .was pure gold (21:21)
The bdellium stone (pearls) (2:12)
Pearls, each gate made of a single pearl (21:21)
Onyx (2:12)
Sardonyx (21:20)
You will surely die (2:17)
Or you will die (3:3)
No more death (21:4)
A man will. . .be united to his wife (2:23-25)
The bride of the wife of the Lamb (21:9-10)
The serpent. . .was crafty (3:1)
The Devil, who deceived them (20:10)
Shown a garden into which sin entered (3:6-7)
Shown a city into which sin will never enter (21:27)
The Lord God. . .was walking in the garden (3:8)
Nations will walk by His light (21:24)
Walk of God with man interrupted (3:8-10)
Walk of God with man resumed (21:3)
I was ashamed [naked] (3:10)
Anyone who does what is shameful (21:27)
Initial triumph of the Serpent (3:13)
Ultimate triumph of the Lamb (20:10; 22:3)
Cursed. . .cursed (3:14, 17)
No longer. . .any curse (22:3)
Eve’s offspring (3:15)
The Offspring of David (22:16)
I will greatly multiply your pain (3:16-17)
No more. . .pain (21:4)
The Lord God made garments of skins and clothed them (3:21)
Blessed are those who wash their robes (22:14)
God banished him (3:23)
They will see His face (22:4)
He drove the man out of the garden (3:24)
I saw the HolyCity (21:2)
Cherubim. . .to guard the way (3:24)
With 12 angels at the gates (21:12)
A flaming sword (3:24)
Fiery lake of burning sulfur (21:8)
The Significance of the Parallels in Genesis 1-3 and Revelation 20-22
1. Immutability: While we are prone to change, God does not change (Mal 3:6a). Even when we are faithless, He remains forever faithful (2 Tim 2:12). In His first dealings with mankind, He provided the sacrifice to meet the needs of the fallen Adam and Eve (i.e., animal skins, see Gen 3:21). In later events, He provided the sacrifice for the needs of His people (i.e., the Lamb, see 1 Pet 1:18-19).
2. Restoration: The world as we now know it is not what God intended. Rather, our world is a result of man’s fall (Gen 3:1-24; Rom 5:12-21). Yet, Revelation 20-22 promises us that God’s original plan for mankind will one day be fulfilled.
3. Progress: The new heavens and the new earth are actually an improvement over the garden of Eden in that there is no sea, no night, no sun, or moon, etc. (Rev 21:1, 23-27).
4. Triumph: God’s purposes are never thwarted by anyone or anything (Rom 9:6-29). Although things may have looked bleak in Genesis 3, Revelation 20-22 proves that God ultimately and forcefully triumphs over the Serpent. Eventually, the big three (sin, suffering, and death) will be forever dealt with. This is one of the reasons the book of Revelation is so crucial. Without it, we would be left hanging. But fortunately, God relieves our apprehension and shares with us His glorious future.
5. Beginning and End: In Revelation 21:6, God says, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” Any comparison of these two passages corroborates that He is the controller of all things from eternity to eternity. As Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last” (Rev 1:17). We can relax in our great God’s sovereignty.
6. Unity of God’s Plan:Genesis 3:15 points out the plan that God has to defeat Satan through the offspring of the woman. Revelation points to the consummation of that plan in the finished work of the Lamb (5:6-14). Thus, if God has a plan from the beginning and is able to actually carry it out at the end of history, then He must be in control of human history. And He must be who He claims to be!
7. Unity of Scripture: By these extensive parallels (both similar and contrasting), we see that there is very close literary connection between two biblical books, written centuries apart, by different human authors, who were recording the words of a greater, overseeing author, God. Only God Himself could have orchestrated this unity of the Scriptures.
Here is very sad article. I pray our nation never comes to this, but with this upcoming election we can't know for sure that it won't. Remember that Barack Obama is a cosponsor of the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act which has been called "the most sweeping piece of pro-abortion legislation ever proposed in Congress." The FOCA is a bill that would make partial-birth abortion legal again, strike down restrictions on taxpayer funding of abortion, and nullify virtually every state and federal law or policy that would in any way "interfere with" access to abortion, including parental notification laws. Please vote and pray!
Proposed abortion laws threaten doctors' rights By Eamonn Mathieson
The Legislative Council should reject this legislation and the legislators should return to the drawing board and start again. (ABC TV)
The anti-conscience clause in Victoria's new Abortion Law Reform Bill 2008 is extreme and unprecedented. Even the ACT, which has the most liberal abortion legislation in the country, includes a provision to safeguard the rights of health professionals to refuse to participate in abortions.
This extraordinary attempt by pro-abortion legislators to coerce health professionals to participate in the taking of human life is an unconscionable attack on their human rights.
Under this proposed legislation many health practitioners will find their practices under threat if they are unwilling to advise or perform an abortion or refer for abortion. The right to conscientious objection by professional health practitioners in the state of Victoria will be severely curtailed.
Such a provision is contrary to the codes of ethics of the AMA, the Royal Australian College of Nursing and the National Health and Medical Research Council. It is also in breach of section 14 of Victoria's Charter of Human rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights.
This misguided and unethical provision reflects how poorly drafted this legislation is. It relies on the false premise that "abortion is just like any medical procedure". Only euthanasia and medically assisted executions share the same intent and objective: the direct taking of human life. It bases its framework on an incorrect definition of abortion. It defines abortion as "intentionally causing the termination of a woman's pregnancy". This is incorrect. This would include inducing a live birth prematurely for serious health risks and the management of ectopic pregnancies. This flawed definition enables the creation of the clinical fiction of "emergency abortions". And it is this misleading category that gives the apparent justification to the coercion of health professionals to participate in abortions.
The management of complicated and life-threatening obstetric cases does not necessitate the direct and active killing of the unborn. The indirect and unintended loss of life of an unborn child in early pregnancy resulting from the management of serious maternal health risk is not an abortion per se. And attempting to deliver a live birth late in pregnancy is always the safer option in emergency or high risk situations. Suicidal risk for a pregnant woman is a psychiatric emergency, not a surgical or abortion emergency. In almost all clinical situations the management of maternal health risk need not involve the consideration of an abortion.
In this way, despite claims by legislators their legislation does not reflect a competent grasp of the realities of current clinical practice.
Regarding the rights of doctors to refuse to participate in the process of abortion by refusing to refer "to another whom the practitioner knows does not have a conscientious objection to abortion". The legislation relies on the mistaken advice given by the VLRC that Victoria would be following a precedent in the United Kingdom. This is just one of several incorrect and misleading recommendations given by the VLRC which have gone unchallenged. It reveals the flawed process in which VLRC recommendations are not open to public scrutiny and expert criticism following their release and prior to legislation being framed around it.
Only last week a UK doctor received confirmation from the General Medical Council that he was acting according to professional medical rules by conscientiously objecting to participating in abortions through referral.
The issue of objecting to referral for abortion seems to confound some people. If the word 'abortion' was substituted with 'euthanasia' or 'female circumcision' it is perhaps easier to see the issue. If these practices were legal and the state compelled doctors to refer, despite their conscientious objection and against their clinical judgement, to known 'euthanasists' or 'genital mutilators' the issue of participation is perhaps more evident.
This point was made in a recent letter by AMA president Dr Doug Travis to Premier John Brumby:
The Bill infringes the rights of doctors with a conscientious objection by inserting an active compulsion for a doctor to refer to another doctor who they know does not have a conscientious objection. Respect for a conscientious objection is a fundamental principle in our democratic country, and doctors expect that their rights in this regard will be respected, as for any other citizen.
It was also a point made recently in Ontario, Canada, when an attempt to override doctors' rights to conscientiously object was defeated. Rabbi Reuven Bulka stated, "Referring is just a way of sloughing off your responsibility ? If you're opposed to these things, referring is the same as taking part in the evil."
Not only should the state protect the lives of its citizens, it should also protect the rights of health professionals not to participate in killing against their will. The Legislative Council should reject this legislation and the legislators should return to the drawing board and start again.
Dr Eamonn Mathieson is an obstetric anaesthetist and a member of the Doctors in Conscience Against Abortion Bill group.
I found this interesting article. It is worth a read and tell me what do you think?
More family meals mean less risky sex for teens
By Anne Harding
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Parents who don't want their teens to engage in risky sexual behavior should make family time a priority, a new study suggests.
Adolescents who took part in family activities more often had sex less frequently, less unprotected sex, and fewer sex partners, Dr. Rebekah Levine Coley of Boston College and her colleagues found.
Most research on parenting and teen sexual behavior has simply looked at whether or not a teen has had sex, not the degree of sexual risk he or she takes, Coley noted in an interview with Reuters Health. But given that two out of three U.S. teens have sex before they turn 19, more specific information would provide a better understanding of the risks involved, Coley and her team point out in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
To investigate, as well as to better define whether parental qualities influence a child's sexual behavior rather than vice versa, Coley and her team used increasingly stringent statistical techniques to analyze the results of a survey of 4,950 U.S. teens, 1,058 of whom were siblings. The adolescents were 12 to 16 years old when the study began, and completed the survey every year for 3 years.
By comparing parenting quality and sexual behavior for siblings raised in the same household, Coley noted, it is possible to tease out potential cause-and-effect relationships.
The more times a week that an adolescent reported having dinner with their family, "doing something religious" as a family, or having fun with their family, the less likely he or she was to engage in risky sexual behavior, the researchers found.
However, having a parent who used "negative and psychologically controlling" behavior increased the likelihood that a teen would be having risky sex. This includes "criticizing the ideas of the adolescents, controlling and directing what they think and how they feel," Coley explained.
"Negative and psychologically controlling parenting behaviors may inhibit adolescents' development of self-efficacy and identity, interfere with mature and responsible decision making skills, and affect the development of healthy relationships, in turn leading to an elevated likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors," the researchers suggest.
On the other hand, they add, family activities are "centrally important supports for children, providing opportunities for emotional warmth, communication, and transmission of values and beliefs."
The findings make it clear, Coley said, that "what parents do with their adolescents really matters."
SOURCE: Journal of Adolescent Health, August 2008.
Going to be eating dinner with Cason everyday of His life! Pastor Phillip
I just read these convicting words from a favorite writer of mine, Martin Luther.
Let us then consider it certain and conclusively established that the soul can do without all things except the Word of God, and that where this is not there is no help for the soul in anything else whatever. But if it has the Word it is rich and lacks nothing, since this Word is the Word of life, of truth, of light, of peace, of righteousness, of salvation, of joy, of liberty, of wisdom, of power, of grace, of glory, and of every blessing beyond our power to estimate (Martin Luther, “A Treatise on Christian Liberty” 23).
So, pray "that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel," Eph 6:19
Where there are no oxen, the barn is clean, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox. Pro 14:4
My wife loves a clean house. But, she faces two problems in accomplishing her goal of living in a clean house: Cason and Me. We are boys and we are messy. We both try to help clean, but we are not very good at it. But, I am very confident that Rebecca is content to deal with a lived in home, that is not perfectly spotless all the time, because she loves her two boys. She trades a clean house for two handsome, kind, polite, and decently smelling fellas.
You see in Proverbs 14:4 the writer is telling us that A barn can be kept cleanly swept where there are no oxen, but isn't it better to have some dust and dirt around, knowing that the labor of an ox will lead to a bountiful harvest? Oxen can be difficult animals for a farmer. They need plenty of food. The farmer must work hard to look after them. But, the rewards of the work they do more than compensate for their disagreeable aspects. Now, this proverb is not intended to encourage our homes or churches that look like disaster areas. But it does a discourage that passion for order and dustlessness that puts the brakes on progress and productiveness.
So, let’s look at life. What is the easiest way to keep your self from conflict, hurt, sadness, or embarrassment? Do nothing, have no relationships, try nothing, be safe all the time, never step out in faith, never love or open up to someone and you might live a safe life. Happy, I doubt it, but probably a steady and easy life. You see if your life is empty of people, it is useless; and if you live only for yourself, your life loses its meaning. Instead of avoiding people, we should serve others, share our faith, and seek to help them bear their burdens. Is your life clean but empty? Or does it give evidence of dirty knees and bloody hands that show your serving God wholeheartedly?
Look at church. I love a happy unified church. I love it when everyone agrees all the time. But, if this comes at the expense of the church, doing nothing, trying nothing, never stepping out in faith, protecting status quo, then it is worthless. Does it make my job easy and less stressful? Probably, but in no way do we this as representing the ideals that Jesus has in mind for his church. You look at all the vibrant and gowing churches in the New Testament, none were prefect all had problems and big personalities. Read Philippians and check Euodia and Syntyche.
Look at Peter in Mark 8:31-33. He thought he was helping Jesus, but Jesus said “that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, be killed, and rise after three days.(32)He was openly talking about this. So Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.(33)But turning around and looking at His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind Me, Satan, because you're not thinking about God's concerns, but man's!" Peter blew it.
Then in Matthew 26:74 Peter denies Jesus three times when Jesus needed him the most and even “started to curse and to swear with an oath, "I do not know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.” Peter continues to falter in Gal 2:11-14But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned.(12)For he used to eat with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party.(13)Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.(14)But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone, "If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?".
Could God have done things more efficiently and easily and avoided Peter all together? Yes. Could God do things easier and more effectively without us? Yes. Then why does God bother with us? God uses us because he loves us and he loves to see us live for Him. Does, He love to see us fall? No, but when we fail and coming running back to Him and let Him clean us off it does give him great joy. Is cleanliness next to godliness? Maybe, but remember in our lives if the are to imitate Jesus, they must include taking a bloody and old rugged cross daily and seeking to live for Him.
Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. (The Weight of Glory 1949)
Are you far too easily pleased? What cheap and small pleasures in your life keep you from the true pleasure of knowing Christ and being known by Him? Be like Jacob grab a hold of God and don't let go until he blesses you!
You better go to church today, because you are apart of the body Christ and the body needs each part present and functioning. Enjoy the words of this classic hymn written by Samuel Stone in 1866. It is powerful and honest in it’s description of the church, the trials it faces, and the Jesus who loves it and died for it.
The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.
She is from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.
The Church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end:
Though there be those who hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against both foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail.
Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed:
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song!
’Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious,
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won,
With all her sons and daughters
Who, by the Master’s hand
Led through the deathly waters,
Repose in Eden land.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee:
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales the Bride
With Thee by living fountains
Forever shall abide!
I recommend everyone buy and read Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology. I don't agree with all his conclusions, but it is a theology text that encourages worship and personal reflection. Very interesting and helpful material. The writing below comes from it. This is a topic very near and dear to my heart. Take time to read and think about below.
We can define the sufficiency of Scripture as follows: The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains everything we need God to tell us for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly. This definition emphasizes that it is in Scripture alone that we are to search for God’s words to us. It also reminds us that God considers what he has told us in the Bible to be enough for us, and that we should rejoice in the great revelation that he has given us and be content with it. Significant scriptural support and explanation of this doctrine is found in Paul’s words to Timothy, “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). The context shows that “sacred writings” here means the written words of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16). This is an indication that the words of God which we have in Scripture are all the words of God we need in order to be saved: these words are able to make us wise “for salvation.” This is confirmed by other passages that talk about the words of Scripture as the means God uses to bring us to salvation (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23). Other passages indicate that the Bible is sufficient to equip us for living the Christian life. Once again Paul writes to Timothy, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17). Here Paul indicates that one purpose for which God caused Scripture to be written is to train us that we might be “equipped for every good work.” If there is any “good work” that God wants a Christian to do, this passage indicates that God has made provision in his Word for training the Christian in it. Thus, there is no “good work” that God wants us to do other than those that are taught somewhere in Scripture: it can equip us for every good work. A similar teaching is found in Psalm 119: “Blessed are those whose way is blameless who walk in the law of the Lord!” (v. 1). This verse shows an equivalence between being “blameless” and “walking in the law of the Lord”: those who are blameless are those who walk in the law of the Lord. Here again is an indication that all that God requires of us is recorded in his written Word: simply to do all that the Bible commands us is to be blameless in God’s sight. To be morally perfect in God’s sight, then, what must we do in addition to what God commands us in Scripture? Nothing! Nothing at all! If we simply keep the words of Scripture we will be “blameless” and we will be doing “every good work” that God expects of us.
So do you think that God's word is enough for us? I do!
I was researching why it is that I have been told and taught throughout my life not to mention politics from the pulpit. I want to preach whatever ever is needed and crucial to the church. I think I should have the is right to do this without government interference after all the first amendment reads
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
This says the state should not establish or interfere with churches. We have the right to air our grievances. But, that has been taken away. It is always bothered me. The freedom of speech protects Klan members, pornographers, but not preachers from teaching their members how to be informed on the issues that matter most to an election? Jesus was a very political man. He fought against the incumbent and establishment Jews, he criticized their capital the temple, their worship, and all this was both religious and political. Well below is a commentary from World Net Daily. It is a great news site. Tell, me what do you think? Should preachers continue to silent on some of the salient issues of today? Should preachers respect the “Johnson Amendment” or should their churches voluntarily give up their not-for-profit tax exemptions? What do you say?
The American War of Independence has been characterized as one inspired in the pulpits of the colonies."No king but King Jesus," was one of the slogans of those who fought the British soldiers, leading to the creation of a new independent state and the greatest explosion of freedom the world has ever known.
Because our founders believed churches were essential to maintaining the kind of Christian culture necessary for a free society in America, houses of worship were free of taxation and regulation by government. (This is fundamental tenant of Baptist theology as well.)
Pastors, priests and rabbis were free to say what they wanted to say about politics and the issues of the day through the early history of our nation – in fact, right up until 1954.That year, Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, D-Texas, was facing opposition in his re-election bid from Christians and anti-communists, some of whom were speaking their minds freely from the pulpits.
Johnson, a powerful figure in the Senate who would later become John F. Kennedy's vice president and succeed him following the assassination in 1963, had a solution for his own political predicament – to muzzle churches and clergy with federal regulations. Through what became known as "the Johnson Amendment," the U.S. Congress changed the Internal Revenue Service code, prohibiting non-profits, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates.
It should have been seen as a clear infringement of the First Amendment back in 1954, but it wasn't. And this most regrettable action has haunted America ever since. Recently, Wiley Drake, pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, Calif., was notified by the IRS he is under investigation for endorsing Mike Huckabee's candidacy for president. His crime? Using church letterhead and a church radio show for speaking his mind.
Now his church is threatened with losing its tax-exempt status as a result. Whether you agree with Wiley Drake or not, he and his church have every right to take a position on who should be our next president without risking the church's tax status. Under the First Amendment, Congress has no power to tax churches. Period. End of story. Under the First Amendment, Congress has no power to stifle freedom of speech.
Ever since 1954, the government has unevenly applied its illegitimate oversight of churches – winking as some pastors turn their churches over to political candidates to make stump speeches, while warning others it is inappropriate.There is only one real solution – repeal the Johnson Amendment.
Just as we learned that repealing the Fairness Doctrine in 1987 resulted in an explosion of lively political debate in the broadcast industry, so will the repeal of the Johnson Amendment result in an explosion of political debate in the pulpits.
And what's wrong with that?
Why should pastors be muzzled? Don't they have an obligation to speak out on the great moral and political issues of the day, just as they did when they inspired the War of Independence? Don't members of the clergy deserve at least the same freedom of speech as other individuals in our society? Shouldn't churches be encouraged to be the salt and light in our society just as they were during the first 180 years of our nation's history?
Over the last 50 years, America's churches have been controlled and intimidated by these hideous IRS regulations. They've been neutered. I blame the clergy for so timidly falling in line with the illegitimate government restrictions as much as I blame the government.
But it's time to recognize the Johnson Amendment was an abuse of the system by a powerful politician who had no respect for the Constitution, for religious freedom and for freedom of speech. Johnson himself, as president, used the illegitimate Fairness Doctrine to target broadcasters who criticized him.
He was a petty tyrant, and we need not live under the dark cloud of suppression he created back in 1954.
Let Barack Obama speak in the churches. Let Hillary Clinton speak in the churches. Let John McCain speak in the churches. Let Mike Huckabee speak in the churches. Free pastors to say what they want, when they want.
It's no threat to freedom. It is an example of freedom.
Mulling over Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it's right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; (20) for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Are you broke or are you stupid? This a big question. If you are either or both and or nether, you need to go over and check this post at Perry Noble's blog.
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7
In the above verse Jeremiah is speaking to God’s people who have been punished, defeated, and sent to live in Exile in the land of the Babylonians. Read my post below this one about Exile to get and idea of what was exile was. But, Babylon was a land of false idols, sensuality, and seduction, for the Israelites. Jeremiah told the people to seek what is best for this city. Don’t hate it and speak bad against it, don’t love it too much and forget God. But, seek what is good for the welfare of all who live their.
So, what does nation’s current economic downturn have to with the plight of Israelites in 586 b.c.? A lot, you see we as Christians living here on earth, trusting in the sacrificial death of Jesus, seeking to lead lives that are pleasing to God, and sharing God’s love with the world, all the while knowing that one day we will go to heaven to be with the Lord. Also, we suffer some of the same temptations of the Israelites. Some of love all that world has to offer way to much. We love money, popularity, you name we love it! Others of us resign themselves to simply say “I’m going to heaven I don’t care what goes on here.” Both wrong in opposite directions.
But, we as believers should be seeking the good of world, and particularly the nation that we live in. This means we should desire a good economy for out country. A good economy means that people have jobs and can work. Paul asked the Thessalonians to work with their hands so that they “will not be dependent upon anyone” (1 Thessalonians 4:12).Paul then told the Colossians “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men (Colossians 3:23).” So, work and jobs are good, because when there is no work laziness and idleness sets in, both bad things. Pro 19:15 says “Laziness induces deep sleep, and a lazy person will go hungry.” Then Pro 12:11“Hard work means prosperity; only fools idle away their time.” I was told “idle hands are Satan’s tools”
So what do we do?
First, we must “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18).” Our nation’s ability to prosper comes the gracious hand of God and not simply our own efforts.
Second, don’t poor mouth. We as Christians believe that “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it (1 Corinthians 10:26).” Also we trust the words of the Psalmist who says “Psa 37:25I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging bread.” When we poor mouth we are saying to anyone who hears us, that our God can’t provide.
Third, seek to be an example of having your financial affairs in order. Proverbs 21:20 says “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” Quit blowing money, save, put back and be an example. Show a lost world that you are like Paul who said “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)
Fourth, don’t stop giving. The temptation for many Christians will be hold on to their money, and stop giving to God. But you must remember the words of Proverbs 11:24-25 “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Paul told the Ephesians as the last words he said to them when he was leaving for Jerusalem “And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35).” There is no greater way of increasing faith and showing tangibly to God how much you trust Him to provide and meet all your needs.
Fifth (probably should be first), you must pray, pray, pray. We have national leaders who are making amazing huge and important decisions that need guidance and wisdom. We can begin to understand all the complex issues that involved in these decisions and these men and women need the direction of the All-Wise God. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, and our congress all need our prayers. Remember 1 Timothy 2:1-4First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,(2)for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.(3)This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, (4)who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. A stable economy aids in having a quit and tranquil life that frees us from monetary stress to enable us to aid God in seeing all people saved. That is an interesting connection between prayer for leaders and salvation in 1 Tim 2:1-4.
So, what does our economic future hold? I don’t know, God does, God is good, God is wise, and God will carry us through this. Turn to God during these times and pray for your own finances, our churches finances, and for our nation.
In my yearly Bible Reading plan, Rebecca and I read the OT once and the NT and Psalms twice. I have been reading Ezekiel for the last few weeks. and we have been in the Prophets for the last few months and many of them speak to the people in exile. That is after Babylon conquered Jerusalem and Judah in 586 bc, they were uprooted from their home and deported to live in Babylon. I found this quote and think it is worth your mulling over as it pertains to you and I living as exiles in this world away from our home in heaven.
Tamara Eskenazi expresses it thus: Exile. It is not simply being homeless. Rather, it is knowing that you do have a home, but that your home has been taken over by enemies. Exile.It is not being with out roots. On the contrary, it is having deep roots which have now been plucked up, and there you are, with roots dangling, writhing in pain, exposed to a cold and jeering world, longing to be restored to native and nurturing soil. Exile is knowing precisely where you belong, but knowing that you can’t go back, not yet.(Currents in Mission and Theology, 1990, 18)
Remember and think on this verse Php 3:20 "but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." And pray over 1Pe 2:11 "Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you." What does all this mean to Christians? What does this mean to non-Christians? What does this say of our coming future? What are your thoughts?
Looking Forward To Getting Home To Be With Jesus, Pastor Phillip
