January - March 2010

While reading a book about Germany in the 1930s—Nazi Germany’s early days—a line that hauntingly stays with me is Apathy was the glove into which evil slipped its hand. Apathy protected the fist of evil. Make no mistake, evil reigns today in Washington, DC and we must put on the whole armor of God while taking authority in Jesus over the evil (Matt. 18:18). As Thomas Jefferson said, “If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed.”

Arm yourself with facts. The Constitution of the United States was originally printed on four pages of parchment; a fifth page is the letter of transmittal, and the sixth contains the Bill of Rights. In modern pages, the Constitution, and all its amendments, takes up about 15 pages. Contrary to our historic Constitution, the so called Health Care Bill in the House is 1,990 pages and the Senate bill is 2,074 pages – both are evil and trying to slip into America’s life.

The “general welfare” clause of the Constitution is used as a counterfeit prop behind health care reform. In fact, the “general welfare” clause is mentioned twice in the U.S. Constitution: first, in the preamble, and, second, it is found in Article 1, Section 8. The preamble clearly defines the two major functions of government: (1) ensuring justice, personal freedom, and a free society where individuals are protected from domestic lawbreakers and criminals, and (2) protecting the people of the United States from foreign aggressors. It did not mean that the federal government would have the power to control education, subsidize businesses, take property from you or tell you what medical care you may have.

Likewise, Article 1, Section 8 did not give Congress the right to use tax money for whatever social and economic programs Congress might think would be good for the “general welfare.” If by the “general welfare,” the Founding Fathers had meant any and all social, economic, or educational programs Congress wanted to create, there would have been no reason to enumerate seventeen specific powers of Congress such as establishing courts and maintaining the armed forces. Those powers would simply have been included in one all-encompassing phrase, to “promote the general welfare.” The framers of our Constitution labored resolutely in Philadephia that hot summer in 1787 while today’s framers of the health care, stimulus, immigration, and cap-and-tax bills meet in secret, often in the middle of the night.

“America would not exist if it wasn’t for the divine hand of providence in not only intervening to win the Revolutionary War but in writing the inspired words of the Constitution. To think that we can save the Constitution without God’s help when the government of the United States is corrupt is absurdity.” ( Idaho’s GOP candidate for governor, Rex Rammell)

April - June 2009

    Thomas Jefferson said, “Ignorance and despotism seem made for each other.” After a week of apologizing to Europeans for America’s being a strong and freedom loving country, the President of the United States proceeded to Turkey and said, “We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation…or a Jewish nation…or a Muslim nation; we consider ourselves a nation of citizens.” That is abhorrent at best. And, if you think about it, what nation isn’t a nation of citizens? That’s a no-brainer. Lacking awareness (common sense) or knowledge is the definition of ignorance while the meaning of despotism is repression or subjugation. True knowledge isn’t based on what elite university one graduated from but is based upon common sense and scriptural wisdom.
    Coincidentally, or perhaps purposely, during the same week, a poll showed that only 53% of Americans think that capitalism is better than socialism; but the most interesting part of the poll was the result showing the breakdown by age groups. Adults over 40 are strongly in favor of capitalism while those under 30 are essentially evenly divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% prefer socialism, and 30% are undecided. It’s such a clear picture of what a whole generation has learned from revisionist history, diversity, outcome-based education and political correctness they are taught in government schools. When questioned about what the meaning of socialism is, some responses were that it had to do with social security or being a social group of people…woe is me. Socialism is a system of society in which there is no private property; (or) an economic and political premise advocating government ownership, control and administration of production and distribution of goods. Obama’s statement in Turkey and socialism go hand-in-glove. If one can convince Americans that we are not a Christian nation, socialism can easily replace the values and morals of Christianity. Jefferson’s warning is as true today as it was two hundred years ago—ignorance and despotism are made for each other, and freedom is lost.

January - March 2009

Tom White, director of Voice of the Martyrs, wrote an excellent editorial called “Where did Evil go?” which said that the word “evil” is no longer a part of the American vocabulary. Calling someone or something evil today will jeopardize your “social standing.” Churches have sought after sophistication and comfort in the last 50 years, eager to become mega-churches. They do not want to lose members by appearing to be uneducated so they shy away from talking about satan, the devil, and evil, failing to use the inerrant word of God. Intellectualizing a term that should be spiritual is a trick of satan’s because it hides the spirit behind the term. Even the word “inerrant” is obsolete.

The word “evil” is in the King James Bible 613 times and in 569 verses (in the NIV 456 times in 437 verses); yet our ears are tickled continuously with empty words that are supposed to make us “feel good.” But, God is timeless – He changes not. The fact is that evil is rampant and there are evildoers seeking to destroy us personally and our nation collectively. We need to pray for discerning, be vigilant and seek His wisdom as we face the days ahead. Luke 12:56 tells us Hypocrites! you can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? 3 John 1:11 gives us our marching orders: Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. And we are asked in Psalm 94:16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Ask yourself that question and go forward, knowing that For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth (Psalm 37:9).

October - November - December 2008

Everything changed in America on 29 August 2008 when my original assessment of none-of-the above became one-of- the-above (four candidates) to vote for and to pray for in the upcoming election. Gov. Sarah Palin’s entrance into the mix was like a gracious move of God. It is so inspiring to have a candidate who is a pro-life believer and walks the walk -- a stark contrast with Obama who not only supports partial birth abortion but also believes in and worked for laws that would let babies who were born alive die (by withholding care).

The vehemence of the drive-by media pundits, Marxist leaning celebrities (and in Congress) against Palin highlights their hatred of a person who stands up for life. Life and the family must be protected. This November there are huge concerns and many important issues at stake but none so important as that of life and the validity of the definition of the family. A candidate who is pro-life, even when she knows she is carrying an unexpected and handicapped child…well, that is a candidate who stands for life, for God, for the constitution and for sane reason.

A recent WORLD’s article, “Stop apologizing — it’s not wrong to be a single-issue advocate.” It read, “Evangelicals shouldn’t be embarrassed to say boldly and clearly: Abortion and same-sex marriage are uniquely heinous sin. They rattle the foundations of a civilized society. They take a culture in a dreadful direction.” We need to teach the next generation that man’s justification of sinful practices will never override God’s word.

Comparisons of one whose close associate is a convicted terrorist (William Ayers who bombed the Pentagon), whose “pastor” spues liberation theology (generally considered a cult ), whose career and activity is intertwined with ACORN (an underlying cause of the financial crisis), who is against funding our American troops, who calls for a set time to pull troops out thus insuring defeat, who says he will have “unconditional dialogue” with enemies of the United States, and who has never been proud of America should lead everyone to be, at best, sick. The core values of a person define a person. One stands for life – life for helpless babies, for America and ultimately civilization. One stands for death—death for the unborn and helpless, defeat in war, the death of our civilization. See I have set before you today life and good, death and evil…therefore choose life that you and your descendants may live… Deut. 30:15, 19.

July - August - September 2008

Since we’re on the waning side of mid-summer and daylight shortens a little each day, I’m shortening my critiques in keeping with the season.
    Worship and family: Studies show that if the mother of a family attends worship, there's a 16 percent chance that the rest of the family will also attend. Yet when a father attends worship, there's a 93 percent chance that the other members of the family will also attend.
    November Election: Since none-of-the-above is the only honorable option I have for President, I checked with the County Court Clerk to make sure I could write-in an alternative—I can. Right now my choice is J.C. Watts who is a Christian, an American conservative, former U.S. Representative (1994-2000) from Oklahoma and a celebrated quarterback for the University of Oklahoma from 1977 to 1981. Watts captured national attention in 1996 with a speech at the Republican national convention, when he said, "You see character does count. For too long we have gotten by in a society that says the only thing right is to get by and the only thing wrong is to get caught. Character is doing what's right when nobody is looking."
    Anguish: In June, a homosexual activist filed a lawsuit against Christian publishers, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, for “mental distress.” The activist is offended that the Bibles they print describe homosexual behavior as a sin. The unnamed activist is seeking $70 million in damages for his "anguish" caused by the publishing giants. America’s anguish is that such a suit could even be considered and that our cultural climate is increasingly intolerant towards Christian truth.
    Joy: Through all of the cultural sickness and alarming events, we Christians have joy that the world can’t comprehend. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love….these things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15: 10,11) There’s a distinction between joy and happiness for joy is a quality of the spirit whereas happiness is a quality of emotion. So, happiness is a variable because it relates to outward circumstances—it changes with events going on in our life. But joy is a thing of the heart, the spirit, and it isn't a variable. It doesn't change; it's a constant because it is a joy that is related to our relationship with God, which is a constant. That relationship doesn't change; things may go bad, they may be horrible, but our relationship with God is secure. Therefore we have the fullness of joy and that joy carries us through hardships and a crumbling world.

January - February - March 2008

We are constantly bombarded with strange and troubling proclamations regarding Christianity, via politicians, so-called “stars,” liberals and the intellectual elites. Most recently, the advocating of Liberation Theology at Barack Obama’s church (of 20 years) surfaced to the forefront. Once again, your mind spins and you wonder just what is liberation theology? I went to an excellent resource, Watchman Fellowship (www.watchman.org), which is a truly Christian organization whose mission has been to fill a crucial need in the Church as a Christian counter-cult and watchdog ministry since its inception in 1979. The definition (with minor editing) follows: 
.....Liberation Theology: A movement that attempts to unite theology with social and religious concerns about oppression. It finds expressions among blacks, feminists, Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans, but it is most closely identified with the shift toward Marxism among Latin American clerics who espouse revolution. Most traditional doctrines of Christianity are de-emphasized or reinterpreted. Jesus and the Bible are defined and interpreted in light of a class struggle, with the gospel seen as a radical call to activism (or even revolution) promoting political and social answers usually in the form of classic Communism.
.......A good definition of Liberal Christianity was also listed and informative so I’m including its definition for your assimilation and awareness.
..... Liberal Christianity: A movement that seeks to retain religious and spiritual values of Christianity while discounting the infallible authority of the Bible. Its origins are in the German Enlightenment, notably in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant and the religious views of Friedrich Schleiermacher. Liberals reject the stated authorship and historical accuracy of many books of the Bible. They are skeptical concerning many or all of the biblical miracles, preferring naturalistic explanations or viewing miracle accounts as legend or myth. They often deny or reinterpret in mythical terms such doctrines of orthodox Christianity as the virgin birth, atoning death, and even the resurrection of Jesus. Liberalism has been most influential in mainline Protestant denominations and is rejected in Evangelical and Fundamentalist Christianity.

October - November - December 2007

Postage stamps have always drawn my attention, perhaps because in the “olden days” they most often depicted historic figures or events — unusual stamps were few and far between. Now, I pay attention to the kind of stamps that people use because they often speak a message in and of themselves as well as one about the user. Two stamps that Christians should be aware of and reject are the EID and Kwanzaa stamps, referred to as “stamps in season” by the US Postal Service.
            The EID stamp commemorates the two most important festivals-or eids-in the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. On these days, Muslims wish each other “Eid mubarak,” the phrase featured in Islamic calligraphy on the stamp, and translates literally as “blessed festival.” This phrase can be applied to both Eid al-Fitr (marks the end of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (the end of the hajj, which is the annual period of pilgrimage to Mecca).         
    The Kwanzaa stamp commemorates an invented celebration that is observed almost exclusively in the USA. Kwanzaa was created by Maulana (Ron) Karenga** in 1966 and was first celebrated in 1967, the same year that Karenga publicly espoused the view that “Jesus was psychotic” and that Christianity was a white religion that blacks should shun. The first Kwanzaa US postage stamp was issued during William J. Clinton’s administration in 1997.

August - September 2007

            Most of you know that our son Jeff, a surgeon, founded The Cornerstone Foundation (www.crstone.org), a non-profit charitable organization committed to building and administering a hospital-based evangelical outreach on the north coast of Honduras, Central America. He and his family have been living there as medical missionaries for seven years. Jeff recently wrote the following (somewhat condensed to meet the confines of this newsletter) epistle
            Re: illegal immigration which is both enlightening and also one that I have not heard anybody else make.
            I see the current illegal alien arrangement as untenable for all parties because it is predicated by a system of laws which we apparently have neither the will nor the intent to enforce.  It is ultimately destructive for all parties because it is an arrangement motivated by mutual exploitation.  The essence of the contract is that industry in the U.S. is looking for a cheap work force, not citizens.  The illegal alien is looking for a place to make more money, not citizenship.  Neither side seems to mind breaking the law to get what they want.  I believe that the current legislation (June 2007) before the Senate would only make this situation worse, maybe 12 million times worse, because it would legitimize lawbreakers by making more laws which we would have neither the will nor the intent to enforce.  And, it would doublespeak the lie by calling mutual exploitation “grounds for citizenship.”  This is just my opinion, and, like every US citizen, I have one.
           What I know about more than most US citizens is what the illegal alien arrangement looks like from the other side of the US border. God has given us a heart for the people we care for in His service here in Honduras, and it is for these people, the people left behind, that I would like to make a point. Our perspective is from years of experience with the families, the communities, and a country that illegal aliens have left behind—the side where we live, work and minister along with over 30 other American missionary doctors, nurses and staff.  At Hospital Loma de Luz we care for the rural poor, hundreds of patients a week, about 20,000 patients a year.  Probably every one of them has a friend, a neighbor, a relative—often all of the above— “que fue mojado” (gone…to try to enter the USA and stay there illegally).  We live out in this community in rural Honduras.  My neighbors are the rural poor.
              I probably know more than a hundred, probably know of thousands, of people personally that have gone mojado. Ninety eight out of a hundred are young men.  I have never heard of a single instance of a husband taking his wife.  I have never heard of a single instance of anyone taking their children.  Wives and children are always left behind.  Some of these young men make it.  Some of them don’t.  Some of them send money back.  Some of them don’t.  They will be gone a few months or a few years, and then just show back up again.  But, basically nobody ever comes back and stays. And nobody plans to go to the US and stay.  They come and they go, but never stay with the intent to make that place a better place. Of the hundreds I know, or know of, who have gone, I can think of three who came back planning to stick it out, to raise their children, and contribute to their communities back here in Honduras. Two of those three have gone again; one is still talking about it. All the time that this significant percentage of our population is gone “al norte,” life here goes on.  But it goes on without the husband, without the father in the house, without the development of new jobs and stronger communities based upon the imaginations, the strivings, the hard work of these lost young sons, brothers, fathers, (and occasionally mothers).  Life here is often referred to as “la lucha” (“the battle”… to make it through the day, feed your children, and maybe make things a little better). 
           Those gone mojado have deserted the battlefield, lured away to a land where they don’t plan to join in the battle there either.  They plan to take advantage of a situation where they can make money faster, pay no taxes, and abandon the fight to those left behind.  There in a land where they don’t speak the language, and don’t understand the culture, they take advantage of a rich country which enforces its laws arbitrarily.  They live in subcultures exploiting but never understanding their employers, who, in turn, exploit but never understand them. That is not a formula for the long-range good of the United States of America.  But it is also not a formula for the long-range good of the countries and communities and families of Latin America.
            So, what should be done from the perspective far south of the border—a perspective that seeks the good both of the US and of the countries of Central and South America?  First, secure and enforce the southern border of the USA.  That would immediately change the siren call of “el Norte” from a song about easy money with no laws, no taxes, and no commitments, to a very different song about a land of opportunity coupled with responsibility and sacrifice... one in which you have to wait your turn and show your commitment before you can become a member.  I have no doubt that many, probably more than half of the missing 12 million, would return to their homelands and try to make their own communities better. They would not stay in the USA.  With a border secured, and a good work force on this southern side of the border, I believe that more companies would decide to develop industry in Latin America. With a border secured I believe that we could and should then revise our laws of immigration and naturalization for LEGAL access processed more speedily whether it is for travel, medical care, students, guest workers, and future citizens from abroad.  But until the border is secure, any further legislation is just a thin veneer of pandering, patronization and false promises on the old formula of mutual exploitation. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: I was angry with that generation, and said, “They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.
(Hebrews 2:7a, 10)

June - July 2007

In April, when I read that Johnny Hart, the nationally acclaimed cartoonist, had died at his drawing table after a stroke, it brought to mind one of the comic strips of his that I still have on our refrigerator. Although yellowed with age, it has his beloved caveman B. C. throwing his slate into the sea in hopes that he can communicate with the world somewhere out there. B.C. had just written “Over here we are systematically removing all mention of God from text books and public places, put there by our Founding Fathers.” Days go by as he sits by the sea and awaits the return—it arrives with the message, “Way to go, kid!—Hell’s gonna have a hoedown when you guys get there.” 

Although Hart was ripped by editorial bias for years because they didn’t like Hart’s-or B.C.’s-Christianity, he stood fast in the face of adversity…or should I say “diversity.” Over 15 years ago, the Los Angeles Times (and other large newspaper chains) refused to run his strips containing tasteful, clever messages about Easter or Christmas. At the time, he said that “his treatment is symptomatic of the battle for America’s soul”…and so it was. The battle gets more intense. One Christian journalist who spoke on condition of not being identified (because he’d be fired in retaliation for his remarks) said that at one big-city newspaper editorial meeting, an allusion to Easter as a “holy day” was met with visible derision…with at least 25 percent of those in the room breaking out in laughter, like it was the biggest joke they’d ever heard.” Hart stayed true to his convictions and we the people were the winners—we found humor as a way of witnessing and continuing our battle for America’s soul. While his death is our loss, he is now surely rejoicing with the Lord; probably at the same time that some of those same editorial board members are cast out into outer darkness: there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12; 22:13).

April - May 2007

While there are numerous issues confronting us during the endless political campaign season, Christians who won’t compromise on pro-life are often criticized for being “single issue voters.” Why “no compromise”? It’s the one issue that tells what a candidate believes on all other issues.

Let’s look at the three major belief systems that relate to pro-life. 1) The moral relativist believes morality is subjective—there is no moral truth, there is no right or wrong. A candidate who says he personally is pro-life, but doesn’t have the right to impose his position on anyone else is dealing in subjective truth. He could just as easily say that he, personally, wouldn’t murder but he doesn’t have the right to impose his position on anyone else. That leads to anarchy. 2) The postmodernist believes that we construct our own reality, including moral reality, by our will. The candidate who says he is “pro-choice—not pro-abortion” believes that there is no truth that is valid for everyone and whatever group is in power can impose its will on others—power rules. That leads to oppression.

Then there are those who say they’re anti-abortion but support embryonic stem-cell research. 3) Morally they are utilitarians who believe something is good if it works. In other words, they believe it’s worth the cost of killing babies for the good that it might do for others. Likewise, killing the handicapped, the weak and elderly because their life is not being lived to the fullest is worth the good it might do because it will save the time and money spent in caring for them. That is the philosophy of tyrants— despotic rule.

Gene Veith (World magazine) said, “A candidate’s position on this single issue also reveals whether a person is a strict constructionist when it comes to constitutional law or a judicial activist. It reveals the assumptions about the nature of the family. It tells us whether he will protect the weak, the helpless, and the unwanted. Abortion is the single issue that tells us about all the others.”

February - March 2007

The voices of the men whose faces are etched in stone at Mt. Rushmore should reverberate throughout America loud and clear. In reality, they seem to grow more faint in this anti-Christian world, but listen carefully and you can hear George Washington say The fate of unborn millions will depend on the success of this army. Think on it…it applied when our nation was being born out of the bloodshed of men fighting for our freedom; and it applies today when men are fighting to keep us free from attacks by radical Muslims or Marxists. And, he would never have envisioned that those unborn millions would have had their lives ended before birth, denying them a chance to experience life itself. Thomas Jefferson said that the first and primary duty of government is to protect innocent human life. That means what it says—protecting innocent human life—not protecting those trying to destroy us through bombings or politically correct babblings nor those murdering nearly 4,000 innocent babies daily. Then along came Abraham Lincoln who said, Nobody has the freedom to choose to do what’s morally wrong. How conventional! Surely he wouldn’t have gotten by with saying such a thing in today’s Congress nor would his archaic viewpoint have made the main stream media’s evening news for fear of offending someone. And, finally, Teddy Roosevelt, of “speak softly and carry a big stick” fame, said We now have the choice between preserving our Christian heritage and values, or reverting back to barbaric paganism. The choice is ours.

December - January 2007

“We have met the enemy and he is us” is an often-quoted line from Walt Kelly’s Pogo.

It’s a simple adage and echoes what the scriptures tell us over and over.  Joshua 24: 19 says, “If you forsake the LORD and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good.”  As the America that used to be the land of God-and-country turns to strange gods and favors enemy countries, we read and/or hear things such as these:            

Trite sayings like “I support the troops, BUT….”  That is like saying, “I support our basketball players, BUT …I hope they quit and/or lose the game.”  The new speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (who would become America’s leader if the President and Vice President were incapacitated) calls the warfare in Iraq a “situation.” And the complacency of fools will destroy them. Pr.1:32

A News Report that a Brighton, Mass., man faces a city citation after town officials decided he didn’t make his home’s outdoor staircase sturdy enough for a burglar who was attempting to break in.            

An Exit poll in Ohio revealing that when asked whether they thought tax cuts were good or bad,  90 percent of the people questioned thought that tax cuts were bad.  One shakes one’s  head and wonders, “Does anyone even think any more?”  Or, do they just regurgitate what the media feed them daily?”

Inconceivable is the fact that over 400 people had been in line (just in New York City), many for four days, to buy Play Station 3 which costs about $600.  Similar lines were all over the country and became violent in many places.  Addiction in the form of  technology can further the closing of one’s thinking abilities to say nothing of the fact that spending $600 on such an item is more important than feeding one’s family or giving to missions.  Is our addiction to technology not a god for some of us?  Now therefore, put away the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel. Joshua 24:23

October - November 2006

Recently—on 29 Aug., the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I started reading Godless by Ann Coulter. Godless notes that the church of liberalism is a church with a belief system that demands indoctrination into a godless society, and everyone is taxed to support the indoctrination. It’s like dripping water that eats away at stone until there is a hole in the stone…America has a hole that’s growing larger with each drip of “tolerance.” Coulter explains that the state religion of liberalism demands belief (in the theory of evolution creation myth), bowing (to NOW), tithing (to teachers’ unions) and reverence (for abortion). Simply put, they believe only in themselves, not that we are mortals created in God’s image. The difference in the actions of those who believe in liberalism and those who believe in God, our creator, is revealed in the different responses to Katrina. Mississippians knew that, with God’s help, the first responders were themselves, their families and their neighbors, whereas many in the places so highly flaunted by the media insist that “government” is the first responder.

Along governmental lines, politicians today quote their “military service” as if that makes them immune from being traitors. Coulter takes us back in history to Benedict Arnold who was a great military fighter. He captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British, repelled a British invasion, and, most significant, led the charge at the Battle of Saratoga. Yet, and to this day, Arnold is known for one thing…he is reviled as a traitor and his name is a synonym with treason. He changed sides when he thought our colonies wouldn’t win, he “cut and ran” to the British and eventually to England. Where is treason today? It seems to have disappeared from our language. We are at war, we have been for five years, but politicians as well as others, want to “cut and run.” Some even want to appease and/or make friends with those committed to obliterating America. Treason by any other name is still treason.            
           
Professing to be wise, they became fools,…who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen  --Romans : 1 22, 25            

August - September 2006

It seems that the whole world is either crazy or it is a powder-keg ready to explore at any time. If  you’re hearing the latest world news, you wonder who will set the match to the explosive first—the Far East or the Near/Middle East?  

On the crazy side, here in America, we read about well-known news anchors and Senators going on Listening Tours.  It sounds so nice to be on a Listening Tour – “how caring.”  In reality those on such tours, by their professions alone, should already have learned what is important informational news, not their viewpoints on the news.  So, will we now hear about the American heroes in Iraq, the need to protect the unborn, that the terrorists are evil and that Christians all over the world are being tortured and killed because they believe in Christ?  Foolish question, right?             

On the powder-keg side,  we learn that the leader of North Korea, who by all accounts really is deranged, set off long-range missals aimed at the U.S.  Or, we watch the reaction to terrorists who have captured soldiers, as that reaction escalates into warfare. It must be a comfort for the soldiers who were captured to know that their country will go to war, if necessary, in order save one innocent man who is doing his duty.  Such a policy would make anyone love and honor his country.  As this is being written, we don’t know what the outcome will be.  However, we do know that the final line just before the curtain comes down on the last act will be, “Our God Reigns.”                        

Katrina Update:  You have heard from me for almost a year what life is like on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  It’s still hard to see the beauty that was once there transformed into barrenness.  The huge  trees that did survive look like trees you see in the winter with mistletoe in them—there are just a few clumps of leaves here and there. The pine trees only have branches with needles at the very top thus there is no shade on the once shady land.  Pray for the people who are still in trailers, tents and have lost everything, especially pray on August 29th – the one year anniversary of the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States.           

June - July 2006

     I noticed a thought provoking ad in WORLD magazine that said, If your son or daughter doesn’t know these six world views – they are not ready for college.  The follow-up was that it’s not enough to simply believe, you have to know why you believe what you believe and be ready to defend as well as promote your belief / world view.  The six world views were: Christianity, Islam, Secular Humanism, Marxism-Leninism, Cosmic Humanism and Post-modernism.  In each of those six world views, one should know what each stands for in terms of  theology, philosophy, ethics, biology, psychology, sociology, law, politics, economics and history.  Sound like an impossible task?  Probably.  However, our country was built on impossible tasks and we must not let it be swallowed up by Post-Christianity, the age we are now entering.  Parents and grandparents should make sure their children go to college prepared with God’s wisdom and understanding.*  Get Wisdom, get understanding: Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. (Prov. 4:5)
Katrina – nine months later:  Perhaps there is not a word that can describe the atmosphere that hangs over the Mississippi coast but despair comes to mind when trying to put a “name” to it.  An  example: Many churches that were hard hit by Katrina have made the decision not to rebuild where they once stood but to build anew north of the I-10 interstate dividing line.  Thus people who have lost their homes have now lost their local church.  While many will stay with their church and drive many miles to it, the sense of community has been eroded; the deep roots and security of a local church are gone.
* For some resource information contact the WFLM office.

April - May 2006

A recent editorial in World magazine entitled "Being Mocked" addressed the violent Islamic demonstrations by comparing the difference between Christ and Muhammad. In essence, the difference is that the work of Jesus is based on humility and accepting scorn while that of Muhammad is based on being honored and venerated. The end result is that Islam is destined to bear the impossible load of upholding the honor of one who was just a person promoting himself and demanding deification by bloodshed. The truth is that if Jesus had not been insulted and crucified, there would be no salvation and we would be lost and undone. Jesus, having died for us and risen again, is the only hope of peace with God and with man. When events and times such as these come, we must be prepared, be willing to carry His sufferings, and remember...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. (Phil. 3:10,NKJV)

Katrina Saga Continues: Everyone can recount the negative emotions of being around a whining, demanding child who blames everyone else for his mishaps while the "good guy" gets overlooked. You can then understand the frustration of the people of Mississippi (and even the rural areas of Louisiana) when they see and hear the constant press coverage of New Orleans with its whining and blaming of someone else. Rest assured that Mississippians, with the help of thousands of Christian volunteers from all over the United States, have been working constantly to recover. The irony is that the morning after Hurricane Katrina devastated the entire Mississippi coast, the word out of New Orleans was "we dodged the bullet"...a day later the floods came because of poor local levee management. It seems that the press and politicians only identify with the whiners and blamers while the good guys, once again, get overlooked. Nevertheless, Mississippians offer their thanks and appreciation to everyone who has helped by physically coming to rebuild, by financial help and by prayers. May the Lord be with you and may He be glorified.

February - March 2006

Katrina Five Months Later: As of early January, you can now slowly drive on the coast highway from Pass Christian to Biloxi (about 25 miles). In Biloxi, you have to get back on the interstate to go farther east. The first time I went that route, I found myself holding my breath—then taking deep breaths. It's all gone...big lovely homes, smaller well kept homes, churches, businesses, libraries, streets, historical places are either gone or rubble. Even though you know what's ahead because you’ve seen the pictures or have heard verbal accounts, you keep hoping something you remembered is there...but it isn't. And you realize it will never be the same—you can't rebuild the history and culture that is now gone.

Added to that, within a month of the hurricane, Mississippi enacted a law giving casinos the right to be land based and the casinos with hotels are gobbling up much; cities are declaring areas “needed” for new city planning (counting on the 2005 imminent domain ruling by the Supreme Court); and insurance companies are denying claims by declaring the losses due to “water” even though the winds (on video tapes) show destruction 2 hours before the water came. Older retired couples who worked all their lives and now have no home (their children’s homes are also gone) are faced with not enough money—or lifetime—left to build a home. Men in their 80’s look to the horizon and say, “I’ll just have to get a job….” Please pray for them.

However, thanksgiving comes in the form of teams that have come from all over the United States, working endless hours alongside the local residents. Christian services beginning with Praise and Worship are held each evening at God’s Katrina Kitchen, a huge feeding tent, where I spent time talking with college age youth. They said that they are only eager to go “back home” so that they can tell everyone what it’s like and recruit more to come back with them and help. They’re a blessing and, as always, hope for the future. Hope not only for the help they bring but also for their steadfast commitment to the Lord.

November - December - January 2006

Katrina Three Months Later - I've often said that no matter how great an artist is, he can never capture a sunrise or sunset as the Lord painted it - you have to experience it, drink it in and let it surround you. I now know that pictures can never capture devastation-you have to experience it. It's palpable. I had seen hundreds of pictures of the Mississippi coast, pictures of our son's house and of our house literally blown away, pictures of historical homes that spoke of the heritage of Mississippi that had nothing left but rubble or just gone-nothing left. I'd heard story after story of what life was like for family and friends, but until I went to the coast in late October, I didn't grasp the fact that you have to experience it. I've now been twice and each time I leave, as soon as I'm back I think that I must go back and somehow help. It's haunting.

We're so blessed because we are staying in a little cottage behind Melissa's home - we have a sanctuary, so to speak, and also have family close by... Just to get into the area where her house and our cottage are (Long Beach), you still have to have a Pass (similar to a credit card) and it's not because of looting and crime, but because of the devastation in the area. Sewer pipes are replaced but they're above the ground, there is still no drinking water, travel on the coast highway shifts from the eastbound lane to the westbound depending upon which side is still intact. When taking morning walks with my granddaughter as she pulled my great-grandson in his wagon, it feels like I've been picked up and put in the middle of a picture I'd seen as a child of a bombed city in World War II. There's nothing there but vacant semi-cleaned ground mixed with half buried cars, boats, refrigerators and smaller rubble...and sometimes treasures. There are plastic bags everywhere as well as everything from stockings to rugs...all hanging on the trees. You'll often see vases, a dish or two, bowls with a watch or some jewelry in it, etc. on the steps of all that remains of the entrance into a home, and they stay there day after day. No one takes them because you know that those are the only things left from that person's home and they may want them someday. American flags are hung around trees, across planks, on remnants of a church or stuck on a makeshift pole in the ground.

Because I have a Pass, I can drive most anywhere and pass through the checkpoints. One can drive for miles and miles and miles along the coast highway and the scene is still the same. Churches are gone, homes are gone, harbors are gone, businesses are gone and you can't find the landmark that tells you that you're at major (or minor) intersection. In Pass Christian, there are no businesses left; however just off one of the main streets there, you will see a tent city with row upon row of tents that are housing people left without homes. Many of those in tents have children who go to school daily in the one county school left (augmented with 56 trailers and port-a-potties brought in) with grades K-12 in that one place.

Everywhere you go, there's a different obstacle to overcome. In one place, the people are still looking though the debris in hopes of finding a special family heirloom. In another place, a lone person can be seen just walking aimlessly; in another, there are teams of Christian workers from other parts of the United States where they are re-building a house; in another, a family in front of their (now gone) house on their driveway bedding down for the night in sleeping bags or, if fortunate, in a tent or trailer; in another, a harried mother washing clothes in the laundry-mat before hurrying to her gutted house to help nail new wallboard up; in another, tents in a church parking lot where work teams are "housed." Some, who may have a house still intact, have lost their jobs because the business where they worked is gone. Churches are meeting in school gyms; overdue library books (from Aug.29-Katrina Day) can be dropped off in a barrel at the place where an entrance Pass is given because the libraries are gone; insurance offices have hired guards at their doors (and many insurance salesmen have simply left the area forever); drug stores are in trailers. And, daily, from sunup to sundown, the people are working, cleaning debris, the noise of front end loaders picking up rubble and putting into dump trucks goes on and on and on. At one huge tent on the coast highway near Long Beach & Pass Christian, you'll see a sign on a hand-made cross that says, "God has Power" - there they are feeding over 1,000 people twice daily and boxes of Bibles are at the entrance for anyone and everyone.

In the area where our homes (Jeff's and ours) were, it's now a "tent / trailer park" where Christian work teams are sleeping in tents or trailers (make-shift showers and bathrooms have also been built on our former foundation) and the Nehemiah Relief Project's office is located in an RV.

And yet, the glory of God is lifted up everywhere you turn. It's the Christians from all over the United States who have come to the coast to help. It's the Christian work teams who have done everything from cut huge trees off homes and cars, prepared meals day after weary day, torn down moldy sheetrock, picked up scrap metal, plastic, and broken furniture. It's the Christians who live on the coast and have lost their own homes but are helping their neighbors. It's the Christians who have held a child's hand and looked for his lost blanket. Each day, the words that you can hear said over and over, usually with tears streaming, are "Thank you for your help... and for sharing your life of faith with me." So, the Good News is that the Christians are doing what Christians are called to do...share the Lord Jesus. The words My God Reigns resonate.

August - September 2005

Several weeks ago, I read a supposedly Christian article that used the terms of BCE and CE in reference to historical dates. Wondering "What in the world are those supposed to mean," I began to research the terms and found that I was way behind the times. I discovered that the national Advanced Placement test in history has used those new terms since 2001 thus the younger generation reading this may wonder why it's new to me. Others will wonder "what's the big deal." Every time a Christian term is used, it will have an impact on someone's life so it's essential that we make sure we use the Christian terms and teach our children their importance.

The basis of our modern calendar was developed by Christian monks in the Middle Ages who decided to begin numbering years with the birth of Christ, and designate that year "0." Years following year "0" were designated AD, for the Latin anno Domini, "in the year of our Lord" - now being replaced by CE, the Common Era. Years counting backward before year "0" came to be designated BC, before Christ-now being replaced by BCE, Before the Common Era.

In this era of political correctness and multicultural sensitivity, using Christian designations for calendar dates is deemed offensive and/or not "religiously" neutral enough. That is particularly true in the academic world. Has anyone actually been oppressed by the use of B.C. and AD? One academic said that it made others feel inadequate. Next we'll have to figure out another way to write number "1" because that means that someone is first and others would feel inadequate.

The question of "what's the big deal" that was posed earlier is answered in the following short summation by one writer. "The Common Era business is a not-so-sneaky way to tell time without acknowledging Jesus Christ at all. And silly people tell me Satan ain't real. He sure does inspire! Who would sit around thinking about stuff as basic as the way we calculate time? The beast is coming and he is attempting to erase all reference to Jesus Christ." (Jesus-is-Lord.com)

June - July 2005

Several years ago at an education conference in St. Louis I heard a riveting speaker, Ron Nash, and then bought his book Why the Left is Not Right. It was the first book that I knew of that addressed the Evangelical or Religious Left. To me, "evangelical left" is an oxymoron. How can you be evangelical and believe in Marxism? It seems that the term "evangelical" is so distorted in today's world that one must study carefully who is saying what. Since the meaning of evangelical is "in, of, or according to the gospels", the question is: "what gospel?" The Bible as the inerrant word of God? The gospel as to what parts of the Bible are to be ignored? The gospel of humanism? Essentially, what liberal left "evangelicals" do is subject the Bible to the judgment of reason in an academic way, denying that God could reveal Himself in a supernatural way through Scriptures. Thus they sacrifice the Bible's authority to human reason and the belief that if man is just good enough and all inclusive enough then an earthly, man-made kingdom is our hope and reward.

Christians should not let such so called "evangelicals" get away with playing the relativism game of discarding Biblical absolutes to suit their causes. Ask them, "What is the basis of your beliefs?" The discussion then shifts to foundations and you have the only solid foundation on which anyone can stand - the Bible as the inerrant word of God.

April - May 2005

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. (James 1:16)

Deception comes in various forms. It applies to anything that deceives, whether by design or illusion-whether by children or adults. It can be so clever that it becomes an accepted belief, but not the truth.

One example: The deceptive phrase "separation of church and state" is not in the Constitution but you hear the term used so often that most people believe it is there. The Constitution actually states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof (Amendment 1). What the founding fathers were talking about when they said "establishment of religion" was that previously a common practice was that of a government officially choosing a favored denomination and requiring non-members to pay higher taxes-often penalizing in other ways such as not allowing them to hold public office.

People are also deceived by the age-old maxim "don't talk about religion or politics" yet Jesus told us to go ye into all the world and preach the gospel so we are specifically told to talk about the (Christian) gospel-anywhere and everywhere.

In many churches, Bible study is replaced by popular self-help book studies that last for weeks or even months. Twisted or paraphrased versions of the Scriptures are used to such an extent that the Word and meaning of the Bible is demeaned or (often) lost. A cleverly used "It's not about you" infers that a book is about God but the next 300 pages are all about you (and the making of money from the sale of such books).

The need for prayer for discerning, both for discerning of spirits and being perceptive in general, is paramount in today's world. The subtle deception of relying upon what we are told or what we read is like a fog that slowly drifts in and soon we are caught in its murkiness without even realizing it. Beware: By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words…(2 Peter 2:3-NKJV)

February - March 2005

Around Thanksgiving time, our daughter Sally said that Randy Cutlip had been on her heart and asked when we'd heard from him last. It seems the older one gets the more swiftly time passes and we really couldn't answer with more than "too long, a couple of years, etc…." Tom said that Randy had called a few years ago and had needed some special medicine. Tom sent him some assistance at that time, but since then, Randy hadn't responded to an occasional note sent to him. But that wasn't unusual because Randy rarely wrote anyone.

So Sally (and later I) went to the internet to see if there was any recent information about him. We found him in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. The listing described him this way: Founding member of World Wide Bread Casting Co. … recorded gospel music on the WWBC label. Through this organization he spread his anti-drug ministries through the United States, talking and performing for over one million kids in our nation's schools, churches and prisons. But in addition to the accolades, the listing also contained something which we did not want to find. Along with his date and place of birth, it also listed his date of death (9/17/2000). We were stunned, devastated, and saddened to learn that we didn't even know that he had died.

In the 60's/early 70's, Randy had been a lost musician and played with bands including Three Dog Night and Lynyrd Skynyrd; he played at Woodstock. Lost in a hopeless life of drugs and involvement with the occult, Randy was preparing to commit suicide when Jesus rescued him. The power of God drew Randy unto Him in such a dramatic way that most anyone who ever heard his testimony can still remember it. Randy's testimony is one of the best ones I've ever heard anywhere from anybody. I can still hear Randy talking about his next door neighbor, Blanch, watching him through her venetian blinds which flashed like World War II sailors' signals from ship to ship. I can still hear him telling us in his special voice (and with special emphasis) that God appeared as in a fog one night and said to him, "Nothing…of the enemy…shall…by any means…hurt you." (Luke 10:19) I can still remember him asking "Have you ever seen an unmarked police car trying to follow a bicycle?" (When he got saved, people REALLY couldn't figure out what he was doing - he was being watched by the occult, by the local crime syndicate, and by the police.) If you ask anyone who has been to most of the Retreats, "whose testimony do you remember the most?", you will undoubtedly get two people named, and one of those two WILL be Randy. I've never met anyone else so completely himself nor whose conversion and early walk with the Lord were so totally dependent on the Lord Himself.

For faithful Retreaters, he holds the honor of being the one who changed the direction of Retreats forever. In the Spring of 1979 when the Retreat was at Barkley Lodge, it rained all day Saturday. Randy was the scheduled evening guest, but he didn't just give his testimony and leave, he spent the weekend. On that rain-soaked Sat. afternoon, the youth began to be pulled to the Convention center where they found Randy playing music, singing, talking, and ministering … all afternoon (he must have been exhausted because, except for taking time for supper, he was there continuously from mid-day through the evening service). Soon, the word spread: it is so great-Randy is hanging out with us, talking, ministering, prophesying! It's incredible! ... and all ages drifted over. The Holy Spirit ministered, using Randy, all weekend; and the Holy Spirit became the most welcomed person at Believers' Retreat. As a result, thousands of lives have been changed.

Each of us has a special memory associated with Randy. For me it was a card he once sent us (remember that he rarely sent any notes, cards, or letters). He sent a simple card and on the inside, all it said was, Thank you for loving me. - Randy. We have treasured it.

In Memory of Randy: Thank you for loving us. - the McKenneys
*If you would like to have an audio of Randy's testimony, please contact us at WFLM.

December 2004 - January 2005

Recovery from the shock and awe going on in newsrooms, Hollywood, and faculty lounges, will take a long time due to their narcissistic focus on themselves as the center of the universe. They are secularist. They believe that Carl Marx was right. They don't want to understand that our awesome God reigns-forever and ever. They will never understand Christians who love their God and their country more than themselves. The decadent just don't get it because they don't want to get it. Secularism is a system of doctrines and practices that disregards or rejects any form of religious faith and worship; and that such (Christian beliefs) should not enter into the functions of government or public education. Likewise, "… what defines Western Europe-as well as the American left-is its aggressive secularism. Though cathedrals abound, Christianity is a thin membrane over the cultural and political institutions of Europe. By contrast, from the time the pilgrims landed in the New World, Americans have been defined by their belief in God" (Ann Coulter).

Those caught up in secularism, the "blue" areas of America, would have been served well if they'd had some early instruction on the making of America. In Democracy in America, written in 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville observed that Europeans practiced religion from a "barren traditionary faith which seems to vegetate in the soul rather than to live, but Americans combine the notions of Christianity and liberty so intimately that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other." May it be so.

October - November 2004

I couldn't resist taking Marty's Corner to a personal level because, as the wife of a Marine who served in Vietnam, the memories will remain with me forever. I know what it was like to ask another wife, whom I just met, when her husband was coming home, and to have her reply, "He was killed six months ago." I know the feeling of being in a park in San Diego and being accosted with hatred by peaceniks, or telephone calls saying, "I know where your husband is and I will get you and your children." I remember the dread of having the Green Sedan drive through a neighborhood because within was a Marine who had the unbearable task of notifying the wife with, "I'm sorry to tell you " Visiting the hospital or standing mutely when taps were played all rise to the surface when I hear TV anchors portray a self-serving craven man as a "hero."

Perhaps worse than any of the memories are those of the men who were POWs and left behind while John Kerry's speeches gave aide and comfort to the enemy and prolonged their captivity. I helped organize some of the first efforts to put the POWs' plight before the American people with POW bracelets and setting up speaking engagements for the wives. I still have the bracelet of the husband of my friend, Carol, whose husband never came home. Many of the ex-POWs have also spoken out about what they endured because of Kerry's activitiesbutmany never came home. The ads that we see from the Swift Boat men and other veterans finally tell the truth about him. They, too, have been betrayed by the man now running for President who, as early as 1970, said, "I'd like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations."

His idea continues to be to undermine the United States of America in favor of a world government opposed to our country's freedom and independence. Wounds that Worsen and Wounds that Heal could be the title of a teaching seminar similar to the one called Words that Wound and Words that Heal for they have the same principal. Wounds fester when hit, infected or reopened. Depicting betrayal as anything but treason is what has recently caused millions of Veterans' wounds to fester; and then they heard John Kerry say, "I'm John Kerry reporting for duty" at the Democratic Convention‹and the wounding process began all over. How could a group of people possibly be elated over that? The same man had previously impugned the honor of every man who answered the call to duty by his country during the Vietnam era. A man who took his movie camera with him to Vietnam to portray himself as a hero was suspect at best. Moreover, the normal tour of duty in Vietnam was a year or more‹wives & families marked off the days, weeks and months. It was not 4 months like Kerry's who used a little known regulation to go home way before his tour of duty was over ­ is that called cowardice or narcissism?

He had claimed three Purple Hearts for little dings that anyone else would have said; "It's nothing" about for such a person would be regarded with disdain. There were far too many men with horrendous wounds in the field hospitals for anyone to even consider showing up with a superficial nick, asking for a band-aid and a Purple Heart. Then, with the war still going on, John Kerry testified before Congress falsely accusing GI's of widespread war crimes. He confessed that he, himself, had done atrocious things in Vietnam, but expected adulation. His radical friends posed with an upside-down American flag, mocking the flag-raising on Iwo Jima and the men who had fought and died in World War II. He put that picture on the cover of his book. The fact is that the true heroes, the Americans who served honorably, who stayed the course, who came home to a different America, were the courageous ones. Years later, most Americans finally repented of forsaking a whole generation of young men who did what they were asked to do by their country. Now we are once again confronted with betrayal. But, Scripture says, but if to betray me to my enemies, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment. (1 Chron.12:17) As always, pray for America and trust in the Lord.

June - July 2004

At the same time that courageous Iraqi Christians are touching thousands in their nation for the Lord, the usual American "peace at any price" politicians pontificate on getting out of Iraq. You don't hear or read about it in the secular media, but, with freedom realized because of America, Iraqi Christians have been given a window of opportunity to witness. Sometimes teaming up with American Christians, the Iraqis are sharing their faith with thankful locals in Baghdad, Mosul (Ninevah),Tikrit and other towns. They go out into the highways and byways with literature and their testimony, which is often about how Jesus helped them survive during brutal imprisonment and persecution under Saddam Hussein's reign of terror. They had had walls of stone confining them. Our walls are different; ours are self-made. An evangelist described "monasteries without walls" as any Christian who leaves his church on Sunday, goes home, says nothing and does nothing for Christ, then returns to church on Sunday to discuss new programs, books and to "rejoice in the Lord." We are exhorted to break out of our monasteries and become world changers using the power of Jesus and our testimony about His saving grace. Let not your testimony be like most of the world that preached "peace and tranquility" while hiding in their monasteries during the reigns of Hitler, Stalin and Mao. The truth is that there is no worldly peace. Jesus said, Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you, not as the world gives to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

April - May 2004

I remember, when growing up, a frustrating and consistent feeling at Easter that was difficult to shake or explain. I knew that my sins were forgiven through the atonement, and that I was supposed to feel glad about that; but I couldn't FEEL much of anything. I vaguely wondered why God didn't just forgive us, without Jesus's having to die on the cross. If He were disposed to forgive us anyway, why wouldn't He just do it? I knew intellectually, that sin had to be atoned for by a sinless sacrifice; but if God was the one making the rules, why couldn't He just change this one? Similarly, I knew I was supposed to be excited about the resurrection, but I just didn't get it. I knew His rising was proof that He was God, but I already knew that. I just didn't get it on an emotional level, and not even on a very clear intellectual level.

One day it occurred to me to wonder what things would be like if Jesus hadn't died on the cross, if there had been no atonement. I would suffer in hell, no doubt, but then what? What would my punishment do? Would it fix things? My punishment would be just, but would it change anything? Could it make things right? Would it clean up the ugliness or damage of even one sin? Every time I sin, it changes me. I become in a small or large way messed up, distorted and damaged, and I usually mess up those around me as well.

I finally came to see - once I thought about what sin actually does - that sin has to be atoned for, not just because God wanted it that way, but also because sin changes things for the worse, and in a way only God could fix. When we consider how much one sin on the part of Adam and Eve changed things, it's shocking. One sin transformed our world from one of perfect paradise to one where death and destruction prevail. Eden became a place where tigers rip apart lambs, where fish eat their own young, where people plant car bombs and rape children. This transformation did not occur because God demanded it; it is simply what sin does. It is the way sin changes things. I saw that my punishment would be deserved, but couldn't accomplish anything. Sin is far too enormous for my punishment to change anything. Only HIS sacrifice could change things. His sacrifice is the only one that could cleanse us from our sins in a way that we are truly forgiven - not just because He was perfect, but also because He was God, and it would take an action on a cosmic level to undo sin and its results. He was the only one that could undo the wrongs we have done, the pains and distortions we have caused by our every sin.

I do not mean that we will escape the consequences of our sins in this life, nor will the people whom we injure. I mean that not only is the guilt of our sins washed away by Jesus (even while we are still here on earth) in a way that our own punishment could never accomplish, but also that one day we will see, as part of the consolation in heaven, the pain and injury sin has caused to be erased, undone, reversed, healed. It is because of His sacrifice that we are not only forgiven, but one day our world will be cleaned up and recreated as a "new earth," one in which there is no more disease or death, an earth where lambs and lions will sleep together, where sorrow and sighing will have fled away, and we will sing new songs. It is because of His death that He will be able to wipe away every tear. Our death, our eternal punishment, could never have accomplished this. His could accomplish it all. And He did it. (Sally McKenney Mahoney)

February - March 2004

There are so many Christian trendy, self-help, and secrets-to-a-meaningful-life books today that the simple truths of the Bible are often distorted and/or paraphrased so liberally that those truths are lost. The writers of such books frequently alter the Bible's words in order to "see God's truth in new, fresh ways." However, There is nothing new under the sun (Ecc. 1:9); only the times we live in change. The simple truth is that we are here by God's design and for His pleasure. Apart from our covenant relationship with God, our pleasure is to draw closer to Him daily.

Through Gates of Splendor, the story of the missionaries who were killed while trying to win the Auca Indians to Jesus, gives each of us a glimpse of both purpose and pleasure. Without knowing it, Jim Elliot simply answered the age-old question of "why am I here?" in his diary. The longing of our hearts resonates with Elliot's words: "I walked out to the hill just now. It is exalting, delicious, to stand embraced by the shadows of a friendly tree with the wind tugging at your coattail and the heavens hailing your heart, to gaze and glory and give oneself once again to God-what more could a man ask? Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth! I care not if I never raise my voice again for Him, if only I may love Him, please Him. Mayhap in mercy He shall give me a host of children that I may lead them through the vast star fields to explore His delicacies whose finger set them to burning. But if not, if only I may see Him, touch His garments, and smile into His eyes-ah then, not stars nor children shall matter, only Himself."

There are no new ways of pleasing Him…only the sheer excitement of knowing God and His Word now and forever.

December 2003 - January 2004

Understanding that at times we all read or hear a statement that immediately sets our mental wheels turning, the following are for you to ponder.

"For the first time in the history of the world, a deadly communicable disease (AIDS) is being fought without the use of quarantine, man's most effective tool to date, and the battle is being lost, despite extensive programs to inform the public." (columnist Richard Corbell) It's being lost to self-indulgent, dis-torters of truth. Professing to be wise, they became fools. Romans 1: 22

"Why the liberal obtuseness when it comes to understanding the role religion plays in American history and among Americans in general?" was asked of Ann Coulter (author of Treason). Her response: They aren't obtuse, they understand religion just fine. They just don't like it. It's not a failure of compre-hension. Liberals hate the idea of God because it competes with their conception of themselves as a spe-cially anointed elite.
Jim Elliot was asked why he was going to Ecuador when "perhaps his ministry might not be more effective in the United States, where so many know so little of the Bible's real message." He replied, "I dare not stay home while Quichuas perish. What if the well-filled church in the homeland needs stirring? They have the Scriptures, Moses and the prophets, and a whole lot more. Their condemnation is written on their bank books and in the dust on their Bible covers." He and four other missionaries were killed by the Aucas in 1956, but their lives, their stories and their deaths have led thousands (including Aucas) to the Lord.

August - September 2003

The recent Supreme Court decision nullifying a Texas anti-sodomy law is likened to the Roe v. Wade decision in the impact it will have for decades on Americans, especially Christians in America. It ignores both God's edicts and the Article X of the Constitution of the United States which says, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

Do you have a "line in the sand"? The world includes a great number of people who will die of old age before they draw their first line in the sand - a peculiar approach to life. On a recent local radio inter-view (keep in mind this is mid-America not the left coast), two Methodist pastors were asked if the General Conference voted to ordain homosexuals, would they leave the Methodist church. The answer was"No." Perhaps they were thinking of their financial future or their social standing, or perhaps they feared the peo-ple more than God. It was breathtaking; and at the same time a great sadness descended on me. It was knowing that they would choose to surrender before even being put to the test. A Christian dichotomy? When there are Christians being persecuted today for believing the Bible's truths or for refusing to accept another religion - even at the cost of the loss of their life, can we do less?

June - July 2003

A mother wrote to World magazine, "As the war in Iraq ends, let us not forget that the cultural war wages on in our nation." She was referring to the April 9th "Student Day of Silence" imposed upon her sons and nearly 2,000 middle schools, high schools and universities across the United States. It was not a day of silence to thank God for His mercy in setting Baghdad free as the Saddam statue was pulled down; it was a day to support gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. On this eighth annual national Day of Silence, students were to be mute and stop their "intolerance."

Relativists accuse people who have a sense of right and wrong of being "intolerant." Like con-stantly dripping water, the accusation of intolerance often eats away at morality (and scriptural truths) leav-ing nothing but a hole. It is a slow seduction of beliefs, intellect and Christian values; and Christians are not immune to intellectual seduction. False worldviews have been a threat to Christians throughout history. Many pastors and leaders have already mentally surrendered, often in order to keep their job or pastorate in a church for financial reasons or prestige. If we take our eyes off Jesus and scriptural truths, we allow the values of modern culture to shape our worldview-that's surrendering before the war is even over.

Whether the war is a war in the traditional sense or a cultural war, we do not know for sure whether intervention will bring an end to atrocities. What we do know is that we must try; wickedness can-not be left unopposed. History holds out to us a hope that those who have given their lives for freedom and for righteousness have not done so in vain.

February - March 2003

One of the effects of the decline of doctrinal teachings that began in the 60's and 70's is the murky haze that has settled in the church (universal) over contemporary issues. Cultural values changed with the acceptance of New Age beliefs and Humanism - its basic tenet being that man is not accountable to a higher power: God. Some practices, like Buddha-type meditation, martial arts, cremation etc, have become so acceptable that we seldom search for God's directives. This article is not intended to be the cause of division in the body of Christ, rather it is to show that there is logic and discerning for rejecting the practice of destroying human bodies by cremation, and I hope you will search the Scriptures and seek the Holy Spirit for clarification. Cremation is an area that throughout history has separated Jews and Christians from other religions and heathens. The obvious reason for that is the degree of respect with which each group regards the human body; Christians and Jews know that man was created in the image of God.

Scriptures do not speak volumes about cremation-nor does it speak about locking children in basement closets or pornography-because it doesn't need to do so, such things contradict a Christian's spiritual life and the fabric of salvation. They are matters to be discerned by the Spirit-there is a spirit to Scripture as well as verbal text. The acts of redemption, water baptism, Communion, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, the resurrection of the body, and the fact that our bodies are the temple of the Lord (…and you are not your own. 1 Cor 6:19) all make cremation untenable.

If we had no Scriptural insight other than that of Jesus being buried, it should settle the matter for us. His burial is a vital part of the Gospels and is something in which we participate when we are buried with Him in baptism (Col 2:12); and we will be resurrected when he returns (Rom.6: 4,5; Col 2:12). While the Spirit leaves our earthly bodies at death, when He returns the bodies of believers will arise.

The pagan origins and rituals are of no small significance in the examination of cremation - Christians are not to participate in pagan practices of any kind. Additionally, reincarnation, which Christians reject, is a belief that often accompanies cremation. Abraham was called out of pagan Ur and God spoke to him, clearly commanding: And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age (Gen.15: 15). Scriptures give details of numerous burials of those who were God's servants…in fact, God Himself buried Moses (Deut.34: 6). On the other hand, God consumed the wicked with fire and (sometimes) brimstone (Gen 19:23 ,Num.16:35, Lev.10:2, etc).

God is not bound by human failings, persecution, pestilence or evil actions of men against humans. Martyrs burned at the stake and people who have been innocently consumed will be raised up on the last day for He is sovereign and able to do so (…for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Matt.3: 9). The very subject of cremation has the taint of the unbelieving world upon it while a Christian's life is wrapped in the beauty of God's creation and His perfect plan for a life with Him now and forever more.

December 2002 - January 2003

How many times have you had someone say, "Have a good one?" You wait … then start walking away wondering have a good one WHAT? Just what does have a good one mean? Have a good accident? A good meal? A good celebration of a pagan holiday? A good day? A good cry? It's pointless and can be likened to a boat loosed from its moorings that just drifts…going nowhere. Drifting away from the absolutes of God's word is just as subtle. It happens gradually and without effort yet ultimately it is as deadly as a Kamikaze attack.

In these times of "tolerance" and drifting away from God's decrees, Christians in America can easily be compared with the people of Israel. The Israelites were not drifters when they entered the Promised Land and possessed it. They were dynamic, aggressive, determined, and powerful. Most importantly, they trusted God. They knew that He had given them victory over the pagans and they obediently settled down to enjoy it. They didn't just suddenly rebel against the Lord. After Joshua and the heroes who had fought with him died, the next generation that grew up in times of peace and prosperity began to drift into ignoring God's law--to deceive, cheat, and pursue meaningless pleasures. Then they ate and drank at pagan feasts, married pagans-finally they worshiped pagan gods. God had told them time and time again that He would bring down His judgment on them. Still Israel drifted until the nation was split, Israel in the north was destroyed by the Assyrians, and Judah in the south was devastated and taken captive by the Babylonians. …And no one will gather those who wander off. Jer. 49:5

October - November 2002

The current generation has been dubbed the "microwave generation" because they want everything right now. No matter how convenient life becomes, we want it to be faster, better and easier. In order to make it faster, I thought I'd just give you headlines with lead-in statements and make Marty's Corner a quick read. You think about the impact each has on America's Christian culture.

The Godless March on Washington - scheduled for Nov. 2nd, is having disunity problems over which groups are sufficiently godless. The Council for Secular Humanism (which has an enormous voice in what is now taught in the public schools) says that Satanists aren't adequately godless to participate in the march.

One out of every 32 adults was in prison, on probation or parole in America last year. In a random follow-up survey about how to correct the societal problem, the responses ranged from "just execute them" to "minimum or no sentences" (for breaking the law). Not a single person in the survey talked about righteous (Christian) living that keeps one out of jail or teaching such to children.

Thought Reform 101, diversity training, has replaced required freshman orientation in taxpayer- funded public as well as private universities. Freshman orientation used to be about how to find classes, the bookstore and cafeteria, but today it is for totalitarian reeducation on issues of sex, race, and gender. "It is the university not simply standing in the place of parents, but in place of private conscience, identity and belief" - Alan C. Kors, U. of Pennsylvania

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things…(1 Cor. 2:15)

August - September 2002

"NIV's twisted sister" is the headline of the lead article in WORLD magazine, Feb. 9 and is followed by a lengthy article in the Feb. 23 issue. By playing word games, International Bible Society unveiled a gender-normed NIV under a new name, "Today's New International Version." Changing the name just slightly (by adding "Today's) will cause thousands to think that they're just buying a newer edition of the NIV - a deceptive marketing ploy. Beware of the deception, tell your friends, Sunday school class, pastors, Christian bookstore owners of the marketing trickery.

In truth, the mistranslations and changes in it are "not only poor grammar but a loss of the Bible's emphasis on individual responsibility AND individual relationship with God," especially the relationship with Jesus.

There are hundreds of examples but my limited space allows for only one example of the distortions. The NIV Hebrews 2:6 says "What is man that you are mindful of him, the Son of Man that you care for Him?" while the TNIV Hebrews 2:6 says, "What are mere mortals that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? The TNIV mistranslates the singular Greek words huios (son) and anthropos (man). It removes the connection of this phrase to Jesus, who called Himself, "the Son of Man."

The TNIV goes beyond translating with modern language or replacing traditional generic plural nouns like "men" with words such as "humans." TNIV's goal to remove gender as much as possible and please a feminist audience has relegated the goal of providing an accurate translation to the back seat. It deviates from and distorts the actual meaning of the text while the simple solution would be to explain that in English, as in many languages, "he" or "his" is generic / nonspecific - it includes women. Those responsible for the TNIV have lost their concern for the inerrant word of God and their minds are closed. Luke 24: 45 says, And He (Jesus) opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Pray for the closed minds of the feminists and unbelievers to be opened, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

June - July 2002

The whole world is crazy. For days that was the only thing that came to mind when thinking about what to write in Marty's Corner.

When I read that all entering "freshpersons" at the University of North Carolina will be required to read the Koran, that some public schools are banning such games as catch because it excludes the children who don't have the ball (think on that), that aborting babies is called a "choice," that homosexual priests preying on children are protected by the church, that anti-Jew feelings are on the rise in educated circles again--only 60 years since the holocaust, that church leaders proclaim Islam is just another way to worship the "same God"…well, it does seem that the whole world is crazy.

But wait! I received a package late in the week from someone in Vidalia, GA whom I'd never met. I knew that a work team from Vidalia had just gone on a mission trip to the remote area of Honduras where our son Jeff is a missionary doctor. The especially bought mailing box had lots of shredded paper to protect the small gift inside. The gift (a Mother's day remembrance) was wrapped with a piece of foam taped together with masking tape and my address on the masking tape. Jeff had given it to the work team member who mailed it to me when he got back to the states. The man had obviously taken time and effort to carefully protect it and mail it to me as if it were a pearl of great price.

His loving care of the gift demonstrated that the whole world wasn't crazy…just those lost and undone souls who promote idiocy. I was reminded that we are to carefully protect the priceless gift of eternal life that Jesus has given us and we need to deliver it in the best possible package to the whole world…now!

April - May 2002

Galatians 6:7: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. The beauty of the Scriptures is its simplicity but it seems too difficult for the intellectual "religious left" to grasp. Just like the Pharisees of old, they want to put their particular twist on the Scriptures. Today, an obviously deceptive quote is "Allah is just another name for our (Christian) God." That is deception - a mockery of God.

There's an old adage "truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy." The hypocrisy of equating Islam with Christianity deceives Christians and renders them vulnerable in a world where recognizing the truth about Islam can mean life or death. It also leaves them unmotivated to pray for, witness to, and share the TRUTH in love with Muslims, who live in captivity to their legalistic and ruthless code.

We have come to expect most media moguls, lawyers and university professors to officiously defraud the truth, but we don't believe what they say anyway - they are just wearisome. However, when church leaders compromise their principles in order to curry favor with powerful people, Jesus is shamed. Willow Creek Community Church, the largest Christian church in America, recently invited Faisal Hammouda, a Muslim, to share the pulpit. He said, "all of us… believe in Jesus. I believe in Mohammed and all the prophets." Deception! Neither he nor any Muslim believes that Jesus is the Son of God, that he was crucified for our sins and was resurrected to sit on the right hand of God, the Father.

Hammouda went on to proclaim that Islam was "peace-loving," but failed to mention that Christians in ALL Islamic-controlled countries daily face persecution and death. Strangely, officials (and pastors) of many major denominations never focus on the rape and murder of Christians in Islamic countries although they repeatedly repudiate the war on terror and call for "peaceful diplomatic talk" with the terrorists. How foolish. In another era, their ilk would have wanted "peaceful diplomatic talk" with Hitler as he marched into Poland and the Japanese when they bombed Pearl Harbor. …whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

February - March 2002

A Christian columnist recently wrote that most Christians couldn't tell you in a sentence or two what their worldview is, could you? Although the word "worldview" is one of those trendy, recently created words, not found in most dictionaries, we need to be able to clearly define it in Christian requisites.
While creating new words, our (ungodly) culture is also redefining many words - such as tolerant, choice and country - with the motive of reshaping our way of thinking. We should be able to clearly articulate what we know the truth of these key words to be. Tolerant has been so distorted that it now means being open-minded to everyone except Christians. Our country is the USA, not the world. We need to be unintimidated by such changes. Instead, we are to have the courage to speak up in whatever situation we're in (family, friends, work, school or church) … and having done all, to stand fast in Jesus, the Truth.

Worldview is defined by some as our conception of the world or of human life while others define it as our beliefs or principles. Simply, it's our standpoint. In truth, perhaps we would have many answers - take the time to define yours. "…Because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves," a phrase that Pres. Bush used in his inaugural address, is a good opening for us as Christians. I'm sure I'll think of many other responses but my immediate reaction to the columnist's challenge was to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God in accordance with the (only) Holy Bible because that's what the LORD requires of me, as Micah 6:8 tells us.

December 2001 - January 2002

Many educators teach multiculturalism as if America had no culture of its own. When students are never taught the substance of their American heritage, they cannot build on that heritage. The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 started the pendulum swinging back to reality and Americans are slowly climbing out of their foxholes to reclaim their country. We are once again praying in public and saying the Pledge of Allegiance even though it flies in the face of the radical left and the ACLU because it mentions God. That Pledge says "one nation, under God," not "multicultures, under many gods." We are a melting pot, which incorporates the ideals of many people, hopefully separating evil from virtue, and pours out a new product called America.

October - November 2001

The recent terrorist attacks on America are the end result of belief in an ungodly philosophy that portrays evil as good and is the one in which Islamic zealots are educated. The terrorists were taught that doctrine since childhood, they didn't just wake up one morning with such a belief. The Marxist-Communist V.I. Lenin said, "Give me four years to teach the children, and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted." Time and again, that has been proven true.

In late19th century America, bitter battles were fought over education when government-education proponents sought to impose a system which incorporated three points: government controlled, tax-supported, and the absence of Christian instruction. Opponents of such a system argued that if you remove Christianity from the schools, then progressively it will be replaced by the state religion of secular humanism. History has proven them correct.

The most important point in determining whether education is good or evil depends on one thing - the content. One should know the content of every aspect of America's educational system so that deceptive teachings and ungodly beliefs can be stopped before a child learns to accept depravity as virtuous. Our educational system which is designed to produce semiliterate, atheistic young socialists who are hostile to their own country, to God and to liberty will only reap adversity. Abhor that which is evil; cling to that which is good. Romans 12:9

August - September 2001

Although Keith Green and two of the Green's children died in a fatal plane crash in July 1982 (just short of his 29th birthday), his music and his message have lived on. Almost from the start of his ministry, his message was "get right with God," and it grew into a heart and vision for missions. I kept his final message, Why You Should Go To The Mission Field and recently reread it. His wife Melody wrote the introduction shortly after his death. In it she says, "I believe the vision for missions is a completion of Keith's message for Christians to be really right with God. The question is this - once you are right… then what?"

The word missionary means "one sent on a mission" so every Christian is sent into the world on a mission - next door or across the seas. The whole church is to take the whole gospel into the whole world.

On Being a Missionary by Dr. Thomas Hale states the fact that there are two billion people in the world who have not yet heard the gospel in a way that they can understand. What are we Christians doing about this? Consider the figures. Of every $100 given in our western culture churches, $1 is spent on missions and of that $1 spent on missions, less than 10 cents is spent to reach the two billion unreached. However, $99 are spent on Christians. It may be on our buildings, sound system, carpeting, kitchenware, administrative hierarchy (much of which in mainline denominational churches is anti-Christian) or any number of mundane things. We Christians tithe to ourselves. Is this acceptable to God?

June - July 2001

Confusion over what forgiveness is arises when we are bombarded by prominent church leaders as well as secular pundits telling us that we just need to forgive everyone for everything no matter how heinous the sin or how unrepentant the sinner. On a theological level, only God can forgive sins and His forgiveness does not come before acknowledgment of sin and repentance. Even in the exceptional case, when Jesus asked God to forgive those who had crucified Him, He didn't include a blanket forgiveness for those who crucified thousands of other innocent people, He only pleaded forgiveness for those who crucified Him.

Scriptures are very clear and consistent. The fact that vengeance belongs to the Lord and that He will see that wrongdoers pay is repeated in both the Old and New Testaments.

The fact that we must forgive those who have offended us is just as clearly and powerfully stated, but our forgiveness is on a different level from that of God's. His is the doorway to His Kingdom; ours is the doorway to personal freedom from bitterness and malice. Forgiveness is to give up resentment towards, or the desire to punish, a person-it is to cancel a debt, to let go. We simply release that person's guilt and the outcome to the Lord.

Last month, we saw that cheap grace, the deadly enemy of the church, is the grace we bestow on ourselves by preaching forgiveness without repentance. Essentially it says, "go and sin some more." It seeps into the church by suggesting that we have the power to forgive in the domain that only God reigns over, and we try to usurp His authority. In this era that focuses on feelings and emotions, we want to appear noble…so we dispense forgiveness unasked. They are empty words.

Costly grace is the gift which must be asked for with a contrite heart and broken spirit; it condemns sin and then justifies the sinner. It is costly because it costs a man his self-centered life, and grace because it gives the only true life, life with Jesus. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of His Son and grace because He did it for us.

April - May 2001

After the Paducah, Ky., shootings, Dennis Prager wrote a column in The Wall Street Journal entitled "When Forgiveness is a Sin" saying that he was "appalled and frightened by this feel-good doctrine of automatic forgiveness." He was referring to a growing trend to declare people "forgiven;" it has the flavor of I'm Okay, You're Okay, as if feeling the pain of facing sin is the ultimate thing to be avoided. "It destroys Christianity's central moral tenets about forgiveness. Even by God, forgiveness is contingent on the sinner repenting." Prager is a Jew who believes that a vibrant Christianity is essential to the reversing of America's moral decline.

Pushing automatic forgiveness is the calling card of "the religious left." Various books with study guides professing to be about grace are used in church Bible studies. Each should be weighed on the scales of the gospel, not just accepted because they're popular. Philip Yancey in his book/study guide on grace says, "Grace is a gift, free of charge, on the house. You only have to do one thing to receive a gift: open you hands." Overlooked by Yancey is that a vital part of opening our hands is repentance. He also quotes Gordon MacDonald, one of Clinton's three "spiritual advisors" as saying, "Grace is the one thing the church has that you can't get anywhere else." Think about that... is it the church which has the authority to dispense grace? Scripturally, only God through Jesus can give grace.

What we are seeing is the rekindling of what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called cheap grace - something he declared to be "the deadly enemy of the Church." Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, Communion and absolution without confession, a worldly feel-good doctrine with no desire to actually be free from sin itself, only from any consequences of sin... grace without the cross. We'll compare cheap grace and costly grace in the next newsletter.

February - March 2001

While driving and listening to the radio one day in the fall, I heard a PSA that I've since listened to dozens of times and each time I get a special tingle of delight, have a smile and softly say hallelujah. With sounds of children playing in the background, Sally Ride, who was America's first woman astronaut says, " When I went to school…we weren't taught tolerance in school - we learned it on the playground." She continues, "Children are just the same as they've always been… they're curious, they're explorers, they're interested in things, they like to learn.

We didn't have lessons on cooperation or talk about personal space, we were too busy dreaming about outer space.

Childhood should be a time… to grow and to discover and imagine in such a way that all things are possible. That's how it should be - child first - then the adult. You want your kids to be healthy, happy adults? Let them be children first."

Her words speak loud and clear to one of the cultural problems of today. Children need to be children, not made into little adults by parents striving to make them the best looking, best ball player or best reader before they can even tie their shoes.

Take time to discretely watch children as they build a tree house by themselves, make castles or roads in sand, use pine straw to make a cross or set up a store with acorns and shells they've collected. While we adults may not know, they know what they're doing, they're thinking, they're dreaming, they're exploring and will grow to be the doers of tomorrow. Rejoice as they lie down on the grass or in the snow just to look at clouds roll by as they quietly think of the heavens and hopefully hear Jesus saying Come unto me.

December 2000 - January 2001

The Conversations We Aren't Having editorial in Good News magazine expressed the failure of local church leaders to address the massive destruction of morality in our culture. "What is the city set on a hill doing about the fact that all the sewers on the hill are backing up?" It seems the Great Commission has been changed to 'Go ye into the world and preach apathy' for if all the sewers are backing up, perhaps God won't notice the stench.
The editorial is primarily about the fact that the common concern from laity is, "Our pastor won't address any of the serious moral problems tearing away at our society." The reticence of the clergy to discuss frankly and then publicly urge a renewed faithfulness to the great principles of biblical faith and moral truth is not the only problem. Pastors won't even reveal the heretical dogma being embraced by the church hierarchy, and only mumble worriedly if asked about it. Many are annoyed that theological conversations are even attempted… perhaps fearful of losing their positions? We've been lulled to sleep by "don't talk about religion or politics" even though they intertwine and are the most important topics to discuss - the former affects us forever and the latter affects present and future generations.
As father to son, king to future king, David told Solomon to keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statues, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies…(I Kings 2:3) Ultimately, Solomon failed. Early in his career he ignored God's law for political reasons and then for sexual reasons and it just got worse - the sewer backed up completely. We need pastors/leaders to address our present day stench now.

October - November 2000

Substituting secular government for government based on scriptures is easily demonstrated by comparing Biblical judges with today's secular judges. Then the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them. (Judges 2: 16). Old Testament Judges were deliverers of the people out of the hands of those who would destroy or ravage them. At the same time, those Judges called the people to repentance, urging them to serve and worship God alone.

Prevalent in today's secularized world are Judges and other leaders who deliver the people into the hands of those seeking to destroy them. Judges making more rulings, leaders passing more laws, or increasing the size and scope of government is no substitute for keeping God's law.

There are rules and laws of God beyond which leaders must not take the people. Doing so is a fatal error of self-indulgent leaders. Both Samson and Solomon sought out ungodly women, Saul sought mediums-clearly violations of God's law. Today, so called "leaders" are seeking to worship the earth but calling it environmentalism; others proclaim godliness while voting for and advocating the killing of innocent babies. Do not be deceived by such leaders or Judges who are following after other gods, but follow the greatest leader of all-Jesus.