Firstly, last week I shared with you the story of a local worship leader/pastor that had been struck down by a massive stroke Easter morning. I also shared about the miracle that had taken place over the next few days. -- I am happy to report that the miracle continues! As of this writing, his condition continues to improve. Doctors hope to move him out of intensive care very soon. They have said that this is nothing short of a miracle. -- Usually no one walks out of the hospital after one of these types of strokes. In fact, his new name is, "The Miracle Man". -- What a testimony of the healing power of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- Continue to pray for his complete recovery.
!! Praise God !!
Moving on this week, I want to talk about the continuing confusing messages from our country's political and church leadership.
To start with, many of today's Christian leaders are buying into the idea that our "out-dated" messages need to adjust to a new reality. Rather than standing up for truth, they often gravitate towards the position that promises them the most favorable press coverage.
Many of us were stunned to hear Rick Warren back-pedaling over his support for Proposition 8, a California ballot measure that, if passed, would change the state constitution to restrict the definition of marriages to opposite-sex couples. - Here are the statements he said on Larry King's program.
"I am not an anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist. I never have been, never will be. During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never-never once even gave an endorsement in the two years Proposition 8 was going." But this next remark was even more stunning, "I wrote to all my gay friends - the leaders that I know - and actually apologized to them."
The new Rick Warren was most likely apologizing for a statement made by the old Rick Warren of just a few months ago, "Let me just say this really clearly. We support Proposition 8. And if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8." (Rick Warren in an October 23 video to church members.)
This man, who's been called the next Billy Graham, is falling into a trap that is emblematic of the problem that the entire church is facing in this generation --- and that is that we love the applause of man more than we love the work of God and the gospel. It's a great illustration of America's most prominent church leader equivocating and back-tracking and saying almost nothing coherent so that he will offend no one. (Seems I said the same thing about his inaugural prayer).
There is nothing Biblical or courageous or principled about this kind of Christian witness.
To add insult to injury, we just witnessed a young woman in the Miss America pageant stand firm on her convictions of the definition of marriage. Regardless of the cost, she was willing to stand up for what she believed to be the Biblical standard. -- It was so refreshing to see this! Our "politically correct" Christian leaders need to take notice of the courage of this young Bible college student. -- Our churches would be stronger for it.
How about this one. -- In a recent speech by President Obama at Georgetown University, his staff asked university officials to cover up a monogram symbolizing Jesus' name. Their statement said, "The White House wanted a simple backdrop of flags and pipes and drapes for the speech, consistent with what they've done for other policy speeches." -- Amazing! Heaven forbid if Jesus were to have anything to do with their policies! -- Titus 1:16 says, "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." -- Denial of Jesus and God's prescription for living godly lives saturate this generation. The opposite of Christ's teachings is not only being carried out in the sinful lives of today's people, the opposition to the Lord is being set in the hardened rebellion of man-made law.
This next one will really get to you. "Abortion is a blessing and abortionists are doing holy work." This comes from the new Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Reverend Katherine Hancock Ragsdale. - Ms. Ragsdale, in a recent speech, said that "When a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear the child; and has access to a safe, affordable abortion - there is not a tragedy in sight - only blessing." - She also went on to say that people who run abortion clinics are heroes. -- Now keep in mind that this person will be in charge of the school that teaches and shapes the next generation of leaders for the American Episcopal Church. -- Seems she'll be a perfect fit for the U.S. Episcopal Church Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori, who in 2006 when elected, stated that homosexuality was not a sin and homosexuals were created by God to love people of the same gender.
What Bible are these people reading?!
To sum up the condition of our leadership today as it pertains to our Lord, a recent statement by Barak Obama says it all. When confronted on the issue of homosexuality during his recent Presidential campaign, he stated that he "preferred" the Sermon on the Mount verses over some "obscure" passage from the Book of Romans. -- So I guess now our leaders can pick and choose what fits into their agendas.
Sorry folks, but this doesn't work for me. Either you accept it all or not. -- Either you are or you aren't. -- But make that decision carefully -- it has eternal consequences.
This next one is amazing! -- Department of Homeland Security officials have issued a report which links people with pro-life, anti-illegal immigration views, teachers of end-time prophecies, and veterans of war with "right-wing extremist" groups. -- In an intelligence assessment issued to law enforcement agencies last week, the agency warned that an extended economic downturn could foster an environment for extremists to recruit members who may not have been supportive of these causes in the past.
The report goes on to say that, "Many right-wing extremists are antagonistic toward the new president's administration and its perceived stance on a range of issues.”
The Homeland Security report also makes reference to the rise of right-wing extremism in the 1990's and says factors which enhanced the movement were in opposition to things such as abortion and same-sex marriage. -- It also says, "Anti-government conspiracy theories and 'end-times' prophecies could motivate extremist individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition, and weapons."
So what this says is that anyone with strong, "literal" Biblical views is a threat to our society!
Certainly I'm guilty. - I am pro-life and also believe that homosexuality is a sin. - I am also a veteran of war and do promote end-time prophecy teaching. -- Funny, but I never considered myself a threat, but I must be -- Guess I'll change the name of this website to "Dark in the Lightness".
This is all so ridiculous! The people being singled out here are those who served their country in uniform and those with fundamental Christian beliefs. -- Pretty scary stuff.
If I have to be on a list, I'm glad its this one. For myself, the one main goal for my website is to help people understand that all this craziness going on around us is predicted in our beloved, uncompromised Bible. -- Fear comes from lack of understanding. If these efforts help some to understand, then the ultimate goal is accomplished.
If promoting the truth of Jesus puts me on a list, then I am honored. -- Reach out to as many as you can 'cause time is short.
Til next time,
Red