Journey

Job and His friends attempted to reason and understand the ways of God - and there are some
principles they got right. For instance, Elihu in Job 35 said this:
9 "Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry out for help because of the arm of the mighty.
10 But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night,
11 Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?'
12 There they cry out, but He does not answer, Because of the pride of evil men.

The warning here is against self-sufficiency.  We can become so consumed in our own achievement and reliance on our human ingenuity and creativity that we ignore what God would want to do in our lives.  He is the Creator God - God my Maker, and He demonstrates His mighty power through His creation.  He teaches us far more than this world could ever show us, and it's important we lay down our human pride and self-reliance, so that we can see the fullness of His glory expressed through us.

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Our creator God demonstrates His majesty through His creation.  Psalm 145 relates how He is
glorified through His mighty works, which includes not only the beauty of humanity, but other created beings as well:
8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.
9 The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.
10 All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, And Your saints shall bless You.

We certainly love our pets; we recently had to say goodbye to our cat, who had been a wonderful member of our family for around a decade.  We can certainly be thankful to the Lord for those temporary blessings.

Today, I want to talk about the journey of a particular dog, expressed on the big screen, and the spiritual journey of a particular writer, who experienced success early on in his career, but that success caused him to lose his way.

You may remember the ABC sitcom, 8 Simple Rules.  That was based on a book called, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter - the author was Bruce Cameron.  That was so successful that Bruce began to think about how great a writer he was.  A Religion News article relates:

Putting himself at the center of his artistic universe soon took him off his career path. “I lost track of my spiritual relationship with God,” Cameron said. “I just thought, I don’t need his help. As it turns out, I do.” But overall, Cameron has relied on his Christian faith to anchor his work...

Cameron said in a Christian Post interview that after the TV show, "everything kind of went dark on us," and then...

“I thought, it's because I've been arrogant because I thought I was doing this all on my own. So I prayed to God and said, 'I can't do this without your help.' Within days of that, the whole story, 'A Dog's Purpose' just came into my head when I needed it. That has never happened before,” he said.

That book became a film, and now there is a sequel that hit theatres a couple of weeks ago, A Dog's Journey.  The film follows the golden retriever Bailey, voiced by Josh Gad, as he acts as a "guardian angel," as Religion News puts it, for CJ, who is the granddaughter of Ethan, who is played by Dennis Quaid.

Yes, the dog does go through multiple lives, but, according to Religion News, Cameron told the Christian Post, “I would urge Christians not to take it too seriously. After all, the movie opens with a talking dog, so clearly it is a fanciful tale.”  The Religion News story says:

Like the first movie, “A Dog’s Journey” plumbs dark topics, including domestic abuse, alcohol abuse, and child abandonment, all as a route to portray themes of redemption and forgiveness.

The article states that actor Dennis Quaid, who starred in the film, I Can Only Imagine, "said the movie is about more than faith. He said audiences can connect their own stories and relationships with their own dogs to the ones in the movie."

We can be reminded of several things from this information.  First of all, creation testifies to the greatness and presence of God; animals are part of that equation, and pets can be tremendous blessings.  Animals can also be used for purposes of assistance and even comfort.  God, in His wisdom, created and sustained the animal kingdom for His glory.

And, we recognize that we can know Someone who goes with us and is present on our own journey.  Regarding Cameron's journey, we have to remember to stay humble and identify and follow the inspiration to do what God calls us to do.  God wants us to have success on His terms, and we have to be cautious of the worldly success that can sidetrack us on our journey.

Into the Fray

We are members of the body of Christ, and we have been called by His name - we belong to Him.
Colossians chapter 1 says:
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

As members of the body, part of the local church and the Church as a whole, we can be part of a God-ordained entity that provides an opportunity to grow in the Lord and to encourage others in their spiritual growth.  We can be part of a unit that ministers in our local communities and contributes to the security of our local institutions.  God has strategically placed the local church so that His will might be carried out and that people may see His presence through His people.

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When we believe upon Jesus as our Savior, we are brought into His body and included in the glorious operation of the body of Christ. 1st Corinthians 12 states:
(24) But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,
25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

A headline called attention to what it called a "fraying" social fabric, and a U.S. Senator commissioned a survey to measure our social interaction, and the Church has a chance to jump into the fray and bring healing.

The headline was from Philanthropy Daily, and it said: "America's social fabric is fraying: results from Congressional report."  Early in the article, it included this statement:

...as Washington Post economics columnist Robert J. Samuelson notes, the real news—the stuff that affects your life—takes place outside the White House. “The nation’s future,” he writes, “hangs on larger economic and social trends that no president can shape.”

The comment was regarding a Joint Economic Committee report on, as the article says, "the amount of time that people spend with others, either in families, at work, in a church or synagogue, or in the community."  But Senator Mike Lee told The Atlantic that he felt that the report didn't address much about the "civil society" in our nation.  So, he commissioned a survey.  Scott Winship and his associates produced a study called, What We Do Together: The State of Associational Life in America. It covered four areas of American life: families, religions, being with other people, and work.  The Philanthropy Daily article appeared in 2017.

Here is a sampling of some of the findings:

The Census Bureau reports that the percentage of Americans who lived with a spouse fell from 71 percent in 1973 to 50 percent in 2016. Although the divorce rate rose only slightly, from 15 per 1,000 married women in 1970 to 18 per 1,000 married women in 2010, part of the reason for this small increase is that the population got older and older people are less likely to divorce than younger ones.

But, as two demographers pointed out, "if the percentage of married women of different ages had been the same in 1970 as it was in 2010," the "adjusted divorce rate" in 1970 would have been 10 per thousand married women - that makes the increase more distinct.

In the area of religion, the number of people who were "raised in a religion" declined 7 points since the early 1970's - from 98 to 91.  But, consistent with other polling, "the percentage of Americans who say they have no religious preference has risen from five percent in the early 1970's to between 18-22 percent today."

With regard to social interaction, as the article states, "We’re less likely to spend time with neighbors than in the past. The General Social Survey says the percentage of Americans who spend several evenings a month with neighbors fell from 30 percent in 1974 to 16 percent in 2016. We’re also less likely to trust others."  Even though trust has fallen overall, the level of trust in local government and friends has stayed pretty much the same since the 70's.

And, concerning the workforce, there are more women in the workforce, which means there are fewer volunteering. Fewer men are working, but they aren't volunteering, either - in fact, in a shocking stat from 2016, reported by Mark Aguilar and his colleagues: "they’re spending their days at home playing video games, particularly as the costs of games and computers has steadily fallen."

The authors of the "social capital" study say: "We may be materially richer than in the past,” and added, “But with atrophied social capabilities, with a diminished sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves, and with less security in our family life, we are much poorer for doing less together.”

So, where does that leave us in the Church?  Well, for one thing, we recognize that the Church can provide a sense of "something greater than ourselves," specifically Someone greater than ourselves.  Those of us who call upon the name of Christ belong to Him, we are called by His name, and we can look beyond this world for satisfaction.  We can bring the resources of His world into our own and allow His love and presence to infiltrate our relationships and our activities.

We know that through Christ, we can experience stability for ourselves and have the potential for stabilizing, rewarding relationships.  The world can be an insecure place, but we can look to the Lord for the security that we need.

Finally, the Church facilitates doing things together.  We were created for fellowship with God and with other people, and through the opportunities afforded us by the local church, we can be connected to the body of Christ and be part of the expression of His love.

Isolated

In John 15, Jesus expressed solid insight into human relationships, predicated on His example.  we
can read:
9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

This is Memorial Day week, and we reflect on those who have been willing to give their lives for their country, to lay down their lives for others.  Jesus demonstrated self-sacrifical love by giving His life on the cross so that men and women - all men and women - could have the opportunity to come to know Him.  And, He taught about and empowered us with a self-sacrificial love, through which we can exalt Him by exalting others, being willing to give of ourselves, so that He can be glorified.

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Imagine a world in which people exercise Godly kindness and treat people with Christ's love and respect for humanity, where the Scriptures are the centerpiece of human relationships. Romans 13
shows us what that could be like:
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

There once was a time in which the church was at the center of activity for a city or town.  That is still true in some communities today.  I think of the image of a Main Street in countless number of cities across our land; or perhaps, like in my hometown, it was Church Street.  Once you entered the downtown area, you saw the Presbyterian church on the right, the Episcopal church, then on the left the larger Baptist church, the one in which I was raised.  There were two Methodist churches that were not on Church Street, but were not too far from the city square.

And, even today, churches, in a physical sense, provide a strong statement about morality and cohesiveness.  In a spiritual sense, the Church is strategically placeD to provide hope, moral clarity, and is the representation of Christ.

But, as Tim Carney of the Washington Examiner points out, there is a sense of isolation, or alienation that has crept into our communities.  He has even written a book about it called, Alienated America.  I came across one of his pieces recently - it can be found on the Examiner website.  It's a political piece about the conditions of the election of Donald Trump, but I think it can be instructive as we see the potential of the church in culture today.  He writes:

Marriage, for instance, is retreating in the working class. Americans are increasingly segregated by income and education. And the working class is increasingly falling away from church and organized religion.

So all those liberal critics who said Trump’s election was more about culture than economics? They were right. More precisely, though, Trump support was about cultural alienation. People turned to him to fill a void left by the erosion of civil society.

I think notable to me was the way that a politician, really, a non-politician tapped into a sense of isolation and hopelessness. Carney writes that the core supporters of Trump "...saw things this bleakly because of what was most immediately surrounding them: communities that had lost the connective tissue that ties individuals together and is indispensable for raising a family and getting ahead."

In other articles, Carney has been even more forthright in decrying the decline of influence of churches.  CBN.com has featured the columnist's writing, referring to a New York Post op-ed that he had written.  Here are some excerpts:

"Belonging to a church is a crucial element of living a good, happy, healthy life. And this phenomenon ripples out from the individuals into the community," writes Carney. 

Also...

"The key is churches that deliberately and unceasingly try to build communities and become institutions of civil society, not merely places of worship. These churches teach their followers to live out their faith by serving their neighbors, and they provide the safety net and sense of purpose that only tight-knit communities can provide," Carney added.

Another CBN article stated that Carney, "...hit the road, dug into the data and compared bustling communities to busted ones." He wrote:

"And the biggest difference was the strength in community institutions, particularly in middle America it was the strength of churches. Where they were strong and bringing people together regularly you had better outcomes and where they were disappearing and the population was disappearing the people left behind were really struggling..."

Carney has his own viewpoint on what the American dream actually is, writing:

"So many people have an economic explanation of the American dream. I think that's related, but it's off-base. It's not owning a home, it's not making a ton of money. It really is being connected – usually through an institution to your neighbors, to other people who share the same common higher purpose..."

We live in a rapidly-changing culture, and we can rightly be concerned about its state, including the moral decline that we see all around.  But, we are not helpless - or hopeless - because, there is Christ, there is hope, and the Church can address the search for meaning.

We also can appreciate how the Church can build community.  People are looking for connection, for building relationships, for joint participation.  When the love of Christ is present, people can be drawn to Him as He is allowed to live through His people.

And, even though it is easy to become discouraged, the Church is still at the heart of the fabric of America and Christ's principles are integrated into the very foundation of our nation.  We abide by the principles of individual freedoms.  We, as the body of Christ living in America, are free to love those around us and to share His truth  - we can see the power of loving our neighbor and the expression of the Golden Rule.

Clinging to Life

In our natural viewpoint, we become quite tied to the physical - what we can see or hear.  But, from a spiritual viewpoint, we can participate in a realm beyond what we can see or hear, or even
comprehend. In 1st Corinthians 2, we find these verses:
9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

There is more to our existence than merely our physical senses; and God promises us, as we read here, that His Spirit will show us more about Himself.  We cannot understand the ways of God, for they are higher than our own.  But, we can recognize the fallibility of our own human understanding and reach out in faith, trust Him to work in a way that we cannot understand, that is far greater than our physical limitations.

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So often we want to live according to our physical senses, including what we can see, or by our emotions, that can tell us how to respond.  Hebrews 11 underscores the faith component, which
connects with the supernatural realm. We can read:
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

He just disappeared. Apparently, a 22-month-old child went missing from his Kentucky home and was found almost three days later. Fox News reported:

The toddler was reported missing on Sunday night around 7:30. The family spent time looking for him before calling police less than an hour later.

Family members said they weren’t sure how the child disappeared, but some believe he may have walked out the back door of their home, WYMT reported.

Search and rescue leaders told the station they used all their resources, including helicopters, drones with thermal cameras and several K-9 teams with bloodhounds to comb the wooded area near the home for about 67 hours until they found the toddler.

A ChristianHeadlines.com story related:

Rescue teams were astonished when they found Kenneth Howard perched on a 50-foot rock ledge just 2,000 feet away from his Kentucky home. He was unharmed and in “remarkably good condition,” according to those who discovered the youngster.

A report from WYMT indicated that search teams were alerted to Kenneth’s location after hearing the cries of a young child. But it wasn’t just this that the group believe led them to the stricken youngster – they also believe that there was a divine hand guiding them to his location.

“It was a team effort, and God led us in the hands and to move that way,” said Carter Conley of Magoffin Search and Rescue. “I told the father that it’s a proud day.”

A firefighter, Michael Tussey, is quoted as saying; “The man up above is the reason that boy is here,” adding, “There’s no doubt.”

Kenneth's aunt, Vicki Howard, said, “It’s been difficult, but I never did give up because I have faith,” adding, "I know God is with us because we wouldn’t have found him. I've never been one to believe in miracles but once you witness one, you'll never go back to not believing.”

A good takeaway from this story is that things are not always as they seem.  Young Kenneth had disappeared, but family members reached into that unseen realm, the realm of faith, and trusted God for His return.  When we face circumstances that we feel are desperate, we can walk confidently in faith.  Notice that the first responders conducted a search; due diligence was exercised, as it should be.   But, while we take those human steps, we can continue to recognize God's power.

Also, keep in mind that we should be careful to give glory to God when we see Him at work.  Our stories of His faithfulness can present a strong picture to the world about His love for us.  Our personal relationship with Christ is made fresh and vibrant as we honor Him and worship Him.

But Now I See

1st Corinthians 2 tells us we have the mind of Christ, and in the preceding chapter, we can read:
30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--
31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."

We can consider what we spend our time thinking about and what influences us.  God wants us to be spiritually sharp, living according to the principles of His Word and applying His truth to the actions we take each day.  He wants us to not merely consume the Word as information, as a "hearer" of the Word, but to actually do what He directs and empowers us to do.  We can think Biblically, according to the mind of Christ and the wisdom He gives, recognizing our identity in Him.

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The Lord enables us to "see," spiritually speaking, beyond the things of this world or the limitation of our physical senses, to know His ways and to discern His presence.  2nd Corinthians 4 addresses spiritual sight:
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

God can work in our lives, as we allow, to eradicate spiritual blindness.  We need to clearly see who He is and to enjoy the relationship He has given.  And, I have come across a story of someone who not only has the relationship with the Lord, but who also experienced some difficulty with her eyes.

A Faithwire article says that at the age of 40, she began to experience "excruciating pain" in her eyes.  The story states:

The excruciating pain went on for almost two years before a doctor was able to diagnose her, though he told her there would be no cure.

“I just sat there crying in my car and just saying to the Lord, ‘This is it. This is the end for me. There’s nothing else I can do,'” Shannon said. “And I explain in the book how I’m not someone whoever feels like I’ve audibly heard the voice of God but I felt in my spirit and I heard Him say to me in that moment, ‘I will be with you.’ Not, ‘I’m going to heal you. I’m going to take this away. You’re never going to have this pain again.’ Just, ‘I will be with you.’ And I felt like that promise sustained me and I knew it was true. I knew His presence would be with me despite the fact that there was no cure.”

She eventually had surgery and says her eyes are much, much better, even though she doesn't have perfect eyesight.  But, you probably wouldn't know that if you watch Shannon Bream, anchor of Fox News at Night, who has told her story in a new book called, Finding the Bright Side, in which she talks about her eye challenges, as well as her journey of faith in Christ and journey to the top of the news business.  Her husband also has experienced a major health challenge, having been diagnosed with a brain tumor just after the Breams graduated from college at Liberty University.

Shannon persevered through a difficult season, and I am reminded of inspiring people who have faced their own eyesight challenges.  I think of our friend, Jennifer Rothschild, who became legally blind during high school, whom God uses as an amazing inspirational speaker, as she teaches people how she can truly "see" in matters of the Spirit.  There's Jake Olson, who will be speaking at next month's Gridiron Men's Conference in Birmingham - according to The Hollywood Reporter, in 2017...

...he made history as the first fully-blind athlete to play in a college football game. He took the field Sept. 2 in the season opener against Western Michigan and snapped on an extra point. It was good.

Olson lost one eye when he was ten months old, and when he was 12, had his other eye removed due to cancer.  His story was told on ESPN in an Emmy-winning feature and he has gone on to become an inspirational speaker and to establish a foundation.  After that snap in the USC game, he said, according to the LA Times: "There's a beauty in it," adding, "If you can't see how God works things out, then I think you're the blind one."   He has recently graduated from the University of Southern California.

Some takeaways from these stories regarding sight:

We can be challenged to open our spiritual eyes.  Even though we can be blinded by adverse circumstances or even physical conditions, we can still "see" God's hand and sense His presence.  He wants us to know His truth and be able to develop spiritual-mindedness, so that we might think with the mind of Christ.  We can learn to be sensitive to His direction

Also, we can be inspired to recognize that we don't have to let barriers keep us from experiencing what God has in store.  When the enemy would bring discouragement into our consciousness and threaten to get us off track, we can rely on God's Word and His Spirit to strengthen us in our walk with Him.

Finally, we have the incredible potential to "see," spiritually speaking, His glory; He will work in the natural, but He is definitely operating in the supernatural, beyond our physical senses.  We can know and follow the presence of Almighty God, who desires to express Himself in the hearts of His people.

Pro-Woman

The intent of God is clear for life itself and for gender is clear from the first book of the Bible.  In
Genesis 1, we can read:
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

He has wonderful purposes for men and women; in an age in which you have people who attempt to demonize other groups through identity politics and perpetrate division, the Church has the opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ for one another and for a world that is need.  He treasures life; it is a precious gift that He has given to each of us, and all have a role in His plan; each of us in the body of Christ has a purpose.

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Discussion of the recent pro-life bill passed overwhelmingly by Alabama legislators has degenerated into name-calling, misrepresentation, and...identity politics, which seems to be the order of the day in
so many circles. Christians have to guard against that, remembering that Galatians 3 states:
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Planned Parenthood was founded the twisted eugenics of Margaret Sanger, built on racism and identity politics, where black children were singled out for extermination.  There area attempts to misrepresent and invalidate the pro-life movement because men are involved in the legislative process in passing laws limiting abortion, even though the movement is essentially a movement of women, for women.

An excellent piece at Townhall.com by Katie Yoder of the Media Research Center highlights some examples of the mistaken narrative:

“As many people noted, all 25 of those ‘yes’ votes came from white male senators,” added HuffPost reporter Alanna Vagianos.

For USA Today, Alia E. Dastagir noted the “25 white male Republicans in Alabama.”

“The bill passed thanks to the votes of a group of exclusively white, male Republican senators,” echoed Vice journalist David Gilbert.

She continues:

State Representative Terri Collins, a woman, helped sponsor the bill. Governor Kay Ivey, also a woman, signed the bill into law. In a statement, Gov. Ivey prioritized not only the protection of life, but also the enhancement of life.

She urged members to find the “best ways possible to foster a better Alabama in all regards, from education to public safety,” exposing the lie that pro-lifers only care about the unborn. “We must give every person the best chance for a quality life and a promising future.”

Women’s influence didn’t end there. Pro-life women voters elected these representatives. According to Pew Research Center data from 2014, 58 percent of Alabama adults wanted abortion illegal in all or most cases. Forty-nine percent of those were men – and 51 percent were women.

 Yoder continued to bust the narrative that abortion restrictions are in opposition to so-called "women's rights."  Consider these stats from the op-ed piece:

• An August CBS/Refinery29 poll revealed that 72 percent of millennial women are likely in favor of abortion restrictions.

• In January, a Marist poll found 75 percent of Americans – including women – say abortion should be limited to the first three months of pregnancy.

• A Gallup poll last summer found that 48 percent of Americans call themselves “pro-life,” the same percentage who identify as “pro-choice.” Other Gallup data determined that both men and women “generally hold similar abortion attitudes.”

Yoder also cites the number of women who lead pro-life organizations.  The pro-life movement is, at its heart, a women's movement, with women standing up and recognizing the humanity of unborn children and reaching out to women in crisis, a crisis that may have resulted in a pregnancy.  This was typlified at a rally in Montgomery yesterday that featured an impressive litany of mostly female speakers, with a majority female attendance.  One of the speakers, Kay Trattles of Mary's Shelter in South Alabama, shared about her ministry's devotion to providing a stable home for pregnant women.

She and so many others illustrate that pro-life people are not anti-women.  Perhaps you heard about a tweet that was sent out recently.  The Daily Wire reports:

In a tweet pointed out by Twitchy, "blue-check" author and Times of Israel blogger Sarah Tuttle-Singer wrote: "Dear Pro-Life friends: what have you *personally* done to support lower income single mothers? I’ll wait..."

The article says that "Tuttle-Singer did not have to wait long."  A sampling of responses:

I've spent the last 15 years serving breakfast once a month at a homeless shelter and making lunches for the same shelter once a month on a separate weekend...

I'm the president of the board of directors for our local domestic violence shelter...

Donated to crisis pregnancy centers. Volunteered with the Sisters of Life (highly recommend: you can be helpful just by holding a baby while mama gets food at the potluck, for instance) Offered to meet with anyone in a crisis pregnancy to talk about arranging to adopt their baby...

Applying for an open adoption, to take care of a child whose mother doesn't think she can raise the baby, and to keep mother and child in each other's lives. And I'd also add: donating to @prisonculture's Black Mama Bail Out to pay the bails of black mothers and send them home to be with their children... 

Adopted 1 and took in 3 foster who are now staying permanently. In addition to my 6 natural children.

So, those are just some.  Conservative Tribune reported: "Over 13,000 people flooded the comments section, some sharing stories about volunteering in pregnancy centers, others about how their families have chipped in to help unexpectedly pregnant mothers."

So, as we consider what we've discussed today, we can underscore that compassion for the unborn is consistent with compassion for their mothers.  It is not cold or heartless to preserve the life of the unborn child while at the same time point the woman to a better life.  And, pro-life ministries are all too aware that mothers in crisis offer an opportunity to share the love of Christ.

As the popularity of abortion declines and restrictions rise, to the extent that there may no longer be legal abortion in America - a post-Roe generation, as it's been described, the Church can be mobilized to be healing centers in our communities.  The compassion of Christ is compelling and effective in changing minds and hearts.

Blinded To Science

In consideration of the existence of God, we can look to creation - not only are there the visible wonders that provide evidence of design, but we also know there are certain laws that have been
established by God Himself, reliable laws that reflect order, not chaos. Job 12 states:
7 "But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
8 Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you.
9 Who among all these does not know That the hand of the Lord has done this,
10 In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?

The world is firmly established - the earth has been placed in just the right position to sustain life.  We are held to this planet by the law of gravity.  The hand of God is studied in the fields of biology, physics, and chemistry.  As we observe, we can rejoice that we serve and can know this wonderful, creator God, who made you and me in His image - we are fearfully and wonderfully made, reflecting His nature and His order.

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We can boldly testify to how creation points to the presence of a designer; but there are those who do
not want to admit that, because then they would be accountable to Him. Romans 1 states:
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools...

With a tip of the hat to a quirky little pop song, She Blinded Me with Science, by Thomas Dolby, we seem to have a number of folks these days who have allowed themselves to be blinded to science.  Those who reject the clear evidence of two biological genders and attempt to change the biological facts to meet a certain agenda. Those who refuse to accept the clear evidence of design throughout the earth, including the wonder of each unique human being, with distinct DNA.  Those who attempt to use what they call "science" to promote an environmental philosophy that threatens to wreck national economies.

And, there are those who are blinded to essential truths about life itself.  Fortunately, science has become a powerful ally to support the teachings of the Scriptures.  Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis wrote a blog post recently addressing the inane statements of a so-called "expert" on matters of life; he quotes Christine Quinn, who is "a board member of the National Institute for Reproductive Health and a former Democratic politician," She was on CNN on Chris Cuomo's show along with former Senator Rick Santorum.  She declared:

When a woman is pregnant, that is not a human being inside of her. It’s part of her body. And this is about a woman having full control and full agency over her body.

Ham was aghast at the statement and wrote:

So, an unborn baby is not a human being? What is it—a dog, a dolphin, a green bean? It has 100% human DNA (with a unique combination of information that came from both father and mother), and humans only produce humans, so the unborn baby can’t be anything other than a human! He or she is an individual. In fact, the woman’s body looks on this individual as foreign and would reject him or her, but God designed a mechanism to overcome this and welcome the individual for development. Quinn’s argument completely ignores biology, including genetics. It’s merely her attempt to make the evil of abortion—the murder of children—more palatable.

The unborn child is a separate, unique human being, and a woman has no right to decide to take his or her life.  Period.  Ham writes:

A baby is not part of a woman’s body. The baby begins life inside the woman’s body, but that is not the same as being part of the woman’s body. An unborn baby is a unique human being, made in God’s image, with value (Genesis 1:27). Taking that life is murder—no matter how abortion advocates try and frame it.

He adds, "...there’s no difference genetically among a human fertilized egg to the baby’s development, whether it’s one week, four weeks, six weeks, six months, nine months—all are the same unique individual at different stages of development: a 100% human being made in God’s image."

Ignore science if you wish, but the facts are clear, and God, in His wisdom and sovereignty, has made it clear, using technology such as ultrasound, to illustrate the life of an unborn child.  Knowledge has increased in this area since 1973, when Roe v. Wade was handed down; and it is time to revisit those basic principles of life and its protection.  That is why Alabama lawmakers passed the Human Life Protection Act; not to punish women, as some have contended, but to uphold life and recognize the humanity of the unborn child, made in the image of God.  We can love and affirm the unborn child and provide love, care, and support for women in crisis, as well.

Don't reject science, and rejoice that science, in so many ways, affirms the presence of a creator God.  Science and faith and not opponents of one another; rather, the laws of science were set in motion by God Himself, and scientific discoveries help to track His hand and His handiwork.

Also, we can challenge people who hold to a more humanistic point of view to consider the science that points to God's existence; creation is testifying to Him.  If we are looking to discuss the proof that He exists, we can look no further than the wonders of creation, the laws of the universe, and even in the intricacies of the human makeup - these are certainly not random, but orderly, demonstrating evidence of design.

Planting

The Lord has an incredible calling upon the Church; we are placed in this world in order to testify to
God's greatness and to boldly proclaim and live out His truth. 1st Timothy 3 states:
15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

He lives, and we can know that Christ lives in us - and He expresses Himself through the Church.  The local Church is an extension of the entirety of the body of Christ, and we are strategically placed in order to make a bold and compelling statement of His love to the communities to which we are called.  We are empowered by His might and even though there may be challenges, we can know that He is with us.

+++++

God has His people, strategically placed all around this world, in order that the gospel may be presented and that people may become Christ's disciples, growing in Him.  2nd Corinthians 5
addresses the nature of God's call:
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

There has been unrest in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, and at the heart of it is the practice of religion in that city.  The Russian Orthodox Church had planned to build a church, St. Catherine's Cathedral, there, but the planned construction has been halted.  The BBC reports that action...

...comes after four days of protests by thousands of city residents, during which 96 people were detained.

Protesters say that building St Catherine's Cathedral on a park square will destroy one of Yekaterinburg's few green spaces, which one local activist group says is "a favourite place for residents to relax".

But the Russian Orthodox Church says it needs new churches to replace the many buildings destroyed under Soviet anti-religion laws.

The protest has reached the ears of President Putin.  BBC states:

Addressing a press conference in Sochi, Mr Putin asked if the protesters were "godless", before adding: "People usually ask for a church, and here they are protesting against it."

He said everyone had a right to a view, and if the protesters really were locals - and not "activists from Moscow who came to make a fuss and engage in self-PR" - then their views need to be considered.

His solution: a poll.  He said the Church should "unite people, not divide them."  Already, it seems that the survey is underway; not one, but multiple surveys - you could even see residents divided on the results.  The plans to build a church on the site has been a source of contention since 2010, but you have to wonder if the battle is not as much about green space, but heart space: is there a hostility toward religion that is being lived out here?

Meanwhile, a Southern Baptist church plant in Canada has found smoother sailing, even though the city in which it has been established, Calgary, is "one of the fastest growing cities in North America," according to one of the planters, and "95 percent lost."  That's according to a Baptist Press article, which reports on Chris and Mindy Floras, who moved to Canada in 2017 to launch a work there.  The article states:

After inviting people to Bible studies, hosting block parties and summer camps and carefully cultivating relationships, the Floras launched Multiply Church in February 2018 with a core group of 28 people.

"It's now about 130 people who call us home," Chris said, "and we average between 60 and 70 people every week. We saw 11 accept Christ and seven baptized in our first year."

Southern Baptists planted over 600 churches last year.  The article included other praise reports of churches being started:

In Atlanta, an under-reached area in the South, Mike McKee and his team launched Image Church in January 2018. They average 191 in worship attendance, have baptized 21 people and have built strong relationships within the community, especially a local elementary school they serve.

Grace Church in Boston has a plan to multiply across the city. And in September 2018, they launched a third campus -- Grace Church West Bridgewater, led by pastor Stephen Sargent. The new congregation has baptized 27 since its launch, and on Easter Sunday 2019 they welcomed 667 people.

And the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention would plant more if the planters were available, according to President Kevin Ezell, who said, "We plant churches everywhere for everyone," adding, "We are incredibly grateful for each of these new churches and the missionaries who lead them, but we need so many more. We could plant a hundred more tomorrow if we had the qualified church planting missionaries to do it."

Let's consider together several points. First of all...

What is God calling you to do?  Maybe plant a church or plant yourself in a community & allow God to produce fruit through you - "bloom where you're planted," as it's said.  It may be in North America or halfway around the world; perhaps in difficult circumstances, as the Russians are experiencing.  Because you see...

We are all called into some sort of ministry.  May not be what is termed "full-time ministry," but 2nd Corinthians reminds us that we are ministers of reconciliation.  Christ has come into our lives, and He does not want us to keep it to ourselves.

Also, we recognize that it is not always smooth sailing to do the work of ministry.  Ministry is incredibly rewarding work; hard at times, challenging at times, no doubt.  There can be opposition or outright hostility.  But the presence of Jesus sustains those who are called into church ministry, and it's important that we pray for and affirm our leaders.

Finally, we remember that the local church provides the stability and source of teaching that new believers need and gives mature believers the opportunity to grow and serve.  The work of evangelism and missions is important, but so is making sure new believers grow in the Lord - Jesus calls us to be His disciples.

Mischaracterized

We can rejoice in who God has made us to be - formed in His image, created for His glory, and
anointed for His purposes. Exodus 4 states:
10 Then Moses said to the Lord, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."
11 So the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?
12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say."

Our lives have been ordained by the giver of life, the Lord God Almighty, and we as humans do not have the right to determine who lives or dies.  We also are created in a certain way, made to be male or female, and it is not up to us to try to alter or manipulate the gender that He has assigned us; not a doctor, not a parent, but God Himself.  When we accept the decisions of God, we can experience peace and satisfaction, knowing that He has a glorious purpose for us.

+++++

I want to share some verses from Deuteronomy chapter 30, which can teach us that our decisions
should be based on God's Word and affirm life. We can read:
14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.
15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,
16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.

These words, spoken to the children of Israel, continue in verse 19, as God addresses His people:
19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live...

Since the remarkable events of last Tuesday and Wednesday regarding the life issue, there has been plenty of mischaracterization to go around - including the false accusations that pro-lifers do not care about the women who bear children because they may no longer have access to abortion, which, of course, is a "woman's right."  You have those who try to paint pro-life people as being "pro-birth," who do not care about the women or their child after they are born.  And, then there are those who believe the bill was extreme because of its lack of a rape or incest exception - that was necessary to 1) confirm the personhood of the unborn child, regardless of the circumstances of the child's conception and 2) to directly confront the language of Roe v. Wade, which essentially stated that the product of pregnancy was not a child, a contention that science and technology have refuted.

I want to deal with two areas of mischaracterization: the charges of lack of compassion for women in crisis pregnancies who do not have abortions and the lack of compassion for rape victims in this legislation.

A piece on the Human Life International website says:

As “Hanoi Jane” Fonda once fumed, “The whole issue of choice has nothing to do with the fetus. Have you ever asked yourself why [pro-life people] have so much concern for the egg while it’s growing inside a woman, but so little concern for the child once it’s born? For anti-abortion activists, it seems life begins at conception and ends at birth.”...

This was at a Utahns for Choice dinner in 2000.  The article continues:

This, of course, is a complete inversion of reality. Try to imagine a pregnant young unmarried girl whose parents have kicked her out of their home. She calls an abortion clinic (any abortion clinic!) and asks if they can help her with housing, baby clothes and formula, and other needs. At worst, the abortion mill staff will laugh at her; at best, they will quickly refer her to local social service agencies. Now imagine the same pregnant girl calling her local crisis pregnancy center. She will usually find all the help she needs.

So the next time somebody follows the lead of “Hanoi Jane” and criticizes pro-lifers for not caring for women or their children after birth, ask them to perform this mind exercise — or better yet, make the calls themselves.

I want to revisit an article that I cited a few months ago from the Charlotte Lozier Institute, which documents the incredible work of pro-life people in pregnancy resource centers.  Consider the evidence:

Over 2700 locations.

Almost 2 million people receiving free services, saving communities $161 million a year.
295,000 mothers and fathers taking parenting classes.

Plus, as the article notes, "24,100 after-abortion support clients were seen in 2017 (services include support, counseling, and referral to professional help when appropriate for both women and men)."

Pregnancy centers are also involved in "community-based sexual risk avoidance education presentations," with one million students attending in 2017.

Of the over 67,000 volunteers at CPC's, some 7,500 are medical professionals.

Not caring about the women?  Far from it.  The Church, through its support of these centers, is uniquely positioned to minister to women, men, and their children.

Now, let's move on to the rape exception, that seems to be a sticking point for some.  Again, this was not included in the Human Life Protection Act because of a belief that a child's life in the womb should not be terminated because of the circumstances of its conception; and from a legal standpoint, it would cause contradiction if it were included.

Family Research Council relates the story of Rebecca Kiessling.  Her mother was a rape victim.  The FRC website states:

Back in 2012, Kiessling had a chance to sit down with Texas pro-life Governor Rick Perry and explain to him, “When you make that rape exception, it’s like you’re saying to me that I deserved the death penalty for the crimes of my father. According to the U.S. Supreme Court, my father didn’t even deserve the death penalty. The Supreme Court has said there is no death penalty for rapists. But you say that I, as the innocent child of rape, deserved the death penalty?” He never fought for a rape exception again.

And, the story goes on:

Just last week, Ryan Bomberger – who’s never met his birth mother – made a moving video on his birthday, May 5, dedicated to his mom. “On this day, many years ago, I was born. Some say I should’ve been aborted. I was adopted & loved instead.”

The article concludes with this powerful statement: "We should all be grateful that Alabama understands what the rest of the Left does not: every life has potential."

These developments can remind us of several concepts.  First of all: the unborn child is a person, not a blob of tissue or some sort of "pre-human."  I believe that is a Biblical fact that is backed up by science.

As a person, a human being, the child deserves rights.  And, that personhood does not depend on the circumstances of his or her conception.  The child is a separate individual, while dependent on his or her mother in the womb, yet possessing his or her own characteristics.

Finally, the education process continues.  The Human Life Protection Act was written to protect life and to present a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, which does not affirm the humanity of an unborn child, opening the door to the lives of millions of children being taken - under the guise of a so-called "women's right to choose," a right that is inconsistent with not only Biblical truth, but the writings of our founders in the Declaration of Independence, which declares the right to...life.

On Strike

We find a strong statement about God's ordination of life, from the womb, in Job chapter 31:
13 "If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant When they complained against me,
14 What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?

We can consider that we are all creations of God - regardless of the circumstances of our conception, an unborn child is a living, human being and has the right to life.  The American founders referred to that right in our own Declaration of Independence.  Who are we, as mere mortals, to try to inject ourselves into immortal truth?  We have no right to stand in the place of God and attempt to decide who lives or dies - we are called to humble ourselves before His ways...in matters of the sanctity of life and ultimately in matters of how we live our lives.

+++++

In Psalm 139, we find Bible verses that reinforce the concept of the sanctity of life and the humanity
of an unborn child. We can read:
13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

Yep, it's out there: the so-called "war on women."  It's back.  Actor Alyssa Milano said so, in a tweet.  A woman in Alabama just signed a law, sponsored in the Alabama House by a woman, to affirm the personhood of the unborn child after seven out of nine men, as it's been pointed out, voted to take it away in 1973.  Now, with greater evidence of the humanity of the child in the womb through technology and perhaps a judicial sentiment to reverse that heinous decision, Roe v. Wade is under fire.

And, Hollywood certainly doesn't get it - the same old, same old pattern and empty threats, predictions of impending doom.  An LA Times article has some of the reaction:

Lady Gaga called the move “a travesty” on Wednesday and said she was praying for the women and young girls in the state.

"It is an outrage to ban abortion in Alabama period, and all the more heinous that it excludes those that have been raped or are experiencing incest …,” the pop star said on Twitter.

Perhaps she needs to consider the language of the bill and why, from a legal standpoint, to strengthen the legal argument, that the rape and incest exemption was not included.

Chris Evans, yes, Captain America, tweeted this out, according to the article: "This is absolutely unbelievable. If you’re not worried about roe v wade, you’re not paying attention. This is why voting matters!!"  Actually, I agree with him on some of that, but not for the same reason.  It was a stunning margin of victory for the bill, granted, and voting does matter: the composition of the courts, including the Supreme Court, is changing, and it is a glorious opportunity to undo the harm that has been perpetrated on our nation through Roe.  60 million babies killed, countless women who are not "shouting" their abortion, as one Alabama reporter asked ladies to do, but are suffering because of their abortion.

John Legend says, "These statehouses are waging all-out war on women and their right to control their reproductive decisions..."

An article on The Hill website posted a tweet from Milano, who said, "There have been nearly 30 bans on abortion introduced, passed, or signed into law in statehouses around the country this year alone...This is Trump’s anti-choice agenda and part of the GOP’s war on women."  

Milano has been vociferously opposing pro-life legislation, to the extent that she recommended that women not engage in sex in order to promote her agenda. She tweeted out: "Our reproductive rights are being erased. Until women have legal control over our own bodies we just cannot risk pregnancy. JOIN ME by not having sex until we get bodily autonomy back. I’m calling for a #SexStrike. Pass it on."

Pro-life activist and former Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson in a recent Townhall commentary, wrote:

Liberal Hollywood actress and activist, Alyssa Milano, has come up with a brilliant idea to promote her agenda of women having complete control over their bodies and of course, abortion access for everyone for any reason whatsoever: go on a sex strike.

Imagine that. Johnson writes, "...if less people are having sex who are fine with abortion, then there will be fewer unplanned pregnancies, which means less abortions. Then abortion clinics and Planned Parenthood won’t meet their abortion quotas and lose money, forcing them to cut back on services or even close. Such a great concept."  And, she goes further to advocate, for a rebranding of abstinence education:

Her #SexStrike campaign will finally have positive effects across the country as administrators can re-brand abstinence education as “sex strike education.” Liberals should have zero problems with this.

Joseph Beckholm of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, according to ChristianHeadlines.com, tweeted out: “This could be accidentally amazing...If women stop having sex with men they aren't married to: STDs plummet. Every kid has dad around. Women don't feel used. No more abortions cause women are no longer pregnant & alone. What's not to love? Do it ladies! Make men earn it! #SexStrike.”

Yes, there is plenty of sarcasm and irony to go around, as Christian commentators have been pointing out that abstinence is being promoted by a pro-abortion actor.  It would be great if this could generate a serious discussion of the benefits of abstinence, even prompted by bizarre circumstances.

After all, as Beckholm suggests, abstinence is a 100% effective antidote to unwanted pregnancies.  The abortion rate among unmarried individuals would go to zero if they practiced abstinence.  For those that promote more and more abortion, under any circumstances, which is a minority of the American population, by the way, abstinence completely undercuts their agenda.  That's good.

There has been a need for an education process in our country about abortion.  It's not, as a banner flown behind a plane in Montgomery says, OK.  It may be legal, but it is certainly not moral; it's not Biblical.  A woman bearing a child does not have the right to take that child's life.  And while Roe v. Wade said an unborn child is not a person, technology and science, consistent with a Biblical perspective, produce evidence that he or she is.

Adhere

The Church has great potential to impact our society for the Lord; it is strong because Christ, the
Head of the Church, is strong. Colossians 1 says:
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

When things are in their proper order, it positively impacts the individual and the culture at large.  When our lives are submitted to Christ, we can display His love and walk in His ways.  This can affect those with whom we interact.  When love is evident and hearts are touched by the Spirit flowing through us, viewpoints can change, and the principles of God can permeate our society. I believe this is God's intent - that the Church would grow in spiritual maturity and that His people would reflect His glory.

+++++

Jesus addressed the durability of the Church in Matthew 16, where we read this:
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

We are being duped.

Christians are being told that the future of the Church is dependent on our inclusion of those who embrace the LGBT agenda.  Historic Biblical teaching is being redefined, somehow, to say that those who practice homosexuality should be allowed to identify as gay and to continue in that practice without Biblical prohibition.  If we don't do this, we're told, the Church will fold.

Trouble is, for them, it's not true - Jesus emphasized the longevity of the Church, built of the foundation of His truth, and Glenn Stanton of Focus on the Family has the data that shows Christians don't have to accept homosexuality to preserve the Church.

On The Federalist website, Glenn responded to a USA Today article by Oliver Thomas that predicted doom and gloom for churches if they do not embrace homosexuality.  Stanton begins by quoting Thomas, who said, "Churches will continue hemorrhaging members and money at an alarming rate until we muster the courage to face the truth: We got it wrong on gays and lesbians..."

Stanton writes:

We don’t have to wonder whether Thomas is correct. Not only is he wrong, but an impressive body of very strong data and experience demonstrates the precise opposite of what he claims is true.

Yes, many churches are hemorrhaging members, and have been since the early 1970s. But anyone who studies these things carefully will tell you this is happening almost exclusively in the more politically and theologically liberal mainline churches. These are the same churches that are doing exactly what Thomas calls for: rejecting the credibility and authority of Scripture.

Stanton contends that the Church should not acquiesce on basic teachings, and points out:

Research done jointly at Harvard and Indiana universities makes this clear, reporting that the number of adults attending liberalizing mainline churches has tanked precipitously from 35 percent of the American population in 1972 to 12 percent in 2016.

He relates, "This decline of the mainline churches began in the early 1960s when they started to question and officially change their positions on historic Christian basics..." Stanton writes, "The Harvard/Indiana University research also shows that the churches that take the Bible as the reliable word of God are doing very well. Compromising on biblical truths was, and is, a devastating church-growth strategy. Holding fast to these truths and preaching them boldly is a very effective one."

This is consistent with Pew Research findings, as Glenn states:

Pew’s “America’s Changing Landscape” explains that, between 2007 and 2014, mainline Protestant churches declined by 5 million adult members. This is hemorrhaging by any sober accounting. Churches in Pew’s “evangelical” category grew in absolute numbers by about 2 million between 2007 and 2014.

And, in what might be regarded as a rather surprising finding, Stanton writes:

Research conducted jointly at Columbia University and the University of California at Los Angeles by scholars who are not shy about supporting gay politics found that gay- and lesbian-identified people are 2.5 times more likely to attend churches that took a more conservative view on Christianity (including homosexuality) than the so-called “welcoming and affirming” congregations that celebrate it.

There is also a study from Canada, which found this:

Comparing and contrasting mainline churches that were growing with those that were shrinking, their data showed conclusively that mainline churches holding more conservative theological beliefs and practices experienced congregational and spiritual growth. The theologically liberal churches only saw decline.

Regarding the demand by some that the Church change its views on a host of issues, including sexuality, Glenn Stanton writes, "It’s finally time to stick a fork in the liberalizing project within Christianity that has been hard at work over the last 60 years or so. Hard numbers judge it a massive failure on every measure year after year."

The Church does not have to cave.   We are being told that the compassionate and tolerant way is to accommodate what the Bible calls sin.  And, candidly, even though the numbers were to dwindle, we can be satisfied that we have held fast to truth.  But, as Stanton points out, the numbers are apparently NOT declining for the churches who choose to uphold the Word of God.  Remember: Adherence to truth is not intolerance.  Rejection of Biblical truth is.  It's intolerance not only for the principles of God, but for what is best to address the lost, human condition.

We can be encouraged to let God's Word shape your philosophy, not popular culture.  It's very easy to buy in to the popular narratives; they're all around us.  That is why we have to regulate our intake and make sure that we have a healthy dose of Scripture on a consistent basis.

Departure

We have to be so careful that we are holding on to God's truth.  There are multiple influences that are seeking to redefine what it means to be a Christian.  How we live our lives is to be centered on God's
Word. We read Paul's exhortation to Timothy in 2nd Timothy chapter 4:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

We can consider the importance of passing on truth to others.  And, we have to make sure that the principles that are being taught are consistent with God's Word.  What may sound good and righteous may in fact be a departure from the heart of God.  So, humbly, submitting to the authority of God's Word, we study and allow His Spirit to direct us.  We can develop and exhibit a strong devotion to truth and be careful to implement it.

+++++

In Psalm 145, we read a passage that underscores a topic area we have been exploring this week - passing on truth to generations to come.  We can read:
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. 

5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works.

There have been two major deaths impacting the Christian community over the last few weeks.  Warren Wiersbe has impacted many preachers and teachers of the gospel throughout the years, and his impact on evangelical Christianity cannot be understated.  But, much of the attention has gone to the passing of Rachel Held Evans, who, at 37, leaves behind a husband and two young children, dying of a complication following an infection.

In the social media world and on a number of Christian websites, the Evans death received the lion's share of the attention.  Truly, this is a young woman who had an impact.  And, while we should be sensitive in this time to someone who has recently passed away, I think it's important that we critically examine the impact of her teachings, as well as those who carry her message.  Because of the wealth of attention that her death has received, I don't think it's a stretch to say that people will be investigating what she wrote about - and that is why a warning should be sounded.

Evans, by no means, embraced orthodox teaching of the Scripture.  She admittedly ditched her evangelical upbringing and was exceedingly critical of it.  She pushed for full LGBT inclusion in the Church and was a strong proponent of redefining the roles of men and women.  She was "pro-choice" regarding the abortion issue. She typlified what many call "progressive" Christianity.  A Washington Post article proclaimed her as the "most polarizing woman in evangelicalism," which is odd, considering she did not identify as an evangelical during the latter years of her life.  Her books were removed from LifeWay stores.  I do not wish to disrespect her or her family; she, because of her sincerity and her conviction, gained admiration even from those who disagreed with her.

Rod Dreher, at the American Conservative, wrote an excellent piece about the response to Evans' death.  And, he outlined the mob mentality that came against his friend and Breakpoint speaker John Stonestreet, who penned what I regarded as a touching, sensitive, and even-handed tribute to Evans - he knew Rachel, her husband, and her father well, having attended and served on the faculty of Bryan College in Dayton, TN.  But, he was excoriated for his truthfulness; Stonestreet removed the article from the website who published his piece, Christianity Today, which ham-handedly tried to explain why, after deciding to publish it, felt it had not been a good idea.  Reportedly, John had learned that he had offended a member of the family.  Unfortunately, we find all too often among progressives, even those who belong to the progressive wing of Christianity, that criticism of their views yields an attempt to silence differing opinions, and some of Evans' followers seem to reflect that perspective.

Dreher quotes from Anne Kennedy, who wrote a critical analysis in the aftermath of Evans' death. In paraphrasing her writings, he said she believed that "RHE had departed so far from the core teachings of the historic Christian faith that she had departed the church." She had written:

...we are not sitting at opposite sides of one long table. We are not eating of the one bread and drinking out of the one cup. We are talking about two different faiths, two different kinds of love, two different lords.

Christians who love sinners, as Christ has commanded them to do, must speak the truth about who that God is, and who we are as his creatures. Moreover, we ought to pray that those who are walking away from his warm and gracious mercy will turn around, will repent, will walk back toward him. And that when they come to the haven of the church, the church does not throw away that mercy by saying that it is something other than what it really is.

And, that's where we are getting to today.  Read social media, especially from supporters of RHE, and you see a totally different approach to the Scriptures.  I agree wholeheartedly with Dreher that we are not attempting to debate Rachel's salvation or place in eternity; only God can judge.  But, she, and so many of her "flock" have departed from an orthodox view of Christianity to the extent that it is unrecognizable in some circles.

Alisa Childers summarized Evans' viewpoint in an analysis of material from the intro to one of Rachel's own books, saying that Evans herself had "three theological approaches:"

• Historical Criticism

Historical Criticism deals with the legitimacy of the writings of Scripture. The earliest threads can be traced to the 16th century, and they started gaining ground in the 18th. Generally speaking, historical critics don't believe the Bible is divinely inspired, and they typically believe the Old Testament was not written until the Jews went into Babylonian captivity in the 6th century BC. The conclusions of these critics usually fall in line with a secular, naturalist view that denies things like miracles and the supernatural.

• Liberation Theology

First developed in the 1950s and 1960s, Liberation theology is a way of interpreting the Bible through the lens of oppression and liberation. With a strong focus on the plight of the poor, liberation theologians believe the number one job Christians have is to align themselves with the marginalized and work to create a more just society through political and social means. In this view, the heart of the gospel is social justice, not sin and redemption.

• Feminist Bible Interpretations

An offshoot of liberation theology, feminist theologians began re-interpreting the Bible through the lens of female oppression by patriarchal structures in the 1960s and 1970s. Female empowerment becomes the ideal the biblical writings point to. Feminist theologians typically resist the use of male pronouns for God and the idea of female submission in marriage. They advocate for women in clergy positions and for reproductive rights.

It seems as if the response to Rachel Held Evans' death falls into three categories: 1) those who enthusiastically embraced her teaching, 2) those who respected her even though they disagreed with her, and 3) those that believe that she had departed from the faith and led people astray.  I am probably somewhere between #2 and #3, but do believe that her questioning of faith traditions and Bible doctrines could negatively influence especially young Christians who need to experience unmitigated truth.

The occasion of one's death provides an opportunity to evaluate a person's life.  This is common when a well-known person passes away.  And, because Evans was in a high-profile teaching position in the Church at large, her work should be open to scrutiny.  Just as mine or yours should be.  So, we can consider how we are influencing people positively for the Kingdom, or conversely, how our actions might be adversely affecting people.

The critical evaluation of Evans' life also can cause us to look at her associations.  Some of her more voracious defenders also share her broad view of what it means to be a Christian.  I was concerned to see some high-profile teachers tweet out glowing words of praise for Evans; but likewise and thankfully, you will find those who did not.  The LGBT inclusion, the redefinition of the role of women (to the extent that this tired "patriarchy" viewpoint seems to be prevalent), the questioning of the authority and authenticity of Scripture - these are all perspectives that are embraced by this bold, new generation of so-called Bible teachers who are attempting to redefine Christianity.  We have to be humble before God and dedicated to truth; it's good to have discussions and debate, but our discussions should be centered on a respect for His principles.

Heart Condition

The mind has been described as a battlefield, and the enemy would want to infect and affect our minds so that we embrace his deception rather than the truth of the Scriptures.  We read in 2nd
Corinthians 10:
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...

When thoughts are not grounded in Scripture, we become vulnerable to buying into and believing the lies of the enemy.  We have to strengthen our minds and take to heart the Scripture that says we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  If we are not spiritually sensitive to errant thoughts and thought patterns that develop in our minds, we can be led astray from the truth of Christ and make some drastic, life-altering decisions.  We have to stay alert and be strong.

+++++

In Acts 10, we find Peter preaching about the nature of Christ.  We can see the operation of evil in this world today, and it's important that we pay attention to God's Word, so that we might carefully and accurately respond to those who have succumbed to evil impulses.  Acts 10 states:
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all--
37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

I want to segue from yesterday's commentary and say a word about heroics.  In the midst of tragedies, often we can find stories of self-sacrifice.  In the recent Denver school shooting, there was Kendrick Castillo, about whom CBN News wrote:

Wednesday night a vigil was held to honor 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo and the eight students who were hurt in the shooting at the STEM School Highlands Ranch.

Castillo died protecting his classmates, leaping from his desk and charging the two school shooters to give other students a chance to escape.

His father is quoted as saying, "He did what he had to do, and I knew that was my son's nature. That was who he was..."  Similar comments are being made about Riley Howell; the Charlotte Observer stated that he, "died in the UNC Charlotte shooting....after pinning the gunman down and thwarting attempts to kill more of his classmates. (One other student was killed and four more were injured, but police have repeatedly asserted that Howell ensured there wasn’t further violence.)"  The report said:

Riley Howell was always there with a kind word or a kind gesture for others. That if you needed him to, he’d go to bat for you, no questions asked.

And that his heart was pure.

A friend related that Riley "...didn’t look for the bad in people — he only saw the good.”

These are gratifying moments to consider when you think about these two gentlemen who stood in the face of evil and sought to do good.  We can strive to uphold good and to allow the power of God to flow through us when we face opposition, and realize that we stand in the face of evil every single day.

A picture is coming together of the shooters in the Denver tragedy.  Another CBN News story reported that one of the suspects, in 2014, had "expressed hatred for Christians on Facebook."  The story states:

"You know what I hate?" he said. "All these Christians who hate gays, yet in the Bible, it says in Deuteronomy 17:12-13, if someone doesn't do what their priest tells them to do, they are supposed to die," he said in his post. "It has plenty of crazy stuff like that. But all they get out of it is 'ewwwwww gays'."

Also, the article relates that John Fenton of CBS Denver had tweeted that a car that had been towed away from the same suspect's home had a profanity painted on the side, as well as "666" and "what appears to be a pentagram on its hood."

And, according to CBN: "KMGH Denver reported that sources said the second suspect is transgender male in the midst of transitioning from female to male."  The CBN story adds:

The Denver Channel reports that the motive "went beyond bullying and involved revenge and anger towards others at the school," and that one suspect "was involved in legal and illegal drug use and had been in therapy."

This story does seem to have disappeared from the headlines, unfortunately.  It simply doesn't fit the popular narrative.  Fox News reported that some of the school's students walked out of a recent vigil.  The article states:

“STEM School students walked out of a vigil tonight after @RepJasonCrow & @SenatorBennet spoke,” tweeted Kyle Clark, an anchor with 9NEWS in Denver. “Students said their grief was being politicized. They later returned, took the mic, and some said they didn't want to be used to promote gun control.”

One of the purposes of the vigil, reportedly, was to remember the life and heroism of Kendrick Castillo. Fox reports that "According to the Denver Post, some of the students who walked out of the vigil on Wednesday night were chanting 'mental health.'"

There is a place to debate regulations of the buying and selling of weapons, but ultimately, the use of a weapon to take life is rooted in a human being's heart.  And, this story already has several themes: drugs, perhaps devotion to Satanic ideas, a suspect who is having issues of sexuality, and, as students called out, issues surrounding mental health.  It's doesn't fit into the standard gun control narrative.  And, students didn't appreciate attempts to shoehorn them into that perspective.

And, the shooting doesn't fit into the attractive ideological pattern. Scott Whitlock of Newsbusters points out that, "One of the two shooters at a high school in Colorado hated Christians, Republicans and praised Barack Obama. Yet none of the networks have, so far, covered his angry social media posts. This is in contrast to other occasions when they have tried to pin violence on conservative ideology."  It's reminiscent of the reduced media coverage that the Easter massacre that consisted of attacks on Christian targets, with reaction marked by high-profile politicians referring to Christians as "Easter worshippers."  Keep in mind, you are being played.

Now, let's go back to the mental illness angle.  This seems to be confirmed by a New York Post article that centers on not only Erickson, but Maya McKinney, who is transitioning and refers to herself now as Alec:

The Daily Mail reported a friend of Erickson and McKinney commented on a social media post that said the duo were troubled and didn’t get the help they needed.

“Devon did not do what he did because he’s a liberal, or to make a statement,” the friend wrote.

“He did it due to internal struggles. They’re both struggling with mental health issues and this is a time for awareness.”

The friend then addressed McKinney.

“Had people supported him in the way that he needed and deserved, he would not have struggled so much that he got pushed over the edge… Please recognize that mental health awareness is important. Supporting LGBT youth is important. They didn’t get the help they needed, and they NEEDED it,” the friend went on.

Notice the allegation: both had mental health issues.  McKinney did not receive the support that she needed.  But, the right kind of support is key.  This is an opportunity for the Church to identify and minister to troubled teens.  Some say that youth who identify as LGBT need support, but in the form of affirmation for their lifestyle choice; I would contend the support comes in the form of truth delivered lovingly.  In the debate over violence in culture, it's important to identify and Biblically address the root causes, which may stem from a troubled mind and a life apart from Christ.