We Preach

When we need the right words to say in a particular situation, we can rely on the presence of the Holy Spirit to speak through us. In Luke 12, we find these words:
11 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.
12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

We are living in a culture that needs to see Godly wisdom in action and to hear the words of God spoken. We can develop a sense of boldness with dependence on the Lord, who has given us powerful resources, in order that we may represent Him well. In the midst of turmoil and the presence of anger, we can be the people of peace, who are praying in unity and proclaiming truth as God directs. He is the One who gives us the direction to know what to say at the proper time.

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Acts chapter 4 tells the story of a man who had been healed as the result of the prayers of Peter and John.  These men were bold to preach God's Word in an increasingly hostile situation.  We can read 
these verses:
18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

The stunning destruction of property and lack of wherewithal by officials in cities across the country to do something about it certainly can make Americans feel unsafe.  Two brothers who until recently operated a deli in Chicago have experienced the effects.  As Faithwire reports: "Juan Riesco and his brother, Jose, were heirs to a flourishing family business — Nini’s Deli — in downtown Chicago."  In the midst of protests, the article says...

Having since left Chicago in the wake of the restaurant’s forced, permanent closure, Riesco told Faithwire he and his brother are focusing on ministry.

“If they’re gonna protest,” he said, “we’re gonna preach.”

Everyone certainly has a right to peaceful protest. The brothers chose to make a Biblically-informed statement, rather than tow the line for the protesters who wanted to force them to adopt and endorse a point of view that violated their faith.

“I had felt in my spirit that I needed to, yes, take a stand [against] injustice, but also take a stand, most importantly, for Christ,” Riesco explained. “Because my business was so successful, by God’s grace, we had a lot of eyes waiting on us to make a statement about what was happening.”

It all came to a head on June 5, when, "Nini’s Deli shut down permanently as liberal protesters descended on the once-popular eatery."  Faithwire notes:

Tensions only rose when Riesco’s brother Jose began brashly preaching during the raucous protest outside the deli, calling out many of the protesters for their “wicked agenda.” With his at times confrontational style, he talked about how his brother once identified as gay but “Jesus fixed him, straightened him out.”

The bottom line: "Ultimately, the social pressure proved to be too much: the constant protests, the endless stream of social media posts slandering the restaurant, and the cancelled partnerships with big-name brands resulted in Nini’s Deli having to permanently closed its doors after a decade of business."

Across our land, we have seen others adopt the viewpoint, in the midst of sometimes violent protests or enormous social pressure, that they will be a witness for Christ.  Kenosha, Wisconsin is one of those places.  According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, there were "Hundreds of people gathered in Harbor Park along Lake Michigan" last Thursday for the purpose of prayer and transformation.  The article says:

“Transform our city, Lord God,” local faith leader John Lalgee exclaimed to cheers and outstretched arms.

The article relates:

Earlier in the day, volunteers worked to beautify the boarded-up downtown businesses with coats of paint and messages of love, and a Minneapolis-based Christian band played worship music to a dancing crowd in a park near much of the damage.

And, the newspaper notes: "At the prayer service, several faith leaders spoke on the same theme. Healing is possible through love and unity, they said."

The article referred to comments by Lawrence Kirby, pastor of Acts Church in Kenosha, who said, “Kenosha for a couple days was like a war zone,” adding, “People are hopeless and tired and frustrated.” He said, "In the midst of protests and all kinds of other gatherings...the church should be gathered as well.”

Like the Riescos, these Kenosha pastors believed that if some were going to protest in violent and angry ways, they would preach. It's an informing contrast, isn't it?  I thought it was interesting that Pastor Kirby, according to the article, mentioned the "religious roots of the civil rights movement."  There was certainly a strong faith element during that time period, in which many who desired social change were motivated by faith and the Church was a key component.  

Not so in this new wave of social protests, which has come to be increasingly marked by destruction and an endorsement of anarchy - and the positive vibes that were generated after the death of George Floyd, the intentionality and energy to improve race relations, have degenerated into a more widespread display of anger and lawlessness.  

And, as I mentioned last Thursday, a survey shows that over 6-in-10 Americans do not wish to express their views out of fear.  But, the Church can continue to be emboldened to speak its views - for the worth of all individuals and to express a sense of peace.  In the midst of violence and anger, we can go to prayer for peace.  People need to see the expression of the presence of Christ, the hope of the world, who teaches us how to love one another and possesses the power to enable us to do so.  But, our approach is vastly different from the anarchists, the perpetrators of chaos, who want to force everyone to adopt their views.  We can be empowered to speak what God shows us in His Word.

Public Faith

God uses imperfect, sinful people to accomplish His purposes. That includes each of us, certainly, but He also will lead us to have a significant impact in our communities and even our nation.  Proverbs 14 
states:
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

We can determine that we will follow the way of righteousness - in our own lives individually, and to make a statement to our society that we will follow the ways of God.  That is reflected in the decisions we make, led by the Holy Spirit.  He has given us a story and He has provided for us a voice with which to tell it.  We can rejoice that the Lord is faithful and He is actively working through His people, so that He may be honored.

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The Bible addresses issues concerning Biblical authority - set against a background of lawlessness in our streets, we have seen in the last two weeks examples of orderly selection of those who aspire to lead our nation. Romans 13 states:
1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

One of the themes that I will explore commonly on my radio show is that our Christian faith should drive all of our decisions, including matters of politics.  Certainly, there are those Christians who are ridiculed for being "too involved in politics," but I believe the selection of leaders and attempting to influence policies represent opportunities for believers to be salt and light.  And, it's interesting that you hear some believers who will call other Christians out for political involvement, yet it seems they're only calling out those who disagree with them politically.

This week, perhaps you have seen or heard a variety of outspoken Christians take to the stage at the Republican National Convention.  These are believers who take their participation seriously and attempt to communicate their worldview.  We need faith in politics - faith that is consistent with the Bible, faith that produces "good works," and faith that makes a strong statement in what is called "the public square."

Take, for instance, Jon Ponder.  He is a former bank robber, but had a special moment at the convention.  According to Faithwire:

Jon Ponder, a former bank robber pardoned Tuesday evening by President Donald Trump, said Wednesday afternoon that it “was 100% Jesus” who turned his life around while he was behind bars.

“I want to thank God for turning my life around,” Ponder told Fox News’ Dana Perino. “It was 100% Jesus that turned my life in a 180-degree turn in another direction and I cannot stop thanking Him enough.”

On Tuesday, the President said: “While Jon was in prison, he began reading the Bible and listening to Christian radio,” adding, “One day, he heard the Rev. Billy Graham on the radio proclaim Jesus wants to be Lord of your life. On that day, Jon dedicated his life to Christ. He spent the rest of his time in prison studying the Bible.”

The Graham family was represented this year by not only Franklin Graham, who prayed during the Thursday night program, but also his daughter, Cissie Graham Lynch, who delivered a message centered around the Trump Administration's defense of religious freedom.  A Faithwire article states:

She told viewers that under the Obama-Biden administration these freedoms were under attack.

“Democrats tried to make faith organizations pay for abortion-inducing drugs. Democrats tried to force adoption agencies to violate their deeply-held beliefs. Democrats pressured schools to allow boys to compete in girls’ sports and use girls’ locker rooms. Those are the facts,” Lynch said.

“Then we the people elected Donald Trump. The people of faith suddenly had a fierce advocate in the White House,” she added. “He appointed judges who respect the First Amendment. He supported religious beliefs in court. He ensured that religious ministries would not be forced to violate their beliefs. He reversed the policies that placed our little girls at risk,” she continued.

To counter the well-known Democrat position on support for abortion on demand, Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood director who is leading abortion clinic employees out of the industry, stated, according to the same Faithwire article:

“For me, abortion is real,” Johnson said. “I know what it sounds like. I know what abortion smells like. Did you know that abortion even had a smell? I’ve been the perpetrator to these babies…to these women. And I now support President Trump because he has done more for the unborn than any other president.”

Johnson reminded viewers that “life is a core tenant of who we are as Americans. This election is a choice between two radical anti-life activists and the most pro-life president we have ever had. That’s something that should compel you to action,” she continued. “Take action that re-elects our president and do it with our very most vulnerable Americans in mind. The ones who haven’t been born yet.”

Two relatively recent Meeting House guests were part of a panel of hostages who had experienced freedom, a discussion hosted by the President.  The Christian Post quotes Andrew Brunson, an American pastor who was imprisoned in Turkey, who said: "You took unprecedented steps, actually, to secure my release and your administration really fought for me..."  The article also says:

The sixth hostage, Bryan Nerren, thanked Trump for sending a letter to his wife as he was held captive in India. “It really gave her the hope and the peace.”

“From that time forward, as more people got involved, especially the ambassador there in India, things became more peaceful … and the hope was there for the last four months, that we really would get to come home,” he added.

Other high-ranking Christians who have participated in the Convention include Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who addressed the gathering from Jerusalem, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, and Vice-President Mike Pence, who accepted his nomination Wednesday night at Fort McHenry. 

The President accepted his nomination with a speech that covered a variety of topics, as outlined by CBN News.  The President asked: “...How can the Democrat party ask to lead our country when it spends so much time tearing down our country?”  The report went on to say:

He touted the strong economy, trade deals, low unemployment, Supreme Court picks and his response to the Coronavirus for reasons to vote Trump in November.

“When I am re-elected the best is yet to come,” Trump said.

ChristianHeadlines.com quotes the President as saying: "...in this country, we don't look to career politicians for salvation. In America, we don't turn to government to restore our souls. We put our faith in almighty God.”

David Brody of CBN tweeted out this quote from the President: "Democrat politicians refuse to protect innocent life, and then they lecture us about morality and saving America's soul? Tonight, we proudly declare that all children, born and unborn, have a GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO LIFE."

One of the notable aspects of the Republican National Convention, besides the lack of large crowds to greet the speakers, were the testimonials of real people who wanted their voices to be heard.  That is beauty that is woven in the fabric of America - we can live free, we can be who we are, and we can, or should be able to speak freely.  And, people were sharing their experiences.  Unfortunately, there is an intimidation factor that results in people like Sen. Paul, who was accosted last night as he left the White House, and others, who have been the victims of so-called "protesters" who are really agitators who want to significantly alter the American way of life.  That is why we need to pray for our nation; Franklin Graham gave a great example last night - the Decision Magazine website quoted from him:

As we come tonight, our country is facing trouble. Tens of thousands are in the path of a deadly storm. The pandemic has gripped millions of hearts with fear. We’re divided. We have witnessed injustice. Anger and despair have flowed into the streets. We need Your help. We need to hear Your voice at this crucial hour. 

We ask that You would unite our hearts, to be one nation under God—for You are our only hope.

We declare today our total dependence upon You and our need of repentance as a people.

The nominating conventions are over, and now the work of prayer and action has begun. It is important that you register to vote and engage people on the issues at stake, from a Biblical perspective.  Compare the stated positions of the candidates with the Scriptures - allow a Christian worldview to determine your vote.  We don't have to be intimidated by those that want to diminish Christian involvement in the public square - those who chide believers for "being too involved in politics" or dismiss their patriotism by ridiculing them for their "Christian nationalism."  Look around, study the history - this is a nation established on principles consistent with the Scripture - have we made mistakes?  Certainly.  But, liberty is part of the wonderful foundation of our nation, and we can look ultimately to God as our defender.

Shutting Down

In the strength of the Lord, we can walk with confidence, showing the people with whom we interact 
that we are devoted to Him. Habakkuk chapter 2 says:
2 Then the Lord answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
4 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

We are equipped to be people of vision, who exhibit godly direction and whose lives are rooted in the truth of Scripture. And, we have the Holy Spirit, who enables us to speak that truth, even to an audience that may not be willing to hear or receive it.  In an age where intimidation seems to be an unfortunate component of interpersonal communication, we can walk free from fear and demonstrate the soundness of speech and mind that the Scripture teach.

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There is a profound effort to demand that people adopt viewpoints that are not Biblical in nature - there are some whose machinations have become so strident that they are being counterproductive, and since there is apparently a lack of Biblical foundation, it results in chaos and destruction. Christian believers are better than this, and we can strive to boldly share God's love and truth. Hebrews 10 states:
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37 "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

We are living in the age of the "cancel culture," and there certainly does seem to be an intimidation factor at play, situations in which people are afraid to speak their mind, to express an opinion, for fear that there could be negative consequences of speaking out.  I would contend that Christians have faced this in a number of settings, including the workplace and in education.

A new poll by the Cato Institute has received quite a bit of attention. The survey asked respondents to indicate whether or not they agreed with this statement, according to an article at the CNSNews.com website: “The political climate these days prevents me from saying things I believe because others might find them offensive.”  The article says:

Sixty-two percent (62%) of Americans agreed, up from 58% in 2017, leading Cato to conclude that “self‐​censorship is on the rise in the United States.”

The only group, or "cohort," in which a majority felt comfortable in sharing their opinions is "strong liberals."  According to the article, Cato concluded:

Nearly 6 in 10 (58%) of staunch liberals feel they can say what they believe. However, centrist liberals feel differently. A slim majority (52%) of liberals feel they have to self‐​censor, as do 64% of moderates, and 77% of conservatives. This demonstrates that political expression is an issue that divides the Democratic coalition between centrist Democrats and their left flank....

By a 25-point margin - 77 to 52% - Republicans were more fearful of sharing their viewpoints.

Across the board, around a third of Americans "fear that their careers would be harmed if their political views were known." And, here's an interesting finding: "31% of Americans said they would support firing a business executive who donates to Pres. Donald Trump’s reelection campaign and 22% would back firing one who personally donates to Joe Biden’s campaign." This rises to 50% of self-identified "strong liberals" believing a Trump supporter should be fired, and 36% of "strong conservatives" believe that about Biden supporters.

  

The article says, "even those holding mainstream views are being intimidated into silence, Cato concludes."

It is clear that, in many circles, if you do not virtue signal and pledge allegiance to the dangerous narrative of identity politics, there will be consequences.  Maybe retaliation.  We, as people of faith, need to pursue a better way.

For the Christian, we can learn to share our views in a reciprocal manner; we don't want our own opinions to be shut down, and we should strive not to automatically shut others down because their opinions differ from ours.  And, we have to be confident in the compelling nature of a Biblical worldview.  We can strive to share our faith in a manner that draws people in, rather than repulses them.

We can certainly recognize that not all will accept your point of view, but continue to look for ways to share it.  We are not called to give up in our relating of God's truth, but we are to give over our tongues to the presence of the Holy Spirit.  He is the one who will give us strength and enable us not to fear. We don't have to shrink back, but to press forward.

Still Here

If we are still here on this earth, we can be confident that God has a unique purpose for each of us, and 
He is expressing His goodness toward us. 2nd Thessalonians 1 states:
11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,
12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that God is good and He is faithful.  When we face life's difficulties, we can choose to reject His ways, which is certainly not advisable, or we can press in to Him, to seek His face and learn to trust Him wholeheartedly.  We can know that He is with us, even now, and we can draw strength by reflecting on His "exceedingly great and precious promises," to which the Word refers, and on how we have seen Him work in our lives in the past - we can rejoice that He has sustained us and that He is faithful.

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In the early verses of the book of Philippians, Paul writes about the work of God in the lives of his 
readers, saying:
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

I am back in the Faith Radio studios for today's edition of The Meeting House, and during the days to come, I will be offering conversations from the Fall 2020 Christian Product Expo, which took place this year in Wilmington, Delaware.

To say the least, it was an unusual year for a semi-annual event that brings together Christian retailers, publishers, authors, and others involved in communicating Christian truth.  It has been a difficult season for those who sell Christian products in the midst of COVID-19, following an upheaval in the publishing industry.  In many areas, local Christian bookstores and even national chains have gone away.  But, as it was said to me multiple times, the personal touch is important, the relationship between Christian retailers and their customers is an element that cannot be duplicated online.

And, to tell you the truth, my coverage of this show is something that cannot be duplicated online. I think it is important on occasion to bring face-to-face conversations from a variety of locations.  I have been planning to attend the CPE Fall Show for months, and as we continued to ride through the coronavirus crisis, I communicated with scheduled and potential guests about an online option.  In the end, I decided, less than a week ago to go ahead and follow through with attending.  I have no regrets that I did.

The look was different, with social distancing and mask requirements and an emphasis on sanitization. It came together, though, and I really believe many who attended felt a sense of God's leadership in placing them right where they needed to be - and they were dedicated to self-preservation by keeping their distance, when possible, and loving their neighbor by wearing a mask.  In the body of Christ, we were designed for human fellowship, and this group of hundreds of people were determined to put it into practice.

And, I heard stories, and you may already have and certainly will hear stories of people who have stared down death or the possibility of being sidelined by the enemy, but they have persevered and trusted Christ.  

Yesterday, maybe you heard the conversation with Sioni Rodriguez and her daughter, Scheila Singley; Sioni was sold into human trafficking three times - by her mother.  Scheila was staring a long prison sentence in the face.  The family certainly had spiritual strongholds at play, but recognized the work of the enemy and experienced the power of the Holy Spirit to break the hold of the enemy, who could have taken them both out, spiritually speaking - but God had other plans!  They are now being used of the Lord to tell His story.

Coming up, you'll meet Sharon Harris - she was actually born in Wilmington, but her family moved to South Central Los Angeles.  Sharon fell into drug use; she was given her first drink by her grandmother at age 8, she had her first child at age 12, as a ward of the state.  Her circumstances looked hopeless, but God stepped in and turned her life around; as she said to me, she shouldn't be here.  But, He has been faithful.

Ginny Dent Brant could say that too - she faced a different type of menace in her life, contracting cancer.  But that occurrence motivated her to dig deeper, to study the disease and the contributing factors, to seek the Lord and to discover His design.  Through her embracing of God's principles and His hope and exercising treatment options, she experienced His healing in her life from a deadly disease.

Robin Luftig was told to take 10 days to get her affairs in order as she faced a brain tumor - the surgery could have several different outcomes, including death.  In the midst of that short time period, she discovered more about the faithfulness of God and saw how God used that time as a time of training and recalibration for her life.  He walked with her, and she came through.

In all of these cases, these ladies have discovered the grace of God - and the purpose of God!  They are still here on this earth, and as it's been said, that means that God is not finished.  Their faithfulness to tell their stories is being used by the Lord to bring honor to Him and encouragement to readers. Plain and simple, we are here on this earth, at this moment, to serve.  You have a place in the Kingdom and you can depend on the Lord to walk with you.  One day, He will take you home - but not yet!

So, we can accept the fact that He has preserved you; now you can attempt to discover the "why?" And, you can tell the story of what He has done for you.  I remember the CPE conversation with Linda Howard, who stopped by Faith Radio/Meeting House Media Central to discuss a new Bible product that is in the form of a graphic novel; she spoke of the "story" of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  I would contend that woven in God's overall story that we find in Scripture is your own story, a story of redemption through Christ and how Jesus has worked in your life.  We can be challenged to be faithful to talk about what God has done for us.

Screened

In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 6, Jesus spoke powerfully about what we allow our 
eyes to see and how we process that information. We can read:
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

I believe that Jesus is warning us to be careful what we allow into our minds - the eye is one of the gateways through which content enters; if we accept content that is contrary to our beliefs, then it enters our minds and ultimately can pollute our spirits, if we do not reject it.  That is why it's important to build a spiritual firewall - there is so much information, and we have to be cautious to accept or reject what we are exposed to and take steps to protect our eyes and minds from what could be detrimental to our spiritual lives.

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We can be wise in the choices we make, including in the areas of entertainment, making sure our convictions determine our decisions. Psalm 101 states:
2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.

The entertainment company said it was coming, but it may have been sooner than some might have expected - recently, the Hallmark Channel aired a movie called, Wedding Every Weekend, about which its promotional videos, according to ChristianNews.net, "depict a scene where two women 'wed' each other." The article says:

“It really reflects the world that we live in now,” states actress Makayla Moore in a behind-the-scenes video. “It’s exciting to celebrate love in all its forms.”

She and actress Carmel Amit, who play Amanda and Vicky, “wed” each other in the movie as a minor role.

One of the lead actors Paul Campbell, who plays the role of a man who attends wedding after wedding with a female friend and eventually they become involved themselves, said in in the promotional video, "What is so important about what we’re doing in this movie is acknowledging the fact that love is love..."

That is a trite phrase that has become somewhat of a mantra for LGBTQ individuals - it is called "love," but Romans 1 offers a different opinion, describing homosexuality as a practice that is not pleasing to God. It satisfies sinful passions, so while some call it love, it doesn't reflect God's ideal and meet His definition of love.

Hallmark's capitulation to the gay agenda will come as a disappointment to Christian families who have come to trust the channel to program family-friendly movies, especially during the Christmas season.  The ChristianNews.net article relates:

As previously reported, in December, the Hallmark Channel reinstated airing a same-sex commercial from the wedding planning site Zola after initially pulling the advertisement as it was “distracting from the purpose of [the] network.”

The company said it would also work with the homosexual advocacy organization GLAAD to make the channel more inclusive of homosexuals.

“Hallmark will be working with GLAAD to better represent the LGBTQ community across our portfolio of brands,” it stated.

And, the article states: 

Parent company Crown Media Family Networks advised last month that it is in “active negotiations” as it plans to include “LGBT storylines” in its “Countdown to Christmas” and “Miracles of Christmas” programming later this year.

The story says that a Crown Media spokesman told NBC News that the channel would be announcing "LGBTQ storylines, characters, and actors," part of an "exciting" series of announcements.

You can be looking forward to faith- and family-friendly movies coming in the next few months. Labor Day weekend will present two offerings in the Christian space, including a movie coming to streaming called, Switched, in which two different young female characters - one popular and one not - switch bodies.  Nicole Weider of Project Inspired, who will be on The Meeting House soon discussing the film, said, according to The Christian Post, “Switched has the power to change people’s lives and give perspective to students who are struggling with bullying and comparison in school,” adding, “I am so excited to see the ways this film will positively impact the lives of young women.”  Weider is Executive Producer of and and actor in the film.

Also on Labor Day Weekend, as the article points out, through its own new streaming channel, Sight and Sound Theatres, which reopened its two locations a few weeks ago, will offer a live performance of Queen Esther.  Katie Miller from Sight and Sound will also be on the radio show soon.  Miller is quoted by The Christian Post as saying: "This year has been incredibly challenging, but we continue to see the faithfulness of God each step of the way...After canceling over 200 shows, and knowing that hundreds of thousands of people would not be able to experience the powerful message of 'Queen Esther,' we knew we had to do something."

Other upcoming films include The Order of Rights, which apparently offers a pro-life perspective on the humanity of an unborn child, Small Group: The Movie, which depicts a filmmaker who discovers the vibrancy of Christians gathering together, Never Again, which explores the prevalence and effects of anti-Semitism, and 2 Hearts, which follows the lives of two couples and how they are drawn together by life's experiences.  Later in the fall, you can expect, When We Last Spoke and The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland.

One of things that occurs to me is that our entertainment choices, like our other choices in life, should be consistent with our Christian beliefs.  The Bible is clear about what we should and should not allow to penetrate our minds. And, while Hallmark has made an ill-informed decision to follow the culture, even though I believe the company miscalculated the equation of how the new LGBTQ-friendly people it may pick up will not offset the large numbers of viewers that it may lose, it certainly has a right to do so, and all viewers have a right to decide not to watch - it's the beauty of the free market. 

Fortunately, the free market of ideas can allow Christians to make movies, too, and to market them and hope people will be attracted to good stories, well-made films, and a Biblical worldview. Witness how it appears that I Still Believe, which portrays the love story between Christian musical artist Jeremy Camp and his late, first wife, will be playing in a number of theatres once they reopen in the next few days - it did well enough when it opened in March just as COVID-19 began to spread that it remains viable, apparently.  We can strive to communicate truth to our culture.  Fortunately, as I mentioned yesterday, Christian radio generally and Faith Radio specifically continue to make powerful statements to a culture that needs to hear the gospel.

Pandemic Regimen

We have been blessed with the opportunity to serve God wholeheartedly and to bring Him glory in our endeavors. Our prayers, time in the Word, and fellowship with Him give us the direction and strength that we need in order to navigate this world. Psalm 31 states:
14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God."
15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.
16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies' sake.

Think about that phrase, "My times are in Your hand." That can bring us tremendous comfort; we can draw strength from the daily knowledge that He is with us and will determine and direct the steps that we take. He gives us the resources we need in order to make good decisions and to walk in clarity and confidence, dependent on the teachings of Scripture and the power of the Spirit.  We can declare and reflect that He is our God.

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Colossians 3 gives us some perspective and motivation as we recognize our call to live for Christ.  We can read:
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

An organization that is devoted to making sure that faith-friendly workplaces are created and sustained, the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation (RFBF), is, according to a CBN.com report, touting the findings of the Pew Research Center, which has found that "55% of US adults, totaling 115 million men and women, have regularly turned to prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic."

CBN says that the RFBF believes this is "good news as it also points to the importance for employers to include faith as a part of their resources for employees as businesses try to navigate the workplace in the present coronavirus world." The story adds that, "Many industries are realizing that faith-friendly environments mean better workplaces and ultimately better businesses." Companies with such environments apparently include Intel, American Express, American Airlines, Salesforce, and DELL Technologies."

While you can conclude that some people are making prayer a part of their pandemic regimen, it is by no means the most popular.  As CBN and the Pew summary relate, 89% of those polled are watching television or movies on a daily or weekly basis.  The Pew summary notes that 73% responded by saying they watch TV or movies every day, with 57% saying that they spent time outdoors daily.

CBN also states:

Many Americans (84%) are also spending free time outdoors or talking to family and friends using the phone or video (70%).

Scripture reading was reported among the less common coping activities. Three-in-ten US adults say they read scripture at least weekly, and a quarter meditate each week to cope with the pandemic, according to Pew.

But, the Pew survey does report that some Americans have been involved in a charitable activity during the COVID-19 crisis; its summary says:

U.S. adults have spent time or money helping others during the pandemic in a variety of ways. Four-in-ten say they have helped friends or neighbors by delivering groceries, running errands or helping with childcare. Three-in-ten report having volunteered or donated money through a nonreligious charitable organization, and 18% have done the same through a religious organization.

We are called to be excellent time managers and take the necessary steps to glorify God in our lives. We also have to be so careful what we take into our consciousness. When entertainment takes precedent over our spiritual activity, including prayer and Bible study, our lives can begin to reflect what we take in. 

The COVID-19 crisis has given many people more time on their hands.  The question really becomes if and how we have managed that time and have we managed it well.  We can rely on the Holy Spirit to help us use our time wisely and to show us how we can maximize our time with Him. It's not a matter of "making time" for Jesus, but allowing Him to govern the time that He has given us.

It mentioned the organization that is attempting to put a greater priority on faith in the workplace. It is heartening to see that some companies draw a line from, not between, faith, morale, and performance. Christians who are praying and living according to the Word are capable, by God's power, of making a strong impact in the work to which they are called.

Back to, Well, School

Weekly on Faith Radio, our Director of Ministry Relations, Billy Irvin, presents a "ministry update" for us.  In 1st Corinthians 16, we find that the apostle Paul gives an update on his ministry, sharing what 
you might call a "status report" of his activities. We can read this:
5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia).
6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go.
7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.
8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.
9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Two key phrases in this passage - in verse 7, he writes, "if the Lord permits."  The other is in verse 9, where Paul refers to a "great and effective door."  We can make sure that we are seeking and doing the will of God; we might develop plans, but we have to make sure that the affirmation of the Spirit is upon them.  When God opens doors, we can depend on Him to direct us and sustain us, even though there may be, as Paul notes, "many adversaries."

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We can be sensitive to the doors that the Lord is opening around us, having our spiritual sensitivity 
trained for Biblical response. Colossians 4 states:
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,
4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

This year, as students return to classes, they may not be returning to a school building, per se. School will certainly be, for many, where they are.  It could be a home, a dorm room, or...a church.

The Religion News website reports:

From Connecticut to Hawaii, congregations are seeking ways to support families still smarting from last spring’s sudden adjustment to home-based learning during the pandemic lockdown. They’re exploring how underutilized church buildings might be put to a new use that allows education to continue while freeing up parents to work and attend to other responsibilities.

Proposals range from hosting students during online classes to providing study hall space for them to work independently.

The article points out:

The churches in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that were planning, as of late July, when this article was released, to provide "remote-learning" sites for groups of students.  At one church, according to the article, "Church volunteers would enforce health protocols, tutor and lead prayers to begin and end the day."  A church leader also cited socialization as a key element.

Churches in a rural North Carolina county that had been involved in feeding students during the spring, who were granted several wi-fi hot spots and charted a course for 40 hours a week of study hall.

In Connecticut, over a dozen churches were preparing host sites for children to learn virtually. The article says that the school district "found that thousands of students were not engaging in school virtually from home. Among the reasons: no internet at home or no parental oversight of the learning process."

The article relates that these sorts of ideas present opportunities in ministry, quoting Angela Gorrell of Baylor University, who said, “This is a way of reimagining children’s and youth ministry during a pandemic in a really amazing way that serves families and meets concrete needs,” adding, “You can connect with kids in your neighborhood who might not otherwise be a part of your children’s and youth ministry.”

Now, this is by no means simply a matter of opening the doors in order for churches to bring in children during a pandemic.  Religion News says:

There are some challenges to hosting students in churches, from extra sanitation requirements to liability concerns, but optimists believe those can be managed by following guidelines from governments, denominations and insurers.

Still, some faith leaders regard it as too risky for their congregations to undertake.

This is certainly a conversation starter that can help us to think about ministry in our communities and neighborhoods.  The idea of schools and churches partnering together is not new, and there seem to certainly be new avenues here in the midst of the pandemic.  I think of the Adopt-a-School program that Tony Evans and his church have had in motion for years.  Moms in Prayer International, formerly Moms in Touch, has been involved in praying for schools - which is a worthwhile pursuit for anyone to do - in a formal or informal manner.

Now, there are health protocols that have to be considered before a church accepts anyone, including school children, into its building.  But, where there is willingness, we can trust the Holy Spirit to show us ways in which we can do ministry and alleviate barriers to it.  In His wisdom, He will direct us.

Down the Amazon

There is a distinct contrast between the ways of the world and the principles of Christ, and we know that the gospel thrives when worldliness is diminished. We should place our trust in God, who calls us to a higher standard. 1st John 2 states:
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

The ideologies of this world that are centered on human endeavor and wisdom are going to be in stark contrast to the principles of Scripture.  The Word of God is a reminder of not only the love of our Creator, who designed human beings to function best when submitted to Him, but a reminder of the devotion that He requires and the consequences of disobedience. Those who choose to reject those ways are somehow thinking that mankind can supersede the all-powerful God.  We have to make sure we are not blending worldly thinking with the mind of Christ.

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The 4th chapter of the book of 1st Peter, which was contained in my daily Bible reading yesterday, is centered around the Biblical view of suffering and specifically suffering with Christ.  Consider these 
words:
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Later, Peter writes:
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

The Amazon River in South America has acquired quite a reputation for its danger - those who attempt to navigate it have to be aware of the pitfalls that await.

And, an adventure through the mega-shopping site of the same name can sometimes be less than a pleasure cruise. The site has acquired a reputation of removal of material that reflects a Christian worldview.  

For example, just last year, Anne Paulk, the leader of Restored Hope Network, who has been a guest on The Meeting House program, discovered that her book, Restoring Sexual Identity, had been banned by the retailer; that's according to an article on The Stream website, which related that: "In early July, Amazon quietly removed more than a dozen books from the world’s largest e-commerce marketplace. The titles, most by Christian authors, address issues of same-sex attraction and homosexuality from a faith-based perspective."  Anne Paulk, a former homosexual, says her book, "is designed to help women who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction and want to leave homosexuality."

A couple of weeks ago, Faithwire published a story about a pro-life film that had been removed from Amazon Prime.  The article stated:

Amazon has removed a pro-life film from its platform, citing poor customer reviews as a primary reason for the action – the only problem with this claim is the movie had mostly 5 star reviews.

“It has over 340 reviews on Amazon, most of them – 90% – are five star reviews,” filmmaker Marcus Pittman said. ‘I was trying to figure out what about the reviews would make them determine it was not suitable for Amazon Prime..."

Pittman is described as "an advocate of the ministry End Abortion Now, which equips churches in the fight against abortion." The film in question is called Babies are Still Murdered Here. It "released in October 2019 and made its way onto Amazon Prime Video by December 2019. It’s the sequel to the film Babies are Murdered Here, also by Pittman."

Pittman believes that the key words included in reviews caused the movie to be pulled; he says: “Some of those key words were words like pro-life, end abortion, pro-life movement. That, to me, is the only reason why they would remove the movie.”

And, days ago, John Stonestreet of the Colson Center and Breakpoint tweeted this out:

Just received from @amazon: “We are writing to let you know that the following detail pages have been removed from our catalog:

Title: Growth into Manhood: Resuming the Journey During a review, we found the subject matter of your book violates our content guidelines for books.”

As Stonestreet later clarified, he did not write the book; it was one he was trying to sell. But, the point is made: a book that offers a Christian perspective faced restrictions because of so-called "content guidelines."  Reminds me of the former Atlanta Fire Chief,  Kelvin Cochran, who was fired because of the book he wrote offering a Biblical view of manhood.

Truth is, the messages of the Scriptures may not be the most popular, but are certainly the most powerful. But, in order for them to be effective in a person's life, he or she has to surrender and commit to laying down one's self.  That's certainly not the way of the world these days, it seems. Well, the world's independent spirit is driven by submitting to something else - a perspective that leaves out the ways of God.  Just like the Bible said it would be.

But, that doesn't mean that we do not contend for the presence of the Christian message in the marketplace of ideas.  Which makes what Amazon and other media giants despicable.  Why, even yesterday, the brilliant Christian satire site, The Babylon Bee, was banned from Twitter!  A really creative bunch that uses the literary device of satire to help us confront the truth about ourselves and our culture...banned for some sort of "violation."  We are not necessarily trying to win a popularity contest or rise in the polls, but we are acting in order to please, as Big Daddy Weave puts it, an "audience of one."  That means we continue to stand for Him and disseminate His truth however we can.

Delivery

The message of salvation has come to us, sent "special delivery" by Jesus coming to earth, in the form 
of a man, so that He could die in our place and bring us to Himself. 1st Thessalonians 2 states:
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,
12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

Christ came to proclaim the message of salvation, to illustrate our need for a Savior and to give His life in order for that to come to pass.  We were in no position to save ourselves and did not even have the means to do so. But, God in His mercy saw us in our sin, and provided the sufficient substitute - Jesus came to pay our penalty because we could not.  Out of His great love, God has saved us and commissioned us to share what He has done for us.

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God has brought the message of salvation to us, sending His Son to die so that we might live - and we are called to deliver His message through our obedience to Him. Romans 10 says:
13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

The coronavirus crisis has dramatically altered a variety of areas in which we live our lives. For instance, in the restaurant industry, dine-in has been replaced by such notions as home delivery and curbside pickup. The availability of products and services delivered to our homes was already established prior to the pandemic, and delivery systems continue to make sure that these things we need or desire are coming to our homes.  And, worship services are being delivered to us through online and other platforms.

A major Southern Baptist conference center in Oklahoma that is accustomed to having between five and eight thousand students attend its summer camps had a dilemma going into the summer of 2020.  Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center decided that since the students couldn't come to camp, they would take camp to the students, in the form of 14 Falls Creek Road Shows, according to an article on the Baptist Press website. 

Program Director Todd Sanders stated, “I thought the whole Road Show experience was really positive on a number of levels,” adding, “All of us coming together as Oklahoma Baptists made a well-rounded event a success.”

Over 3,000 people attended the 14 events, with over 400 total decisions being made, including 120 professions of faith in Christ. Plus, a Virtual Falls Creek was offered, that still remains online, which, based on Sanders' comments, "includes group Bible studies, sermon and worship set videos, breakout video content and other resources to help churches have a student camp event."

The article relates that:

In March, when the pandemic was beginning to affect the whole country, Sanders and other group leaders, as well as Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists, and other leaders began planning what to do if the Falls Creek summer weeks could not happen.

“Dr. Dilbeck presented the idea of the Road Show, and that is what stuck,” Sanders said. “I don’t think we referred to it necessarily as ‘Road Show’ at the time or even knew what that meant.”

So what about the content for these Road Show experiences?  Baptist Press quotes Sanders as saying, “We wanted to platform the Gospel and offer an invitation. We also wanted to offer students an opportunity to connect with missions and ministry.” It goes on to report:

Sanders said what helped students answer the call to ministry was hearing Caleb Freeman’s testimony. The 19-year-old, along with his father Jeremy Freeman, pastor of First Baptist in Newcastle, Okla., shared how he miraculously recovered from a severe car accident in December 2017.

The Road Shows also shared a video featuring two Oklahoma Baptists who are now serving in international missions. Brian Baldwin, student evangelism and missions partner for Oklahoma Baptists, gave a missions mobilization emphasis at each Road Show.

And, there was a special presentation for graduates: "U.S. Senator James Lankford, former Miss America Lauren Nelson-Faram, North American Mission Board leader Shane Pruitt, as well as state pastors and Falls Creek worship leaders and speakers gave encouraging messages for the Class of 2020."

So, it was all wrapped up and delivered to students across the state.

This is yet another example of how ministry continued in a creative and effective way, even in the midst of a pandemic.  And, there are several lessons for each of us.

This Road Show concept demonstrates out-of-the-box thinking.  The leaders, faced with the cancellation of a summer of activities, looked for ways for ministry to go on.  So, they took to the road, delivered to students across the state - and they took it to the stream, by offering a virtual option.  When we encounter a barrier to what God has called us to do, it's helpful to know that He is a source of wisdom, and we can seek Him for direction; after all, it's His work, and He is very good at providing ideas and resources.  

We can consider how we can get the gospel to people.  Sometimes we expect people to come to our church or ministry activity, and certainly these are effective models.  But, we can consider how we can get the message to the people, outside the traditional church structure.  After all, isn't that what Jesus did?  He went to where people were in need, they assembled - out of doors, in many cases - and He preached to them.  He even provided food in miraculous ways.  And, He continues to get the gospel message to us, a message of a God whom we could not reach because of the barrier of sin, who reached down to us, who came to us by sending His Son, so that we might know Him. 

God has "delivered" us.  He brought the message of salvation to us through Jesus, the Word who become flesh, and He has now delivered us, according to Colossians 1, out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.  He is our deliverer, who is actively working in the lives of His people today.

Leadership Lessons From Liberty

Ephesians 5 tells us to be "imitators of God," and a few verses later, Paul writes these challenging words:
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;

4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

1 Thessalonians 5 challenges us to avoid even the appearance of evil.  Appearances can be deceiving, so it is said, but we have to try, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, to steer away from situations that could reflect poorly on our Lord.  As the Bible teaches, we should not be a stumbling block to anyone and we don't need to give ammunition to the devil to destroy our reputation.  So, we have to watch how - and where - we walk.

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We have to watch how we walk as believers, because you can be reasonably assured that perhaps someone else is watching how you walk.  We are ambassadors of the Most High God and should take 
that responsibility seriously. Ephesians 5 says:
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit...

You might say it was bound to happen - speaking here with a sense of irony, a high-profile college administrator used his "liberty" to bring dishonor to the school that was established by his late father, to the family name, and to the name of the Lord.  Not a major moral failure, but a series of small indiscretions that ultimately led to Jerry Falwell, Jr. to be placed on a leave of absence from Liberty University, which has been hailed as one of the largest, if not the largest, Christian universities in the world. The local newspaper in Lynchburg, Virginia, where the university is located, the News and Advance, offered this about the most recent developments at the school:

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. is taking an indefinite leave of absence starting immediately, the university announced Friday.

In a statement, the university said Falwell agreed to step aside after the executive committee of Liberty’s Board of Trustees requested he take a leave of absence.

In a statement issued late Friday night Jerry Prevo Chairman of the Liberty University Board of Trustees noted the growth and success the college has experienced since Falwell Jr. took the helm but said “Unfortunately, with this success and the burdens of leading a large and growing organization comes substantial pressure.”

Prevo asked for prayer for Falwell so that, as he put it, "he may be able to fulfill God’s purpose for him.”

A picture was posted on Instagram of the university president with his arm around a woman other than his wife, with both their midriffs revealed, and his - and her - pants partially unzipped.  The incident that spurred the action had to do with a costume party aboard a yacht, which featured a video parody of a video series called, "The Trailer Park Boys." He went on local radio and apologized, saying that the woman in the picture was his wife's assistant and she was pregnant and his pants were too tight, blah blah blah.  Not a good look for a man in his position.  Not a good look for a professing Christian.

But, this was what you might call the proverbial "last straw" for Falwell.  The News and Advance says:

Last fall, he was accused of leveraging the university’s business interest to enrich himself, family members and friends. In the spring, he faced a fierce backlash — and a class-action lawsuit — for his decision to invite students to return to campus dorms after spring break amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In recent months, he has battled accusations of racism after posting a tweet invoking Gov. Ralph Northam’s blackface scandal to mock coronavirus-related restrictions. The ensuing scandal prompted several prominent Black student-athletes and faculty members to leave the school and provided fuel for riotous activity in downtown Lynchburg.

Emma Green, generally an even-handed reporter on matters of faith, did a summary story for The Atlantic.  She mentioned that Falwell...

...laughed the incident off: “I promised my kids I’m going to try to be a good boy from here on out,” he said. But alumni and staff who had previously expressed their concerns about Falwell in private began openly calling for his resignation, including Representative Mark Walker of North Carolina; many of them noted that any number of Falwell’s actions would have gotten a Liberty student written up.

She contends that the photo mocking Virginia's governor may have the precursor to the latest action, writing:

Enough of Falwell’s supporters saw that photo as a debatable political stunt that the controversy dissipated. But it was still a turning point—a moment when pastors, alumni, and board members began questioning whether Falwell should stay in his role.

“It was just particularly disturbing,” Ike Reighard, a pastor and Liberty board member, told me. “Every leader carries two buckets in their hand. One bucket has water. One bucket has gasoline. And the test of leadership is to know when to throw which bucket.”

Reighard also told Green, “Years ago, I promised the founder, Jerry Falwell Sr., that I would serve on the board as long as I was asked to continue to do so, and to help try to be part of the spiritual barometer that he always wanted,” noting that Falwell's son's actions demonstrated “some lapse in judgment.” The pastor also said, "Character is a lot easier kept than regained,” adding, “I’m praying that the character can be regained by everyone that’s involved.”

There is also concern about the effect of Falwell's antics on evangelical Christianity in general.  Green writes:

Even within the Liberty world, alumni worry that Falwell’s name has become synonymous with the word evangelical, and see the association as misguided. “To say that Jerry Jr. speaks for evangelicalism is a misnomer, because he himself did not want to wear that mantle,” Brandon Pickett, a pastor and Liberty alumnus who is the associate executive director of the Southern Baptist Convention in Virginia, told me. “As Jerry himself has said many times, he is not a pastor, and he is not the spiritual leader.”

But, the fact is, we are all called to be spiritual leaders, in a sense, setting an example for others to follow.  One of things that comes to mind for me is how we carry ourselves as a believer.  Humor or attempts at humor can be a double-edged sword.  Humor has its place in life, but I have made feeble attempts at humor, only to wonder why I said or did something in the first place.  I am sure the people on the yacht thought this whole idea was funny, as did Jerry Jr., but it certainly backfired.  Scripture has plenty to say on that matter.  But, we always should consider how we are reflecting on our Lord and making sure that how we act is consistent with who we are as a Christian.  I think that the dignity that we exhibit can be a powerful example of the presence of Christ within us.  It's been said that Liberty trains "champions for Christ" - a champion for Christ represents Him well.

I think you also have to be very cautious about your social media postings.  Apparently, Robert Downen, the Houston Chronicle reporter who wrote the series exposing abuse in a number of Southern Baptist churches, is the one who discovered the provocative photo and distributed it more broadly on social media.  The picture in question was deleted, but its effect continues.

The apostle Paul taught on Christian "liberty."  As the Scriptures say, all things are lawful, but not all are profitable. Certainly the Falwells were free to host this party, which featured behavior that students could get suspended for, such as the fake "smoking" of cigarettes or even alcohol use. But, in our liberty, we have to make sure that we are not engaging in behavior that is dishonoring to the Lord, which can cause others to stumble.

Ultimately, Falwell's accountability structure worked.  Now, he has been under criticism for years for questionable statements and behavior.  I do not know what the Board of Trustees has perhaps said or done in its dealings with Mr. Falwell. But, we do see that ultimately, action needed to be taken.  God calls us to accountable relationships - to Him, certainly, but also to human authority.  It's healthy and Biblical.

Prayer Changes

As we walk with Jesus, we can know that He has so much in store for us.  We can recognize His 
presence with us, even in challenging times. Psalm 91 states:
14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."

It is reassuring to know that God is with us.  He loves us so much and has called us into a relationship with His Son. We can bring our needs before Him with confidence that He hears our prayers, as we bring our requests with a pure heart. We have been given the invitation to come before His throne and to spend time with Him.  And, we recognize that prayer is two-way communication - we speak to Him and He directs us by His Word and His Spirit.  

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We can be convinced of the power of prayer and the faithfulness of God. 1st John chapter 5 says this:
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

The occasion of the coronavirus has certainly resulted in shifts in the way that we live - and according to a new survey, the way we pray.  According to a survey commissioned by the Presidential Prayer Team, which has offered perspective on radio in the midst of the crisis, "...in the initial weeks of the pandemic half of all adults (49%) indicated they prayed more than usual in response to the pandemic while just 4% prayed less and four out of ten (41%) did not change their normal prayer practices."  That's according to a press release at the Christian Newswire site, which reported on the findings of the survey, which was conducted by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University - that's where George Barna is currently at work; he actually was in charge of this survey.

The research found that three-quarters of American adults pray at least once in a typical month, with two-thirds praying at least once a week.  Only 15% do not pray at all.  Two-thirds of those who pray weekly actually say they pray each day.

The survey dug into the mechanics of prayer, as well.  The summary says:

Among the seven out of ten American adults who consider themselves to be Christian, three out of four (76%) believe that God hears prayers. However, there is a range of ideas concerning how God responds to the prayers He hears.

About 4-in-10 of these "self-identified Christians" believe that God hears and answers every prayer, even when He answers, "no."  One out of five Christians believe he hears, but will still do His will, regardless of what is prayed.  14% of those Christians pray but do not know if God responds or how that He does.

The survey also measured why people pray.  Almost two-thirds of all those who pray at least once a month said that prayer is their way of communicating with God, with just under 6-in-10 saying that is "a way to worship God."  The same percentage viewed prayer as "central to their relationship with God." There were other reasons, including reducing stress and anxiety, a response given by just under half of those surveyed.  But less than a third believe that prayer actually has influence over what God does.

What are people praying for? Three-quarters of those praying once a month said they were praying for "family, friends, co-workers, and people in the community."  6-in-10 are praying for our country, but less than half said they prayed for the President.

The survey summary quoted James Bolthouse, President and CEO of The Presidential Prayer Team, who said: "Americans pray. And that is a good thing...How much they understand about communicating with God, how they approach Him, and what they expect from it, was surprising. It was heartening to know that Americans do pray for the government and our leaders, as we are instructed in the Bible to do. But we also know there is a demographic that isn't sure about the value of praying and whether it would change anything even if they prayed..."

When we pray, we accept God's invitation to align ourselves with Him. He desires to show Himself faithful to His people, and when we show that we trust His Word, we place ourselves in a position to see Him do incredible things.  He calls us to walk in faith, so that in all things He may receive glory.  When you consider that less than a third of those who at least once a month don't believe that prayer has influence on God, you have to admit that is a low view of prayer - I believe that expectation is a key element of our prayers.

We can be confident that prayer changes things.  We can call upon the God of the universe, Maker of heaven and earth, and ask for His power to be released in our lives.  And, even when we don't see the answer in the way we think we should, we can still accept the answer and admit that prayer changes us.  In our prayers, we unify in agreement with the Father, so that ultimately He gets the glory.

We know that prayer is the way through which we communicate with God.  We can bring our burdens and our cares, as well as our petitions, before God and know that He loves us and hears us when we pray.  When we pray Biblically and earnestly, we can know that He is with us and we can know Him better.

2+2

It is a futile pursuit to seek for answers in sources that are contrary to or exclusive from the Word of 
God. 1st Corinthians chapter 1 contrasts the dependable, authoritative teachings of Scripture with the non-reliable philosophies the world offers:
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

So, we can ask ourselves, upon what do we build our lives?  Jesus told the story of two men: one built his house on the rock, another on the sand - both experienced storms, and the house built on the rock survived.  We are in a dramatically shifting culture and there are storms that we are facing; we have to question where we are turning for answers - are we relying on the infallible sacred texts of Scripture or the insecure secular teachings of this world?

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Observe the contrast between the firm foundation of God's Word and the weak foundation that the world offers in this passage from Colossians 2:
6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

I remember growing up hearing about the so-called "new math;" now, I can't quite say what that was, but I would imagine that it has something to do with the way that solving mathematical challenges may have changed over time.  I know that, as a parent, in helping with math homework, my methods of problem-solving were not exactly consistent with what was taught in school.

But, regardless of the method, you like to think that the outcome was the same.  Now, in this hyper-sensitive age, even the dependable, authoritative math answers have come under scrutiny and deemed to be politically incorrect.

Take, for instance, 2+2.  We all know the answer is 4, right?  Well, except maybe in George Orwell's 1984, according to a recent article at the Campus Reform website. The article says: "Math professors and educators at leading American universities have taken to Twitter in order to debate whether math is racist," and goes on to say, "The debate itself was rooted in George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, in which citizens of a fictional totalitarian state believe that 2 plus 2 equals 5 as a result of government propaganda."

The article relates:

Laurie Rubel, who teaches math education at Brooklyn College, says that the idea of math being cultural neutral is a "myth," and that asking whether 2 plus 2 equals 4 "reeks of white supremacist patriarchy."

“Y’all must know that the idea that math is objective or neutral IS A MYTH,” she tweeted.

Then there's this:

Kareem Carr, a Ph.D. student at Harvard University, weighed in with, "People say it's subjectivism to ask if math is Western. I don't get that. It's an objective fact that some groups were more involved in the creation of modern math than others. They may have been *trying* to make it objective but it's not stupid to ask if they actually succeeded!"

I found more on Carr's point of view in an article at, of all places, the Popular Mechanics website, in which he is quoted as saying:

In his original thread, Carr points out some simple, but provocative truths about the world. “Our numbers, our quantitative measures, are abstractions of real underlying things in the universe and it's important to keep track of this when we use numbers to model the real world,” one tweet reads.

Carr grounds it in the real ways statistical models are being used to harm, for example, marginalized groups across many parameters: “Whenever you create a numerical construct like IQ or an aggression score or a sentiment score, it's important to remember that properties of this score might not mirror the real things being measured.”

So, now it appears the debate has shifted from pure mathematical facts to the application of facts, then inserting that application to try to discredit and delegitimize the original conclusion.  But, the objective truth of 2+2=4 has not changed, as I see it.

The Washington Examiner reported that:

One academic, James Lindsay, pushed back against Reubel’s tweets, saying that the simple math equation of 2+2=4 helped lead to significant scientific feats.

“It’s certainly the case, and the Woke need to be held firmly to the point, that feats of engineering like space travel and rocketry utterly depend upon accepting stable meanings of mathematical statements like 2+2=4 as objectively true, not mere accidents of culture,” Lindsay tweeted.

Lindsay is an atheist, but has joined forces with evangelical Christians in combating critical race theory and was featured in the film, By What Standard?

This kerfuffle over basic math reminds me of a concept on a grander scale - of how much we need absolute standards for our lives and for our society.  The academicians are trying to change basic principles - in math, certainly, but also in the way we live!  Likewise, you have those who believe they know better than God and are trying to minimize or outright reject His truth.  And, in the interest of making the time-honored, inspired, infallible teachings of Scripture more "culturally relevant," they have attempted to lessen their authority.

Truth is, we need absolute truth - God's truth gives us the moorings and direction we need in order to successfully navigate life in this confused world.  By attempting to retrofit Scripture to align with human understanding, those who do so exhibit a propensity to, in essence, make up their own truth.  That doesn't work; it may seem to, but when we need a solid foundation, human wisdom is not where we turn.  When we desire to find peace and satisfaction for our souls, the world does not offer the answers that can meet the needs of the human heart.

On the Lord's Side

In our individual lives, in the Church, and in our nation today, we need the power and wisdom of Godly counsel; the application of the principles of Scripture is so vital in a day when worldly philosophies 
seem to rule the day. Psalm 33 states:
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

Is God the Lord of America today?  We can certainly look back and see the influence of Christianity in the life of our nation. It is an imperfect history, but there is a desire that is prevalent in our land to serve and please God. Christian leaders are encouraging believers in Christ to seek revival and national restoration, which is tied into personal and corporate repentance in the Church. We know that God will show us the way, but we have to be dedicated to seeking His face and pursuing His principles.

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In the 29th chapter of the book of Proverbs, the Bible has some excellent guidance regarding 
government authorities; we see these verses:
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

4 The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.

12 If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.

14 The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.

The race for the Presidency, even though it has been tamped down by physical isolation and the standard campaign stump speeches and rallies are not prevalent, is continuing to intensify.  And, you can expect that religious faith will be a component of the race.

A preview erupted last week.  In one day, the former Vice-President Joe Biden spoke at a virtual religious gathering, in which he quoted Scripture, and that afternoon, he addressed a convention of minority journalists, in which he said, according to ReligionNews.com: "as president he would insist people refrain from holding large gatherings in places heavily impacted by the ongoing pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus — an issue facing many religious communities as they grapple with whether to hold in-person worship." Biden is quoted as saying: "There should not be congregations of more than 10 people.”  

Also that day, according to the article: "President Trump declared in Cleveland that his Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, would create an America with 'no religion' if elected, adding that Biden would 'hurt the Bible, hurt God' because 'he’s against God.'” Now, that's not exactly the way I would have expressed it, but as I'll share later, I can understand the sentiment.

Forbes reports that: "The Biden campaign refuted Trump’s assertion that Biden is areligious, with rapid response director Andrew Bates saying, 'Joe Biden's faith is at the core of who he is; he's lived it with dignity his entire life, and it's been a source of strength and comfort in times of extreme hardship.'”

Last week, there was a Believers for Biden event led by the former Vice-President's wife, Jill, and an Evangelicals for Trump gathering in Las Vegas that was held in a casino rather than a church because the restrictions on gathering size were more, well, charitable.  

The Biden campaign has hired a faith outreach director and is apparently determined not to make the mistakes of Hillary Clinton in 2016, in which there was seemingly little to no outreach to the faith community.  And, as it was commonly reported, over 8-in-10 white evangelicals cast their ballot for Trump.  

Biden, according to the article has "made faith central to his campaign, often telling voters he wants to restore the 'soul of America.'" Forbes goes on to say:

In an op-ed for Religion News Services in December, Biden wrote “my faith teaches me that we should be a nation that once again welcomes the stranger and shows a preferential option for the poor,” adding that Trump “doesn’t understand these things, because he... doesn’t know what it means to live for or believe in something bigger than himself.”

So, it's all hands on deck, it seems from the Biden campaign - the Forbes article also cites a Pew Research poll in which, by a 20-point margin, Biden is seen as more religious. I can certainly understand that - even though Mr. Trump has introduced policies consistent with a pro-life perspective and a support for religious liberty, he is not characterized as being a particularly religious man.

But, I believe that evangelicals who voted for Trump by and large were not voting for him based on his religious faith, but on his respect for theirs. Several weeks ago, The Christian Post published an article featuring Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council; it said: "In an op-ed posted to the FRC website, Perkins, who has participated in events at the Trump White House, called Biden’s new strategy of trying to attract faith voters an ambitious strategy that involves 'trying to win over a group of people [he’s] spent the last several years insulting.'”

Perkins went on to say, “This is [a] man running on a vision, not only of abortion-on-demand, but abortion right up until — and perhaps after — birth,” adding, “To cap it off, for those Americans who do have a biblical or moral objection to abortion, he says they should still have to pay for them with their tax dollars. How does he square ‘authentic’ faith with those radical positions?”

But he was only getting started: “He told nuns they'd have to fund birth control, churches they'd have to cover abortions, and U.S. taxpayers that overseas abortion would be our newest export...Someone please explain how this is a candidate that can connect with Christians ‘through a shared worldview?’” The article states:

He went on to voice concern with Biden’s “radical LGBT advocacy” that he fears could “gut religious liberty” and greatly impact the freedom of Christian schools, Catholic hospitals and faith-based nonprofits to uphold policies consistent with their beliefs on sexuality and marriage.

And, Perkins noted Biden's support for the so-called Equality Act, which, according to Perkins, "hunts down and punishes the same evangelicals whose vote [Biden] claims to want! One that also ends women's sports, girls' and boys' bathrooms, Christian counseling, privacy laws, conscience protections, millennia of biology, medical ethics, parents' rights.”

But, there is a concerted effort to motivate Christian voters to ditch the President in favor of the former Vice-President.  The Post article said:

One Republican organization is spending millions in 2020 on advertisements seeking to convince conservatives and faith-based voters not to vote for Trump, even running a TV commercial that tells Christians that Trump is “using” them.

In June, a new book edited by longtime progressive evangelical leader Ron Sider was released. It features the essays of 30 evangelical Christians explaining why Christians should not vote for Trump.

Part of the strategy, I have observed, involves trying to lessen the effect of the abortion issue on a Christian's vote.  One way that has been done is to broaden the definition of "pro-life," which includes a liberalization of immigration policy, even an embracing of the concept of climate change. 

This is likely not the last time that there will be a faith thread expressed in the Presidential campaign. And, it is certainly an area that raises my antenna.  I think of the quote from Lincoln, according to Our Daily Bread:

In the heat of the American Civil War, one of President Lincoln’s advisors said he was grateful that God was on the side of the Union. Lincoln replied, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

Christians have to make sure that we are attuned and involved in not only Presidential politics, but other races as well.  It is not a sin or a distraction to participate in the political realm.  Now, if it spills into the area of becoming an idol, that's a problem. But, I believe the selection of leaders is a responsibility that we have been given as citizens in this country, and should not be taken lightly.

It is certainly a responsible practice to pray for the upcoming election. These are areas in which I believe that the Lord is interested.  We can discern what the Bible says about important issues and become informed about where the candidates stand. We can ultimately pray for God's will to be done. We can allow the authority of Scripture to guide us as we select who will be in authority in our government.

There are clear issues that continue to be important, as well as some that have emerged over the past few years: of course, the abortion issue is paramount - life, meaning the right for all human beings to live.  There continue to be threats to the institution of marriage, and to these new social concepts of gender identity, including transgenderism. Matters of justice are certainly at play, and how those would be addressed in a manner that is consistent with a Biblical worldview. And, the nature of America itself, founded on Judeo-Christian principles as a Constitutional Republic, is at stake, especially with the rise of socialism. 

Revival on the Coast

From the beginning of the earthly ministry of Jesus, we see that repentance was a dominant theme.  John the Baptist preached the message of repentance, and in Matthew 4, we can read:
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

God is drawing people to come into a relationship with His Son, Jesus, and desires for those who would call upon His name to grow deeper in the Christian life.  Repentance is a key element of experiencing that depth - because Jesus died to set us free from the power of sin and death, He calls us to repent from our own sins and embrace what He has done for us through the cross and empty tomb.  He gives us the power to triumph over temptation and to walk in victory.

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In the first chapter of the book of Romans, the apostle Paul presents an expose of sinful practices; in the second chapter, he provides the antidote:
2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

The attempt by government officials to regulate worship in California has been met with a variety of responses.  Some churches have defied the edicts of civic leaders and gathered for indoor worship.  Others have opted for outdoor venues.  A vast majority are continuing to offer worship in a virtual setting.  

There are creative means through which churches and their leaders are participating in worship.  Pastor Shane Idleman has originated what has come to be known as The Stadium Revival in Lancaster, California.  He wrote at The Stream two weeks ago:

Although the event was primarily for our local body as a way to come together, word quickly spread, and over 1,000 people showed up. We are not taking an offering, collecting names for a database, or trying to elevate our church; it’s simply a time to elevate Christ. We witnessed salvations, recommitments and powerful personal testimonies under the prayer tent. It showed how hungry people are to be encouraged and uplifted and even convicted.

At that point, he announced these services would continue through September.  He did a follow up report on August 2 at The Stream.  He wrote: "This second weekend we witnessed even more salvations, recommitments, and powerful personal testimonies leading to 30 baptisms, 29 of which were spontaneous."

Idleman, not to be confused with the Not a Fan author and Louisville pastor Kyle Idleman, says that "My messages are focused on the simple message of repentance. It’s a call back to God … back to truth, holiness, and the fear of the Lord. As a matter of fact, if God doesn’t change my plans, next week’s message is: 'There is No Fear of God in This Place.'" He says: "I have one desire: To see the Spirit of the living God revive dead churches and convict causal bystanders. To encourage believers and convict sinners, and to build the local church."

The pastor deals with the question of whether or not what is taking place could be considered to be genuine revival.  Idleman writes:

Christians can embrace one of two extremes concerning the word “revival.” At one extreme are those who embrace pure emotionalism and hysteria — “if it’s odd it’s God” — all weird behavior is excused. The other extreme lacks a living, vibrant spiritual life. The church feels dead, cold, and lifeless. Talk of reviving the things of God (revival) is either dismissed or ridiculed. Both extremes can hinder the work of the Holy Spirit and genuine Christian growth. Those truly filled with the Spirit reflect the personality and nature of God. Someone truly filled with the Spirit though bold, is often not bizarre.

We cannot dismiss the truly miraculous works of God that happen daily, nor can we minimize the incredible power of God to radically change lives through the power of the Spirit. However, in our zeal and excitement we often minimize the need for discernment. A discerning person considers supernatural experiences in light of God’s Word, nature, and character.

The report of the call to revival in California can cause us to consider a personal response and say, "What does revival look like for me?"  We can allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate areas of our lives that are not pleasing to Him and rely on His power to destroy the old work of the enemy and create a new work of the Spirit.  It can be a difficult task - Jesus described it as "taking up" your cross - daily.  

So, how do we get there? We can be challenged to adopt an attitude of surrender, which leads to the act of repentance, as well as a devotion to the study of God's Word.  Prayer, discipleship, the practices of the faith, are components that lead to revival.  So, we can examine our hearts - do we want to change?  Are we open to allowing God's Word and the Holy Spirit to expose what does not please Him?  We can check our hearts and make sure that we are truly repentant.