A Place of Conviction

In John 16, we can read a passage in which we see Jesus addressing His disciples. He says:
(31b)"Do you now believe?
32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

We can become more and more accustomed to evaluating what we believe and standing on those principles.  We may encounter disagreement and hostility, but it's important that we think and act in a manner that is consistent with the teachings of Scripture.  And, when we do, we can experience the presence of God to go with us and to direct us.  He places concepts in our hearts and minds and words in our mouths - He will grow in us the power of conviction.

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1st Peter 3 can provide encouragement when we are chastised or ridiculed for doing good, for attempting to live out the will of God:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

We are now within two weeks of the beginning of Holy Week and within three weeks of the celebration of our Risen Lord on Easter Sunday.

Many parents are, of course, aware and participatory in the practice of the Easter Bunny delivering baskets on that Easter Sunday morning.  The purpose of my commentary is not to debate that tradition, but to highlight how a couple's refusal to teach their children about the big rabbit was the stated impetus for removing two foster children from their foster parents' home.  But, there is apparently more to the story.

Frances and Derek Baars are a Canadian couple, who, based on their Christian convictions, chose not to teach their 3- and 4-year-old foster sisters about the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.  Christianity Today reported that:

Their convictions, based on Christian beliefs, raised concerns among the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of Hamilton—which took the children away from the Baars with just a day’s notice, citing the couple’s refusal to respect the girls’ cultural traditions.

The article went on to say...

...the Baars assumed there would be instances where their values wouldn’t line up with CAS, a government-approved, secular organization that they knew placed kids with same-sex parents and supported gender transition for youth.

And, the story continues:

CAS staff still brought up Santa with the foster children and urged the Baars to explicitly incorporate the Easter Bunny, specifically “the tradition of the Easter [B]unny bringing chocolate Easter eggs,” according to the court document.

Later, one placement worker, Tracey Lindsay, expressed concern that the Baars would condemn potential gay or lesbian adoptive parents for their girls, though the couple assured her otherwise.

So, there is an even bigger story here - that the Baars had been concerned about the practices of the agency itself; and perhaps the agency had a bias against the couple.

Justice Andrew Goodman of the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario overturned the actions of the CAS.  In the decision, the judge wrote: “It seems likely that Lindsay’s discussion regarding prospective same-sex couples to the Baars was fueled by a potential stereotypical belief in the inability of Christians to support same-sex marriage..."  

Christianity Today states that:

Goodman concluded that CAS violated the Baars’s religious protections under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He ordered that the organization update their file to reflect their standing, so that the Baars’s history won’t keep them from future opportunities to adopt or serve as foster parents. (They have since begun the adoption process in another province.)

The story reports that Baars said:

“The favorable result has been tremendously encouraging for our brothers and sisters in the Lord,” who had joined them to pray that God would “turn the judge’s heart” as he does with the king’s heart in Proverbs 21:1...

The article pointed out that there have been issues concerning religious faith involving adoptionand/or foster agencies in the U.S., with "religious agencies confronting fear or pressure over their requirements for adoptive or foster parents," pointing out:  

South Carolina’s top foster care agency, Miracle Hill, is currently facing legal backlash involving the Palmetto State’s department of social services for requiring that foster parents share its Christian faith.  Last year, Texas and South Dakota passed protections allowing state-funded child welfare agencies to continue to use faith-based restrictions for family placements.

I would also point out that in Alabama, the Legislature passed a bill that would allow private adoption and foster care agencies to set their own criteria for those who would use their services; this would include not allowing LGBT individuals or couples to participate.  It doesn't ban gay couples from adopting or fostering, but it does not penalize faith-based agencies who choose not to place children in such situations.

And, so it goes - there is a propensity for governmental entities to restrict religious freedom - it's all a matter of buying in to a misunderstanding of the concept of "separation of church and state," a phrase used by Thomas Jefferson to actually advocate that the religious freedom of church people would be protected; that it would be wrong for the state to establish a state-sponsored church.  This has been expanded by some, including judges, to inhibit religious expression.  As people of faith, we have to have a clear understanding of our Constitutional rights.

I spoke recently with Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who, based on her deeply-held religious beliefs, would not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the U.S. Supreme Court decision authorizing gay marriage.  She asked for an accommodation, which was ultimately granted - after six days in jail, legislative action, and ultimately a new governor being sworn in.

Many didn't understand her position and while she found quite a bit of support, many decried her as being bigoted. People just don't choose to understand the Biblical position of those, who because of their faith perspective, do not support behavior that does not line up with Scripture - and they are vilified for it!!  But, this should not inhibit Christians from continuing to speak up in accordance with their beliefs and not give in to compromise or intimidation.  When we do take a stand and act in accordance with Scripture, we can be confident in the Lord's presence with and direction for us.  We don't stand in arrogance and anger, but with a compassionate confidence, displaying the character of Christ.

Irreplaceable

God calls us to be content in Him, and to seek to be obedient, bringing Him glory in all things,
including our work. 1st Timothy 6 addresses the concept of contentment:
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

In our demeanor, we can radiate contentment; we can reflect a confidence in the God whom we know and serve.  We can show His character in the work that we do, knowing that ultimately, we are serving Him so that Christ may receive glory.  We have been given unique gifts and talents, and He desires to use us.  Each person has inestimable worth, and God invites all of us to walk with Him daily and to enjoy His presence.

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The Bible instructs us to bring glory to Christ through the work we are called to do - I think that
applies to paid employment, volunteer endeavors, or whatever pursuits in which we participate. Colossians 3 states:
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.

The burger chain based in California, which is named, appropriately enough, Caliburger, has just announced its new employee.  Meet Flippy.

Flippy is not a human, it is a robot and is capable of flipping some 2,000 hamburgers a day, according to a USA Today article.  As of last Monday, according to the article:

...a human at Caliburger's restaurant here is making the burger patties, seasoning them and placing them in a tray for the robot. Flippy pulls them out, places them on the griddle, monitors their temperature, flips them and takes them off the griddle to cool. They then get placed by a human into buns for customers.

In some quarters, the presence of Flippy has opened up a discussion about the minimum wage.  A Washington Examiner piece states: "if we raise wages, we push the economy as a whole further toward automation and away from employing humans – higher minimum wages kill human jobs. You may or may not care about that effect of voting to increase the minimum wage, but those who become unemployed as a result might not be so overjoyed."   

David Zito, CEO of Miso Robotics, which created Flippy, along with the chain's owner, said: “This isn’t about replacing jobs. This is about a third hand in the kitchen.”

The USA Today story stated:

In late 2017, a study by the Pew Research Center showed three-quarters of Americans said it is at least "somewhat realistic" that robots and computers eventually will perform most of the jobs now done by people, and the survey found respondents worried about the fallout, such as income inequality.

Well, Flippy has received his or her first vacation.  Another USA Today piece reported:

When news coverage about Flippy went viral, the Cali Group said it realized it needed to spend more time on training humans to keep up.

While Flippy held up its end of the deal, the restaurant is short of humans to prepare the patties for the grill and then pile on the lettuce and other fixins', said Anthony Lomelino, chief technology officer for Cali Group. For now, there's no robot for those tasks.

So, while technology may present the opportunity for a company to be more productive, you still can't eliminate the human factor.  Flippy, which will provide a source of conversation and even debate for some time, it seems, needs...the human touch!

And, someone had to actually develop the technology, build the robot, and program the robot to accomplish the desired task or tasks.

I think, Biblically, we have to recognize the value of every human being and the unique skills that he or she brings to the workplace.

Now, there are those that would contend that insufficient human labor is a factor in developing robotics, and that is a conversation worth having - every person should be willing to bring his or her best to the work we are called to do; that is a Biblical principle.  We recognize the wages we receive are provided for a full days' work, and if we are using our company's time for other pursuits, then we are in essence taking from our employer what we have agreed to provide.  Remember, the Bible says, "Thou shalt not steal."

The goal, I think, is to become that "go-to" person at work, to acquire, present, and develop skills that make us irreplaceable.  That's the goal, even though we also should not think of ourselves in a puffed up way about the level of work we do.   We have the opportunity to work so that we may glorify Christ.  We can also be determined to be content in our work, even if it may not be the fulfillment of God's call on your life, remembering that godliness, with contentment, according to 1st Timothy, is "great gain."

Idol's Back

The Lord does not save us and place us in this world and then just leave us alone to rely on our own devices - His leadership and wisdom are available to the believer in Christ.  Isaiah 30 reinforces the
notion of His abiding presence:
20 And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers.
21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

We have the presence of the Holy Spirit, Whom we can trust to direct us through this life.  We have the authority of God's Word to rely on, and I think this passage also suggests that God will provide "teachers" for us.  We can rejoice that God will provide instruction along the way that He has prepared for us.  We can totally trust Him with our lives and we can be still before Him, so we can discern the promptings of the Spirit - what has been referred to as the "still, small voice," showing us where to turn.

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Psalm 37 speaks to the importance of following God's desires for us:
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...

During its heyday, American Idol was a ratings behemoth for the Fox network.  Proceeding from the talent contest were a number of music superstars, who were selected for stardom by the fans, who by the millions voted for their favorite contestants.

The show returns to television this Sunday night on a different network, ABC, with the same host, Ryan Seacrest, but a different panel of judges: pop diva Katy Perry, country star Luke Bryan, and Alabama's own Lionel Richie.  No Simon, no Randy, or Paula - those who wrote the book on American Idol judging, but it will be interesting to see how viewers respond to the reboot of a series that waned in the ratings during its final years, re-entering the market that is dominated by NBC and Mark Burnett's The Voice.

Christian music has been positively influenced by former American Idol contestants, and I wanted to journey through the Faith Radio playlist and highlight former finalists on the show.  Now, in addition to the category of singers who have actively pursued Christian music, there is also no shortage of singers who have pursued other genres, but who are professed Christians.

There are probably two places to start - the highest-ranking Idol who has entered Christian music is Danny Gokey.  In Season 8, Danny rocketed to the number three position, losing out to Kris Allen, himself a worship leader at the time, as well as Adam Lambert.  Danny's story was quite compelling - his wife had passed away prior to his Idol audition, yet he felt she would have wanted him to follow through.  Danny's standing in Christian music has increased dramatically - he is a picture of hope, even though he admits he has had his struggles along the way.  His latest album is called, Rise.
I'll give the respective placements, according to Wikipedia.

Probably the most-played former Idol contestant on Faith Radio has been Mandisa - she is, like Danny, an amazingly transparent artist, and in an interview last year, she related that she had been through a difficult season of her life and that God had met her and led her, as her latest album suggests, Out of the Dark.  Mandisa was a Season 5 contestant and finished ninth; she was known for standing up to Simon Cowell when he made derogatory comments about her weight.

Also, in Season 8, you had a contestant who was among the first of the finalists voted out - as 12th or 13th; she is undoubtedly one of the rising stars in Christian music - Jasmine Murray, who has made an impact with her self-titled debut album, which included the song, Fearless.  She was our special guest at one of last year's Family Faith Nights with the Montgomery Biscuits and Faith Radio.  And, will her song, You Belong, remain atop the Meeting House Top 10 this week?

During Season 6 of American Idol, the season won by professing Christian Jordin Sparks, Phil Stacey rose to the #5 or 6 position in the show.  Phil has done several Christian albums, including the release, Into the Light.  He has also become a spokesperson for the international radio and medical missions organization, Reach Beyond, formerly HCJB, for which he wrote a song a few years ago.

Also in Season 6, there was Chris Sligh, who finished tenth that year.  He has recorded a number of Christian albums, the most recent being Mighty Roar/Healing Flood, a 2016 release that was the first album he had recorded in six years.  He also had a cameo role in the Erwin Brothers' film, October Baby.

Then, there was Season 11, in which Colton Dixon finished seventh. He was, by Idol standards, a bit of a rock-n-roll musician.  He had an ambition to go into Christian music, and he had the opportunity to perform a piece of his song, Through All of It, in the final American Idol show.

So, who am I missing?  There's also Season 7's Jason Castro who finished fourth and Season 11's Jeremy Rosado, who was a wild-card contestant for that season.

It's a pretty impressive lineup and while my interest in the show waned during its later years, who knows if we may see more former contestants make an impact on Christian music - or contestants who will emerge this year.  In the past, I've been able to identify and follow worship leaders or Christian musicians who perhaps see the competition as a tool which God will use to expand their personal ministries.

I think there's something to be said for following God's path, and I think for the Christian singers in the competition, you could regard their participation in American Idol as a step.  The Bible teaches that we are to not only commit our ways to the Lord, but also to follow Him when He opens doors for us - He is the One who directs our steps, and by His Spirit, He will indicate what decisions we should make.   We have to make sure that we are walking in His will and that we are allowing Him to position us for future steps along His path for us.

Ultimately, our aim is to glorify Him - we do that first and foremost by following Christ into salvation, accepting that free gift.  And, once we are "in," we recognize that we have entered into the life of purpose that He desires to express through us.

Guns, Rights, and Responsibilities

There's a passage in Jeremiah 17 that can encourage us to seek the truth of God and to recognize our
need for a Savior, as well as His capacity to cleanse our hearts:
7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

So much of what we would term the "ills of society" can be traced to the deficiencies of the human heart.  In our humanity, we are selfish, and that leads to living for our own benefit and even developing a disregard for others.  As a culture, the devaluation of human life has resulted in rancor and even violence.  But, when the Prince of Peace enters a heart and He is allowed to have His way, He changes our view, He redeems our soul, and He teaches us how to walk in love.

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Jesus spoke about the capacity for evil residing within the human heart, and of course, the Bible
directs us to the antidote, the way to overcome that evil. Matthew 15 says:
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

One of the subjects of national debate as of late has been what is termed "gun control," in the wake of the tragic shootings at Parkland High School in Florida, in which 17 people lost their lives.   There have been numerous calls for new gun laws, and while one may ask if some of these proposals would have prevented the shootings that have occurred, such as Parkland or Sutherland Springs, lawmakers all the way up to the President are being compelled to take some sort of action.

For instance, Florida lawmakers have passed legislation that, according to the Miami TV station WLRN, would raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm in the state from 18 to 21, implements a three-day waiting period to buy guns, bans bump stocks (which was an element of the Las Vegas shooting), and, according to the station, "allows law enforcement to seize weapons from a person deemed mentally ill and will likely pose a threat."  There's also a "program that could allow designated teachers to carry firearms on school grounds, if they are deputized and complete law enforcement training."

Christianity Today reported on some polling data about evangelical views on gun laws. According to the story, Pew Research Center data showed that, "Nearly 9 in 10 (89%) of both white evangelicals and Americans overall endorse mental illness restrictions, while about 8 in 10 white evangelicals (80%) and Americans overall (84%) favor the expanded use of background checks."

The story continues:

White evangelicals resemble Americans on average when it comes to banning gun sales to those on federal no-fly or terrorist watch lists (86% vs. 83%) as well as banning assault-style weapons, such as the AR-15 used in several recent mass shootings (63% vs. 68%), Pew reported. (Though two-thirds of black Protestants identify as evangelicals, Pew could not break them out on many questions due to small sample size.)

A Politico/Morning Consult poll taken a few days after the Parkland shooting, according to CT, "found that a majority of all self-identified evangelicals (not just whites) favored stricter gun laws." The article stated:

Evangelicals (58%) were more likely than conservatives (46%) and Republicans (45%) to support gun control reform, with 1 in 3 strongly supporting stricter laws, the poll found. But its multiethnic evangelical sample was still less likely than voters on average (64%) to back stricter laws, with nearly a quarter “strongly opposed” (more than any other religious group).

Yesterday on The Meeting House, I featured a conversation with Chicago-area pastor James Ward, who was one of the original co-signers of a petition called, Prayers &Action for Gun Safety in America.  Rob Schenck of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute was quoted in Christianity Today as saying: “We’ve been actively reaching out to evangelical leaders, mostly behind the scenes, and are finding many that are distressed by our seemingly unrestrained enthusiasm for easy gun access...;" according to the The Huffington Post.

The CT article also says that Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family, wrote in a blog post, “It’s wise to examine existing gun laws and ask if there changes or additions that need to be made, and also ask whether the myriad of relevant laws already on the books are being adequately enforced,” adding, "This is the role of our legislature.”  

But, he also stated, "The current debate has to be about more than guns,” adding, “What’s being protested is a symptom of a much larger problem. You cannot legislate away evil. No laws on the books can change the human heart.”

And, that relates to this key finding, from an earlier Christianity Today article:

Earlier research by PRRI showed that evangelicals were the only religious group “in which a plurality (40%) say that putting more emphasis on God and morality in school and society is the most important thing that could be done to prevent future mass shootings.”

I think for the believer in Christ, we can see that gun violence, and really all violence, is symptomatic of a deficiency in the human heart. When a person does not value the life of another, he or she may not possess the moral restraint to prevent that taking of that life.  Factor in mental illness, as well, and you have a potent mix for evil.

The Prayers and Action petition states:

We acknowledge our Biblical responsibility to protect life by lovingly guiding those who are suffering from severe mental illnesses to the appropriate professional resources, by urging America’s lawmakers to pass common-sense gun laws, and by encouraging gun owners to take precautions against the risks associated with allowing firearms in their homes when children are present or when a family member is dealing with crisis.

With this petition, we call on our fellow Christian believers, church leaders, and pastors across the country to declare that we will decisively respond to this problem with both prayer and action.

Ultimately, a gun is a tool - for many hunters, it is an essential element of a sport or hobby.  For the citizen, it can be a source of protection.  For law enforcement, properly used, it can also protect the officer and it can be a deterrent.  For the military, a gun is instrumental in acts of war, as well as a strong defense.

But, in the wrong hands, a gun becomes a threat to an orderly society.  While so many revere our rights under the Second Amendment, with rights come responsibility.  Look no further than the Huffman High School shooting yesterday - a student brought a gun to school and it accidentally discharged:  why did the student have a gun at school?  Whose gun was it?  Why was he showing it off, as was alleged?  Due to someone's irresponsibility, a young woman's life has been lost.

As the petitioners highlight, we can "become part of the solution."  And, that corresponds to a principle on which I comment frequently - Christians can be in a leadership capacity in dealing with issues that are confronting society.  We can move beyond the politics and the emotions that infiltrate so many of our policy discussions and provide reasonable, grounded principles that can bring people together for the good of our communities.

Swatting at the Bee

God calls us to be vigilant and gives us the capacity to keep our focus on Him.  Romans 13 cautions
us to be aware of the trends of this world and to stand strong in Him:
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

We see that reference to the "armor of light," denoting strength and protection.  Ephesians 6 tells us about the full armor of God.  We are engaged in spiritual warfare, but God has given us powerful, spiritual weapons through which we can experience His victory.  We know that we will encounter opposition, but we can possess the attitude that we will be faithful to God, no matter what.  We can rely on His strength and not our own.

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The Israelites were called to a rather daunting task - to restore the wall of Jerusalem, while facing the taunting of those who did not want to see the work completed.  The people of Israel exercised vigilance and unity, according to Nehemiah chapter 4:
17 Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.
18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.
19 Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, "The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall.
20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us."

For some, it might be required reading; for others, it may be an acquired taste.  While I don't think that the website hits on all cylinders all of the time, at least the Babylon Bee, a Christian satire site, usually gives you something to think about, maybe chuckle, and perhaps even to LOL - laugh out loud!

And, sometimes, it communicates truth in a profound way.  Take, for instance, Monday's story, of which the headline proclaimed, "Man Who Got Famous Showing Scantily Clad Women Bouncing On Trampolines Lectures Nation On Sexual Propriety."  This was a less satirical and more biting criticism, but it drove the point home about Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel, the former co-host of The Man Show, which "featured heavy handed, vulgar objectification of women carried out in front of a crazed, drunken, slobbering male audience."

Well, the Bee was the victim of social media censorship the other day.  After running an obviously satirical story about CNN, the site was flagged as...wait for it..."fake news!"  The Federalist ran a story that said:

The Babylon Bee set off Facebook’s alarm bells by publishing a satirical piece stating that CNN had purchased an “industrial-size washing machine to spin news before publication.” This is obviously a joke and is clearly marked satire and is published on a site entirely devoted to satire. 

But Snopes, according to the story, "decided to fact check the Bee’s claim, to ensure that no one actually thought that CNN 'made a significant investment in heavy machinery.'"

The story continues:

Hours later, Adam Ford, who runs The Babylon Bee, got a notification warning him that the post had been flagged as so-called “fake news” by Snopes, and that if it happened again, the Bee’s Facebook page could face de-monetization and its posts would suffer a reduced reach.

Furthermore, readers were greeted by this message in a pop-up window: “Before you share this content, you might want to know that there is additional reporting on this from Snopes.com."

The Federalist story also says:

Facebook has since apologized for the actions it took towards the Bee, according to The Daily Caller News Foundation.

“There’s a difference between false news and satire,” the social network said in a statement to DCNF. “This was a mistake and should not have been rated false in our system. It’s since been corrected and won’t count against the domain in any way.”

In other words, Facebook is saying: Lol, sorry we threatened y’all with de-monetization. We like, totally didn’t mean it. But you can be sure that when we do mean to sandbag you, IT WILL BE SWIFT AND SEVERE.

Facebook’s statement, however well intended, doesn’t undo what happened to the Bee, nor does it erase the very serious and frightening implications of the social network’s power over information. In April, the social network announced it would let troll mobs decide what is and what isn’t fake news. A few months later, Facebook announced it would block ads from users it thinks are sharing “fake news.”

The article pointed out that Snopes "has repeatedly fact-checked tongue-in-cheek claims by the satirical site..."

I featured an interview a few months ago with Rachel Alexander of The Stream, reporting on Internet censorship.  And, just last week, Jerry Johnson, President of National Religious Broadcasters, spoke about Internet Freedom Watch, an initiative of NRB, at its annual convention.  He stated, according to NRB.org:

“Does it bother you that Dr. D. James Kennedy was taken off of the Amazon [Smile] gift program?” Johnson asked. “Does it bother you that a sitting member of the U.S. Congress, Marsha Blackburn, was taken off of Twitter when she announced her run for the U.S. Senate because she mentioned the sale of human body parts?

“Does it bother you that Dennis Prager’s videos – videos on Israel for instance – have been blocked and taken down and demonetized by YouTube? Does it bother you that Todd Starnes has been taken off of Facebook? Marjorie Dannenfelser has been taken off of Twitter.”

Prager, who is Jewish, as well as Blackburn, Starnes, and Dannenfelser, along with talk show host Larry Elder and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins were among speakers addressing the issue at NRB, according to the organization's website.  Perkins said, "If we don’t use every tool available to push back on the Left’s intent of silencing Christian broadcasters and conservative broadcasters, we are going to wake up one day and free speech in America is going to be gone,” adding, “It is time to roll up our sleeves and fight for the first freedom that we as Americans enjoy.”

The Babylon Bee, one might say, was only satire, and the story was not really a "Christian" story, but it does seem that it has been singled out.

The Bee satirized the incident in a story last Friday, stating:

Facebook, Inc. sent a personal message Friday to each publisher using its service, warmly reminding them that they are utterly dependent on the social media giant for traffic and that it is in complete control of their livelihood.

“Publishers are important to Facebook,” the message sent to countless page admins read. “We want you to know that we care about you. Also, we will not hesitate to choke off your traffic until your organization ceases to be financially viable, should we feel the desire to do so at any time.”

I thought of the people of Israel, according to the book of Nehemiah.  They used one hand to build the wall of Jerusalem and the other to ward off those that would want to thwart the process.  With regard to social media, I think there is a similar construct: we use social media to "build" the Kingdom of God, to communicate truth, but we also recognize that there are providers who may not be neutral actors - we have seen where certain platforms have attempted to restrict messages from people and organizations of faith.

The people responded by continuing to build the wall, while being ready to defend themselves - and there was communication, in the form of a trumpet that sounded to remind the people that God was with them.  I am thankful for those who stand watch, like NRB, who "sound the trumpet" to protect our freedoms and to ensure that people of faith are allowed to freely share the life-affirming truth of the gospel.  We do well to stay informed and to encourage one another as we contend for the faith in a culture where there are pockets of hostility.

Digging

In 2nd Timothy 2, we are challenged to go deeper, to study God's Word - with purpose. We read:
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

Later in the chapter, we find this:
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

We can be sure to have our antenna up to identify where God is working around us and what He wants to teach us, so that He can accomplish His work in us.  There are discoveries available to us, and we can be aware that there are divine encounters in which He desires to express Himself.  The Bible speaks of digging truth like silver - sometimes what He has to teach us will not be readily apparent, but He calls us to diligence.

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Proverbs 2 contains some powerful imagery about searching out the truth of God. We can read:
4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly...

Around Christmastime, we can be inspired by the story of the real St. Nicholas, whose penchant for giving gifts became the basis for the figure we now know as Santa Claus.  Nicholas is also considered the "patron saint of travel" in the Eastern Christian tradition, according to a story appearing on the Faithwire website.

The article relates the recent discovery by a gardener in the Galilee region of a ring bearing an image of a smiling St. Nicholas.  The story states:

Dekel Ben-Shitrit inadvertently dug up a 700-year-old bronze ring bearing the image of St. Nicholas. Experts believe that the rare artifact was dropped by medieval-era pilgrims as they were making their way through northern Israel.

Ben-Shitrit, 26, was completing his daily work in the garden in Moshav Hayogev located in the Lower Galilee when he noticed something strange in the planting bed.

The young man actually posted a picture of his discovery on Facebook, looking for more information.  A neighbor saw the post and put young Dekel in touch with the Israel Antiquities Authority.

The Faithwire story goes on to say:

IAA member Yana Tchekhanovetz dated the ring to the time period between the Crusader and Mameluke periods—around the 12th to 15th centuries.

Tchekhanovetz said it was “amazingly well preserved and will contribute a great deal to science.”

He also related that, "...Christian pilgrims to the Land of Israel from all over the Byzantine Empire (Turkey, the Balkans, Greece and present-day Russia) would carry his icon to protect them from harm. It is probable that the ring belonged to a pilgrim who sought the protection of St. Nicholas on his travels..."

Oh, and the article notes that, according to the publication, Haaretz, the birthday of the young man who found the ring is...Christmas Day!!

This is a story that can cause us to think about the significance of discoveries we make in our lives.  Dekel could have just found this historic ring and cast it aside, but he chose to seek more.  Proverbs talks about seeking truth as one looking for silver - what God wants to teach us may be hidden, and we have to dig it out.  It may involve careful study and meditation on the Word; perhaps further research of a principle that He is wanting to relate to us.  We can choose to either skim the surface for Biblical truth, or choose to go deeper and then to contemplate what we find.

Also, we can be reminded that we have to be intentional to authenticate what God may be showing us.  What we discover or what we experience may be a key to spiritual growth or a tool through which God can direct us.  We don't have to be quick to cast aside occurrences in our lives; perhaps He is wanting to make Himself more real to us.  We can be attentive to the presence of God in what might be considered to be the ordinary ebb and flow of life  - He might have something special for us if we would only take the time to search and ponder.

The Next Billy Graham

As Paul wraps up the book of 1st Thessalonians, he relates some short, and powerful, principles that
we can put to use in our lives. We can read:
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

God has invited us to come into a relationship with Himself, and He wants to demonstrate His power and His faithfulness through us.  He is doing a work on the inside of us so that Christ may be expressed outwardly.  He has placed a calling on each of us, divine direction for us to fulfill; and verse 24 reminds us of His great power to bring His intentions to pass through us.  God is faithful, and He wants to do mighty things through us.

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In 2nd Peter 1, we see a list of characteristics that are consistent with our faith in Christ.  The author challenges readers to make sure that Christ's character and His calling are operating within us.  We
read:
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It was quite a moment - chatting with Andrew Palau, the son of the great evangelist, Luis Palau, discussing the late Billy Graham and his impact.  If you do a search for the "next Billy Graham," there is reason to believe that Luis is part of the overall discussion.  His international credentials are impressive.

But, there are others - the man whose radio program, Daily Hope, debuts on Faith Radio today - Rick Warren - is also someone who is certainly near the top of the list of well-known preachers who might follow in Graham's footsteps.

And, when you think of large crusades, Greg Laurie's Harvest Crusades have been responsible for significant numbers of people coming into a saving knowledge of Christ.

You could even put Franklin Graham, who has carried on his father's ministry, in the mix, as well.

But, all of these gentlemen have unique ministries of their own.  They have their own call of God, they are prominent in their profession and proclamation, but even Franklin has his unique qualities.

Billy Graham was one-of-a-kind - and, in a sense, we all are!

But, regarding the "next Billy Graham," recent Meeting House guest William Martin stated in a press release from A. Larry Ross Communications:

"I don't think any single person will be 'the next Billy Graham.' Evangelical Christianity has become so large and multifaceted that no one person can dominate it in the way that he did, regardless of talent or dedication. It's just not going to happen. But 'Billy Graham' is not an office in the Christian church that has to be filled, like pope or bishop. Multitudes of people inspired by him will carry on the work of preaching the Christian gospel. And that's what was most important to him.

A Charlotte Observer article from last May stated:

Graham himself sensed way back in 1974 that the times were changing even then and that the evangelical message would be carried forward not by just one religious superstar but by armies of preachers – in the United States and around the globe.

At the time, he was attending the International Congress on World Evangelization in Lausanne, Switzerland. Someone asked him The Question: Who will be the next Billy Graham?

He answered by pointing to the gathering before him of 2,300 Christian leaders from 150 countries. “They will,” he said.

More on that later...

Last week in Nashville, National Religious Broadcasters recognized an outstanding Christian communicator.  Its Board of Directors annually presents the Billy Graham Award for Excellence in Christian Communications.  This year's winner is Greg Laurie.  NRB President and CEO Jerry Johnson is quoted on the NRB website: “In God’s providence, the NRB Executive Committee chose Greg Laurie to receive this year’s Billy Graham Award weeks ago, before it would be known that the honor would be bestowed on him on the very day of the great evangelist’s funeral,” adding, “While the world mourns the loss of Dr. Graham, we see in the life of Greg Laurie another evangelist faithful to preach the Gospel to all the world who is an innovator in communicating God’s Word, following in Dr. Graham pacesetting communications footsteps.” 

Just two years ago, Warren's radio broadcast, Daily Hope, received the same award. The NRB website stated:

Daily Hope, the Bible teaching media ministry of Dr. Rick Warren, gives hope to the hurting, encourages purpose driven living, equips purpose driven churches and leaders, champions religious liberty worldwide, and supports the Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan in 197 countries, focusing on the unreached 3,000 tribes with no Bible, believers, or Body of Christ.

And, this year, Luis Palau was inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame. The NRB website reports that:

In a video, Luis Palau thanked NRB and told the audience, “Frankly, there are many other people who deserve [the award] just as much as me. We just stuck around for many decades. But the glory I want to give to Jesus Christ, to God the Father, and to the blessed Holy Spirit. I am an unworthy servant of the Savior. And it’s all about the cross, all about the cross. If it wasn’t for the cross, we would all be condemned forever.”

Billy Kim of Far East Broadcasting Company was also honored.

So, back to the "next Billy Graham" question.  I think that each of us can be inspired by this man's legacy, his dedication to proclaiming the gospel, and living out God's will.  His call and effectiveness were unique - there is no other Billy Graham!   Period.

And, truth is, there is only one you.  No one else possesses your gifts or your calling.  God has placed an assignment upon your life, and He has granted you the capacity to fulfill it.  The first thing that God desires for you is to come into a saving knowledge of Christ; He wants you to walk in relationship with our Savior.  That ushers us into the adventure of walking with God consistently. You may not be filling stadiums preaching the gospel, but you can be found faithful to be obedient.

For the Christian communicator, Billy Graham was a trailblazer - his use of the media, including radio, was inspired and inspiring.  His example can motivate us to be about the business of communicating truth.