Survey Says: Warm Feelings for Religious Groups?

As he neared the end of his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul gave a series of admonitions.  We read beginning in verse 2 of chapter 4:
2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
This is a great template for each of us, as we think about spiritual readiness and doing the work of the ministry that we are all called to do - that's right, you have a responsibility to live and speak the gospel message.   You might not be called to a ministry position or vocation, but your role in the Kingdom of God is still vitally important.  Even in a culture where people turn aside from the ways of the Lord, we are called to faithfully live our lives in a manner that brings honor and glory to His name and, as it's been said, to make Him famous.
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In Ephesians chapter 2, we are reminded of our salvation through Christ and our preparation by the power of His indwelling Spirit to impact the world with His love:8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,9not of works, lest anyone should boast.10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

The folks over at Pew Research developed a rather non-scientific-sounding question recently to ask members of their American Trends Panel.  They asked survey respondents to rate a variety of religious groups on a so-called “feeling thermometer” ranging from 0 to 100 – where 0 reflects the coldest, most negative possible rating and 100 the warmest, most positive rating.  Three groups - Jews, Catholics, and evangelical Christians – received an average rating of 60 or higher (63 for Jews, 62 for Catholics and 61 for evangelical Christians). And 44% of the public rates all three groups in the warmest third of the scale (67 or higher).

Buddhists, Hindus and Mormons receive neutral ratings on average, ranging from 48 for Mormons to 53 for Buddhists. The public views atheists and Muslims more coldly; atheists receive an average rating of 41, and Muslims an average rating of 40. Fully 41% of the public rates Muslims in the coldest part of the thermometer (33 or below), and 40% rate atheists in the coldest part.

And, how did evangelicals feel about themselves? From people who describe themselves as born-again or evangelical Christians, evangelical Christians received an average rating of 79, compared with an average rating of 52 from non-evangelicals. Among non-evangelicals, roughly as many people give evangelicals a cold rating (27%) as give them a warm rating (30%).

One interesting area dealt with familiarity with people of other faith backgrounds. The study showed that
knowing someone from a religious group is linked with having relatively more positive views of that group.

Almost 9 out of 10 U.S. adults say they personally know someone who is Catholic. And seven-in-ten people (including 63% of non-evangelicals) say they know someone who is an evangelical Christian.  Around 60% of Americans say they know someone who is Jewish or an atheist, even though those groups are smaller than Catholics and evangelicals; roughly 2% of U.S. adults identify religiously as Jewish, and a little more than 2% identify as atheists. Other small groups are less familiar to most Americans - of those 44% of Americans say they know someone who is Mormon, and 38% say they know someone who is Muslim.

So, in addition to some interesting stats, I think that I come away with three main thoughts from those survey results.  For one thing, even though I believe we live in a time in America where to be a born-again Christian does put you on the receiving end of hostility and ridicule sometimes, this survey indicates that we may not be as villified as we might think.  There may be a greater receptivity to our faith than we might think, and that can produce a sense of confidence in sharing it.  

But, remember, the purpose of a believer is not to win a popularity contest.  Jesus promised there would be tribulation in this world - every one is not going to "like" us.  But, if we're seeking to live for Christ and love like Christ, speaking the truth with firm conviction and sharing what God has done for us, we can earn a right to be heard.   There will be those who do not love the Lord who will certainly speak against us, but we can continue to be encouraged to speak out for Him.

Finally, the statistics show that less than half of respondents know members who embrace a different religious practice.  We can be challenged to seek to build relationships with people of other religious backgrounds.  I think we do gravitate to people who live and act like us, and there may be opportunities to interact with people of other faith perspectives, with an intent on sharing Christ's love with them.  

What You Say and How You Say It

In the book of James, there is quite a bit of material relative to the words of our mouth.  What we say, as well as the way we say it, can have an impact on others and dramatically affect our witness for Christ.  Here are two verses from the 1st chapter of James:
19So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
26If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

Not only is it critical to examine the words of our mouth, but also the way we communicate can be a factor to how well we are understood and how our words connect with other people.   James is encouraging us to exercise self-control over our speech - being slow to speak, in contrast with an ear that is quick to listen. And, the tone of our communication is also important - we have to be conscious of how we say things, speaking with clarity and with a sense of compassion, not in haughtiness or harshness, but with grace. Words have incredible potential, and we have been charged by the Lord to exercise them wisely.

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In the 15th chapter of Proverbs, we can read a number of verses that can inspire us to be more reflective of Christ in the words we speak:
1A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

If the company you work for were to offer a class to reduce your Southern accent, would you enroll? The Southern experience, I believe, does include the accents - some more pronounced than others, but it's part of the culture of this region.

UPI.com reports that the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's proposed "Southern Accent Reduction" class will not be taught after some employees complained that they found the class offensive. The six-week course was going to be taught by "accent reduction trainer" Lisa Scott, and students were going to learn to "speak with a more neutral American accent" so they could "be remembered for what you say and not how you say it."

The story states that the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that by using the "code-switching" technique, employees would learn to neutralize their southern accents.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory spokesman David Keim said that, "Given the way that it came across, they decided to cancel it...It probably wasn't presented in the right way and made it look like ORNL had some problem with having a Southern accent, which of course we don't. That was not the intent at all."

ORNL has offered accent-reduction courses in the past, but usually for foreign nationals. By the way, if you want to lose your accent, you can go to Ms. Scott's website at www.losemyaccent.com.

This rather odd story can really cause us to think about the way we speak. Again, even though somehow I ended up living up in the South my entire life, including 4 years in East Tennessee, and I didn't end up with much of an accent. But, it's not about the accent - I think for each of us, especially as we communicate God's truth, there are at least three important components - content, clarity, and comportment.

The quote from the UPI story is that this class was intended for people to be remembered "for what you say and not how you say it." I actually think that both of these are important as we seek to make an impact for Christ and radiate His character. We do need to be concerned about the content of our words. What we say can encourage or discourage, can heal or wound, and can make a statement that honors Him or not. If we're careful about what we speak, thinking before the words come out, we can be winning with our words.

There is also the "how you say it" part - but I contend that an audible accent is not a deterrent, but we do need to make every effort to speak with clarity - so that people will understand what we are trying to say and the points that we are trying to make. This is especially important when we are communicating Scriptural truth - we need to be equipped with knowledge, as well as to be able to connect with the mind of another.

Finally, comportment is a component of communicating effectively. Our behavior reflects our relationship with Christ. And, the way we speak, with regard to tone, can determine how effective that we are in presenting the Lord to thers. If we are harsh or haughty, we actually undercut the words that we speak. We can be challenged to allow His nature to shape the tone of our words, as well as the actions we take.

Archie's Cultural Snapshot

There are so many in our world today who are seeking answers to the dilemmas they are facing, and unfortunately, the lure of deviant behavior and occultic practices have attracted many to journey down a path that leads far from God.   Here are the words of the prophet Isaiah in chapter 8:

18Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel From the Lord of hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion.19And when they say to you, "Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter," should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

I love this picture of the prophet and his family, aligning with the Most High God and determined to preserve and practice the truth.  We must stand in the gap and stand before God not only for ourselves but also for the generations to come.  In the 19th verse, the prophet has encountered the recommendation to seek those who do not follow the ways of God, who in fact are involved in occult practices and a wrongheaded fascination with the afterlife.  We have to be careful that we do not allow mindsets contrary to Scripture to creep into our thinking and to guard against the enemy's lure to walk contrary to the time-honored, reliable principles of God's Word and the life-changing nature of a relationship with Christ.

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In Colossians chapter 3, we see a powerful template regarding the type of behavior we are to turn away from and what we are to embrace.  Verses 5 and 6 say:
5Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.6Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
And, later in the chapter, in verses 12 through 14, we read:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;13bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.14But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

The annual gathering of entertainment fans has ended in San Diego, as the Comic-Con event drew high-profile actors who made appearances, served on panels, and gave the scoops on upcoming releases.   Leading up to the grand event, one of the events in the comic book world had to do not with a superhero, but with an enduring hero from Riverdale High - Archie.

As Larry Tomczak writes on the Barbwire.com website:

On July 16, everything changed. In the words of progressive Archie comic publisher and CEO, John Goldwater, “A new Riverdale is born!”

Suffice it to say, our freckled-face friend is fatally shot saving the life of his homosexual buddy, Kevin, who is now part of the gang. Kev’ enjoys his gay marriage and serves as a senator, solidly pushing gun-control and modeling diversity for all the young readers.

But wait, there’s more!

Archie Comics also offers its youthful and impressionable audience a hard-core horror series, “Afterlife with Archie” plus the chilling adventures of “Sabrina” the teenage witch.

This 16-year-old role model for young daughters is born of a warlock. Her aunt Salem is a witch that turns into a talking cat. Madame Satan is the villain and there is a Witches Council and abundant curses for all to enjoy.

The writer of this series, Roberto Agquirre–Sacasa, describes the comic as a “story about witches and witchcraft, demonology and occultism…”

He boasts, “I am really good at making things dark and ominous.”

Are you kidding me?  This is yet another example of the way that entertainment culture is making inroads to shape behavior.  Not only are the creators of Archie pushing the gay agenda, but now presenting witchcraft and occult practices.  As Tomczak writes, "There are deep and dangerous powers of darkness at work through the occult and seemingly innocent comic books like this open the door for naïve and unsuspecting children.  He goes on to say that, "This tragic example from Archie Comics is but one of many alarming developments in our society. We can either throw up our hands in despair or respond to the current wooing of the Holy Spirit to pray and get engaged in courageously bringing the gospel and truth to this generation."

Tomczak, along with noted Christian leaders, is part of the "Pastors and Patriots Initiative," which includes Mat Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, Mike Huckabee, David Barton, Samuel Rodriguez, James Robison, Dr. Alveda King, and others who are passionate about awakening America.  Tomczak relates a warning from former President Reagan, who said, “History will record with the greatest astonishment that those who had the most to lose did the least to prevent its happening.”

I think it's important to embrace the phrase which serves as the title of the DVD, "Silence is Not an Option," that is being distributed through this consortium of church leaders.   We are witnessing the continued moral decline in our culture, to the point that those who disagree with what the Bible calls immoral behavior, i.e. homosexuality, are being ridiculed and face being intimidated into compliance.  The bottom line is that we cannot be forced to accept the normalization of sinful behavior.  The insidious advance of the homosexual agenda and the intolerance that is demonstrated by so many of its proponents has to be met by the overpowering truth of the gospel message, delivered with clarity, conviction, and certainly with compassion.  But, on this and other issues of the day, including the rise of and spread of occultic practices, we continue to recognize that God has established certain standards for righteous living, and we do well to line our lives up with those best practices which lead to abundant life.

Red Water

In Romans 2, the apostle Paul writes about not only the judgment that comes upon those who are disobedient, including acts that he had listed in the previous chapter, but about the kindness of God, Who is calling people to repent and come to Him:
2But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.3And 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?4Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

The Bible is very clear about activities that displease God - later in Romans, Paul offers the famous passage that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.  There is a clear delineation between what pleases Him and what does not - and throughout the Scriptures, we see a God who is calling out to people to turn from unrighteousness and embrace His truth and avoid His judgment.  Our Savior is urging us and those around us to pay attention to His call and to surrender our lives to Him, so that we might be made right with Him and experience His power to live right.

Jesus taught about reading the signs of the times in Matthew chapter 24:
32"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors!

Here is an interesting story from China which presents a rather disturbing visual.   It comes from the city of Wenzhou in eastern China, where residents woke up to a mysteriously blood-red river Thursday morning.  The Mashable website quotes China Radio International, which reported that the river began to redden at 6 a.m. local time, baffling residents, some of whom complained that they could no longer fish in the river.

China Radio International reported that officers from the Wenzhou Environmental Protection Bureau took samples to determine the cause of the alarming color shift.  It's suspected that people dumped red pollutants into the water somewhere upstream, according to Shanghaiist.

According to ABC, Jianfeng Xiao, chief of the Wenzhou bureau, told China News, “We suspect that somebody dumped artificial coloring in the water because he thought the typhoon yesterday would cause heavy rain, and nobody would notice [the color].” He added, “It turned out there wasn’t heavy rainfall yesterday, so the evidence is left behind."

Xiao said that there is a paper manufacturer, a food coloring company and clothing-maker along the river, though China Radio International quoted locals saying that there are no chemical plants upstream. The bureau is still investigating the incident.

This the third time a Chinese river has been mysteriously "bloodied" in the past three years. In 2012, the Yangtze river in Chongqing turned orange red, and in 2011, the Jian river in Henan Province turned a crimson hue.  There have been other reports of water turning red from other parts of the world, including in the Netherlands, as well as a lake in Texas.

Now, I'm not declaring that there instances are signs of an impending Armageddon, but this story did remind me of some Biblical references to water turning red.   One of those is found in Exodus, where Moses and Aaron call on Pharoah to let the people go, and God demonstrates His displeasure with Pharoah's refusal by pouring out ten plagues upon Egypt - one of them, found in the 7th chapter of the book:

19Then the Lord spoke to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone.' "20And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the Lord commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.21The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
This was matched, we're told, by the Egyptian magicians through their "enchantments."  And, Pharoah's heart was hardened and he refused to release the Israelites.   
In Revelation 8, the second of the trumpet judgments involves the seas being turned into blood:8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.9And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
In Revelation 16, we read about two of the bowl judgments that God would release on the earth:3Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.4Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.5And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things.

OK, so there's no evidence that these red-water occurrences in China over the last few years are related to Biblical judgment.  But, this latest story from China and other instances can certainly give us a chance to pause and think about the nature of God and the future of the earth.   For one thing, we do serve a God of justice. Throughout the Scriptures, we see His heart concerning disobedience - those who will reject Him are judged and will receive punishment.   And, as we learn from the stories of Egypt, as well as His display of wrath concerning Sodom and Gomorrah, there will be municipal and national expressions of judgment.  

But, in His mercy, He offers us a way out of eternal punishment through the blood shed by His only Son, Jesus Christ.   We also serve a God of mercy.  Even though every human being is under a death sentence because of sin, He broke the curse of sin and offers us a way to be right with God.   If a person accepts Jesus as his or her Savior, then that penalty is considered to be paid in full, and we can enter into a right relationship with God.

Finally, the Bible does tell us that there will be signs in the last days.  And, I believe that God is speaking to our world today.   In the midst of the proliferation of natural disasters, the escalation of wars throughout the globe, and the degradation of the culture, God is calling to people to turn from their selfish, disobedient ways and surrender to Him.   It may not be red water, but I certainly believe that He is dedicated to communicating His message, and He will use each of us as His mouthpieces to warn people of the consequences of sin and to encourage people to give their lives to Christ.

Rocket Rerouting?

We serve a God Who is mighty, He is supreme, and He has provided powerful resources for us so that we might be clothed in His strength.  Here is a passage from Ephesians 6:
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

When we are tempted to sin, we can resist the power of the enemy in the strength of the Lord.   When the enemy seeks to deceive us with lies, we counter him with the truth of God's Word.  When we are overwhelmed by fear or despondency or whatever device that comes to destroy, we can rise up in our spirits and clothe ourselves in Christ and His abundant power.   We have access to supernatural strength and protection, and we can rejoice in a faithful God who goes before us and walks with us.   Praise His holy name!

The Bible reminds us that we have the mighty power of God that is available to us.  Repeatedly, He demonstrated His faithfulness to the people of Israel, including the incident where God's people were escaping from Egypt and were under the pursuit of the Egyptian army.  We read in Exodus 14:
13And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.14The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

The headline in the July 18 edition of the Jewish Telegraph certainly had the potential to turn a few heads. It read: “Their God changes the path of our rockets in mid-air, said a terrorist."

According to a piece on the World Net Daily website, it was a partial quote from Barbara Ordman, who lives in Ma’ale Adumim on the West Bank.

Her exact quotation was: “As one of the terrorists from Gaza was reported to say when asked why they couldn’t aim their rockets more effectively: “We do aim them, but their God changes their path in mid-air.”

She opened her piece by noting: “In October 1956, [Israel's first Prime Minister] David Ben Gurion was interviewed by CBS. He stated: ‘In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles.’”

Ordman also noted religious texts, specifically the Jerusalem Talmud, teaches Israelis not to depend on miracles for survival.

“It argues that we must not desist from our obligations and must not wait for miraculous intervention from the Supernatural,” she writes.

After her mention of the divine diversion of enemy rockets, she said, “When our God is not busy doing that, He is ensuring that the high-tech brain power of our ‘start-up nation’ is working overtime to produce yet another Iron Dome battery to help protect our cities and us.”

For me, this is not a stretch.   I certainly believe that God has had His hand on the nation of Israel.  The re-establishing of a Jewish nation in the heart of the Middle East in 1948 is an unprecedented event that has enormous implications in the context of Bible prophecy.   So, divine protection for that nation, something that could really be attributed throughout the years, is certainly within the realm of comprehension.

This story really caused me to think about the faithfulness of God.   Even though the Israeli government may be secular in nature, there is a covenant relationship with the Jewish people.   There is no sign that has been terminated - it is an everlasting covenant, and even during the period of great tribulation that will come upon the earth, you can see God working to bring His covenant people back to Himself through 144,000 people - 12,000 from each of the 12 Tribes.   The narrative of the Old Testament is predicated on the relationship that God desires to have with His people.   Those of us who are Gentiles, because of what Jesus did for us, have been brought into a covenant relationship, as well, and we can be thankful for that.  And, because of God's original covenant with Abraham, we have a kinship with the Jews, and I believe that we are called to stand with them.

And, we can be thankful that we serve a covenant-keeping, promise-keeping God.   He is faithful, His Word is true, and I believe that He is still quite active in world affairs.  And, He desires to be active in the events of our lives - He is available to be intimately involved in our actions, our decisions, to flood our thoughts and to direct our steps.   Jesus has promised to live in our hearts under the New Covenant, for which He became the perfect sacrifice so that He, by His Holy Spirit, might live in our hearts.   We can rejoice in God's faithfulness to redeem us and to be in relationship with us.

Let's talk a moment about divine protection.  I think the picture painted by this reporter in Israel can remind us that we do have a God who goes before us and surrounds us with His protection.  A reading of Psalm 91 reminds us to abide in the shadow of the Almighty.   We can trust in Him, we can walk in peace, and it is not presumptuous to call on God for His protection - physical...and spiritual.  The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6 that we have an armor that is capable of withstanding the fire of the enemy in our lives.   We have weapons that are mighty in Christ, centered around God's Word, described as the "sword of the Spirit" in that passage in Ephesians.  If we are clothed in Christ and His armor, we have access to supernatural protection from the devices that the devil would bring on us to harm us.   We can truly be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Getting Back on the Right Track

In Luke 14, Jesus elaborated on the concept of total surrender - in attitude and action, so that we might show that we are His disciples, that we belong to Him:
33So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.34"Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?35It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
We can make it our aim to reflect the glory of Christ, and surrender is a key component.  In order for people to see Jesus in and through us, it's important that we are emptied of self, so that His nature flows in and through us.  We seek to be an influence for good, for God, in our culture, as salt and light - salt that enhances and preserves, and light that is on display for all to see.  We are placed in this nation, at this unique time in history, for a reason, and there are opportunities that we will have to make statements that are consistent with our faith, as we're dedicated to not merely decry the trends that we're experiencing, but seek in some way to help provide solutions.

There's a passage in Colossians 4 which can underscore, for us, our role in the world and the potential to communicate Godly wisdom:
2Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;3meanwhile 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,4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

So what do you think?   Is America on the right track, or not?  A recent Rasmussen poll indicates that about one-fourth of likely U.S. voters - 26% - think that the country is heading in the right direction, according to its national telephone survey for the week ending July 20.  That's up a point from the past two weeks, which was the lowest finding since last December.   Sixty-seven percent (67%) of voters in this weekly survey now think the country is headed down the wrong track. That's unchanged for the past month and remains the highest negative of 2014.

The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been less than 30% 21 out of 29 weeks this year.

Early last October during the federal government shutdown, confidence in the country’s course fell to 13%, the lowest finding in five years.  80% felt the country was on the wrong track in early October.

In an attempt to pinpoint some areas in which the country is on the right course, as well as the opposite, the Heritage Foundation has released its 2014 Index of Culture and Opportunity, which tracks key social and economic indicators of opportunity in America, and provides expert commentary.

As Jennifer Marshall of Heritage writes on The Daily Signal website,

Many of the indicators in the 2014 Index are not headed in the right direction. For instance, the marriage rate has declined and unwed childbearing continues to rise. Self-sufficiency has not improved—even though it was the original goal of the War on Poverty launched a half century ago—and food stamp participation has significantly increased in recent years. The student loan burden for college graduates continues to grow.

There are areas that are showing improvement. For instance, the abortion rate and violent crime rate have decreased, showing the importance of focused effort in policy and civil society. Divorce is down. More students are participating in K-12 school choice programs.  These findings are based on a 10-year period of available data.

And, if you dig deeper in the study you find an analysis from Byron Johnson of Baylor University that offers some hope for us.   He writes, 

Media accounts suggest a consistent if not dramatic decline of the faith factor in America: that young people under 30 are deserting the church; that women are rapidly falling away from religion; that millennials are leaving the faith of their parents; and that the religiously unaffiliated (a.k.a., “nones”) have increased twofold in recent decades.

But upon closer examination of additional data from the General Social Survey (GSS), as well as other data sources, these headlines are revealed as misleading, inaccurate, and biased. The real story is that across 40 years, there have been only small variations in church attendance.

Regarding that subset known as the Millennials, Johnson writes that they, like the vast majority of Americans, consider themselves religious. He highlights how many people, including that age group, switch churches, and they do so for a variety of reasons. But, he said that this change does not mean, as many have wrongly concluded, that they have departed the faith.  He sees this as a potential sign of religious vitality.

And about those "nones" - people reporting no religious affiliation:  He said that, "Most surveys, including the GSS, do not ask respondents enough questions to accurately sort out religious affiliation. In the Baylor Religion Survey, we not only asked the identical affiliation question used by the GSS; we also asked respondents—including the nones—if they attended religious services. Some of the nones not only indicated they regularly attended, but provided us with the name and address of their church, and a surprising number were nondenominational and evangelical." Johnson points out that the reaction that all nones are unaffiliated—or atheists—is false.  In fact, he says that only 4% of Americans are atheists - a number that has remained steady since 1944.

There is a wealth of information here:  a few surprises, but generally information that has been widely reported.  The question is "what can we do about it?"   Turns out that there is quite a bit.   I think this information reminds us that we have been placed in this country, in this time, in order to be an influencer for Christ.  Not only are we to be solid Christian witnesses in our homes, our churches, and our workplace, but we can view ourselves as citizens with a vital role to communicate the truth of God with all those we encounter.   There is a seed of hope, carried by the church, and God's people are present in our society and can have a strong impact.

We also recognize that we are to pray for our country.  Certainly, in accordance with 1st Timothy 2, we pray for our leaders, but we also can be in prayer for some of these cultural areas and those who bring Christian truth into various arenas.  In most, if not all, of these 31 areas, I believe that you could find a Christian organization or group of believers that are working to provide Christ-centered solutions.  They need our prayers and perhaps our involvement.

And, there's the role of community.  Two interviews I have had recently stick out - Dr. Ben Carson and Jim DeMint, who is President of the Heritage Foundation.  Both emphasized the importance of community and a desire to see conversations take place around the nation about some of the dilemmas that we are facing.  And, they shared a sense of hope in what America could be in the future.  

In fact, in the preface of the Heritage study, Mr. DeMint writes, "The presence of opportunities may influence an individual’s prospects for the future, but the culture of a family or community affects the extent to which the individual takes advantage of those opportunities."   And, one of the leading sources or displays of community can be found in the church, the body of Christ.   Now is not the time to withdraw into our enclaves or behind our computer or smartphone screens, but to look around and look up to see how God might use us to share His wisdom.

Purging the Last Christians

We can be hopeful in and strong in the Lord in the midst of our trials.   And, when the enemy advances on us, we can turn to the One who is greater.  Here are some words of encouragement from 1st Peter 5:
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.9Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.10But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

It's a dangerous world out there, and we hear stories really on a daily basis about Christian believers who are being persecuted for their faith, including the purge taking place late last week in the traditional Christian stronghold of Mosul in Iraq.   When our strongholds are threatened, when what has represented security to us crumbles, we can be challenged to place our hope in the one true stronghold, who will give us peace in the midst of persecution and the inner fortitude to be able to withstand the opposition and to stand for and with the Lord.

++++++

Even when we suffer, we can know that God is faithful, and we can be people of hope, even when hopelessness is advancing.   Consider the first few verses of Romans 5:
1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;4and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

The purge of Christians from the city of Mosul in Iraq is apparently complete.  Late last week, the Christian population in that city, which contains the ruins of ancient Nineveh and what has historically been regarded as Jonah's tomb, was informed that they had until noon on Saturday to decide on one of three options: convert to Islam, pay jizya (a poll tax levied on non-Muslims), or die at the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS).   That's according to a report on the Christianity Today website.  Christian houses in the city were marked with the phrase "property of the Islamic State" and an Arabic mark for "Nazirite."

The CT story reported that the $250 poll tax ISIS imposed, which is prohibitively expensive for many Christians, sent more than 200 families fleeing Mosul even as ISIS militants confiscated their belongings, including cars, money, medicine, and food. Some journeyed 42 miles to Kurdish Tel Afar on foot, reports the Assyrian International News Agency (AINA), while some of the families went to Kurdish-held Irbil, or Dohuk, which is 87 north of Mosul, reports CNN.

Mosul has grown into an increasingly dangerous situation for Christians since the ISIS takeover in mid-June, with militants destroying a statue of the Virgin Mary, and removing the cross from St. Ephrem's Cathedral, where the Syriac Orthodox archdiocese has its seat in Mosul. Militants even took sledgehammers to the traditional site of the prophet Jonah's grave, according to the The New York Times, which quotes one Mosul resident as saying, "They did not destroy the churches, but they killed us when they removed the cross, this is death for us." 

A word about Nineveh: as CT points out, it is mentioned as early as Genesis 10:11-12. It was the capital of the Assyrian empire during the seventh century BC, and its devastation was predicted by several of the Minor Prophets (Nahum 3:7; Zephaniah 2:13).   A man named Jonah was sent to preach God's Word to that city, but he initially refused - he ended up inside a great fish, where he repented from his disobedience. He preached God's truth there, but even then, he was not pleased that God spared the city because they had responded to Jonah's call.

This heartbreaking story can prompt several areas in our thinking.   One, we continue to be in prayer for this devastating situation in Iraq and Syria, with an extremist group, motivated by a warped view of their god, is moving at incredible speed with immense destruction, with great hostility toward Christians.   We can be motivated to stand with the Christians who have fled, and other believers in Christ who are in harm's way throughout that section of the world.

I also think we can be reminded that in the midst of turmoil, as guests on The Meeting House have pointed out, God is stirring the hearts of Muslim people throughout that region.  We can continue to be encouraged that even when things look bleak, just as it did for Nineveh back in the day, God can produce fruit for His glory.

Finally, the last band of Christians fleeing Mosul, some 200 of them apparently, rejected the 3 unfair options that were presented to them.   It was essentially what we have seen in other parts of the world - convert to Islam or face death.   Yes, the poll tax was an option, but you just have to wonder how long that would be viable.  This can help us examine our own hearts - if faced with the 3 options, which one would we choose?   Would we be willing to leave our current lifestyle in order to stand for Christ?  I think it does each of us good to consider how we would respond in the face of tribulation.  In the midst of it, we can know that God is with us and He will sustain us.

Not a Level Playing Field

The writer of Hebrews, in the 10th chapter, was intent on inspiring the followers of Christ, who had faced opposition:
32But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:33partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;34for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.35Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.36For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise...

So, even though some of the readers had experienced persecution, even the loss of physical possessions, the writer is saying to them - and us - to continue to be confident in the Lord.   In a culture where Christianity faces a certain degree of hostility, and there are those that want to erase the display of faith statements or images, or even discussion of matters of faith, we can continue to live the Christian life, in the power of the Spirit, motivated by the love of God, so that people can be drawn to the life-changing truth of God's Word.

As Jesus wrapped up the passage from the Sermon on the Mount known as the Beatitudes, He devoted some time to responding to persecution:
10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
There will be persecution, but we can be glad because of the promise of eternity.

Earlier this year, even though it was facing a lawsuit, the school district in Orange County, Florida allowed a public school Bible distribution to go forward. According to a report on the ChristianNews.net website, the Florida Family Policy Council, World Changers of Florida and several area churches collaborated for the effort, distributing Bibles at nine Orange County schools. The groups simply made the Bibles available to students by setting up tables marked with signs noting that they were free for the taking.

The organizations hosted a similar distribution last year after World Changers sued the Collier County School Board in 2011 for barring Bible distribution on campus. The two groups later reached a settlement, allowing World Changers and others to simply make the Bibles available without handing them out to students.

Upon learning of the distribution, the Central Florida Freethought Community, with help from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, sought permission from the school district to give students a variety of atheistic and anti-Christian materials.

ChristianNews.net says that according to reports, the Orange County School Board permitted FFRF to distribute several books and pamphlets, including a booklet entitled “What’s Wrong With The Ten Commandments?” and a brochure entitled “What Is An Atheist?” However, the board prohibited FFRF from giving students several other publications, citing the materials’ “disruptive” and inappropriate content.

But that wasn't good enough for the FFRF - eventually, the school board complied with the organization’s demands, giving FFRF permission to distribute the previously-prohibited materials. Then, earlier this month, a district judge officially dismissed the FFRF lawsuit, thus giving the green light to the in-school distribution of atheistic materials.

The materials approved by the Orange County School Board include a variety of graphic and anti-Christian content, including explicit sexual references, offensive expletives, and a description of God as the “most prolific abortionist of all.” The materials repeatedly attack Christian beliefs and doctrines, including the life of Jesus Christ.

So the Christians merely wanted to distribute Bibles and were relegated to setting up tables but not handing them out; the atheists are aggressively working the system and now have their offensive materials distributed in the school district.   Even though this is not a level playing field, I am confident that the Bible can speak for itself and hope the Christian students in the schools will live the life and provide a compelling witness for Christ.

Meanwhile, the Green family, who own Hobby Lobby, are attempting, through their Museum of the Bible, to get a Bible curriculum beta-tested in the Mustang school district near its Oklahoma City headquarters.   It was approved by the school board in April and set to roll out this school year, but last week, Steve Green announced that there have been some delays.

Religion News Service reports that Jerry Pattengale, editor for the projected four-year high school syllabus, stated, “We have operated on an aggressive timeline to deliver the curriculum for the upcoming school year." But “unforeseen delays” necessitated postponing the debut until January.

Pattengale has portrayed the curriculum as a conceptually elegant, technologically spectacular primer with 550 web links; proprietary videos; and connections to the Greens’ vast collection of biblical artifacts, which they also expect to feature in a museum to be built a few blocks from the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

But when the Mustang school board made 220 pages of the book public, church-state experts suggested that its claims and assumptions amounted to teaching the Bible from a particular religious perspective, which the Supreme Court has banned in public schools.  

The book had already undergone significant revision. But Pattengale reportedly told Time magazine last month that he intended to make more changes to correct “overreaching.” It was unclear from his comments on Wednesday whether the current glitches are technical or editorial.

The WORLD magazine website reported that some of the criticisms include leading questions like, “How do we know the Bible is historically reliable?” rather than, “Is the Bible historically reliable?” Other accusations seem to equate the term “reliable historical document” with promoting biblical inerrancy.

The Supreme Court ruled in 1963 that Bible courses can be “presented objectively as part of a secular program of education.” The Freedom From Religion Foundation decries the Greens’ efforts, implicitly arguing that only non-believers can be objective.

Yet, in Orange County, Florida, the FFRF is certainly not advocating objectivity, is it?   

These instances are indicative of the world that we live in.   This was driven home yesterday, as religious organizations who do business with the Federal government now are apparently told they have to change their hiring practices to include people who participate in behavior they view as sinful, or lose funding from the government.   Calls for a religious exemption were rejected by the President.   By attempting to not "discriminate" against certain individuals, those who want to do business according to their faith principles are being discriminated against.  

It's not getting any easier, is it?   And, despite the high court ruling in the Hobby Lobby case, it does seems that we're on a losing streak regarding our traditional values.  I don't believe we are called to stop speaking out on behalf of our deeply held faith principles.  But, I also don't think we develop a victim's mentality, either.   

Because, you know that book that the students in Orange County can take from the tables, the book that hopefully will be taught in schools all across America, the book that we regard as infallible and authoritative for our lives - that Book, God's Holy Word, is powerful.   Its principles work - and if we live our lives according to it, then our lives will reflect the overwhelming love of Christ and the power of God to change lives.   In this we can be confident.

So, we face the realities of the current playing field, but we recognize that we have a hope that is not of this world!   Be encouraged to live the Christian life.  Allow Christ to live through you, and even though you may encounter those who do not believe or are hostile to our message, they can be won over by the power of God's Spirit working through a believer in Him.   Be of good cheer...Jesus said He has overcome the world!

Boundless Optimism

The apostle Paul, in describing his amazing transformation from darkness to light, from death to life in Jesus Christ, wrote this in 1st Timothy chapter 1:
12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,13although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.14And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

We serve a God who is our source of abundant grace and excessive resources that enable us to have a relationship with Him and to effectively live the Christian life.  And, we trust in a God who can give us hope in our hearts as He expresses His will in and through us.  Our hope in Him can be a tangible reminder to a world that is being shaken that we can have unshakable faith in a God who is powerful and incredibly faithful. Our lives can reflect the presence of a God who is able to do way beyond what we can comprehend.

The words of Ephesians 3 can be inspiring and instructive for us, and can shape our attitude toward God and our reliance on His power and His promises:
20Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,21to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Yesterday, the 45th anniversary of the first men walking on the moon gave people the opportunity to reflect on the event and to talk about its significance.   There was a piece that ran on the AL.com website that reflected on a particular family in Huntsville that, like so many other families that day, was gathered around a large black-and-white TV set to view the historic events as they unfolded.

But, in this case, the entire family wasn't there. The father was away on a business trip. He often was.

Dr. Wernher von Braun was in Houston that day, in Mission Control, watching the culmination of a dream.

Meanwhile, his family – wife Maria, daughters Ingrid and Margrit and son Peter – were in Huntsville, following the progress of the mission on television.

Dr. Margrit von Braun, a professor emeritus at the University of Idaho, is an environmental engineer. In an e-mail exchange with AL.com, she wrote:

Although in the background there was a multitude of response scenarios for all the things that could go wrong, all I remember is a feeling of boundless optimism. I don't recall any "what if" discussions – only the certainty that we would land on the moon and an excitement to explore what the lunar surface would be like.

That boundless optimism for new ventures seems rare these days. Perhaps it is, in fact, a requirement for things to go well.

The key words here are "boundless optimism."  That is apparently a characteristic, or better yet, an attitude that Dr. von Braun possessed.   And, that attitude drove people to pursue this venture that culminated in Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin ultimately taking that "giant leap for mankind."

That phrase can remind us of what Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 3 about our God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what we can ask or think.

In the "Jewelry Box" section of Priscilla Shirer's website, I found these words:

So when Paul wrote Ephesians 3:20, he intended to declare an absolute, unconditional, irrevocable truth in a world overrun with constant change and relativity: God, he said, “is able to do” it.

Whatever your “it” may be, God’s got it covered.

When the Scripture declares God’s power and might to be unlimited, unstoppable, and boundless, we are staring at a truth that’s more certain than the fat grams in a doughnut, than the battery life on a sundial, than the chances of running into a cheapskate at a coupon convention.

God = Is = Able.

Any way you add it up. This is something we can know for certain in our hearts in regard to any and every impossible situation we’re facing. It is something we can keep turning our lives toward with confidence every minute of every day. Any day. Like today.

She is the author of a book based on that passage in Ephesians 3 called, God is Able.

So, we can be people of boundless optimism, not in the strength or ingenuity of humanity, but in the power and promises of God.   In a way, that attitude that drove the original space program to fly higher and soar and explore deeper into space can be a great metaphor for what the Christian life can be like.   God is calling us to live a life that expands our human abilities and to discover more about what He has to teach us about what He wants to and can do in our lives.   As believers, we are not called to pursue empty hope, but to rely on the tangible expression of the presence of Almighty God in our lives.  

We live in a world that is constantly changing, in which there is pessimism, even fear about what is to come.   There is trouble around the globe and huge problems that we seem to be impotent to solve.   Yet, amidst it all, we can trust in the Lord.   And, the display of our unshakable hope can be a powerful testimony to the world.

The Pursuit of Peace

In Romans 12, we see some principles that can be helpful as we pursue a path of peace.
16Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.17Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace, and calls us to walk in a manner where we are able to effectively resolve conflict Biblically.  Yes, in this world full of humans, there will be conflict - we just have to make sure that we are avoiding pride and attempting to humbly pursue agreement.   This is so important among believers, because a rift will damage the unity that God calls us to preserve.  The Bible presents us the principles necessary to make this happen and to the wisdom to provide peaceful solutions to the disagreements we face.

In James 4, we see a very simple narrative about the source of conflict:
1Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?2You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.3You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Our hearts are heavy today as we hear news reports from a number of locations across the globe.   Officials are still trying to put together the real story of what happened in the skies over the Ukraine yesterday, where a Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 plane carrying almost 300 people was apparently shot down by some sort of missile.  Could it have been mistakenly launched by the Ukrainians who are attempting to defend their homeland from pro-Russian forces or by the separatists?   This conflict is one of the may deeply disturbing instances, and the hundreds on that airliners are victims of the crossfire, it seems.

As columnist and commentator Jim Denison writes,

This tragedy affects you, for at least four reasons. One: if it turns out Russia supplied the missile that destroyed the plane, the United States' recent sanctions against Moscow will be strengthened and could deepen the growing divide between the two. Two: if Ukrainian soldiers brought down the plane, Russia's claim that Kiev is an illegitimate government will be reinforced and the war may intensify and spread. Three: if rogue elements now have the ability to shoot down civilian aircraft at altitude, the safety of the 8.2 million people who fly every day is in jeopardy. Four: religion is one of the under-reported but significant forces driving the conflict in Ukraine, with global implications.

This is quite interesting.  As Denison points out,

Church leaders are urging the Ukrainian government to resist Moscow and work for greater national solidarity. Meanwhile, the Russian Orthodox Church has been revitalized under the leadership of Vladimir Putin and calls him a "God-given leader." By claiming sovereignty over the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Russian church contributes to religious nationalism that is fueling pro-Russian separatists.

Is Jesus on the side of the separatists, or does he side with those who are fighting them? Philosopher Jacques Ellul: "It seems as though politics is the Church's worst problem. It is her constant temptation, the occasion of her greatest disasters, the trap continually set for her by the Prince of this World."

Those who claim to follow Christ can avoid this trap by refusing to kill in the name of their religion, seeking reconciliation rather than revenge (Matthew 5:23-24), praying for their enemies (Matthew 5:44) and resolving their differences in a spirit of humility and grace (John 13:31-35). Justin the Martyr (A.D. 100-165) testified to the power of Jesus' transforming love: "We who formerly hated and murdered one another now live together and share the same table."

Could the same miracle happen in the Ukraine, and in Gaza, and in your heart?

There is no doubt a religious component to the violence that we see in the Middle East, and it is being expressed not only in Gaza, where Israel has now mounted a ground offensive, as well as Iraq, where the Islamist fundamentalist group ISIS continues to build up its strongholds.  

The world is full of conflict, and there will be occasions where there will be necessary action to confront evil in order to preserve national security and to vanquish forces that are bent on doing harm.   And, I think it's important that our leaders understand, especially in dealing with the Middle East, that there is a spiritual dynamic to these conflicts.

In fact, there is a spiritual element to many conflicts that we face on a consistent basis.   So, let's bring it home to our own hearts and lives, as Denison did in closing his blog post.  First of all, the Bible is clear as to why conflicts exist - there is sin, there is selfishness, pride, involved, and we have to make sure that we are not aligned with the thief who destroys, but to the Prince of Peace.  

Once we identify the source of conflict, we then can evaluate whether or not we are proliferating the conflict.   The Psalmist, in Psalm 51, asked the Lord to search his heart to see if there was a hurtful way in him, asking God to lead Him in His way - the everlasting way.

The Bible instructs us to pursue the path of peace. So, we must make sure that we are on that path, taking the necessary steps to resolve conflict Biblically.  Unfortunately, we will use Scripture to justify our behavior, believing ourselves to be correct (and we may be) - but if we dig in and hide behind a Biblical justification without a posture of meekness and willingness to make things right, then we have fallen captive to spiritual pride that does not contribute to unity, but to division.   We can be Biblically correct - and we want to be - but if we express that improperly, then we are actually incorrect in our approach.   Remember, Jesus said that blessed are the peacemakers.