A Revolving Door?

God's desire was, and still is, for truth to be passed from generation to generation. Psalm 78 provides this reminder:
5 For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children;
6 That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children,
7 That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments...

Our individual lives are no doubt to be centered on the truth of the Scriptures.  But, we are not called to keep what God has taught us to ourselves - our spiritual walk affects others, including those closest to us - including our spouses and our children.  Out of the overflow of our personal relationship with Christ, God's love will flow and touch people.  We are called to build our families on God's firm foundation.

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In Psalm 68, we can gain a sense of God's view of the family:
4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him.
5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.
6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Family is God's idea - He said in Genesis that it was not good for Adam to be alone, so he created a companion for him; He granted children to them...

Some recently released data from a study examining the religious habits of individuals and families can be summed up in this way: married couples tend to disassociate with the church during their early years of marriage, but having children may help them return.

That's a surprising conclusion from two waves of the Portraits of American Life Study.  In a piece written by David Briggs, posted at the Association of Religion Data Archives website, he writes:

Newly married individuals reported fewer close friends and weaker social ties within their congregations, according to a study of two waves of the Portraits of American Life Study.

The evidence supports developing research indicating marriage is more likely in younger generations to be a “greedy institution.” Attention tends to shift to the newlywed’s spouse and away from other relationships, said researcher Benjamin Gurrentz of Pennsylvania State University.

What does bring young adults back to religious congregations is having children.

A separate study, which followed some 11,500 young people from adolescence to young adulthood found that among young people who attended weekly as adolescents but were not active during those times of what is termed, "emerging adulthood," married parents were more than three times as likely as singles without children to return to weekly attendance.  The article states:

But what somewhat surprised researchers was that single parents, despite the risk of disapproval, had similarly high rates of return relative to singles without children.

“Single parents do seem to be coming back,” lead researcher Jeremy Uecker of Baylor University said. “When they were religious as teen-agers … they find their way back as young adults.”

And, according to the article, Uecker believes the best way to retain young adults is not to lose them in the first place - I believe this hearkens to the seemingly age-old challenge of finding ways to involve those in the Millennial generation.

So, in summary, as the Penn State research showed, according to Gurrentz: "It is children, not marriage per se, that actually integrates married respondents into religious communities." He presented his findings last month at the annual meeting of the Association for the Sociology of Religion in Seattle.

Baylor researchers said: “There appear to be at least two pathways to religious return via family formation—a single-parent path, perhaps especially spurred by practical and cultural reasons, and the ‘traditional’ married (with children) path..."

Briggs writes, "The findings from both studies suggest that religious communities have much to offer many parents in diverse family situations."

The takeaways are clear: first of all, recognize that in their early marital stages, young people are exiting the church.  And, children bring them back.   It's telling that young married couples may not deem a strong religious integration as being critical - and that no doubt can affect the success rate, I would think...if the foundation isn't there, the couple becomes vulnerable to those factors that can enhance marital breakup.  No matter what your stage of marriage, building your life on God's firm foundation is critical to preserving that relationship.

This survey also points out how family structure can affect religious practice.  The integration of children into a home can be a catalyst for people seeking out those religious moorings.  And, perhaps deep down, there is a longing to make sure that one's children, the next generation, has that foundation of religious teaching.  We do have to recognize that parents are charged with the primary responsibility for our children's spiritual development, but the church can be a powerful partner in helping to facilitate that.   

We have a responsibility in our society to promote strong families, to help build families in a manner consistent with the Biblical model - one man-one woman marriage, children born within the bonds of marriage - and there will be those anomalies, those exceptions, for which we must be prepared.  But, God's truth can even supersede and strengthen those instances where the Biblical prescription is not or has not been followed.   He wants to bring about family stability and restoration.

Sometimes You Just Have to Do Something

In James 1, we read these words of admonition:
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Who we are - in Christ - will determine what we do.  That's why we have to look into the Word consistently so that we will find out who God has made us to be.  And, if we are convinced that we are children of God, recreated in the image of Christ for His glory, that will result in fruit that will be produced through our lives.  I believe that God is directing our steps, and we have to be so intent to listen to Him, so that we will be strategically in the right position to accomplish what He has ordained.

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In Ephesians 5, we read a passage of Scripture that can direct and inspire us to follow God's strategy
for us:
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Verse 16 in the New Living Translation says, "Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days."

Football fans of the Auburn variety definitely have reason to be concerned, yet relieved, not only after the last-minute securing of a victory over LSU on the field Saturday night, but because of the bizarre event that occurred at the famous Toomer's Corner following the game.

After the customary "rolling" of the site with toilet paper after a Tigers victory, one of the large oak trees, which had been planted to replace those that had been poisoned several years ago, was burning. And, the apparent perpetrator was identified at the scene.

That's when Herron Taylor swung into action.  According to WTVM television, Herron, a junior at Auburn was at the corner and actually watched the man light a piece of the toilet paper that was hanging from the tree, Taylor took action. She is quoted as saying, "My first thought was to get the tree, I have to put out the fire." She said, "I kind of realized I cannot do anything about that and my boyfriend was saying, 'we have to get the guy.' So I turned around the guy was there and I confronted him."

She continued: "I was screaming, running after him saying, 'this is the guy that lit the fire,'" adding, "At that point, the tree had already been engulfed in flames, so a bunch of guys around me tackled him to the ground and started beating him up."

The suspect is a 29-year-old Auburn resident named Jochen Wiest.  His future looks a bit clouded. The Plainsman reports: "An arrest warrant charging Wiest with criminal mischief first degree was executed on him while he was being held in the Lee County Jail on prior charges of public intoxication and desecration of a venerated object."

The future of the tree is clouded, as well. Gary Keever of the university is quoted by the television station: "The full extent of the damage won’t be known for several days to several weeks, and perhaps not until we see regrowth in spring. Based on the initial appearance of the tree, I don’t think the fire has killed the tree; however, aesthetic death, when the tree declines to such an extent that it detracts from the landscape and there is little chance of it returning to its full grandeur, may warrant consideration of removal as a result of this act, but it is premature to discuss removal."

You know, sometimes you just have to do something!  That's what this Auburn student did in the thick of a chaotic incident.  There's a 22-year-old woman in Texas that also took brave action related to a fire.  

The NBCDFW.com website reported about a woman whom it says "is being called a hero after running into a house fire and bringing a 7-year-old boy to safety." A fire started in a backyard shed. A neighbor, Mariella Medina, reportedly saw the fire, which had started near a backyard shed, and called 9-1-1, talking to the dispatcher while running down the street.  A dispatcher warned her not to go inside the burning house, but she said, "There's a kid inside. That's honestly the only thing that goes through your head."

She had encountered the mother, whom she did not know, who told her the young boy was still in the house. Medina went into the bedroom and helped the scared child out. She says she has no regrets: "The main priority is getting someone out. You don't have to know somebody to want to help them."

Again, sometimes you just have to do something!

And, you may be strategically placed in a situation to be that rescuer, or that hero, if you will - not that anyone would seek to be a hero!   That's why we have to make sure we are spiritually alert, not only open to the leadership of the Holy Spirit to direct our steps, but to direct His power to perform the will of God in a particular set of circumstances.

Rescue may take different forms.  Maybe physical - such as the Auburn student who identified someone who had committed a destructive act and helped to chase him down.  Or the Texas woman who went into a burning house to save a 7-year-old boy whom she did not know.  Or, in a ministry sense, you could be used to help meet the physical needs of another.  Rescue could be spiritual - being in a position to provide Biblical direction to a person in a time of need, to plant the seed of the gospel in the heart of an unbeliever, or even to lead someone to Christ.

We are purveyors of hope in Christ.  And, that hope, with the motivation of the Holy Spirit, will result in us being available to be used by Him in any situation.  The Bible instructs us to maximize our opportunities.   God will show us how and empower us to fulfill His will as He guides us.

Signs in the Heavens

There is a passage in 1st Thessalonians 4 that can bring us anticipation of future events, as the Lord Jesus comes for His church:
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Of course, one of the questions is: are you ready?  We can approach life with the confidence that when the Lord comes for His people, that we will be taken with Him.  We can possess that assurance through a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  He will fulfill His promises to those Whom He has chosen, and if we respond to His call, then we can enter into a relationship with Him and be confident that we will be with Jesus throughout eternity.

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In Matthew chapter 24, in what is called the Olivet Discourse, Jesus taught about a number of signs
of the end, of His return.  We read:
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

He taught about a time of tribulation for His people, and later in the chapter, He said:
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Sunday night, I began to see reports on Twitter from all over Alabama about a fireball that was seen in the sky from a variety of locales.  Birmingham-based meteorologist James Spann issued a report on Monday morning that read:

Last night's fireball at 8:26:44 PM CT was a slow moving (22,500 mph) asteroidal fragment that burned up about 17 miles above Northwest Lowndes County Alabama.... via Bill Cooke of NASA in Huntsville.

Well, that display in the skies definitely aroused some curiosity.  And, there is fascination about what we see in those spaces above the earth.

Chinese scientists certainly want to know more, and they've built the world's largest telescope. According to the BBC, the dish is 1640 feet in diameter, and it has now received its first signals from space. It will take three years to calibrate.

The $180 million telescope is located in a large natural crater in Guizhou Province in southwest China. It has been quite a project for the National Astronomical Observatories of China.  The dish consists of thousands of triangular panels that can be adjusted to study the parts of the sky that the scientists desire to explore.

BBC reports that, "The telescope works by 'listening' for radio waves emitted by objects in space.

Because this structure is so big, it is able to collect signals from the far reaches of the cosmos."

The Bible says that, "The heavens declare the glory of God."  So our searches into space and the wonderment that we can experience by gazing at the moon, stars, constellations, and galaxies will result in a connection with the One made them all.  If we want to get a grasp of the incredible majesty of our great God, we can take a moment to reflect on the universe and the One who created it.

And, we can also think about signs that will appear in the sky that will herald the coming of our Lord. The ruler of the universe will also display His glory in the end times.  Jesus Himself will appear in the heavens and take His Church to be with Him, and the Bible says that upon His return, His saints - that's you and me - will be riding with Him.   Not only will there be heavenly signs, but Jesus taught that there would be signs on earth that point to His soon return - as we behold those, it can develop a sense of urgency and expectation about His return.

Unity Amidst Division

We are called to be one in the bond of Christ's love - it's been said that unity doesn't mean uniformity; in other words, we are not called to be the same.  But, even in our differences, we can have a sense of our oneness in Him. Colossians 3 states:
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

The character of Christ can do wonderful things in a human heart.  As we see one another through His eyes and recognize that we have the capacity to walk in His love, it makes a difference in the way we relate to other people.  We can develop respect and understanding for the perspective of another person - in unconditional love and humility, we learn to listen, to empathize, to appreciate each other, and to love others despite our disagreements.

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In the body of Christ, within the Christian community, the presence of the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit can bring unity and understanding. Galatians 3 says:
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

In times of tragedy, unrest, and confusion, I think it's always a critical element to examine how the church is rising up to address the challenges of our culture.  Such is the case with Charlotte, North Carolina, where Christian leaders are calling for peace in the aftermath of the shooting death of an African-American man, Keith Lamont Scott, at the hands of a police officer, who was also reportedly African-American.

According to a piece on the Baptist Press website, Pastor Phillip R.J. Davis of Nations Ford Community Church, a leading Southern Baptist African American church in Charlotte, wrote in a message posted on the church website: "Hurt; Anger; Disappointment; Frustration; Heartbroken; Sadness; Tired is the mood of our city of Charlotte as another black life is taken at the hands of a police officer..."

The article also featured another quote from Davis:

"Now is the time for heartfelt and sincere prayers, not political and personal-agenda driven rhetoric," Davis said on Nations Ford Community Church's website. "Now is the time for loving encouragement not condemning judgment. In light of the climate in our city, I stand with other pastors and leaders both black and white and our church unites with other churches that [demonstrate] the gospel of Jesus Christ in love and that [seek] the peace of our city."

First Baptist Church of Charlotte pastor Mark Harris, in a written message to his congregation, said the city was experiencing "pain, hurt, anger, disappointment, and frustration.

Both churches hosted prayer meetings.
Harris, five other pastors and 25 members of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team held a press conference, and Harris urged Charlotte residents to trust the process of the investigation of the tragedy, to practice peace and to pray. Harris said, "We pray for the Scott family. The death of a loved one is gut-wrenching under any circumstances. They need our prayers," adding, "We pray for the officer involved in the tragedy. This public servant, this protector of all of us, is no doubt hurting as well. Not only the pain of what took place, but the intense scrutiny of each decision, which is life-and-death moments faced all too often, is cause for us to lift up this policeman and his family."

He also pointed out: "Much of what we are seeing play out is being perpetrated by people from outside Charlotte. The true leaders, black and white, in Charlotte, who work, worship and raise their families here are all calling for peace."

Warren Smith of the Colson Center is a Charlotte resident, and he reported at Breakpoint.org that during the worst violence, Wednesday night and Thursday morning, 42 people had been arrested at the protests.  He reported that, "More than a third of them—15, to be precise—had prior criminal convictions. The overwhelming majority (34) were men, and the average age was 25. Neither police nor local media have published estimates for the number of people at the protests, but the number is likely no more than a few hundred. It’s also worth noting that while most of the protesters are local, many of the protest organizers, according to the “Charlotte Observer,” have flown in from around the country.

Smith reported that:

Pastor Kirby Anthony, an African-American pastor in Charlotte, told CBN News: “Last night me, myself and a couple of brothers from our church decided to go down into uptown for one reason and one reason only, to pray and to be a light for those that were there. To be a light for the police officers and a light for the protesters.” Anthony added that what he saw was peaceful. “We saw some people protesting silently, obviously we saw the police officers, who at that time were very reserved, standing in a straight line, just standing there quietly and then we did see some protesters that were down there. You could tell they were there just to cause trouble.” Anthony believes there are real issues that need resolving in Charlotte, and he said that anger may be an appropriate emotion, but he added, “The Bible says to ‘be angry and sin not.’”

Smith said, "The simple truth is that the church, as Pastor Kirby Anthony affirmed, has been running toward the troubles, not away."  He also reminded readers that the protests were confined to a small area of the downtown area, and that life was proceeding as normal in most of the city.

There are many heavy hearts in America today when we consider the issues that can divide our society regarding race.  I think the Church, the body of Christ, can have a significant role when we consider how we can promote understanding.  When there is tension between law enforcement and citizens of a community, the principles of the Bible can be infused in order to bring peace. Applying principles of forgiveness and empathy can be incredibly powerful.

Even though the prospect of a "colorblind" society is a lofty, and maybe even a utopian concept, we recognize that our cultural backgrounds have quite a bit of bearing on who we are and how we treat one another.  We have to check our own hearts to make sure that we are not harboring any thoughts or feelings that would demean another because of his or her racial or cultural background. And, we have to be willing to listen to the experience of a person who is different that we are so that we move beyond the "what" to the "why," and in so doing, we can pursue and promote healing in our communities.

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God has provided for us not only incredible principles by which we order our lives, but wonderful people whom He brings into our lives for His purposes.  This includes our mates...in Hebrews 13, we read:

4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

I think you can take away from this passage that God wants us to be content in our homes.  Not complacent in the life to which He has called us with or spouse, because He desires for us to grow in our love relationship between husband and wife.  I also believe that, with His help, we can reduce or eliminate those harmful factors that can divide us, that can cause misunderstanding, and generate conflict.  There are products of the past that can harm us, but through the Lord's goodness and forgiveness, He can help us become stronger in Him and with one another.

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Our marriages are wonderful gifts of God, and reflect the relationship of Christ to the church, according to Ephesians 5:
31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

One of the latest bits of celebrity news involves what some would consider "celebrity royalty" - the announcement that Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt.  A USA Today story reports that the couple has been "together" for 12 years, having been married for just two. The story relates that her attorney issued a statement Tuesday confirming that the decision was "made for the health of the family. She will not be commenting at this time, and asks that the family be given their privacy during this difficult time."

Later, according to the story, Pitt issued a statement to People, saying, "I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids. I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time."

There seems to be no shortage of speculation about what could have happened, with another USA Today story spotlighting TMZ and People reports that Pitt is being investigated for child abuse, a contention that is being denied by the Pitt camp.  There are reports that the couple's split is due in part to a difference in parenting philosophy.

The Pitts worked together on the movie, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, while Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston.  They now have six kids - according to International Business Times, two were adopted before Pitt and Jolie became a couple.  They have three biological children, including a daughter born in 2006, and twins who were born in 2008, long before their wedding in 2014.

Brangelina have known for their involvement in social causes, but apparently faith-based charity is not a motivation.  According to The Inquisitr, Pitt grew up in a Christian home, but he describes himself as a combination of atheist and agnostic.  Jolie directed a film, Unbroken, about Louis Zamperini, and his daughter said she believes that the actress embraced faith while working on the movie, but in a later interview with the LA Times, Jolie appeared to be backing away from that.

On the surface, the chances for success for this couple did not appear to be very strong.  The seeds for their relationship apparently were planted and began to grow while Pitt was still married to someone else.  They met in 2004 and announced their first child together in 2006, but there was not a wedding until 2014.  They were an unmarried couple attempting to raise six kids.  Add to that the pressure of the movie industry and their celebrity status, and - well, you can see the narrative here.  Unfortunately, that's all too common, as high-profile people follow a trajectory that is quite different than the Biblical one - Brangelina engaged in a sexual relationship, had a child, actually multiple children, and then, after 10 years, got married in a secret ceremony.   And there does seem to be a lack of a faith foundation.

The LifeWay Christian Resources website, Facts & Trends, offers this insight on the potential longevity of couples who don't follow the Biblical pattern:

Couples who live together before getting married have a lower chance of having a long-term marriage than those who don’t live together, according to analysis by researchers at the Pew Research Center.

A woman who refrained from living with her husband prior to their wedding has a 57 percent probability her marriage will last at least two decades. Those who cohabitate decrease their probability to 46 percent.

For men, the more commitment is made prior to living together the more likely their marriages are to last. Those who live with their future spouse before even being engaged have the lowest chance of a long-term marriage at 49 percent. For those who wait until after marriage, they have a 60 percent chance of celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary.

Another factor to help solidify a marriage may be church attendance, as opposed to religious identification, according to sociologist Brad Wright. “Six in 10 evangelicals who never attend church had been divorced or separated, compared to just 38 percent of weekly attendees,” he says.

Research from W. Bradford Wilcox and Nicholas Wolfinger linked couples attending church together with happier relationships. Their study also found sharing friends at a congregation and praying together also increased the likelihood a couple was happy together.

Meanwhile, another Hollywood "power couple," whose relationship is on the rocks has seen an injection of faith into their relationship.  Jennifer Garner reportedly began to take her kids to church as a result of her involvement with the film, Miracles from Heaven, and the Daily Mail reports that recently, husband Ben Affleck was seen taking the children to church, as well, while Garner was away.   That story says that the couple has decided to co-parent and their divorce has not become finalized.

Marriage is the first institution created by God - His definition is very simple - one man and one woman united in a permanent bond - becoming "one flesh."  Marriage preservation is a Biblical idea. So, a couple should go into marriage with that idea of permanency, not a "try this out and see how it works."  I believe that cohabitation involves uniting one's soul and body to another outside of God's perfect plan - it is not a "trial run," rather it is a dangerous commitment that yields negative consequences on that relationship, as well as relationships in the future.  

And, in the pursuit of marriage preservation, it's important to identify those factors that can cause martial erosion.  It may be the errors involved with past relationships.  There may be different approaches to parenting that, if left unchecked, could lead to great division.  Each spouse brings his or her own unique set of personality traits into a relationship, as well as baggage that could be harmful if it is not dealt with.   We are called to build our marriages and homes on a strong foundation, and to build one another up in the Lord.

The Value of Faith

The Word of God is designed so that by appropriating His truth, we can develop a Kingdom
mentality. Jesus taught that we are to seek first the Kingdom, and Romans 14 says:
16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

As we apply ourselves to seeking the face of God and looking to apply His principles, we learn that our purpose transcends the human goals and efforts of this world.  We are not of this world, and God intends for us to live in a manner that is consistent with our new nature in Christ Jesus, bringing Him glory.  Whatever resources, whatever giftedness, that He has provided, He calls us to submit to the direction of the Holy Spirit, so that in all things God is glorified.

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God desires for us to use what He has entrusted to us for His glory and the furtherance of His name here on this earth. 1st Timothy 6 says:
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge--

So, how valuable is the practice of religion to society?   Can you place a "dollar value" on it?

Well, two researchers have attempted to do just that. Brian Grim of Georgetown University and his daughter, Melissa Grim of Newseum Institute have released a study that has calculated three estimates of religion’s socio-economic value to the United States, according to an article on the Christianity Today website.

Estimate #1 is just over $378 billion.  The story relates that in a recent journal article posted at Religjournal.com, it was explained how the Grims arrived at the three estimates in their study, which was sponsored by Faith Counts.  They wrote: “The most conservative estimate takes into account only the revenues of faith-based organizations falling into several sectors: education, healthcare, local congregational activities, charities, media, and food."  Faith-based health care systems raise about $161 billion a year. Congregations raise revenues of $84 billion a year, with $74.5 billion of it coming from individual donations.  This total represents an amount greater than the global revenues of Apple and Microsoft combined.

Estimate #2: $1.2 trillion. The Grims say the first estimate is an undervaluation because it does not take into account the actual value of the goods and services provided by these organizations.  So, this next estimate factors in the price of social services. The article states that:

Churches sponsor more than 1.6 million social services programs in America each year, and provide 7.6 million volunteers. More than 9 in 10 congregations actively recruit volunteers for outside projects (93%), half allow their building to be used for non-congregational purposes (50%), and close to half have groups that think about how to meet community needs (48%).

Included in that estimate is what is called a "halo effect" of having a church nearby: "...it encourages investment in family and children; stimulates the local economy by buying goods and services; provides a place to host weddings, funerals, or large community events; may run schools or day cares; provides outdoor space for leisure activities; and augments the city’s social services." The value: $418.9 billion.

The study also factored in the effect of businesses with religious roots, such as Hobby Lobby, Tyson Foods, Chick-fil-A, and Walmart.  These businesses pull in $422 billion dollars per year, with $279 billion from Walmart.

Estimate #3: $4.8 trillion.  This is a calculation of just the personal revenues of people of faith, the equivalent of a third of America’s gross domestic product.  The study states: “The third estimate of this study recognizes that many, if not most, people of faith aim to conduct their affairs (to some extent, however imperfectly) guided by and inspired by their religious ideals,” adding, "To the extent that religious ethics and ethos pervade how Americans approach work and life, it could be argued that religion’s socio-economic contribution to American society is incalculably large.”

A closing quote from the study, as related in the Christianity Today story:

“Religion is a highly significant sector of the American economy,” the study said. “Religion provides purpose-driven institutional and economic contributions to health, education, social cohesion, social services, media, food and business itself. Perhaps most significantly, religion helps set Americans free to do good by harnessing the power of millions of volunteers from nearly 345,000 diverse congregations present in every corner of the country’s urban and rural landscape.”

Yesterday, I commented on God's economy.  And, indeed, applied to Christians, if we are using our money according to His principles, we recognize that it all belongs to Him, as it's been said, and we are stewards of those resources.  God will direct us to use those resources wisely, and I believe that giving from a charitable heart is an essential component of Christian money management.

I think it's also important that society recognize the significant contribution of the church.  In his closing comments last night at The Gathering, the national solemn assembly, Dr. Tony Evans referenced a three-prong strategy, one of which involves helping people recognize, essentially, the value of the church to their communities.  I believe in order for that to occur, we have to be doing the work of Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to direct and empower our work.  Imagine a culture without the work of Christian charities, including hospitals, the social services that are provided by Christian organizations, and businesses run by Christian principles, not to mention those believers who reinforce the good in society by the financial decisions we make.

So, finally, we can think together about using what God has entrusted to us to make a positive impact on our culture.  We all have resources, whether in physical form, or in the form of gifts and talents, to be used to advance the Kingdom of God - and we are called to be about our Father's business.

Meaning in the Beans

In Romans 12, Paul lays out some principles regarding community and hospitality:
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

We have each been entrusted, as believers in Christ, with the capacity for hospitality.   We are called into community with one another, and we are directed to show Godly love toward each other as members of the body of Christ.  But, we are also called to be hospitable toward those who are not Christians, following the direction of the Spirit and using the tools that He ordains, so that we are mindful of needs and equipped to be used of God to minister to them.

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In 1st Peter chapter 4, we can read these verses of challenge:
9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen

A recent Christianity Today article calls it "The Beverage That Fuels the Church."  And, I would say that the presence of coffee can be a definite part of a Sunday morning routine at a church site, whether you attend a smaller congregation that has a small coffeemaker, or a church that actually runs its own coffee shop for the attendees.

The writer of the Christianity Today piece, Martyn Wendell Jones, quotes the National Coffee Association USA, which claims, “After crude oil, coffee is the most sought commodity in the world.”

The church Jones attends is Grace Toronto Church, whose primary demographic is young urban professionals. He says "to cater to them, it is necessary to provide something on the order of café quality drinks."

He describes a scene from his church gathering:

My own church serves coffee and tea in the cafeteria of the high school building we’re renting after the service ends in the auditorium. I look around: everyone is talking, and almost everyone is drinking from paper cups swathed in napkins for insulation. The scene is one part French salon, one part daycare, and one part indoor picnic. At a glance, it is impossible to tell the specific role played by the coffee, although it clearly gives everyone a common reason for entering the room as well as something to do with their hands...

His pastor is quoted as saying, “Coffee is like a comfort blanket that young professionals carry around after the service, and it gives them courage to interact with one another,” adding, “For me, hospitality is guided by the principle that we welcome the stranger as we would welcome Christ. For me, coffee is the way I would welcome Christ.”

Jones also quotes Peter Schellhase, who serves on the vestry of his Episcopal church and helps with refreshments: “‘coffee hour’ is one of the main ways people in the congregation keep up with one another.”

So, there is an aspect of community that is present here, beyond the simple need for a caffeine rush on a sleepy Sunday morning.

The concept of what I would call "coffee as ministry" extends to the way the beverage can be used as an outreach tool. Jones quotes Australian Nathan Campbell, who said, "The sort of tea and coffee you serve is a demonstration of how much you value those walking through your doors and, potentially, into your community.” He writes:

Campbell is also involved in the local coffee scene, which he sees as part of his ministry to the community. “I’m currently starting a social enterprise café with a local social justice organization, which will provide training and workplace inclusion to vulnerable people in our part of the city.

Campbell offers this theological angle: "Done well, with attention to the order and detail required, there’s something about the preparation of coffee that is us bearing the image of God and exercising dominion over creation."

Jones also describes The Camp House in Chattanooga, the vision of Matt Busby for a 6-day-a-week presence into the community there. The coffee shop is the ministry here. Busby sent Jones some photos of the ministry, an outreach of Mission Chattanooga. He says:

I see patrons in various states of repose: a typical coffeehouse crowd, smiling and sipping and chatting and typing. The space is warehouse-y, but overhung with chandeliers, in a style that Busy [sic] and his colleagues describe as “Byzantine Industrial.”

Busby's church supports a local coffee roaster that actually employs refugees as a means of orienting them to the community.

Another aspect of this article includes a ministry that has been involved in partnering with coffee growers in Honduras, providing not only distribution channels for their product, but also attempting to address social injustices that exist in that country. There is also the concept of buying "fair trade" coffee, where prices are not deflated due to an abundance of beans, resulting in less money to the grower.

In summary, writer Jones says this:

The meaning of the ritual of coffee in the Western church exists only in iterations: Individual communities of believers define it according to their own purposes, needs, and beliefs. For some of those believers, coffee is a simple accommodation offered to friends and strangers alike. For others, it is a means of fellowship under the sign of the age. Still others see potential in it for meaningful engagement with some of the social injustices of our time. The resulting collage of activity renders a definite image when viewed from a height: The picture is of the church performing its mundane acts of transfiguration on everything that it touches and gathers to itself—even coffee.

I think of this concept of God's economy and how, as it's been said, He does not waste.  Three aspects strike me in this article:  coffee can help build community, but also on a larger scale, can be used to build compassionate economy, and can be a tool to enhance ministry.

Take, for instance, John Waller's project, Crazy Faith Coffee Company, which, of course, gets its name from the song, "Crazy Faith."  According to its website, when someone receives a box:

Crack it open to discover two bags of freshly roasted, whole bean, fair-trade, organic coffee. Dig a little deeper and you'll discover inside each bag is a real-life, miraculous, story of faith, personally curated by us. Since we believe coffee and stories are meant to be shared, we encourage you to give one bag of Crazy Faith Coffee away each month. You can feel good knowing you're sharing your faith, and quality coffee.

And, "A portion of our proceeds will help rescue orphans, sharpen them in Christ, and launch them into full time ministry through Hopegivers International."

Ministry enhancement - that's a broader application of this simple beverage that is enjoying quite a bit of popularity these days.   The simple shared cups can promote hospitality, but there's more to the story. 

Word From the Rubble

The fact that God's Word is strong and enduring is reinforced in these verses from Psalm 119:
89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.

We can trust in the reliability of God's Word.  He has given us, as the Bible says, "exceedingly great and precious promises," according to 2nd Peter chapter 1.  We can integrate those promises into the situations we face each day - meditation on the promises of God can help shape our attitude and increase our faith, because we know that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17)  His Word has endured, it is tested, it is true, and the power of His promises are available to you.

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The Bible gives great instruction in the closing verses of 1st Peter chapter 1, illustrating to us the enduring nature of God's Word:
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
24 because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away,
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

We can continue to pray for the residents of the New York City area, as well as the people in Minnesota, in the aftermath of several attacks over the weekend in their cities.  These remind us that we live in a dangerous world, and there are people who desire to do evil, who possess a low regard for the lives of others.  We look to our law enforcement officials to keep us safe, we can depend on our neighbors to be sensitive to suspicious behavior, and as believers in Christ, we continue to look to our ultimate source of safety and security, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Recently there was coverage at ChristianHeadlines.com about a particular discovery made by a photographer, someone who spent nine months taking photos at Ground Zero after the World Trade Center tragedy.   In a YouTube video, he shared about how a firefighter working there gave him pages from a Bible welded to a piece of steel.

According to the story, the photographer, Joel Meyerowitz, marveled that the Bible was preserved intact, and even more, that it was turned to a particular passage from Matthew 5, which says, according to the King James Version:

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (vs. 38-39).

Meyerowitz stated, "Of all the pages in the Bible that it would be open to, that was remarkable."

In 2010, he began to discuss donating it to the 9/11 Memorial at the former World Trade Center site. In the video, he talks about how these fragile pages survived, and how there is a greater message: "...and it's going to carry some message about the way the word of the Bible has survived through centuries, through millennia of...history."

From this story, I think there are several reminders to us:

One of the obvious ones is that someone working in the World Trade Center, you could assume, had brought his or her Bible to work.  This can speak to us about faith in the workplace.  As the Holy Spirit gives leadership, we can be empowered to live out our faith - that may involve bringing a Bible, and/or it may involve the working knowledge that we are bringing Jesus to work, because He lives in us.  

Another principle is that it is certainly easy to become vengeful when we come face to face with evil - our charge as Christians is not to retaliate, but to surrender people to the Lord; praying for them that God will perform His work in their lives; who knows, perhaps someone can come into a saving knowledge of Christ.  Remember, Romans 12 reminds us that vengeance belongs to God. In a personal sense in our lives, we can put into practice the mindset that when we are offended, we are called to forgive.  

Something else that this photographer brought out: God's Word is enduring - thousands of years later, we still see the proliferation of faith, as expressed in His Word.  The pages of that Bible may have indeed been fragile, but the truth it contained was lasting.   The survival of the Christian faith over so many centuries is a testimony to God's people living out God's Word.   Everything else fades, but the Word remains.

The Wall

Throughout the Bible, we see where God desires for us to approach Him with thanskgiving and
worship. Ephesians 5 says:
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...

When we see that God has worked in our lives, I believe we should call attention to it, developing a thankful heart, a heart of worship, as we give God praise for not only what He's done, but for who He is - a God who is great and mighty, but also loving and kind.   We should never take answered prayers for granted, but rather to respond with an attitude of love and adoration, recognizing that because of His love, He chooses to work in our lives.  Our acknowledgment of answered prayer can give us a greater appreciation of our Lord.

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In the 100th Psalm, we can read:
3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

They're building a wall in the U.K., and it has a very unique purpose - to testify to answered prayer...in the name of Jesus.  It's set to be called The Wall of Answered Prayer, and according to its website, it is the "vision of Richard Gamble, who 12 years ago carried a cross through Leicestershire and was seen by 250,000 people in one weekend." He is the former Leicester Football Chaplain and Director of Sports Chaplaincy UK. The website says that he "believes his next task is to build a National Prayer Landmark for the nation."

The desire is to create what is described as "a inter-generational structure which will stand for decades to come bearing witness to the Christian faith in these Isles."  The Wall is projected to be made up of a million bricks, which is said to be "equivalent to 62 semi detached homes," and ideally will be situated next to a high-traffic road.  It has been endorsed by key prayer networks in the UK, including the World Prayer Centre, Prayerstorm, the National Day of Prayer and Worship and Try Praying.

A crowdfunding effort was launched earlier this year, and Gamble reports: “It was a real thrill for us to hit our crowdfunding target earlier in the year. That has enabled us to partner with RIBA to run a global design competition. Now in just a matter of months we will be able to get an idea of what ‘The Wall of Answered Prayer’ will look like.”  RIBA stands for Royal Institute of British Architects, and the competition was launched less than two weeks ago.

It's my understanding that is just the first funding goal that has been reached, and people are being asked to purchase the bricks, each of which will correspond to an answered prayer.  According to the FAQ page, once 600,000 testimonies have been gathered, the construction will begin.

The website explains the rationale behind a wall: "a wall can be used to protect, give a sense of security, it can speak volumes concerning value and a sense of belonging. A wall can speak of significance, acceptance, and security, which is something that all humankind desires and is in search of."

This is obviously an ambitious project, a distinctly Christian project, giving glory to God for answered prayers.  And, I think that this story can challenge us to think about answered prayers in our own lives.  Have you seen or experienced God's faithfulness?  Is there an event or turn of events in which you have seen God work?  I think our faith can be strengthened as we recount how we have seen Him move.

Not only can we reflect on answered prayers, but we can develop a heart of thankfulness for how we have seen God move in our lives.  God desires for us to come before Him with an attitude of thanksgiving and praise, recognizing His handiwork, calling attention to it, verbally attributing it to Him, and giving Him thanks.

We can be challenged to take our concerns, the desires of our hearts, those things that cause anxiety or unrest, or the hopes and dreams that God has placed in our spirits - we can bring them all to the throne of God, the throne of grace.  It's a place where we can experience God's mercy and grace to help in time of need.  We have been granted access by the blood of Jesus, and He earnestly invites us to come before Him.

A Fishy Story?

In Isaiah 55, there is an invitation to seek the Lord:

6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.

God has a higher purpose for all of our lives, and when interruptions come or calamities transpire, we do well to stop in the midst of the madness or shortly thereafter and think that perhaps God is doing something in us - He is working all things for our good, the Bible teaches, and He will give us wisdom and peace as we seek Him in the midst of our trials.  We might not get the complete understanding, but we can trust that our lives are held by a loving Father who desires to make us more like Christ each day.

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God desires to work His will in and through our lives, and He is perfecting an inner work by the
power of the Holy Spirit. We have the promise in Philippians 1:
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

On Labor Day in Philadelphia, Lisa Lobree was walking to meet her CoreFitness class near the Art Museum there. She heard a "rustling" in the trees, followed by, according to what she told Philly.com..."Suddenly I was slammed by something." She added, "I was like, 'What?!' I was freaking out."

The "something" was - wait for it - a catfish! The theory is that a bird was carrying the fish in its mouth and dropped it. Bystanders reported seeing a bird flying away, perhaps a vulture or hawk or eagle. The catfish was about 16 inches long, perhaps five pounds.

Lobree said, "It definitely hurt me and I didn't know what happened." She had a cut near her eye and her face started swelling. The co-owner of CoreFitness, Gina Mancuso, related that said she had just started instructing the 9:00 boot camp class when one of Lobree's friends came running over. Mancuso said that the friend told her that Lisa had been hit by a fish. She said, "I handed her my phone. Then I made a couple jokes to the rest of the class."  Lisa

Lisa said that the fish probably fell at least 50 feet and struck branches on its way down.

The story from Philly.com goes on:

That afternoon, Lobree developed a 101-degree fever, which she said is rare for her. It might have been a coincidence, but she was worried about a possible infection. A pediatrician neighbor said that was unlikely.

Lobree called her doctor as a precaution and got the answering service. They thought it was a prank call - a fish story, you might say.

"I told them a fish fell out of the sky," Lobree said. "She asked if it was from an airplane."

Later, her doctor called and prescribed antibiotics, but the fever went away on its own. It might have just been from the trauma, the doctor suggested.

I came across another "falling fish" story.  This one was from Alaska last summer, when, according to The Blaze, the Alaska Department of Fish and Wildlife reported receiving reports of arctic lamprey mysteriously falling from the sky. These eel-like creatures, which are 15 inches long and feed on the blood of other fish, are called "Vampire Fish." The explanation: the agency said, “Gulls are picking them out of the Chena River with their bills and then dropping the squirming critters while in flight,” adding that "many lifelong Alaskans have never seen one of these fascinating fish up close because their body shape and feeding habits make them difficult to catch.”

Fish falling from the sky!  Improbable?  Sure.  An interruption?  Absolutely.

We might not experience something so dramatic, but we all encounter life's interruptions from time-to-time.  I think of an interruption in the life of a prophet named Jonah - he refused to do God's will and speak to the people of Nineveh, so God used a very large fish to swallow him, and during the incident, Jonah realized the error of his ways.  The purpose of God was accomplished during that period of well, "inconvenience."

Sometimes inconveniences occur because of our own mistakes and we suffer the consequences of our bad choices...messes of our own making, sort of speak.  But, God will use those circumstances for His glory, perhaps for a course correction, a teachable moment.  Maybe He just wants us to slow down and listen to Him, and maybe He wants to refine our lives.

And, sometimes interruptions will take place not due to our miscues and miscalculations.  We can acknowledge the hand of God as He orchestrates our lives.  Things may not work out or progress in the way we think they should, but events are going according to plan - His plan.  Isaiah teaches that His ways are higher than our own, and Philippians reminds us that He is doing a good work in us.  He is absolutely faithful, and life's interruptions, perhaps in various forms of adversity, are tools that He will use to perform His purpose.  It probably won't be a fish in the face, but rather than let us "flounder," God will "hook" us and lead us by His Spirit.  

Going to Church

The apostle Paul was not only a teacher and church planter, but He was very involved in the activities of the local church. In Romans 16, we read:
1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,
2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

In this passage, there is a reference to a "church" at Cenchrea, a church that is called to help one of the faithful servants of the Lord in doing the work of ministry.  Paul in verse 4 refers to "all the churches of the Gentiles."   There is also a "church" that we find that meets in the home of Priscilla and Aquila.  Jesus is the head of the Church, the body of Christ of which we are all part.  But, He has also ordained the local church to be a vessel and a vehicle through which His desired works get done and through which His people are equipped and empowered.

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The Bible provides instruction through which we can grow in the Lord, and one of the principal
resources is affiliation with the local church. Hebrews 10 says:
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

This coming Sunday is Back to Church Sunday, and according to its website, close to 30,000 churches in the U.S. and over 1,500 internationally are expected to participate, making an effort to welcome people to their churches.  According to its Facebook page, 82% of (unchurched people) are likely to attend church if invited...only 2% of church members invite someone.

Not only do you have people who would classified as "unchurched" who could be candidates for a church home, but there are those who have been attending church regularly who are looking for a new church.  A new Pew Research study offers some insight into the nature of church attendance. According to a report on the Christianity Today website, the study shows that overall, more than 2 out of 5 evangelicals who attend church say they are attending worship services more often than they used to.

The study finds that of the 75 percent of evangelicals who attend church at least once a month, 44 percent said they’re going more often than they did before. 31% said they’ve always attended regularly.

And, spiritual growth appears to be a factor: 54% of evangelicals are attending more often because of a change in their beliefs, with 29% saying they're becoming more religious, and 13% saying they realize they need God or church in their lives.

About 15% of evangelicals said they were attending less frequently, with the majority stating that was because of practical issues, like being too busy.

Pew also researched why people would be seeking a new church home.  It reports, according to Christianity Today, that disagreements with pastors or other congregants was the cause of 18 percent of evangelicals to look for a new church. Generally, 49% looked for a new church because they moved. 16% left a church because of they got married or divorced.

Overall, 67 percent of evangelicals have looked for a new congregation.  The most important factor? Quality sermons!  Over 90% of evangelicals said that was a factor.  Over 8-in-10 said feeling welcomed by leaders was important, followed by worship style close behind.   Most visit the prospective church, with 7-in-10 indicating that they spoke with congregation members, friends, and colleagues about that decision.

Some considerations from this survey data:

For one thing, a church home is important.  The Bible teaches that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, so there is something advantageous to our Christian walk by engaging in congregational fellowship.  Church attendance and membership gives us a chance to be fed by the Word of God and to participate in serving others.

Prayer should be a key factor in determining where we are to attend.  Theology should be another - it's vital that we find a Bible-believing church that will enhance our spiritual growth. Interestingly enough, just over one-quarter of evangelicals indicated that theology was a barrier in finding a church home.

God gives us many opportunities for spiritual growth, and the local church can be an important catalyst for that.  So is individual study and exposing ourselves to quality teaching and worship, such as you will find on Faith Radio.   To stay on the cutting edge spiritually and to resist the lures of the world, we need to take advantage of the resources that God has provided.

Influence

From Psalm 105, we can be encouraged to think that our prayers have an effect:
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!
3 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
4 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!

We are invited to participate in the incredible practice of prayer - we can call out to Him, that His Spirit and His principles would have influence on those who are opinion leaders, who serve in a variety of institutions that shape our culture.  And, as we become aware of the incredible power, He has given us, we can trust Him to use us in our own sphere of influence, to share Biblical truth, to voice ideas, and to model behavior that is consistent with our Christian beliefs, that people may see and perhaps come to know Christ.

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I want to share the passage of Scripture that serves as the theme Scripture for this year's See You at the Pole event, coming up in 2 weeks, which has the theme, "We Cry Out." Psalm 24, verses 3-6 read:
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face.

We are entering into a season in which there are several opportunities for God's people in the Faith Radio coverage area are being invited to gather together.  Tonight, in Dothan, the "Prayers of the Righteous" meeting will occur at the Dothan Civic Center - a collaborative effort involving a number of area churches and leaders.   Next Wednesday night, there will be a nationwide simulcast, "The Gathering," originating from Dallas, to be shown at Frazer United Methodist in Montgomery and Dothan Community Church.  Two weeks from today, as part of the Global Week of Student Prayer, "See You at the Pole" will be held.

And, prayer has been and will no doubt continue to be an emphasis leading up to the election.  You can download an Election Prayer Guide from the website, FaithRadio.org.

Even though the National Day of Prayer Task Force takes its name from the annual observance the first Thursday of May, its emphasis is year-round.  It has developed a 7x7 prayer emphasis: praying for the seven centers of influence seven days a week.  According to its website, the seven centers are: Government, Military, Media, Family, Church, Education, and Business.

I actually landed on the National Day of Prayer website in contemplating some of the individuals found in the Politico 50, which is described as "Our guide to the thinkers, doers and visionaries transforming American politics in 2016."  In looking over the square comprising the home page with illustrations of these influencers, I began to look for familiar names, especially those who might be known to be Christians.

I had already been tipped off about one - because I received a press release from his organization. That's how I found the link to the list in the first place.  That would be Alan Sears, President, CEO, and General Counsel of the Alliance Defending Freedom, who is at #31.  A media release from ADF, formerly known as the Alliance Defense Fund, says:

In its bio for Sears, Politico wrote that it chose Sears because of the involvement of ADF in protecting student privacy over the past year in locker rooms, showers, restrooms, and other intimate changing areas and because he “has built the ADF into one of the preeminent organizations of the religious right, with $44 million in funding, some 3,000 lawyers worldwide and a clear mission to defend religious freedom: As he put it in a March interview with Vice, ‘Tolerance is a two-way street.’”

The organization has certainly grown since its founding by Marlin Maddoux, James Dobson, D. James Kennedy, Larry Burkett, and Bill Bright.  The ADF press release also says:

Sears leads the efforts of ADF through a comprehensive legal strategy that includes training, funding, and legal advocacy that has resulted in important roles in 49 victories at the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous cases in lower courts.

Since the launch of ADF in 1994, Sears has provided strategic leadership in the training of 1,889 lawyers from 45 nations who have provided more than $198 million in pro-bono or dedicated time.

Back to the seven centers of influence:  Sears and ADF obviously have influence in several areas: the government, shaping policy and defending religious freedom before the courts.  They protect the family and strengthen the church.   Others on that Politico 50 list include some of the usual suspects, including politicians who are professing Christians: Ted Cruz, Jeff Sessions, Paul Ryan, and Ben Sasse.  Venerable political operative Pat Buchanan is also on the list. These are leaders who have an opportunity as people of faith to shape our government and its policies.  Some of the influencers share a slot, such as the co-occupancy of Cruz and Bernie Sanders at #1.

One interesting note: another professing Christian that made the list is an influencer in the world of media, at #23.  That would be former Miss America and former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson, who had filed a sexual harassment complaint against her former employer, which led to the resignation of its powerful leader and was the first flashpoint in what became a series of women coming forward to voice their experiences.  The Politico profile lauded her for calling attention to the need for accountability in media.  I would say that needs to be a principal concern from the boardroom to the newsroom.

So, today, we're talking about influence.  And, if you have interaction with other humans, as of course we all do, you have the opportunity to make an impact on another person's life.   For instance, you may think you don't have a influence over the institution of the family, one of those seven centers of influence, but if you're living out and teaching your values to your own family, the people with whom God has placed you and for whom He has given you responsibility, if you're a parent, then you are strengthening the institution, because if more people are doing that, then it can make a strong statement.

Likewise, you may think that you don't have impact in the world of business, but if you are operating your business according to Biblical principles, if you're an owner or manager, or if you are exhibiting Godly characteristics in the workplace, then you are exerting your influence.  I would contend that we can have influence in one or more of those seven centers, and we can seek out ways to do that.

Prayer can have influence in them all - so now as we move from the micro sense to the macro sense, we recognize that people are being influenced in a variety of ways - to do good or not to do good, to receive and/or act in line with Biblical truth.  We can pray for Godly wisdom to be released in the lives of those who serve in leadership in these important areas.

In God is Our Trust

God will uphold the cause of the righteous and pronounces judgment on the disobedient - He works in individual lives and, I believe, He works in the history of nations.  Psalm 9 says this:
(1b) I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turn back, They shall fall and perish at Your presence.
4 For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.
5 You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

We can ponder the sovereignty of God; the Bible teaches that He will use nations according to His purposes and He will use His people, those He has called by His name, to give glory and honor to Him.  We see in Scripture that God calls all people to live in righteousness, and that can only experienced in this day through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  In the midst of a nation that has forgotten God, we can live to call upon Him and give Him praise, and, we can intercede for our nation and its leaders to turn to Him.

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Psalm 33 reminds us that God works in the lives of nations - and in the hearts of the people
comprising those nations:
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.
14 From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth;
15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.

Weekend number 1 of the National Football League is now complete, and while there were some solid performances throughout the league, what did - or didn't - take place before the games made headlines, not unexpectedly.  Of course, opening day took place on the anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001, and the league arranged to have video presentations by President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush shared before the Sunday games.  The former President and First Lady were also part of the coin toss at the game in Dallas, followed by the presentation of the National Anthem.  At that game, as in most of the league, there were no expressions of protest during the song, as you saw in a small handful of instances around the league.  And, here in America, they definitely have the right to do that. Of course, this stemmed from 49ers' backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick's use of the act of not standing for the anthem to call attention to injustices in the nation.

In fact, there were some rather moving moments surrounding the National Anthem this weekend. According to BleacherReport.com, Seahawks players locked arms during the anthem, while in Jacksonville, Jaguars and Packers players held the large American flag on the field.   Vice-President Biden was on the sidelines with the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the game, and some players chose to wear patriotic designs on their shoes.  Personally, I thought the presenation of the anthem prior to Saturday night's college game in Bristol, TN was amazing, complete with patriotic images created by cards held by the fans, fireworks, and a flyover while Jennifer Nettles sang - people were cheering during the last few lines of the song.

Well, I thought it would be good, amidst this controversy over the anthem, to go back and look at a couple of stories related to it.  First of all, you have the history of the song itself.  In an excellent piece at CNSNews.com, Mike Fuljenz summarizes that story, as well as another one that you may not be aware of.

Let's go back to the War of 1812...Francis Scott Key was a Washington lawyer and had gone to Baltimore to negotiate the release of a Maryland physician, Dr. William Beanes, who was being held prisoner by the British.  He and another negotiator were on a truce ship when the British launched an attack on Fort McHenry.  At the conclusion of the bombardment, on September 14, he saw the newly sewn U.S. Flag on top of the Fort was still intact.  Fuljenz writes:

All these sights and sounds inspired Key, a poet by avocation, to compose some verses of patriotic homage to the drama he had beheld. He started making notes aboard ship – and by the time he set foot on land, he was already immersed in writing a poem he called “Defence of Fort McHenry.” He completed all four stanzas within a day at the Baltimore inn where he was staying. The poem was published in the Baltimore Patriot on Sept. 20, 1814, six days after the end of the British bombardment.

But, there's another story about which you may not be aware.  The fourth stanza of the anthem contains these words:

“Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’”

During the first year of the Civil War, Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase issued a directive to the Director of the United States Mint, James Pollock. Chase told him, “The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins,” adding, “You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest tersest terms possible this national recognition.”

James Pollock was a close friend of Lincoln and had served previously as both Governor of Pennsylvania and a Congressman from that state. He and Lincoln had been active in the anti-slavery movement, and he was referred to as "The Great Christian Governor.”  After studying the matter raised by Chase, Pollock wrote back:

“The motto suggested, ‘God our Trust,’ is taken from our National Hymn, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’ The sentiment is familiar to every citizen of our country; it has thrilled the hearts and fallen in song from the lips of millions of American Freemen. The time for the introduction of this or a similar motto, is propitious and appropriate. ’Tis an hour of National peril and danger, an hour when man’s strength is weakness, where our strength and our nation’s strength and salvation must be in the God of battles and of nations. Let us reverently acknowledge his sovereignty, and let our coinage declare our trust in God.”

By 1864, this suggestion had become reality, in a sense. "In God We Trust" was determined to be used as the key phrase, and was first used on a new bronze two-cent piece.   The National Anthem, by the way, wasn't placed in that high position until 1931, and "In God We Trust" became the national motto in 1956.

Isn't that cool?  I think there are several things that we can think about related to this information about our National Anthem.  First of all, I believe that we are to remember our heritage.  We are living in a nation that was founded as a refuge, a city on a hill, by people who wanted to practice their faith freely.  And, I believe that God raised up people to mold this nation from its very foundations. We do well to remember these strong foundations upon which we are built.

And, remember that God intervenes in the lives of peoples and nations.  The familiar passage from 2nd Chronicles 7:14 tells us that if we meet His conditions of humility and repentance, crying out to Him, then He will heal our land.  If we expect God's restoration in this day, we have to surrender to His principles.

I do want to return to a concept that I related on the air the other afternoon.  As Christians, we have to be sure that we present the message we embrace in a way that puts our message in a positive light - we have to call attention to the message without calling attention to ourselves.  If we are convicted about a cause, we have to make sure that the message isn't overriden by our actions.   I think the National Anthem protests, while apparently well-intentioned, seem to have brought more attention to the players themselves rather than the message they wish to communicate.  I think that's a word of caution to each of us as we seek to be effective communicators of the love message of Christ.

Gather

In Psalm 32, we see a passage of Scripture that can remind us of God's abiding presence with His people:
7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

When we feel vulnerable, we can be reminded that God is with us, and He will provide strength for us.  The Bible tells us that His perfect love will cast out fear, and we can hide ourselves in His holy presence, described in Psalm 91 as the shadow of His wings.  When we are afraid, we can turn to God and appropriate His peace.   2nd Timothy tells us that He does not give the spirit of fear - He has given us power, love, and a sound mind.  His peace can be released in our hearts and minds so that we think and act with clarity.

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It is important that we admit our need for the power of Almighty God, our source of security.  Psalm
46 says:
(1b) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

Dr. Billy Graham actually read from Psalm 46 in his stirring comments at the national memorial service after 9/11 - more on that later.

On this Monday following the commemoration of the horrific events of September 11, 2001, we can remember one of the immediate responses - at Faith Radio, we began to learn of prayer gatherings that were being spontaneously organized.  Members of Congress stood together across party lines to sing "God Bless America."  Perhaps, at last, this tragic set of circumstances would usher in the spiritual awakening that many had been so desperately desiring.

But, it was not to be - while national security began to take different forms, and Americans searched for safety, they by and large did not seek it in the Rock of Refuge.

It is interesting that now we are seeing world events that are producing a wave of spiritual responses. Noted Christian leaders will be participating in a national "solemn assembly" next Wednesday called, "The Gathering." According to a press release, chief organizer Dr. Tony Evans has said that the Bible calls for a solemn assembly with fasting and prayer when God’s people have grown away from Him and want to renew their relationship.

He says the meeting has no political agenda: “God doesn’t ride on the backs of donkeys or elephants,” according to Dr. Evans. “Christians cannot be so entrenched within political parties that we are not free to speak the truth to those in power. The Church should be the conscience of the government, clearly and respectfully holding political leadership accountable for following God’s principles.”

Taking place in Dallas, a pastor event will be held that afternoon, with a nationwide simulcast that night.  Montgomery's Frazer United Methodist Church and Dothan Community Church will be host sites in the Faith Radio broadcast area.

This week at the Dothan Civic Center, church and community leaders are calling area Christians to the "Prayers of the Righteous" event on Wednesday night - from the original vision of Dothan Community Church's pastor Charles Lewis, it has now grown to a number of area churches.

I became aware recently of a prayer effort that took place recently in Korea. According to CBNNews.com, it was called the Korea Uprising.  The article says that:

Uprising is a global prayer effort designed to take on a crisis facing the Church. Pastor Jerome Ocampo, founder of Jesus Revolution, calls it an inability to reach and inspire young people.

"That's why they don't go to church. They are more inspired by music, sports, distracted with technology, with their cell phones. These are the weapons of massive distraction," warned Ocampo.

South Korea was chosen as the host site because it is indicative of a troubling spiritual trend. As the story points out, churches looked to that country as a beacon - it's still the second largest missionary-sending nation in the world. But, in the last decade, the Christian population in that nation has dropped from 25 percent to 15 percent.

Rev. Dong Park told CBN News: "Materialism and secularism have crept into our churches. Also, the scandals involving church leaders have affected the integrity of the Church. The Church has failed to be salt and light and the people's hearts are far away from God. I believe prayer is the key that will solve our problem."

The article points out that, "On the last day of the event, the delegates gathered near the North Korean border for prayer, worship, and the re-unification of the Korean Peninsula. They asked God to empower young people like he did David to defeat the Goliaths of their generation."

That's powerful praying.  That's an expression of hope.  We need to see hope in our world today.

The BillyGraham.org website posted last Friday a transcript of Dr. Graham's memorable address at the National Cathedral following the events of 9/11.  He said:

Yes, there is hope. There is hope for the present because the stage, I believe, has already been set for a new spirit in our nation.

We desperately need a spiritual renewal in this country, and God has told us in His Word time after time that we need to repent of our sins and return to Him, and He will bless us in a new way.

There also is hope for the future because of God’s promises. As a Christian, I have hope, not just for this life, but for heaven and the life to come. And many of those people who died this past week are in heaven now. And they wouldn’t want to come back. It’s so glorious and so wonderful. That is the hope for all of us who put our faith in God. I pray that you will have this hope in your heart.

So, we need hope, and Jesus Christ is the source of our hope.  We can also rest on the fact that our hope is not found in the outcome of an election, but in the power of Almighty God.  Sure, I believe that we are to vote and participate in that process, but we cannot look to political leaders for spiritual salvation.   No one person can save our country, but as He has established our nation, God is more than capable of bringing a nation to Him, on His terms.

We also need each other - we do!  We are called together in the body of Christ, for the Spirit of God to move through us.  As we unite in the common bond of His love and power, we can be convinced that we will see results in the form of greater devotion to God.

Finally, our response to world events can either be faith or fear.  The commemoration of 9/11 reminds us that we live in a world where we can feel vulnerable and insecure - if we give in to fear, it chokes out faith.  In faith, we can boldly stand, knowing that our lives are in His hands.