Reordering Society

We are called to pursue the path of truth and to pursue unity that is based on the truth of Scripture, so that a unified body of Christ can do incredible exploits in the world. We can find these words in Titus chapter 3:
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,
11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

I don't want to be known as that "divisive man."  We should always make sure that our convictions are rooted in Scripture and that we speak the truth in love, as Ephesians 4 exhorts us. We must stay away from typecasting people or developing poor opinions of people based on how they look or how we expect them to act.  Jesus has died for all, and He calls us to be people with open hearts toward Him and open arms toward those with whom we interact, inviting people to walk with Him.

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The apostle Paul addressed what could be characterized as a sense of "identity politics" in the church at Corinth, where people chose sides and engaged in division. We can read in 1st Corinthians 1:
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ."

While it has not received passage in both houses of Congress, the sentiments for the so-called "Equality Act" are not only strong in the legislative branch of the federal government, but throughout our society. The Family Research Council website describes this legislation:

The stated purpose of the bill is to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. While prohibiting discrimination is a laudable goal, the real effect of this bill would not be to eradicate discrimination, but to erase freedom of thought and belief, along with the ability to hold a different opinion while remaining free from government retribution. The Equality Act would mandate government-imposed inequality and unfairness by requiring acceptance of a particular ideology about sexual ethics, while leaving no room for differing opinions and legitimate public debate. Simply put, the Equality Act mandates an anti-life, anti-family, and anti-faith agenda throughout federal law, and would be a disaster for all Americans.

We have seen a trend in corporate America to support these notions, even though, as some companies have learned, it's bad for business. Alaska Airlines is a company that was promoting the Act to its employees - and asking for feedback!   Lacey Smith and Marli Brown were flight attendants who decided to speak out. First Liberty states on its website:

First Liberty clients Lacey and Marli responded on the company’s online forum, asking genuine and respectful questions about their employer’s support for the legislation. Their faith compelled them to ask about the Airline’s support for federal legislation that would remove protections for women and religious employees in the workplace. The company disparaged their beliefs and promptly fired them over these questions.

Now, they're fighting in the court system to get their jobs back. The website notes:

Alaska Airlines fired Lacey Smith and Marli Brown, two flight attendants, for expressing their religious beliefs in direct violation of federal Civil Rights law prohibiting workplace religious discrimination. The woke madness that is now governing our nation’s companies, from the boardroom to the break room, is forcing religious employees to hide their faith or risk losing their jobs.

Media Research Center reports on its Newsbusters website:

Beyond the allegations of this lawsuit, Alaska Airlines also offers to refund travel costs up to $4,000 for employees who wish to kill their unborn children. The woke airline also embraces Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and gender ideology. In fact, in a March 2023 DEI statement, the company strongly implied they were racially discriminating in hiring.

According to the radical leftist Human Rights Campaign, Alaska Airlines has a perfect Corporate Equity Index (CEI) score. Achieving this score requires allowing men to use women’s bathrooms, pushing “LGBTQ” propaganda on employees in training and “equal health coverage for transgender individuals without exclusion for medically necessary care.”

In fact, as of late, there has been a uptick of criticism of the airline industry for hiring practices that threaten safety in the skies.  The New York Post stated recently:

The agency charged with overseeing airlines, plane makers, airports and every other aspect of civil aviation in America has undertaken a diversity push meant to bring in workers whose inborn limitations make them plainly unsuitable for high-stakes, high-pressure roles.

The full list of disabilities targeted “for special emphasis in recruitment and hiring” includes “severe intellectual disability,” “psychiatric disability” and a whole host of other ailments.

And, the Post mentioned: "Given the recent Alaska Airlines almost-disaster due to a faulty plane from full-bore-woke Boeing and the troubling string of near-misses at US airports — to say nothing of the other issues plaguing air travel, from unruly passengers to cascading delays — the FAA needs to be pushing to hire only the best and brightest."

Fox Business stated, "Boeing, which allegedly prioritized DEI hiring in recent years, has found itself in the news after a door on one of the models operated by Alaska Airlines blew off mid-flight. In an X post last week, billionaire Elon Musk asked if customers wanted to fly in an airplane made by a company that prioritizes DEI hiring over safety management."   And, as the article mentioned, the CEO of United Airlines, Scott Kirby, has been in the news recently thanks to the resurfacing of a 2021 Axios/HBO interview about his commitment to DEI.

And, Kirby brings a twisted new meaning to the phrase, "friendly skies."  Another Media Research Center website, MRCTV, reports:

A video has surfaced which reportedly shows the CEO of United Airlines, Scott Kirby, dressed in drag and dancing to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance”.

“This is Scott Kirby, the CEO of @united . He’s a drag queen and has been incorporating drag into @united. This video should tell you everything you need to know,” @LibsofTikTok wrote Thursday, posting the now-viral video it uncovered.

The video shows a man, ostensibly Kirby, dressed in a skimpy silver dress, high heels, and a blonde wig first crawling on the ground and then dancing around to cheers from the off-camera audience. A troupe of backup dancers dressed in similar garb were also featured as part of the raunchy performance. The video allegedly was taken during a Halloween party at the company in 2010.

It seems that Kirby’s proclivity for drag is not an isolated matter. A Fort Worth Star-Telegram article, including video, reports another performance by Drag Queen Kirby.

Photos from Libs of Tik Tok show a man, allegedly Kirby, dressed in drag at a party, along with photos of drag queens attending events sponsored by United Airlines. Libs of Tik Tok also revealed on January 15 that a transgender pilot at United is running a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee and sent a letter concerning the committee in which he sought to “dispel a few myths and misconceptions that have already been circulating” concerning DEI.

The Bible is very clear that we should not judge people based on their outward appearance. James chapter 2 addresses the issue of showing partiality. And, while it's been said that the way to solve discrimination is to discriminate more, two wrongs certainly do not make a right.  Rev. King talked about viewing people not based on skin color, but on what's on the inside. 

The agenda of Alaska Airlines and others in the airline industry who embrace elements of critical theory, where people are divided based on immutable characteristics and favoritism is shown at the possible expense of safety, is an indicator of the divisive nature of society.  In the name of fairness and inclusion, people are being divided based on various identities and then pitted against one another. This is not the way of Christ, who has come to bring unity, but unity that is centered around His invitation to all to come to Him, to humble themselves, die to themselves, and live unto Him.

The Family Plan

The strength of a society depends on the fortitude of its families. A committed marriage not only has a positive effect on the parties thereof, but also on the children. Ecclesiastes 4 addresses the important of these dynamics:
9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

That "threefold cord" has been referred to as a married couple and God - submitted to Him to make their marriages fulfilling and reflective of His glory. The joy that is produced in a committed, Christ-centered marriage, to which I can testify personally, is incredible, and that can provide us with an extra measure of strength, clarity, and accountability for our lives.  Out of strong marriages proceed strong families, and these are essential components of our culture. 

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The health of the Church, and I would contend society at large, is influenced greatly by the strength of its marriages. Paul addressed the sanctity of marriage in Ephesians chapter 5:
30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
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.

While family dynamics are changing and everyone may not enjoy the family structure that I am about to address, we do recognize that the Biblical standard is set in the book of Genesis - one man, one woman marriage, united to "be fruitful and multiply."  But, I admit it, that's not the case for some.

But, a new study shows how married parents raising children is an effective means for building a society on a strong foundation.  The information is found at CBN.com, and the article says:

In a blog post titled The Resurgence of the Two-Parent Family for The Institute for Family Studies, research psychologist Nicholas Zill noted data from "the U.S. Census Bureau shows that in 2023, the proportion of children in two-parent families increased to 71%. The fraction in single-parent families decreased to 25%, while the proportion with neither birth parent declined slightly to under 4%."

Two years ago, Zill discovered that the number of children living in a traditional two-parent family had stopped declining.

The article also notes:

He also noted the current trends show the prognosticators who predicted a great increase "in family instability or single parenthood were simply wrong."

"There seem to be growing numbers of young adults in all racial and ethnic groups who realize the economic, educational, and emotional benefits of marriage for themselves and their future children. As parenthood becomes more selective, the marriage-minded may have an advantage in childbearing," Zill wrote.

And, to close out Sanctity of Human Life Month, here is some content from a Washington Stand article about this study that shows that two-married-parent households contribute to what has been called a "culture of life:"

Experts are also noting how the increasing number of children living with two parents is an indication of how the stable presence of a mother and father in the home strengthens a culture of life that leads to fewer abortions.

“The CDC data on the number of children killed through an abortion shows things have gotten worse over the past few years with one exception,” Mary Szoch, director of the Center for Human Dignity at Family Research Council, told The Washington Stand. “Women who are married have had fewer abortions each year since 2018. The 2021 data shows that only 12.7% of women who underwent abortions were married. We know that the very best environment for a child to be raised in is one where there is a loving mother and father. Clearly, the positive impact of growing up in a two-parent household begins long before birth, and in many instances, it is the difference between life and death for a child.”

While recognizing that many do not and perhaps will not experience the two-married-parent structure, we can also see that this sort of stability can be beneficial in a number of ways. And, I applaud those who do not have this structure, yet are attempting, through a reliance on Christ, to bring up their children in the ways of the Lord.  

It is important to note the way the way God intended for marriage and family to operate, according to Genesis, and how families who set these principles in motion can be strong, nurturing, and effective in preparing children for the world around them.  

Strong marriages are foundational to a healthy, functional society; and a contributing factor to the dysfunction we see all around us is the erosion of the family and its impact. The disintegration of a marriage has negative, painful consequences on not only the couple, but their children, and potentially, generations to come.

College Prep

Near the conclusion of the book of 1st Thessalonians, the apostle Paul gives an admonition for believers to recognize the hand of God upon their lives. Paul writes:
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

In order to "hold fast" to what is good, we have to know and embrace what is good.  That comes from a knowledge of God and from His Word.  We have to be fortified by the Holy Spirit so that we can do what is good and reject evil.  We realize that He is with us, working spiritual growth within us.  He is totally faithful and we can trust Him with our lives, knowing that we can rely on Him to do what is best for us for His glory.

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In Philippians 2, Paul encourages us to rely on God throughout the challenges we face, recognizing He is with us and He has a work that He desires to do:
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,
15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

The season in-between a high school senior's graduation and his or her beginning school as a college freshman is a time of preparation and anticipation. You'll have those events leading up to the first day of classes, such as student orientation in the summer, and those hectic and exciting move-in days.  

But, what if there were a spiritual orientation, if you will, that can help prepare a Christian student for what he or she may face during the school year.  A series of articles at The Alabama Baptist website recently reported on one such opportunity - for students at Auburn University. 

According to one of the articles, building on his own experience as a freshman at Auburn and his need for Christian connection, when he became a college pastor at a local church, Trace Hamiter began a retreat for incoming freshman. It was called The Oaks Retreat and the ministry he launched was called All Things Ministries.  The Alabama Baptist describes what occurs:

Two weeks before classes start, freshmen gather to hear the gospel from local pastors, meet like-minded students and peers and get involved in various ministries by attending a ministry fair. Between sessions, freshmen are divided into small groups with student counselors where they hear others’ testimonies and have group discussions. In addition, freshmen enjoy free time and a party that may include tailgating or music.

While about 120 students attended the first two years of the Oaks Retreat, Hamiter said the “third year just really blew up.” As a result, Hamiter created the nonprofit All Things Ministries, which is based on 1 Corinthians 9:20–23.

“We thought we were going to be doing just a lot of different types of ministries in the Auburn area, reaching all kinds of demographics,” Hamiter recalled. “But the Lord had other plans.”

Hamiter devoted himself full-time to the ministry, and it began to expand.  A retreat was launched for Troy students, then the University of Alabama.  Now, there are retreats serving nine different campuses, and in the past year, over 1600 students attended.   Through the ministry website, you can see the various schools served and the retreats have a specific name that contains meaning for those schools, such as the Chimes Retreat at Alabama and the Grove Retreat at Ole Miss.

The retreats are described as "student-led," with partnerships with local churches and ministries. The Alabama Baptist article notes:

Instead of freshmen walking into a new environment and making decisions they normally wouldn’t due to feeling alone or scared, they realize they have Christ-minded community around them.

“Now, when [freshmen] get to campus, they’ve learned from upperclassmen that are living for Jesus, and they realize that you really can live for Christ in college,” Hamiter said.

The second Alabama Baptist article spotlighted the Oaks experience of a freshman named Hudson Hall. It relates:

During the student-led retreat, freshmen are assigned to a counselor for small group discussions.

Hall was assigned to 22-year-old counselor Ethan Jones, who had attended the retreat himself as a freshman and decided to be a counselor his sophomore, junior and senior years — and even following graduation.

After Jones realized “the value of discipleship and the importance of getting someone who’s more mature spiritually and older than you to help you follow Jesus,” he decided to pay it forward to others.

For Hall, Jones has been much more than a short-term counselor. He’s an answer to prayer.

“I had been praying for the past six months that the Lord would bring someone in my life to disciple me,” Hall said.

Now, the two friends meet biweekly for discipleship.

Hall says, “I’ve had the chance to really grow spiritually...," and adds, "For me...the Oaks Retreat was really a turning point in the way that [I see] Jesus’ grace and conquering sin.”

College can be such a defining time in a person's life and can really contribute to a teenager owning his or her faith - really being able to live it out in a new environment is really critical.  

Let's talk about that new environment, shall we?  We will encounter those from time to time.  We have to make sure that we are spiritually and mentally prepared to face what God has ordained for us for that season for our lives.  We do that through recognizing the challenges and relying on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide us through.  He is with us, and He desires for us to fulfill the calling that He has placed on us.

A Greater Crown

In the latter part of the 6th chapter of Ephesians, in which Paul outlines the pieces of the "full armor of God," he spends some time on the topic of prayer, writing this:
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

A key word, there in verse 19, is "open." We must have open hearts in order to not only receive Christ, but to allow Him to work powerfully in our lives. We can experience His cleansing and see His holiness expressed through us. As we maintain a right relationship, we can open our lives for others to see Jesus and open our mouths so that we can speak words that exalt Him - words of truth, coated in love, that speak to those who interact with us. 

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It's, quite frankly, one of my favorite verse of Scripture, because it points to what God has done in us through Jesus. It's 1st Peter 2:9, and here is that verse and the one following:
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Imagine this: following a victory of a professional sports team in a key playoff contest, the head coach walks into a room of reporters and says this:

"Greatness, power, glory, victory and honor belong to you, because everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. The kingdom belongs to you, Lord..."

That is a quote from the book of 1st Chronicles, and it actually happened in Baltimore, following the Ravens' victory over the Houston Texans.  Head coach John Harbaugh is the guilty party here, and FoxNews.com reported that he spoke those words, according to OutKick NFL insider Armando Salguero.  The article goes on to say:

Harbaugh's quote came a week after C.J. Stroud, the quarterback Harbaugh's Ravens beat Saturday, gave "all glory to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ" after the Texans' playoff win over the Cleveland Browns.

Stroud's comments were edited out of a post on X, formerly Twitter, from the official account of NBC's "Sunday Night Football."

Sports Spectrum offered coverage of Harbaugh's faith expression last Saturday, as well as other public professions. Regarding the Bible verse, he noted, “This is something that was said to me before the game, and it just was meaningful to me, so I’m gonna share it with you because I think it’s the right thing to do,” He added, “There’s an amazing spirit on this team, and I just want to give honor and glory where it’s due.”

The article goes on to say:

Harbaugh is a regular at team Bible studies and practices daily spiritual disciplines that include Bible reading and prayer. Last July, Harbaugh joined the Sports Spectrum Podcast to discuss his definition of success and his growth in Christ over the years.

“To me, success is alignment with God,” he said. “Perfect success would be perfect alignment with God and God’s will. … He knows what our true desires are, what our purpose is, so trying to find that purpose through connection with God — being connected and filled with the spirit of God, the Holy Spirit — that is success.”

John Harbaugh isn't the only member of the family who made some faith statements last week. The Federalist reported on his brother, Jim's appearance at the March for Life, where the national college championship coach was on stage:

Harbaugh expanded on his commitment to life in an interview on the sidelines of the rally.

“There’s no right without the right to be born,” Harbaugh said. “No other rights matter if you don’t have the right to be born.”

Harbaugh also spoke about his team’s religious revival after 70 players were baptized into Christianity this season.

“There’s a spiritual mission to our team,” Harbaugh said, “and I’m inspired by them.”

The head football coach made headlines in summer 2022 just one month after the Dobbs decision when he pledged to raise any babies his staff or players couldn’t.

Yes, you're probably thinking that the coach who was suspended for six games this past season might not be a greatest spokesman for matters of faith and life. I agree, but I do think it's notable to mention that God is certainly moving in the lives of the football team, and that he professes a Biblical view of life, despite his shortcomings.

Among the NFL playoff teams, there are some wonderful faith stories - consider the proclamations of head coaches DeMeco Ryans of the Texans and Todd Bowles of the Buccaneers, in addition to the much-publicized and clipped comments about Christ made by Texans QB1 C.J. Stroud.

And, leading the San Francisco 49ers into the NFC championship this weekend will be Brock Purdy. Sports Spectrum reported on his faith journey:

“I believe that Jesus Christ did come down, and died for my sins and rose again, and He is living and sitting beside God (the Father) on the throne,” Purdy told Sports Spectrum in February. “And so I believe that. It’s not just some story fairytale thing. It’s real. And it allows me to stay level-headed and real with life.”

Despite the attention that has come his way as a rising NFL star, Purdy knows that chasing the things of this world is ultimately a vain pursuit.

“The minute you have fame, and if you’re trying to chase status and money and all this stuff, you’ll lose your life — rather than denying yourself, picking up your cross, keeping your eyes on Jesus and His promises” he told Sports Spectrum. “Through that, that’s life, and that’s a life worth living.”

So, while I'm not saying who I'd like to win the championship games this weekend, I am heartened by the display of faith that I have seen during the previous rounds of playoffs. It's a reminder that, even though it might get you censored, as C.J. Stroud experienced, we should look for opportunities to boldly proclaim who Jesus is and who He is to us.  He's not merely the "good Lord" who will "bless" us, but He is the One who has made it possible to come into relationship with Him. 

I am thankful to live in a country that was founded on principles that are consistent with the Scriptures. Unlike countries that persecute Christians, we live in a country where, in most cases, we can freely proclaim and exalt the name of Jesus. But, we have to be mindful that 1st Timothy 2 tells us we should pray for our leaders so that we might live peaceful and God-honoring lives.  But, we can make up our minds that, even though it might be tougher to live that life in the coming days, we can be faithful to live for Christ.

Book Wars

We are called and empowered to live sanctified lives, set apart to God, and distinctive from the ways of this world. Colossians chapter 3 offers this guidance:
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...

The Bible deals in absolutes: life and death, light and darkness, truth and error.  What we allow into our minds can be filtered according to the absolute standards of the Bible. So, we have to be grounded in knowing what is right and what is wrong. We do have to recognize that through the media, including the Internet, the availability of inappropriate, unclean content is tremendous. We can be challenged to stand strong against the ways of the world and offer the light of truth. 

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The availability of pornography is quite stunning and greatly concerning, and children of a variety of ages are easily exposed to it, which is a warning to parents. Ephesians 5 addresses our response:
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."

It was the #10 topic of 2023 impacting the Christian community, and the implications are great for cities and towns all across our nation.  Obscene, pornographic, inappropriate sexual material is being made available to children in libraries.  Last year, Kirk Cameron called attention to the problem by challenging libraries who had hosted drag queen events to allow him to come and read a Christian children's book he had written.  He got few takers.  He and his publisher sponsored a "See You at the Library Day" last summer - there were hundreds that showed up to see him in Madison, Alabama, but not after a concerted effort to cancel the event.

It's rather stunning to me to see that communities are even having a discussion. As a culture, we should be intent on protecting the hearts and minds of our children from being exposed to material that will pollute and corrupt their souls.  

And, a new Christian Post article details some of the data from a new survey about school libraries.  It says:

The EveryLibrary Institute and Book Riot released the results of a survey titled “Parents’ Perception of School Libraries and Librarians” based on responses from 616 parents and guardians collected throughout the month of December.

When asked if they trusted “school librarians to select appropriate books and materials for school libraries,” 80.65% of respondents answered in the affirmative, while the other 19.35% said they did not trust librarians to make such decisions.

OK, so there is a high level of trust there. But, the justification is a bit flimsy.  The Christian Post article states:

...82.35% of parents expressed confidence in school librarians to “recommend age and content-appropriate books and materials to students.” At the same time, most parents (81.44%) stated that they did not “know how school librarians decide if a book should be in the school library’s collection.”

This survey indicates that parents want to have a say in the type of books their children are allowed to check out; 6-out-of-10 "agreed that school libraries should 'restrict access to certain books based on a child’s age or require parental permission to check out certain books,'” and a slightly lower percentage said that parents should be notified about the books their children check out. Just over half of parents said that they would support having parents "sign a form indicating that their child cannot access the school library.”

An overwhelming majority of parents surveyed - 8-in-10 - said they would support “content rating systems based on their appropriateness for different age groups or contents, similar to the rating systems used for movies, TV shows, or video games..."

The director of the EveryLibrary Institute, John Chrastka, said, “On one hand, there is a clear and strong affirmation of the value of school libraries and the professionals who run them, with a majority of parents recognizing the importance of these educational resources in their children’s lives. On the other hand, the survey also reveals deep-seated concerns and divergent views among parents regarding access to certain books and the extent of parental oversight in school libraries..."

The head of BookRiot, Kelly Jensen described in the article as a "progressive," is quoted as saying:

“That LGBTQ+ books are still seen as the most likely to be seen as inappropriate for anyone under 18 is chilling. It is not encouraging to see that nearly 1/3 of parents would seek to ban a book from the school library if it made them or their child uncomfortable.”

It's still all about protecting our children - while attempting to paint the other side as "book-banners" and "censors," these activists have decided that our children should have the right to read what they want to read; in some cases, overriding the rights of parents to direct the training of their children. And, you can find the so-called LGBT books, by their very nature, contain inappropriate material concerning a warped view of sexuality.  It's not a subject matter to be ignored, because parents should present a Biblical view on that subject, but it's the parents who should be teaching that. 

No, we cannot protect our children from all the harmful influences in this world, which is why kids need to be equipped with a Biblical filter that they themselves activate when they see something that contradicts a Biblical worldview perspective.  It really underscores the tremendous God-given responsibility that parents have.  And, we should be resilient in standing against the influences that have a corrupting effect on our culture at large. Free speech is one thing - detrimental, obscene, pornographic speech and imagery are clearly something that should not be protected by the First Amendment, and you have those who intentionally corrupt while hiding behind bogus "free speech" claims.

Penn's Stand

Through our adherence to the teachings of Jesus, we can see Him radically change our lives, and as the Church uses its influence and develops a credible, compelling witness, the hearts and minds of people around us can be changed. In the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 7, Jesus declares:
12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

I think about the simple challenge Moses gave to the children of Israel: Choose life.  There is a way that leads to life, Jesus said. And, it is unbelievably simple, yet hard at the same time - we know what to do, don't we?  But, we don't do it - I've been spending some time in the parable of the sower recently. Jesus talked about the Word going into our hearts, but it doesn't bear fruit due to our hearts not being right before God and because of distractions and deception.  We have to take these words to heart.

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In John 5, Jesus responded with truth to those who would challenge Him; He said:
37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.
38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe.
39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Since the widespread rioting of the summer of 2020, there has been an intensified move afoot to remove statues and monuments to history.  Now, there are elements of American history that are offensive to some, but lessons of history can be instructive for us today.  

And, people should rightly know when to draw the line, but you have had some who have pushed the envelope, such as those who wanted to remove a statue dedicated by Frederick Douglass called the Emancipation Memorial or Freedman's Memorial in Washington, depicting Abraham Lincoln and a freed slave. A similar version was removed from a Boston park in 2020.  The DC statue still stands, as far as I can tell.

And, a statue of William Penn, from whom the state of Pennsylvania derives its name, still stands, even after an effort to remove it. But why?  According to Mark Tooley of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, writing for WORLD Magazine:

Penn famously abjured war, rejected conquest in place of harmony with the native tribes, and established religious freedom in Pennsylvania. Of all early American personalities, he should be safe from assault by the radical deconstructionists. But for too many, any European Christian is an oppressor who must be deleted.

Tooley writes, "Ostensibly, removing Penn would have offered a more 'welcoming, accurate, and inclusive experience for visitors,' according to the original Park Service announcement. The updated Park Service news release simply declared without explanation that the “preliminary draft proposal, which was released prematurely and had not been subject to a complete internal agency review, is being retracted. No changes to the William Penn statue are planned.'"  The statue, along with his home, would be removed in favor of a greater emphasis on the Native American history of the region.

Tooley provides this information about the well-known statesman:

Penn was a wealthy man in England in the 1600s, the heir to his father, who had served as an admiral. But Penn was impressed by the faith of the persecuted Quakers and eventually adopted their faith, for which he was imprisoned. His father secured him access to the king, through which Penn obtained the massive land grant that became Pennsylvania. Penn established the colony as a “holy experiment,” where the religiously persecuted from throughout Europe would be welcomed.

Paul Batura of Focus on the Family, writing for The Daily Citizen, said this:

To be sure, William Penn was a stout and unapologetic believer in Jesus Christ. He once famously declared, “No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.”

Which is why progressives in the area were eager to remove his statue and try and erase any memory of what was behind the colony’s founding.

Initial plans from the Park Service suggested the renovations, including the removal of the Penn statue, would result in “a more welcoming, accurate, and inclusive experience for visitors.”

So, after much opposition to the removal, the statue of Penn will remain.  But, the tug-of-war involving the vilification of faithful Christians continues.  Batura states that:

When we attempt to erase or sanitize the past, we miss out on the many lessons that can be gleamed from the eventful, history-shaping, and imperfect lives lived before us. Not only that, but we set the bar impossibly high. By woke and hypocritical standards, only those who have an unblemished background are the ones that can be learned from and esteemed. They just don’t exist.

“Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants,” said William Penn – a truth that has aged well in the three hundred years since the Quaker’s death.

Isn't that the truth? Authoritarians want to submit to no one, most certainly not Almighty God or His principles.  The tyrant disregards human worth and views people as subjects.  The good civic leader regards the worth of the individual and views people as valued participants in civic life. 

And, the authoritarians certainly desire to silence those with whom they disagree. That's why we find Christian speech under fire these days; but we mustn't allow the voice of the Church to be muted. We not only have a right to be heard, our culture has a need for us to be heard.  Because, the words of Jesus are the words of life.  The teachings of Jesus are principles through which we can build a moral, fair, and just society.  It's hard to believe why we collectively don't get this - when you have politicians stand up and shout about so-called "reproductive rights," which supporting the destruction of millions of children in the womb, we are a society that has been blinded. 

Jesus knows what's better for us than we do - quite frankly, in our human wisdom we are weak. But, the the power of the Spirit and the Word of God, we are strong. The elites don't know what's best for us; they know what's best for them.  William Penn, arguably a godly man who "got it," said it well, and we would do well to consider it: "Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants." But, through our willingness to live our lives for Christ, to stand, speak out boldly, and to contribute to a more godly society, there is still hope. 

Place of Rest

As He stood before King Agrippa, according to Acts 26, Paul described His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. In that chapter, He says:
15 So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

While that is certainly a specific call and response by Paul, these words can be inspiring to us as we "rise and stand" on our "feet."  Romans chapter 10 refers to the feet that would spread the gospel, and feet prepared for service are part of the armor of God. Jesus commissioned us to go into all the world. So, there's an element of standing and...going. Our faith is an active one, not a sit-down faith, but a faith that carries us and the light within us into the darkness.

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In Acts chapter 1, shortly before His ascension into Heaven following His resurrection, Jesus gave a word of encouragement to His disciples; we can find these words in that chapter:
6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

We have entered a sweet season at Faith Radio in which we will be participating, within the course of about a month, four different missions conferences. This gives us a chance to present to church congregations how God is working through the ministry of Faith Radio, and congregation members learn how the work of spreading the gospel is continuing not only on the local level, but also around the world.

I came across an article at the Baptist Press website the other day that spotlighted a desire that God gave to an Arkansas couple to minister to foreign missionaries who come back to the United States for furlough, which can involve being off the mission field for a period of time, for any number of reasons, including to have a time of rest and renewal. 

The article notes:

Hiding Place Hollow was born out of a vision that God had given to Mike and Susan Phillips to help provide quality homes for missionaries who were home on furlough. The couple felt God was leading them to build 10 homes and that He would provide everything they needed, completely debt free.

By August of 2022, three of the homes had been completed with two more homes being framed and roughed in. In the 16 months since, five houses have now been completed. Peace Home opened in March of 2023, and Hope Home opened last November. Currently, three of the homes are occupied by missionaries, one by the caretakers of the grounds, and the fifth home is set to be occupied in just a few short weeks.

The groundbreaking has occurred for the sixth building, which will also include common space for the guests. 

The Phillips, according to the article, "...have heard multiple stories from missionaries who are worn out, burned out or stressed out, who come home with a need to recoup and recover only to face additional obstacles. Housing is not only limited but space is often inadequate. Many find themselves constantly on the move from one place to another during their time in the States."

Their desire is to provide a restful, nurturing atmosphere for the missionary families who come in.  The article describes what the missionaries encounter upon their arrival:

Before the missionaries arrive, a picture of the family is placed in the home. The pantry is filled with supplies and gift baskets are provided with gift cards and other useful items. The missionaries are asked in advance to provide a list of things they want personally. A fresh bouquet of flowers is placed in each home as well.

Susan tells the story of one missionary mom who had trouble sleeping while on the field for over three years. It took some time, but after a few months in the new home, the mom was finally able to relax and sleep through the night for the first time in years. The family stayed for six months and have rebooked for three years from now when they return on furlough.

One notable component is the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. Through a partnership, improvements to a creek running through the Hiding Place Hollow property were made. There's a 12x12 foot treehouse, and other outdoor opportunities in the works.

Currently, the existing homes are reserved through 2024, with some into next year. 

This reminds us of the importance of recognizing the humanity of those who serve in the missions field.  They are more than just pictures on a website or speakers at a conference.  These are people who have surrendered to God's call, certainly, and they have families, financial pressures, decisions that weigh upon them, and of course, the incredible responsibility of ministering to people and building relationships for the sake of the gospel.  So, they should not be taken for granted.

We can also think about our need for rest and relaxation. God wants to call us to Himself, and if we are so busy that we wear ourselves out, even in doing what you could characterize as God's work, such as volunteering in a church or ministry, or exercising family responsibility, such as doing one-on-one ministry to an ill family member.  We have to be good stewards of the time God has given us, and we can be intent on making sure we are at our best.  So, we can make sure we are allowing the Lord to tend to our souls. 

On Fire

When we face adversity, we can either try to run and hide or face it head-on, recognizing that the Lord is with us and that He has a purpose, even in our suffering. Isaiah 43 says:
1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3a For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

Several chapters later, in Isaiah 48, we find the phrase, "I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." That's a powerful phrase, and very relatable, because I think that we face spiritual heat from time to time - perhaps the Lord turns up the temperature and sends a trial our way so that He can do His refining work in our lives. He is so loving and cares for us; He only wants the best for us - so when we suffer, we can continue to rejoice that He is still at work.

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When we face those inconvenient circumstances in our lives, it's important that we develop a proper response that glorifies God. Tragedy will come, and we certainly should respond to our sense of loss in a Godly manner and express the sorrow that results. 1st Peter chapter 4 states:
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

The pastor of a church in Decatur, Alabama received a call in the early morning hours of New Year's Day this year, informing him about a fire at his church, Sixth Avenue Community Church.  The Faithwire website reported on the response of Pastor Sean DeMars in a Facebook post:

“The entire meeting hall was consumed, and the rest of the building incurred significant smoke and water damage,” he wrote. “What caused the fire? The investigator on the scene said that the fire was caused by a wall heater in the foyer at the main meeting hall entrance.”

DeMars then posed a rhetorical question — one that offered a telling look into the depths of his faith.

“What now?” he asked, before proclaiming: “First, rejoice!” 

The article goes on to say:

The preacher shared Paul’s words from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which reads, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Considering the monumental loss, pain, and chaos the house of worship and congregants are surely feeling, this encouraging reminder truly stands out.

DeMars went on to offer prayer points for church members and others to ponder, with each of those prompts starting with a faith-building word: “rejoice.”

Faithwire also reported: 

In a follow-up Facebook post, the church said it is “OK to grieve the loss” of the building so long as Christians don’t “grieve like those who have no hope,” citing 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

The Christian Post reported that First Baptist Church of Decatur had offered for Sixth Avenue to use its building.

I'm reminded of an occurrence closer to home, in Montgomery at First Baptist Church downtown on S. Perry, in which the church was actually the victim of an attempted arson - it took months to remedy the damage, yet Senior Pastor Mark Bethea led the congregation through that difficulty with confident and Christ-affirming leadership. CBN.com had stated just days after the fire:

Pastor Bethea has continued to keep congregants updated on the clean-up and rebuilding process, all the while maintaining an attitude of faith and mercy.

"I left the church last night more encouraged and ready to take the gospel forward than ever before," Bethea shared. "What man meant for evil, God is currently using and will use for good. I believe that with every fiber of my soul."

About ten months later, the congregation moved back into its restored sanctuary; The Alabama Baptist reported that on July 24, 2022, the congregation sang, "To God Be the Glory," described as "a hymn church members sang as they gathered in a parking deck, a parking lot and other spaces following the attack."  Pastor Bethea was quoted as saying: “Great things He has done, great things He’s still doing and great things He will continue to do,” adding, “We’re going to keep going, we’re going to keep pressing on because great things our eyes have not seen yet.”

The fires of affliction will come our way - 1st Peter describes the "fiery trial."  But, the question for us, is how are we going to respond?  We can become bitter, plunged into sinful anger, and discouraged, or we can continue to hope in the Lord, even though we experience sorrow.  We can be open to how the Spirit is working in our hearts and thankful that He continues to teach us, even through our difficulties.

Inconvenience will come, but we can always remember that God wants to ultimately bring us to a place of rejoicing - in Him.  That doesn't eliminate the pain, but it increases our hope.  Pastor DeMars offered these seven principles of rejoicing in a Facebook post contained in the Faithwire article:

First, rejoice!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
-1 Thess 5:16-18

Here’s how you can pray.
1. Rejoice that God’s will for our church is always good.
2. Rejoice that we just got through learning how to be content in all circumstances (Phil 4:11).
3. Rejoice that God is in control and working all things for our good (Rom 8:28).
4. Rejoice that no one was hurt.
5. Rejoice for what the Lord is going to teach us through this trial.
6. Rejoice for how God is going to use this to advance the gospel.

God wants us to reflect on Him, and that will produce a sense of joy, even in the midst of sadness.  We can have confidence, even in the midst of sorrow.  We can have unfailing trust even in the middle of our deepest disappointment.

A Living Faith

Jesus spoke of the life that He brings - He encouraged us to follow in His ways, and promised us abundant life. 1st Peter 1 contains these words:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ...

Yesterday, I was talking about true and lasting hope - a hope that cannot be found through this world, but through the One who came to redeem the world.  Verse 3 describes that as a "living hope," and Hebrews 4 speaks of the Word of God as "living and active."  We can possess a vibrancy that can sustain us day by day, that enables us to live through the Spirit and spread the love of Christ to those around us.  That living hope can even sustain us in our times of grief, loss, and trial.

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In the fourth chapter of 1st Thessalonians, Paul offers practical direction on how we are to reflect the presence of Christ through us, including how we respond to matters related to death. We can find these words:
(10) But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;
11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Roma Downey and her husband, Mark Burnett, have made a significant contribution to Christ-honoring television programs, including their groundbreaking series, The Bible, as well as A.D.: The Bible Continues.   She was an instrumental part of the television series, Touched By An Angel. 

Recently, in a Faithwire article centered on her new children's book, she commented on the role of her Christian faith in helping to sustain her and her family after her mother's death, stating:

“If we hadn’t had faith to lean into, if we hadn’t been people of faith, I don’t know how we would have coped,” she said. “I really don’t know. … As Christians and as believers, we have an understanding of the promises of Christ around this issue, and the promise of heaven, and the resurrection of the body, and all the things that we’ve been taught and believe.”

The book is called, A Message in the Moon, and she is quoted as saying, “This story for this book has sat in my heart for a really long time,” adding, “My mother died when I was just a little girl; I was only 10.” The article goes on to say:

As a result of such a monumental loss due to an unexpected heart attack, Downey said she became quite close to her father, whom she described as a “great dad.” The struggles that came along with her mother’s death, though, were profound.

“To say that we were heartbroken would be an understatement, because we didn’t even have the preparation of illness, which I know can be traumatic and painful for a child to see their parents suffer and go through a long illness,” she said. “But … there was no warning, and so it was as if somebody just turned the lights out in our lives.”

Downey continued, “If I was making a movie of my own life, my childhood would be in full technicolor, and then, when my mother died, it’s as if the movie then went into black and white.”

The Faithwire article states:

Downey said she believes the experience of losing her mother so young helped give her empathy and compassion. These emotions and attributes have since colored much of her personal and professional work and story.

Through her relationship with her father, she recognized that she was not going through struggles alone; in fact, as she prepared to go off the college and faced the anxiety of that life transition, her father took her to a garden, pointed her to the moon and reminded her that same moon shone down on them both, so she could be reminded that he "loved" and "cared" for her.

She also relates about the power of prayer; she says: “I do believe in the power of prayer and … I begin and end my day with prayer,” adding, “I ended my book with a prayer to encourage parents … to relax and create that peace in our little ones before they fall asleep.”

A 2022 article at The Christian Post related:

Downey and her husband, Mark Burnett, have had great success in the past with the Emmy-nominated miniseries "The Bible," which was watched by more than 100 million people in the U.S., and the feature film "Son of God," which was the second-highest grossing faith-based movie opening of all time.

"It's all been an unexpected blessing, honestly,” Downey told CP. “Right back from the beginning, when I got my big breakthrough role-playing the angel Monica on TV, in 'Touch by an Angel.'”

“I guess we have stepped out boldly,” Downey added. “Someone a few years ago called us the noisiest Christians in Hollywood. And certainly, we have been noisy, it's true. But it's such an opportunity to be able to share our love of God, and to evangelize a little bit through our work. At the same time to make sure the work is still quality work and entertaining work.”

We can consider the degree to which we are making an impact on those around us.  Roma Downey and Mark Burnett have demonstrated a propensity to share truth - and we can be challenged to realize that the Bible is more than just words on a page or scenes on a screen.  It is living and active, and we can strive to have a living faith, a faith that demonstrates the Word within us.

People need to see whom we know and we can be prepared to show it to them, speaking and living the truth, but doing so with grace.  How we deal with our struggles, how we respond when provoked, how we relate to those with whom we disagree - all of these contribute to how effective our witness is. We should always be mindful to have conviction, but to live it out with compassion. 

Where is Your Hope?

As believers in Christ, we can boldly proclaim where our hope lies - true hope is found in a person; His name is Jesus. Romans chapter 5 states:
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We have an incredible opportunity as believers in Christ - in the teachings of Scripture, we can find hope and direction for our lives.  People seek worldly ways in order to make them feel better about themselves, to address their perceived needs deep within their hearts.  But, worldly hope cannot provide the satisfaction that hope in Christ can bring. We can make sure that we are taking the steps in our own lives that lead to spiritual growth and make sure that our hope is in the Lord.

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We can't put our hope in the things of this world; true satisfaction for our souls comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. So, we look beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses and seek the eternal. 2nd Corinthians 4 address it:
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

For the Christians, I believe that concrete goals informed by the Word of God and inspired by the Holy Spirit far outweigh the seemingly casual notion of "new year's resolutions."  So, needless to say, I'm not really a fan. We should always be pursuing spiritual growth, but that's not necessarily done by observing a date on the calendar.  

But, it is interesting to look at what people's stated priorities are. The Christian Post has reported on a CBS News/YouGov poll which found:

Only 37% of Americans typically make New Year’s Resolutions, but among these, 59% express a desire to “pray or attend religious services more,” says the poll, conducted between Dec. 4-7, 2023, involving 2,182 adults.

That desire to participate in religious activities is tied for seventh among the topics - tied with losing weight. 

The survey summary states: “Those who already attend religious services at least weekly are overwhelmingly likely to say their resolution is to pray and attend services more..."

Of course, the highest polling items have to do with health, exercise, and diet.  Personal relationships score highly, as well.  

The survey also attempted to measure the level of optimism for the coming year.  The Christian Post story relates, "Around 47% of Americans feel hopeful about 2024, contrasting with 22% who feel discouraged and 31% experiencing mixed feelings, the poll results say."  And, those in younger generations reflect that sense of hope for the future. The article notes:

Young Americans under 30 are the most hopeful, with 64% looking forward to 2024 with optimism. This sentiment gradually decreases with age, dropping to 51% among those aged 30-44, 37% among those 45-64, and 39% in the 65 and older bracket. Similarly, 60% of young adults under 30 make resolutions, compared to just 15% of those 65 and older.

But, on what basis is the younger generation basing this hope?  On their ability to keep New Year's resolutions?  Consider this from Forbes Health concerning society-wide trends:

In fact, failing at New Year’s resolutions is so common that there’s even a slew of (unofficial) dates commemorating such failures—some sources cite “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day” as January 17 while others denote the second Friday in January as “Quitter’s Day.”

The Forbes Health/One Poll survey found that the average resolution lasts just 3.74 months. Only 8% of respondents tend to stick with their goals for one month, while 22% last two months, 22% last three months and 13% last four months.

The survey showed a whopping 6% were still sticking with their resolutions from the previous year.

So, again, culture-wide, on what do people based their hope?  Certainly, temporal elements would be factors, I would think.  But, God calls us to focus on what is eternal. Our hope is in a Savior who gave His life for us and lives in the hearts of His people.  Our hope is in a Heavenly Father who created the universe and holds all things in His hands.  Trust in the world is likely to let us down, but trust in spiritual things, based on the Bible, can result in real change for the future. 

Sure, these resolutions are nice and can give an indication of what people might want to accomplish, but they don't keep them, by and large.  If we want to see real growth in our lives, Jesus taught that we are to abide in Him - the branches staying connected to the vine - and He will produce lasting fruit in our lives.  We should have a stable walk, not jarred by temporary spikes or bumps in our spiritual life, but to allow God to express Himself through us and for us to grow closer to Him and to reflect His heart. 

Recognizing the Playing Field

In Romans chapter 1, Paul traces the decline of humanity in embracing wicked ideas that are antithetical to the Word of God, saying in verse 23 that people who have rejected His truth have "become fools." We can read on:
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

In our society today, we find those who have made that dangerous exchange regarding matters of biology.  Men can become women, and vice versa.  Sex and gender are two different things - sex is your biology, gender is determined by your feelings about it and is not absolute.  Marriage is between two people.  Men can give birth and therefore become "birthing persons."  We have to guard against exchanging God's absolute truth for uninformed untruths.

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A prominent issue in our time has to do with the distortion of the Biblical definition of sex. It was the #1 topic of 2023 in my Top 10 Topics, and it is one of the seven issues I chose to concentrate on in the latest Faith Radio Ministry Magazine. Jesus summarized the definition in Mark chapter 10:
6 But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.'
7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
8 and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Male and female.  Man and wife. 

The end of the regular season in the National Football League has shown, yet again this year, that a number of coaches will be looking for new positions, and teams are evaluating their respective futures with a new coach in charge. Typically, on-field performance is the catalyst for a coach losing his job.

But, this was not the case for a coach in the state of Vermont, where holding to a Biblical viewpoint of sexuality can land you in trouble with a rather overzealous principals' organization.

David Bloch was, until recently, the snowboarding coach at Woodstock Union High School, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom website, which reported that Bloch actually founded the program back in 2011, and has had quite a bit of success, placing in the top-3 statewide regularly, and having participants win state trophies.  But, despite this success, his Biblical beliefs are what ultimately got him fired.  The ADF site reports:

On one February day in 2023, Coach Bloch and his team were gathered in a lodge waiting for a competition to start. That day, Coach Bloch’s team was set to compete against a team from another district that had a male snowboarder who identifies as a female and competes in the female division.

In the lodge, Coach Bloch overheard two of his athletes discussing whether it was fair for boys to compete against girls. As a Christian, Coach Bloch believes that God created everyone in His image, male and female, and that sex cannot be changed.

Coach Bloch joined the conversation to share his views. He told the two athletes that he believed people can express themselves in unique ways, but he also made it clear that they cannot change biological reality. He explained that men and women have different DNA, and DNA cannot change.

ADF stated that Bloch was "respectful" during the conversation, adding, "Even though one of the athletes disagreed with his position, the discussion remained civil and productive, and the student thanked him for a 'good conversation.'"  But, according to the website:

The day after the competition, the school district superintendent informed Coach Bloch of his “immediate termination” for supposedly violating the school district’s Prevention of Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying Policy and Vermont Principals’ Association policy.

She accused him of making “reference to [a] student in a manner that questioned the legitimacy and appropriateness of the student competing on the girls' team to members of the WUHS snowboard team.”

The superintendent never provided Coach Bloch with the investigative report or gave him the opportunity to present witnesses and evidence in his defense. She also never told him about his right to appeal, yet she barred him from consideration for any future jobs in the school district. In short, Coach Bloch’s punishment was swift and forceful.

As ADF states, "Government officials can’t fire someone for respectfully sharing his beliefs on a matter of public concern. It’s a clear violation of the First Amendment, and that’s why ADF attorneys are helping Coach Bloch defend his rights." 

The Vermont Principals' Association "oversees school-based athletic and academic competitions across the state," according to USA Today, and this isn't the first time it has doled out punishment for standing on Christian beliefs in this topic area of boys playing in girls' sports. USA Today reported in late November:

A private religious school in Vermont that was banned from participating in all state-run athletics this year after refusing to play against a team with a trans-gender player has sued the state for religious discrimination.

The Alliance Defending Freedom filed a federal lawsuit last week on behalf of the Mid Vermont Christian School in Quechee, Vermont alleging the state banned the students from state tournaments and a state tuition program because of their religious beliefs.

The lawsuit also includes the state Board of Education in Vermont.  The USA Today article reported:

The government agency in May 2022 set rules under the Vermont Public Accommodations Act and Fair Employment Practices Act barring private or independent schools that take taxpayer money from discriminating against students based on their sexual orientation.

According to the lawsuit, families that wanted to send their children to the school were denied a taxpayer-funded voucher. Families living in towns that don't have public schools are eligible for these vouchers to send their kids to nearby public, private, or independent school.

But, Mid Vermont had requested a "religious exemption" because this policy would "require Mid Vermont Christian to violate its beliefs by allowing males into female bathrooms and locker rooms, changing its policies regarding biblical marriage and dress codes, hiring those who do not share and live out its religious beliefs, using pronouns that are inconsistent with reality, and more."

ADF contends that the decision on Coach Bloch violates the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of Coach Kennedy in Washington, and the punishment for MVCS contradicts the Maine ruling from the same term that prevented state dollars from being available to attend religious schools. 

These are two cases that show really ludicrous dynamics of the debate over boys playing in girls sports. Coach Bloch expressed his viewpoint, rooted in his faith, about the matter - he expressed an opinion in a casual conversation - because that failed to meet the standards of the elite, he lost his job...quickly!  MVCS actually took a loss in a basketball game and the entire school was banned from competition because of the reason they would not play.  

Such a double standard - those that pursue the LGBT agenda expect people of faith to buy in to that agenda, yet, they do not respect the religious faith of others that teach that there are two genders, marriage is for a man and a woman, and that homosexuality is a sin.  Because those who are gay are considered to be a victim class, then their rights are upheld; those who support God's view of sexuality are deemed to be oppressors and they must be dealt with and silenced.  It's cultural Marxism, critical theory which produces an authoritarian bent. 

Our response: to realize this is the playing field; this has become the issue of our time - the #1 issue impacting the Christian community in my Top 10 Topics of 2023.  We have to make sure that we do not capitulate, as some have done.  That does not preclude us from being civil and compassionate toward those who are trapped in the gay lifestyle and have embraced this gender ideology - they need to know the truth and the Church should continue to speak it.  We can be firm in our convictions, forthright in our approach, fact-based in our content, and faithful to the Lord to walk in love, building relationships and realizing true heart change comes as we stand ready to have Christ-honoring conversations with those with whom we disagree.

A Warm Place

We have been saved and we have been sent - Jesus has made us right with God, having been born again, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the will of God - called and chosen. Ephesians 2 contains these words:
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Now that Jesus inhabits our hearts, He calls us to draw closer to Him, to grow as disciples and to follow His direction.  We are to not only be obedient in our personal spiritual walk, but part of that includes bearing fruit for His Kingdom.  That means we are to be sensitive to the people around us, so that Christ may be exalted through our faithfulness.  We can confidently walk in the love of the Lord and be willing to share it consistently.

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Yesterday, I shared a passage of Scripture from James chapter 2 about partiality and how the Church should be willing to reach out to people, regardless of outward appearance or perceived background. Later in the chapter, James writes:
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

During this time of freezing temperatures, the coldest conditions of this season so far, we can remember those who do not have adequate shelter, and be thankful for ministries and other organizations who reach out to those without a home. 

Chris Avell is the Pastor of a church called Dad's Place in Bryan, Ohio.  He has a heart for the homeless in his city, and keeps his church building open around the clock in order to serve the community.

For that, he has been arrested; The Christian Post reports that Avell "...was arraigned in municipal court on Thursday after being slapped with 18 zoning law violation charges related to keeping his church open around the clock to house the homeless." Avell pled not guilty, and his attorney, Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel at First Liberty, said: “Yesterday, the city of Bryan, Ohio, arraigned Pastor Chris on criminal charges for having his church open 24/7," adding, "He pled 'not guilty,' as any pastor should who is simply doing what churches throughout history have done: care for those who walk through their doors no matter the time of day."

The police chief "forwarded a Dec. 13 press release from the police department explaining that the city's zoning and engineering department 'received a complaint in regards to people living' at Dad's Place on Nov. 3."  The Christian Post relates that "A court filing states that because Dad's Place is zoned as Central Business, the building is prohibited from allowing people to eat, wash clothes, or sleep on the property." There were allegedly fire code violations at the building, as well.

The story goes on to say:

According to First Liberty Institute, Avell decided last March to keep his church open all the time because the neighboring local homeless shelter was often full, forcing some of the town's homeless to stay outside. He claimed his church has since been able to help at least 100 people who are struggling with homelessness.

The director of operations at the Sanctuary of Williams County Homeless Shelter supports what Avell's church is doing, according to First Liberty Institute.

"The city, churches and community in general should work together. We need to work together to help people in need," the director said. "There is nowhere else for these people in Williams County to go. We have to turn away around 600 people every year."

In an Fox News interview, Avell said, "I was spiritually homeless, and God provided a home for me in Heaven," adding, "He’s put a burden on my heart for them. Many of these people have been rejected by their families and cast aside by their communities. So, if the church isn’t willing to lay down her life for them, who will? This is what we’re called to do."

Local churches can demonstrate the love of Christ by being sensitive to needs in their communities, to reach out to people around them, whom God has strategically placed in order to encounter His love.  That's all Chris Avell desires to do; but his compassion has caused him to run afoul of the city and could result in criminal penalties. He's decided that he will continue obey God to minister to the people who are sent his way. 

I have to agree with Jeremy, who has been a guest on The Meeting House numerous times, who said that Pastor Chris "...is simply doing what churches throughout history have done: care for those who walk through their doors no matter the time of day."  The local homeless shelter director stressed the importance of working together.  Certainly there are many wonderful service agencies in our communities that do excellent work; but we should always make sure we see the role of the Church in bringing light to people in need - that includes not only physical needs, but spiritual, as well, recognizing the meeting of physical needs can provide a door through which spiritual needs can be addressed through Christ.

Dream

The Bible tells us that we are to love God and love other people, and to do so without passing judgment. James 2 addresses the issue of showing partiality:
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool,"
4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

This could apply to other areas, as well - the Bible instructs us not to show partiality to people based on outward appearance - this is one example, but I believe it also applies to race, ethnicity, cultural background.  We are be willing to invite all to come into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, because Jesus gave His life for everyone.  2nd Corinthians 5 talks about being compelled by the love of Christ, and in that spirit of love through Him, we can demonstrate how much we love Him and how we want them to come to Him.

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We find an appropriate Scripture passage for this holiday in Acts chapter 17, in which we find this declaration from the apostle Paul:
24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
25 Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'

Today, this day, would have been the 95th birthday of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was actually born on January 15, 1929.  No doubt, a transformative person whose contributions to our culture continue to be observed.

His niece, Alveda King, who is a Christian, pro-life commentator, wrote a piece for FoxNews.com this past summer to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered in Washington in 1963.  She wrote:

As he spoke out to crowds hundreds of thousands strong, all hopeful Americans eager to see the fulfillment of America’s promise of equal rights, he laid out his vision: "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

Uncle M.L.’s words spoke then and speak now to the very important point that America’s ideals and founding values are not the enemies of equality and opportunity. Rather, they are noble principles deeply rooted in our individual and national character, and it’s up to the brave men and women in every day and every age to live them out.

She went on to say:

In Rev. King’s mind, human beings should not be divided by skin color. Based upon scientific facts and the biblical foundation of a one blood/one human race in Acts 17:26, all talk of the various "races" of people was foreign to him.

Instead, he understood that we are the one-blood human race, made by the hand of God, all in His own image and likeness. As Christians, the Dream should include seeking abundant living for ourselves, while serving others – from the womb to the tomb and beyond.

But, we also recognize that the enemy is trying to divide Christians, and society at large, along what Alveda King says, "every available fault line." She wrote, "Rather than championing the values of liberty, justice and equality that can unite us as the one-blood human race, America’s voices of division seek to divide and categorize us along every available fault line and pit us against each other."

She referred to an open letter than she wrote, along with other faith leaders, in the aftermath of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville last year, which said:

"We are in a cultural revolution against God and country; one determined to normalize the things of darkness and to replace God from our nation at all costs. The counter cancel culture revolution’s agenda is fueled by sin. We have come together across denominations and faiths to declare we will not be silent."

Former seminary president and church and denominational leader Richard Land, Executive Editor of The Christian Post, wrote a piece on Rev. King last year and stated:

It is often overlooked by the secular media that the driving force informing and motivating Dr. King’s ministry was the paramount fact that he was first and foremost an ordained Baptist minister and his ministry to America was driven by his commitment to a biblically based belief in the fundamental dignity and equal value of every human life — what he often summarized as “somebodiness.”

Dr. Land wrote that, "...one can only imagine how saddened Dr. King would be by the degeneration into the ethnic rivalries and hostilities that plague present-day American society...," and went on to say, "For those of us old enough to have made the journey through the civil rights revolution of the last six decades, the progress between then and now has been extremely encouraging and should inspire America to continue her journey to complete fruition."

There is certainly a gap between knowing what is right and doing what is right.  We can cite platitudes, but we have to put feet to our faith. So, while we talk about Biblically-informed race relations, we have to make sure that our attitudes are right, according to Dr. Land, who also wrote, "Progress toward the fulfillment of Dr. King’s dream is inextricably intertwined with the health of the Christian faith in America."

You have probably heard me say that the Church has an opportunity to lead the way regarding race relations.  We have to make sure that we are "loving our neighbor," even if they look different than we do. And, we have to make sure that what's inside the heart is consistent with our external declarations. We don't have to participate in division; the Bible teaches us to pursue what leads to peace.

We also have to recognize that a divided Church is a Church with reduced power.  We can radiate to the world what it really means to love God and love our neighbor. But, if we as the Church and as society at large participate in dividing by outward appearance, buying into conclusions that typecast people and expecting certain people to act in a certain way, then we are walking in judgment and not the mercy of the Lord.