Good and Evil

All around us, we are surrounded by supernatural entities - those that are in sync with the Kingdom of God and those who are not. And, as Christian believers, we are inhabited by the Holy Spirit. 1st John 4 describes the supernatural state of things:
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

This is the day known as Halloween, a day on which we see prevalent themes related to death and the supernatural, full of skeletons, ghosts, and other dark images. It's also a day - and a season - through which Christians have a chance to shine the light of Christ and show how distinctive we are from the world. 

We certainly have the chance to display the good that comes from God, contrasted with the evil that is perpetrated by the devil, who desired to dethrone Almighty God and was cast out of heaven. He is attempting to exact his revenge by rendering Bible-believing Christians ineffective.  But, we know that he has already been defeated through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It would be very easy to pretend that the devil does not exist, but there's a poll conducted late last year that shows a significant number of Americans believe in him.  An article at The Hill website states:

Majorities of Americans believe in aliens, ghosts and the devil, according to a recent RealClear Opinion Research poll.

Among those surveyed, 56.9 percent said they believe in aliens, 61.4 percent believe in ghosts, and 70.3 percent say they believe in the devil, which is lower than the 85.4 percent who say they believe in God.

The article goes on to say:

Other findings in the poll include 80.3 percent of respondents saying that they believe “Jesus is God or the Son of God” and 84.7 percent saying they believe in Heaven.

It also notes that over 7-in-10 Americans believe in hell.  But, less than half believe in reincarnation or witches. 

And it is interesting to see that 83% of Americans said they believed in "miracles."  Only half said that God was male. 

OK, so this is all over the board, granted. But, I think that the bottom line is that people do generally believe in the supernatural.  That's good - 85% say they believe in God and just slightly under that believe in miracles.  7-in-10 believe in the devil and hell. And, around 6-in-10 believe in aliens and ghosts, too.  

Out of this spirituality, we have to make sure that we are making the right choices.  And, dabbling in supernatural activities that are contrary to the nature of God is dangerous to our spiritual well-being.  If we profess to know Christ, while it is very helpful to believe in the existence of the devil, we have to make sure that our thoughts and actions are not inspired by Him - we must reject him at every turn. 

But, without the armor of God, the truth of His Word, and the power of the name of Jesus, we don't have the acceptable level of strength to withstand his temptation.  So, we need Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of our lives in order to adequately turn back the power of evil in our lives.  And, even with all these resources, we become weakened because we don't possess the proper level of reliance on our Savior.

So, during this season, in which certain elements of evil are glorified, we have to make sure that we are glorifying the Lord and devoted to being a strong Christian witness.

Don't Sit It Out

In the 2024 election, we can consider whose views will be advancing. And, will the principles of the Kingdom of God be reflected in and through our earthly authorities. Proverbs 14 states this:
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

I appreciate the work of Cheryl Chumley, who is the online opinion editor for The Washington Times, and the host of the Bold and Blunt podcast. In response to the research released by George Barna and the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University showing that over 40 million Christians indicated they might not vote this year, she offered this:

How can America stay free and on a path to virtuous culture and governance if those who best understand true liberty and who most strive for virtue, both personally and in the public domain, just throw their hands in the air, a la we don’t care, and let the secular side have their way?

That can be found at the Higher Ground Times website, which is published by The Washington Times.  

She notes that:

Liberties come from God.

Individual rights come from God.

Government only exists to serve the God-given interests of the people, and to protect the rights and liberties awarded each individual at birth.

Take away God and what remains is a void that is quickly filled by the power-hungry; the control seekers; the lustful quests of the human heart.

Chumley goes as far as to say that if Christians do not vote, "It’s an open door to demonic forces to steal away this nation’s government."

She elaborates on that, writing: "...when Christians don’t vote, they’re ceding this world — this country — this government — to the most base-minded of humanity."  Chumley continues:

God didn’t give us America so that His people could sit back and watch their 401(k) plans grow, allowing them to buy big houses and save for their retirement days on a beach in Florida. Good men and women shed their blood for this nation, suffered horrible conditions to fight for freedom and liberty and justice and a society where individuals mattered more than the collective — and they did it with the belief they were doing it for the betterment of humanity; for the betterment of the coming generations; for causes that were greater than their own.

And, it's worth saying:

The president is not God, and the election is not for a spiritual leader.

And the vote isn’t just about choosing the next leader of the free world. It’s about honoring the sacrifices of those who gave us the free world in the first place — and yes, that includes God, right at the top of the list.

I think the issue is very simple: as salt and light, we are called to participate in those things that advance the Kingdom of God in this world.  That means selecting leaders who hold to views that are consistent with the Bible.  We certainly don't want people who do not respect nor obey Scripture to be in charge, do we?  Do we? Well, our inaction certainly indicates that we believe that.  

But, think about the incredible peace and security that our nation were to enjoy if we had leaders who at the very least respected Biblical principles.  At the very least. And, if truly devoted Christians who respect the rule of God and the rule of our laws were to be placed in influential positions, what a difference that would make - what a climate that we would have in our culture.  

So, we can evaluate the candidates very simply - based on the information that we have researched, that God has shown us, in a binary choice, which candidate best reflects my Christian values. In a Breakpoint commentary, John Stonestreet said:

...how then should we vote? Often, Christians and other citizens of conscience describe voting as choosing between “the lesser of two evils.” My former colleague Kevin Bywater suggests a better approach.

Christians, he said, should think of voting as a way of “lessening evil.” Not only does this approach better fit the political realities of our particular context, it recognizes the inherent limits of politics even while maintaining principle. Also, voting to lessen evil acknowledges the moral inadequacies of candidates while still seeking to accomplish good through voting.

Recognizing that we live in a world in which evil seems to be advancing, one step we can take, in addition to being an obedient witness and living a life that reflects God's love, is to vote for candidates who will not support the advancement of evil, godless principles in our country, our state, and our communities.

A "Trad" Bit Theatrical

There are tremendous Biblical traditions that have been handed down that would be beneficial for the stability of our families. Titus 2 offers some insight for how older generations can impact the ones to come:
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things--
4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works...

There is another social media trend that can help us to consider the Biblical roles for men and women, husbands and wives, a trend that mixes a longing for yesteryear with an uplifted hand toward to inauthentic content that is sometimes found online. 

An article at the Higher Ground Times states:

Since kicking into high gear around 2020, the #tradwife trend on TikTok and Instagram has painted a polished, pleasing picture of domesticity for modern women. With their chic homes, stylish children, multicourse dinners on the table by 5 each night or quaint farms snuggled alongside the Utah mountains, #tradwives have created a standard for stay-at-home moms.

What turns a traditional wife into a #tradwife is up for debate, especially among religious women who have been doing it for decades.

The article says, "Social media influencers, such as Estee Williams, describe their roles as women who 'submit to their husbands and serve them.' Other influencers seem to agree."  This isn't just a Christian thing, but the article explored women, including religious women, who reflect this concept.  Regarding one particular Christian, it states:

Hilda Shepherd, a nondenominational Tennessee Christian with eight children and a farm, had no idea what #tradwives were when The Times asked her for an interview. She had to ask her Gen Z son, whom she homeschooled with his siblings, to look up the definition. She said she sees women struggling to keep up with social media trends all the time.

“Because of the internet, because of social media, so many people feel they must meet the standard of someone else. ‘If I don’t do it like so-and-so does it. Oh, my goodness, she sets such the bar so high, I can’t do that,’” Mrs. Shepherd said. “So then we have all these girls feeling like they can’t do anything right. They feel very low self-esteem.”

The Higher Ground Times quotes Emma Waters, who is a senior research associate for the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Life, Religion and Family at The Heritage Foundation, in this section of the piece:

“The tradwife movement … is in large part just a reaction against the atomizing forces of modern life,” Ms. Waters said, and many women are simply rediscovering the joy of domestic productivity.

Mrs. Waters, who is writing a book about modern femininity, said the attempt is superficial but she is optimistic about the trend. “Those depictions are pointing to something that’s much truer and long-lasting,” she said.

But, the article seems to note there is an inauthenticity out there in the #tradwife movement, as surmised by Amy Jay; it states:

Clad in denim overalls and a sweatshirt, Amy Jay milks cows, churns butter and slaughters poultry for her family of five on their homestead in western North Carolina. Instagram photos and TikTok videos of coiffed, high-heeled #tradwives preparing meals for their husbands amuse and bemuse the Catholic wife and mother.

“Gals all glammed up in aprons, trying to look pretty, it’s just not real,” Mrs. Jay told The Washington Times.

Writer Alicia Searl picked up on that in a Crosswalk.com piece, writing:

The phenomenon of a traditional, simpler, and older way of life is nothing new. After all, it’s the cycle of life as families pass down their traditions to their children. It is common for children to take on some of those customs and part ways with others, maybe starting something new. This is where we see old-fashioned ethics and new terms like “trad wife” come into play.

However, these homemade definitions are not synonymous with the biblical housewife portrayed in Proverbs 31 or Titus 2. Where the tradwife focuses on some biblical views, it completely misses the mark on others. While there are distinct gender roles noted in God’s Word, we are all called to submit to Christ, first and foremost (James 4:7), and then to one another in marriage (Ephesians 5:21).

The concept of a #tradwife has become a popular one because of the social media aspect - people are seeing this home-based lifestyle expressed on their screens.  But, is it real?  Or just another marketing tool, a branding effort?  

I would contend that these influencers wouldn't be receiving visitors if they weren't touching a nerve, scratching an itch.  I think a return to certain traditions would impact society well; such as an emphasis on the home and family.  In an age of fractured families and busy schedules, it wouldn't be such a bad thing to slow down and enjoy more of the simple pleasures of life. 

But, as Searl points out, for the Christian, we have to be connected to the Scriptures.  Submission to Christ is paramount, and then build our marriages and families on His foundation. Traditions are great, and we're entering a season in which tradition becomes emphasized.  But, tradition for tradition's sake, and especially to "build a brand" or project an image, lacks the authenticity to which God is calling us. 

A Place in God For God

We can seek to be in a place in God in which we are hearing and heeding His direction, secure in His love and peace, and joyful in obedience. Jesus said in John 10:
(25b) The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.
26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

Elise Stevens has escaped from an abusive relationship, and the Lord has brought her into a place in Him where He can use her for His glory - through establishing a physical place.  She wrote at The Christian Heart website:

In 2008, I was kidnapped and held hostage for five months. I was pregnant and scared. From the beginning, my ex had an ulterior motive to have a child with me. He took advantage of me, and the family said to marry him so as not to embarrass them.

When I tried to leave, he stabbed me in the abdomen. I managed to escape when my daughter was three months old, but he followed us and nearly beat me to death. Because he was well-known in the community, there were little consequences for him.

Certainly she was scared, so she asked a man she describes as her "best friend" to be her bodyguard - not totally serious, but he accepted.  She says that they "fell in love," and they were married six weeks later. 

But, he did the cooking - being in the kitchen brought back bad memories, since that is where she was attacked, she said. But, one day, she got her nerve up and expressed to him that she wanted to make sourdough bread. The led to cooking for their Bible study; she relates, "I learned I genuinely loved to feed people."

That led to the next step.  There's a website that states:

In April of 2024 Meemaw (Elise Stevens) told her husband “God is leading me to open a restaurant”.

With only $20 in their bank account the two proceeded to pursue opening a restaurant relinquishing all control to God. With the help and support of the community the doors to Meemaws Hometown Kitchen were opened just 30 days later.

That's from the website of Elise's restaurant, which is located in Union, Oregon.  

In the Christian Heart article, Elise says that after that bold step to start the process of opening a restaurant, "we were handed a check for the seed money to start our restaurant. I had only met this person one time, and we didn’t even know each other’s names. She sat me down and said, 'God told me to write that check.'”  And, within weeks of opening, there was another bold step that Elise and her husband, Bigred, took:

During our first five weeks, we were just a regular restaurant. But then I felt the Lord laying it on my heart to have it be a “pay as you can” restaurant. In our sixth week, we had almost no customers, so I asked my husband if he was ready to trust God and he said yes.

The Meemaws website notes: 

Meemaw and Bigred have been using social media for three years to spread their story and help others see that through God there is life after abuse. They earned a small income through one app but the Lord led them to expand to more apps and spread the love of Jesus through Meemaws.

They have quickly grown on social media and are truly doing the work of God. Meemaws feeds anyone and everyone no matter how much money they have in their pocket. They love like Jesus and just wants [sic] to feed everyone.

Elise also has speaking ministry, and the page on the website, "Elise Speaks," says:

At Meemaws Hometown Kitchen, we believe that every meal is a chance to share love, hope, and community. Founded by Elise Stevens in April 2024, our pay-what-you-can restaurant in Union, Oregon, is not just a place to eat; it’s a sanctuary where everyone is welcomed, regardless of their circumstances.

It goes on to say: 

Elise is passionate about sharing her testimony of faith, resilience, and community support. Through speaking engagements, she aims to inspire others with the message that there is life after hardship. Her story illustrates how faith can guide us in unexpected ways, reminding us of the power of love and generosity.

God has led Elise out of abuse into a secure place in Him.  She and her husband have been vocal about God's faithfulness and His hand out of that terrified place of abuse.  They have a new place now - a business that was established out of a place of dependence on God.  And, they took the bold step, a step of wisdom, to offer their food to their customers on a "pay as you can" basis.  That certainly reflects a measure of faith, but they are continuing to trust. 

You might say that Elise has found her place in God and He has given her a place - a restaurant that she can operate for Him, according to His direction. At The Christian Heart, she writes:

Our motto is, “If you don’t know what to pay, we suggest that you pray.”

This can be inspiring for all of us - because it's important to seek to be in the center of God's will, to find our place in His Kingdom and to be reliant on the Savior who has called us there.  Once we're in that place, we need to continue to be obedient as He leads by His Spirit. God will direct us by His Word and His Spirit; but we have to pray, listen, and follow.

Beliebe it or Not

We live in a world of deception, where people shade the truth of Scripture for their own benefit, who attempt to adorn themselves with false righteousness and spiritual platitudes in order to make themselves look good. We have to expose and stand against deception at every turn. Jeremiah 9 addresses ancient Israel, stating:
5 Everyone will deceive his neighbor, And will not speak the truth; They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves to commit iniquity.
6 Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me," says the Lord.
7 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: "Behold, I will refine them and try them; For how shall I deal with the daughter of My people?
8 Their tongue is an arrow shot out; It speaks deceit; One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, But in his heart he lies in wait.

There's a new worship song out called, "Holy Jesus," which, according to Movieguide, it "quickly racked up over 5 million views." The article included some comments on it:

“Such a beautiful song,” one person tweeted. Another commented on the video, “God is using Justin in magnificent ways.”

Justin?  That would be Justin Bieber. Yes, Movieguide says that the song has "vocals from Bieber."

But, is it really?  The article reveals the truth:

“Holy Jesus” isn’t actually Bieber’s song. It was created by music producer Evan Mahim, who runs the YouTube account Evan Tunes.

“Just to clarify, the song ‘Holy Jesus’ by ‘Justin Bieber’ is an AI-generated creation,” Mahim wrote in a pinned comment on the video. “The purpose of this song is to inspire and bring people back to the light of faith and belief. It’s not an official release by Justin Bieber. We love Justin Bieber and always will.”

The website for Relevant Magazine provides some more of the nuts and bolts of this release:

Mahim used ChatGPT to create the lyrics, and he synthesized Bieber’s voice using AI before mixing the track in his studio. The result? A worship song that’s even fooling Beliebers.

Mahim has dropped a handful of these “AI Bieber” tracks over the last several weeks. He’s also released “Dear Christ,” which, in his words, “weaves together themes of hope, grace and divine connection.”

The writer of the article, Emily Brown, states, "He’s clearly got a niche, and fans are eating it up."

This is certainly not intended to be an endorsement of Justin Bieber.  To me, it seems that he has one foot in celebrity culture and attempts to be faith-adjacent, as well.  The point I want to make is that, to me, this is not cute or catchy.  I believe worship should be a sacred space, and to profane the act and art of worship with inauthentic techniques is beyond the pale.  

I'm all for quality music production, and Christian music should hold to high theological, as well as stylistic values.  But, this to me, seems like a gimmick.  And, a stern warning about recognizing what is true.  Again...

I believe artificial intelligence can be used to make our lives better - there are certainly ways that technology can aid us in our communication and performance of certain tasks. It has enormous benefits in the artistic realm.  But, by creating work products that do not reflect the actual performer or manipulating online content to convey a message that is different than the original intent, we are dealing in deception.  And, we have to be cautious that we are not deceived.   The enemy desires for us to buy into material that is not true; we have to earnestly hold on to the truth. 

Perpetuating a False Narrative

We live in a culture where there is a persistent state of denial, even among people who will admit to having some sort of faith - yet, faith should be put into action in order that lives can be changed. Paul writes in 2nd Timothy chapter 3:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

When a person is struggling with his or her gender identity, it stands to reason that could cause a host of mental health issues.  A new study out of Canada seems to support that notion.  Higher Ground Times relates:

Mental illness and suicidal tendencies are significantly more common among transgender and gender-fluid people than those who feel comfortable with their sex assigned at birth, according to a study published Wednesday in JAMA Network Open.

Of the 9,861 people who responded to a national mental health survey in Canada, only 52 identified as something other than their biological sex.

Researchers found they were up to three times more likely than cisgender people to fit the clinical diagnosis for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and social phobia over the past year and throughout their lifetimes.

The article also notes: "Transgender and gender-fluid people were also three times more likely to report thoughts of suicide and six times more likely to have attempted it, according to the study’s findings." One of the study's authors, Ian Crabtree from the University of Ottawa says that, “Research has shown that transgender and gender diverse people are more likely to experience discrimination, bullying, and stigma, and to suffer from policies of exclusion...This is likely to be a strong contributor to higher rates of mental disorder and suicidality.”

But, Gregory Angelo of the New Tolerance Campaign paints a different picture, saying, “Some of the largest LGBTQ organizations in the United States are telling transgender people they are oppressed, the world is out to get them and they will never truly be happy if they don’t get medical intervention and the validation of others,” adding, “It seems like a perfect recipe for depression.”

The Daily Citizen published an article last year about another study, this time conducted by the Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine (SEGM).  The article says:

SEGM has published an important new research summary on this topic. Their focus is on a new Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) research article on trans identity and suicidality in Denmark, but they address the larger, international body of research on this topic. Their commentary is most insightful.

First, they explain that affirming someone’s gender confusion or providing medical intervention via drugs or removing healthy body parts has had no substantial effect on reducing suicide rates.

The Daily Citizen article also says: 

Second, the actual suicide rates for gender- and sexually-experimental individuals are consistently elevated, but are in actuality, remarkably low over all. 

And...

Third, the JAMA study supports other data showing a dramatic and unprecedented increase in trans identification of late, driven primarily by young people. This speaks more to the role of social contagion than anything natural in human development.

The Daily Citizen then notes:

No one should be bullied by manipulative assertions that parents, teachers and extended family members not affirming gender-confused youth and adults will be responsible for their death. It is manipulative and untrue. It also shows that all this increasing, wide-spread affirmation is not preventing suicide and mental illness in any appreciable manner. It may even be making it worse.

The article states:

As SEGM concludes,

To date, every systematic evidence review has concluded that the evidence of psychological benefit of “gender-affirming” puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgery for youth is of very low certainty. In contrast, the harms of hormonal interventions, including infertility, sterility, and adverse effects on bone and cardiovascular health are much better established.

According to The Daily Citizen: "Gender affirmation is a false love. What gender confused people need is compassionate help in coming to terms with the fact that God does not make mistakes by putting us in the wrong body. Our natural bodies are a gift. And mutilating what God gave us will not heal the mind."

In just looking at some of these statements, it really does occur to me that there are people struggling - with real struggles over their sexuality - but are being regarded as experiments.  These are not matters with which society should be experimenting.  These are issues that require the power of the gospel and the certainty of Biblical truth. 

Yet, you have officials who are attempting to ban counseling for those struggling with their sexuality - that is, those who have unwanted same-sex attraction and are being prevented from obtaining the Christ-centered help they need.  It's another instance of silencing the truth, muting the power of the gospel.  Some have become so convinced of worldly solutions, which are not grounded in Biblical truth, that they deny the power of it.  We can continue to be convinced that the Scriptures contain the answers to life's greatest challenges.

Speaking Freely

In the final verses of the book of Acts, in chapter 28, we find the account of the apostle Paul boldly speaking the truth of God. We can read these words:
28 "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!"
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,
31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

We are blessed in this nation to have a First Amendment that protects our right to speak in public places, and to protect our freedom of religion.  Many have given their lives throughout the years to protect these freedoms.

But, in a country that has been founded on religious principles, specifically the principles of the Bible, there are those who misunderstand what it truly means to be free and seem to be devoted to take away these freedoms.

It saddens me to see people who actually aspired to the highest political position in the land who have spoken out recently against free speech.  An article at FoxNews.com states:

John Kerry called the First Amendment a "major block" to combating misinformation and fighting climate change.

The former Secretary of State took part in a World Economic Forum panel on Green Energy on Wednesday. Near the end of the panel, a member of the audience asked what can be done to push back against disinformation surrounding climate change online.

"You know there's a lot of discussion now about how you curb those entities in order to guarantee that you're going to have some accountability on facts, etc. But look, if people only go to one source, and the source they go to is sick, and, you know, has an agenda, and they're putting out disinformation, our First Amendment stands as a major block to be able to just, you know, hammer it out of existence," Kerry said.

Kerry went on to decry a lack of "referees," stating:

"The dislike of and anguish over social media is just growing and growing. It is part of our problem, particularly in democracies, in terms of building consensus around any issue. It's really hard to govern today. The referees we used to have to determine what is a fact and what isn't a fact have kind of been eviscerated, to a certain degree. And people go and self-select where they go for their news, for their information. And then you get into a vicious cycle..."

And, you have attorney Jonathan Turley calling out a trend to silence Americans who hold disfavored views.  In a FoxNews.com interview, he is quoted as saying, regarding another former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton:

Her views on free speech are quite chilling. What's interesting is that for years, the left has been trying to get people to embrace censorship, but it's hard to get a free people to give up freedom, and it's not working. And so now they're going old school with Clinton and with countries like Brazil. They're just going to straight state action prosecutions threatening people with arrest if you have opposing views. This is part of a movement that's been growing worldwide, and that wave has now reached our shores. That's why I wrote this book.

Turley goes on to say...

...what we're seeing here with people like Hillary Clinton, with the EU, with a thing called the Digital Services Act, is an effort to force companies to censor. It's notable when Musk bought Twitter, the first thing that Hillary Clinton seemed to do was to go to Europe and ask the Europeans to use the DSA to censor Americans, to force Musk to silence opposing views in the United States. That's a former presidential candidate in the United States asking Europeans to apply their censorship laws to silence other Americans.

Factor in attempts by government officials to use social media to censor disfavored speech, the principle in the Murthy v. Missouri case, another case from the previous term of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the high court whiffed with a non-decision, saying the plaintiffs did not have standing, according to the SCOTUS Blog.  In that case, lower courts found that government officials acted improperly in censoring certain types of speech.  And, we have heard throughout the years of posts by Christians that have been removed and even some accounts suspended.

And, consider this from The Washington Examiner:

The records show the Soros-backed Foundation to Promote Open Society, a major grantmaking organization, sent $250,000 in 2023 to Disinformation Index, Inc., the American outpost of the Global Disinformation Index. That British group, which previously received $150,000 from Soros along with funding from the State Department, has faced “censorship” scrutiny from Congress ever since a series of Washington Examiner reports shed light on its efforts to defund news outlets in the U.S.

The article goes on to say:

News of the Soros-backed check comes as the GDI returns to the spotlight after the 2023 Washington Examiner stories, which prompted congressional oversight, lawsuits against the State Department’s Global Engagement Center, and a new Defense Department law banning certain funding to the GDI. A provision through the annual State Department funding bill, which passed the House this summer and is being negotiated in the Senate, seeks to ban future funding to the GEC.

It adds, "Meanwhile, the New York Post reported...on internal documents that, according to the outlet, were used by the State Department to discredit the Washington Examiner, 'Twitter Files' journalist Matt Taibbi, and Rep. Jim Banks...regarding apparent censorship reporting."

There are no doubt well-positioned people who wish to inhibit - and intimidate - the free flow of information.  And, who are these "referees," Mr. Kerry?   A recent FoxNews.com story stated, "Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said...that social media companies must moderate content on their platforms or else 'we lose total control.'"  For that reason, she supports removing liability protections for social media platforms in order to force them to combat "misinformation."  But, again, the tricky part is who decides?  Who is the "we" who loses total control?

Fact is, and Christian believers must recognize this, that there are people who are all too ready to label speech that is consistent with the Bible as "hate speech." Who wish to erase the truth claims of Scripture because they do not fit with a progressive agenda; they are not "favored."  While our stands on Scripture may not be universally accepted, as Americans, Christians have a right to be heard.  And, we have a duty to speak.  We have to stand against tyranny and authoritarianism at every turn.  

Supernatural Freedom

In the closing chapter of the book of Ephesians, Paul leaves his readers with these words of exhortation:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Americans have developed a significant fascination with Halloween.  Just a drive through neighborhoods or a visit to retailers show that Halloween decor is ever-present and some stores have extensive sections full of costumes and candy.

USA Today reported:

Nearly half of consumers (47%) began their Halloween purchasing before October, up from 45% last year – and much higher than in 2019 when 37% of shoppers said they started early, according to the National Retail Federation's annual Halloween Spending Survey.

Shoppers may still be choosy, however. Total Halloween 2024 spending is estimated at $11.6 billion, about 5% below 2023's record-setting spending mark of $12.2 billion, the trade association's survey found.

While many costumes that are sold are frivilous and fun, a closer look at Halloween decor shows a certain gravitation toward matters of death and darkness.  No wonder; just look at the origins of this faux holiday and you see supernatural overtones - and not in a positive way.

Christopher Reese of The Worldview Journal, wrote an extensive piece at The Christian Post recently, in which he says:

Christians hold various opinions about Halloween, but one thing it certainly points to is the human fascination with the supernatural. Although many in the West pride themselves on being secular and scientific, everyone has an innate curiosity about what may lie beyond the world we experience with our five senses. History shows humans have always acknowledged the existence of the supernatural and engaged in practices to worship or manipulate it.

Reese offers these sobering comments: "Although humankind should seek transcendence in God, because of the fall, many seek it elsewhere. If one is coming into contact with the spiritual realm apart from God, they are interacting with the only other spiritual reality that exists, that of Satan and his demons — the world of the occult."

In the piece, he describes the teachings and practices of the New Age and Paganism or Wicca.  He then offers a Christian response, including this:

...occult beliefs and activities are an attempt to circumvent God’s authority and go beyond the revelation provided in Scripture. This temptation is as old as humankind itself and was precisely what Satan offered Adam and Eve in the garden. Satan insisted that there was knowledge to be had that God was withholding and that gaining this knowledge would elevate the human couple to a godlike status (Gen. 3).

Reese also notes: "The occult is also a form of idolatry — giving ultimate allegiance to someone or something other than God. Whether it’s the Mother Goddess worshiped by some Wiccans, or a deified self-pursued by New Agers, all occult belief systems replace the Creator who has revealed himself in Scripture with some type of counterfeit deity." Plus, he says: "... participation in occult activities opens a person up to demonic influence. This is true for both Christians and non-Christians."
 

He offers six action steps in order to experience freedom in Christ from the occult:
1. Receive Christ as your Lord and Savior
2. Confess the sin of involvement in the occult
3. Destroy all occult objects
4. Break off all occult associations
5. Immerse yourself in God’s Word
6. If necessary, seek additional help.

We must not lose sight of the spiritual warfare that we are involved in.  And, it comes whether we're prepared for it or not - our choice is not whether or not to let it come but to determine how to respond when we encounter it.  We can either choose to ignore it, which doesn't make it go away, or to engage using the spiritual resources that God has given to us - the armor of God, prayer, Bible study, and the power to decide how to engage.  We also have to guard our hearts and minds so that we are strong to resist temptation. 

And, we have to avoid those practices that will weaken us spiritually.  We have to guard against dabbling in the ways of the enemy and resist the temptation to mix forms of spirituality that are inconsistent with Scripture with Biblical principles.  The Bible tells us to be strong in the Lord; so it is important that we are walking in His truth.

Gone Bible

The Bible provides us with instruction on how to live a life that pleases God and brings us deep joy and satisfaction. In Psalm 19, we can read these words:
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

Angela Halili and Arielle Reitsma are the co-hosts of a podcast called, Girls Gone Bible, which has over 600,000 subscribers on YouTube. 

And, yes, the name is not coincidental - as a God Reports article notes: "In a twist on the worldly term 'Girls Gone Wild,'...Angie and Ari launched a YouTube podcast called 'Girls Gone Bible.' It encourages young women to be bold for Jesus." The article notes:

“We’re a couple of girls who used to be wild,” says Angie, who refers to her friend as a “spiritual Navy SEAL.”

The article says that the podcast "was born of their desire to encourage each other and everyone who struggles with imperfections but wants to serve a perfect God. "

And who are these ladies who have "gone Bible?"

Angela Halili’s relationship with God boomed when Jesus delivered her from alcoholism.

“I get into my 20’s and I have a panic attack one time, chronic panic attacks and after that it goes on for years,” says the Albania-born actress. “I did the only thing I knew how to do, and I started to self-medicate with alcohol.”

At the time, her faith background did not help her - she had not "gone Bible" because she hadn't read it. The article says, "She suffered anxiety, depression, derealization and depersonalization. She worked at a night club while her acting career floundered." And then...she "met a pastor who began to instruct her in the Word of God and pray for her. By 2019, the Word was taking effect; she has been sober ever since."

As for Arielle Reitsma, she was raised in the U.S. "in an unstable home that bred anxieties in her about her career, money, and relationships. Therapy didn’t help." The article goes on to say:

In fact, she worried so much that she cried four times from nervousness on the day she met Angie. “I was just sitting there sobbing and all of a sudden I look over and there was Angie, and she sat with me and she just held my hand,” Ari remembers. “I remember the first time you prayed for me, and that’s the first time I remember, and it was the most beautiful, moving thing I had ever experienced.”

Ari describes herself as "...an overthinker, who dwelled. I didn’t have much faith because I was in constant worry about what was going to happen next. It was such a horrible way to live.” But, God Reports says, "Slowly the anxiety-ridden aspiring actress learned to trust God with her future. She surrendered everything."

Both of them have experienced what Angie describes as a mind being "rewired" - Angie says her "brain" was "rewired" and she was enabled to quit drinking, and Ari's retraining of her mind enabled her to begin to conquer anxiety. 

No matter what "wildness" that people may have sought previously in their lives, the Holy Spirit can give us the strength to overcome the power of the flesh - worldly, evil desires that are not pleasing to God.  He will change us, as Romans 12 teaches us, by the renewing of our minds.  There is great power available to the believer who will think on Biblical truth and allow the Scriptures to fill our minds. 

We can consider whether or not we are living by the teachings of the Bible or if we are allowing untamed desires to take root in our hearts and control us.  If we have truly "gone Bible," it means that His Word is taking control of our thoughts and actions; we reject worldly wisdom and embrace the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. 

A Bold Step

The whole issue of a "calling" is addressed in Ephesians chapter 4. We have been saved by Christ and gifted by Him, and Paul writes:
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Later in the chapter, we're reminded of the treasures of God's spiritual resources:
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

A.J. Griffin is a former NBA first-round draft pick, selected by the Atlanta Hawks, according to ESPN.com, which reports that he played at Duke and has spent the last two seasons in Atlanta. The website shows he's 21 years old.

He won't be returning to play in the ATL for the upcoming season.  So, where will he be playing?

A better question is "how will he be living?"  A Faithwire article notes:

The former Atlanta Hawks forward, who agreed to a reported $250,000 buyout, said he became a Christian in 2020 and has since sought to live that faith out.

“I gave up basketball to follow Jesus,” Griffin said. “And I know that, in a lot of people’s eyes, that seems like … a loss in the world’s eyes. But I just want to let you guys know that I’m super excited, because I truly get to serve God … with my full ‘Yes,’ and I feel like letting go of basketball is allowing me to … go into full-time ministry and truly serving the Lord with all my heart — with all my time too, as well.”

That's a quote from a video that Griffin posted, in which he said, “So, I’m just excited to see where that leads me.”

Griffin also notes, "“When I came to God, He truly showed me that we’re all made to glorify God,” adding, “We’re all made with a God-given purpose, but we must step into that.”
 

Fellow Christian Jonathan Isaac of the Orlando Magic, praised Griffin's decision on X, in a post embedded in the Faithwire article, stating:

Can’t say I’m not saddened! League lost a really good player and even better dude! I’m so proud of him for his heart and commitment to Christ and putting it on display. Can’t wait to see God’s will for his life continue to unfold!

There were those who wondered why Griffin left the NBA.  The article said:

In his video, he made it clear he felt called to step away and fully devote himself to the Lord, pledging to make more social media content pointing people toward Christ.

“The only thing that truly matters is a relationship with Jesus,” he said. “I’m just excited to keep doing the work of the Lord.” 

Each of us has to remain true to his or her calling. Jonathan Isaac plays basketball and allows God to work through him in the NBA.  A.J. Griffin is pursuing a different path - he believes he can serve the Lord best outside of professional basketball.  Again, we have to gain a sense of what God wants to do through us and act accordingly, not following the crowd or seeking to please other people, but to exalt the One who has given His life to save us. 

And, there may be times in which we are directed to sacrifice something that we enjoy for the sake of satisfying the will of God.  We can rely on the Holy Spirit to conform our attitudes to enthusiastically embrace the call of God on our lives.  When our desires align with His, even though there may be sacrifices, we can know a deep sense of His joy and His presence.

Cultural Impact

As professing Christians, we can be devoted to speaking the truth, but if we are keeping it to ourselves, we are not fulfilling our cultural opportunities and responsibilities. James chapter 2 states:
17 ...faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

As we continue to explore the instruction of Scripture to be salt and light in this world, according to what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, a new survey shows that while the desire to walk in that manner seems to be there among Christians, but actually living that out seems to miss the mark.

An article published at The Christian Post, written by Lauren Cooley, Executive Director of the Institute for Faith & Culture, which is an extension of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, states this:

A new survey commissioned by the Institute for Faith and Culture (IFC), in partnership with Lifeway Research, reveals that while an overwhelming majority — 93% — of respondents believe it’s important to interpret the world through Scripture, and 87% believe the Bible speaks to modern issues, their commitment often stops short of biblically-informed civic action.

This is a survey of 1,000 American evangelicals.  Among them, around 3 out of 4 say that God is concerned with the voting choices.  But, as the article says, "Even though 76% agreed that God is concerned with how they vote, fewer than half of the respondents strongly agreed that they make voting decisions based upon biblical truths."

As you dig deeper, you find there is a resistance among some evangelicals to truly be effective representatives of Biblical truth.  Cooley writes:

According to the survey, 24% of Evangelicals have altogether given up on trying to influence our culture; another 6% are simply unsure about their efforts bearing any fruit. For the remaining 70% who still seek to engage, there is a noticeable reluctance to act.

Only 38% actively seek opportunities to promote the Bible’s perspective on controversial topics, likely due to fears of backlash or societal pressure. Even more concerning, 46% admitted they are either only ready to discuss a few biblical truths they know well, or worse, they’re not prepared to share what the Bible says at all.

Cooley relates:

Passivity is no longer a viable option. The political and cultural landscape of our nation is shifting rapidly, and if Christians fail to act, we risk losing the opportunity to influence our nation for good. Registering to vote, staying informed, engaging in public dialogue, and casting ballots for candidates who uphold a biblical worldview are essential steps in ensuring our country returns to righteousness.

Churches must play a vital role in equipping their congregations to engage thoughtfully and confidently. Society suffers under fair-weather Christianity. As the Bible speaks to all areas of life, pastors and ministry leaders should present biblical truth that will prepare their congregations to navigate today’s complexities with conviction and compassion.

She also notes, "Organizations like Vote Your Faith, which partners with the Institute for Faith and Culture, offer resources to help Christians connect their faith with their civic duties, including voter registration drives and educational guides on key issues."

You can find out more at votefaith.org. Chris Leader, who founded Vote Your Faith, was a guest on The Meeting House, a few weeks ago.  You can find that conversation in our Media Center at FaithRadio.org and it's linked to our Election Resource Page at our website, as well. In our conversation, he referenced information on the Florida Abortion Amendment, which, if passed, could legalize abortion in Florida in all nine months of pregnancy. There's also other election information at the Vote Faith website.  And, Chris is doing a series of daily videos leading up to Election Day.

Let's revisit Lauren Cooley's statement, "Passivity is not an option." Knowledge helps to overcome passivity - in fact, that survey shows that people don't think they know enough in order to engage on cultural issues.  But, if we are devoted to reading our Bibles, calling on the Lord, and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, we can appropriate God's supernatural resources.  

Which we so greatly need today.  Because there are spiritual forces that are aligned against the Church. We need to be spiritually prepared, clothed in our spiritual armor, and allowing God to use us as a mouthpiece for truth.  The danger of progressivism is a direct assault on the principles of Scripture, and we must stand strong. 

Invited to the Cross

In Acts chapters 3 and 4, we find that Peter and John had preached the gospel at the temple, and Peter had been the conduit through which God had healed a blind man. In the 4th chapter, beginning in verse 10, we can read Peter's words...
10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

The passage goes on to say:
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Bernie and Dee Ann Tackitt are a couple in Lubbock, Texas, who have opened up their front yard as a refuge for prayer, marked by a large cross that Bernie constructed last year. A recent Faithwire article spotlighted the Tackitts and their desire to serve the Lord.  It states:

But that cross is not just for decoration; it’s a place where community members are invited to post their written prayers to the Lord.

Bernie told KCBD-TV he came up with the idea last year.

“I thought, ‘I’m going to make a cross because I want everybody to know I’m — at this point in humanity, I’m going, ‘We need to pick a team,'” he said. “And I want everybody [to] know I’m with team Jesus.”

The cross has picked up coverage in local media, as people use it to post their requests to God. And Dee Ann, known for praying with strangers at the store and wherever else she goes, said there’s also a special bench at the home where people are welcome to sit and engage the Lord.

The KCBD Television article quotes Bernie, regarding his wife's propensity to pray: “She has a habit of finding people who need prayers. I mean, we could be in Big Lots or anywhere, and I’m looking over there, ‘where’s my, where’s my wife?’ And I’m looking at, she’s praying with somebody. We’ll be out in the parking lot, she’s praying with somebody..." She says: “People in church, they know who Jesus is. That’s why they’re there. And that’s why we like going out into the street and that’s why we have dedicated our home as the house of prayer for the nations..."

And, in addition to praying in various places in the community, they invite people to their home, to sit at their "Bible bench," and to pray at their "prayer porch."

Dee Ann says, "If you need to just sit down, have some quiet time with the Lord, come sit on my bench, talk to the Lord. Put that prayer on that cross and you know what, your prayer will be covered every day..."

The Tackitts' story can remind us of the blessings of simple obedience.  Their desire is to pray for people and to help them draw closer to the Lord.  They opened up the front of their home in order to point people to Jesus.  We can be challenged to think about how we are opening ourselves up to God in order to show them the love of the Lord.

Because the opportunities are abounding.  We can recognize that there are numerous needs that people have - whether it's a need for salvation, for someone to fill the void in his or her life.  Or a physical need that they or someone they know have.  People are looking for peace these days, and can experience it at the foot of the cross - that Tackitts' cross can remind onlookers of what the Lord has done for them.  We are called and empowered to be inviting to those who need to experience the presence of the Lord.

Stirring

The power of hope through Jesus Christ is able to break through even the hardest heart, and we can be inspired that perhaps those who have been hostile toward Christianity will experience a breakthrough in the Holy Spirit. 1st Peter 3 states:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

It's quite stunning to see that even those who don't claim to know God, such as Richard Dawkins, and those who are seeking, like Elon Musk and Jordan Peterson, are acknowledging the power and influence of the Bible and Christianity.  Greg Laurie, according to a Movieguide article quoting from one of his videos posted on X, said:

“When someone says they’re a cultural Christian, especially an avowed atheist like Dawkins, or a man of such great influence and innovation and creativity as Elon Musk, I think it’s a step in the right direction, and I would encourage both of them — and anybody else who identifies himself as a cultural Christian — to come into a relationship with Christ himself. That’s what Christianity is.”

The article continued:

“Being a real Christian, which means having Christ in your life, that’s the ultimate answer,” Laurie concluded, asking viewers to pray for Musk, Dawkins and “anybody else that is truly searching for truth…that they will find that relationship with God.”

I found another article - granted, these are people with whom I have not been familiar - it was on The Guardian website, written by a man named John Harris, not to be confused with Christian podcast host, Jon Harris, of Conversations That Matter.  This Harris is a self-proclaimed agnostic, but wrote about a spiritual awakening apparently being experienced by a British singer-songwriter Nick Cave. He stated:

In 2015, he suffered the loss of his 15-year-old son Arthur; seven years later, another son, Jethro, died. And in the midst of an unimaginable level of grief, Cave has not only poured his thoughts and feelings into his art, but repeatedly spoken about the profound personal changes caused by outwardly senseless bereavement, as well as reflecting deeply on other people’s experiences. As a result, his audience has ballooned: as he turns 67, he is probably at the all-time pinnacle of his success.

Harris mentions Cave's Red Hand Files website where, "Most of what he posts combines his curious, questioning instincts with a deep humanity: recent editions have covered loneliness, parenthood and suicide. When he plays live, all of this is in the air: it seems to give everything even more meaning."

The writer also mentions Faith, Hope and Carnage, a bestselling book released in 2022 and "made up of dialogues with the Observer writer Sean O’Hagan. It looks ahead to Cave’s tentative return to the Anglicanism he was brought up with, and – among many other subjects – is full of insights about what happens when life fills up with grief and hurt. One of his key beliefs is that when we experience loss, we become more human: these things are universal, and therein lies the key to surviving them." Cave says, “This will happen to everybody at some point – a deconstruction of the known self...It may not necessarily be a death, but there will be some kind of devastation.”

Harris notes, "I don’t think I have ever read anything like it, which is a tribute to Cave and O’Hagan’s achievement – but also an illustration of what is missing from most of our culture."  Then, this agnostic write makes this remarkable statement:

It is telling that the militant atheism that peaked 20 years ago with the publication of such books as Richard Dawkins’s The God Delusion and Christopher Hitchens’s God Is Not Great now seems passé.

Harris also relates, "The historian Tom Holland – who, like Cave, has returned to the Christianity he was brought up with – says that in the way millions of us interpret world events there is something unspoken: the fact that 'at the heart of western culture is the image of someone being tortured to death by the greatest empire on the face of the Earth.'"
 

So this agnostic seems to be searching for something deeper, even more real or authentic, stating, "I am a devout agnostic. But as I get older, there are experiences and aspects of living that often open the way to a sense of the ineffable and mystical, and the need for something that may help me make sense of an increasingly chaotic world, and life’s ruptures and crises that seem to arrive with alarming regularity."

The writer relates about talking a walk with his children and stopping into a church on a Sunday afternoon, thinking about a response that Nick Cave gave to someone on his blog who was bewildered by his embracing of Christianity.  The article concludes:

“To my considerable surprise, I have found some of my truths in that wholly fallible, often disappointing, deeply weird and thoroughly human institution of the Church,” he wrote. “At times, this is as bewildering to me as it may be to you.” Here, I think, lies the faint outline of a journey that more people may sooner or later take, and something I can just about imagine: slowly increasing numbers of people being pulled away from their screens, towards something much more human and nourishing. Those pews, in other words, may not stay vacant for ever.

I believe God is up to something.  Think about Russell Brand, the comedian and commentator who has been public in his profession of faith in Christ and baptism.  A CBN.com article states that:

British-born actor Russell Brand has come a ways since his baptism by reality TV star Bear Grylls.

Just an aside: there was some doubt regarding who had baptized Brand in the Thames - Faithwire offered that story about Grylls.  CBN reported that...

The 49-year-old comedian turned cultural commentator joined Tucker Carlson for a live event in Phoenix, Arizona, last week, where the former Fox News host, who was raised Episcopalian, asked Brand to close the session in prayer.

The CBN story quoted from Brand's prayer:

“I call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our heavenly Savior,” Brand began his prayer. “Lord, I humbly [ask], in this great congregation in Phoenix, Arizona, with my host, Tucker Carlson, in deference to him, but in ultimate deference to You, our Lord and Savior, to whom we are all Your younger siblings and Your children.”

He continued, “I pray in Your name that the forthcoming election be an opportunity for unity, for America and for Americans, for forgiveness and for grace; that the dark and demonic forces that appear to operate at the level of the state — the deep state and the corporate and global world — experience Your light, Lord.”

The actor petitioned God to “guide all of our tongues and all of our words and all of our hearts, that we feel Your forgiveness and that we feel Your grace.”

“Thank you, Lord, for the many gifts that you have bestowed upon us,” Brand added. “Thank You for the glory of consciousness itself, in which we can experience You and live You. Thank You for the beauty of nature, in which we see Your wisdom and Your creativity and Your infinite glory.” 

He concluded by saying, “For surely, all of us are fallen. But, in Your holy name, we are forgiven by Your act of redemption, by Your sacrifice. In Your name we pray, amen.”

Something is happening - can you feel it?  God is calling people to Himself, and while I believe He is doing incredible things in and through His Church, He is also using people outside the Church realm in order to proclaim His truth. The disillusionment and despair that is seemingly all around us is causing people to ask, "is there something more?"  And, this search for meaning can lead people right into the arms of our Savior. 

So, as we embark on the Christmas season, we can make sure we are ready to play our role in the harvest.  I contend that the celebration of the birth of Christ is a time of enhanced spiritual sensitivity, and we can seek to grow deeper in Him and be prepared to be used of God to share and live the gospel and lead others into a saving knowledge of Jesus.  

I believe that people are seeing that the ways of this world do not offer hope and are totally ineffective in providing the peace and hope that they are seeking.  We can be diligent to walk in and radiate the hope of knowing Jesus.

Spirit of Adventure

Life can sometimes seem like a series of adventures, and we sometimes cannot know the outcome, but we can be confident that God does and He is working everything for our good and His glory. Psalm 37 contains these words:
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

Later in the chapter, we can read:
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

This is Columbus Day, 2024, a day that has been aside to celebrate the journey and the achievements of a man who desired to be obedient to God and share the gospel of Christ.  So, he set out on an adventure and discovered a land far away from his home country.  

David Jones is an adventurer, too - he just didn't know the type of adventure he would be experiencing at the time he set up to drive from Boiling Springs, South Carolina to Johnson City, Tennessee - generally about a 2-hour drive. 

His mission: to attend his daughter's wedding. USA Today quotes Jones as saying, "I think every dad would do everything they could to get to their daughter's wedding," adding, "Like the scripture says, 'With God, anything is possible.' I think this was a prime example of that."

The day was Friday, September 27.  He knew the weather was bad, as a result of Helene, so he fired up the generator in Boiling Springs, where he and his wife and mother had just moved, and set out for Johnson City - without phone service. 

As he began to exit South Carolina, the two-hour drive became a three-hour drive - to travel only 10 miles in that time span.  The roads were clear at that time in Western North Carolina, but once he got into Tennessee, he was told that a bridge was out.  By now it was 2 a.m. the Saturday morning of his daughter's wedding.  But, David was not to be deterred.  USA Today notes:

The only other way into Johnson City was a bridge in Erwin, Tennessee, which troopers were not letting anyone cross because they were not certain of its stability, Jones said.

Jones decided to get as close to Johnson City as he could so if worst came to worst then he could be FaceTimed into the wedding and walk his daughter down the aisle virtually. To do this, he left behind his Ford Explorer at the exit on Interstate 26 and began traveling on foot toward the bridge that troopers said was washed out.

He had walked about three or four miles when he encountered "washed-out roads" and "debris" - lots of it, apparently.  Yes, he did find out personally that afrore-mentioned bridge was indeed washed out, so he went to Erwin, where the bridge there was, at the time, unmanned by troopers.  Once over the bridge, he did encounter a trooper, who gave him a ride into Erwin, then it was back on foot for eight more miles, then a former co-worker gave him a lift into Johnson City.  After leaving his vehicle, he traveled almost 27 miles.

Before the wedding, David didn't tell his daughter about his adventures, but, as the article relates:

It was not until Jones' reception speech, in which he brought out the red reflector he grabbed during his journey, that his daughter truly understood what he did to make it that day.

"I presented (the reflector) to them and said, 'I want this to be a remembrance for you, and whenever you see it, to remember that you need to protect each other in life, especially in your darkest moments as this reflector did for me. That's when you need it the most,'" Jones recalled.

The USA Today article concluded by saying:

Jones recalled his daughter telling him, "If my father could love me this much, imagine how much our Father in Heaven loves us."

Television station WJHL also reported on David's adventure, and included his comments about encountering a muddy field:

“It just… it’s awful,” Jones explained. “And I can tell you a lot about the mud and the debris fields where I have to climb six, seven-foot-tall piles of debris of old fences and huge trees and it was just a tangled mess and dead-end roads and all kinds of things.”

Although indeed precarious, the trek nearly became deadly at one point when he encountered crews clearing the road with a backhoe. Admittedly, Jones wasn’t expected to be there, so the operator didn’t see him, and he was nearly hit. He became entrapped in the mud.

“I was up to my knees in mud and couldn’t move,” Jones recalls. “And he doesn’t see me. Of course, his cab is facing the other way. Most of the time, he’s swinging this thing around, and I’m ducking. Really, I’m thinking this could be it. There was a lot of prayer at that point.”

Miraculously, Jones says he was able to free himself in time, albeit without one shoe that he had to retrieve afterward, and he continued on his way.

That reflective stake because quite an image of the journey of David Jones; the TV station's website says:

“I brought the reflector to the reception, and I presented it to Elizabeth, my daughter, and Daniel just for them to remember, to be a protector and a good reflection of each other and a reflection of God,” said an emotional Jones.

Jones said he’s no hero, “it’s what any dad would do,” he said.

Elizabeth disagrees and says she’s “just so thankful he made it.”

She added, "I woke up at 4:30 a.m. this morning just wide awake, just spent that whole morning praising God that my dad made it and that my dad’s alive..."

It was impossible for David Jones to know what he would face when he left South Carolina that morning - but there are indications that he is a man of faith, and I believe that God knew and went before him.  As WJHL reported, David has participated in marathons; perhaps that training came in handy in his adventure.  

We make our plans, but we can always keep in mind that He has a bigger one, and we can depend on Him to go before us and guide our steps by His Holy Spirit.  We have to be dependent on the strength of the Lord in order to navigate what we might face, and we can surrender each day to Him, that we might do His will, that we might walk in love, be submissive to the Holy Spirit, pray, and trust God. 

Some days can be, well, more adventurous than others, and that's OK, because we have the ultimate guide who goes with us, who sustains us through our challenges, and as we grow in the Lord, we can experience the preparation that He brings into our lives so that we might honor Him.

Truth in Unexpected Places

In the book of 2nd Timothy chapter 3, we find the apostle Paul calling out two individuals, stating that. they had...
(18) ...strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

We can ascertain the degree to which our lives are built on that "solid foundation," and sometimes the truth of God's Word can be proclaimed in unlikely places.  Such as the stage of a rock concert - not a Christian music concert, mind you, but a less-sanitized venue.

But, that's what happened recently when the lead singer of Creed, Scott Stapp, who has actually experienced a spiritual awakening, or re-awakening in his own life over the last several years, made a bold proclamation in the midst of the music.

The Christian Post reported: 

Creed lead singer Scott Stapp reminded audiences that the U.S. is a Christian nation “built upon the Bible and the Word of God” and urged Americans to unite in a rousing speech at a recent concert.

In a viral clip from his band’s reunion tour posted on X, Stapp paused between songs to declare the country is “a constitutional republic based upon the Bible and the Word of God.”

The article went on to say:

“Divided is exactly the way they want us to be,” he said, adding that “the powers that be” want Americans to be divided and compartmentalized “to keep us distracted from holding them accountable.”

But, what was remarkable is how Stapp related some principles upon which Americans can unite:

“The only way to make change is to wake up and come together as one. Focus on what we have in common, which is life, freedom, love, happiness,” he said. “We find our common ground and we build from there. And as we’re building that common ground, we start keeping the powers that be accountable. We start reminding them of what our Constitution says. We start reminding them of what our Bill of Rights says. We start reminding them that we are a constitutional republic based upon the Bible and the Word of God, not a democracy. Go study. Go do your homework.”

In late 2022, CBN.com explored some aspects of Stapp's spiritual journey. The band was hugely successful out of the gate, but, according to Stapp, quoted in the article on the website: “I was a Christian who was in rebellion and running from the brand of Christianity that I was raised on..."

He was initially raised to know God as a God of love, but his stepfather presented a more angry attitude. Scott had enough of it. After a divorce, he continued to spiral downward and ended up in the hospital after a life-threatening fall.  In the midst of his despair, he met a woman named Jaclyn who was a Christian.  The CBN article said:

“I opened my eyes,” said Scott. “And they were blurry and I see two angels. And I’m kinda doing this and its Jaclyn and her mother and they’re washing my feet. They’re washing the dirt and blood and every thing off my feet, crying, sobbing and praying. And in that moment, and I get goose bumps talking about it, if there was any doubt who these women were and what they meant in my life, and I will go to my grave feeling this, that they were angels in my life, sent for me, there was no doubt after that moment.”

Finally Scott realized it was time to change. Wit the help of Jaclyn, her mother, and God, Scott got off drugs and healed emotionally. He and Jaclyn married, and now have a beautiful blended family. Scott has since released a solo album and a book about his journey...

Scott and Jaclyn did get married, but earlier this year, it was announced by People magazine that they would be divorcing.  That article featured these words:

Earlier this year, Scott opened up to PEOPLE about his new album Higher Power, which chronicled his highs and lows.

“I’ve gone through a pretty difficult period in life over the last four years,” he said. “I’m hanging in there — just one hour at a time, one thing at a time. Taking little bites of the elephant and then just waking up again and doing it all over the next day. A lot going on, but all good stuff.”

A New York Post Page Six article related that the couple had tried to make it work.  It stated:

In 2015, Stapp was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after abusing prescription drugs, alcohol and marijuana.

“I had a psychotic break,” Stapp told People. “I had delusions. I thought an angel was sitting on the hood of my car. I grew a beard to look like Jesus. I made threats that had the Secret Service coming to my door. My behavior became dangerous.”

Jaclyn recognized her husband’s need for help. “I was watching him die a slow, painful, public death,” she said. “And I was terrified.”

A quote from a rep for Jaclyn is quoted in the article, saying that she "faced a long battle in her relationship with Scott and, despite never envisioning divorcing him one day, she’s decided to move on..."

Certainly, there are some enormous complexities in the life of this rock n'roll singer - from childhood trauma, to substance abuse, to mental illness.  He has attempted to live the truth, but there are indications that he has come up short over much of his life.  Recent spiritual development has apparently been hard for him.

What can we learn?  Well, for one thing, we can develop a sense of empathy for those who struggle with mental illness.  All of us can have the assurance that the Scriptures speak powerfully to the arena of our minds, and we are told that we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds, according to Romans 12.  But, we have to be faithful to meditate on the Bible and allow its work to transpire in our consciousness.  That is a message we can share with others, as well as to implement ourselves. 

And, we have to realize that through our struggles, we don't have to travel that road alone.  Another People article said:

As Stapp continues on his recovery journey, he’s no longer afraid to reach out for help, but concedes it’s still something he needs to learn to do more. “It’s definitely something that I would encourage anybody out there who’s going through anything… You don’t have to do it alone,” he says.

We can also reflect on the power of truth.  Apparently, Scott Stapp has discovered some truth that he has desired to share. This can be an inspiration to us to seek and hold on to truth. And, sometimes it can come from unexpected places.

Showing Up

We can never underestimate the power and influence that the Church can potentially have. Unfortunately, we are not leveraging these things, speaking and living the truth. But, Jesus told another story in Matthew 5:
13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

One of the topics that has been discussed throughout the years during Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month in October is the issue of pressures on pastors.  Most pastors are "on call" 24/7, and face not only the issues of maintaining a spiritual walk with God while living in a fishbowl, being the husband and father their families need them to be, and addressing the needs of the congregation.

A new Faithwire article addresses another area: election pressures.  The article notes:

This issue of election silence is much more pronounced among preachers in 2024, it seems, with 23% of pastors refusing to answer for whom they’ll cast a ballot, according to Lifeway Research.

For context, just 4% expressed the same reluctance in 2020, and just 3% fell into that bucket during the 2016 cycle. The shift in willingness to openly discuss these matters is notable.

The article goes on to say that among those who are planning to cast a ballot and did name a candidate, 50% of those said they will vote for former President Donald Trump, with 24% expressing intent to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.  23% are undecided.

The survey data also shows, "Among evangelical pastors, 61% plan to vote for Trump, with 50% of mainline Protestant pastors planning to pull the lever for Harris."

The Faithwire piece quotes Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, saying that he declared that "the reticence 'shows how sensitive or divisive politics has become in some churches.'”

The Christian Post highlighted more Lifeway Research data in a recent article:

Voters who hold Evangelical Christian beliefs are nearly twice as likely to support Republican Donald Trump as Democrat Kamala Harris, according to a newly released poll by Lifeway Research.

The study found that 61% of likely Evangelical voters plan to vote for Trump, while 31% intend to support Harris. The remaining 8% either plan to vote for a third-party candidate or are undecided.

In contrast, among respondents who did not identify as Evangelical, 47% expressed support for Harris, compared to 38% for Trump.

This is from a survey of Americans in general, not just Christians. 

And, there's new research from George Barna at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.  A summary states:

Barna’s latest research shows that only 51% of all faith voters are likely to vote in November. That means a full 104 million faith voters are unlikely to vote this election—including 41 million born-again Christians (defined by their beliefs regarding sin and salvation, not self-identification), 32 million regular Christian church attenders, and 14 million who attend an evangelical church.

Barna describes this as a "gamechanger." The summary goes on to quote from ACU President Len Munsil, who says: “I see two huge take-aways from this blockbuster report...First, that Christians could be the deciding factor in a bunch of federal and state races—and are choosing not to be. And second, that they are longing for their local church to instruct them on how to think biblically about policy and politics. They don’t want to be told how to vote, but they do want to know why they should vote, and how to view political issues from a biblical framework."

Why are so many Christians planning to stay home?  The survey offers these reasons:

• 57% dislike all major candidates
• 55% feel none of the candidates reflect their most important views
• 52% believe their vote will not make a difference
• 48% think the election results will be manipulated...

There are plenty of reasons to disengage in the 2024 election.  But, there are too many issues at stake not to participate.  And, you will hear pastors and Bible teachers across the board who address this issue Biblically.

I would submit that God has placed the Church here at this time, in this hour, to be a voice for Biblical truth.  And, the choices we have in every election consist of flawed candidates.  That doesn't exempt us from being in prayer about how we should vote and then to take the step to show up. Just show up - allow God to use you.

You will hear from various Bible teachers, including some you hear on Faith Radio, that you should evaluate the candidates' positions on various issues and vote for the candidate who best represents your Christian perspective.  Chances are, they won't line up perfectly.  But, you should be able to glean enough to make a quality, informed decision. 

Yes, it's true, politics can be divisive.  I would submit that is by nature, to a certain extent.  But, it doesn't have to be that way.  And, you can recognize the political process as a means through which we select leaders who can represent the views of their constituencies and get things done. If we're not sending people to Washington, to Montgomery, to City Hall, or the local county commission or school board who are in line with our Biblically-informed perspective, then, someone who represents another agenda could get in.  Do we really want that?  Or are we willing to pray, vet the candidates, and show up?