More Than Just Hocus Pocus

It's vital that we recognize the power of evil in this world and to hold fast to the light that comes from the light of the world, our Lord Jesus. Ephesians chapter 6 states:
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.

This is a description of spiritual warfare, and it is something that involves every Christian believer. We have an enemy who wants to take us out, spiritually speaking, and to render us ineffective in our walk with the Lord. James chapter 4 instructs us to resist the devil and he will flee. We just have to operate in God's power and principles in order to withstand the enemy's attacks; but we know that the Lord has provided the resources for us to walk in victory.

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Ephesians chapter 5 issues a warning for believers in the Lord to stay away from evil practices and to seek to glorify God and walk in His light; we can read these words:
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.

The so-called "holiday" known as Halloween is quickly approaching, and while the celebration seems to be becoming more popular, Christians should not ignore the glorification of practices that do not honor Christ, such as witchcraft, a fascination with the dead, and more.

Faithwire recently called attention to a Religion News Service piece about the sequel to the Disney movie, Hocus Pocus, which definitely presents concerns to Christian parents. The Faithwire article states regarding the sequel....

...a recent Religion News Service article about the handling of Witchcraft in the movie might add even more angst to the mix.

The original “Hocus Pocus” emerged in 1993 amid the so-called “Satanic panic,” a timeframe during which allegations of satanic ritual abuse and other elements ran rampant in culture.

RNS reporter Heather Greene noted the original film reflected negative cultural views on witchcraft but that the new movie takes a different approach. According to Greene, in the sequel, “Witchcraft is no longer evil.”

The Faithwire article quotes Mike Signorelli, who pastors V1 Church in New York City, who said on The Playing With Fire Podcast: “We’re stepping into this area right now. New Age practices are becoming a normal phenomenon...Even secular companies are provoking people to step into the spiritual realm or to believe in the supernatural in a way that — it’s like we’re moving past atheism and we’re moving into ‘spiritual but not religious’ as a people.”

An example given in the article stated: 

Earlier this year, in an unfortunate infusion of occultism, customers using the McDonald’s app were able to buy a medium order of fries were given a free McDouble or McChicken and the chance to snag a tarot card reading.

And, Hocus Pocus 2 apparently is riding the wave of this new enlightenment to evil practices.  The RNS story says:

Flash-forward 29 years. Satanic panic is ancient history and modern witchcraft has fully emerged from the proverbial broom closet, legally recognized and accepted as a spiritual path and religion. Pentacles appear on gravestones even in veterans cemeteries. Prison chaplains host Wiccan circles and satanists fight openly for religious equality.

Occult practices, such as tarot, are now openly practiced by teens from all walks of life and all faiths.

The portrayal of witchcraft and the Sanderson sisters in the new film had to change to meet the times.

The article says: "In the new film, witchcraft is just a tool that can be used as its practitioners see fit." And the sanitization refers to a new source of this magic: "Satan is no longer the source of the witches’ magic — nature is. The forest, where the teens’ rituals are held, is called sacred and, as shown in a flashback to the witches’ childhood in old Salem, the spell book they use is given to them by another woodland witch, not the devil."

Can you say "angel of light?"  On the surface, you might say that the enemy is using a new approach - substituting worship of nature, which is a prevalent thing these days for the hard-core demonic practices.  But, make no mistake, whatever devices he uses, his endgame is to deceive and dilute, causing Christians to depart from following the ways of God.  

The RNS article seems to be critical of those who are opposed to the proliferation of Satanic practices, stating that when the first Hocus Pocus movie premiered in 1993, "witches and satanists were falsely blamed for harming young children and corrupting teenagers." But, we have to admit that the devil is real, the practices associated with Halloween are dangerous, and that the enemy's intent is to lure people into rejecting God.

But, Satanic practices are more than just mere "hocus pocus."  Real lives are being affected, and this is no game.  And, you have to be concerned when the entertainment industry explores the supernatural.  Faithwire reported recently about Vanessa Hudgens' upcoming project:

The “High School Musical” star is teaming up with Bunim-Murray Productions and her best friend, GG Magreem, for “Dead Hot: Season of the Witch,” a 90-minute voyage into the supposed “supernatural.”

The movie, which is in post-production, will document the duo’s journey to Salem, Massachusetts, where they reportedly learn about witchcraft and try to track down “ghosts,” among other spiritual activities. The one-time Disney star and Magreem are “self-taught students of witchcraft,” according to Variety.

“They’ve been doing little spells since they were kids, and they were just really interested in that world,” Julie Pizzi, president of Bunim-Murray Productions, told the outlet. “As we got to know them, we realized that their curiosity in connecting with the spirit realm and paranormal and supernatural exploration was so much deeper than ghost hunting.”

The fascination with the realm of evil spirits can lead someone into embracing harmful practices. The Bible describes the spiritual war that we face and identifies the opponents.  Witchcraft, the occult, sorcery, and other ways to "contact" this evil realm can have life-long consequences.

But, what the enemy has wrought, God gives the grace to overcome. Our God specializes in healing and restoration.  What the enemy has done, the Lord is able to undo - the power of Christ is so much greater, which is especially important to recognize in an age in which evil is being tolerated.  We have to be careful that we are not participants in practices that glorify the enemy.

Jesus is Just Alright

We have the ability to actually have a relationship with the living God through His Son, who gave His life so that we can. And, He expects us to walk in obedience to His principles. 1st Peter chapter 1 states:
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

God is love and the embodiment of that love is seen through Jesus - how He interacted with people and acted in love by giving of Himself.  In this world today, there are efforts to separate Jesus, the Word who became flesh, from the rest of the Bible, but, you see, the entirety of the Scriptures testify of Him. The One who provided us an example of daily living calls us to a life of obedience: He isn't some sort of "life coach" or "self-help" motivational speaker who merely helps us to improve ourselves and become our "best self."  He calls us to die to self and live unto Him so we experience His life through us.

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In Titus 1, Paul calls out those who say that they know God, but do not follow Him...there is a disconnect between shallow affirmation and devoted application. We can read these words:
15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

I'm calling it the "Jesus is Just Alright" survey, designated by the Doobie Brothers song that was also recorded by DC Talk. Seems like it's OK to talk about Jesus and how great He is in our culture today, and it's true - He has loved us so much that He gave His life so that we might be saved.  But, He also calls us to take up our cross, to sacrifice ourselves, and to follow Him.

Jesus loves us so much that He calls and empowers us to follow Him; but if we just stop at saying how nice and wonderful He is, we miss the bigger picture.

So, the Barna Group has partnered with other organizations to measure how teenagers perceive Jesus.  CBN.com reported on the findings.  The report on the Barna Group website states:

Data show it’s rare that teens think poorly of Jesus. Most teenagers around the world have a positive perception of him. About half of all teens, across faith groups, describe Jesus as “loving” (49%) and believe he offers hope to (46%) and cares about people (43%). The global impression of Jesus is that he is trustworthy, generous, wise, peaceful… and the glowing list goes on.

But, with all this talk about how wonderful Jesus is, you have to question how devoted these teenagers are to following Him.  Another part of the survey, according to CBN, has to do with how teens regard the Bible.  The article says:

The first group — “Bible engaged” — believed the Bible is God’s Word, is inspired by the Lord, and they read Scripture throughout the week. The “Bible open” group is less engaged with Scripture and has a neutral view of it, though they engage with the Bible more than three or four times a year.

The last group, “Bible unengaged,” clumps all the other teens together.

Eighty-four percent of “Bible-engaged” teens said Scripture teaches them about “living a meaningful life.” And in an era in which suicide and chaos rage, 84% said the Bible helps them understand their purpose...

However, when you look at the Barna survey summary, you find that only 38% of all teens and the same percentage of "Bible open" teenagers - 38% believe that the Bible shows a meaningful life. 

80% of "Bible engaged" teens agree that the Bible teaches about "Living wisely in today's society." But, only 34% of all teens and the same percentage of "Bible open" teens agree with that.

So, while there are many positive statements that appear in this survey about Jesus, it seems that teens aren't so keen on the Bible, which reflect His teachings.  I am reminded of the words of C.S. Lewis from his book, Mere Christianity, which we can find on the YouVersion website: "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say..." He noted, "A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher."  The choice is clear, "you can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher."

Perhaps one of the sad findings of the Barna Group survey is that only 23% of teens believe this statement: "He makes a real difference in the world today."

So, while it may be a positive indicator that teenagers regard Jesus highly, the real question is how they respond to Him.  And, that's the situation for all of us: we can say Jesus is a good teacher, which He is, but are we a disciple?  Do we follow Him?  Do we regard His Word as authoritative and applicable for our lives today?

Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments.  We can say we love Him, but as the Bible says, by our works we can deny Him.  Modern-day portrayals and perceptions of Jesus will miss the mark if they are blended with the world's ideas, but we truly can get to know Him through our study of the Word and by building a relationship with Him.  To merely portray Him as some sort of "great moral teacher," a "self-help guru" who has come to give us a better life is totally selling Him short. 

He. Is. Lord.  And, He calls us to a life of obedience to Him.  

Taxpayer-Funded Deviancy

In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 32, we find a bold declaration of the power of God, spoken by the prophet in the midst of challenging times for Israel, under the threat of the Babylonians; we can find these words:
17 'Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
18 You show lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them--the Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts.
19 You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.

There are forces that are aligned against the people of God, and we have to recognize that there are spiritual battles that affect us every day. We can either buckle under the weight of oppression or be bold to declare the praises of our God and call upon His name.  When we come before the Lord in prayer, we release a power that is mightier than this world.  We should not merely talk about the threats to the practice of our faith, but there is real action that can be taken - and it starts with prayer!

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We serve a powerful God who gives us the power to walk in His ways, the power of the Holy Spirit that can be released in our prayers in response to trends that concern us. 1st Chronicles 29 reports:
10 Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all.
12 Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all.

Through the power of taxation, there are governmental agencies and officials who use money that is entrusted to them to carry out the mission to do good for society and pervert that in order to corrupt our culture.

Following the Dobbs decision, I discovered that our U.S. government established a website that provided information for women on abortion and how and where to obtain one. That is certainly not a message that benefits our nation.

And, CBNNews.com has published an article about a section of the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention website which is devoted to LGBTQ issues - the article reports that section contains a
"Health Youth Resources page and is run in partnership with Planned Parenthood, and the largest organization for LGBTQ people, PFLAG."

Intercessors for America (IFA) President Dave Kubal is quoted in the article as saying: "I am concerned about the CDC and other state and federal government agencies promoting 'Q Chat' to underage children. This site promotes hormone replacement for kids, usurps parental rights, and even exposes children to the occult--all while encouraging kids to hide the site from their parents..."  IFA is encouraging parents who are concerned to send a response to government officials.

CBN News stated:

According to the Q Chat Space, the live chats "are facilitated by experienced staff who work at LGBTQ+ centers around the United States," but the "facilitators are NOT mental health professionals."

One of the adult facilitators, introduced on Q Chat Space's Instagram with "they/xe" pronouns, is "a Black nonbinary queer asexual" and a "drag artist." Another facilitator, who uses "xe/xem, they/them" pronouns, is identified as "Black, genderqueer, gray-ace, and neurodivergent," Just the News reports.

The CBN article adds:

Chat topics on the platform include "Gender Affirmation Surgeries," "Drag Culture 101," "Sex Ed Night" for trans/non-binary youth, "Having Multiple Genders," "Let's Talk About Pronouns," and "Self Discovery in Astrology."

And, it seems an essential component of selling the LGBTQ agenda to young people includes not telling parents what is going on. In fact, Breitbart reports "Each section of the website has a large button on the bottom of the screen that says 'Click/Tap here for a quick escape . . .' and shows a stick figure running towards an exit...When clicked, the button takes users to the Google homepage, hiding the site."

The Washington Post has a slogan: "Democracy Dies in Darkness."  Unfortunately, that media outlet could be questioned about its commitment to democracy and the Constitution. But...you could play off that slogan and say that, "deviancy thrives in darkness."  On a computer screen, in the privacy of their own spaces, not visible to parents, young people's minds are being polluted with material that does not contribute to their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.  Christian parents can be motivated to turn on the light, to make sure they are communicating effectively and frequently with their children.

We recognize that we are not existing in an environment that is friendly to our faith. From forced COVID vaccines to attempts to make medical professionals perform procedures that violate our deeply-held beliefs to placing restrictions on companies who do not wish to fund abortion drugs in their health care plans, the rights of conscience are being violated by governmental officials.  We should certainly respond by praying for our leaders and - as we have the chance to do in these upcoming elections, in which some are already voting - electing leaders who respect the rich Christian heritage of our nation and are intent on protecting religious freedom.  It's too important to the fabric of our country for Christians not to participate in the process and to release the power of God through our prayers.

True Change

God offers us the power of change, to resist and overcome sinful desires, and to walk in a manner that reflects the presence of Christ in us. We are instructed in Romans chapter 13:
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

We are not called to gratify, or glorify, the power of sin. We can recognize that Jesus died and rose again in order to defeat the power of sin and death and to enable us to experience His true freedom. Certainly, we will be tempted, but as 1st Corinthians 10 reminds us, He has provided a way of escape, giving us powerful resources through which we can experience victory.  We have the power of the indwelling Christ, who has redeemed us, and the principles of God's Word.

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Throughout his writings, Paul contrasts the works of the flesh, the expressions of sinfulness, with the powerful, cleansing work of the Holy Spirit. An example is found in 1st Corinthians 6:
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

One week ago, National Coming Out Day was celebrated in all 50 states. The Daily Citizen website of Focus on the Family reported:

October 11 is “National Coming Out Day,” (NCOD) designated by activists in 1988 to encourage individuals to “come out” as gay-identified. Now under the auspices of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBT activist group in the U.S., NCOD is celebrated in all 50 states and countries around the world.

The day has grown far beyond celebrating those who identify as gay. HRC says:

Whether you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, asexual, intersex, or Two-Spirit, be proud of who you are and your support for LGBTQ+ equality this Coming Out Day!

In the Daily Citizen article, Jeff Johnston writes: 

In “coming out,” a person is supposedly saying, “This is me – my sexuality is the core of who I am and how I now express myself. Celebrate with me.”

But what if that’s not true? What if broken sexuality is not a person’s true self?

Johnston points out:

Thankfully, there are many Christian groups providing help and resources for those whose identity comes from their faith – not from their sexual feelings or sinful behaviors.

While corporate media, big business and social media celebrate NCOD, Christians are providing support for those walking away from an LGBT identity.

The Changed Movement is one such group, a loose connection of individuals who have left homosexuality or transgenderism. Many of them now lead ministries for those wanting freedom from homosexuality.

The article notes that: "The group has created a new booklet, Self-discovery: How childhood shaped our sexual identity. It explains how many in the movement “experienced shifts in our sexual feelings and gender identity as we have addressed perceptions and wounds from our childhood.”

One of those featured in the book, which is free and can be downloaded, is Garry Ingraham, who is ordained as a pastor and leads the Love and Truth Network.  He struggled with unhealthy sexual practices during childhood.  He writes:

After years of struggling. I eventually turned to my faith for peace. I began a process of self-discovery that exposed the pressures of my childhood and enabled me to find transformation. My faith became a cornerstone in my life, and I began building stable relationships with others by attending church and intentionally seeking positive emotional connections (his emphasis).

The Changed Movement asks:

Imagine how different Garry’s life might have been if he’d been given the opportunity to confront his childhood insecurities and better understand his masculinity alongside a professional therapist or counselor.

If he were a young person today, he might be pressured to embrace a gay identity and never resolve his self-hatred and rejection. Like so many in the LGBTQ community, he might be outspoken about these common experiences yet never fully understand their true source to find emotional healing.

About those who contributed to this book, Johnston writes:

Through a variety of means, such as counseling, self-understanding, pastoral care, God’s healing, healthy relationships, renewed thinking, and experiencing God’s love, they found transformation. They were able to embrace their God-given sexual identity as male or female and to walk away from homosexuality and transgenderism.

This indicates a true Biblical approach to sexual brokenness.  However, it has become trendy in some circles of Christianity to treat same-sex attraction as something that seems to be irredeemable.  Consider Denny Burk's response to a Christianity Today article written by a so-called "Side B" Christian named Bekah Mason:

“Side B Christians” treat homosexual orientation not as sin to be lamented but as an identity to be affirmed. Yes, they agree with Christians to their right that homosexual behavior is sinful and fallen, but they nevertheless don’t want to consign homosexual identity to a similar category. From Wes Hill arguing that being gay is “sanctifiable” to Grant Hartley‘s “Redeeming Queer Culture” to Gregory Coles‘ suggestion that gay orientation may be an aspect of God’s original creation design, it is clear that “Side B” folks aim to convince Christians that at least part of homosexuality ought to be redeemed rather than repented of. I don’t believe that Mason’s article is forthrightly dealing with these problems. Rather, she writes as if the debate is mainly due to the irrational rigidity of conservatives.

Burk, one of the drafters of the Nashville Statement, affirming a Biblical view of sexuality, points out Article 8, which says;

WE AFFIRM that people who experience sexual attraction for the same sex may live a rich and fruitful life pleasing to God through faith in Jesus Christ, as they, like all Christians, walk in purity of life.

But this hope for such brothers and sisters isn’t helped by the Side B paradigm. Rather, it inhibits and diminishes the formation of Christ’s holy image in his people.

Notice the call to purity - that seems to be the message the Change Movement, not the "Side B" crowd, is embracing.  Believers in Christ should be confident in the Biblical sexual ethic and consistent in their proclamation of Scripture to endorse God's plan.  

Certainly, in culture today, there is confusion about sexuality - that's by design, because the enemy sows seeds of confusion to distort God's good work that was established in Genesis.  We have to be watchful that we are not deceived and that we do not try to excuse brokenness, but look to the healer who can truly transform us.  

Also, the Ligonier survey I referenced last week found that many Christians believe that everyone is born innocent.  Now, we are all made in the image of God, but I believe in the concept of total depravity - humanity is fallen, and we need a Savior to bring us out.  We can say, regarding sinful behavior and tendencies, that's "just the way I am." But, that does not comport with who God says we are and who He wants us to be - and He gives us the capability to change. 

What a Dill!

Because God has done a redemptive work in our hearts, we can realize that He has appointed us to represent Him in this world; 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 states:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

Jesus has redeemed us from the power of sin and death; He has declared us to be new creatures in Him. We can be bold and motivated to tell that story - the story of a sinner who has been set free. And, as we walk in Him and depend on Him, we can count on the Lord to open the door to share our faith. We can make sure that we do not participate in worldly pursuits, but that we don't become isolated from the world, so that we can have a powerful witness.

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We are called to be distinct people, as far as our display of the presence of Christ, but we are not directed to be isolated. Paul captures this sentiment in 1st Corinthians 9:
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

The popularity of pickleball has been the subject of a short feature story at the Relevant Magazine website, although the anonymous writer or writers of the article doesn't quite seem to be enamored with the sport.  The story opens by saying:

Big Pickleball is making moves. The once-blissfully obscure “sport”(?) has become inexplicably popular across multiple generations, boosted by a cadre of baby boomers who’ve somehow coaxed their Millennial and Gen Z grandchildren into suiting up too. And now, Stephen Colbert of all people is hosting a Funny or Die-produced celeb pickleball match. It’ll be called Pickled, it’ll air on CBS and it’ll follow some people playing pickleball.

An organization called USA Pickleball paints a rosier picture, stating in a June article on its website:

As more media outlets continue to pick up on the Pickleball popularity wave, USA Pickleball has found itself once again in the national television spotlight. This past week, Good Morning America has joined the queue to be the next news station to feature pickleball as one of the fastest-growing sports in America.

Good Morning America hosts Eva Pilgrim and Will Ganss took to the Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City to showcase the sport to an ever-growing audience. From young children to seniors, pickleball is an all-inclusive game that speaks to both the competitive athlete as well as recreational players alike. There is no age restriction for the sport – both for competitive or recreational play. The beauty of pickleball is that it has no limits in terms of who can be considered “good” at the game; all you need is a net, a paddle, and a pickleball to enjoy the sport.

Based on the pictures posted with the article, pickleball appears to be a cross between tennis, badminton, and ping-pong; it's played on what appears to be a smaller version of a tennis court - with paddles.  A picture on the site of the ball indicates that it looks very much like the "wiffle" ball of story and fable.

And, a church planter who has helped to launch a church in Alabama has integrated pickleball into his ministry strategy.  An article at The Baptist Paper from earlier this year stated this about Danny Lovett:

...after years of training young pastors and helping church planting teams at Tennessee Temple University and Liberty University, he ended up as a church planter himself.

He teamed up with his friend, David Wilson, and the article says: "...God gave him and Wilson a vision, and 10 years later the Church at Chelsea Westover is thriving."

It goes on to relate:

...a little over halfway through Lovett’s time there, God started planting seeds for what would become a new ministry in his next season of life — a love for pickleball.

“It’s the fastest-growing racquet sport, and Susan [his wife] and I have traveled all over the country playing,” Lovett said.

Pickleball — a cross between table tennis, tennis and badminton — is played with a fiberglass or wooden paddle, a net and a Wiffle ball. For Lovett, it offers a lot of evangelistic opportunities.

“When I introduce myself as Pastor Danny and we get to know each other and play together, I get to share the gospel,” he explained.

He and Susan give out water under a tent at pickleball tournaments. Lovett, who is in his late 50's participated in the National Senior Games in Florida a few months ago. He says, “I like to say I’m a missionary to pickleball or a pickleball chaplain..."

Lovett is no longer at the church, but has been named Pastor Emeritus; he has entered a new season, according to The Baptist Paper: 

...in this next season, as he and his wife travel in their RV, playing pickleball and sharing the gospel, their home base will be another part of their new ministry — a retreat cabin for pastors in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The cabin will hold four families. Lovett said it is meant to minister to pastors and their wives and is under the umbrella of the Jesus is Awesome Ministry he organized before his time at the Church at Chelsea Westover.

This is a great example of how things that we like or love doing can be used for the glory of God.  Danny Lovett has a church planter's heart, and he acquired a love for this sport that has been increasing in popularity.  He saw how it could be used as an opportunity to engage people in conversation about Jesus, and he is committed to doing that, seeing it as part of his personal mission.  We can also recognize that each of us is called to a personal mission - that will look differently for each individual, but we can certainly be sensitive to God's leadership for a place or places to serve. 

I did a search on "pickleball churches," and found quite a few entries. I found a link to an article at The Alabama Baptist, which reported on how First Baptist Church of Centre, Alabama has incorporated pickleball into its overall ministry.  The article states:

The church started the pickleball program at its Recreational Outreach Center in 2017.

“Pickleball has brought people from different towns and backgrounds to play,” said Freida Ellis, who founded the program with Jim and Elaine Bridges. “It has been a place to meet others and have fun together. Our church membership has grown because of having our facility open for people to come together playing a team sport that provides a friendly and Christian atmosphere.”

Here again, this is an example about how some trends in culture can be used for the glory of God. The Alabama Baptist article noted that, "With 4.8 million people now playing pickleball — a combination of tennis, table tennis and badminton — it is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S." Of course, not all trends provide such an opportunity, but we can find that sports can be a neutral activity that can attract a Christian approach. 

Counting Down...

The book of Ephesians, in chapter 5, reminds us that because we belong to Christ, we are to walk in His light and reject the darkness; we find these words:
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

This is a general guide to make godly choices. We can be so knowledgeable to the Scriptures and in sync with the Holy Spirit that we can discern light from darkness, absolute truth from shaky fiction. We are instructed to discover "what is acceptable to the Lord."  We can embrace the principles of Scripture and recognize and reject what does not line up.  There is a contrast, and in this world today, we can be distinctive because of the presence of Christ in us and the practice of His truth.

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In Psalm 101, we find a series of verses that can propel us to make solid choices in what we expose ourselves to, which speaks powerfully to electronic media:
2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.

New Christmas music has begun to arrive at Faith Radio, and on the day after Thanksgiving, you will have the opportunity to enjoy over 100 hours per week of Christmas music, including our "all-music" days on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

And, certain entertainment television networks have announced their new Christmas offerings. Unfortunately, for the Hallmark Channel, it's "buyer beware."  While the channel is said to be releasing its first "faith-based movie,"  it unfortunately will be debuting its first film with a gay lead couple, after the 2020 movie, The Christmas House, included a gay couple in the cast. 

ChristianHeadlines.com reports that:

The movie, The Holiday Sitter, will air on December 11 and tell the story of two men who fall in love. Although the Hallmark Channel has included LGBTQ characters in its films, this is the first one to feature a same-sex couple at the center of the story.

A Hallmark news release described the film this way: "Sam is a workaholic bachelor who babysits his niece and nephew before the holidays when his sister and her husband have to go out of town. Completely out of his element, he recruits help from their handsome neighbor Jason and finds himself in an unexpected romance."

Conversely, a Movieguide article says:

According to The Hollywood Reporter: THE GIFT OF PEACE follows “a once-devout Christian who stopped believing in God after her husband tragically died. As her second Christmas without him approaches, she tries going to a support group for inspiration and comfort.”

“It’s the first faith-based movie that Hallmark has ever done,” DeLoach shared. “And I’m a person of deep faith so it was really cool to be a part of that.”

She continued, “[THE GIFT OF PEACE is] about grief and it’s one of the most emotional movies Hallmark has ever done so we’re kind of breaking the mold with this one.”

Movieguide notes: 

Several networks have released their upcoming Christmas movie lineup, including Great American Family and UPtv.

Former Movieguide® Awards Host Candace Cameron Bure will appear in GAF’s A CHRISTMAS … PRESENT.

UPtv says they are gearing up for their “Most uplifting Christmas every.”

“With so many people needing to scale back in different ways this holiday season, we wanted to deliver an abundance of Christmas programming so uplifting, holiday cheer was plentiful for our viewers,” said Hector Campos, vice president of content strategy and acquisition at UPtv.

Bure, of course, a staple of Hallmark movies, has reportedly accepted an executive role at the Great American Family network, which is led by Bill Abbott, a former Hallmark executive.

The search for family-friendly entertainment content continues, and thankfully, because of the segmentation of streaming services and even some cable channels, there are "trusted sources" that we can go to.  Hallmark has proven that it is no longer a media outlet that can be totally trusted, although there will no doubt be the non-objectionable content.

It is notable that high-profile Christian actors, such as Candace Cameron Bure, Jen Lilley, and someone who has become increasingly outspoken about her faith, Danica McKellar, are now doing movies for Great American.  While When Calls the Heart remains on Hallmark Channel, a spin-off now airs on Great American Family.  

I think in our own lives, we have to watch our associations.  If our public behavior, or the people or activities with which we associate, send a contradictory message, then our witness is damaged. And, association with the wrong people or causes can even have a negative impact on our own Christian faith. There's a reason the Bible instructs us not to be "unequally yoked."

I also want to re-iterate Faith Radio's intent on being a trusted source for you - for sound, high-quality Bible teaching from some of America's greatest teachers, for music that helps you experience the presence of God, and for information that can direct you in responding to our culture.  And, please remember, your prayers and financial support are so very important as we continue to broadcast, stream, and post content that will inspire and motivate you to spiritual growth.

State of Theology Is...

Jesus taught us about the responsibility we have to hear the Word of God and to obey it, being faithful to process what we hear. In Mark 4, we find these words:
23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."

The question comes to mind: what are we listening to?  We can choose to read, study, and meditate on Scripture, so that we might be obedient to do what we have learned. Or, we can allow the world's voices to supersede what God wants us to hear. So, each day, we choose impulses and influences: the Word or the world?  The Word brings life - this world brings death. We have to make the decision to make God's Word a priority and to follow what it says, not picking and choosing, but being devoted to, what Scriptures says is, "the whole counsel of God."

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In Matthew 13, we find Jesus teaching about understanding the Scriptures and making sure our eyes, ears, and hearts are open to His Word - He says:
13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.'
16 "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear...

Every two years, Ligonier Ministries, which was founded by the late R.C. Sproul, releases a study called the State of Theology Survey. A press release from the ministry stated:

Ligonier's biennial State of Theology survey provides insights into the views of Americans on a wide range of Christian beliefs. This comprehensive report provides key findings on beliefs about God, truth, the Bible, ethical issues, and worship. Conducted with LifeWay Research, the survey polled a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults.

When a President gives the State of the Union address each year, perhaps you have heard him say, "The State of the Union is strong."  With regard to the State of Theology in the United States, what did this survey discover?

71 percent of adults agreed with this statement, "Everyone is born innocent in the eyes of God." 65% of evangelicals agreed.  This raises concerns, because the Bible teaches there is none who is good.  The survey summary notes:

The fact that nearly two-thirds of U.S. evangelicals believe that humans are born in a state of innocence reveals that the biblical teaching of original sin is not embraced by most evangelicals. The Bible, however, makes clear that all humans are "by nature children of wrath" (Eph. 2:3). In other words, we are not sinners because we sin; rather, we sin because we are sinners. This truth is foundational for an accurate understanding of the gospel and of our absolute need for the grace of God in salvation.

In a Breakpoint commentary, published at ChristianHeadlines.com, John Stonestreet and Kasey Leander write...

...nearly half of evangelicals agreed that God “learns and adapts” to different circumstances, in stark contrast to the biblical doctrine of unchanging nature, or immutability; 65 percent of evangelicals agreed that everyone is “born innocent in the eyes of God,” denying the doctrine of original sin, and with it, the very reason that people need salvation in the first place.

Some 56 percent of evangelicals agreed with the idea that “God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam,” in contrast to Jesus’ words in Matthew that without Him, “no one knows the Father.”

The most stunning result had to do with the topic of Jesus Christ’s divinity. When asked whether they agreed that “Jesus was a great teacher …but not God,” 43 percent of American evangelicals answered yes. That number is up 13 percent from just two years ago.

The writers say that the survey "paints a bleak picture."  You could say that The State of Theology is not strong, even though there are bright spots in the area of views on the so-called social issues.  As Stonestreet and Leander state: "It’s worth noting that these failures are not because evangelicals have a low view of Scripture. Some 95 percent, after all, still agree with the statement that 'the Bible is 100 percent accurate in all that it teaches.' The implication, then, is that they simply don’t know what it teaches, either because they haven’t been taught or they haven’t cared enough to learn."

Richard Land, Executive Editor of The Christian Post, provided some analysis regarding what just over a quarter of self-identified evangelicals say they believe; he wrote at the website:

The late R.C. Sproul, founder of one of the survey’s sponsors, Ligonier Ministries, often observed that “everyone’s a theologian.” He was right in that “theologian” means literally logos (words) about theos (God). Dr. Sproul would quickly add that “not everyone is a good theologian.”

This current survey certainly underscores the veracity of that statement. The survey discovered that one-fourth (26%) of Evangelicals disavowed a belief in the literal truth of the Bible.

This is the survey language that 26% of evangelicals agreed with: "The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true."  Land went on to say:

Unfortunately, that theological error is just the beginning.

Once you come to the conclusion that the Bible is only truly the authoritative Word of God in parts, you start falling into the temptation of “Dalmatian theology” (“the Bible is inspired in spots and I’m inspired to determine which spots”). Of course, what happens is the parts that are “inspired” are the parts you agree with and the parts that are not inspired are the parts with which you disagree.

Certainly, there are Bible-believing Christians who attend churches across America and around the world.  And, the survey indicates that in a number of the critical areas I highlighted, at least a majority believe in traditional, Biblical, orthodox Christian doctrine.  But not enough.

The Breakpoint piece concluded by saying:

The results of this study show it’s time for many so-called Christians to repent, for many churches to renew their commitments to catechism, and for all of us who claim Christ to commit our hearts and minds to know who He is, who He has revealed Himself to be.

Jesus spoke about those with ears to hear.  James wrote about being more than hearers, but also doers. But, if we are not hearing, as it seems to be the case with many evangelicals, we won't be obedient to the Lord; thus, the need for repentance.  But, as Romans 10 asks the question, how will they hear?  Each of us has the responsibility to be faithful to the Word of God, reading the Bible, listening to Biblical teaching, and then thinking about how we can apply it to our lives.  And, we actually have to "do" it - faith without works is dead!