PastorTim

Texting like an old man!

A great blessing I enjoy when I am not on traveling the highways and byways of America is to be the designated Uber driver for my sweet grandbabies Spencer and Kairi, providing transportation to school early in the morning. On one such occurrence recently, my phone began to announce a text had arrived and since Ubering and texting do not mix my darling Kairi, from her front seat perch, asked if she could provide assistance.

The text was from a colleague in ministry and thus several texts were received and answered accordingly, setting up a meeting later in the week. When the exchange finally came to an end and my new assistant in the seat next to me placed my phone back its respective holder, she then remarked with a side of pre-teen laughter, “Papaw, you text like an old man!” “Why, whatever do you mean young lady?” I responded with a curious smile. “I mean, you text just like you speak.” Came the quick response. “How else could I text?” came my puzzled reply.

It seems that there is a great chasm between the way those in my generation communicate via text and that of a younger sort! Social Links for Ben Cost in the New York Post recently provided much needed insight. In an article titled, “The way you text reveals if you’re a boomer, millennial or Gen Z”; fashion, vernacular and musical preferences aren’t the only cultural indicators of age. A digital wizard claims he can tell whether someone’s a boomer, millennial or Generation Z solely based on how they text. 

Tech influencer Tyler Morgan proceeds to rattle off the telltale signs of each like the digital equivalent of a wine vintner determining a tipple’s vintage. Texting with one hand is the hallmark of Zoomer phone… typing accurately with both thumbs is a habit that straddles both millennial and Zoomer generations, per the digital detective.

In fact, Morgan declares that people stay at this “thumb tapping” age until their 50s — the threshold for most Gen Xers, born from 1965 to 1980 — after which they start typing with a thumb and index finger. Meanwhile, the elder baby boomers — those born between 1946 and 1964 — tend to do away with the thumb and just poke the buttons with their pointer digit. “You’re getting up there when you’re doing that,” declared Morgan of the “one finger tap” method.

He continues, it’s not just typing techniques that potentially indicate a person’s age — users can reportedly glean one’s generation from the style of their digital correspondence, as well. For instance, Zoomers claim that using proper punctuation and capital letters while texting is the telltale sign that someone’s older.” Who me?

Words matter. In fact, God used words to create. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” Over and over in this first chapter of the Bible we are told that “God said”, and boy, when God said, things happened! But did you notice it was all good?

Located in the book of John, the last gospel penned for us in the New Testament, we find these words, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” God wonderfully inserts in his book, for all of us to hear, the intentions that lay behind all that is written. That we might have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.

Words are important, aren’t they? Our words hold great significance. What we do with them, how we use them, what we say and how we say it. But perhaps more important are the words of God…what we do with them, how we use them and how we respond to what God says. A businessman well known for his ruthlessness once announced to writer Mark Twain, "Before I die, I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the 10 Commandments aloud at the top." "I have a better idea," replied Twain. "You could stay in here in America and just keep them."

Kairi in her mode of conversing with her friends employs several short and fast acronyms to effectively spell out her thoughts and engage in conversation, I, like many reading this column, prefer a more detailed and punctuated approach. However you type it, truth is still the truth, and the bottom line is, young or old, what we do with the word of God is all that matters when the last chapter is written.

 

 

Hazard Ahead

I’m sure you’ve noticed that with spring showers, flowers, and lush green grass, there appears to be a fine crop of those welcome orange hazard road cones that warn us that road construction season is well under way! Even more hazardous is the continuing rise of mis-information and the flagrant re-writing of our America’s Godly heritage, leaving a greater hazard before us. The multi-generational vacuum of historical truth!     

Benjamin Rush, who signed The Declaration of Independence and ratified the Constitution, gives us a glimpse into the worldview our founding fathers were guided. “The only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible. The great enemy of the salvation of man, in my opinion, never invented a more effective means of limiting Christianity from the world than by persuading mankind that it was improper to read the Bible at schools.” Critically speaking, that makes sense!  

Don Feder, columnist with The Washington Times writes, “Where the mission of public education was once to create a sense of solidarity among a diverse population, today it promotes ignorance, skepticism, and fragmentation. Only 32% of Americans know the three branches of government, and one-third can’t name a single right protected by the First Amendment.

Schools are too busy indoctrinating to educate. Popular tools of brainwashing include Marxist Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History of the United States,” published in 1980, which teaches that America is based on genocide, suppression, and exploitation. When he was a political science professor at Boston University during the Vietnam War, campus conservatives, of which I was one, called him Ho Chi Zinn.

Critical race theory is enshrined in our schools. Over 3,500 high schools use a 100-page magazine supplement in the 1619 Project book, which proclaims that racism and White supremacy are woven into the fabric of America. The state functionaries who mold the minds of our children agree. In 2021, the 3-million-member National Education Association, the nation’s largest teachers union, reiterated its support for CRT and the 1619 Project in the face of a growing parental backlash.”

I am convinced that critical race theory is morally inaccurate. Ben Carson, secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2017 to 2021 and founder of the American Cornerstone Institute shared, “As we continue to be bombarded by racially charged narratives, there has been a subtle shift in the conversation: Its focus has moved from equality to equity. That is, instead of pursuing the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideal of judging people by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin, equity would reward and punish people because of the color of their skin. Rather than equality of opportunity, equity would mandate equality of outcome... Instead of treating people only as representatives of larger groups, let’s get back to treating people as individuals. Instead of tearing down institutions, let’s work together to make them better. Together we must strive for a more perfect union in which people are judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.”

My friend Ken Blackwell, Senior Fellow for Human Rights and Constitutional Governance at Family Research Council said that critical race theory (CRT) is based on flawed and destructive assumptions. Its actual purpose is the complete opposite of its stated intent. Its leftist creators in academia and media claim it encourages racial understanding. The truth is that its cynical methodology further divides us when racial understanding and acceptance is key to our survival as the freest nation on Earth.”

Critical race theory is also filled with historical inaccuracies. The 1619 Project is a New York Timesfort aimed at reshaping the history of America. Its primary goal appears to be the tarnishing and tainting our Godly heritage to a greater degree than our present academics and textbooks seek to accomplish. This effort is facilitated using A People’s History of the United States, by author Howard Zinn and is sadly making inroads into classrooms throughout the country. It is another voice perpetuating the myth that America is evil, that it was born with evil principles and that the things that presumably you would celebrate in America shouldn’t be celebrated.

Tom Tancredo writes, “The abandonment of America’s unique character begins with the loss of historical memory, which is why the subversive rewriting of American history has been the first priority of leftist ideologues for over a hundred years.” As Victor David Hanson observes, "Destroying history will not make you feel good about the present... Learning from it might." The good news as I see it is that God has always used a remnant of believers to change the course of history. May the hand of God’s blessing and the faithfulness those who serve him bring a blessed and hazard free future!   

Times like these

“What a day to be alive! “It’s 2024, and we are living in schizophrenic times. Dickensian times: the best of times, yet the worst; times where we demand the truth while reveling in our lies; times of great material gain but of even greater moral loss; times of calling good evil and evil good; times of saying bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter; times of the “tolerant” not tolerating what they find intolerable…” writes my friend Dr. Everett Piper in the Washington Times last week.

He continues, “These are times when those who claim to champion democracy openly work to upend the democratic process; times when cultural elites no longer even attempt to hide their disdain for the self-evident truths upon which our country was founded; times when freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of expression, and freedom in general are now considered products of Zionist colonialism that should be discarded and replaced by the whims of a racist mob so proud of its “anti-racism.”

These are times when students at schools such as Columbia University, whose motto is the Jewish psalm “In Thy light shall we see the light,” proudly vilify Jews and align with those who deny their holocaust, rape their women, behead their babies and call for the destruction of the millenniums-old Jewish state. These are times when Karl Marx’s “useful idiots” promote intolerance under the banner of “tolerance” and fascism under the flag of “freedom.”

History often repeats itself we are told. In Israel’s case around 600 BC, they rebelled against God by serving other gods and God punished them by having them carried into captivity. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was carried into captivity by Assyria followed by Southern Kingdom, Judah, which was carried into captivity by the Babylonians.

This wasn’t the end of the story for Israel because God had a plan of salvation for them. His intention was to bring them back from captivity, The book of Esther gives us a glimpse of God’s plan of salvation. In fact, God had in mind a much larger plan of salvation than just bringing the Jews back to their homeland. God planned all along that a savior would be born in Bethlehem to a Jewish family, and that that child would grow up to be the savior of the world.

The account of Esther begins in 483 B.C. some 37 years before Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls. King Xerxes was throwing a big party that lasted 6 months. At the end of this opulent display of wealth, he had a final 7-day party/drinking binge and on the 7th day he ordered Queen Vashti to appear before him to show off her beauty. The Queen refused and this caused King Xerxes to burn with anger.

The King banished her from his presence forever and that was that until sometime later he began to miss her. His palace officials were quick to offer a solution – a beauty contest. They would round up the most beautiful and desirable virgins in his kingdom and he could have his pick of a new Queen. Well, for some reason that idea really appealed to the king, so he told them to get on it right away.

Esther’s parents died when she was young and her cousin, a Jewish noble named Mordecai from the tribe of Benjamin raised her like his own daughter. As the Miss Persia talent search progressed, Esther was selected as one of the contestants because of her beauty. When her time came to be considered by the King, he was so impressed with her that he made her the Queen. Mordecai, however told her to keep her identity as a Jewess concealed, and so she did.

Queen Esther must have helped Mordecai get a job at the palace, because the Bible tells us that while on duty at the palace, he uncovered a plot to assassinate the King. Mordecai told Queen Esther who in turn informed the King and the assassins were caught and hung. The incident was quickly forgotten. God was setting in motion the plan of salvation for the Jews, and he was using an unknown, virgin, Jewish girl to make it happen. Sound familiar?

God had Esther in just the right place at the right time to respond to a diabolical plot by one of the Kings advisors, Haman, which would have exterminated all her beloved Jewish kindred. Her obedience in standing strong in the face the impending threat, her willingness to risk everything by approaching the king and her faith in God not only brought judgement to the evil plot of Haman but brought salvation to those she loved.

It is as if God has placed us in a similar circumstance. The demonic forces of evil seem to abound and flourish all around us leaving no hope in sight. We, however, have a special relationship with the King of the Universe who will not be silent forever, but with the same mighty power, protect, defend, and deliver those who love him from the hand of the enemy once again!

 

 

 

Boys will be Boys… Period!

The prophet Jeremiah said, “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Jeremiah understood the times and acted accordingly, so must we! God has entrusted you and I with the important stewardship of this critical moment in our nations, and the worlds history. And as my friend former United States Congressman Jody Hice rightly observed, “whoever wins the spiritual battle wins the cultural war.” 

It appears that we have arrived at that place Billy Graham observed: "Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone, except God." I see an insidious trend moving into society where tolerance has become synonymous with acceptance and a cult of victimization has become an excuse to suppress another individual’s right to express a different or opposing opinion. Political correctness, which has always existed, should not become the norm in an ethnically diverse republic. Wokeism and cancel culture squelches freedom of speech, honest debate, and genuine discussion.

Sarah Holliday in The Washington Stand wrote last week, “Why is it so hard for some people to recognize the biological differences between men and women? It’s a simple question, some would argue, and Meg Kilgannon, Family Research Council’s senior fellow for Education Studies, shared her insight with The Washington Stand. The reason such a simple reality is tossed aside, she explained, is because “they are not accepting there is a reality.”

Kilgannon emphasized what NPR’s CEO Katherine Maher said during a TED talk, namely, that truth is subjective. Maher stated, “[W]e all have different truths. They’re based on things like where we come from, how we were raised, and how other people perceive.” And for Kilgannon, it’s this mindset that leads the Left into a worldview where men can be women and women can be men. “They don’t believe there is truth,” she added. It’s as though “they don’t believe anything except the fact that they don’t believe anything. It’s the age old trope of [they] say there’s no definitive truth and [they] say that in a definitive statement.” It’s a cyclical argument, she observed, which is hard to escape from.”

Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.”  Writes, “Recent studies about gender confusion unveil the unbelievably diabolical realities surrounding the dangers of rampant emotion and activism consuming real-life medicine. These studies show most children grow out of gender confusion and that the so-called treatments being offered don’t necessarily provide promised reprieves.

This is especially troubling because of the transgender-identifying children’s lives that have been forever affected by an invasive movement permeating every facet of the cultural lexicon. In some ways, it feels like this movement is losing its footing and could soon crumble. A Dutch study found most young people simply outgrow confusion over their gender. Yes, you read that correctly.

While activists are claiming a failure to embrace transgender ideology will literally kill people via suicidal ideation, this second study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior found a major decrease in “gender non-contentedness” as young people became adults.

“Gender non-contentedness, while being relatively common during early adolescence, in general decreases with age and appears to be associated with a poorer self-concept and mental health throughout development,” the paper read.

These damning results spark a plethora of questions with which we must all contend: How many lives have been destroyed because of emotionalism, ideological nonsense, and rhetorical bullying against anyone asking questions? Beyond that: How many young people have been misled and irreparably harmed in the process?”

Despite the aforementioned madness I still happen to believe that our nation is filled with great Americans who love God and love their country. Wonderful people who know that we are blessed to live here in the land of the free and the home of the brave where a Biblical worldview not only shaped our founding but was instrumental in this nation becoming a blessing to the entire world. I believe that most of America is awake and keenly aware of the times in which we live and the falsehoods that are embraced, propagated by corruption in government, media, and a host of entities in today’s culture. 

We must be aware of and understand the time God has handed to us to influence.  We must stand on and stand for the uncompromising truth which made us a great nation. May God help us to keep this land a blessing for the sake of those who will follow in our footsteps. Let’s stay awake and let’s stay true! But let’s NOT tune into National Public Radio!

 

 

 

 

 

Where it all began

This week we are blessed to celebrate the 249^th anniversary of the memorable night of April 19, 1775, the night of Paul Revere’s famous ride where he rode to warn two famous patriot leaders, John Hancock and Sam Adams that the British troops were coming their way. They were coming to raid and destroy the ammunition dump at Concord and then to find Hancock & Adams, put them in stocks and chains, march them to the harbor, then to England to be tried for treason and hanged!

A notable thing to remember is where these prominent leaders were staying that night in Lexington…they were staying at the home of a Pastor, a Pastor by the name of Rev. Jonas Clark. There is immediately whiplash in the secular media… What about separation of church and state? Aren’t church folks and pastors supposed to be quiet and let government do its thing? The answer is twofold; there wasn’t yet a state to try and separate the church from at this point, and without the church as we shall see, there wouldn’t even be a state! Secondly, government is a God thing… He designed and blessed it, and quite honestly, it only works well when the church adds its Biblical worldview perspective to the process!

Now back to Pastor Clark…  from 1762-1776, Pastor Clark drew up a series of reasoned responses to the British Parliament’s oppressive rulings. When the stamp act passed in 1765, he called it a door to numberless evils. When the Quartering acts passed in 1765 and the British troops could come into your home eat your food, sleep on your bed and break your stuff and you could not only do nothing about it, but you had to pay for damages yourself, he spoke against it and said that it was an infringement of our natural God given rights. When the Tea Act passed in 1773, he said that any citizen of Lexington who consumed British tea should be looked upon as an enemy of the town. He preached sermons and wrote newspaper columns bringing a Biblical perspective and biblical truth to political issues.

That brings us to the evening of April 19^th, 1775, when Pastor Clark hosted these two great men, John Hancock, and Sam Adams in his home. These patriots asked Pastor Clark,” are these men ready to fight?” According to Historian George Bancroft, he replied, “I have trained them for this very hour!” The next morning, they were to prove it. Capt. John Parker assembled the men, 67 of them in two lines on the Lexington green; they were vastly outnumbered. The British came around the church building and Capt. Parker said, “Stand your ground, don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here!”

 Some 77 Americans would face about 800 British troops. Gunfire was exchanged and right there in the shadow of the church with the men of the militia who belonged to the church, who drilled on the green in front of the church, the battle began. Pastor Clark would later say,” From this day will be dated the liberty or the slavery of the American world.” Thus began the war of independence in the shadow of the steeple, the shot heard round the world! As the smoke cleared, 18 Americans lay wounded or dead, with all the casualties in the battle being from Pastor Clark’s church.

 May we always remember the words of President John Adams regarding the influence of the church. He rejoiced that "the pulpits have thundered" and specifically identified several ministers as being among the "characters the most conspicuous, the most ardent, and influential" in the "awakening and a revival of American principles and feelings" that led to American independence." I am also convinced of the important a roll the first great awakening played in the seeds of revolution being sown in the heart of a new continent which produced the greatest blessing economically, militarily, and spiritually the world has ever known. May we never forget the boldness and courage displayed by the revolutionary era, Pastors who were willing to put faith into action giving their lives, if need be, for freedoms generations have come to enjoy!

As we remember the events of this week that occurred 249 years ago and the liberties they eventually produced, let’s also remember the responsibility those events place upon us. Listen again to President Adams, “Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.” It is truly remarkable to remember, the battle for the liberty and independence we treasure began in the very shadow of the church!

 

Storm Warnings

Springtime is upon us in the great Midwest. Last week brought us high winds and tornado’s, even snow showers! Storm tracker forecasts capture the attention of many, and we should pay close attention to the weather, especially this time of year. There is something however that is a bit more concerning as we cast a glance toward the middle east. One can easily recognize that there seems to be a storm brewing. What’s worse, this week in the streets of Dearborn Michigan, the words “death to Israel” could be heard chanted by a large crowd, followed by the enthusiastic chants of “death the America!”  

Tom Basile the host of “America Right Now” on Newsmax TV and a Washington Times columnist rightly observed, “Times like these should not only breed an unbreakable solidarity between Christians and Jews but also between Americans and Israelis. Israel as a state is a representation of biblical truth. It is by its very existence an acknowledgment that the God of Moses and Abraham exists.

Erasing Jews from the face of the earth through force, as the jihadis attempt to do, or through cultural, political or academic derision, as the Marxists attempt to do, is not just an attack on one religion. It is an attack on the foundations of all Western civilization, especially the United States. The weakening of Israel is linked to the designs of those tearing at American society today. Its existence and stability as a liberal democracy is therefore critical to buttressing our own values as a Judeo- Christian country.”

He continues, “The amoral and atheist proclivities of Marxism or “wokeism” as a political movement and socialism or communism as government structures cannot be underscored enough here as central to shifts in tone toward Israel. The secularists and militant atheists in the Democratic Party know that Jews and Israel are the genesis of and connection to a biblical history that is transcendent. It connects Moses and the Ten Commandments with King David, laying the groundwork for the teachings of Christ, the Apostles and the saints of the universal church. If you eliminate Judaism, weaken Israel or associate either with abhorrent behavior like genocide, then you also begin to eviscerate the underpinnings of Christianity as well.”

Thousands of years ago, a shepherd boy named David sees that Israel is shaking in their sandals against this Goliath, and something boils up and over in his soul. He asks what will be done for the man who takes this giant out forever. Now David is stirring up the people with this kind of talk and his older brother Eliab gets on to him. In 1 Samuel 17:28, “Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” 

And then David responds, in 1 Samuel 17:29, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” In other words, is there not a time to take a stand? Is there not a truth worth living for; indeed, worth dying for if necessary? Where is Israel’s conviction? His noble heart pulsing with divine patriotism, David volunteered to fight the evil giant. David’s words reveal to us...What he understood about the hearts of the men, and what he knew must be done. It also reminds us that David knew the Promises his God!

You and I, we are called to pray for Israel standing on the same promises as David in the valley of Elah. As a nation we are called to stand with and defend Israel. The Psalmist inspires us… “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord… Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.”

Historical Biblical landmarks serve as a reminder of not only the sheer determination of the courageous men and women of Israel who labored, fought, defended and are still defending their homeland to this very day! Placed prominently in the foyer of the museum one finds the words of Amos 9:14, “I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them.” It occurs to me that what has happened Israel is reflective of not only the history of Israel, but of our own nation’s Godly heritage as well. As my friend Dr. Everett Piper observed recently, “What happens in Israel does not stay in Israel.” A truth we must never forget!

 

 

 

 

O say can you see

The air was thick with chaos and despair in Baltimore harbor in the early hours of the morning of September 14^th, 1814. As the smoke and fog rolled away and the golden beams of the rising sun caught hold of the broad stripes and white stars gleaming. It was as if God himself seemed to declare that he had plans for this fledgling nation which was founded on the timeless principles of his word. Things in Baltimore harbor have changed. 

Don Feder, columnist with The Washington Times, writes this week: “Without God, America looks a lot like a bridge that lies in ruins in Baltimore harbor. The collapse of the Frances Scott Key Bridge is a metaphor for our national decline. Key wrote a poem that became the lyrics of the national anthem — including the words: “Then conquer we must when our cause it is just. And this be our motto, in God is our trust” — as he watched the British Bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. But as trust in God declines, so does belief in America.

On Easter Sunday, 43% of Americans were in church. That’s 20 points lower than the number who say they’re Christians. One-third of avowed Christians couldn’t be bothered to go to church on Christianity’s holiest day of the year. What’s more, 57% of Americans seldom or never go to church. Those who don’t identify with any religion (the “nones”) went from 13% in 2010 to 21% today.

In a recent survey, not quite 50% said they have no doubt about the existence of God, compared with 60% as recently as 2008. The rest think all blessings flow from the Treasury. The Founding Fathers had a core set of beliefs, including the conviction that rights are endowed by the Creator. You can see it in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence and the words of those who shaped our republic.”

Our second president, John Adams, declared: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” As he was leaving the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” His answer should haunt us: “A republic, if you can keep it.” Without religion, we are on a bridge to nowhere.

May we once again reach back to that September in 1814 and capture for the moment and for future generations the hope and courage of that new nation. May we endeavor as President Abraham Lincoln said on a hillside in Gettysburg Pennsylvania only 49 years later, may we “highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” 

May we be inspired as we remember that as the British were about to execute their plan of bombarding Fort McHenry, a young lawyer, Francis Scott Key was dispatched to the British fleet to negotiate the release of an American Doctor. Finally, the British agreed to release Dr. Beane but would not let them leave until after the battle began, fearing they had heard too much of the battle plans regarding their impending attack on Fort McHenry. The British fired 1500 bombshells that weighed 220 lbs with lighted fuses that were supposed to explode on impact, but many malfunctioned and exploded in midair. From specially fitted small boats the British also fired new Congreve rockets that would trace a small wobbly arch of red flame throughout the sky. Americans had taken 22 of their own vessels in the harbor so that the ships could get no closer. As long as they were shelling, they knew the fort stood. 

Then an eerie silence welcomed the morning. What the young lawyer Key didn’t know was that there was an attack by land of Baltimore and when the British saw the resilience of these Americans, they ordered a retreat. As Key began to catch a glimpse of the flag over fort McHenry, he was inspired to pen the words that we today herald as our National Anthem. 

We all know the first verse may never forget what the fourth verse reminds us, “O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand, Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation; Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! May this always be our motto and may God continue to Bless America!

 

 

 

 

God given rights!

Before July 1776 the American founding fathers clearly understood this principle that is based in the Holy Scriptures. The rights of man come from God and not government! Somehow that timeless truth has gotten misplaced by today’s media elite. Rob Pacienza in the Washington Stand this week wrote, “In a recent interview with MSNBC, Politico national investigative correspondent Heidi Przybyla was asked about the “infusion of Christian nationalism” in Congress following the appointment of an evangelical Christian, Mike Johnson (R-La.), as House Speaker. Responding to the question, Przybyla said, “The thing that unites them as Christian nationalists — not Christians, by the way, because Christian nationalist is very different — is that they believe that our rights as Americans, as all human beings, don’t come from any earthly authority. They don’t come from Congress; they don’t come from the Supreme Court. They come from God.” Wait, this is a surprise to you? Of all our nation’s founding documents, perhaps the most quoted of all is this phrase from the Declaration of Independence!  

Pacienza continues, “As the clip went viral for its inanity, Przybyla scrambled to defend herself, claiming that MSNBC cut off her complete response. Yet the segment clip makes Przybyla look even worse, revealing her breathtaking ignorance of American history, basic political theory, and Christian religion… Przybyla’s assertions also betray her rejection of our nation’s founding principles. Think about it. No lesser a document than the Declaration of Independence refers to “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” and says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

So, when Przybyla arbitrarily declares that belief in the transcendent nature of basic human rights is an extremist threat to the country, she is rejecting not only biblical teaching but also the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the majority of Western tradition. Weekly I am want to speak to some misquote of our founders or mis-representation of our Godly heritage. this week, I must respond!

We believe that our rights here in America come from God. We do not believe our rights come from our government or any government for that matter. We do not believe our rights come from our group. Another word for group is union, another word for union is soviet! The thought that because of my group I have rights is not what we believe as a nation. You must go to another country to believe that. Our founders said that we are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nowhere else in the world treasures life like America. Nowhere else in the world treasures liberty like America.

“Freedom, Thomas Jefferson said, is the right to choose: the right to create for oneself the alternatives of choice. Without the possibility of choice, and the exercise of choice, a man is not a man but a member, an instrument, a thing.” The timeless reality is, the greater the freedom, the more choices you have, less freedom, less choices.” It is government that controls this. And as President Ronald Reagan pointed out, “'We the People' tell the government what to do; it doesn't tell us. 'We the People' are the driver; the government is the car. And we decide where
it should go, and by what route, and how fast.

Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which 'We the People' tell the government what it is allowed to do. 'We the People' are free.” It is unfortunate that Miss Przybyla wasn’t taught this in school. It is unfortunate that millions of young people in America have not been given

One of my favorite cartoon characters is Calvin and Hobbes and in a classic sketch you see Calvin’s poor mom confronting him with the question, “Did you break this dish?” Calvin responds, “I was carrying too much, and I dropped it.” She then told him his problem was a lack of common sense to which he replied… “I’ve got plenty of common sense, I just choose to ignore it!”

This reminds me of Peter’s words to the early church when confronting the trending opinion that God no longer involves himself with mankind… “knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget:” I really like the King James wording here… “For this they willingly are ignorant.” You can ignore God and you can ignore where our rights come from. But you can’t ignore God. Yes Politico, it’s important to know that our rights come from God. In fact, so does the very world we live in!

CONFESSIONS OF AN ARTFUL DODGER

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines a procrastinate as, blameworthy delay, especially through laziness or apathy. Dawdling, loitering, dallying…  The list goes on and on, but they all mean the same thing. They describe someone who delays finishing a task, putting it off until later. One memorable act of dodging from my past revolves around a new cordless drill that I dropped while doing some home remodeling. A little bump and a concrete floor equaled a sickening crack. Right there before my eyes lay my new drill in two pieces. Normally when the battery pack was taken off it did resemble two pieces, but now the separation point was in a new place!

I was disappointed to be sure, but I wasn’t finished for the day. I simply turned to one of man’s best friends, and I’m not talking about a dog. I’m talking about DUCT TAPE! A few minutes later, I was back in business. In short order however, I found myself unprepared for the next job as the repair didn’t hold and I had to lose time and money on a last minute trip to Lowes. When it comes to issues of the soul however the Bible says a thing or two about the art of dodging.

Jesus talks about a man who hears His words and does not act on what he hears. Jesus even goes as far as to call this man foolish. Listen to the Lord’s words, “And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Does that happen today? Well, I’m led to believe it does. People hear the word of God yet decide to put off acting on what they know to do.

Jesus, in telling the story of a wedding talks about how we can put off getting ready for His return but warns everyone not to put off preparing. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

There is one other scripture that I want to share on this subject, and it is found in the Old Testament book of First Kings when the prophet Elijah called the nation of Israel together to prove to them who their God truly was,  “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”

It was sad that he had to ask the question in the first place, but even sadder that they had no response. What would your response be? Or would you simply put off making up your mind? Putting off fixing a cordless drill is one thing that duct tape can fix, but putting off a decision that could have eternal consequences is quite another. The art of dodging the issue of eternal things could prove deadly.

In Saint Louis, in 1984, an unemployed cleaning woman noticed a few bees buzzing around the attic of her home. Since there were only a few, she made no effort to deal with them. Over the summer, the bees continued to fly in and out the attic vent while the woman remained unconcerned, unaware of the growing city of bees. The whole attic became a hive, and the ceiling of the second-floor bedroom finally caved in under the weight of hundreds of pounds of honey and thousands of angry bees. While the woman escaped serious injury, she was unable to repair the damage of her accumulated neglect. Please, don’t put off another day a decision that can affect where you will spend eternity. Trust me, you won’t dodge that!

 

 

A LEAP OF FAITH

I must confess that at one time I openly made fun of grandparents! I’d say things like, “why I’d never drive 2 hours to watch a soccer game” or “you’ll not catch me down on the floor playing with stuffed animals and drinking imaginary tea from a plastic teacup!” Well, 12 years later I have driven longer than 2 hours just to plant a kiss on a cheek and receive a hug from a sweet grandchild and I have sipped my fair share of imaginary tea from plastic teacups of various sizes and colors! 

My mind this week was drawn to a season of my darling granddaughter Kairi’s early childhood that I will refer to as her “Princess Mode.” It was all about the glass slipper if you get my drift. There are beautiful little gowns and tiara’s as far as the eye could see. One noteworthy episode occurred when Terri and I had stopped by the little princess’ house, err.. uh… castle, for a quick meal before some business in Columbus. We were there just a short time when I spotted Kairi laying on the living room floor in full princess regalia with her arms strategically crossed over her chest, legs straight and her little right eye peeking our way waiting for us to notice her.

I said to Terri, “I think she’s waiting for someone to kiss her”; well, me being the imaginary charming prince that I am, rose to my feet and then off to her side planting a kiss on her cheek and voila! Up she pops with a cheery princess grin and a hug. Oh, it’s good to be a grandpa! Mere minutes later I heard an impassioned cry from the top of the stairs call out “Papaw, help me. Papaw help me!” Well in no time I jumped onto my imaginary white horse and rode to the top of the stairs to rescue yon princess from the clutches of the evil witch or dragon or some other such thing! When I neared the top of the stairs to my surprise she literally leapt into my arms! (a little daring if I do say so myself!)

What struck me at that moment and what has lingered on my heart since then is this. That little girl’s faith said without hesitation three very important things. First, it said I believe that if I call out to papaw for help, Papaw will come. Secondly, it said that it doesn’t matter where I am when I cry out, he will do whatever it takes to reach me if I truly need Him. Thirdly, it says loudly and clearly, if I reach out with all my effort, he will catch me!

I still to this day can’t get that image out of my mind! Especially as I consider the faith that each of us can have in a God that is a million times stronger, a million times bigger and not to mention a million times more able than the greatest papaw that ever lived! 

First the scriptures remind me that if I, or you, or anyone for that matter sincerely calls out to God for help, he will respond! The psalmist said it this way, “I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me” and again, “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” Not only that, but the scriptures remind us that no matter where we are, God can reach us if we will but call on his name. Isaiah tells us, “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:” Lastly, I am blessed to be reminded that if we reach out by faith we will find Him! “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Someone once said, “Little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your soul.” Do you need God to bring a little heaven to your soul today?

One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: "Jump! I will catch you." But the boy protested, "Daddy, I can't see you." The father replied, "But I can see you and that's all that matters." If you or I are in trouble, that really is all that matters!

There truly is a God that knows, cares and is able to help us if we will only call on Him. Life, unlike fairytales, is not always punctuated with the phrase, “they all lived happily ever after.” But one thing is for sure, for the life that trusts completely in God, there is an eternity that awaits even better than Walt Disney himself could have imagined!