Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 10 – No. 2208 May 31, 2008
Thought for the week: "No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women." – Ronald Reagan
One man says he had a great speech for parents. It was called, "How to Raise Your Children." He traveled on speaking tours in the Midwestern United States and was paid a high honorarium for the talk. "This guy will wow you," people said.
Then this famous speaker had his first child. His majestic speech lost its punch at 2:00 AM with the baby in full cry. But he kept trying. He renamed his new, modified speech, "Some Suggestions for Parents," and charged bravely on.
They had two more children. The speech changed again. And again. Now it's called, "Feeble Hints for Fellow Strugglers," and he begins with the question: "Does anyone here have a few words of wisdom?"
Times are changing. The Christian faith once enjoyed a place of privilege in government and society but that is quickly changing. The Christian faith and ethics that holds our nation together is now being viewed as a curse. The privileges and influence the church once held is vanishing. Hard times may face the future generation of believers if Jesus does not return.
Is that really bad? I ran across this little tidbit of information that caused me to think about what God can do in hard times.
"The American Civil War sparked revival on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line. Between 100,000 and 200,000 Union soldiers reportedly converted to Christ, as did approximately 150,000 Confederates. Many soldiers' quarters featured chapels, and it was during this conflict that military chaplains became common. During the fall of 1863 and the winter of 1864 alone, some 7,000 of Robert E. Lee's troops became Christians."1
Sometimes God does His greatest works during the hard times. Something to think about.
1. Elesha Coffman, associate editor of Christian History. Source: Pulpit Pieces Weeklywww.net153.com
There is a tale told of that great English actor Macready. An eminent preacher once said to him: "I wish you would explain to me something."
"Well, what is it? I don't know that I can explain anything to a preacher."
"What is the reason for the difference between you and me? You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction, and the crowds come wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any crowd at all."
Macready's answer was this: "This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction."
Last week I attributed to John Wooden nine promises that bring happiness. Several listeners were alert and good enough to inform me that the true source is the Creed of Optimist International, a service club dedicated to bringing out the best in children.
I appreciate the correction and apologize for my error.
Last week there was another candid admission of error that didn't get the attention it deserved.
During a CNN interview, Richard Armitage, former deputy Secretary of State in the Bush Administration who revealed the name of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson to two reporters, was confronted with a pretty harsh tape of Mrs. Plame calling his actions foolish and irresponsible. In a refreshing display of honesty and accountability, Armitage agreed with his accuser. "She's absolutely right," he said.
In this case, his frank acknowledgment enhanced rather than diminished his credibility.
So why is it hard for so many people to admit they're wrong?
For many, it's pure ego. Some people would rather lose plausibility than lose face. Never appearing wrong is more important than always being right.
For others, it's about dodging the consequences for their conduct.
That's why people lie about why they were late for an appointment, about whether they said something they shouldn't have, or about other things that would subject them to criticism, disapproval or, worst of all, civil or criminal liability.
Yes, it's unethical, but it isn't irrational. The truth is, self-incriminating statements often can and will be used against us.
That's why the real test of character is admitting we're wrong when it's likely to cost more than we want to pay.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" (emphasis mine).1
If there were ever a day when people and churches need to take a stand for moral living it is today. If abortionists and homosexuals have their way it may in the not too distant future be a crime for anyone, including the church, to quote the Bible regarding these issues and argue for God's position. Just writing on this topic is bound to get me criticized—it pretty much always does.
According to Chuck Colson: "Particularly some younger evangelicals are suggesting that we stay away from divisive issues like abortion and homosexuality altogether and just go back and be like the first-century Church—stay out of politics, tend to our spiritual knitting.
"I wonder what early Church they are talking about. Take just the issue of abortion. The early Church was outspokenly pro-life right from the beginning just as the Jews had been. In the second chapter of the Didache, one of the first discipleship books for young Christians written in the first century, was this stern injunction: 'Thou shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born.' Justin Martyr wrote about this in his first apology. And in the second century, Athenagoras wrote a plea to Emperor Marcus Aurelius: 'We say that women that use drugs to bring abortion commit murder and will have to give an account to God for the abortion.'"2
Churches and Christians who refuse or fail to take a stand for that which is morally right according to God's Word are not like the early Christians. They are being controlled by political correctness which, in reality (much of it) is political incorrectness and will, if we continue to allow it, eventually weaken and make the church ineffective as it has become in much of Europe. While Jesus always loved sinners, he never approved of sinful behaviors in any form—nor was he ever concerned about being politically correct.
Had he been, we would not have a Savior or the gift of salvation and God's forgiveness. We would be eternally lost.
Today, Christian churches and we who call ourselves Christians need to stand up and be counted; that is, as the Apostle Paul commissioned Timothy: Flee all sinful immoral behavior ... Follow after righteousness ... and Fight the good fight for truth and that which is morally correct rather than that which is politically correct.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God please give me a love for your Word and a clear understanding of it so I will know in my heart and mind that which is morally correct according to your standards. And give me the courage to make a stand always for that which is right in your sight; to flee all sinful behaviors; to follow after righteousness; and to fight your good fight. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
1. The Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:11-12, KJV).
2. Chuck Colson, BreakPoint, August 1, 2006 www.breakpoint.org.
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