A Saturday Morning Celebration!

This is a small, short story that will most likely be here today and gone tomorrow.  But I thought I would share it with you and shine a light into this dark world.  We have reason to hope!   

     Texas City, Texas will never be known for its beauty or its cosmopolitan flair.  It is largely an oil refinery town and an important component in our Gulf Coast shipping industry.  Historically, it played a huge part in supplying our nation's war effort in WWII after enemy submarines had almost completely stopped the shipment of petroleum products to friendly countries from the Middle East, South America and Southeast Asia.   And on a trivial, but personal note, Texas City was the place where I first tasted fresh ocean shrimp for the first time; it was such a revelation that shrimp could taste that good, after my Midwestern diet of frozen shrimp from a box.
     But, now I want to celebrate Texas City for a special moment that occurred this last week.  It's a small encounter that I hope will bring a tear to your eye, and hope to your heart.  Sal Chapa is a Texas City police officer.  I'm sure he is like most policemen -- especially those that I know -- he goes to work each day, committed to doing his job the best he can; to protect and serve the public without any expectation of acknowledgment or appreciation.

     Sometimes in the performance of his job, it results in arrests of those who just can't seem to get their life in order, and incarceration becomes the punishment.  Such was the case with Edward "Doc" Amey.  He had been in and out of prison three times, and he had a rap sheet that was several pages long, including six felonies and a number of misdemeanors.  In fact, Mr. Amey had a history with Officer Chapa.  “I arrested him several years ago on a gun charge,” Chapa said. “And due to that, he ended up doing some time.”
     So you can imagine the surprise Officer Chapa experienced when Amey approached him at a local chili cook off.  This Amey was a different man. While serving a five-year sentence on the gun charge, Amey had a conversation with God.  While in prison he said, “God if you are real. turn my life around”.  He was released from prison after serving a year and half, graduated Bible College with perfect attendance, and is now strong in his church.
     “I have not always been a friend to the police,” Amey said.  “I grew up selling drugs. I've been to prison three times ... [and] the last week-and-a-half God has really been giving me the urge to pray for police officers.”  So that's exactly what he did when he spotted Officer Chapa.  He approached him, asked if he could pray for him, and this photo was snapped by a friend of Chapa's.  “I pray that You continue to watch over him,” Amey prayed, hand-in-hand with Chapa. “Continue to guide him and lead him in the way that You may have him go, Lord.”
     Such a simple prayer, but when spoken out loud, it can have such profound ramifications.  After the photo went viral on the Texas City Police Department's Facebook page, Amey had this comment: “They’re used to seeing cops getting killed by young black men, or young black men getting killed by cops.  [People] are not used to seeing an ex-con and a cop praying with each other.”
     The unlikely duo hopes the simple act of praying together will inspire more run-ins with the law like theirs.  “I love you,” Amey said at the end of his prayer.  “I love you, too, brother,” Chapa said. “Thank you very much for praying for us.”
     What a picture of grace, mercy, redemption, and forgiveness!  It is the perfect story to present to you as we approach the Day of Atonement on the 23rd.  And it is further evidence that God is still at work in this world and the devil will not win!

Colossians 1:20-22    "And through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him..."

Where Are Your "High Places"?

     As I watched the Republican Debate on CNN Wednesday night, I wondered how many Americans  were hoping that a clear winner would emerge; the one man (or woman) who could lead us out of this  morass of degeneration and degradation that has become America?  Although I do not want this to become about my own political opinions, I must say that I was shocked to find that an overwhelming majority of Americans thought Trump championed this country's values and aspirations better than any of the other candidates.  It is now clear to me that the ability to execute verbal judo counts more than substance.  I get it ... the voters in this nation are tired of "business as usual" and are excited to see a non-conformist take it to the D.C. Establishment.  But are we looking in the wrong places for our redemption and recovery?
     The Libertarians look to the Constitution as the appointed document of this nation; it is the standard by which they think this nation should be ruled.  Most Americans are going to place their bet on a specific human leader to guide us toward a better future.  And nearly all Christians will find their security and hope in Jesus Christ through regular and uniform worship at their local church.  I contend that we may all, in one form or another, be in danger of refusing to abandon our "high places".

       What am I talking about?  In order to understand where I'm going with this line of thought, you must consider the Biblical history of the kings of Israel.  We are all familiar with God's First Commandment: "Thou shall have no other gods before Me".  This was especially important to the success and blessings of the nation of Israel, because as they entered the Promised Land it was inhabited by the Canaanites, a people who were exceedingly wicked; and the essence of their wickedness was their worship of idols.  Their abominable idol worship (including the sacrifice of infant children in ovens to a god named Molech) was carried out at what they called "high places".  Before anyone thinks I am accusing them of worshipping idols or evil gods, let me explain why this subject of "high places" has caught my attention.
     The core purpose of a high place was to be a location for worshipping deities, or idols, other than Jehovah God.  God had clearly told the Israelites that they were to 1) worship only Him, and 2) He was establishing the manner in which He wanted to be worshipped, as well as the specific place (Jerusalem).  Idolatry is associated throughout the Old Testament and the history of the nation of Israel with "high places", where idolatrous worship was carried out "on the high mountains and the hills and under every green tree." (Deuteronomy 12:2).  Furthermore, He instructed all the kings of Israel, both the Northern and Southern kingdoms to "utterly destroy" all the places where these false idols were worshipped.
     Even King David's own son, Solomon, who we are told loved the Lord and followed in the statutes of his father, was tempted to sacrifice and burn incense at the high places (1 Kings 3:3).  This began a tragic pattern, which most assuredly led to the division of the nation of Israel.  All the kings of the Northern Kingdom offered sacrifices on the high places and appointed false priests.  Although the Bible tells us there were righteous kings, such as Asa, who attempted to make reforms and establish Jerusalem as the center of worship, he could not bring himself to destroy the high places.  The result:  the Northern Kingdom was taken into captivity by Assyria and the tribes scattered across the globe.
     The Southern Kingdom did not fare much better.  There were only a handful who got rid of the high places and idols, but they did not get rid of the false basis for worshipping them.  Only two, Hezekiah and Josiah, "utterly destroyed" the high places, and the tribe of Judah eventually was taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 years.  So you see that the leadership of this divided nation was a mixture of what was true and false.  The lesson is clear:  When you begin to depart a little from God's path, you will get farther and farther away from His ways the longer you go in that direction.

     And that brings me back to our current state of affairs in this nation.  Are we examining ourselves to see if we are worshipping idols and setting up "high places" as sacred places or positions?  Has the Constitution become a "high place"?  What about the White House, Congress, or the office of the Presidency?  What about our church buildings, or our doctrine, or our denomination?  Even if we are committed to worshipping the True God, have we made our attendance at the church building every Sunday a "high place"?
     For sure, neither the Constitution or a man called "The President" can deliver us from our idolatrous ways, but for those Americans who do not know YHWH, you can see how easy it would be for them to put their faith in these false idols.  But what about us Christians?
     Every Christian knows Matthew 18:20 by heart:  For where two or more are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them.  But here's what many don't know ... the Greek word translated "gathered together" is sunago, and its literal meaning is "to be led together".  So a better translation of Scripture would be For where two or more have been led together.... but led by Whom?  The Church has done a pretty good job of teaching us what it means to be born again.  But how many know that their worship is to be led by the Holy Spirit -- not the Sunday school teacher, not the choir, not the Pastor.
     I believe that the true spiritual essence of Matthew 18:20 is Jesus saying His appearance in our midst is not dependent on where two or more are gathered (the church building), but who is leading the gathering (the Holy Spirit)... wherever it may be.  It is not my intention to condemn all church buildings and their inhabitants.  I certainly believe that there are Holy Spirit-led worship services being conducted in church buildings across this nation.  But the emphasis should be on the presence of the Holy Spirit among the gathering, not the gathering being in the presence of a church building.
     When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus, the Church at Corinth, the Church at Ephesus, etc., he was writing to a gathering of people meeting together in someone's home, being led simultaneously by the Holy Spirit in worship of their Lord and Savior -- not to a congregation in a building conducting an organized service of 20 minutes of singing, a 20-minute sermon, and the passing of the collection plate.  So could it be that some Christians have made our modern church building a "high place"; a destination at which they are comfortable with its rituals and sets of rules?  Are we cognizant that God does not authorize any other basis for Christians to come together but the basis of being led by the Holy Spirit into the name of Jesus?  Any other place -- any other basis -- is a "high place".
     Just like the ancient nation of Israel, the United States is in need of serious reformation.  As invested as we may be in the next Presidential election, I do not think that we should be focusing our worship at the "high place" of the Presidency.  But neither will God restore this nation by the simple act of attendance every Sunday at a church building.  The key issue for us, as Christians, is this:  Where has God chosen to put His Name?  The answer is not in a building, nor in a nationality, nor in a denomination, nor in a particular human leader.  God has placed His name in one Person.  That Person is Jesus Christ.
     Where are we authorized to meet?  "Into" the name of Jesus. We are to gather around the invisible Person of Jesus, who meets us when we are led together by the Holy Spirit into His name.  When we, as a nation and individuals, repent of worshipping "high places" of our own choosing, we will remove barriers that have been holding us back from fulfilling our calling as God's people in the world.

Many thanks to the teachings and Biblical commentaries of Derek Prince (1915-2003).  After reading his book, "Pulling Down Strongholds", I found myself applying it to our political process and the modern-day Church.

Leviticus 26:30      "I will destroy your high places [devoted to idolatrous worship], and cut down your incense altars, and heap your dead bodies upon the [crushed] bodies of your idols, and My soul will detest you [with deep and unutterable loathing]."


 

Churches: Know What Is Coming!

     I read with interest, a story on The Blaze that related an incident in a town a little over 100 miles southeast of Dallas, Texas.  A man walked into the Texas church this past Sunday afternoon dressed in camouflage pants, tactical vest, boots and a camouflage helmet. A pistol rested in his waistband.  The man, Rasheed Abdul Aziz, asked to speak to the pastor; he needed some prayer, he said.  It was after 1 p.m., and the morning's church services were long over, but as usual, there were meetings going on, children playing in the fellowship hall, and a smattering of people milling about.
     The pastor, John Johnson III, was in the conference room, and as he recounts their meeting, "Every hair on my neck just stood up.  It was almost like you could feel the presence of just negative energy."  According to the pastor, Aziz almost immediately became irate, ranting that he was a “man of Islam” who had demons chasing him and was instructed to “slay the infidels” and kill any Christian or Jew who did not abide by the teachings of Islam.  Pastor Johnson says Aziz told him, "People are going to die today."
     Fortunately, this story has a positive ending.  Telling Aziz he would pray with him, and also wanting to get him a cool drink, the pastor calmly left the room, and those in the church were quickly ushered to safety.  “Immediately my mind went to the fact that I knew we had several children and young members that were playing and running in the fellowship hall. I mouthed to them, ‘This man has a weapon, I need you guys to go.’ ” Another vigilant member of the church had already called 911, and Aziz was later arrested in a nearby subdivision with felony possession of a firearm.  

     But sometime between his appearance at the church and his arrest, a note was somehow slipped under the church's front door.  A deacon found it Monday morning, and this is what it said:  My name is Rasheed Abdul Aziz. You helped me at a time of need. This house is blessed by God & all faiths. Muslim, Jew & the Christian shall all gather here in Peace and Justice for God as a whole for the betterment of mankind as a whole. I thank you....
     Pastor Johnson said “that note was in stark contradiction to what he did in deed and statement.” Johnson further stated that he is grateful that God gave him the mindset and clarity to be able to defuse the situation.  And then he said something interesting.... "It was as if we had trained, but we hadn’t."
     So what are we to make of this situation, beyond the obvious?  It is clear that we may be seeing the beginning of attacks on Western Christian churches; attacks on churches like those we have seen by Islamic radicals in the Middle East.  But what about what specifically happened during the event?  What about the negative energy the Pastor felt in the room the moment Aziz entered?  What about Aziz ranting that he had demons chasing him and he was instructed to "slay the infidels"?  And what about the Pastor's comment that "it was if we had trained...but we hadn't".  What do you think all that means?  Are you willing to write it off to clear-headed action by the Pastor; or blind luck, perhaps?
    I thought it was interesting to read the comments after the article.  A large portion of them commented that their church members were armed and ready to defend the church, and encouraged others to do the same.  There were a few who credited the avoidance of tragedy to the pastor's full-time work with troubled youth as a student services intervention specialist at a nearby school. He’s also a former parole officer and has been trained in crisis prevention, verbal de-escalation and working with mentally ill offenders.  Still others wished to invoke the sentiments that love conquers hate, and it was the right man at the right place at the right time.
     But I only saw one comment that I think hit the nail on the head.  Only one person saw it as the manifestation of spiritual warfare!  All the elements were there!  There was the double-mindedness of a man whose mind was ultimately controlled by demons.  He had received his marching orders to "kill any Christian or Jew who did not abide by the teachings of Islam", and he had somehow managed to deposit a note at the church in which he claimed the house had been blessed by God.  But whose God?  And notice that he identified himself as "Special Ranger Harbinger Aziz."  In the Arabic world "harbinger" often means visionary.  To me, he seems to be saying that he is bringing an oracle of authority, claiming that faith of Islam will incorporate the Jew and Christian into their system "for the betterment of mankind."  And let's not forget the negative energy that entered the room with him; palpable and real; and the sense that the Pastor had as though he had been part of some well-orchestrated plan in battle.  All this points to demonic activity and combat in the spiritual realm.
     I don't know what prayers that Pastor prayed in those few harrowing moments with Aziz, but I know they were spoken out loud.  I also know that the spoken Word causes an effect in the spiritual realm; the Word has active consequences among the angels of God and Satan's angels.  It sets things in motion and imposes the Authority of Christ (through the Holy Spirit) over the dominion of Satan.  Our actions and words, orchestrated in the Name of Jesus, allow us to play our part as overcomers -- both in the spiritual realm and on earth.  So, yes, physically taking up arms can offer protection in the moment; but we must become more knowledgable and proficient in arming ourselves for spiritual warfare.  With the Authority that comes from Christ, we can call upon the Power of the Holy Spirit to help us wage war against our Enemy; keeping in mind that the battle and the victory are the Lord's ... and just as the good folks in Bullard, Texas now know; the war is coming to us!

Hebrews 4:12    "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Boys With Sticks: Intelligent Advice From A Wise Mother

     If, like me, you are "of a certain age", then you are most likely becoming discouraged about our culture's disparagement of manhood.  Our little boys are dissuaded against playing with toy guns; of displaying any form of aggression or boldness; and of emphasizing their decidedly genetic tendencies to protect "the fairer sex".  For pity's sake, they can't even point a fake finger gun at anyone without their school record classifying them as a "danger" for their entire academic career!
     We now live in an age where men are no longer allowed to be "men".  They must now subject themselves to a lower status for all the years that they supposedly "kept women down."  The culture not only wants to blur the line between the sexes, but appears to promote the erasure of any line at all ... we are all free to "be" whatever we feel like on any particular day; and heaven forbid you are decidedly one sex or the other.  But you most definitely do not want to flaunt any characteristically male behavior.  No sir, that's strictly taboo these days, because, don't you know ... it always leads to unnecessary violence!
    So, I want to applaud Simcha Fisher, a mom with common sense and (whether she knows it or not), the wisdom to know that God made boys in His image.  In an article titled, Boys With Sticks, Fisher lays out her argument for letting "boys be boys".  She writes:  Are we so afraid of the power of violence to overtake us that we are uncomfortable with its harmless expression in children’s play?
     Yes, we are, and it’s making a mess of the world. It doesn’t make violence go away when we always tell boys, ‘Put that stick down.’ Instead, it’s making a world where people -- boys and girls alike -- have no idea what to do about unjust violence.
     Boys playing with sticks is not a meaningless game. It’s something that little boys absolutely must be allowed to do, if that’s how they want to play. A boy who wants to pick up a stick needs to know that he can, and he may, and that his affinity for sticks is not a bad thing. He needs to know that a stick is a powerful thing, and that the world needs men who know how to use their sticks.
     Bravo, Mrs. Fisher!  Your sentiment fits right in line with what Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14:  "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."  Those without God in our culture want us to throw out that first sentence; and in attempt to force their version of the second sentence, they have emasculated our boys and men into becoming ineffective warriors.  For, warriors is what they are called to be.  It may sound old-fashioned, but I can remember when men could take pride in being their wife’s protector; in being a father who provided for his family; or a brother who watched over his siblings -- when policemen were celebrated for their service to the public's welfare; and a soldier for defending his country.
     Actually, that's a pretty smart play by the devil.  If he can convince us that without warriors, there will be no violence in the world, then he has leveled the playing field in our spiritual warfare.  Of course, you recognize that I am looking at this issue through my Biblical worldview.  But I don't believe my view is really that far off from Simcha Fisher, who says this about the warrior mindset:  Boys who are never allowed to be wild are boys who never learn how to control that wildness. Boys who are not allowed to whack, and be whacked, with sticks never learn what fighting is like. What’s so bad about that? Well, they may end up hitting someone weak, with no idea how much it hurts to be hit. Or they may end up standing by while the strong go after the weak – and have no idea that it’s their job to put a stop to it.
     While I see no mention of God's plan for His male creation in that statement, I certainly think the  description of a boy's experience she offers can yield the opportunities to learn both compassion and what it means to stand steadfast for righteousness and justice.  This is perfectly stated in Micah 6:8, which tells us, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"  Of course, that last part is vitally important in accomplishing the first two admonitions.  And there is the unspoken truth that with these responsibilities as protector, provider, warrior, God has set the boundaries for men ... it is all to be done to glorify Him.  So little boys must be given rules to play by, and to know where their sense of power comes from.
     I must say that I am glad that I am of a generation that still honors the traditional roles of men and women.  I love knowing that my husband takes his role as my protector and provider seriously and with pride.  I am thrilled to see my nephews following their calling as police officers. And I am encouraged by seeing my Godson live out the warrior spirit that is inherent in his young personality.  This world is spiraling into chaos and unmanageable violence.  Satan has his warriors on the battlefield... we better be training up ours for the fight of our lives!

Psalms 18:39    For You have girded me with strength for battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

Iron Sharpening Iron: It's What The Church Is Called To Do

     I would like to respectfully share the experience that my husband and I encountered this past Sunday.  As those of you who have followed this blog for some time are aware, my husband and I are blessed to be a part of a small home church group who study the Bible together, celebrate the Lord's Feasts together, worship and praise His Sovereignty in our lives together, and pray and love each other through the good times and bad.  This is what we like to call our "little ecclesia"; they are our "church family" as modern Christianity likes to call any devoted group of Christians who worship together.
     You may also remember that after years of being "in the building", we feel that God has called us out of the box and to experience Him in this smaller, more intimate, and purposeful manner.  I am in no way making a judgment on those who choose to worship in the traditional manner; if you are being fed and growing in your understanding of God and your relationship with Him, then I would urge you to continue in that manner, with one small caveat ... don't become stagnant, "lukewarm", or afraid to step outside your safety zone.  We are living in times that call for those who are bold and fearless in their faith.
     All that being said, my husband's parents have slowed down in their lifestyle, and were becoming more isolated from people.  They are a part of our home church group, but we usually meet only once a month due to the extreme distances between us (nearly 100 miles).  So we suggested that perhaps they should seek out a church in the small town in which they live; or at least a Bible study class.  We agreed to go with them for a few Sundays to get them acclimated and help them feel comfortable, before bowing out to continue with our intensive home study.

     As you might expect, we were more interested in checking out the Sunday School class than a formulaic worship service... we are interested in getting into the meat of the Bible and experiencing what Proverbs 27:17 calls "iron sharpening iron".  Anytime we can meet in small groups, as the Early Church did, and have an intelligent discourse on what our Bible tells us about our God, then count us in!  The first Sunday was encouraging ... the class was in the Old Testament, specifically Exodus, and continuing with their plan to study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  They were interested in digging in to the history and weren't averse to looking beyond the Scriptures to historical commentary by early church Fathers or theologians.  Wow!  Maybe we had stumbled into an "adventurous" group of Christians in search of God's Truth!
     But not so fast!  This last Sunday was our second visit, and we were thrilled to see that the leader of the class brought in the Jonathan Cahn film on The Isaiah 9:10 Effect: The Harbingers, comparing God's judgment on the ancient nation of Israel with what we have seen in our recent history, beginning with September 11, 2001.  (These videos are available on YouTube). As many of you know, Cahn shows that when Israel turned away from God, they suffered invasion and captivity; and then in their arrogance declared that they would rebuild in their own power and abilities -- still refusing to humble themselves and repent of their sins.
    We were thrilled that this kind of Biblical conversation was being introduced in a brick and mortar church.  The only other time we had experienced that was when we were members of a class in a mainstream mega-Church and held to be somewhat "radical" by the main body of congregants.  It was nice to see such boldness in the Body of Christ.  And it led to the beginning of a conversation, suggested by Jonathan Cahn, himself, (in the film) that our God is a God of order, dates, times and seasons; they are all important to Him.  In fact, Cahn pointed out the significance of the Hebrew lunar calendar and the 29th day of the month of Elul.  This was the day, coincidentally, that we first suffered the economic fallout of 9/11, and then seven years later -- on the 29th of Elul -- was the stock market crash of 2008.  So, can we expect something to occur on the 29th of Elul, seven years later -- which just happened to this last Sunday, September 13, 2015?
     The question had no sooner been proposed, than a member of the class spoke up and declared that we were wasting our time listening to this... we are not Israel and we Christians have nothing in common with the Jews.  It was obvious that he is a believer in Replacement Theology, a misinformed (in my opinion) Christian theological opinion that the Church has replaced Israel (and the Jews) in God's Divine Plan of Redemption for mankind.  Of course, we could not remain silent in the midst of this man's diatribe.  And my husband, whose name literally means Peace-Loving Warrior (PLW), lived out his name -- calmly, but firmly, correcting this fellow Christian, and pointing out that we are "grafted in" to Israel, and are Abraham's children and heritage because we share the same faith in YHWH.
     Unfortunately, the other member of the class refused to listen and his response was heated and dogmatic.  Sadly, the entire class missed out on the opportunity to see Proverbs 27:17 in action.  This important verse in Scripture tells us that As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.  I love how Matthew Henry, a 17th century minister and theologian, expresses the weight of this proverb:  "Wise and profitable discourse sharpens men’s wits; and those that have ever so much knowledge may, by conference [debate and dialogue], have something added to them."  In other words, when we are open to listening to each other [and what we have each gleaned from our studies], we each have the opportunity to add a greater dimension to our understanding of the Bible.  Just like iron striking against iron, we remove the dullness and inactivity that can come upon our beliefs and study, and file away the rough edges, sharpening our perception and understanding of the Word.
     It makes me sad that this man has decided, under his own tutelage, to disregard the entire Old Testament.  He is willing to dismiss what it has to say about Jesus, and how it points us to God's final outcome in the Book of Revelation.  Don't get me wrong -- there is room for disagreement amongst diligent Christians; and we must certainly guard against accepting false teaching.  But to discourage debate or conversation among fellow sincere Christians is to limit the counsel and enlightenment that can come from the Holy Spirit's participation in the Word.  And it is to totally discount the interests, thoughts, or comments of the rest of the class.
     Needless to say, we both felt as though God was telling us one last time, "Come out of the Church!"  But it's funny ... if you wait for God's instruction instead of making a decision in haste, you often get a different answer.  PLW felt he owed an apology to the Sunday School class teacher, and we did not want to cause dissension within the Body of Christ, so we would bow out of the class.  It took a day or so to locate his phone number.  As it turned out, he had been trying to get in touch with us, and enthusiastically invited us back.  He and the class are encouraging us to share what inspired knowledge we have acquired and to engage in mutual heartfelt and earnest conversation over our shared love of the Word.  That is exactly what the Early Church was all about!!!  This has certainly given us a spark of hope that all has not been lost in the organized religion of the Church.  There is still room for us to edify and encourage one another; and there is no limit to the revelation we can receive when studying God's Word; just as there is no limit to the number of small groups with which we are willing to engage.
     I really feel that in this season of God's Feast Days, He is awakening the True Church.  It is a small number, but His remnant is seeking Him and for that I am so grateful.  Praise the Lord!!

2 Corinthians 12:19   "All this time you have been thinking that we are [merely] defending ourselves to you. It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking [as one] in Christ; and everything, dearly beloved, is to strengthen you [spiritually]."

The Islamic Caliphate's Goal: A Global Hijrah?

    Last week, I published a post on the emotional subject of the humanitarian crisis in Europe caused by the thousands of Middle Eastern and African refugees fleeing chaos and murder in their homelands.  Today I am presenting the controversial side of this issue, which is likely to become a lightning rod for discussion and debate.  There should be none of us who are ignorant of the tens of thousands of emigrants leaving their countries for the safety and sanctuary of Europe.    This flood of refugees certainly appears to be the aforementioned humanitarian crisis, due to the thousands who have been uprooted from their homes because of violence, persecution and death at the hands of the Islamic Caliphate.  Among these refugees are Arab and African Christians who are targeted because of their faith, and have been threatened with death if they do not convert to Islam.  It is hard to argue with their reasons for leaving their homeland.

     But what of those thousands who are not Christians or families who have been forced to flee?  Have you ever wondered why the majority of them are young able-bodied Muslim men?  Where are the women, the elderly, or the chronically ill?  Why did they not choose to settle in Saudi Arabia or Iran or Turkey; countries that are larger than the over-crowded European countries and who practice their common Muslim faith?
     Robert Spencer, the director of Jihad Watch, has spent much of his life studying the Muslim religion, from which his family comes.  He has led seminars on Islam and jihad for the United States Central Command, United States Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group, the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the U.S. intelligence community. Spencer is the Vice President of the American Freedom Defense Initiative and a weekly columnist for PJ Media and FrontPage Magazine, and has written many books and hundreds of articles about jihad and Islamic terrorism.  Mr. Spencer's credentials are lengthy and he is well-versed in the Qur'an.  From him, perhaps we can find the answers to the questions stated above.
     It is his goal to raise our awareness about the activities of the global jihadists; to call attention to the roots and goals of jihad violence within Islamic texts and teachings; and to show how jihadists use those texts and teachings.  Particularly, he wishes us to know that what we are witnessing across Europe is no longer just a “refugee crisis.” This is a hijrah.
     In an article on FrontPage Magazine, Spencer writes that Hijrah, or "jihad by emigration", is historically, and according to Islamic tradition, the migration or journey of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib, later renamed by him to Medina, in the year 622 CE. It was after the hijrah that Muhammad, for the first time, became not just a preacher of religious ideas, but a political and military leader. That was what occasioned his new “revelations” exhorting his followers to commit violence against unbelievers. Significantly, the Islamic calendar counts the hijrah -- not Muhammad’s birth or the occasion of his first “revelation,” -- as the beginning of Islam, implying that Islam is not fully itself without a political and military component.
     Spencer further writes that "to emigrate in the cause of Allah – that is, to move to a new land in order to bring Islam there -- is considered in Islam to be a highly meritorious act.  'And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many locations and abundance,” says the Qur’an.  And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him, his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.'  (4:100).
     He is now warning the world that a hijrah of a much greater magnitude is upon us.  What, in our Western eyes, looks like a humanitarian crisis (and which appeals to our faith's sense of mercy) may be in response to a February 2015 publication by ISIS, titled "“Libya: The Strategic Gateway for the Islamic State.”   The flood of refugees we are currently seeing across Europe is the expansion of the call by ISIS for Muslims to go to Libya and cross from there as refugees into Europe. This document tells would-be jihadis that weapons from [deposed Libyan leader] Gaddafi’s arsenal are plentiful and easy to obtain in Libya – and that the country “has a long coast and looks upon the southern Crusader states, which can be reached with ease by even a rudimentary boat.”  Isn't that what we have seen in the last few weeks and months?
     What Spencer writes next should have all of us questioning our own foreign policy regarding the Syrian refugees this nation is poised to accept.  He writes:  "The Islamic State did not have in mind just a few jihadis crossing from Libya: it also emerged last February that the jihadis planned to flood Europe with as many as 500,000 refugees. Now the number is shooting well beyond that in Germany alone. Of course, not all of these refugees are Islamic jihadis. Not all are even Muslims, although most are. However, no effort whatsoever is being made to determine the refugees’ adherence to Sharia and desire to bring it to their new land. Any such effort would be “Islamophobic.” Yet there are already hints that the Islamic State is putting its plan into effect: jihadis have already been found among the refugees trying to enter Europe. There will be many more such discoveries."
     Of course, to even suggest that there is an ulterior motive to this mass emigration is to be subjected to taunts of racism, and to be called hateful and an Islamophobe.  Yet how can we ignore the coordinated social media strategy of ISIS?  Spencer documents an Islamic State operative, who boasted last week that among the flood of refugees, 4,000 Islamic State jihadis had entered Europe. “They are going like refugees,” he said, but they were going with the plan of sowing blood and mayhem on European streets. As he told this to journalists, he smiled and said, “Just wait.” He explained: “It’s our dream that there should be a caliphate not only in Syria but in all the world, and we will have it soon, inshallah.”
     So, what are we to think?  Europe today, America tomorrow?  It sure looks as if that is their agenda.  But what are we to do?  How do we remain faithful to our God's commandments, yet protect ourselves from the Evil that is ISIS?  We are in the midst of a political season, and it is incumbent upon each of us to make our concerns known as we face an uncertain future.  The next few months and year will surely reveal the results of the far-reaching decisions we make.  May God and the Holy Spirit guide us; may we remain resolute and unfaltering in the face of Evil; and may YHWH Bless and Protect the United States of America!
   
John 3:20    "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."

Joshua 5:13-14 .... Our God Is A Warrior!

 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”

So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord 

I have now come.”  Then Joshua fell with his face toward the earth and bowed down, and said to him, “What does my Lord have to say to his servant?” The captain of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

  

     This is the familiar story of Joshua, the great military leader of Israel as they entered the Promised Land.  God instructed Joshua as to how He wanted the land cleansed of the people corrupted with Satan's seed.  Joshua was obedient and understood that the victory in each battle belonged to God.  In that manner there are some interesting comparisons to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

     To begin, they share the same Hebrew name.  The English name "Joshua" is a rendering of the Hebrew name "Yehoshua", meaning "Yahweh is salvation".  "Jesus" is the English translation of the Greek transliteration of "Yehoshua" via Latin, also known as "Yeshua".  Both Jesus and Joshua share the same role as leader of Israel; both having the same mission of bringing peace through obedience to God, and having the same number of appointed men (twelve).  But it is their mutual identification as military commander and warrior for Israel that has become lost through the ages.

     Today, most Christians can relate to the Jesus of Christmas, and identify Him as the One whom the angels declared would bring "peace on earth and goodwill toward men."  We recognize Him as being full of justice, mercy, and peace.  But how many understand that this same Jesus must turn into the Yeshua of Armageddon in order to bring that peace?  How many can admit that He is returning in His role as Commander of God's Army in order to wipe sin off the planet?

     We are so used to the advertising approach of presenting who Jesus is --- accentuate the good vision, and minimize what we perceive to be the bad image.  It's as if God's Gospel message doesn't include His Judgment right alongside His Mercy; as if this Gospel of Judgment is offensive to those who see Him only as Love.

     If you are mindful of the times in which we live, you will recognize Who is speaking to Joshua in today's Scripture.  First of all, He tells Joshua to remove his sandals because it is holy ground.  The Bible does not state who the person is, though we are presented with one hint: Joshua fell down and worshiped him without rebuke. We know that men are not to be worshiped (Acts 10:25-26) and neither are angels (Revelation 22:8-9). Thus we must conclude that the person was divine, that is, a part of the Godhead.  And remember, the ground was made holy -- something usually only associated with God.  

     Also, this Being is the same One who said to His disciples, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." What did He mean by that?  It must be taken in context.  Read the Scripture before and after this controversial statement.  It all has to do with Obedience and Faith.  We all recognize that the "Sword" of the Spirit is the Word of God; and Jesus is the Word.  The Word of God is the Sword that will divide those who believe in Him and are willing to follow Him (even unto death), from those who deny Him.  

     Yes, He came the first time to bring Peace; the peace that comes from the assurance that God would provide a way to be delivered from our sin.  But for those who do not accept that way, He is returning in righteous anger as the Commander of God's holy army.  How easily we recognize Jesus in Revelation 19:11:  "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war."  Why is it so difficult to recognize Him as this same Being in the Old Testament?  Does not Scripture tell us that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow?  But then the Enemy has done a good job in convincing man that there is a huge barrier between the Old Testament and New Testament; that Jesus doesn't appear until Matthew.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  He appears all throughout the Old Testament.  He is the Angel of the Lord, and He is the Commander of the army of the Lord, just as much here in Joshua as in Revelation.

     The bottom line is this ... Jesus is not a Pacifist!  No matter how many paintings or movies you see showing Him as the loving carpenter holding a sheep, we must never forget that He is a Warrior.  He always has been, and always be until we recognize Him as Judge.  That is made quite clear in Hebrews 4:12:  "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  In its simplest understanding, that verse tells us that the word of God (Jesus) judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Just as He extends His love and mercy to those who believe in Him, He will bestow His judgment on those who refuse Him.  He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  He will be returning at the head of God's holy army; returning with a sword of division between belief and unbelief.  Praise the Lord!  The day on which we will witness our Warrior King is close at hand.

Keep in mind that this evening at sundown begins God's Feast of Trumpets.  It is a future day upon which we will hear the trumpets of heaven announcing the approach of our Warrior King.  Praise Him and Glorify Him!

The Christian Alternative To Yoga

    Some of you may have read of my trepidations about the practice of yoga.  Specifically I have written about it in a blog post on The Daniel Plan, a highly questionable program promoted by Pastor Rick Warren.  The key contributors to this "Christian weight loss plan" include Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Mehmet Oz, all who have strong ties to either the New Age movement, or non-Christian faiths.  Specifically, I wrote about Dr. Amen, who allegedly promotes a non-Christian form of meditation known as Kirtan Kriya, which is a 12-minute meditation exercise involving chanting that has its origins in Kundalini yoga.
     What is this particular form of yoga?  Kundalini is a type of yoga that attempts to arouse and raise the kundalini, believed to be Shakti or "creative divine energy" which supposedly sleeps in the form of a coiled snake at the base of the spine. It employs pranayama or breathing exercises, visualization, asanas (body poses) and mudras (hand positions) along with chanting and meditation to awaken and then raise the kundalini.  This gets into the promises of  "awakening the third eye", and "gaining the knowledge of God" -- very dangerous ground!
     Yet the benefits of yoga are well documented for stretching, and maintaining flexibility and balance as we grow older.  So, are Christians supposed to forego this potentially valuable form of exercise in our efforts to avoid paying homage to false gods or spirits?   Now, I am pleased to tell you that there is a Christian alternative to the spiritually harmful effects of yoga; a way to honor God as we follow a healthy lifestyle.  It is called PraiseMoves, and I'd like to share with you what I have discovered.

     When I went to the website, I was pleasantly surprised to find answers to all the questions that I had.  The organization has documented their position well and shown how traditional poses can become an opportunity to offer praise and worship to Jehovah God.  First of all, they explain why they think there is a need for this Christian alternative.  George P. Alexander, Ph.D., a personal friend of the developer of PraiseMoves, taught World Religions at Biola University and offers some insightful information.  Born in Sri Lanka, George grew up in India, the birthplace of Hinduism and yoga. He informs us that yoga poses are actually offerings to the 330 million Hindu gods.  “Many Westerners who practice yoga today are unaware that the physical positions assumed in yoga symbolize a spiritual act: worshiping one of the many Hindu gods,” Dr. Alexander said.
     “To a Hindu, yoga is the outward physical expression of a deep spiritual belief. You cannot separate one from the other," he said.  The natural question is this: Since yoga is tied so strongly to Hinduism, can there be such a thing as “Christian yoga,” or would that be an oxymoron (a contradiction in terms)? Many practicing Hindus as well as Christians agree that since yoga IS Hinduism, the two cannot be combined.  That's why PraiseMoves does not claim to be a form of "Christian Yoga", but rather an alternative.
     In fact, one of the PraiseMoves Instructors spent three months on a missionary trip to India several years ago. She said her group often saw people performing yoga poses in front of statues of the gods in the streets! Some brought offerings of flowers, some fruit, some themselves…
     In case you think I am making much ado about nothing, let me quote to you from an article entitled “An Open Letter to Evangelicals” from the January 1991 issue of Hinduism Today.  Swami Sivasiva Palani writes: “A small army of yoga missionaries – hatha, raja, siddha and kundalini – beautifully trained in the last 10 years, is about to set upon the western world. They may not call themselves Hindu, but Hindus know where yoga came from and where it goes... We hope this proves useful to you. I close with a quote from Swami Vivekananda, Hinduism’s greatest modern missionary, spoken in January of 1895, ‘What I now want is a band of fiery missionaries.’ It’s a hundred years late. But it appears he’s going to get his wish.”
     Besides these historical evidences, the developer of PraiseMoves, Laurette Willis, clearly states from her own experiences and those of many she knew while in the New Age movement, yoga class was the door that led them into the New Age Movement.  Now she wants to close that door and offer an alternative to Christians who are looking for a healthy lifestyle.  So how does PraiseMoves work, and how does it remove itself from the Hindu influence, while honoring God?
     PraiseMoves is a series of stretching and strength-building postures, each linked to a verse of Scripture focused upon while doing the posture.  For example, during The Angel posture, people meditate upon or speak aloud Psalm 91:11, “For He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways.”  The foundational scripture of the PraiseMoves organization is “For you were bought at a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”  (First Corinthians 6:20).  The goal is to not only build strength, flexibility and balance in our bodies; but to also be “transformed by the renewing of (our) minds” on the Word of God (Romans 12:2), nourishing spirits and praising the Lord through His Word.

     At right, Laurette demonstrates The Angel Bow, great for balance, stretching the shoulders, spine and hamstrings. The scripture they meditate upon or speak aloud: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
     An obvious comment is, “But wait a second, these postures sure look a lot like yoga poses.”  Yes, they do, but the developers of PraiseMoves believe that the postures are NOT the foundation of PraiseMoves. The Word of God, as found in the Bible is the foundation. The exercises are the “witty invention” to get you more into the Word, and to get more of the Word into you!  The moves may be similar to yoga, but the God to whom you are committing a spiritual act is totally different!  You are worshipping the one true God of the Universe, and not practicing some ancient praise to a foreign God.
     And in keeping with PraiseMoves commitment and Statement of Faith, there are certain poses and gestures that will NOT be done in PraiseMoves because of their appearance and close association with other religions.  For example, did you know that the so-called “Praying Hands” gesture (putting one’s palms together with fingers pointing upward) is a mudra (Hindu prayer gesture) which pre-dates Christianity?  So, even though we love the paintings of the little children with their hands in that position while kneeling beside their beds saying, “Now I lay me down to sleep…” it is still too closely linked with the Hindu “Namaste” greeting (“I bow to the ‘divine’ within you”) and other Eastern religious practices, that PraiseMoves chooses not to imitate that pose.
     In a final, yet inconclusive, analysis of the PraiseMoves organization and exercise program, I found it to be authentic, spiritual, committed to the Bible and a solid Christian foundation.  The testimonies from those who enjoy this program is commendable.  And I urge you to check out the website and all of its associated links.  I think you will be amazed at the message of this organization and their credibility.

Romans 12:1   "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship."

   

If We Could Erase Time...

   

     How many remember exactly where you were fourteen years ago this morning?  Every American over the age of 25 most likely has a distinct memory of that tragic day ... the ash-colored faces of panicking people rushing to escape the falling Towers behind them; the grief-stricken families wandering the streets of New York City in the aftermath, holding photos of their loved ones and hoping beyond hope that someone would tell them their son/daughter/father/mother/spouse had been spotted among the injured; the images of NYC firefighters atop mountains of rubble continuing to do their jobs after 343 of their comrades died trying to rescue those trapped in the buildings.
     Sadly, there is a generation of children growing up who don't remember; and for most of them, this all seems like ancient history.  They have lived their entire lives in the effects, results, and consequences of that horrific day, yet they have no emotional connection to the nearly 3,000 Americans who perished that day.  And there are the peripheral statistics:  the documented 863 firefighters and ambulance workers with cancers certified as relating to their work on September 11 2001 (although Mount Sinai Hospital's World Trade Center Health Program -- which is run for police officers, construction workers, sanitation staff and other New York City employees and volunteers -- reports it is treating 1,655 patients with cancer out of the 37,000 who worked at the site of the 9/11 attacks).
     And we mustn't forget the nearly 6,650 Americans who have died in the ensuing Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, along with the more than 50,000 wounded troops -- 16,000 of them so seriously that they would certainly have died had they suffered an equivalent wound in any prior conflict.  It has been suggested that nearly 1/5 of all military personnel who served in the Middle East since 9/11 suffer from some form of PTSD.
     All this is the aftermath of that terrible day.  Is there any remnant of what we used to be before?  And how many of us would like to turn back the clock and live in a simpler America; one less adorned with the complexities of what modern America has become, and in a way that is reminiscent of bygone days?  Unfortunately, we can't erase time, but I'm happy to say that my Godson, Hunter, is able to experience a piece of that picturesque Americana.

     You see, Hunter will be six years old this fall, and he just started Kindergarten at Pine Creek School in Montana.  This small, rural school is similar to the old one-room school house; although in reality, it consists of three rooms.  Kindergarten through Second Grade comprise one room, and Grades 3-5 and 6-8 take up class in the other two rooms.  This year Hunter is one of only 4 Kindergartners, and there are no 8th Graders for the 2015-16 school year.
     The original Pine Creek School held its first class in 1893, and the school building was made of logs.  It has been updated and upgraded in the years since.  Up until the 1950’s there was an outhouse, no running water, a wood burning stove, and kerosene lamps for light.  Sometime in the 50's the school acquired a well, bathrooms in the basement, electricity, and finally an oil burning furnace, which was a blessing till it belched and covered the schoolrooms in soot.
     While Pine Creek School is the picture postcard of a rural school from a bygone era, it is thriving in 21st Century America.   Even though there are only three teachers, plus some part time professionals, it functions as a modern K-8 education system.  As of 2014, Pine Creek School has ten top-of-the-line, i7,  all-in-one,  touch screen computers with a dedicated internet connection, along with iPads and laptops, as well as a collegiate connection in educational technology.
     Pine Creek may be a throwback to earlier rural education models, but it is co-developing curriculum and implementing the Next Generation Science Standards with the current Montana Science standards, and working with the Montana Outdoor Science School.   This small rural school is determined to navigate into a leadership role in educating its students in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM).
     Yet Hunter will have the old-fashioned benefits that many city-educated kids will never know.  Learning in a classroom with older kids, I suspect he will be motivated and challenged by listening to the older kids studying their lessons.  If he excels beyond his grade level, he will be seamlessly integrated into the lesson plans for the higher grades.  Likewise, if a fellow student can't quite keep up, he will be allowed to continue studying with the lower grades until he becomes academically proficient for that grade's requirements.  In this manner, students are not overtly singled out as being smarter or slower than others.  They all work at the pace they can accomplish, and receive individual attention by the teacher(s).

     But here's the part I really love .... each morning the entire school gathers on the playground and faces the flag.  They place their hand over their heart and recite the Pledge of Allegiance together.  They say "one nation under God" (although Hunter says, "one nation under Jesus and God"), and they do it with pride and conviction.  There's no room for political correctness at Pine Creek School!
     Each day Hunter and the other kids go outside to play at recess, and they are already forming a community... the older kids looking out for the younger, and all of them sharing a unique identity associated with this rare and exceptional experience.  Most of the kids come from surrounding ranches and the rural countryside, and I suspect there won't be any concerns about disrespect towards each other or the teachers.  In fact, Hunter's teacher has already commented to his mom that she was delighted when Hunter answered "Please" and "Yes, Ma'am" on his first day of school.
     The principal reported that Hunter was "polite, and interested in the environment and the safety of the other kids".  (His mom and I laughed about that because we know that he is as rough and tumble as they come, and there might be future calls from the principal that relate to another side of this thoroughly rowdy ranch kid).  But at least I don't think that this school system will try to change who he is.  I am thrilled (and a little jealous) that Hunter is able to experience this nearly extinct chapter in American education.  As I worry about the level of education that our kids are getting in the modern school system, I know that Hunter is getting the best ... an educational experience that is suited to his curious and demanding mind; a respect for what it means to be an American citizen; and the kinds of friendships that will last for a lifetime.
     We mustn't forget the significance of this historic day.  It is burned into the souls of Americans who lived the nightmare that was 9/11.  I pray that Hunter will not have to experience any thing close to that tragedy, but no matter what lies ahead of him, he will have a foundation built on the historic values of one-room school houses and those who attended them before him.  He is inheriting the philosophy of the one-room schoolhouse, which stressed family involvement.  It stressed helping one another, and there was a sense of belonging to one place, and "this is our place."  We can't turn back time, no matter how much we care to.  September 11, 2001 stripped away much of our nation's innocence, but it's nice to know that there are still oases where our traditional values are still honored and appreciated.  And for that, I'm grateful this day.

2 Thessalonians 2:15:  "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."
   

It's Time To Look In The Mirror!

     Today's post is directed, first and foremost, at myself.  I am a Christian, and I strongly desire to live a moral life, pleasing in every way to my God.  But as I feel that our Lord is fast approaching, I am taking a good hard look at how I live my daily life.  Do my ways and my words reveal that I belong to Christ?  Have I made it plain to the world where I stand on the important issues?  Could a stranger identify me as a follower of Christ by my actions?  Do I approach everything in my life from a position of pleasing God, and do I take a stand for my faith?

     There are enough issues in our modern culture for Christians to be up in arms about ... decisions by the Supreme Court that say gay marriage is Constitutional; the adoption of abortion as a "women's rights" issue; the scandalous evidence that fetal body parts are sold as "flavor enhancers"; our foreign policy that seems designed to put Israel in harm's way, while ignoring the plight of innocent Christians and people of other faiths around the world ... just to name a few.  These are all matters that offend Christians who seek to live their lives according to God's will as expressed in the Bible.

     We become vocal in declaring our passionate opinions on these issues, yet do our actions show that we are willing to take a stand, or that we are trying to do something to change these divisive practices?  Do we voice our opinions, yet continue to live in a way that doesn't back up our moral convictions?  Aren't we to appear different from "the world"?  Or do we just blend in, therefore making our dissent ineffective and marginal?

     How many of us agree with Kim Davis's opinion that the Supreme Court cannot make law for the individual states, and her beliefs that gay marriage does not coincide with God's law?  Yet how many of us would be willing to take the stand she did; to make ourselves a target of the culture by not yielding our Biblical position?  Whether you agree with the way she conducted herself or not, I don't think there is any doubt that she did what she did out of her strong desire to be obedient to God.  Sadly, I think there are far too few Kim Davises among the Body of Christ. 

     So, today, I am going to vent about an issue that has been speaking to my heart.  Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, has a history of slamming Christians and their beliefs.  He has been vocal about not desiring their business, and he did it again at the latest annual Starbucks shareholders meeting.  Although Schultz will loudly proclaim that his company "embraces diversity of all kinds", that apparently doesn't extend to Christians.  During the meeting, Tom Strobhar, founder of the Corporate Morality Action Center and a Starbucks shareholder, pointed out that when Starbucks backed gay marriage in Washington State, traditional marriage supporters boycotted the coffee store and sales venues dropped.  When Strobhar mentioned these facts, Schultz responded by telling him to sell his shares and invest in another company, saying "If you feel, respectfully, that you can get a higher return than the 38% you got last year, it's a free country.  You can sell your shares of Starbucks and buy shares in another company.  Thank you."

     Basically Mr. Schultz told Mr. Strobhar that he is intolerant of anyone who supports traditional marriage over gay marriage, and he doesn't really care for our business.  So, where's your tolerance of diversity now, Mr. Schultz?

    But my concern is not only about Schultz's narrow-minded and biased opinion of Christians.  He has certainly made his viewpoint well-known over the last few years; and here we have another incidence of where he stands.  It's his company, and he's right -- it's a free country -- he's allowed to express his opinions, as he is raking in millions of our dollars.  And that is where I have to take a stand.  

     While I hear Christians lamenting over the various anti-Christian statements that Mr. Schultz has made throughout the years, I must ask, "But, are we taking a stand"?  It was interesting to read the comments that appeared after a short article relaying the Starbucks CEO's stance.  Some pointed out how hypocritical Schultz is and how disconnected he is to his market.  They pointed out that gay people are only a small percentage of the American population, and an even smaller percentage of his customers, therefore he shouldn't be insulting others who do not agree with his position.  But why would he change it?  He is able to openly and loudly express his disdain for Christians while we continue to make him rich.

     So, don't you think we should be taking a good hard look at ourselves in the mirror?  We profess to be followers of Christ; to be striving to live upright and moral lives that do not dishonor or discredit our Lord's message.  Yes, none of us will ever be able to meet the perfect standard that He has set, but have we become lax in our efforts?  Have we examined ourselves to see if our actions correspond to our rhetoric?

     For instance, it's not only about Schultz's disparagement of Christians regarding their traditional marriage values, it's also been all over the news that the popular Starbucks brand of bottled frappuccinos are among the products that use fetal body parts as "natural flavors" or "flavor enhancers".  While many Christians have decided to avoid these tasty drinks out of their obedience to God, they will succumb to the temptation and drink another beverage that they've bought at their local Starbucks because it is not the particular offending product mentioned.

     I will admit that this issue may seem small and irrelevant in the face of other serious issues that we Christians face.  But it is just one area that I find is so easy on which to compromise.  And I will also admit that I have enjoyed an occasional Starbucks drink in the past.  But for me, I find that I have become particularly convicted about this topic, and I have taken a moral stand.  

     In full disclosure, I have failed many times in my attempts to live a righteous life.  But, for me personally, as a Christian, I find this company complicit in the immoral practice of buying fetal parts.  So how can I cherry pick which of their products God might find acceptable?  

     Let me be clear.  I would never advocate a boycott.  Each person must search his/her heart to know what action is pleasing to God.  I also know that there are some Christians who may not feel the same as I do about this matter... maybe the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about other areas in our culture that you cannot support.   Perhaps you are convicted about your manner of dress, or of the entertainment you watch, or the books you read, or how you respect your husband or your parents. 

    We will not all be perfectly righteous in every area of our lives; although I do think it is incumbent upon us to try.  But whatever area is particularly sensitive to your heart, be consistent.  Do not try to make a deal with the world, or soothe your conscience by meeting the culture in the middle, or making a modification or concession regarding your faith.  We are all guilty of it; myself included.  There are those who will say that Kim Davis went too far in defending her faith ... but aren't we all called to do our best to present ourselves to God as one approved?  She didn't back down in the face of ridicule, or by reason of convenience or compromise.  Whether the issues are great or small, I think God wants to see us responding in a way that glorifies Him.  It is time to face yourself in the mirror.  Jesus is coming!

James 4:17    "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."