Church Signs

Removing a movie makes for some thoughts on real Christianity

The Movie: “The Blind Side” was released in 2009 by Warner Bros., with a budget of $29 million, raking in over $300 million at the box office.  Successful film right?  Yes, it was.  The first week of showing in 3,000 plus theaters nationwide it was number two behind “Twilight.” 

The story line is about a true family, Sean and Leigh Ann Tuohy.  Tuohy’s, a white, well-to-do Christian couple adopted an oversized black teenager named Michael Oher from a Memphis ghetto.  After hiring a tutor to give their adopted son confidence and raise his grade point average so he could play football at a Christian high school, Oher was highly recruited by Nick Saban and Lousiana State University and Tommy Tuberville and Auburn University.  Opting for the Alma Mater of his adoptive parents and his tutor, Oher became a star college football player at Ole Miss and now plays in the National Football League for the Baltimore Ravens.

As one can expect the movie deals with racial issues, recruiting issues, and conflicts with social circles.  Yet, this film earned a number of prestigious awards, one being an Oscar for Sandra Bullock for best actress.

Due to the large success at the box office, Hollywood has made a few attempts at emulating its success.  Soul Surfer is about a surfer who credits her Christian faith for her comeback after a shark chewed her arm off.  This Tristar Pictures film was an $18 million production that brought in $44 million at the domestic box office.

The Problem: After two years on the shelves of the 165 LifeWay Christian book stores and on LifeWay.com, the movie was pulled from the shelves over a month ago, dropped from the website; and there seems to be no end to the banter, both negative and positive, regarding this decision from LifeWay.

A statement from LifeWay:

“After selling the movie for nearly two years, LifeWay decided to stop carrying it because of the likelihood it would be the focus of debate and division at our annual denominational meeting…We were electing the Southern Baptist Convention’s first African American president and did not want to distract from this historic moment.”

A Christian author, Rachel Held Evans, who was asked by Thomas Nelson Publishers to remove a word describing the female anatomy from her upcoming book “A Year of Biblical Womanhood” in deference to Christian bookstores standards, said it points to a “chokehold” the stores hold on the Christian publishing industry.  She went on to state that Christian bookstores have developed a reputation for “a highly sanitized customer experience.”

Marty King, director of communications for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) publisher, said officials have heard different perspectives from customers about the decision to remove the movie.  He went on to say:

“We agree the movie as a whole promotes Christian values and a redemptive message, however it does contain instances of street language and racial slurs against African Americans.”

While all of these aforementioned things make sense-both the pro’s and the con’s-there is still more issues that yet have been uncovered.  There are other movies LifeWay is carrying which could very well be questioned regarding content and/or overtone which would be as objectionable as the movie which was removed.  Language, situational ethics, and plot need to be examined across the board, the same for all movies; not just one movie at a pivotal time in the life of the convention, but always and at all times.

How about the books?  I was recently in one of the LifeWay stores and there was an entire twenty foot wide, six foot high section which was covered (six shelves) with mostly fictional writings.  Yes, they are considered Christian fiction, but what about content.  That sais, I purchased two books.  One book was about a young pastor, in his first assignment, who had to deal with one widow who seemed to think her lot in life was to get the preacher on the straight and narrow, doing things the way she wanted them done, and finding him a wife.  She had help, another widow who agreed with her on what was to be done, but they were sidetracked by a veteran who had lost his leg in the big sandbox (Afghanistan) and needed a wife to help him recover from his fears.

It was an entertaining read, but contained several situations which questioned wise Christian ethics and Christ-like discipleship.  The other book falls along the same line, in it you have mistaken identity due to amnesia and a woman convinced the man is her husband.  She takes him home and both of them desperately seek common ground, as he takes time for his memory to return.  In the meantime the man who looks like her husband and the wife who does not realize her husband is dead, are beginning to fall in love; while the man with amnesia has a wife who thinks her husband is dead and she is falling in love with her brother-in-law.  Oh, my so much like a soap opera!

Both books were purchased at LifeWay and if they seem to have questionable content, then why are they being sold through LifeWay?  Let me take you one step further with that same line of questioning.  Why then is LifeWay producing, publishing, and marketing movies and books which are contrary to the Christian faith or Christ-like living?

Someone has said the folks at LifeWay and Thomas Nelson have “sanitized customer experience,” and by doing so “Christian bookstores…create an entire Christian subculture that is so sanitized and safe it often fails to produce art that is relevant to our culture or our lives.”

While I see both sides of this issue, there is a greater issue at stake here.  There is a need to be attuned to the things of reality-such as the reality of a life lived on the street with gangs and drugs and language-but how do we deal with that from a Christian perspective?  Yes, as in the book I mentioned earlier about the man with amnesia, there is a reality of something like this happening.  Or the woman who controls the preacher and the church, getting the single preacher and the war veteran married off.  How do we deal with these things from scripture?  For that is really what is at stake here, right?

Jesus said we are to be salt in the world. (Matthew 5:13)  We are also told that we are to be light:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

(Matthew 5:14-16 KJV)

In order to be salt and light, we must realize that we are in the world, but we are not of this world.  Jesus said in His prayer to the Father, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:16 KJV)  This is the reason Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 KJV)

Another section of scripture reminds us:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

(Romans 12:1-2 KJV)

With those verses as support, let me interject that since these are true affirmations and instructions for the Christian life, there are certain things which we are as believers should be, and that is first of a changed life.  We are no longer involved in the things of the old life, but we are born again, into a new life, where Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord and where we are striving to be more like Him. (See Ephesians 2:1-10; Philippians 2:1-11)

In the section of scripture from Philippians, Paul says, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life…” (Philippians 2:15-16 KJV)  This is speaking of the believer who is separated-the view is of holiness-to God and His work and His way and His will.

While some think of this as a doctrine of devastation and demise; I think of it from the viewpoint of the joy of being “set apart” useful in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In Old Testament times the pots and pans in the Temple were “set apart” for God’s use.  Where these pots and pans spotless and shiny and unusual to behold?  No, they were dented, dingy, and old looking, because they had been dragged through the wilderness, tossed around, and handled by a multitude of people.  But they were “holy” to God; separated from all the rest for His use and His glory.

We are no different.  Believers have been claimed as children of the King.  We are to live our lives in such as way as to be pleasing to Him and bring glory to His name.  This means that we are to be a witness of Him in word and deed. 

“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

(1 John 2:12-17 KJV)

What we hear, what we say, and what we see will be a reflection of who He is to us and in us.  Someone wrote: 

Be Careful

Little Eyes what you See

Little Hands what you Touch

Little Feet where you Go

Little mouth what you say

Little brain what you think

Yes, we are to be change agents in the world in which we live.  This means that all that we do should be a reflection of who Christ is.  Through this type of life we are to change the environment around us.  In the public square and in the private abode of life we should always let others see Jesus in us-His goodness and His grace-through our words and our deeds.

Lastly, we are to rejoice in all things.  When we are being assaulted, persecuted, slandered, or rejected; we are to consider it all joy-for it is Jesus that we long to satisfy.  This means we make our priorities line with Him and not to include Him in our priorities.  I have always gone by this simple acrostic: J-Jesus First; O-Others Second; Y-Yourself Last.  This works for me!

Now back to the original issue-The Blind Side-where the movie is removed from LifeWay’s inventory.  I applaud this decision.  Yes, that is what I said; I am clapping my hands right now.  Not because we are seeing a “sanitized customer experience.”  Not because the movie is not one I will not watch (I have not seen it yet; I have watched others, such as Ice Age-all of them-and recently watched the most recent release).  And it is not because I want us to limit art or become a subculture. 

I applaud this decision, because maybe they understand the gravity of the issues related to Christian bookstore and Christian movies.  LifeWay is a Christian bookstore and as such needs to allow the reputation of being a quality, godly supplier of Christian resources which are suitable for all audiences.  This means that anything other than “G-rated” materials and movies, by companies outside of the Christian marketplace, should not be sold in our stores.  Christian movies with anything other than “G-rated” may have valuable lessons to learn from, but should not be a part of the inventory of a solely Christian market.

There is too much as stake here.  Take for instance a man who has been dealing with the issues of Christianity and being a godly father.  He watches a movie that was sold by a Christian supplier, bought by his wife, and played on his entertainment center at home which has objectionable material (such as language, violence, etc).  What is going to be his thoughts regarding the expectations of his wife? Children? The church?  There is going to be a huge battle that the evil one is going to inflict upon him and in the end if he gives in to the evil one, who is to blame?

This is why I so love the movies that Sherwood Pictures.  Here is a production company that tells the story of reality, without the bending and bowing to critics and popularity.  They stand for truth and reality, without compromising the Word of God.  That is the way it ought to be done.  That, my friends, is truly “Courageous!”

The Summer 2012 Alabama Sheriff’s Star has hit the mailboxes of sheriffs, police chief’s and others, and here in Coosa County we are as excited as we can be about it.

Each year the Alabama Sheriff’s Star is published by the Alabama Sheriff’s Association and Callen Publishing in quarterly editions.  In each edition, one of the elected Sheriff’s in our state is featured with an article and photos.  Additionally, pictures are included from each of the Sheriff’s Ranches within the state, advertising, and pictures from various meetings of the ASA.

The reason we are excited about this edition, is that the 2012 Summer Edition features our Sheriff, Terry Wilson.  There is a possibility this is the first time a Coosa County sheriff has been featured; this is something I have heard, but I may be wrong.  This time I know we made it.  As the first sitting republican sheriff, an active member of the Rockford Baptist Church, and a well-seasoned and wise lawman, all of Coosa County is proud to have our Sheriff featured in this edition.

An article appearing in the Coosa Journal, July 2012:

The Summer Edition of the Sheriffs Star, a quarterly publication of the Alabama Sheriffs Association, featured our Sheriff, Terry Wilson. 

Beginning with page 3 of the magazine, thirty one pages chronicle “Sheriff Terry Wilson…[and] the sheriff’s interesting career and big advancements for the county’s law enforcement.”

With an article detailing the military and the law enforcement career of Sheriff Wilson, along with pictures of the Sheriff in and around the county with friends, family, and co-workers readers are given an inside glimpse of the work of Coosa County’s top law enforcement agent.

For Coosa County this is a first.  While Sheriff Evans was in office, he was approached, but the details were never able to fall in place.  But for Sheriff Wilson all the pieces came to together back in February with the photographer for the magazine coming to Rockford, taking the day to capture pictures and meeting people.

Additionally, the Sheriff worked with his wife Ran, and Chaplain Fuller and Reserve Investigator Glover to assemble the article which accompanies the pictures.

This magazine is placed in the hands of every mayor, police chief and sheriff within the state of Alabama, along with copies available for friends and family. 

We wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the sheriff for being chosen for this great honor, as well as giving thanks to him for making us proud to be a part of this great county.

It is a true honor for Sheriff Wilson and the county as a whole.  Oh, thanks Terry for the autograph on my copy. 

Whites Only? Chosen People?

It is a strange way to open this blog, but I feel I must need to address an issue of great importance.

Some say we are all brothers and sisters under the skin.  In some way that may be true, such as whites, blacks, American Indians, American Irishman, and the list could go on and on.  We seem to be a mix of people that come from a variety of stock.  In America we have a way of connecting ourselves and our heritage back further than the Mayflower.  In the south people will chase the pedigree of a complete stranger, to check if there is a kinship somewhere in the family tree.  Yes, the jokes are always made about the trees that do not fork in the south, but that is not true for my southern family.

As for me, I have a little of several backgrounds to create who I am today: A little German, a pinch of Cherokee Indian, a small bit of Irish, some British and Scandinavian pieces, and then Southern born and breed all rolled into a red-bloodied American, from the South, who proudly and boldly waves the flag of freedom.  

That is who I am, so therefore genetically I am brother and proudly stand with all my family in America.  But when it comes to spiritual matters, I must break ties with some who would say we are all one big family, all with the same Father.  No, that is not the case, when we speak of spiritual matters.  The reason is simple: not all claim the same spiritual heritage, nor have the same Father. 

Following the Bible, God’s Holy Word, and its teaching regarding those who follow Christ, there are certain guidelines which must be adhered to claim family relations.  Those who are brothers and sisters in Christ, are those who believe in One Faith, One Baptism, One Lord.  To claim to be a part of the family of God, one must note and accept the teaching related to: Father God is Creator of all people, the basis from which life flows, the Sustainer of life and liberty; that Jesus was the Incarnation of God-He was all God and all man; Jesus was born in a manger, taught about God the Father, lived a sinless life, was crucified and died upon an old rugged cross for the sin of the world; that Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb, rose again from the dead and was seen in several places and by many people after His death: that Jesus ascended into heaven leaving the disciples and all who would come to faith in Christ for salvation a mandate and a commission; and that He will return visibly and without warning to take His children to be with Him and those who have rejected Him will be thrown into a lake of fire.  Yep, accept these things, believe on Jesus as Savior-the only way to the Father-and we can have fellowship; we are family.

Some will take parts and pieces, here and there, from the Word and claim fellowship; calling themselves by the name of “Christian” or “Church” or “preachers of the Word,” but hold on one minute-unless you accept the main tenants of the Word of God, how can you attempt to take on the above mentioned names and pretend-yes, pretend-to be in right fellowship without basing that fellowship on the Word of God. 

Take for instance, the issue of the death and resurrection of Christ.  It is a big deal.  It really is, because if you falter there, you falter on all principles.  Jesus Christ came to die; there had to be a sacrifice, blood had to be shed for the sins of the world.  Jesus did that, but there are some who say that He “swooned” on the cross; fainted from the horrific pain and extreme heat, and the lack of nutrition.  “Swooned” means to faint and Jesus did not act like a love-sick Southern girl and faint, no He died.  When they took Him off the cross and laid Him in the borrowed tomb He was dead.  According to Old Testament Canon something had to be offered, something had to die for sin.  Jesus did!  He accepted my place and your place on the cross and in the tomb, to redeem us and sit us free!        

This was for all people; people everywhere.  The words of Paul ring true here:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28 ESV).

This is the verse my beloved wife posted on my Facebook wall a few days ago.  And if you do not mind, I need to address her for a moment:

“Sweetheart, this verse is good, supports Truth.  But, lest we make some KJV’er angry, then we need to see what the King James says.”

In our efforts to not turn anyone way and miss an opportunity for you to see this verse in its more common and most likely acceptable translation, read the following:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”  Read a little further, to the next verse: “And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:28-29 KJV)

Accepting Christ as Savior and Lord, believing on Him as the payment for your sin and that He was and is the Son of God, and confessing your sin to Him and confessing His as your Savior, you are saved.  As former President Jimmy Carter said, in his Georgia drawl, “I am born-again!”  And when this happens we are sons and daughters of God the Father, brothers and sisters of Father God, and have eternal life.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:9-11 KJV)

Now, with that said, let us focus on a travesty of this pure gospel; a twisting and turning of this truth which has sent an entire county into turmoil, and culminated with a “cross burning” where only “white Christians” were allowed to congregate. 

All eyes focused on the South, on Alabama, on Lamar County where this situation took place this week, a week in which we celebrated freedom for all Americans, but where a bunch of people claiming “Christianity” and “Religious Freedom” took those tenants to a level of hatred which truly saddens this writer.

An article posted to news.yahoo.com was circulated virally on Twitter and Facebook this week is copied here for your convenience:

A controversial pastor's conference welcoming only "white Christians" is underway in Lamar County, Ala., upsetting residents of the nearby town of Winfield in the western part of the state.

Christian Identity Ministries is holding a three-day conference for so-called "white Christians" who contend they have been treated unfairly, the Rev. Mel Lewis told local TV station WSFA. Lewis, the organizer and keynote speaker, says they have the right, like any other Americans, to worship how they wish.

Ku Klux Klan flags and white supremacy slogans surround the conference, which will conclude with a cross being set on fire Friday night. Organizers say it's not a cross-burning, but rather sacred Christian cross lighting.

"We are not breaking any laws. We're not violating any ordinances. We're bringing the Word of God to people who want it, obviously, or they wouldn't be here," Lewis told the TV station.

Lewis said of the conference-goers: "They are part of the chosen race."

The mayor of nearby Winfield said residents are upset, and the event does not represent their town in any way.

"Business people are upset. The city is upset. The city of Winfield does not condone this," Winfield Mayor Wayne Silas told another local TV station, WECT.

"It's surprising to see something like that in our town," said Tyler Cantrell. "I know it's been here in the past."

Organizers say their ministry is not a hate group and that although there is a strong KKK presence, the Klan did not sponsor the event.

By Ron Recinto; The Lookout; Thursday July 5, 2012

news.yahoo.com

Oh, my dear Lord, where do I start?  In the above mentioned article there are so many entry points; so much truth to reveal amidst the lies and fraud-where do I begin?  Guide me Lord, please, lest I enter the flesh and mess everything up.

While they are correct in one thing, and that is they have the right to do this, there is something to say regarding their audacity to claim Christ and Christian principles and biblical reasoning behind all this grandstanding.  As with anyone or any group which has a sinister and demonic side to it, they went about their business of advertising this meeting-oh, I cannot use the word “revival” (I will touch on that soon)-by posting fliers after dark.  Doing their deeds without permission or face-face meetings with business owners, they were going about what they feel is truth, in the cover of night.

Then proposing that only white people are the chosen people of God…

"Yes, we believe that the Europeans and their descendants are the chosen people of God," read a statement on the website for Christian Identity Ministries, which is holding the event with Church of God’s Chosen. "We believe this, not because we think that the white race is superior, but because there is overwhelming proof in support of this belief. We do not back down from this belief, because we are certain."

According to thecelebritycafe.com

            Wait!  Hold on, because this is something that needs to be discussed.  If, and I say “IF” the Bible teaches that only “Whites” are the “chosen” then what are you going to do with this verse?

“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:12-13 KJV)

            The “chosen” are the Israelites, the ones in Old Testament history, who were brought out of captivity, marched through the Red Sea, fed and kept clothed in the Wilderness wanderings, and given the land to settle in-which now they fight to keep.  Yes, those are the ones Jesus came to save, but they refused him, and the gospel was extended from the Jew to the Gentile.  For this reason Paul wrote to the Romans saying, “There is no difference between Jew and Greek…whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  That simply means everyone-black or white, red or yellow, green or blue; they are all precious in His sight.  To Christian Identity Ministries and Mr. Collier and to the White Only “Christians” I beg to differ with you on sound, biblical ground and come on, let us discuss it and I will show you the TRUTH!

            An old friend from many years ago wrote on my Facebook wall a comment regarding this article.  She wrote, “This is crazy....I thought we had changed!”  Misty, in some ways we have changed.  We are free to eat in restaurants with our black friends, go to movies, attend the same schools, share the same doctors and blood, even live in the same neighborhoods where our children can play with their children; but all is not fully changed.  No, in the South it has been said that the most segregated hour is the Eleven o’clock hour on Sunday morning.  For the major part of the south this is very true.  In some ways I understand this, because there is a vast difference in the style and stamina of worship.  Also, the make up of leadership and political beliefs are varied; but whites should never exclude the blacks and blacks ought never to exclude the whites.  We should be able to worship together and for some, like my own church, we are doing that with grace and godly behavior.

            The mandate of the Word of God is to love all people, regardless of their color.  Love that Jesus exemplified before us was a true, godly love.  It is something by which we will be known for as His followers.

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35 KJV)

            “By this,” Jesus said.  By what?  Well look at the preceding verses.  Jesus had showed humility and washed the feet of the disciples.  He portrayed Judas for what he was, a traitor who sold his soul to the devil.  Then He said to the eleven remaining disciples that the new commandment He was putting before them was to love all people-everyone-no matter the color of their skin or the ancestry they come from.  We prove we are His disciples by the love we show.  Now, there is the chosen of God-those who have believed on Him and trusted Him will show love to all people.  That my friend is TRUTH!

            The Old Testament saints quoted the words, which Jesus reiterated, but also explained:

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31 KJV)

He also stated:

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:12-14 KJV)

Love was an incredible action, which Jesus revealed in His life and message.  That is what love is-action!  We show that we belong to Him when we love all people.  It is not an easy task, it requires work, but in the end it is the action by which others know we are His disciples; His followers.

Jesus loved all people.  He loved the sin sick, the physically sick, the helpless and the hopeless.  There was no one He did not love.  As His followers we too are to love all people.  Jesus did not accept the sin and neither should we; but He loved them through the sin.  He loved the person and hated the sin.

Paul picked up on this theme of love when he wrote:

“Let all your things be done with charity.” (1 Corinthians 16:14 KJV)

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Galatians 5:14 KJV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 KJV)

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment…” (Philippians 1:9 KJV)

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:2-5 KJV)

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Colossians 3:12-13 KJV)

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you…” (1 Thessalonians 3:12 KJV)

Then James adds:

“If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (James 2:8-9 KJV)   

But John really pounds the nail home:

“He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:9-11 KJV)

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” (1 John 3:14 KJV)

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” (1 John 3:16-19 KJV)

“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.” (1 John 3:23 KJV)

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” (1 John 4:7 KJV)

“No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.” (1 John 4:12-13 KJV)

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20 KJV)

“And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” (1 John 4:21 KJV)

            Wow, a great deal of scripture, right?  Oh, there is so much more that we could add to these.  Just take the time to retrieve a topical Bible and you will find many more verses related to the theme of love-your love for God, God’s love for you, your love for others-and you will see that this is the thread that draws all us together and the very crimson thread that gives us our position as believers.

            When I hear of groups like this one in Lamar County claiming “Christianity” I cringe, because based on these verses alone, they have not learned the truth of God’s Holy Word.  Christians are followers of Christ, and as such demonstrate the same traits and qualities of the Master.  In the New Testament, when the church was in its infancy, those who were followers of Christ were called “Little Christ.”  Why?  They loved like Jesus, walked like Jesus, talked about Jesus, and lived holy lives.  They were Christians by their actions.  By their actions alone, we may judge the fruit of the tree, these folks having the “White’s Only Meetings” in Lamar County are not Christians.  Now that is TRUTH!

            This organization called Christian Identity Ministries reveals something far from Christian or ministry.  The Word of God says Christians take on the personality of the Master Teacher and serve all people.  That is what ministry is; it is serving others.  It does not mean serving our own self-interest, or our own mandate.  No, real Christian ministries do to others as they would do to and for Christ.  How sad it is they have portrayed themselves in this light, when they are not an example of true Christianity.  That is the TRUTH according to the Word of God!

            As for this being some kind of revival, I truly beg to differ here.  Revival is for the church, those who are born-again, washed in the blood, and have failed and faltered in living the Christ-like life.  Revival is not for the non-believer, it is not for the un-regenerate; it for the church of Christ.  Revival is a call of Christ to renew the vows of old, re-ignite the fire of hope and enthusiasm in the life of the believer, and call Christians to repentance and holy living.  Yes, that is what revival is all about; and this meeting in Lamar County was far from that.  It was more of a pep rally for racial bigotry and strife, and a tool of recruitment to join ranks and show disrespect. 

            Yes, I said disrespect.  It is disrespectful to use the name of Christ to further the cause of hatred.  It is disrespectful to Christ and His true followers to hide in the darkness and attempt to say you are in the light.  It is disrespectful to the name of Christ to push a greater chasm into the unifying hope we have in racial reconciliation.  It is a shame to hide behind parts and pieces, and not believe the whole of God’s Word.  It is a sad day when groups such as this one in Lamar County attempt to hide behind the constitutional freedoms we as true Americans hold so dear and precious.  That again is TRUTH!

            And it is a crying shame to burn the cross.  You may think it is nothing more than a piece of wood shaped and fashioned to bring fear and trepidation into those who for centuries have witnessed the spectacle, but that cross you so easily shame by your acts of “ceremony” was what paid the price for me to know true freedom.  One morning Jesus was saddled with a cross and marched to a place called Golgotha.  It was there that soldiers drove spikes into his hands and feet, thus nailing them securely to that rough stake of torture.  With soldiers around Him, they lifted the cross, with Jesus nailed to it, and dropped it into a hole and there He waited in the hot blistering sun for the end to come.  On that cross Jesus shed His blood for you and me.  He shed His precious blood for all who came before Him, all who stood with Him and all who come behind Him.  He shed His blood for the forgiveness of sin for the whole world.  There is TRUTH!

            On that cross hung a man, not a white man, but a Jewish man.  He was not of the poor “European” race you so proudly proclaim as “chosen.”  No, a million times no, He was of Jewish descent and most likely darker than you wish to admit.  But He came not for the Jews, but for the Gentiles, as well.  He came for “whitey and blacky.”  He came for all who had been, were, and were to be born.  No matter what skin they had on the outside, He was not dying for the color of the skin on the outside, but the heart on the inside.  On that day, on that cross, Jesus died for the sin of the world.  “Whosoever will” may come-not a particular race or creed-to Him and the entrance is made possible through the blood of Jesus spilled out on the cross of Calvary.  You want TRUTH, well there it is!         

            Yet you have had your little “lighting ceremony” using a symbol that for over two thousand years stands as a reminder of what Jesus endured so I might be free today, and I say “shame on you.”  I hope you enjoyed your little conference and your “white only crowd.”  I hope that as the cross burned out in that field you felt the heat and it made you sweat in your funny little white robes.  I hope that the sweat trickled down the place where your spin is suppose to be and that it felt hot on your face and arms.  Most importantly I hope that the heat emanating from that cross reminded you of the destiny of those who will so easily and carelessly reject that same symbol and thumb their nose at a holy and just God.  Just saying, because that is the TRUTH!

            The Word of God says the truth will set you free.  So I urge you, reader, to know the truth.  Read the Bible, study to see what you need in those sacred pages.  Surrender your life to Him and follow him.  Most importantly, live for the One who died for you; He loved you more than life itself.

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Celebrating Freedom is a Joy we must never take for granted.

In God We Trust

It is quite alarming in our time to hear the words, “separation of church and state,” as if this were some concept which can prohibit God’s role in governmental affairs and progress us to a godless government.  While there seem to be some who could appreciate the concept of the church quietly existing, leaving government alone; this was not the intent of the Declaration of Independence.

No, the Declaration has more to do with God than some want to admit.  The Founding Fathers who forged this document and declared independence from Great Britain, did so with Creator God in mind.  Two-Hundred thirty-six years ago this July 4^th, the signers of the Declaration of Independence, signed their names with God at the front of their minds and the focus on God as the Supreme future of America. That was the reason they said in the Declaration, “With a firm reliance upon divine Providence.”

A careful reading of the document the signers drafted and approved shows their intent to point to God as the very reason for their freedom.  Four times we find references pointing to God in the document drafted by the signers, which were also approved for the final declaration.  Read carefully:

• “[T]he Laws of Nature and of Nature's God....”

• “[A]ll Men are created equal ... they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights....”

• “[A]ppealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions....”

• “[W]ith a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

When we view the Declaration of Independence from this vantage point, we realize this was not just a document declaring independence from Great Britain, but it was and is a Declaration of Dependence upon Creator God.

As is true of all of history, the secularist will always ask for the pedigree and profile of the ones who authored and acted in regards to historical events and documents.  The signers of the Declaration of Independence have been viewed from every conceivable angle through the years, and especially in these last few years.  Some have come to the conclusion that the majority of them were deists, agnostics and/or atheists.  Yet, if these same people would examine the words and deeds a little closer, they might come to a differing view and their judgments might not be so condemning. 

There were five who served on the committee charged with drafting the Declaration: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston.  Two of these, Jefferson and Franklin, were the most unorthodox Founding Fathers from a Christian perspective and if we must make a religious designation on them, it wouldn’t be deist, but probably Unitarian.  From all indications they both believed in a God who was providentially active in human affairs, but they didn’t believe in the divinity of Jesus and they both promoted biblical Christianity for the new nation.

Thomas Jefferson was appointed to a committee to draft a seal for the newly formed United States that would capture the spirit of this new nation.  Therefore, Jefferson proposed a rendering of the children of Israel being led by God in the wilderness by a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night.  It was Jefferson, as president, who authored the plan of education for the District of Columbia’s public schools, which included these two textbooks: The Bible and Isaac Watts’ “Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs” (1707).  President Jefferson closed his presidential documents with the phrase, “In the year of our Lord Christ; by the President; Thomas Jefferson.”

He faithfully attended church services in the U. S. Capitol building, and even provided the worship service with a government paid orchestra.  When the services grew too large, he began similar Christian services in his own Executive Branch, both at the Treasury building and at the War office.  The ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State would be particularly troubled by this statement made by President Jefferson: “No nation has ever existed or been governed without religion.  Nor can be.  The Christian religion is the best religion that has been given to man and I, as chief magistrate of this nation, am bound to give it the sanction of my example.”

Ben Franklin was raised as a Presbyterian, but never became a Christian and throughout his life experienced several moral failures.  Yet he was supportive of biblical Christianity.  Franklin regularly attended worship at Christ Church in Philadelphia along with many of the Founding Fathers.  In July of 1776, Franklin was also appointed to the same committee along with Jefferson to draft a national seal.  He proposed a rendering of “Moses lifting up his wand, and dividing the red sea, and pharaoh in his chariot overwhelmed with the waters,” and having this motto: “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.”

It is said that Franklin loved George Whitefield, the Great Awakening preacher.  In the last letter Franklin wrote to Whitefield, he expressed a desire to join up with him: “I sometimes wish, that you and I were jointly employ'd by the Crown to settle a colony on the Ohio....  Might it not greatly facilitate the introduction of pure religion among the heathen, if we could, by such a colony, show them a better sample of Christians than they commonly see in our Indian traders?”  He dreamed of working with George Whitefield to demonstrate authentic Christianity!

It was Ben Franklin, the eldest member of the committee drafting our Constitution, who chided the delegates because they had not submitted their plans for a new government to God:

“In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection-our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered.  All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor.

“To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity.  And have we now forgotten that powerful friend?  Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?  I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-that God governs in the affairs of men.  And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?

“We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it' [Psalm 127:1a].  I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages....

“I therefore beg leave to move-that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.”

Here was probably the least religious of the Founding Fathers calling for prayer and quoting Scripture.  Some said it was the turning point of the Constitutional Convention.  Well, so much for the least religious members of the Declaration committee.  What about the other members?

You have heard of John Adams, the nation’s second president.  Yet he is also referred to as a deist or an agnostic or an atheist.  However, consider his words as he reflected on the foundations of our nation in a letter to Thomas Jefferson some 40 years after helping him draft and then sign the Declaration.  John Adams stated in that letter: “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were ... the general principles of Christianity....  Now I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”  The general principles upon which our nation was founded, said John Adams, were the general principles of Christianity.  He doesn’t sound much like a deist, agnostic, or atheist to me.

What about Roger Sherman?  He was distinguished as the only Founding Father to sign all four major founding documents: The Articles of Association, 1774; The Declaration of Independence, 1776; The Articles of Confederation, 1777; and The Constitution of the United States, 1787.  He also was there for the debate on the Bill of Rights guaranteeing among other things our religious freedom.  He seconded Franklin’s motion that Congress have a chaplain lead prayer, and supported Elias Boudinot’s motion to have a national day of Thanksgiving to God when the amendments to the Constitution passed.

As a member of the White Haven Congregational Church, Roger Sherman was asked to use his expertise in revising the wording of the congregation's statement of faith, which states in part: “I believe that God ... did send his own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind, so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the gospel offer.”  Sherman even preached on occasion.  One of his sermons was titled: “A Short Sermon on the Duty of Self-Examination Preparatory to Receiving the Lord's Supper.”  Sherman also faithfully served as a deacon as well as church clerk and treasurer.  The epitaph on his tombstone reads: “He ever adorned the profession of Christianity which he made in youth; and, distinguished through life for public usefulness, died in the prospect of a blessed immortality.”

Robert Livingston was the final member of the Declaration committee.  A graduate of King’s College (Columbia University), Livingston helped draft, but for some unknown reason, did not sign the Declaration.  Yet he is also described as a “sincere and devoted Christian.”

In fact, of the 56 signers of the Declaration, about half were educated in schools established for the purpose of training ministers for the Gospel, and thus received degrees from what many today would consider seminaries.  Several of the Founders also served as ministers, chaplains or were active in Christian service.

After our Founding Fathers approved the Declaration of Independence on July 2, John Hancock and Charles Thomson signed it to make it legal on July 4th.  John Adams proposed that when America’s future citizens celebrated the Declaration of Independence, it ought to be done by recognizing God.  He wrote his wife, Abigail, that the day should be “celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.  It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.”

This week we celebrate the 236th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  When you celebrate, remember the words of John Adams and thank God for the blessings of liberty we enjoy in America, and for those 56 men who not only declared their independence from Great Britain, but their dependence upon Almighty God. 

Research for this article and excerpts herein, are from: “Were the Signers Just a Bunch of Deists?” 7/7/2006 in Baptist Press, http://www.baptistpress.org, by Kenyn M. Cureton is vice president for convention relations for the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee; “Rise of the American Nation,” a textbook from 1961 by Harcourt, Brace and World, Inc.