Back to Church at Rockford #3

Church Not Important For Spiritual Growth, Americans Say

Almost three-fourths of Americans claim to be Christians, but only a small fraction consider church the place to deepen their faith, a new survey says.

Less than 20 percent of American adults believe participation in a congregation is critical to spiritual growth, and just as few agree that only through participation in a faith community will they reach their full potential, the Barna Research Group reported April 18, 2006.

Based on interviews with 1,003 adults from across the nation, the telephone surveys also found that as few as 17 percent of adults said "a person's faith is meant to be developed mainly by involvement in a local church."  What's more, only one-third of all evangelicals -- the group most likely to attend church -- endorsed the concept.

And while 72 percent of Americans claim they have personally committed themselves to Jesus Christ, less than 50 percent attend religious services on a weekly basis.

"These figures emphasize how soft people's commitment to God is," evangelical researcher George Barna said in the report.  "Americans are willing to expend some energy in religious activities such as attending church and reading the Bible, and they are willing to throw some money in the offering basket, but when it comes time to truly establishing their priorities and making a tangible commitment to knowing and loving God, most people stop short."

Barna also said the results should challenge church leaders to foster a "more positive community experience."  Instead of a generic church model, which emphasizes attendance and experience-driven services, Barna said, churches should try for relationships that are less fluid in nature.

"Jesus' example leaves no room for doubt about the significance of involvement in a faith community," he said, adding that a "biblical understanding of the preeminence of community life" takes strategic planning and time.

The survey, conducted in January, queried a random sampling of people 18 years and older living in the continental United States.  The geographic distribution of survey respondents corresponded to that of the U.S. population.

From Associated Baptist Press (www.abpnews.com); 4/21/06; Hannah Elliott

Back to Church at Rockford #2

The Church Is Essential To the Christian

The great preacher Elton Trueblood once described the church like this: "The church is essential to the Christian, not because it brings him personal advancement or even inspiration, but because, with all its failures, it is an indispensable instrument for the redemption of the world."

(Dynamic Preaching)

Back to Church at Rockford

Christian Without Church

Nowhere in the Bible does it say we must have our names on a church membership roll to be saved. That doesn't mean, however, that joining with other believers in a local church is not vital to our spiritual growth. Gathering regularly for worship and instruction encourages love for others, good works, and mutual accountability (Hebrews 10:24,25).

I read an article some time ago that likened the Christian without a church to:

  * A student who won't go to school 

  * A soldier without an army 

  * A citizen who won't vote 

  * A seaman without a ship 

  * A child without a family 

  * A drummer without a band 

  * A ballplayer without a team 

  * A honeybee without a hive 

  * A scientist who does not share his finding with his colleagues

Are you going to the polls?

This week many will go to the polls to participate in local elections-mayoral races and council elections-and it will be a busy week for some incorporated communities, towns, and cities.  In our little town we will not have an election.  No one qualified to run for mayor or for the town council, so the present body will be certified for four more years.  Yet, in a neighboring town there is a hotly contested mayoral race that is taking shape and may be worth watching, with the long-term incumbent facing off with three others who are attempting to unseat him.  We are predicting a run-off in that election.

            Many will use every excuse to stay away from the polls on Tuesday.  They will use the same excuses they have used for years upon years.  Some of these are prevailing sentiments, which tend to grate on my nerves:

“There is not need for me to go and vote, when the thing is already decided.”

“I don’t have time to do that and get all of the others things done I have to do on that day.”

“A crook is a crook is a crook, and I don’t care what crook gets in office.”

“There is no one I like.”

“There is not selection.”

“It is a waste of time.”

            These are just a few of the excuses I have heard in my few years of following the election process.  I personally believe that people ought to vote, vote every chance they get, and stay informed as to every election.  That is the way I see it and I am sticking to my opinion.

            When I register to vote, I could not wait to go to the polls and make my mark on the ballot.  It was something I will never forget.  We were voting for a President that year and I felt as if I had been given power and the privilege of be a part of the process.  That feeling is the same today, as it was those many years ago.  I have only missed one election, and it was a run-off, since that day. 

            It is a right of passage for the young person, and it is a privilege to us who have been doing so for many years.  The opportunity to participate in the process of who will be the one holding the office is such a sacred and awesome privilege, one which many take for granted.  Not me, I want to be there and be a part of the process because it is both a right and obligation I have been afforded in this country, and one for which I am very happy to have.

            Some countries still have yet to enjoy this freedom.  They are told who will lead them and they have no say so in the matter.  They must bow and bend to the way of the government, doing whatever is said to do, when to do, hoe to do, and to accept what ever is given-like it or not.  How very grateful I am to live in America!

            Still the sad thing is the ones who do not vote, and in our county that averages out to almost sixty percent, want to enjoy the freedom to speak out about the decisions leaders make who hold offices.  They do not and will not lift a hand to help get someone into office, but you better believe they are going to speak up and speak out against the ones they refused to vote for or against some decision which is made that they do not like. 

            I still believe that if you do not vote, you need to stay quiet and let things be as they are.  By not voting, no matter what your reason is, you forfeit your right and privilege to have a say in the government you so easily disregard.

            Are you going to vote this week?        

Evangelism is paramount for growing a church

Paramount: As an adjective, the word means, “Chief in importance or impact; supreme, preeminent; a point of paramount significance.”  It also has to do with being “above others in rank or authority; superior in power;” therefore we think of evangelism in the church as paramount.

Evangelism is the supreme, dominant factor in growing a true New Testament church.  It is chief and principal in all that we do as God’s people; the overriding thing in the vision and focus of the church; vital for life now and the days to come.

Let me introduce you to the priority purposes of the church, before we look at this one, chief purpose.  In his book entitled, The Purpose Driven Church, author and Pastor Rick Warren, lays out for us the purposes of the church in chapter five, “Defining Your Purposes. “ On page 103, he begins giving the definition of these purposes, as he names them off one by one: Worship, Ministry, Evangelism, Fellowship, and Discipleship.

Some have said that these are new, and exciting insights into the purpose of the purpose of the church.  Yet, as we look into the book of Acts, we see that the First Century Church put them into practice immediately on and after the Day of Pentecost.  The scripture we find to make a foundation for this belief is found in Acts 2:

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 2:37-47 (KJV)

In the preceding verses you see that the purposes listed from The Purpose Driven Church, as right there, active in the First Century Church.  They are in fellowship with each other, sharing the message of Christ, worshipping the One Holy True God, ministering to each other, and growing in the teaching and the doctrine.  What a wonderful thing we see, as it is made alive for us in that text.

Let there be real harmony so that there won’t be splits in the church…Be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. (1 Corinthians 1:10 Living Bible)

When Jesus spoke to His disciples, we have recorded for us in Matthew 28, those last few verses what we have grown to know as the Great Commission.  Read with me the words:

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

(Matthew 28:18-20 KJV)

If this verse is true-which I whole heartedly believe to be nothing more and nothing less than the inspired Word of God-then we are commanded to be about the business of evangelism.  As ambassadors of Christ our mission is to communicate the Good News that Jesus came to “seek and save that which was lost.”  We seek Peter doing just that in the earlier part of Acts 2.

The scripture tells us that after the events of Pentecost, as the Spirit came to rest on them, and empowering them, Peter stood, under the inspiration and the direction of God to preach and preach he did!  What a sermon.  He led them through the history of the nations, told them that Jesus-the Messiah-had come and they had nailed Him to an old wooden Cross, and He died for the sins of the people.  But Jesus came back from the dead and now lives among His people, empowering them to serve with Him in the building of the Kingdom.

When Peter finished preaching, three thousand people came to know Jesus as Savior of their lives.  WOW!  In our churches today this would present some real problems and constant headaches for the leadership.  We would have seating problems, parking problems, nursery problems, restroom problems, and problems on top of problems.  Would not that be the greatest thing to ever happen in some of our churches?

Evangelism is so paramount to the growth and vitality of the church, that Jesus gave not just one Great Commission, but five-YES FIVE!  There is one in each of the gospels, and one in the Book of Acts.  We have recorded and you have already read the one we know so well, but…

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

(Mark 16:15 KJV)

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

(Luke 24:47-49 KJV)

Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

(John 20:21 KJV)

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

(Acts 1:8 KJV)

We are to tell the world about Jesus!  We are to carry the message of grace and mercy to all peoples, to every tongue, to the ends of the earth, and not rest until all have heard the message of life and hope found in Christ Jesus.  It is more than a responsibility, it is a privilege.  We have been invited to be a part of the greatest act of a Christians life, “telling another beggar where to find bread.”  The church must be actively involved in the task of reaching people if it is to grow and continue to remain a viable ministry in this world.

During a testimony time one Sunday evening, as several stood and shared how wonderful it was to know Jesus, to share Him with others and to be a part of the work of carrying to the message to ends of the world, the matron saint (well maybe it would be better to just say the Church Matron) slowly stood to her feet.  The words from her mouth were as cold water being poured on the back of someone whose clothes were on fire.  She stated matter-of-factly, “Well love our small church and we are thankful for the little congregation, and we want it to stay that way.”

As she sat down something hit me, and it was not cold water, it was a thought; one which was both startling and convicting.  If that little church had the answer to cancer, would it share that message with others?  Say someone in the congregation had the cure, they were sure that it was the answer for the millions of people who were affected by the most difficult and disheartening thing in the world, would they make it available for the whole world?  Would they risk being involved in making a difference in the lives of individuals and families?  Would they take the risk of having to build and add ministries and expend money so others might know of their findings?

The answer came quickly and quietly.  It took my breathe away and caused great sorrow.  The answer was “No they would no.  Not at all.  Because they were a ‘small church…little congregation,’ and those who had the say-so liked it that way.”  (A month later I was no longer afflicted…no I mean affiliated with that ‘small church….little congregation.”)

Warren writes, “You’ve been given the Gospel of eternal life to share, which is the greatest news of all!  As long as there is one person in the world who does not know Christ, the church has a mandate to keep growing.  Growth is not optional; it is commanded by Jesus.  We should not seek church growth for our own benefit, but because Jesus wants people saved.”

Some church folks think that since they are giving money to support missions in some other part of the world, they have done the job-have fulfilled the Great Commission.  Still others think that there money pays the preacher to do the work and he will take care of things; there is not need for them to GO.  Then others say, they have done their part, it is time for someone else to step up and take charge of sharing the gospel.

We are to support missions, we are to pay the preacher, and we are to work in the Kingdom in such a way that we lead others to take over and go further in the work.  But none of these should make us think we are not to serve in sharing the gospel of Christ with the world.

Through our life and through all areas of our involvement within the church and without, we are to be witnesses of the Good News.  Through word and deed, we make a difference and give others an opportunity to seek Christ. (Acts 7:22; James 1:21)  This gives the name of Christ proclamation, and invites the Holy Spirit to work in the life of individuals we come in contact with, so He might draw them into His embrace and lead to them to the church-the Family of God.

Evangelism is paramount for church growth.  As we unite ourselves together, serve each other and the Lord, we are allowing the Holy Spirit to use us in the Kingdom.    

What to Do…

Every Thursday morning I share breakfast with some of the men who bravely get up early and willingly meet with me for prayer and fellowship.  It is a great time of old fashioned ribbing, laughter, talking politics, and yes prayer.

While prayer is our main objective, we do discuss other things as well.  We talk about the weather, gardens, cows and chickens, wives (all good, if any of ours wives is reading), children, friends, a little gossip, and yes, we talk about politics.

These men are read blooded Americans who have lived life, enjoyed the pleasures of what it has to offer, who trust God for salvation, and who I truly enjoy being with, sharing time with and learning from.  We have a preacher (other than myself), a retired Sailor/Air Traffic Controller/University Instructor, a retired banker, a retired heavy equipment operator, a policeman, a deputy, the Sheriff, the Circuit Clerk, a Probate Judge, a Federal Game Warden, a semi-retired heavy equipment operator/land manager, the Fire Chief, and from time to time we will have the pleasure of a few high school students meeting with us. 

Now, honestly, not all of these make a regular appearance at the Thursday morning “Pastor’s Breakfast” or “Men’s Prayer Breakfast,” but I can count on half of these to be there and sometimes shuffle the personalities.  A lot like church attendance; depends on what shift someone is working.  The average Southern Baptist church in America only sees fifty percent of their Sunday School enrollment or less on a regular basis.  I have always said, “The FBI could not find the majority of my absentee members, and half of those they are already looking for.”

As I stated, we do talk about politics, and there are varying opinions which are placed on the table.  Various ideas and thoughts regarding the plight on today’s world.  Recent weeks we have discussed all of the major situations and problems which abound.  With the upcoming election looming on the horizon, I figure we are going to need to do more praying than we do discussions; but I must tell you there are a few of us who are very strong willed (heard headed) and I am very, very sure that we will have some heated debates.

Our climate for the political arena is really heating up.  As new numbers appear regarding unemployment, the economy, the state of education, and military we see that we are in a “world of hurt.”  Recently, the issue of the President’s use of Executive Power and the way he has handled matters regarding everything from religion to the debt has put the nation on edge.  Congress seems to be at a stalemate, the prices of commodities soar up and up, the struggles to maintain life for the majority of citizens is a task, and the major problems of society are almost overwhelming.

With these things before us, what are we to do?  

One thing we can do is stay informed.  Read the papers, watch the news, and discuss the issues with others.  Learn what the problems are in the world and be educated.

Two, we need to vote and make sure everybody is register to vote.  The sad state of affairs in America today is that the minority of people make the decisions for the rest of the people who are too lazy, or too apathetic to be involved in the democratic process.  Someone fought for your right to vote; therefore instead of disgracing their memory and shunning their hard work, go to the polls and make your voice be heard.  You need to know that I take it as an honor to vote, and then to let those who are elected know that I will be in touch with them when I have a problem or they need to be reminded of who they work for.  If you do not vote; you do not have a right to grumble or complain.

Lastly, we need to pray.  Listen, we are to pray for those who are in authority over us.  They have a terrific and all consuming job, and they need for the American people to pray for them.  On the other hand, God’s word is very clear that we are to pray, so that He might bless us.

I will tell you more about the Thursday morning breakfast and some of the opinions we toss back and forth.  But until then, I am praying for America!   

The King speaks of salvation

Oh, I praise the Lord today.  I am having, what one of my dear preacher friends says, something called a “holy fit.”  When I start to think that the King of Glory came to man, to live among man, to save sinful man; to give me a hope, a future, a life.  It makes me want to shout!

The powerful word of the King is not just judgment against the life of depravity and the obsessive sinfulness of the fallen human nature.  Let us today thank God for the power and word of the King; it is for our salvation.

Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.

Ecclesiastes 8:1-5 (KJV)

Romans 10:28 read that this “Is…the word of faith, which we preach…” (Romans 10:8 KJV)  It is what we preach at Rockford Church.  We preach faith!  Our slogan is that we are “Families Founded in Faith.”  We preach Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World!

“I give unto them eternal life and they will never perish neither shall anyone, the devil and all the hosts of hell pluck them out of my hand” [John 10:28]. 

The word of salvation…the word of the power of King Jesus; that is His word to receive us.  We read in John 6: “They that come unto Me, I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)  The powerful word of King Jesus!  We read in Matthew 26: “This is My blood of the new covenant,” the New Testament, shed for the remission of our sins.” (Matthew 26:28)  This is the powerful word of King Jesus, the word to keep us.  In the eighth chapter of the Book of Romans, Paul closes with these words: “I am persuaded, neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities…nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38, 39)  Because of the WORD OF THE LORD-KING JESUS-we are saved forever!

Something difficult to comprehend at times, but truth all the same.  It is something which is hard for us to allow our minds and our hearts to wrap around; for me to realize how the Lord emphasizes, not only receiving us, not only washing us, not only keeping us, but how He is going to raise us up at the last day. 

“This is the will of the Father that sent Me” [John 6:39]. 

Just look at how often He repeats this word: “of all that he has given me. . . . I shall raise them up at the last day.” (John 10:39)  Continue to read, same chapter of John, the next verse: “And this is the will of Him who sent me, that every one who sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 10:40)  Now, move on to the next: “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 10:44)  And then again: “Who ever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 10:54) 

We have to reason that He repeats this so often in this passage of Scripture, is emphazie our final triumph, which will come by the power of the King.  That is when He will bring us-those who called by His name-out of that dust of the ground and out of the depths of the grave; at the time appointed when God is going to raise us up.  We are going to be resurrected!  We are going to have a new body!  What a triumph!  What a victory!  What a glorious day God has prepared for those who love Him!

How do I achieve this wonderful experience of salvation?  How do I write my name in the Book of Life?  I know someone who belongs to a church that believes that it is by your good works that you are saved.  You are going to get to heaven by working, by doing good.  By taking care of all of those things pertaining to work, he believes he will be saved.  And he is scared to death.  When I look into his eyes and I hear him speak I will see in him and I will hear from his own voice the fear he lives with every day.  He does not know whether he is going to make it to heaven or not.  “What if I am not good enough?  And what if my works are not acceptable?”

He thinks he has to work himself into glory.  Did you know that the majority of the Christian world believes that doctrine?  You work yourself into heaven; you are saved by your good works.  Practically all of Christendom teaches that doctrine.  That is not what the Bible teaches us. 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works

Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)

“No,” and a thousand times I say, “NO!”  The Bible teaches us that we are saved by the grace of God.  It is by faith we are saved.  It is not by our own works, but by His love and grace we are saved in this life and saved for the life to come.  Notice what Paul writes in the book of Ephesians (2:8-9): “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourself: It is a gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”  We are saved by grace, through faith!  Any other way and we would be able to say, “I did it.  I came to Christ in my own strength.  I have eternity because of what I did.  I did my way!”   No, sir!  That is not the way it is done. 

When we stand in His presence, we will sing the song of the Lamb.  He did it!  We will say, “I am here by the love and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  He did it!  There is no other way to the Father, but by Jesus Christ and accepting His payment and forgiveness for your sin.

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)

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13 (KJV)

If all of that is true, why do you work?  Why do you try?  If Jesus is going to save us, why don’t we just let Him save us and then we go out here and live like the devil?  Or, God help us, like the world, why don’t we just go out here and live like they do?  Why, well the answer is as plain as the nose on you face.  I may not be working for my salvation but I am working because of it!  You see, the story is simple: Jesus died for me; Jesus saved me; Jesus poured out His blood and His life, for me; and out of love for the Lord, I seek to serve Him both day and by night.  I seek to serve Him and be a witness for Him in the good and the bad times of life! 

Jacob is a great example for us.  The Bible tells us that he worked fourteen years for Rachel; and then was not given her hand in marriage.  He was tricked and it was an awful thing.  But his desire was for Rachel and it never wavered.  So he worked seven more years, and he after seven more years he was tricked, again.  At the end of seven years, he worked seven more years.  Why?  Most of us would have given up after the first fourteen, or maybe not even tried the first year.  But the Bible say it was just as a day because of his love for Rachel. 

You do what you are doing just for the love of God.  It is not because you are working your way into heaven, or trying to be good enough to stand before the King, but doing what you do just for the love of the Lord.

Here is a picture, if you will, of what being born again like.  You have a boy, he will not comb his hair.  He will not wear a belt.  He will not tuck his shirt into his pants.  So he goes around-all over town-and looks like a bum; a stray.  Here he is, his pants around his ankles and he looks like he has slept in his clothes for a week-and there is nothing in the world you can do to change him.  Then, all of the sudden; one day you walk by the hall bathroom and there he is, in there primping before the mirror.  He is putting some foreign looking foam in his hair, spraying his hair, styling his hair.  He is tucking his shirt in and you take note that he is wearing his pants at the proper place.  He even bends over and is shining his shoes.  He is dressing up.  Before you pass out on the floor, you see him spraying something that smells wonderful…

What is the matter with him?  I will tell you that it is because of love he is doing all these things.  He has fallen in love.  There is some pretty check waiting for him at McDonalds, where they will stare into each others eyes over a milkshake, with two straws.  Afterwards they will go to the movies, spending a few hours together in each others company.  Yep, he has fallen in love, and he is a new creation.  He is a new man.  He is somebody else.

 

That is a picture of you and me, friend.  That is a picture of what it means to be born again.  You have fallen in love with Jesus and you are a new man.  You are a new person.  You are somebody else.  That is what love does.  And that is what Jesus puts in our hearts when we fall in love with Him.

 

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Chick-Fil-A Sandwich and an order of Standing for Truth, please

Wednesday, August 1 was a very big day for Chick-Fil-A.  Their franchise restaurants around the country served more food in one day, equal to what they might serve in three days, and all because of a stand made by COO Dan Cathy.

Furthermore, some of the stores in our area of the south sold out during the day.  There were long lines during lunch and supper, people willing to stand in those same lines, if it took hours, because they wanted to show support for Chick-Fil-A, the Cathy family, and the owners and managers, workers and for TRUTH.  Most were served fairly quickly, because Chick-Fil-A prides itself in efficiency.

I have looked to see if there would be any reports on the financial success of that one day for this Christian business.  But “surprise, surprise,” as Gomer (Jim Nabors-an Alabama boy) would say, there has been no word yet, none, and most likely we will not hear or see anything; which does not bother me one bit.  I am not surprised at all.

The Cathy’s run an excellent, family oriented, Christian business.  From day one, they have built upon the principles of the Word of God and have not faltered, not once in that very area.  Truett Cathy vowed from the beginning not to open on Sunday, knowing full well that this would affect the bottom line of the business-the profits.  It cost him in being a presence at ball parks, amusement parks, and other such places where he would be required to be open seven days a week, or at the least on Sunday.  Instead, Mr. Cathy chose the high road, the road less traveled and God has blessed him and his family bountifully.

All of the Cathy family is involved in the life Southern Baptist Churches.  They teach Sunday School, work with the children and youth in their churches, and reflect the life of Christ in all that they do.  Mr. Truett set the tone from the very beginning as he devoted his life to family and faith.  All who have come behind him have found him faithful and have flowed his example.

So why the big surprise when Dan talks on a family, Christian media outlet, regarding his faith in God, family life, and God’s blessings on the marriage relationship which God ordained from day one?  It is said, on this Christian news outlet, that Mr. Cathy stated that all of the Cathy’s were still married to their first wives, that they believed in the marriage relationship set forth by the Word of God, established by God Himself, and that anyone who attempts to change it is shaking their fist in the face of God and saying that they know better than God how to do things.

Well, he was right.  He sure was.  I will only point you to Genesis chapter one and two, where God creates man, then woman and places them in the Garden of Eden to serve Him.  That is where the truth is and you do not have to go running all over the world to get that as truth.  It is found right there in the Holy, sacred pages of the Bible.  TRUTH!

The liberal media is like a dog with a bone.  Give them a piece of something to chew on and they will chew it to death.  And with this story, they took it and ran with it.  They stirred up every known group they could to get them to join the band wagon of anti-Chick-Fil-A-dom and in the process it back fired.  It back fired big time!

Instead of millions boycotting the business, millions voted for the TRUTH with their presence.  Some may not have agreed with Dan, but they agreed that he had a right to speak TRUTH into this nation.  A right, I may add, that is given as a freedom for all who are American citizens.  A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT.  A right he was willing to use, but others were willing to bash.

We live in a world where there are those who would rather not hear the opinions of others.  Someone speaks their opinion and it is pointed, the opposing side will get upset, mad, and furious.  They will call us bigots, racist, homophobic, radicals, intolerant, biased, and so on.  They want their rights, but when others exercise their rights, then “Kathy bar the door!” 

Also, there are those who have condemned Cathy’s remarks, saying he has used theology and his Christian beliefs to aid and boost business.  I will stand flat footed and tell you that is not the reason for his statement.  He spoke the TRUTH because he loves the Lord and willingly, humbly spoke of his faith and principles in the marketplace.  There is nothing wrong with that.

For those who think that Cathy was using this pad his pockets and the entire family’s pockets with the green backs, then you do not know the Cathy family.  This is a family that willingly lives to give to others.  When tornadoes devastate communities, they are there to help and feed.  When people are hurting and hopeless, they are there to share what they have to help them.  They give freely to many cuass and do so without fanfare or proclamation; as other secular businesses do.

They might serve waffle fires with their sandwich, but they are not waffling when it comes to Christian principles and Biblical truth.  They are willingly standing in the gap for this nation.  May God bless them for their stand!  I pray they have the best year of their lives as they feed us and stand for TRUTH!

We need to learn a few lessons from this and order a Chick-Fil-A Sandwich and an order of Standing for the TRUTH!