A CONVENIENT OMISSION

From My Perspective - - -

Our nation has come a long way in the past seven decades. In the process, we have drifted further and further from confidence in the Almighty God and His moral values for all people. The motto “In God We Trust” has become hollow in meaning and more absent than present in our way of life and governance of the nation. One example of A Convenient Omission is the absence of the D-Day Prayer of Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the monument erected to honor him in Washington, DC. His address to the nation on the occasion of a turning point of World War II was the following: Franklin Roosevelt's D-Day Prayer - June 6, 1944 - My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far. And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home. Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas -- whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts. Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces. And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen. 

Let us endeavor to bring this Convenient Omission to an end as we remember and practice – Proverbs 14:34 (NLT) – “Godliness (Righteousness) exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Let us also remember Psalm 33:12, 20-21 (NKJV) – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord… Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.” We need to look to Him – and - return to Him NOW. Consider these things with me!

FACTS OR FEELINGS

From My Perspective - - -

An old expression that addresses how many people operate in daily life is: “don’t confuse me with the facts!” In general, such a person is attempting to face the challenges of living by not getting involved in too many details and/or principles for behavior. The approach operates at a level of: “if it looks good/right and feels good/right – then – it must be good/right. There is no logic attached to the conclusion – just feeling – how do I feel becomes life’s most important question and issue.

One News Now has a post by John Rosemond where he shares several thoughts including: “When I was growing up, it was said that one should not engage in discussions of religion or politics. These days, engaging in conversation concerning how someone raises their children is just as likely to end the relationship as a discussion of their religious or political beliefs. The further problem is that anti-intellectualism is in the air. In The Iron Lady, the aged Margaret Thatcher, as portrayed by Meryl Streep, becomes quite agitated when her physician asks her how she's feeling. She reprimands him, noting that it is a person's thoughts, not their feelings, that truly count, that truly reflect the character of the person.” At best, this reflection from The Iron Lady would be a secular approach to facing life and any decisions attached to daily living. It focuses on only one aspect of what a person is and absents itself from the broader view of what makes a person who he/she really is, namely, both body and soul that contains a mind, emotions, and a will.

Many years ago, Dr. Bill Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ produced a Booklet entitled: “Have You Made The Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life?” Contained in the Booklet is a simple illustration – A Train with just three cars – an Engine, a Coal Tender, and a Caboose. The Engine is labeled Fact; the Coal Tender is labeled Faith; and the Caboose is labeled Feeling. It is used to illustrate this Statement: “Do not depend upon feelings. The Promise of God’s Word, not our feelings, is our Authority. The Christian lives by Faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word. The Train diagram illustrates the relationship between Fact (God and His Word); Faith (our Trust In God and His Word); and (Feeling ((the result of our faith and obedience…The Train will run with or without the Caboose. However, it would be futile to attempt to pull the train by the Caboose. In the same way, we, as Christians, do not depend upon feelings or emotions, but we place our Faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God and the promises of His Word…”

The reality is (a) there is no power or authority with Feelings (The Caboose) – they are temporal and are impacted by events and happenings; (b) Feelings will have peaks and valleys – the feel-good (euphoric) – and - feel-bad (depressed) moments; (c) Feelings are always subjective; (d) Feelings are unreliable for decision-making. On the other end of The Train is the Engine – Fact. The engine is the source of power and authority – always reliable and a dependable guide for any decision and every life. It would be wise to place your FAITH in the FACT (The Engine) rather than in FEELING (The Caboose). How do you operate your life – by how you feel – or – by what you know The Word of God instructs? Are you trying to pull your Train with the Caboose (Feeling) or by relying upon the Engine (Fact – God’s Word)?

The Scripture Text used with The Train illustration is John 14:21, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” Jesus stated it simply and directly. There was no “If it makes you feel good, then you should do it” kind of milquetoast approach. It was clear and forthright – obedience to the commands demonstrates one’s love for Christ. Anything else falls short and misses the opportunity of being loved and guided throughout life by The Triune God. It’s a journey and relationship you should desire and seek – you will not be disappointed if you do so! Consider these things with me!

THE GAP THAT KEEPS ON GROWING

From My Perspective - - -

For generations, the United States has been references as being “The Great Melting Pot” – or – the place where the sonnet – The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus (1849-1897) – would be the extended welcome to any and all who would desire freedom and opportunity within the shores of this nation. The words of welcome etched at the base of The Statue of Liberty include: “…cries she, with silent lips: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these – the homeless, the tempest-tossed to me – I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

In June 2010, Conner Dougherty wrote in the Wall Street Journal – “U.S. Nears Racial Milestone.” In his article, he stated: “Whites are on the verge of becoming a minority among newborn children in the U.S., marking a demographic shift that is already reshaping the nation's politics and economy. The Census reported Thursday that nonwhite minorities accounted for 48.6% of the children born in the U.S. between July 2008 and July 2009, gaining ground from 46.8% two years earlier. The trajectory suggests that minority births will soon eclipse births of whites of European ancestry….” In May 2012, he has updated his report to state: “Big Generation Gaps in U.S. Racial Composition.” His report contains the following (including charts and counties that demonstrate his thesis): The U.S. has hit a racial tipping point where less than half of newborns are whites of European descent. But since the older population still has a strong majority of non-Hispanic whites, these racial changes have big generational divides…The biggest divides are in rural counties, many of which have seen out-and-out declines in their white population, leading to big percentage gains. Still, many larger counties have huge white/minority divides that are a great illustration of how different generations view issues of race and immigration. Take, for instance, Maricopa County, Ariz., which surrounds Phoenix and is a hotbed for the nation’s continuing debate over illegal immigration. Maricopa had an 18.4 percentage point gap between the share of the overall population that is non-Hispanic white and the share of kids under 5. In other words, while non-Hispanic whites are still a strong majority of Maricopa’s overall population, white children are a clear minority…”

In May 2012, another article was published by Dr. Peter Jones with the title: “May 09, 2012: The Official End of Christendom?” His article includes the following: “Fox News journalist, Shep Smith, welcomed President Obama into the 21^st century and declared those who still oppose same-sex marriage to be on the wrong side of history. May 9, 2012 was indeed an historic moment. Though President Obama bathed his decision in Christian principles: “…our faith…is not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf but it’s also the golden rule…treat others the way you’d want to be treated...”For the first time ever, a sitting US president, considered the most powerful political leader in the world, has endorsed a marital arrangement that formally constitutes the pagan “worship of the creation rather than worship of the Creator” (Romans 1:25)… We must not panic or exaggerate, nor cease to love homosexual individuals. But we must not re-interpret “Christian” love, so that our contemporary culture can reject God the Creator in favor of self-serving desires. The Gospel love story of creation and redemption must be heard via a clear witness to the biblical worldview, as Paul articulates it in Colossians 1:19–20: “For in Christ…by whom all things were created…[God] through him reconcile[d] to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

A greater concern pertains to the “Christian Churches” in our nation. Have they kept apace with the changing demographics and ethnicity shift? Have the words of The New Colossus found application within the “church”? The plurality in many of them is white. The vision for the Mission Fields brought into the communities of this nation is ignored. Our children learned the chorus that contained: “Red and Yellow, Black and White – they are precious in His sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world.” Are they precious in our sight and loved by us in “the church”?  In Exodus 22:21, the children of Israel were instructed: “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.” In Ephesians 2:12-13, “remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Consider these things with me!

REDEFINING

From My Perspective - - -

For half a century, our nation has been redefining cultural and moral values – from the aborting of fetuses to redefining subjects for marriages. Many of these redefining moments find their focus and motivation based upon a political agenda and/or voter support. Why has redefining become an act in the present? The daily update of World Magazine has the following poignant statement: “President Obama announced in a Wednesday interview with ABC News that he now personally supports same-sex marriage. The announcement was practically forced upon the president a few days after Vice President Joe Biden said that he supported gay marriage. Biden’s comments made the question of the president’s position on the issue perennial in White House press briefings. ‘I’d hesitated on gay marriage in part because I thought civil unions would be sufficient…And I was sensitive to the fact that for a lot of people the word marriage was something that invokes very powerful traditions, religious beliefs, and so forth…In the end the values that I care most deeply about… is how we treat other people…when we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing Himself on our behalf, but it’s also the Golden Rule—treat others the way you would want to be treated…that’s what motivates me as president, and I figure the most consistent I can be in being true to those precepts, the better I’ll be as a dad and a husband and hopefully the better I’ll be as president.”

Those who adhere to Political Correctness will accommodate a voter base and redefine a traditional and/or moral standard for the sake of gaining votes and being re-elected to office. A greater problem arises when Theological Correctness assumes a similar posture to become all things to all people. In a Christian Post Article, Dr. Albert Mohler, a key leader in the Southern Baptist Church, warns: “The urgency to reach people with the Gospel can, if the church is not faithful and watchful, tempt us to subvert the Gospel by redefining its terms. Specifically, Dr. Mohler drew attention to how some evangelical mega-churches appear to be softening their positions on homosexuality. He calls on evangelical leaders to steer clear of the sinking sand of celebrating homosexuality—a quicksand that the mainline churches…have fallen into. Many evangelicals today need to take a hard look at what happened to their mainline forebears…”

Dr. Michael Youseff adds in his Blog: “I am hearing the same language I heard 25 years ago: We must love without passing judgment…We need to accept people regardless of their moral practices. But my concern goes far beyond those misleading statements. The questions that no one seems to ask in the midst of this muddled thinking are: Why is the homosexual lobby adamant that their practice should not only be accepted, but celebrated, especially by Christian leaders? When they know full well what Scripture says? Why does the homosexual lobby feel that it’s not enough for the church to love and care for them as individuals?...The deliberate and definitive answer to those questions must always be: God’s Word must be obeyed over the trends of culture and the perceived need to give Christianity a “good” image…We must stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and not the sinking sand of the world.”

God’s views and standards have not changed. The lifestyles of Sodom and Gomorrah would be and are still condemned by a Holy God. Romans 1:18-32 continues to be the expression of God’s judgment toward alternate lifestyle and practice – “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due…who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” This is God’s analysis and definition. Make certain your definition squares with His – regardless of the cultural pressures to do otherwise. Consider these things with me! 

MONUMENTAL MALFEASANCE

From My Perspective - - -

Hillsdale College, located in Southern Michigan, publishes Imprimis – a free monthly speech digest that is dedicated to educating citizens and promoting civil and religious liberty by covering cultural, economic, political and educational issues of enduring significance. In April 2012, a featured address and writing was given on The Decline of American Monuments and Memorials by Michael J. Lewis, the Faison-Pierson-Stoddard Professor of Art at Williams College since 1993. He writes: “This has been an extraordinary year for American monuments. The memorial at Ground Zero opened last September in New York. One month later came the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial here in Washington, and soon to come to Washington…is the memorial to President Eisenhower…”

A major part of this address and writing pertains to the subject matter of a monument and what it is to represent. It is supposed to be – “something erected in memory of a person or event…a personification of some abstract quality, especially when considered to be beyond question…” Dr. Lewis points out some inconsistencies and inaccuracies of some recent monuments. “The King Memorial was criticized for engaging a sculptor from Communist China, who saw to it that Chinese rather than American granite was used for the structure—which accounts for its ‘Made in China’ inscription. Even worse, the memorial managed to misquote the great man: Not only did he not say, ‘I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness,’ but his actual words were a hypothetical statement put in someone else’s mouth. Worse still is the demeanor and expression of the sculpture...Instead of inspiring warmth, there is the infinite aloofness of an idol…”

The second illustration Dr. Lewis references is – “The proposed Eisenhower Monument… Instead of making its subject a 30-foot effigy, it turns him into a diminutive country boy. In an outdoor public space that is part formal civic plaza and part wooden urban park, columns in the background will support a wire mesh screen depicting images of the Kansas prairie of Eisenhower’s childhood. And at the center will be the sculpture of Eisenhower as a dreamy country boy ‘looking out onto his future achievements’—an unconventional depiction, given that there were millions of dreamy country boys and only one Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe in World War Two…” Dr. Lewis adds, “As traditionally understood, a monument is the expression of a single powerful idea in a single emphatic form, in colossal scale and in permanent materials, made to serve civic life…” If one has ever been to Washington, DC, there are Monuments of grandeur representing men and events of a bygone day – from the Lincoln Memorial to the Iwo Jima Monument – very graphic depictions of men and achievements. The same would be true for the one visiting Mount Rushmore and observing the life-like features of four former Presidents.

Some Evangelicals become hyper over “graven images” as being contributory to “idol-worship” – but – care needs to be exercised that one doesn’t throw the baby out with the bath-water. There are “symbols” of the Christian heritage and faith that are scorned by some and attacked by others – (a) Tablets containing the 10 Commandments; (b) A Crèche (Manger Scene) depicting the Birth of Jesus Christ; (c) The Cross – the symbol of Crucifixion for one’s sins; (d) The Empty Tomb – the symbol of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ; (e) Praying in the Name of Jesus Christ; etc. Central to the Message and Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ is I Corinthians 1:18, “…the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” I Corinthians 15:3-4, “I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…” Failure to proclaim this message would be Monumental Malfeasance. Let your life and message always be – To Know Him (Christ) and To Make Him (Christ) Known. Consider these things with me.

A UNIQUE IRONY

From My Perspective - - -

What could be more ironic than this Headline on The Christian Post: “National Day of Prayer Coincides With 50th Anniversary of Ban on School Prayer”? Today – Thursday, May 3^rd – manyAmericans will be observing the 61st annual National Day of Prayer. This year is one of special significance because the May 3^rd  observance also marks the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision that invalidated official prayer in public schools. The article suggests that "…Some religious believers will likely use the day of prayer to call attention to what they view as a regrettable and consequential decision…referencing the Supreme Court's landmark 1962 decision in Engel v. Vitale.” It is further suggested that “…this year's National Day of Prayer will reopen the debate on the Establishment Clause, which says Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

According to the National Day of Prayer Task Force, led by Shirley Dobson, "The National Day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation. It enables us to recall and to teach the way in which our founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. It stands as a call to us to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for our leaders and His grace upon us as a people. The unanimous passage of the bill establishing the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, signifies that prayer is as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning." 

In a very telling statement, the Freedom From Religion Foundation argues: “The U.S. President has neither the moral nor the constitutional authority to dictate to Americans to pray, much less to tell citizens what to pray about or set aside an entire day for prayer…Whether to pray, or believe in a god who answers prayer, is an intensely precious, personal decision protected under our First Amendment as a paramount matter of conscience. Don't let Christian evangelicals hijack our secular Constitution."

In a somewhat neutral and secular tone, President Barack Obama issued his proclamation on the National Day of Prayer on Tuesday. In it, he writes: "Prayer has always been a part of the American story, and today countless Americans rely on prayer for comfort, direction, and strength, praying not only for themselves, but for their communities, their country, and the world. On this National Day of Prayer, we give thanks for our democracy that respects the beliefs and protects the religious freedom of all people to pray, worship, or abstain according to the dictates of their conscience…I invite all citizens of our Nation, as their own faith directs them, to join me in giving thanks for the many blessings we enjoy, and I call upon individuals of all faiths to pray for guidance, grace, and protection for our great Nation as we address the challenges of our time."

Removing God out of our schools and national consciousness has not worked very well for our nation, nor has it resulted in any significant and positive result for the citizenry. This year’s theme for The National Day of Prayer is: “One Nation Under God, is based on Psalm 33:12 - “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” For those who wish to continue to remove God and Prayer from the nation’s public awareness, there are two passages to ponder – (1) Psalm 9:16-17, “The Lord is known by the judgment He executes; The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God.” – and (2) Psalm 14:1, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, They have done abominable works…” Our drift away from God has been persistent: 1960s – Prayer and Bible Reading removed from the schools; 1970s – the Legalization of Abortion on demand; 1980s – several revisions and “translations” where the name Jesus was omitted (and continuing to this day where gender-neutral names are assigned for God); 1990s – The Gay Agenda began to gain attention and tractions; 2000s – same-sex marriages are being legitimatized and legalized in many States of this nation.

• Are we forgetting God and His Standards? Yes! 
• Have we surrendered a national consciousness about God and His preeminence in all things? Yes!

The time is long past and the need is urgent for this nation to return to the Lord and to acknowledge Him in all things. Commit yourself to make every day a Day of Prayer. May the Lord bless and enrich you as you do! Consider these things with me!

I and ME and MY and MINE

From My Perspective - - -

There are many considerations that can gain one’s focus. Among them - Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness which demand time, attention and care. In that focus, determination and pursuit one must guard against using others as stepping stones to achieve a personal status and/or goal in life. There is no room for selfishness or self-centeredness; personal ego and pride; or elitism at any cost. It is devastating to relationships, corporations, churches and nations when class-distinctions are allowed to usurp unity of purpose and endeavor.

The one who was called “The Father of Our Country” – George Washington, addressed this in his Farewell Address to the Congress and Nation in 1796. Among his comments were these: “The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also dear to you. It is justly so, for it is the main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point of your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts…The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts of common dangers, sufferings and successes. But these considerations, however powerfully they address themselves to your sensibility, are greatly outweighed by those which apply more immediately to your interest. Here every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the union of the whole…”

In the climate of the times in which we live, it appears there are those who are more focused on “I and ME and MINE” than they are upon the “We and Us and Our.” That which is true in and for the nation, is also true in terms of religion either organized or self-designated. In John 17, Jesus prayed for the unity of those who would follow Him with complete commitment. However, Paul would warn in Romans 16:17-18, “I urge you - note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” Paul could’ve easily expanded his listing – not just the “smooth words and flattering speech” – to the reality of the proud and boastful who require and expect notice for achievement by their frequent use and reference to “I and ME and MY and MINE.” In and for both National and Religious spheres, there is a word of wisdom and caution given in Proverbs 6:16-19 – “These six things the Lord hates…seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.” The Lord has put the Nation and Church on notice – He will not condone what He condemns! In James 4:6, there is this unalterable truth:“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Consider these things with me!